Chapter 363: Courtesy first, then attack
Luo Qingshan is located about 20 miles southwest of Xiaozhushan. It is a small, mid-grade first-order spiritual vein, originally occupied by a small family.
After the demonic calamity broke out, this small family was very fortunate to escape major harm, but unfortunately they were slaughtered when the demonic cultivators ran rampant.
The entire family was wiped out, leaving the land unclaimed, and it was later seized by a group of rogue cultivators.
Among the independent cultivators, there were two Foundation Establishment cultivators who were not satisfied with this mid-grade spiritual vein, so they set their sights on Little Bamboo Mountain and Big Bamboo Mountain.
The Wei and Lin families suffered heavy losses in the demon and monster calamities, with only an elderly clan leader and a few Qi Refining stage disciples remaining in each family.
The mountaintop is dotted with jagged rocks, and there are a few crooked pine trees with bark etched with the marks of time.
Wang Hao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction of Xiaozhushan. He had two long beards and a refined appearance, but a hideous scar running across his forehead ruined his aura.
Zhang Hongjiang, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, descended on a magical artifact and said in a low voice:
"Brother, the Wei family disciples from Xiaozhushan are returning tomorrow, and they're going to throw a big banquet. What do you think?"
They had long intended to annex Xiaozhushan. Nominally, it was under the jurisdiction of the Jinling Sect, but the sect didn't care who was offering tribute, as long as the full amount of spiritual items was handed over.
Out of caution, they investigated Xiaozhushan's background and learned that Xiaozhushan actually had a Foundation Establishment stage disciple in the Jinling Sect.
Although sects strictly forbid their disciples from interfering in external affairs, a disciple cannot simply ignore the fact that a sect member's family has been driven out of their clan territory.
Later, upon learning that this Wei family disciple might return to the family, they chose to remain inactive.
Two weeks ago, Xiaozhushan sent out a wide-ranging message to invite like-minded people to witness the succession of the new patriarch of the Wei family.
"Xiaozhushan's move is nothing more than sending a message to the outside world to prove that their heritage is still intact and that they still have the ability to safeguard their legacy."
Since we've also received the post, let's go take a look.
"Hehe, I heard this disciple's cultivation is only average. If he's just an ordinary cultivator, we'll make our move when that old guy's lifespan runs out."
A sinister smile appeared on Wang Hao's lips. The old patriarch of the Wei clan had been injured and it would be good if he could hold on for another three to five years.
His eyes darted around a few times, then he said:
"Go and prepare a gift, something not too shabby, and come with me to the banquet tomorrow."
"Why bother preparing gifts! We know this disciple is only at the first level of Foundation Establishment! He's not good at combat either, so how can he accept our gifts?"
“Brother, this is called ‘courtesy first, then force.’ We can take back the gifts we’ve given away later.”
"If we still come knocking with that arrogant attitude, the old man might fight us to the death and manage to harm us."
Wang Hao patiently explained that his actions were intended to show some goodwill and appease the Wei family, and that it was not worth risking his life against an old man nearing the end of his life.
"Big brother is so thoughtful, I understand."
Zhang Hongjiang said with heartfelt admiration that the reason he regarded the other party as his elder brother was because the other party was smarter than him.
Wang Hao instructed:
"Go prepare a gift. Don't send things like pills. It would be best to send an ordinary high-grade magic weapon."
If he gives away the pills, someone else might take them, so how can he recycle them?
"Alright, I'll listen to you, brother," Zhang Hongjiang thought with even greater admiration.
On the deck of the flying boat, Wei Songnian gazed at the distant mountains and sighed softly:
"I'm finally back!"
After the demonic calamity, he encountered a series of demonic disasters, and it has been more than 20 years since he returned to his clan's territory.
Yin Qiuyun's eyes were deep and her mind was filled with memories.
She has lived in Xiaozhushan since childhood and is familiar with every plant and tree in most of the area.
After recalling the events, she said softly:
"Husband, Lin'er is already old enough to take the Meridian Opening Pill. If he has good talent, do you really want to send him to the Golden Spirit Sect?"
Wei Bailin will be twelve years old in six months, and he has already mastered the art of opening the meridians.
"Madam, haven't we already agreed on this issue?"
Wei Songnian smiled. They had discussed this issue many times and had reached an agreement.
If a child is talented enough, staying in the family will only hinder their development.
If the children are just average, he will give up the idea and let his two sons get married early so that he can have more grandchildren.
"I know this is for the good of the child, but I still feel reluctant to do it."
If the child is talented, could we not rush him to join a sect and let him stay with us for a few more years?
Having lived as an orphan since childhood, Yin Qiuyun couldn't bear to see her child leave her so early.
Wei Songnian sighed and explained:
"Within a sect, the treatment one receives may differ if one breaks through to the Foundation Establishment stage a year earlier."
If Lin'er has good talent, he can join the sect in the second half of next year. If he stays with us longer, we will have to wait three years.
"I can ask Fellow Daoist Ji for help, or I can arrange for Lin'er to join a sect at another time, but it's not worth using personal connections for such a trivial matter."
After a long silence, Yin Qiuyun said in a low voice:
"Whatever you say."
She knew her husband was right; life's circumstances are wondrous. Sometimes, what seems like only a year or two's delay can lead to drastically different experiences and paths.
Of course, she also hoped that her child could go further in the future. Although sect disciples would ask to sever ties with their families, blood ties could never be severed.
No matter how far Lin'er goes in the future, he will always be her flesh and blood.
