178: Chapter 178 Returning Home

"Forget it, forget it. I still need to find a way to scrape together enough silver. A three hundred thousand tael gap is truly a headache. It's time for those old guys to bleed a little," Chen Yuanba muttered.

Wuyang City, Pei Clan Estate.

Pei Tianlin and his wife, Xu Yuwei, were dressed in their finest attire.

Xu Yuwei wore a long dress with her hair pinned up high, adorned with a purple jade hairpin that was clearly of great value. Her Face was rarely touched with rouge, giving her the complete appearance of a noble lady.

Even after being married for so many years, Pei Tianlin still felt a flutter in his heart whenever he saw Xu Yuwei dressed like this.

"Yu Wei, what gifts do you think we should bring back this time?" Pei Tianlin asked.

"Just like last time, some Spiritual Tea, Fruit Snacks, and Local Specialties will do. Anyway, since those people look down on us, let's not bother bringing them anything nice," Xu Yuwei replied while doing her makeup.

"Alright," Pei Tianlin nodded.

...

Pei Tianlin accompanied his wife, Xu Yuwei, back to her maiden home. Since marrying into the Pei Clan, Xu Yuwei had not returned to her maiden home many times.

In over ten years, she had only returned three times.

When Xu Yuwei originally married Pei Tianlin, the Xu Clan had actually disagreed.

Back then, although both families were ordinary third-rate families, the Xu Clan, as a Great Family from the prefecture city, possessed a natural arrogance. They considered Great Families from the counties to be mere country bumpkins.

This kind of regional discrimination was quite common in the Great Jing Dynasty.

Not to mention, the Pei Clan was in a state of decline at the time, with a gap between generations.

Under such circumstances, the Xu Clan was naturally unwilling to let a member of their direct line marry into the Pei Clan's direct line.

The one they had their eyes on was Zhuang Bifan, a member of the direct line of the Zhuang Family, another third-rate family from the prefecture city.

The Zhuang Family and the Xu Clan had intermarried for generations, so it would have been appropriate for Xu Yuwei to marry into the Zhuang Family.

Fortunately, with Mother Xu's support, no melodramatic plot of breaking up the lovers occurred.

But even so, Pei Tianlin and his wife were still not well-received within the Xu Clan.

Intermarriage between Great Families required not only equivalent status but also an exchange of interests.

Obviously, the Pei Clan, far away in Wuyang City, could not provide much interest to the Xu Clan.

Since they didn't receive the expected benefits, the clansmen of Xu Yuwei's branch were naturally dissatisfied, so how could their attitude be good?

Furthermore, they already looked down on the Pei Clan.

Behind their backs, there was no shortage of cold mockery and sarcasm.

However, for the sake of Mother Xu's Face, Pei Tianlin and Xu Yuwei would return to visit every few years.

After all, no one wanted to suffer the cold stares and backbiting of others for no reason.

Today was different from the past.

The Pei Clan was no longer that weak third-rate family, but a powerful Great Family with a Grandmaster and five Five-Viscera Martial Artists.

At the same time, their reputation resounded throughout Jinhuai Prefecture city.

Jinhuai Prefecture, Xu Clan Mansion.

An old man about seventy years old was tending to flowers and plants in the courtyard.

The old man was one of the Xu Clan elders, Xu Youcai.

In his early years, Xu Youcai was also a Late-Stage Divine Strength Martial Artist. But after passing the age of fifty, his Blood and Qi began to decline.

After reaching sixty, his Blood and Qi had declined by more than one Realm, and it was difficult to even maintain Mid-Stage Divine Strength.

This was a process that every ordinary Divine Strength Martial Artist had to go through.

Only by reaching the Five Viscera Realm could this process be delayed until the age of sixty.

Thus, ten years ago, he retired from the Family's industries. Having nothing else to do, he spent his time planting flowers and grass in the courtyard.

Xu Youcai's life had been plain, with nothing particularly outstanding.

His life wasn't a state of Perfection, but he had few regrets.

In his lifetime, he had raised six children for the Xu Clan, and Xu Yuwei's father, Xu Jianhua, was one of them.

After finishing with the flowers, Xu Youcai changed into a set of brand-new clothes and headed to the main hall of the mansion, seemingly waiting for someone.

At this moment, all six of Xu Youcai's children had arrived in the main hall.

On the far left were Xu Jianhua and Mother Xu, Qi Yingfang.

"Jianhua, when will Tianlin and Yu Wei arrive? It's almost noon. Why don't you go to the main gate and take a look?" Xu Youcai frowned slightly, his Face showing a hint of restlessness.

Unlike before, although he no longer managed the Xu Clan's industries, the Pei Clan's recent reputation had still reached his ears.

Of his six children, he was most satisfied with Xu Jianhua's branch. Originally, he had intended to marry Xu Yuwei into the Zhuang Family.

But Xu Jianhua was dead set on letting his daughter marry into the Pei Clan.

This move undoubtedly angered him, making him feel that his authority as a father was being challenged.

