15: Patriarchal system

"What?"

At these words, the expressions of the other three branches changed!

"Cousin Xu Sen, the East Courtyard has a group of Fengyan Marquis Estate guards. Are you looking to die?" Xu Lou's expression was grim!

"Haha! They are not members of our Xu Family after all; they will eventually leave! At that time, as long as we control Xu Qing, this Xu City will be ours to command!"

"Everyone, think carefully! If not for yourselves, then consider your Family members!" Xu Sen sneered!

"Cousin Xu Sen, this matter requires careful deliberation!"

The Family Head of the Black Forest Town branch slowly spoke, clearly swayed. Not just him, but also the Family Head of Four Directions Town!

Xu Lou watched, feeling these people were foolish and unbelievable!

He had met members of the Xu Clan's main branch. Although the main branch had few people now, each one was strong. Especially Second Uncle Xu and that Grand Elder, who gave him an unfathomable feeling!

The current Xu Family, he felt, was somewhat different!

"Thump, thump, thump!"

"Family Head, the Young Lord of the main branch has summoned the Family Heads of all major sub-branches!"

A Family member came to report from outside the door!

"..."

The few people exchanged glances!

"Let's go! Let's see this Young Lord. Please keep today's matter to yourselves, otherwise, it will benefit no one!"

After Xu Sen stood up, he cast a subtle glance at Xu Lou and said sinisterly!

The other two branches did the same!

Seeing this, Xu Lou understood that he had been isolated!

However, among the four branches, although their Family members were the most numerous, their power was the weakest. He had to consider his Family members!

The four, burdened with their thoughts, were led by servants to the Deliberation Hall!

At this time, the members of the main branch were already waiting!

And in the seat of honor sat a young man. The young man had an extraordinary temperament, with dashing, heroic sword-like eyebrows and long, narrow black eyes that held a sharp glint, as if seeing through everyone!

They had seen the young man before, but at that time, he did not possess such an Aura!

{"name":"Xu Sen","age":45,"cultivation":"Zhenyuan Realm Middle Stage","Aptitude":"Profound Grade Low-tier","Physique":"None","Luck":"Black-green"}

"The System detected that this person is greedy for power and intends to launch a rebellion after the Marquis Estate guards leave, to control the host and thus control Xu City..."

...Xu Qing's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within them!

"Greetings, Young Lord!"

Upon seeing Xu Qing, Xu Sen's face was wreathed in smiles. He stepped forward to bow, his attitude extremely respectful!

Xu Lou and the other two also stepped forward to salute!

"I am still too benevolent!"

Xu Qing's lips curved into a mocking smile. His voice was as calm as water, yet it echoed endlessly in the Deliberation Hall, like a sharp sword piercing people's hearts!

Xu Ming and the others looked bewildered, unable to grasp the meaning. However, these words were like a bombshell, stirring up a storm in the hearts of the four guilty individuals!

"Xu Sen! By seniority, I should address you as Uncle, but seeing you today, you are simply unworthy!"

Xu Qing's voice was as cold as frost, sending shivers down their spines!

At these words, even if Xu Ming and the others were slow to react, they understood that there was definitely something wrong with Xu Sen. Instantly, the atmosphere in the entire Deliberation Hall became tense and murderous!

"Young Lord, what do you mean by this? Have I offended you in some way?" Xu Sen asked cautiously, a hint of an awkward smile on his face!

Xu Qing smiled coldly. He had to admit that this old fox was good at acting, but how could he escape the System's detection!

"More than 160 years ago, it was your branch, in league with the other three branches, that launched a rebellion. Are you now trying to repeat history?"

"Boom!"

A thunderclap seemed to echo in the minds of Xu Sen and the others. They had just had this idea, how did Xu Qing know?

Their gazes involuntarily turned to Xu Lou!

Seeing this, Xu Qing's heart already understood!

And the eyes of Xu Ming and the others became as sharp as knives, staring intently at the four. They already harbored resentment towards these sub-branches, and now discovering their ill intentions, their faces immediately turned gloomy!

"Young Lord, what do you mean by this? Wasn't the guilt from back then already forgiven? Now, all our branches just want to return to the main branch and serve the Family. I absolutely do not accept such slander!" Xu Sen's expression was filled with indignation!

"Exactly! If the main branch is recalling us only to question us without cause, then we will leave the main branch immediately!"

"Precisely! The main branch's actions are truly laughable. This main branch is not worth staying in!"

The Family Heads of the other two families also chimed in!

"It seems you two also intend to follow him down the path of no return!"

Xu Qing's gaze, like that of a hawk, swept over the Family Heads of the Black Forest Town and Four Directions Town branches!

Upon hearing this, both their faces instantly turned ashen!

