861,000-year-old sect reappears
Elder Yu retorted with absolute certainty, "You two certainly look so much younger, and your cultivation has improved considerably. How could two people nearing the end of their lifespan become so young without breaking through to the Martial King realm? You're utterly fooling us!"
The Second Elder of the Yu family simply couldn't believe it. These two must have been secretly receiving special treatment. Otherwise, their cultivation levels wouldn't have improved so quickly.
With a gentle wave of her hand, the butler outside rushed in, his round face revealing a hint of fear, as if he had witnessed something terrible.
"Master, please give your orders." The steward quickly bowed his head, awaiting the Second Elder of the Yu family's command with utmost respect. However, what he had seen in recent days made him feel that his master seemed to have become a different person.
The Second Elder of the Yu family showed no pity, only boundless rage. He asked in a low voice, "Tell me, does this entire Yu family belong to me? Am I the true heir?"
The butler quickly lowered his head and echoed, "Yes, sir, the entire Yu family should belong to you. Please don't be angry, sir. The patriarch will surely return."
Then the patriarch won't be deceived anymore. Then you will be the head of the Yu family. The patriarch will definitely make the master the head of the family.
The butler leaned forward slightly, as if trying to minimize his presence, his eyes occasionally glancing upwards, his fingers lightly rubbing together, revealing his inner tension and unease. He forced a smile and tried to agree.
The second master of the Yu family smiled slightly after hearing the answer, clearly very satisfied with the steward's reply. A hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes as he whispered, "Good, when I become the head of the family, I will definitely make you the head steward."
"Thank you, sir, thank you, sir." The butler quickly bowed and thanked him, his expression a mixture of fear and barely perceptible excitement.
The second master of the Yu family nodded slightly and instructed, "Go and select some more loyal servants; this time, more than ninety. Not a single one can be missing."
The butler was momentarily taken aback. His face showed difficulty. "Master," he said, "selecting so many at once means fewer people to work. Besides, the Third Master has also been selecting people recently, mostly young and strong."
The butler said in a low voice.
"Hmph, I knew it." The second master of the Yu family seemed to have already guessed. But his tone remained unchanged as he ordered, "Go, pick 99 for me first. If anyone else dares to stop you, just say my name."
Hmph, I'd like to see who dares to stop me.
Also, have the guards come up with as many moves as possible, the more the better. Understood?
"Yes, yes," the butler nodded quickly, his face filled with fear. He bowed deeply and said, "Yes, sir. I'll go prepare it for you right away."
Should we send it to the back of the mountain?
The second master of the Yu family nodded slowly.
Four or five local thugs, each holding a gong, banged it and shouted, "Taxes are collected! Taxes are collected! One or two people per household are to be taxed. This is a tax to ensure your safety; you must pay within three days. If anyone doesn't pay and something bad happens to them tonight, don't blame us for not warning you."
Behind them were seven or eight thugs, dressed in thick padded coats and melon-shaped hats, stained with grease, each carrying a stick as thick as an arm. They knocked on doors from house to house.
He knocked on the door and shouted, "Open the door! Open the door! One tael of silver per person. Adults and children alike!"
"Sir, sir. My family is truly out of money. Please have mercy, sir. I'll hand over the silver in a few days!"
"No money. Humph, trying to fool us. There must be some hidden money somewhere, maybe inside the house? Young lady, come with me to the house and take a look." She said, pulling him towards the house.
"You've gone too far!" A burly man rushed over, wielding a wood-chopping knife.
Brothers, someone actually dared to rebel!
The sounds of fighting erupted. The man who charged forward with a knife was immediately struck by six or seven clubs, his head smashed to pieces.
"Hmph, not paying taxes. And they dare to resist! Look at this, this is what happens when you don't pay taxes!" the blood-splattered ringleader roared menacingly.
Looking at the frightened people around him, he smiled with extreme joy.
He shouted a loud threat, "Those who can't pay the silver will have to use themselves as collateral. Today, every single person on Three Snake Street will have their money collected; not a single one will be left out."
"Yes!" the surrounding underlings echoed in unison.
Outside Nanhe Prefecture, the city gates were tightly shut. Nanhe Prefecture Commandant Cheng, sword in hand—a gentleman should wield a sword—stared at the blood-soaked army before him, who had actually set up camp right under his nose. He was instantly enraged.
In Nanhe Prefecture, even the Tian and Yu families have to give them some face. How could they be treated like this, with their gates blocked? This is practically a provocation.
After waiting for a long time, the troops outside still hadn't left. Growing increasingly impatient, he hissed, "Why hasn't the patriarch sent any news yet?"
"Please calm down, sir. I'll go take a look right away," the servant of the Cheng family quickly and respectfully replied, preparing to return and investigate.
Before they had gone more than a few steps, a swift horse came galloping towards them. The rider, clad in soft armor, dismounted quickly and galloped over. "Captain," he said, "the patriarch requests your immediate return. We must discuss important matters."
Lieutenant Cheng showed a hint of dissatisfaction, snorted coldly, mounted his horse, and quickly headed towards the Cheng family mansion. Along the way, he saw various families arranging for local ruffians to forcibly collect taxes.
He also saw his own family, and their expressions turned slightly serious. He then hurried toward the mansion without giving way to his family.
Inside the Cheng family mansion, beautiful women sang and danced. Various fresh fruits and fragrant meats—roast chicken, roast duck, roast goose—were served, all delicious and tempting.
The head of the Cheng family was entertaining two guests who had come from afar.
Captain Cheng and the other elders entered one after another, and the head of the Cheng family nodded slightly. With a wave of his hand, the beauty and servants slowly left.
The head of the Cheng family appeared ordinary, but his eyes, though clear, were filled with cunning and calculation. He introduced them to the family elders, saying, "These are the two sect leaders my son invited from the Ten Thousand Years Sect: Sect Leader Jiu and Sect Leader Feng."
The leader of the Wannian Sect, the other elders, and Captain Cheng nodded slightly. The patriarch's son had joined the Wannian Sect. The Wannian Sect was two hundred miles away from here, not very far. There weren't many followers, and they were quite protective of their own.
It is said that the sect was founded by three martial arts masters. Two of them have come today. I don't know what price the patriarch paid, but at this moment, every bit of help is a bit more chance of winning.
The two leaders, Jiu and Feng, had effeminate faces and smiled in a way that carried an unspeakable eeriness. They wore brocade robes embroidered with lifelike qilin offering auspicious omens, but for some reason, the qilin's eyes were tinged with red.
The two nodded slightly, their expressions conveying a sense of mystery and nobility.
The head of the Cheng family clasped his hands slightly and expressed his gratitude in front of everyone, saying, "Many thanks to the two sect leaders for traveling a long distance to provide support. Our Cheng family will never forget this kindness and will be deeply grateful."
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