145: Chapter 145 A Letter from the Cloud Guardians

The splitting of the Qin Family and the betrayal of the Qin Family were two entirely different matters.

If the Qin Family split, the blame could at least be pushed entirely onto Qin Chuanxing, and the rest would remain vassals of the Su Family, continuing to enjoy the benefits the Su Family provided.

But a betrayal by the Qin Family, where they collectively sought to escape the Su Family's control—such a thing was grounds for clan extermination!

Qin Han was instantly turned pale with fright, hurriedly kneeling on the ground and shaking his head in denial.

"No... that's not it!"

"Family Head! Clan Chief! You must believe me, my Qin Family truly hasn't betrayed you!"

Qin Han's legs were trembling uncontrollably. Seeing Su Yang's expressionless Face, his heart went cold.

"Qin Han..." Su Yang spoke at this moment, "Actually, I have a very simple way to prove that what you say is not false."

He extended his palm and placed it on Qin Han's trembling head. "Relax your mind and do not resist at all, otherwise your Soul will Fly Away and Spirit Scatter."

"Clan Chief, what are you doing..."

Qin Han's body suddenly shuddered, his eyes rolling back until only the whites showed, looking as if his Soul had been stripped away.

Soul Searching Technique!

Su Yang had combined two versions of the Soul Searching Technique he obtained from Luoxuan City to create a gentler method. As long as the target relaxed their mind, or their Divine Sense was far lower than his, he could precisely search for the specific memories he needed.

Scenes of the Qin Family flashed through Su Yang's mind, and the gaze he directed at Qin Han turned cold as a result.

He had originally thought Su Xuanming's speculation was a bit extreme, but he hadn't expected it to be exactly as Su Xuanming had predicted.

Qin Han was indeed very honest in his work and had never embezzled a single cent from the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce, but in his heart, he had always yearned for the Qin Family to rise. After learning that Qin Chuanxing had a Spiritual Root, he pinned all his hopes on him.

When Qin Chuanxing wanted the Qin Family to break free from the Su Family's control, Qin Han did not stop him.

All because of one sentence from Qin Chuanxing: "A Qin Family that remains a vassal will never be able to rise!"

Thus, the idea of independence also sprouted in Qin Han's mind, though he didn't dare raise the matter out of fear of the Su Family. After all, if not for the Su Family's protection years ago, the Qin Family would have long since perished in the beast tide.

The Qin Family had received the Su Family's protection and favors for many years, yet the moment a Cultivator appeared in their Family, they immediately plotted to leave.

Such behavior was no different from an ungrateful wolf; it was a betrayal of the Su Family. Such an act of ingratitude deserved to be despised and met with clan extermination.

But Qin Han wanted the Qin Family to rise far too badly!

How could the title of a Su Family vassal compare to the title of a Cultivation Clan?

So, at Qin Chuanxing's suggestion, they began to secretly transfer the Qin Family members out.

What was even more ridiculous was that only Qin Chuanxing knew where the Qin Family members had gone!

Su Yang released his hand, and Qin Han slumped directly onto the ground, cold sweat soaking his back. He looked completely Soul-shattered.

"Father, what is the result?"

Su Xuanming realized his father had used a Soul Searching Technique and immediately asked.

Su Yang sighed. "It's just as you guessed. In the entire Qin Family, only your maternal grandfather and grandmother were kept in the dark. Send people to bring them here. As for the rest of the Qin Family..."

His gaze fell on Qin Han. After some thought, he said, "Out of consideration for Jiangmei's Face and for the sake of your diligent service to the Su Family all these years, Qin Han, I will allow your Qin Family to leave."

"From this day forward, the Qin Family is no longer a vassal of the Su Family. But do not let my Su Family encounter you again, or you will be treated as traitors!"

"Your Qin Family should be glad that you are the only Family that hasn't been pulled up by the roots after offending the Su Family."

The cold light in Su Yang's eyes pierced the slumped Qin Han like a physical blade, and his voice dropped to freezing point.

"But if you become complacent because of this and dare to act up in front of my Su Family again, no matter where your Qin Family hides, I will personally slaughter every last one of you!"

...

Qin Han's eyes were dull as he left the Su Family in a daze.

Su Yang and Su Xuanming told Qin Jiangmei about the matter and the resulting decision.

The Su Family only took in Qin Jiangmei's parents. The two elders were the only ones in the Qin Family who were completely unaware of the betrayal, and they were the only two people in the entire Family Qin Jiangmei cared about.

