Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 384 Interception (Please Subscribe! Bonus Chapter This Afternoon!)

"A shift in fortune?"

Deep within the imperial palace of the Great Liang Dynasty.

Liu Qiankun, who was in seclusion cultivating, suddenly felt the Nine Dragon Seal within his body tremble slightly.

This seal is a national treasure, nurtured by the nation's fortune.

Only when the fortunes of the Great Liang change will there be any unusual activity.

He pointed at the illusory image, and the Nine Dragon Seal flew out from his dantian, its nine dragon illusory image dimming slightly.

"Someone has defected?"

"Moreover, such unusual activity suggests that the rebelling family is extremely powerful; there is only one possible explanation."

"Shadow Guard!"

Liu Qiankun said softly, and a dark figure suddenly darted out from the shadows.

He appeared to be middle-aged, dressed in black, masked, with a sinister look in his eyes. After approaching Liu Qiankun, he knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

"Investigate what unusual activities the Zhao family has made."

"Yes."

The sinister-looking middle-aged man clasped his hands in a fist salute, then transformed into a shadow and quietly departed.

Although this secret method is strange, it does not reach the level of supernatural powers.

If someone's divine sense covers it, it's impossible to hide it from them.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhao family land.

Si hour.

Three slender, azure-colored magic boats, each several dozen feet long and several dozen feet wide, floated silently on the flat ground of the valley outside the Zhao family's territory.

The boat shimmered with a faint spiritual light, and many Zhao family disciples in the late stage of Qi Refining stood on the deck.

Each ship had a Foundation Establishment cultivator standing on it.

Inside the cabin were cultivators of lower cultivation levels, including those in the early and mid-stages, as well as children.

There were seven or eight Zhao family members who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage scattered on both sides of the Dharma Boat.

The Black Cloud Leopard, aboard the magic boat, had a bright and piercing gaze in its eyes, thinking to itself: I wonder if I'll be able to see Boss Mo Yue on this trip.

"Departure."

Zhao Qingran gave the order.

The Dharma boat's spiritual light gradually intensified, and it slowly rose into the air.

Adjust your direction and start driving towards the direction of Dongxi.

However, the group had only traveled a few dozen miles from their tribe's territory.

The clouds in the sky in front, to the left, right, and even behind suddenly began to churn like boiling water!

"Rumble--"

The dull, thunderous drumbeats began without warning.

It was accompanied by the humming sound of armor rubbing together and spiritual energy gathering.

One after another, black battle flags embroidered with ferocious "Liang" characters and dragon patterns pierced through the clouds, fluttering in the wind.

Soldiers dressed in uniform armor and wielding halberds and crossbows appeared in dense formation, like an iron curtain that had been laid in ambush, emerging from all directions.

They surrounded the three Dharma boats and the Zhao family's guards!

An aura of impending doom rose to the sky, causing the wind and clouds to change color.

What made people even more uneasy was that three particularly powerful auras rose from the military formation, belonging to three generals clad in heavy armor with faces as cold and hard as iron.

They were all at the peak of Foundation Establishment!
They acted like three anchors, blocking the main escape routes.

Immediately afterwards, a majestic and domineering imperial aura, like a mountain pressing down, descended.

A bright yellow dragon shadow flashed, and Emperor Liu Qiankun of the Great Liang Dynasty appeared before the army formation.

He was still wearing his crown and dragon robe, but his face no longer held its usual deep and majestic air; only a cold scrutiny and a hint of suppressed anger remained.

His gaze, like a tangible blade, swept across the three Dharma boats.

Ultimately, it fell on Zhao Qingran.

"Minister Zhao, where is your Zhao family headed with such a grand display?"

Liu Qiankun's voice was not loud, but it clearly pierced through the wind and reached everyone's ears, carrying an undeniable question.

"Could it be that you intend to betray my Great Liang and seek refuge elsewhere?"

Zhao Qingran was deeply shaken.

How did Liu Qiankun find out?
My Zhao family should keep this matter very secret.

