"Elder brother, you lost the bet. Don't forget about the full moon banquet gift."
"Rest assured, but observing this person's character, he is truly a narrow-minded fellow. I fear he won't let this matter rest easily."
"Elder brother's concerns coincide exactly with mine, but it doesn't matter. The Zhong family is merely insignificant. If he dares to go, we can use the Zhong family's hand to dampen the Wu family's momentum and have them devoured by the various clans of Qingjiang."
"The Fang, Wang, He, and Cao clans have long been tired of seeing the Wu family act tyrannically in Qingjiang County."
Hearing these words, Xu Mingwei laughed in spite of himself, "Ahyuan, when it comes to understanding people's hearts, I'm truly inferior to you. I even feel you're more suited for this position of family head than I am."
"I believe in father's choice."
Xu Mingyuan looked at Xu Mingwei with a smile. Xu Mingwei shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, "This elder brother worried too much."
"As for the Wu family matter, you can handle it yourself. However, don't expend too much effort on it. Focus mainly on advancing in the martial Dao."
Xu Mingyuan nodded slightly.
Letting them lose their clan's power and status and become an ordinary wealthy household was already considering Wu Rushan's feelings.
Wu Zhan fled from Dongxi Village like a homeless dog, rushing toward Qingjiang County. However, when he reached not far from the city gate, he suddenly reined in his horse. His eyes were full of bloodshot veins, unwillingness, and resentment.
"No, the Xu family has humiliated me so. Even if we perish together, I must make them pay a painful price!"
After witnessing part of the Xu family's strength and foundation, he knew that with the Xu family present in Qingjiang, his Wu family would never have a day to rise. They might even gradually fade away under their oppression.
If that was the case, he might as well drive the tiger to devour the wolf!
In his deeply rooted mindset, commandery city clans could never be compared to county city clans.
Wu Zhan immediately turned around and headed toward the commandery city. This time, no one blocked his way.
His acupoints were also fully broken through shortly after, restoring his innate martial artist strength.
At the same time at the Xu family.
"Cheng Fei, ride the variant dragon steed to the commandery city and deliver this letter to the shopkeeper of Guanghu Residence. Go quickly and return quickly."
"Yes, Second Master."
Cheng Fei clasped his fists in response, then immediately left.
The variant dragon steed was a special variant fine horse cultivated by the Xu family. Through consuming Black Iron Fruits, they had transformed. Whether in endurance or speed, they far surpassed ordinary fine horses.
Currently, there were only three.
Cheng Fei arrived at the commandery city more than half a day faster than Wu Zhan.
…
Yuehu Commandery city, outside Guanghu Residence.
"What a lively tavern. Compared to Zuiyun Residence in the county city, the scale is more than double. Truly worthy of being the commandery city."
In his heart, he felt proud about having joined the Xu family back then.
How clever I am!
This should be the most correct decision of my life.
Joining the Xu family as a peak first-rate martial artist, being valued by the Xu family, being bestowed medicinal diets, Aperture Opening Pills, and Qi-Drawing Pills, in just six or seven years, he advanced unstoppably and entered the innate realm.
Now, he was only forty-eight years old and still had potential to advance further.
Without the Xu family's support, he would at most have reached late Postnatal realm in this lifetime.
"Guest, please come in. What would you like to eat? Order whatever you want."
Cheng Fei said, "Help me take the horse to eat some superior feed. As for food, there's no need for now. I'm looking for your shopkeeper on business."
"Shopkeeper Jin, someone is looking for you."
The waiter called out and immediately took the variant dragon steed away.
One could tell at a glance that this steed was extraordinary. Even after several years in the commandery city, he had never seen one with better quality.
"Who are you?"
Shopkeeper Jin had a tall and large physique, slightly plump build, and a round, fleshy face. He looked like a simple and honest elder. However, he handled matters efficiently and possessed innate cultivation. He was the Xu family's overt liaison hub in the commandery city.
If he went without news for too long, the covert contact would transmit the message back to the Xu family.
