152: Poisonous Scheme

The day after the Chu Family's Medicine Beast Shop was smashed, similar vandalism occurred on a bustling commercial street in Heyu Town, which was part of the Zhang Family's properties.

This vandalism, however, had a seemingly reasonable excuse: a Source Beast rampage.

Two or three Azure Wolves, appearing from nowhere, stormed onto the street. Miraculously, they didn't harm anyone; they simply ran into various shops, destroyed the displays, and then moved on to the next shop.

It wasn't that the street lacked Guards who were Contract Masters from the Zhang Family, but these Azure Wolves were incredibly clever and all at the Mortal Rank, so they never got close to the Contract Masters.

After wreaking havoc on the street for nearly an hour, these Azure Wolves followed a secluded street and ran out of the town, disappearing into the unknown.

The town residents only felt that this Source Beast attack was bizarre, but when the news reached the Zhang Family main house, the Zhang Family Head's expression darkened.

"It seems the Chu Family is not willing to suffer even the slightest loss," he remarked.

There were two others in the room, looking similar in appearance, likely belonging to the same Zhang Family Bloodline.

"The previous probing has been effective. It's clear that the Chu Family Member is not willing to submit to our Zhang Family," said the slightly younger one, who was the current Zhang Family Head's cousin, named Zhang Qinghe.

The other was named Zhang Jinglu, who was the current Family Head's clan uncle.

Zhang Family Head Zhang Qingyuan's expression was cold, his eyes filled with chill. "Now they have a Spirit Rank, and we have a Spirit Rank. Our Zhang Family also has the connection with the County Assistant."

"Even if the Chu Family doesn't want to submit, they will have to."

Zhang Jinglu calmly set down his teacup. "There is no rush to deal with the Chu Family. After all, their industries are not in the town, and they don't have significant conflicts of interest with our Zhang Family. What needs focus now is the Family Head's second Spirit Rank Source Beast, maintaining the relationship with the County Assistant's office, and our Zhang Family's promotion to an Eighth-Grade Magnate Family."

Promoting to an Eighth-Grade Magnate Family requires at least two Spirit Rank Contract Masters, and they are currently one short.

Zhang Qingyuan glanced at this clan uncle, who was closest to him. He knew exactly what he was thinking—it was nothing more than wanting the next Spirit Rank Contract Master to come from his branch.

Third Uncle's branch had always been close to the main branch, so logically, it should be supported.

However, he had just broken through to the Realm and it wasn't stable yet, so he didn't want to support other branches to reach the Spirit Rank so early. Unfortunately, there were no Contract Masters of the Upper Tier of the Extraordinary Rank in his own main branch, otherwise, he wouldn't have this trouble.

Zhang Qingyuan narrowed his eyes. "There are four Contract Masters of the Upper Tier of the Extraordinary Rank in the family. It's not good to just give the last opportunity to anyone. Perhaps we should gather the branches, and whoever comes up with a good way to severely damage the Chu Family will get the opportunity."

Zhang Jinglu lowered his eyes, concealing all his emotions. "If the Family Head insists on severely damaging the Chu Family, I do have a plan, but I don't know if you have the courage to execute it."

"What plan?" Zhang Qingyuan became curious.

"Wait. Wait until your sister, Zhang Qingshu, gives birth to a Qilin child. You can have her bring the young child to Heyu Town for a visit. At that time, we can secretly ambush a team of Contract Masters disguised as Chu Family Members to launch an attack. As long as the framing is successful, the Chu Family will at least pay a heavy price, even if they aren't wiped out." Zhang Jinglu stated his plan calmly, but hidden within the calm was a certain sinister murderous intent.

Zhang Qingyuan frowned deeply. "You want me to risk my nephew's safety to trade for a chance to severely damage the Chu Family? The County Assistant's son versus a Chu Family—you should know what is more important to our Zhang Family, right?"

"I certainly do, but precisely because of that, others won't suspect our Zhang Family main house. And how could the people we arrange truly hurt your nephew? It would just be a minor scare. Furthermore, when the Young Miss brings the County Assistant's son home to visit, wouldn't the County Assistant's office send Guards?"

Hearing Zhang Jinglu's analysis, Zhang Qingyuan was tempted. This plan would not only give him enough time to stabilize his Realm but also, if nothing went wrong, would surely severely damage the Chu Family, perhaps even causing them to collapse.

His path to becoming the overlord of Heyu Town was within reach.