Could it be that some ignorant member of the clan inadvertently leaked the information?
Zhao Qingran forced himself to remain calm, cupped his hands in a respectful but not arrogant manner, and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. My Zhao family has lived in Daliang for generations, and our loyalty is beyond question."

This is merely an internal adjustment within the family, with some branch members being sent to establish new businesses elsewhere to further the family's legacy.

The main branch of my Zhao family, with the vast majority of its members, remains in Daliang. How can this be considered betrayal?

"Establish a separate business?"

A cold smile curled at the corner of Liu Qiankun's lips. "Where to? The Xu family of Dongxi?"

Zhao Qingran was silent for a moment, then frankly admitted, "That's right. The Xu family and my Zhao family have a long-standing friendship and are allies. My Zhao family has decided to relocate this part of our clansmen."

A fierce glint flashed in Liu Qiankun's eyes. "What if I... am unwilling to let you leave? What will you do then?"

The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.

The besieging army's aura grew even stronger, their weapons gleaming coldly.

Zhao Qingran took a deep breath, straightened his back, and his voice turned cold: "Your Majesty, this is a private matter within my Zhao family. The family members are free to come and go as they please."

Furthermore, it seems that my Zhao family doesn't need to report to His Majesty how we arrange the affairs of our family members, does it?

"Roar--!"

Sensing the hostility of its opponent, the Black Cloud Leopard suddenly took a step forward and let out a low, violent roar.

Dark clouds churned around it, unleashing the ferocity of a third-tier demon beast without reservation, subtly clashing with Liu Qiankun's imperial aura.

Liu Qiankun's face darkened completely, as if covered with a layer of frost.

"Zhao Qingran, in the past I have been very courteous to the Zhao family because you are important ministers of my Great Liang."

Don't think that I really wouldn't dare to punish your Zhao family!

I'm giving you one last chance to choose: turn back and abandon the vassal Xu clan's alliance.

I will pretend this never happened.

If you remain obstinate, don't blame me for not showing any mercy!

"So Your Majesty already knew."

"The matter of vassalage is something my Zhao family members would never reveal. It seems your royal family has a way to monitor all the large and small families in the Great Liang?"

Liu Qiankun did not respond, but stared coldly at Zhao Qingran.

Zhao Qingran was also going all out, and laughed angrily, "Although my Zhao family is not a true Golden Core family, we are not soft persimmons to be kneaded by others!"
If His Majesty wishes to forcibly detain them, he will likely have to pay a price!

"This beast?!"

Liu Qiankun finally lost his patience. His eyes flashed with golden light. Without saying another word, he raised his hand and struck out with a palm in mid-air!
"hold head high--!"

The immense imperial power surged forth, instantly transforming into a golden dragon several tens of feet long.

Its scales were clearly defined, and it bared its fangs and claws, carrying a terrifying aura that could suppress mountains and rivers, as it pounced directly at the Black Cloud Spirit Leopard high in the sky!
This strike was as swift as lightning!
Liu Qiankun was clearly enraged and wanted to kill the Zhao family's strongest fighter first!
The Zhao family's betrayal of the Great Liang Dynasty caused a loss of imperial fortune.

If he remains unrepentant, then he will be of no use to the Liu family.

The Black Cloud Leopard growled, its body enveloped in black clouds that condensed into a shield, poised to pounce.

Zhao Qingran and the elders' expressions changed drastically, and they all activated their magical artifacts, preparing to fight to the death.

At this critical moment——

"call out--!"

A sharp, piercing whistle seemed to come from beyond the heavens, instantly drowning out all other sounds on the battlefield!
A golden streak of light appeared, piercing through the clouds and sky.

That was an arrow!
The arrow's target was the golden dragon!

"Boom——!!!"

The golden dragon was actually blasted apart by this arrow, turning into countless golden specks of light that scattered in all directions!

A blinding cyan-gold spiritual light erupted like a miniature sun, and a violent energy shockwave spread wildly in a ring, sweeping away the surrounding clouds.

