Eternal Beast Taming Family

Upon hearing the clan leader's words, the expressions of the Zhang and Shi clan leaders instantly turned extremely ugly.

Zhang Yuhe, the head of the Zhang family, couldn't help but say, "This hunt is held every three years. Didn't we just have one last year? Why are we having another one this year?"

Tang Cheng had anticipated his complaints. "This time, the Huo family issued the order themselves. There's no use in you complaining here. If any family refuses to go, their envoys won't be as accommodating as I am when they arrive."

"With that energy, you'd be better off preparing properly to reduce the number of contract masters dying in your family."

His tone was cold; the contract master, who was revered in the eyes of ordinary people, was of little value to him.

Shi Jinghong asked in a low voice, "How many people from each family are going this time?"

"Each family will contribute half the number of their family contract masters; the Shi family will send three extraordinary-rank masters and twelve ordinary-rank masters."

The Zhang family sent four extraordinary individuals and eleven ordinary individuals, while the Chu family sent one extraordinary individual and two ordinary individuals.

Regardless of the strength or weakness of family members, the family head must participate.

Tang Cheng looked at the increasingly grim faces of the Shi and Zhang clan heads and added, "This time the scale is unprecedented. Even the town mayor's office is sending half of its guards to participate. Please don't feel resentful."

Zhang Yuhe's fingers trembled slightly, his voice filled with shock, "Such a large scale, what is the Huo family trying to do? Do they intend to plow through the entire area around Paper Hawk County before they're satisfied?"

"Tch, that old man's thinking is so limited. What if they want to open a path to the heartland where the Source Beasts live?"

Tang Cheng didn't want to listen to their argument. "What happens is none of your business. Just follow orders when the time comes. Go back and submit the list of those who will depart by tomorrow."

The heads of the Shi and Zhang families had no time to discuss this, and both left hastily with solemn expressions.

Tang Cheng's gaze fell on Chu Jingyu, who remained there. "Ask me anything you want to ask now."

Chu Jingyu apologized, "This is the first time our Chu family has participated in a hunt, and we really don't know what the rules are for this kind of hunt outside the border. Could you please enlighten us, sir?"

"Rules?" Tang Cheng smiled meaningfully. "What rules could there be for this hunt? It's just low-ranking families being herded along by high-ranking families to scout the way."

If you're lucky, all your source beasts will survive. If you're average, one or two of your contracted source beasts will die. If you're unlucky, you and all your source beasts will perish outside the realm.

"It's a pity that your Chu family encountered a hunt so soon after its founding. The Huo family's transfer order doesn't recognize any new clan protection period."

Chu Jingyu, clinging to a sliver of hope, asked, "Can you purchase a spot using Source Stones?"

Tang Cheng slowly shook his head. "No, but you can spend money to hire some unemployed cultivators to fill the two spots for the mortal level."

Chu Jingyu breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Mayor."

"It's alright." Tang Cheng waved his hand gently, letting Chu Jingyu leave the town mayor's mansion.

As the year draws to a close, the weather is getting colder.

Upon returning home, Chu Qinhui summoned his four guards and quickly wrote a notice.

"Go and send several copies of this notice to be posted on all the main roads in town. If you know any of them, you can also inform them of the message."

The four guards of the Chu family picked up the notice and glanced at it, discovering that it was a recruitment notice.

The notice stated that two mortal-level contract masters were being recruited to participate in a hunt outside the boundary on behalf of the Chu family members. A one-time payment of three thousand source stones would be provided as compensation. If they died in battle outside the boundary, their direct descendants would also be compensated with a Spirit Awakening quota.

Upon seeing this news, an old man, trembling, bowed deeply to Chu Jingyu.

"If the head of the family does not mind, this old man is willing to apply for the job."

Chu Jingyu looked up at the old man who had spoken. Xu Yinghui was a rather elderly man. The Chu family had originally hired him mainly to raise source beasts.

He usually seems quite easygoing, I never expected him to apply for this job that takes him outside the designated area.

Moreover, the salary of three thousand source stones is not very high. As long as Xu Yinghui works diligently for the Chu family for five years, he can also get this amount of source stones as compensation.

Could it be for a spot in the Spirit Opening Ceremony? This old man wants to die so that he can leave a blessing for his family's descendants.

In a flash, Chu Jingyu seemed to understand his heart.

"You want a slot for spiritual awakening?"

When Chu Jingyu asked Xu Yinghui, Xu Yinghui responded quite generously.

"Yes, my father was once a guard in Yuzhen. He went to great lengths to help me become a contract master, but I lived my whole life in a daze and left no assets for my descendants."

If I die in battle beyond the borders, I implore the patriarch to hold a memorial service for my granddaughter.

Xu Yinghui appeared particularly magnanimous at this moment.

Seeing his resolute expression, Chu Jingyu seemed to be touched by something. "Alright, since that's the case, I'll give you one spot. Whether you can return from the outside world or not, I will perform the spirit awakening for your granddaughter."

Xu Yinghui excitedly raised his head, his lips trembling slightly, "Thank you, Patriarch, thank you, Patriarch."

Then he added, "Patriarch, there's no need to post notices outside. I know a few old friends who will surely agree to your terms."

Upon hearing this, Chu Jingyu looked surprised. "Really?"

Xu Yinghui nodded affirmatively, "Old men like us who have no hope of breaking through are worried about not having any legacy to leave to our descendants. There is no reason not to agree to such a favorable condition offered by the patriarch."

"Alright, then we won't post a notice. I'll leave it to you to find someone, Mr. Xu."

"Yes, Patriarch, I'll be off now." With that, Xu Yinghui hurriedly left.

The other three guards looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

"Lin Yue, you and Fang Tong go to the medicine and veterinary shop in town. You two stay there and keep watch. Tell Xiao Hui to come back."

Lin Yue, with his cold and hard expression, and Fang Tong, with his ordinary-looking face, exchanged a glance, nodded, and left in unison, following orders.

The last remaining strong young guard was instructed by Chu Jingyu: "Lin Dong, go and guard the door."

"Yes."

Sitting in the central hall, Chu Jingyu stared at the dark clouds in the sky with a complex expression, feeling both relieved and worried.

Fortunately, the rest of the family members can be replaced by unemployed cultivators.

My worry is whether Qin Hui and Xiao Fan can support the family if I don't return.

About an hour later, Chu Qinhui, who had rushed back from town, saw Chu Jingyu and immediately asked, "Father, what urgent matter brought you back so urgently?"

Chu Jingyu gestured for Chu Qinhui to sit down, and after he calmed down, he slowly said:

"Starting tomorrow, you will stay here and guard the ancestral hall. You are not allowed to go anywhere else. The shop will be left to the steward and guards to look after."

Hearing his father's sudden arrangement, Chu Qinhui was completely bewildered. He desperately wanted to know the reason, so he pressed for an answer again:

"Father, what happened?"