After a brief silence, Wei Songnian pointed to the approaching mountains and said:
"We'll be at Xiaozhushan soon. I'll go and inform Fellow Daoist Ji, and you go and notify the others."
On the deck, Ji An stood with his hands behind his back. He could already see the green bamboo covering the mountains and the palace on the mountaintop draped in red silk.
"I haven't asked yet, what's the current situation at Xiaozhushan, and how many cultivators are left?"
A sense of desolation flashed in Wei Songnian's eyes, and a feeling of sorrow, like seeing endless fallen leaves in late autumn, welled up in his heart:
"Less than a hundred people, the most outstanding group of family disciples died in battle at Mingfeng Mountain."
Ji An frowned slightly and sighed:
"The place is ravaged. What compensation does the sect offer?"
Wei Songnian said in a sorrowful voice:
"Two Foundation Establishment cultivators and nearly a hundred Qi Refining stage members of the Wei clan died in battle. The sect promised to give the Wei clan five Foundation Establishment Pills and reduce tribute for twenty years."
However, the Foundation Establishment Pills will only be available after ten years. You will receive two pills in the first ten years, and one pill every ten years thereafter.
Although his fourteenth uncle survived the retreat from Mingfeng Mountain, he passed away a few years later.
If the demonic calamity hadn't occurred, Uncle Fourteen's lifespan should have been another thirty years; it was the fierce battle that damaged his foundation.
However, since they did not die in battle, they were not included in the quota.
"Since the sect has made a promise, you don't need to worry about the Foundation Establishment Pill. If any problems arise, let me know."
Ji An said that he wouldn't ask any more questions unless the sect made a promise.
Because he did not participate in the decision-making process, nor did he want to participate in the decision-making process for such matters.
After the sect made the promise, he would not allow anyone to embezzle the Foundation Establishment Pills of his old friend's family.
Wei Songnian said with a smile, "Thank you in advance, fellow Daoist."
Xiaozhushan, Wei Family Hall.
Zhang Hongjiang sat there with an air of authority, and said in a deep voice:
“I said, Chief Wei, you posted that the new chief’s succession ceremony will be held today, and all the neighbors are giving you face.”
It's almost noon, where is your new clan leader?
The elderly Wei Qinglong calmly stroked his beard and tried to raise his voice:
"Fellow Daoists, please be patient. Songnian may have been delayed on the way. Normally, if he had set off from the Upper Sect early this morning, he would have returned by now."
He was anxious inside, but his face remained as calm as an old dog.
Zhang Hongjiang chuckled maliciously:
"Hehe, did we run into each other on the way?"
"Second brother, shut up!"
Wang Hao's tone was stern, but the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned. "Today is a joyous day for the Wei family. Wouldn't it be better to say something auspicious?"
"I have many auspicious words to say, but I really can't bring myself to say them while leaving all these guests here feeling neglected!"
Just then, a Wei family disciple at the mid-stage of Qi Refining ran joyfully into the main hall:
"Clan leader, Uncle Seven's flying boat will arrive soon."
Wei Qinglong felt relieved, his white beard trembling.
"Haha, Songnian is back! Everyone, please sit here. I will go and welcome the new clan leader."
Wang Hao stood up and laughed loudly:
“Let’s go together. I have long wanted to see Fellow Daoist Wei Songnian in person.”
Zhang Hongjiang also stood up and shouted:
"Let's go together!"
The group walked out of the main hall together, looking up at the descending flying boat.
Suddenly, a magnificent red auspicious cloud, as radiant as the sunset, swept out from the flying boat, surrounded by flames that dazzled the eyes.
Ji An landed on the open ground with Wei Songnian and used a hand seal to dispel the clouds and mist.
After a flash of surprise in the old patriarch's cloudy eyes, his face immediately lit up with a radiant glow:
"My name is Wei Qinglong, and I pay my respects to my master."
Seeing his junior descendant land alongside a cultivator in the Chaoyuan stage dressed as a member of the Golden Spirit Sect, how could he not understand what this meant?
"Greetings, Master."
The crowd shouted in unison, for cultivators at the Chaoyuan stage were beings they looked up to.
Ji An said gently:
"No need for formalities. I met Fellow Daoist Wei when we were still humble. Today, he has returned to his family to inherit the position of patriarch, so I'd like to ask for a drink as well."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried to every corner of the vicinity.
Wang Hao's face darkened. He never expected that Wei Songnian would be involved with a Chaoyuan stage cultivator from the Golden Spirit Sect.
How the hell are we supposed to play this game?! From now on, not only can we not be enemies with the Wei family, we have to deliberately befriend them.
He's only at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment now; a cultivator in the Chaoyuan stage could crush him with a single finger.
He knew in his heart that the sect's forces forbade its disciples from participating in external conflicts, but this cultivator's visit was a blatant declaration of his stance to everyone.
The fact that the cultivator was able to do this shows that the relationship between the cultivator and Wei Songnian was exceptionally deep.
If we continue to oppose the Wei family, it will be like slapping a cultivator in the face in front of him.
'Luckily, I was quick-witted and had my second brother send over a high-grade magic artifact. It was a bit ordinary, but it showed my sincerity.'
Zhang Hongjiang grinned, his admiration for his elder brother growing even stronger.
If it weren't for the other party's strategy of first being courteous and then resorting to force, he probably would have sent a pile of cow dung!
In that case, we won't be able to save face today.
(End of this chapter)
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