This also caused him to have grievances against Xu Jianhua.

After all, what was the Wuyang Pei Clan like back then?

An ordinary third-rate family with a gap between generations, which might have fallen out of the ranks of Great Families at any moment.

How could his own son be so foolish as to let Yu Wei marry into the Pei Clan?

A Great Family from such a backwater corner.

They had no money and no resources.

Marrying into the Zhuang Family would have been much better.

Grievances aside, Xu Jianhua was still his son.

Now that things had come to this, there was nothing he could do.

It was also because of his change in attitude that his other children didn't think much of Pei Tianlin and Xu Yuwei.

But who could have imagined that the remote Family from that impoverished backwater would have such a day?

When he first heard the news, he thought there had been a mistake.

After making inquiries through various channels, he confirmed that the newly risen Grandmaster Family was indeed the Wuyang Pei Clan.

This result made him nearly green with regret.

But there is no medicine for regret in this world.

In his view, since the relationship with Xu Jianhua existed, his other children hadn't gone too far on the surface. At most, their attitude was a bit cold, so there was still a possibility of repairing the relationship.

Hearing this, Xu Jianhua only nodded slightly and said, "Father, I'll go now."

How could he not understand today's display?

Back then, his father looked down on the Wuyang Pei Clan.

He was extremely indifferent toward Pei Tianlin and his own daughter.

It formed a sharp contrast with the present.

Now that the Pei Clan had turned things around, his father wanted to get close to Pei Tianlin.

Inwardly, he knew that if he were in their shoes, he would also find it distasteful.

Three feet of ice does not form in a single day.

But no matter what, his identity as a son could not be changed.

As long as he was still a part of the Xu Clan, he had to consider the Family's interests.

At this moment, Xu Youcai's eldest son, Xu Jianpeng, took the initiative and said, "Father, why don't I accompany my sixth brother? Speaking of which, I haven't seen Yu Wei in five years. Moreover, Pei Tianlin is coming this time as well."

Xu Jianpeng finished speaking without changing his expression.

How could Xu Youcai not understand his eldest son's thoughts? He wanted to take this opportunity to build a relationship.

Xu Jianpeng's idea happened to coincide with his own.

At this moment, at the main gate of the Xu Clan Mansion.

An exquisitely decorated Dragon Scale Horse carriage, bearing the Wuyang Pei Clan crest, stopped on the bluestone road to the side.

When the gate servants saw it, they immediately rushed forward eagerly, flattering words spilling from their mouths.

Then, Pei Tianlin and his wife stepped down from the carriage, and along with them came an eleven or twelve-year-old boy, Pei Siping.

This time, Pei Tianlin had brought the whole Family of three.

Having been looked down upon by the Xu Clan for so many years, it was impossible to say he didn't have a hint of resentment in his heart.

Facing the servants' flattery, Pei Tianlin remained expressionless, but he didn't go out of his way to make things difficult for them.

He remembered how every time he came back to the Xu Clan to visit in the past, let alone servants welcoming them, there wasn't even a barking dog.

It was so cold and quiet, as if they were outsiders.

Especially the first visit; that feeling of meeting a cold response with enthusiasm was very unpleasant.

This was why he had only come three times in over ten years.

Of course, he wasn't dissatisfied with his father-in-law and mother-in-law; his resentment was mostly directed at the rest of the Xu Clan.

He sometimes thought that if he could have reached the Five Viscera Realm earlier, even if the Pei Clan was inferior to the Xu Clan,

With his status as a Five-Viscera Martial Artist, the Xu Clan would not have been so dismissive.

But as it turned out, ten years passed, and the Pei Clan not only failed to improve but also became increasingly weak.

If the Pei Clan had fallen out of the ranks of Great Families, he probably would never have come to the Xu Clan again.

But things had taken a turn.

In the past two years, under the leadership of the Old Ancestor, he had not only reached the Five Viscera Realm, but the Pei Clan was also thriving, with half a foot already in the ranks of top-tier third-rate families.

In terms of economy, they far surpassed ordinary top-tier third-rate families and were not much worse than some low-level second-rate families.

Only in terms of the strength of their Martial Artists was the Pei Clan still somewhat lacking.

This was unavoidable.

In the end, the time since the Pei Clan's rise was still too short.

If they had another five years, the situation would be completely different.

The contrast between past and present clearly reflected the Xu Clan's attitude.

Bullying the weak and fearing the strong, driven solely by profit.

Before long, two middle-aged men dressed in gray brocade robes walked out of the Xu Clan Mansion.

The two were Xu Jianhua and Xu Jianpeng.

Xu Jianpeng was Xu Youcai's eldest son, about sixty years old, while Xu Jianhua was a bit younger, only in his early fifties. Because both were Martial Artists, they looked much younger than their actual ages.

But Pei Tianlin could clearly sense that Xu Jianpeng's Blood and Qi had already begun to decline. His father-in-law, Xu Jianhua, was slightly better, but he was also about to Face the same situation.