So he nodded. "Let everyone we sent out be more low-key. We will wait another year."

For the next period, Heyu Town returned to calm.

Whether it was the medical dispute at the Chu Family's Medical Clinic or the Source Beast rampage on the Zhang Family's commercial street, both seemed like an accidental fantasy.

The Town Chiefs Mansion handled these two disputes perfunctorily. Clearly, facing the conflict between the two families, the Town Chiefs Mansion was also watching from the sidelines and didn't want to get involved.

Qixia Mountain, Chu Family.

Facing this calm after the brief storm, Chu Qinhui didn't believe the Zhang Family had given up on suppressing them. He didn't know what kind of storm was brewing after this.

That afternoon, a letter from afar made Chu Qinhui temporarily set aside his worries.

After dinner, the Chu Family Members gathered together. Chu Qinhui placed the unopened letter that had just arrived that afternoon on the table.

The family's expectant gazes fell on the envelope. This was the first letter sent by Chu Shengfan since he left home over twenty days ago.

At first, Xu Yinyue could see Chu Shengfan's condition, but as the distance grew, she could no longer see his current state.

Therefore, this letter was the only information the Chu Family had about Chu Shengfan's current situation.

Chu Qinhui picked up the envelope, removed the beeswax from the seal, and took out several thin sheets of letter paper.

"Hope this letter finds you well."

"It has been the twentieth day since I left home. I arrived in Xianyuan Prefecture with Grandpa Sun. Grandpa Sun said to gain experience in other Prefecture Cities first and then set off for Qianling Prefecture after a while. Please do not worry, family."

"The Prefecture City is indeed prosperous. It connects directly to Beyond the Border. As far as the eye can see on the street, there are no Mortals; the lowest are Mortal Rank Contract Masters."

"I am doing well now. Relying on the ability of the Myriad Flower Butterfly Spirit, I found a decent part-time job here. While exercising my abilities, I can also learn about this strange Prefecture City."

"I may be busy later and cannot write home very frequently. Please do not worry. Your son, Chu Shengfan."

The content of the letter was not very long, introducing the prosperity of the Prefecture City and some of his experiences along the way. For his own situation, there were only a few words, saying only that he was safe and sound.

After the content was read, the Chu Family felt a sense of loss, but as long as they knew Chu Shengfan was safe, they felt relieved and looked forward to his next letter.

The Chu Family chatted for a while longer and then dispersed. Only Chu Jingyu and Chu Qinhui remained in the Central Hall.

"Father, the Zhang Family has been acting repeatedly lately. I fear they are brewing something. Do we need to take the initiative?"

Chu Jingyu looked at Chu Qinhui with some surprise. He didn't expect his gentle-as-jade son to want to take the initiative now.

"Take the initiative? Do you have any good strategies? After all, the Zhang Family is an old Noble Family in the town. Although both our families only have one Spirit Rank, we are behind by more than a little in terms of combat power at the Uncommon Rank."

"Furthermore, the Zhang Family has now climbed up the high branch of the County Assistant. We need to be more cautious in dealing with them. If we offend the County Assistant, the Chu Family's situation will be even more worrying."

Speaking of these words, Chu Jingyu's eyes were full of worry. From the moment the Zhang Family decided to interfere with the Medical Clinic in the town, the two families had already torn off the mask of civility.

In the end, it was the matter of opening the Medical Clinic and Medicine Beast Shop in the town that touched the Zhang Family's sensitive points, making them think the Chu Family intended to touch the town's interests.

Now that the Zhang Family is in power, even if Tang Cheng, the Town Chief, doesn't intervene in an open conflict, the Chu Family won't have the advantage.

Chu Qinhui straightened up. "This County Assistant is indeed a trouble. Are we just going to let them curb the development of our Chu Family?"

Chu Jingyu's expression was calm. "When under the eaves, one must bow one's head. Close the two shops in the town first and call everyone back. We will not interfere with any business in the town anymore."

Hearing his father's decision, Chu Qinhui felt a bit dejected. "Yes."

In the following days, the two shops opened by the Chu Family in the town were closed at the same time. This signal immediately reached the three largest forces in the town.

Seeing this information, the Shi Family Head's expression was gloomy. "This Chu Family is admitting defeat quite quickly."

Both the Zhang Family and the Chu Family had Spirit Rank Contract Masters, which made the third force in the town breathless.

