72: Chapter 72 The War Begins

It had to be admitted that Jiang Wuyu's words held some truth.

Even the most suspicious Loose Cultivators could find no fault with them.

But why was Jiang Wuyu doing this? It was actually quite simple: the Jiang Family had suffered very little loss, and their clansmen had all survived.

As long as the Qingyuan Market was established, their Jiang Family could continue to develop in Qingyuan without needing a large-scale migration, let alone competing with unknown Family forces elsewhere.

Rebuilding Qingyuan was beneficial for everyone, though the Jiang Family would be the greatest beneficiary.

The Cultivators considered this point quite normal; after all, who would do something without any benefit?

"Head of the Su Family, I wonder what your thoughts are?"

Jiang Wuyu suddenly looked at Su Yang and asked with a smile.

Countless gazes shifted toward him simultaneously. They also wanted to hear Su Yang's opinion, as the Su Family was one of the wealthiest families in Qingyuan.

Following the big shot's decision was bound to be right!

Although they didn't know the Su Family's exact situation, Su Yang's calm and composed attitude suggested that their losses weren't significant.

"I agree with Senior Jiang's decision."

Su Yang had no reason to disagree. To others, the Jiang Family seemed to benefit the most, but in reality, the Su Family had only lost spirit fields and shops, while all the Su Family members were unharmed.

The Su Family would likewise be one of the biggest beneficiaries after the market town was established.

Su Yang's words acted like a reassurance; following his agreement, several Clan Chiefs immediately seconded the motion, willing to rebuild Qingyuan together.

The Loose Cultivators looked at each other. After careful consideration, some chose to stay, while others quietly departed.

"In that case, let everyone work together to clear the ruins. Unclaimed territory can be distributed freely, but the area occupied should be within one's means."

Jiang Wuyu was beaming. Currently in a pleasant mood, he didn't mind reminding everyone not to be too greedy. "While we won't resort to brute force to seize land, the establishment of the market town will attract other Cultivators. You all should consider whether you can defend what you take."

The Cultivators bowed with cupped hands, grateful for the Jiang Clan Chief's reminder, before dispersing one after another.

When Su Yang returned to the clan grounds, Su Xuanming had already dealt with the Yao Beast corpses outside. The Su Family servants were diligently clearing the ruins and tending to the spiritual soil once more.

"Jiang Wuyu is organizing the survivors to rebuild Qingyuan and intends to establish the Qingyuan Market. The unclaimed territory cleared can be occupied at will; the Su Family should take this opportunity to expand."

Su Yang said to Su Xuanming and Ji Ya, "I'll leave the planning of the territory zones to you. This beast tide is both a disaster and an opportunity. I hope that by the time the Qingyuan Market is established, there will be a most prosperous Commercial Street, and every shop on it will belong to our Su Clan Chamber of Commerce."

The Qingyuan Market had enormous potential because most of the survivors were Cultivators. Their permanent presence here would attract outside Cultivators.

Conversely, Mortals would be wary of Cultivators who killed without blinking and would likely give up on the idea of coming to the Qingyuan Market.

Over time, there was even the possibility of the Qingyuan Market becoming a proper Cultivation Market.

However, the prerequisite for the Qingyuan Market's development was that it wouldn't encounter another beast tide like this one.

Su Yang turned his gaze toward the Family's several Martial Arts Grandmasters and said to one steady-looking man, "Take a few people to the Guangling Border Pass to investigate. I need to know what happened there."

The man cupped his fists in response and led his team toward the Guangling Border Pass with swift efficiency.

"Brother-in-law, Senior Jiang said we can occupy land at will, but isn't that against the laws of the Great Wei..."

Qin Han walked over and spoke in a low voice.

Su Yang glanced at him. "To be an official, you must know how to be flexible. Do you think Great Wei will care if we occupy more territory once they learn we've rebuilt Qingyuan?"

"Of course not."

It wasn't Qin Han who answered, but Su Xuanming. "The people are voluntarily initiating the reconstruction; Great Wei would wish for everyone to do the same. Besides, the more territory you have, the more taxes you pay. Did you really think it could be occupied for free?"