The aftershocks of the spiritual light impacted the protective light shields of the military formation and the magic boat, causing violent ripples.

Everyone, including Liu Qiankun, was stunned by the sudden and incredibly powerful arrow, and their movements froze for a moment.

Liu Qiankun suddenly turned his head, his gaze like lightning, shooting towards the distant horizon where the arrow had come from.

His voice was filled with shock and anger: "Xu Mingwei! How dare you obstruct this emperor?!" Dozens of miles away.

Above the clouds.

A figure in a black and gold robe appeared there.

His posture was as upright as a pine tree, he held a longbow in his hand, and his face exuded an imposing, undignified air.

Who else could it be but Xu Mingwei!

He slowly lowered the longbow in his hand, looked calmly into the distance, and said indifferently, "Fellow Daoist Liu, the Zhao family has become a vassal of my Xu family."

Then it's not something anyone can just move around on.

"you!"

Liu Qiankun was furious, his face trembled slightly, but he did not make any rash moves.

He truly hadn't expected that the Xu family, so far away, would send Xu Mingwei, and that he would arrive so promptly.

The battle where he defeated Cao Jiyi is still fresh in his mind.

"This is troublesome!"

Liu Qiankun thought to himself.

Although Xu Mingwei was only at the early stage of Golden Core, he was a Divine Core cultivator, and his combat power was far superior to that of ordinary Golden Core cultivators of the same realm.

It is no weaker than his mid-stage Golden Core stage.

This is not the imperial city. Although one can still borrow the dynasty's fortune, the improvement is not as great as that in the imperial city.

"To fight or not to fight?"

He was hesitant.

Xu Mingwei transformed into a golden rainbow and arrived a few miles away from Liu Qiankun a moment later.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, the Zhao family has not betrayed your Great Liang. The main branch remains within the territory of Great Liang, only a branch has been sent to my Dongxi. Why are you making such a big fuss?"

Liu Qiankun remained silent upon hearing this.

He certainly couldn't tell Xu Mingwei that the decline of powerful families would shake the fate of the Great Liang Dynasty.

If the Xu family were to instigate the numerous families within the Great Liang territory to do the same, it could even cause his strength to decline, and the grade of the Nine Dragon Seal would also decrease.

It is too closely related to luck and fortune.

Success or failure will ultimately be determined by fate.

If Liu Qiankun's cultivation level hadn't already been stabilized at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, and if the Zhao family had pulled such a stunt when he was just entering the mid-stage, he might have even fallen back to his original level.

"You insist on protecting them?" Liu Qiankun stared at Xu Mingwei.

Xu Mingwei smiled and said, "Even if you want to teach them a lesson, you have to give a plausible reason, otherwise I won't do as you say."

"Good good!"

Liu Qiankun ultimately prevailed over anger, and with a flick of his sleeve, he coldly said, "Today I will give the Xu family some face."

However, I will keep an eye on the Zhao family, and if they do anything to betray my Great Liang...

"Then don't blame me for not showing any mercy."

He turned to look at Zhao Qingran and continued, "Minister Zhao, did you hear me clearly?"

Zhao Qingran bowed respectfully, "I will obey Your Majesty's command. My Zhao family has been rooted in Daliang for generations and will never betray you."

Liu Qiankun's eyes flickered slightly, then he said, "Let's go back to the palace!"

He was the first to transform into a golden ray of light and return to the imperial city, while the remaining soldiers also retreated like a tide.

Zhao Qingran, Zhao Qingyan, and the others bowed and said, "Thank you for Elder Mingwei's help. Otherwise, our Zhao family would be in danger today."

"Given what has happened today, as long as you behave yourselves, the Liang royal family will not easily harm your Zhao family."

“We understand,” Zhao Qingran said.

"Apart from the branch members, everyone else should go back. I will personally escort them."

"Thank you, Elder Mingwei."

"And what about me?" the Black Cloud Leopard suddenly asked.

Xu Mingwei looked over in surprise.