This was what the vast majority of Divine Strength Martial Artists had to Face at this age.

Pei Qingyun's previous condition was an exception.

Unless other families also had an Yimu Bloodline Legacy Cultivation Technique.

Clearly, the Xu Clan did not possess one.

Upon seeing the two, Xu Jianhua smiled and said, "Yu Wei, Tianlin, you've arrived."

It was then that he noticed Pei Siping behind them.

The next moment, he stepped forward, a kind smile on his Face. "Oh, my dear grandson has come along too."

Pei Tianlin stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed. "Tianlin greets his father-in-law."

At the same time, Pei Tianlin motioned to Pei Siping at his side. "Siping, greet your grandfather."

Pei Siping followed his father's example and gave a respectful bow. "Siping greets his grandfather."

The more Xu Jianhua looked, the more satisfied he became. "My dear grandson has grown so big. Come here and let your grandfather have a good look at you."

Pei Siping did not answer but looked at Xu Yuwei beside him.

Since birth, he had only been to the Xu Clan three times. He wasn't particularly close to his grandfather, Xu Jianhua.

Seeing Pei Siping's expression, Xu Yuwei's temper flared up instantly. "Siping, your grandfather is calling you. What are you standing there for? Is there something wrong with your ears?"

Xu Jianhua quickly said, "Yu Wei, you need to change that temper of yours. Don't flare up at every little thing; you're scaring the child. If it weren't for Tianlin, who could put up with your explosive temper? Siping hasn't been here in so many years, so it's natural for him to be a bit distant."

Xu Yuwei said smugly, "Father, you know my temper. I've been like this since I was little, just like you. I can't change it."

Hearing this, Xu Jianhua couldn't help but want to roll his eyes.

His own daughter was shifting the blame onto him.

She wasn't like him in any way.

Although he wasn't exactly refined and elegant, his temperament was at least considered mild.

Could it be that he was to blame for spoiling her?

A kind father breeds a spoiled daughter...

Xu Jianhua said helplessly, "Alright, stop being cheeky."

Seeing Xu Jianhua's helpless expression, Xu Yuwei giggled. "Father, why didn't Mother come out with you?"

Xu Jianhua didn't argue. "Your mother is waiting in the main hall. She didn't come out with me."

Standing to the side, Xu Jianpeng couldn't get a word in edgewise. It wasn't until Xu Jianhua finished that he spoke up awkwardly, "Yu Wei, Tianlin, we haven't seen each other in many years. This isn't the place to talk. Let's all go inside."

Neither Xu Yuwei nor Pei Tianlin paid any attention to Xu Jianpeng.

Seeing the awkward scene, Xu Jianhua immediately smoothed things over. "Yu Wei, Tianlin, it's getting late. Don't keep your mother waiting too long."

Xu Yuwei said, "Father, don't be in such a hurry. There are still some things in the carriage to be brought out. They're Local Specialties that Tianlin brought for you and Mother."

Xu Jianhua was slightly stunned, then a smile broke out on his Face. "Yu Wei, it wasn't easy for you and Tianlin to come back for a visit. Why bother with gifts? Your mother and I don't lack for anything. Tianlin is still young and it's the time to accumulate resources. He might still have a chance to charge for the Five Viscera Realm later."

Xu Yuwei burst into laughter. "Father, I forgot to tell you in my last letter. My husband reached the Five Viscera Realm long ago."

Hearing this, Xu Jianhua couldn't help but widen his eyes, which were filled with disbelief.

Five years ago, during Pei Tianlin's third visit.

If he remembered correctly, his son-in-law was only a Late-Stage Divine Strength Martial Artist back then.

But in the blink of an eye, he had reached the Five Viscera Realm.

Judging by the tone, it seemed his son-in-law hadn't even taken five years to Breakthrough from a Late-Stage Divine Strength Martial Artist to the Five Viscera Realm.

When did his son-in-law become such a Genius?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

He admitted that Pei Tianlin's talent wasn't inferior to his own.

But it was absolutely impossible for him to reach the level of a Genius.

Moreover, reaching the Five Viscera Realm not only required a certain level of talent but also the core resource for the Breakthrough—the divine power transformation potion.

Even though his Xu Clan was a Great Family from the prefecture city, at its root, it was only an ordinary third-rate family.

The Xu Clan's economic situation might have been stronger than the Pei Clan's in the past, and although they didn't have a gap in Five Viscera Realm practitioners, obtaining a divine power transformation potion was not easy.

In each generation, usually only one person could enjoy the resources to advance to the Five Viscera Realm.

Now, seeing this situation, even his son-in-law had advanced to the Five Viscera Realm.

It was impossible not to feel envious.

He believed his own talent wasn't much worse than his son-in-law's.

Unfortunately, he was born into an ordinary third-rate family like the Xu Clan.

If he had been born into a top-tier third-rate family or a second-rate Family, he might have had the chance to become a Five-Viscera Martial Artist.