Cheng Fei clasped his fists, "My surname is Cheng. Someone from your hometown asked me to bring you a letter."
Shopkeeper Jin's eyelids lowered slightly, then he smiled and patted Cheng Fei's shoulder, "Ha ha ha, so it's Brother Cheng. How have you changed so much in recent years? I almost didn't recognize you."
"Come, come, come. Today you and I should have a good drink."
As he spoke, he invited Cheng Fei to a private room on the second floor.
Wine and dishes were served, and they ate and drank their fill.
Cheng Fei took out a small letter tube from his bosom and handed it to Shopkeeper Jin.
Shopkeeper Jin silently opened it, took out the note inside, and after reading it, burned it. He clasped his fists, "Thank you, Brother Cheng, for bringing me the letter today. When I return in the future, I'll definitely host you properly."
Cheng Fei didn't stay long in the commandery city.
Because there was nothing to stay for. In his heart, although this place was prosperous and dazzling, it couldn't compare to three feet of Dongxi land.
That afternoon, Shopkeeper Jin went to the Zhong family.
"Family head, someone has come to visit." A household servant came to report.
At this time, the Zhong family head was taking a nap on the couch, with a young woman not yet twenty sitting beside him.
Her cleavage was clearly visible. She smiled sweetly, using her delicate jade hands to pinch fresh fruit cut into small pieces and feed them to the Zhong family head's mouth.
The Zhong family head would occasionally suck on them a few times, drawing the young woman's coquettish complaints.
"Who has come to visit?" The Zhong family head didn't open his eyes and asked casually.
"It's the shopkeeper of Guanghu Residence."
Upon hearing this, the Zhong family head was stunned for a moment, then suddenly opened his eyes. He raised his hand to stop the young woman from continuing to feed him, sat up properly, and looked at the household servant with piercing eyes.
"Is it truly him?"
"This humble one has been to Guanghu Residence and had the fortune to meet him. It's definitely Shopkeeper Jin."
The Zhong family head's eyes flashed as he pondered briefly, "Invite him to the reception hall. Tell him this family head will arrive shortly. Remember to treat him well and don't neglect him."
"Yes, family head." The household servant immediately took his leave.
"Master, he's just a tavern shopkeeper. Why do you need to treat him so cautiously?"
"What do women know? You rest here first. This family head will return shortly."
"I understand, master. This servant will wait for you."
The young woman lay down on her side, her snow-white skin half exposed. She suddenly cast a flirtatious glance at him, striking a seductive pose. Her dimpled face showed all manner of charm, and her autumn waves flowed with graceful allure, causing one's heart and spirit to waver.
The Zhong family head was no ordinary person. He endured, adjusted his clothing properly, and stepped out the door.
At the reception hall, the Zhong family head walked toward Shopkeeper Jin with clasped fists and a smile, "Shopkeeper Jin, I trust you've been well."
Shopkeeper Jin hurriedly stood up and returned the courtesy with clasped fists, "Family Head Zhong, your bearing is even more impressive."
The two smiled at each other.
"Please sit."
After the two were seated, the Zhong family head didn't engage in empty talk but got straight to the point, "Why has Shopkeeper Jin come to visit today?"
"There's a matter I'd like to ask Family Head Zhong to help with."
"Oh?" The Zhong family head was quite surprised. With a smile playing at his lips, he said, "Shopkeeper Jin, please speak directly."
"You know of the Wu family of Qingjiang, don't you?"
"The Wu family, which Wu family?" After pondering, the Zhong family head said, "The one from Qingjiang County, is that them? What about the Wu family?"
Shopkeeper Jin said, "There are rumors that your Zhong family is the Wu family's backing in the commandery city. Soon, someone will probably come rushing here to invite the Zhong family to go to Qingjiang and deal with our Xu family."
The Zhong family head's hand trembled slightly as he picked up his teacup. He hurriedly set it down and said with a smile, "There's absolutely no such thing. This is utterly absurd. What Wu family? I've never even heard of them."