Especially her father, Father-in-law. His act of taking the initiative to tip off the Su Family this time greatly improved Qin Jiangmei's opinion of him.

It meant that between his Family and his daughter, Father-in-law had chosen his daughter this time!

Father-in-law was the actual Clan Chief of the Qin Family, yet his power had been unknowingly hollowed out. Qin Han and Qin Chuanxing had become the decision-makers, and the entire Qin Family had left with them, abandoning Father-in-law, the true Clan Chief. It was quite ironic.

"Husband, actually you didn't need to consider my Face. As long as my parents are safe, I don't care what happens to the Qin Family," Qin Jiangmei said softly.

Su Yang shook his head and did not explain.

Besides considering his wife's feelings and Qin Han's contributions, the more critical point was that the Qin Family had already secretly evacuated a large number of clansmen to unknown locations. Even if the Su Family wanted to pull them up by the roots, they had no way to start.

"By the way, Father, I wanted to find you even before Qin Han arrived. Take a look at this letter from the Yunshou Alliance."

After dealing with the Qin Family's affairs, Su Xuanming took out a letter and handed it over.

Su Yang took it and opened it; the sender was Alliance Leader Situ Yu.

Most of the Yunshou Alliance stayed in the Yunmeng Ruins, but they hadn't expected the Great Wei army to enter the Cultivation Market for forced conscription. This led to heavy losses for the various forces in the Yunmeng Ruins, and even the Alliance Leader of the Yunshou Alliance had died on the battlefield.

Now, the new Alliance Leader of the Yunshou Alliance was Alliance Leader Situ Yu, and Alliance Leader Situ Yu wanted to invite Su Yang to become the Vice Alliance Leader.

The Su Family had a deep foundation and had made a name for itself in Luoxuan City, becoming a top Rank Seven Qi Refining Family of Great Wei.

Therefore, Alliance Leader Situ Yu's proposal had received the unanimous approval of all the forces in the Yunshou Alliance.

"What do you think, Father? Are we still going to stay in the Yunshou Alliance?"

The Su Family already had a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in its ranks and could hold a place in the Yunmeng Ruins without the Yunshou Alliance's protection. The Alliance's only remaining use for the Su Family was its commercial value.

Su Yang smiled faintly. "Do not underestimate the value of the Yunshou Alliance. The fact that the Su Family has a Foundation Establishment expert has not been exposed yet, so we can temporarily stay in the Yunshou Alliance to hold power."

"Once the Su Family has a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, we will state our position to the Yunshou Alliance, take it as a vassal, and then gradually integrate the various forces of the Yunmeng Ruins."

The Yunmeng Ruins sat against the Ten Thousand Mountains and possessed the most abundant cultivation resources.

The Su Family's next plan was to occupy the Yunmeng Ruins Cultivation Market. Even if they couldn't occupy it completely, they had to have the highest authority.

"Father has thought of everything," Su Xuanming smiled, then asked, "But who will take the position of Vice Alliance Leader?"

His status as a Cultivator had not been exposed. If he took the position of Vice Alliance Leader, his identity as a Cultivator would become known to the outside world.

He clearly had no Spiritual Root, so why had he become a Cultivator?

If it was said that the Su Family had intentionally hidden that Su Xuanming had a Spiritual Root, not only would the reason be unconvincing, but why did so many of the Su Family's children possess Spiritual Roots?

Once this matter triggered widespread suspicion, it would inevitably attract investigations from all sides, eventually bringing the disaster of clan extermination to the Su Family.

Su Yang pondered for a moment, then his eyes suddenly flashed. "Why not let your Fourth Younger Brother serve as the Vice Alliance Leader? Have him take Ji Shulan, Zhao Wanyi, and several Sword Cultivators to be stationed in the Yunmeng Ruins."

Su Xuanming immediately felt it was feasible!

With Su Xuanxiao's strength, serving as the Vice Alliance Leader would be no problem at all. In any case, he was a shut-in at home, and he would be a shut-in in the Yunmeng Ruins just the same.

And although Ji Shulan was young, she was very knowledgeable and had perfectly inherited the commercial talent of her father, Ji Ya.

Su Xuanxiao would be responsible for holding the fort, while commercial affairs would be handled entirely by Ji Shulan, with the others responsible for her safety.

In this way, the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce could develop rapidly, and the Family could firmly take root!