Having finally seen the two families fighting, who knew the struggle had just begun, and one side had already actively admitted defeat.

At the Town Chiefs Mansion, Tang Cheng, seeing this information, had an unreadable expression. "The conflict between the two families is truly detrimental to Heyu Town. If I want to leave this place early, I still need to persuade both families."

Clearly, only after the Chu Family actively sent a signal did Tang Cheng make the decision to persuade both sides.

The old man beside him looked at Tang Cheng with a smile. "That is the right way. Sit high, do not get actively involved in the struggle of Noble Families. As long as they don't turn Heyu Town upside down, let them be."

"After all, you young masters of Noble Families sent down for training are not really here to govern the place, but to balance the relationships between these Noble Families."

Tang Cheng looked at a jade ornament on his desk with an indifferent expression. "Send letters to both families to test their intentions. If the Chu Family is really willing to lie dormant, that is better. If they are brewing a counterattack, we need to reconsider."

Zhang Family Mansion.

Upon receiving the news of the Chu Family closing their shops, the three people in the room had different expressions. Zhang Qinghe stroked his chin and said thoughtfully: "Is the Chu Family indicating submission?"

Zhang Jinglu shook his head slightly. "I'm afraid not. It is also possible they are lying dormant to accumulate strength, to give our Zhang Family a heavy blow at a critical moment."

"The original plan remains unchanged. Give the Chu Family one year, and ensure the accurate implementation of the plan at that time."

"Yes."

Xianyuan Prefecture.

After a day of consultations, Chu Shengfan walked on the street, his fingers inadvertently stroking the mark on his palm.

Today was the seventh day since the mark was planted. According to Grandpa Sun's speculation, that mysterious person was coming to find him.

Not wanting to lead the person directly into the small courtyard, he was just wandering aimlessly on the street at this time.

As he walked, the surrounding noise of people seemed to be isolated from the Mortal world at a certain moment.

It's coming, Chu Shengfan's mind tightened.

The surrounding environment changed drastically at a certain moment, as if entering a world of glaze, with jade statues everywhere, as well as a sky like jasper.

"Da da da."

Crisp footsteps echoed in this special space.

Chu Shengfan looked vigilantly at the mysterious person whose face and form were still unclear, but those eyes were still terrifyingly bright.

But now, those bright eyes were full of surprise, as if seeing Chu Shengfan standing there healthy and full of vitality was an incredible thing.

"You kid really has great Luck, or you have some other secret treasure. You are still standing here safe and sound seven days after the human fruit was planted."

The inner tension and hatred of the past few days calmed down at the moment he saw this mysterious person. He just said faintly:

"You really didn't have good intentions. Are you here to take away the human fruit today?"

Seeing Chu Shengfan's calmness, a trace of doubt appeared in the mysterious person's eyes.

"Seeing you like this, I really want to let the human fruit grow in your body for a few more days." The mysterious person walked to Chu Shengfan's side, looked him up and down, and changed the subject.

"However, I am also a little afraid that if the human fruit stays in your body for too long, there will be other variables."

His palm suddenly slapped towards Chu Shengfan's body, wanting to take the [human fruit] out of his body in the most violent way.

But the scene of piercing through the chest that he expected did not appear. The palm just stopped at Chu Shengfan's chest, and all its strength was drained by a breath that came from nowhere. Moreover, his palm was firmly sucked onto Chu Shengfan's chest, and he couldn't break free for a while.

The mysterious person's constantly changing face became distorted, and a trace of panic appeared in his eyes. He hurriedly waved his right hand.

In the jade-like space, the jade statues seemed to come alive, waving their bodies and walking towards Chu Shengfan. The ones close by already had fists smashing down towards the top of Chu Shengfan's head.

Chu Shengfan's expression tightened. The huge body of the [Spirit Origin Cloud Mother] instantly appeared above his head, and its soft but hard body instantly bounced off the smashing statues.

Moreover, at the connection between Chu Shengfan's chest and the mysterious person's palm, wisps of black mist escaped, and the mist spread along the mysterious person's arm towards his body.

The breath of death and desolation seemed to come from beneath the abyss. The mysterious person's pupils instantly contracted, and the scorching light instantly converged at this moment. He waved his hand into a blade and severed the arm that was pressed against Chu Shengfan's chest.

His body kept retreating, and the arm connected to Chu Shengfan turned into a cloud of smoke and dissipated in the air under his gaze.