The Zhong family head was immediately alarmed.
Behind the Xu family's business in the commandery city was the Chang family, and they were also related to the Yang family. With such a background, how could his Zhong family dare provoke them?
Several years ago, the Zhong family had once eyed Guanghu Residence's business.
Shortly after, the Chang family sent people to their door to warn them, which truly made the Zhong family worry and fear for quite a while.
From then on, they never dared to provoke them again. They even deliberately tried to curry favor, wanting to establish a connection with the Chang family.
Shopkeeper Jin waved his hand, "Family Head Zhong, don't panic. My family head naturally believes you wouldn't take such action. But if the Wu family really sends someone, please don't refuse them.
After all, the Wu family is related to our Xu family by marriage. We must give them some face..."
Shopkeeper Jin stopped there, but the Zhong family head immediately understood his purpose for this visit.
"Zhong understands. Anyone hostile to the Xu family is opposing my Zhong family. Everything will be done by my Zhong family and has nothing whatsoever to do with the Xu family."
"Ha ha, Family Head Zhong is so righteous. I imagine you'll surely be an honored guest of the Chang family in the future."
"You flatter me, you flatter me."
Shortly after, Shopkeeper Jin left, without leaving behind any incriminating evidence.
The Zhong family head saw him off, watching his receding figure as he walked away. His eyes were gloomy and uncertain as he muttered in a low voice, "Old fox. He doesn't want to dirty his own hands but wants to borrow my Zhong family's blade. But..."
Since they had already discovered his connection with the Wu family, if he didn't distance himself, that would be clearly standing on the opposite side of the Xu family.
He wasn't very clear about the Xu family's specifics, but they were far away in that remote place of Qingjiang, at most only somewhat stronger than the Wu family. However, the Chang family behind them was not something the current Zhong family could provoke.
Returning to his room, the Zhong family head was weighed down with worries. He glanced at the young woman on the couch and had completely lost interest. He waved his hand, telling her to return to her own room.
Seeing his gloomy expression, the young woman knew this was absolutely not the time to anger him and could only obediently leave.
The next day, indeed, someone from the Wu family came.
The Zhong family head smiled with a hidden blade, warmly receiving them.
Hearing Wu Zhan explain the whole story, including how the Xu family might secretly harbor an enormous fortune, he also gave examples of his cousin, as well as Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingwei.
"Family Head Zhong, that Xu Mingwei could enter the grandmaster realm at the age of thirty. Even in the commandery city, very few can achieve this, right?"
"Yes, indeed."
The Zhong family head responded casually. Backed by the Chang family and related to the Yang family, how could they not rise?!
As for any enormous fortune, the Zhong family head didn't believe a single word.
He looked deeply at Wu Zhan. If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves for having thoughts you shouldn't have had, and for letting others find out.
"Worthy nephew, rest assured. A mere Xu family, I'll lead people to make the trip with you this afternoon."
"Many thanks, Family Head Zhong."
Wu Zhan clasped his fists with a smile, wildly rejoicing in his heart. He didn't know his face held such weight that he convinced him with just a few words.
"Xu family, your doomsday has arrived." The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, his heart filled with wild joy.
Two days later, outside Qingjiang County city.
"Qingjiang truly is a place where outstanding people emerge from beautiful lands."
"Family Head Zhong flatters us too much." Wu Zhan clasped his fists with a smile, "After days of rushing, both men and horses are exhausted. Why not follow me to my Wu family to rest for a night?"
"Although my Wu family's family head and uncle don't quite agree with dealing with the Xu family and even declared it would be best to retreat or even become their vassals, now that you've come today, I imagine they won't dare say otherwise."
"So that's how it is." The Zhong family head was quite surprised. Stroking his short beard, he pondered, "It seems the Wu family still has people who can see the situation clearly. No wonder the Xu family didn't act themselves but instead had my Zhong family do it."
"If the Wu family were truly united from top to bottom, how would the Xu family tolerate them?"
"But even if they're not completely destroyed, decline is inevitable."