Qin Han realized the truth after hearing this.

He followed the rules too strictly and thus failed to think of this point. In fact, Great Wei would turn a blind eye to many things.

After all, rules are rigid, but people are flexible; one must know how to adapt.

Su Yang had already guessed why Qin Han was still a low-ranking official after so many years—he followed the rules too much.

On the surface, Qin Han seemed smooth, but he was actually an honest man!

"The Qin Family will henceforth become a vassal of the Su Family. You should come and help out in the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce."

Su Yang suddenly proposed, "Don't bother being a County Magistrate anymore; that thing has no future."

"This..."

Qin Han was startled, not expecting his brother-in-law to be so sudden.

He couldn't make up his mind for a moment. Although the Family looked to him as their leader since he became an official, the current Clan Chief of the Qin Family was still Su Yang's Father-in-law, QinBook of Words.

"I agree to this matter."

Father-in-law, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

After experiencing this beast tide, he had gained a clear understanding of the gap between Cultivators and Mortals.

If the Qin Family wanted long-term stability, they had to attach themselves to a powerful force, and the Su Family was undoubtedly their best choice.

Su Yang nodded slightly and looked at Qin Jiangmei beside him. She smiled brightly in return, her lips curving up.

The two shared a tacit understanding; a single expression or gesture was enough to know each other's thoughts.

...

Several days later.

The Martial Arts Grandmasters sent out by the Su Family returned and immediately reported their findings to Su Yang.

"Clan Chief, the Guangling Border Pass has been occupied by the army of the Qi State!"

"Qi State?" Su Yang was stunned. "Aren't Great Qi and Great Wei separated by the Hundred Lotus Mountain Range? How could Qi troops occupy Great Wei territory?"

The servant Grandmaster quickly replied, "We looked toward the Guangling Border Pass from the mountains and saw large flying boats with the banners of Great Qi flying on them."

"After asking around, we learned that the beast tides over the last ten years were actually secretly instigated by Great Qi. There were also suspected Golden Core Cultivators fighting in the Hundred Lotus Mountain Range, who blasted through half of the range. The outcome is unknown, but the Great Qi and Great Wei are going to war!"

Great Wei was about to fall into the chaos of war!

This news was like a fantasy. Great Wei had been at peace for over a hundred years, and now war was starting just like that.

Qin Jiangmei and the others were shocked beyond measure.

Su Xuanming's expression was grave. "What should we do? Should we move to a Cultivation Market?"

"No." Su Yang shook his head. "Qingyuan County has already been destroyed; this is just a ruin occupied by Cultivators. When Great Qi and Great Wei go to war, they won't come to Qingyuan. This place is instead a sanctuary."

Great Qi's invasion of Great Wei was to wipe out the Great Wei army and eliminate the Great Wei imperial Family and officials.

It had nothing to do with Loose Cultivator families like them.

Su Yang's eyes flickered.

As Great Wei fell into war, ordinary Cultivators and Mortals would need a place of refuge.

If the Qingyuan Market were quietly established now, becoming a paradise amidst the chaos, it would surely attract countless people.

This was simply the perfect opportunity to establish the Qingyuan Market.

"The previous beast tides were instigated by Great Qi, which means Qingyuan no longer needs to worry about beast tides. Besides, half of the Hundred Lotus Mountain Range has been blasted through; there probably aren't many Yao Beasts left."

"Therefore, Family development continues as usual!"

Su Yang's analysis was like a reassurance, calming the hearts of the worried Qin Jiangmei and others in the hall.

Su Xuanming's tense expression relaxed, and he began to plan the Family's commercial layout. "In that case, the priority is to speed up the clearing of ruins, partition the territory, and seize the initiative..."

The atmosphere in the hall turned practical as everyone discussed the specifics of the reconstruction and the market town in low voices.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps and cries of alarm came from outside!

Luo Qian returned to the Su Family with an anxious face, supporting a blood-covered An Ziyao.