Xu Qing ignored them and turned his gaze to Xu Sen, "Aren't you just trying to take advantage of the Marquis Estate's people leaving to suppress the main branch and control me? But how dare you?"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

As Xu Qing's words fell, two vast pressures surged from Xu Ming and Xu Liang. The two Yuanhai Realm pressures swept towards the four with overwhelming force!

"Yuanhai Realm!!!"

Xu Sen's face changed drastically, and he shrieked in disbelief!

And the Family Heads of the Black Forest Town and Four Directions Town branches were so scared they fell to the ground!

"Young Lord, spare my life! It was Xu Sen, he instigated us to rebel. We absolutely did not agree to this matter. Please, Young Lord, spare my life!"

The Family Head of the Black Forest Town branch was the first to react, quickly exposing Xu Sen and kowtowing repeatedly for mercy!

"That's right! Young Lord, it was all Xu Sen's idea. We had no such thoughts!"

The Family Head of Four Directions Town also reacted extremely quickly!

Seeing this, Xu Sen's face was grim!

"Thump!"

"You... bastards! Slander, Young Lord, it's all slander! I wholeheartedly wish to atone for our ancestors, I have no ulterior motives. Please, Young Lord, investigate thoroughly!" Xu Sen's expression was agitated, looking as if he had suffered a great injustice!

"Why bother? Actually, I still prefer your defiant look from earlier!" Xu Qing said coldly!

"Young Lord, spare our lives!"

"Thump, thump, thump!"

The three kowtowed frantically for mercy!

"Second Uncle! What is the crime for insubordination and rebelling against the Family?" Xu Qing asked!

"The crime is punishable by death!" Xu Liang said coldly and mercilessly!

"Young Lord, spare our lives!"

Hearing these words, the three trembled all over!

"The Xu Clan's Qingyang Town branch, Family Head Xu Sen, attempted rebellion. His crime is punishable by death! Any Family Elders who participated are equally guilty! They shall be escorted to the Ancestral Hall and publicly executed as a warning to others! The remaining Family members shall have their Family registration revoked and be expelled from the Xu City territory!"

"No! I refuse! How dare you, die!" Hearing Xu Qing's verdict, Xu Sen's expression was terrifying. His Origin Qi surged, and he sprang from the ground, lunging towards Xu Qing!

"Seeking death!"

Xu Liang unleashed a stream of Origin Qi, sending Xu Sen flying. He crashed heavily to the ground, unconscious!

Xu Liang had held back in this attack because Xu Qing had said he wanted a public execution!

Seeing this scene, the Family Heads of the other two branches trembled all over!

Xu Qing continued: "The Xu Clan's Four Directions Town branch and the Xu Clan's Black Forest Town branch, considering that their Family Heads have shown remorse, their death penalty can be avoided, but they cannot escape punishment. The Family Heads of these two branches and the participating high-ranking members shall be stripped of their positions and sent to Crescent Moon Valley to mine for ten years!"

"The Family members of both branches shall have their monthly stipends halved and be managed by the Internal Affairs Hall and the Ancestral Hall. They shall not be forgiven unless they perform a great service. If a Genius appears within your Family, your sentence can be reduced as an exception!"

"Thank you, Young Lord! We are willing to accept the punishment!"

Hearing that they would not die and even had a chance for a reduced sentence, the two immediately breathed a sigh of relief and repeatedly expressed their gratitude!

"As for you..."

Xu Qing ignored them and looked at Xu Lou!

Xu Lou's heart sank, and he felt an inexplicable panic!

Xu Qing said: "Although you did not collude, you withheld information. You are stripped of your position as Family Head, and those involved in this matter are equally guilty! The Family members shall be managed by the Internal Affairs Hall and the Ancestral Hall!"

"Yes, Young Lord!"

At this point, Xu Lou fully understood Xu Qing's intentions: to depose these high-ranking officials and gather the Family members of the three branches into the main branch!

With the Qingyang Town branch and these people serving as examples, the Family members of the three branches would undoubtedly be intimidated. Coupled with the main branch having two Yuanhai Realm experts and benefits like monthly stipends!

Over time, the three branches would eventually be completely absorbed by the main branch!

But even though he understood Xu Qing's intentions, he was powerless to resist. Not to mention the main branch's strength, just the idea of returning to the main branch was their parents' wish!

Now, he could finally account to his parents!

"Second Uncle, what happens next is your business!" Xu Qing looked at Xu Liang!

A Yuanhai Realm expert taking action would be enough to suppress the chaos; all that was lacking were the guards!

And at this moment, Hai Dagui was already waiting outside; he was the best candidate!

"Young Lord, rest assured!"

Xu Liang picked up the unconscious Xu Sen and walked out the door!

Xu Lou and the three deposed Family Heads quickly followed, and Hai Dagui also left with Xu Liang!