Zhao Qingran transmitted his voice to him and said, "Lord Heiyun, you should stay. My Zhao family's main branch still needs you to oversee things. But if one day, my Zhao family's power will be gone."

You may go to the Xu family and become the guardian spirit beast of my Zhao family branch.”

Black Cloud Leopard was raised and nurtured by the Zhao family, so naturally there is an emotional bond between them.

“I understand,” the Black Cloud Leopard replied.

Zhao Qingran smiled and said to Xu Mingwei, "Lord Heiyun will naturally remain in the clan."

Xu Mingwei nodded, then said, "Let's go."

The Zhao family branch, escorted by Xu Mingwei, headed towards Dongxi.

This Dharma boat was incomparable to the one built by Xu Deling, and the journey took four or five days.

That's how we arrived at Dongxi.

"Such abundant spiritual energy! It truly rivals a secret realm!"

Many of the Zhao family members looked like they were enjoying being surrounded by rich spiritual energy.

Zhao Qingyan coughed twice, telling them to be mindful of their image, and then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xu Mingwei, saying, "Elder Mingwei, thank you for your hard work on this journey."

The old man then took them to settle in.

Xu Mingwei nodded slightly, then transformed into a streak of light and headed towards the Azure Cold Pool.

The distance of several miles was covered in just a few breaths.

“Father.” Xu Mingwei bowed to Xu Chuan.

"came back."

Beneath the withered and flourishing tree.

Xu Chuan opened his eyes and looked up with a smile, "Did you fight Liu Qiankun?"

"No, he only attacked the Zhao family in anger, but I stopped him with an arrow." Xu Mingwei continued, "However, this time it was all thanks to my father's brilliant strategy."

Otherwise, my child will definitely not be able to catch up.

"Under these circumstances, even my ability to deduce the secrets of heaven is limited. Only those related to my Xu family can be calculated more clearly."

"In the midst of this great calamity, all living beings suffer. It is enough to protect ourselves and those closely connected with the Xu family."

Father, you used to tell us when we were young not to be reckless, but to be patient.

The poor should focus on their own well-being, while the successful should help others.

As long as you have a clear conscience, that's enough.

"Why are you comforting your father?" Xu Chuan said with a faint smile. "Do you think your father is a sentimental person?"

"No." Xu Mingwei's lips curled up slightly.

"What about the relocation of the other vassal families?"

"The Yang and Chang families in the county town have already selected elites and children with good aptitude to enter Dongxi."

The four families of Li, Bai, Chen, and Gu in Qingjiang have a small population, and their core members have already migrated.

What remains is the Guangling branch.

When did Father think it would be best for them to set off?

"No rush, let's wait until Mingyuan and the others have all formed their cores."

“I understand. I will take my leave.”

Xu Mingwei bowed and left.

Upon returning to his own courtyard, he saw Yang Ronghua.

Upon seeing Xu Mingwei, she immediately walked gracefully toward him.

“Husband, recently many members of the Yang family have come to visit, including young children. Are they being recruited into the Xu family on purpose?”
Or has something unexpected happened?

Although Yang Ronghua did not interfere in the affairs of the Xu family, he still knew a thing or two about their ways.

The Xu family no longer needs the assistance of other families as it did in the past, and therefore no longer needs to recruit a large number of people to enter Dongxi.

Unless one has exceptional talent or ability, they will be noticed by the Xu family and accepted as a disciple.

Xu Mingwei thought for a moment and then didn't hide it from her. "A great calamity is coming, and the outside world will be turned into blood and dust. My father is kind and cannot bear to see the bloodline of my Xu family's vassal state cut off."

It gave them a glimmer of hope, preserving their bloodline.

"A great calamity? What will happen?" Yang Ronghua's face turned deathly pale instantly.

"Whether it's the various prefectures of the Immortal Martial Alliance, or the Great Wei, Great Liang, or Great Jin, hundreds of millions of living beings will all turn into bones."

Very few survived.

(End of this chapter)