75: Preparation for establishing a clan

Night.

"Husband, Da Fu came today to say that the end of the year is approaching. He asked me to inquire about when you've decided to set the date for establishing the clan, which you mentioned in the middle of the year."

"Wouldn't it be better to just ask Jing'an about this?"

The two hadn't shared any intimacy for nearly three months, and tonight, even with Su Jing's first-rate cultivation, she found it a bit hard to keep up.

"You're still saying that? Things are getting busier at the end of the year. An'er was saying a few days ago that he wanted you to come out of seclusion; he feels he's about to Breakthrough to Grandmaster and wants you to keep an eye on him."

"Oh~

Then why didn't you say so earlier?"

Lu Xuan hadn't expected there to be more to the story.

"You spend all day cultivating on the mountain, husband; how could you possibly care about us poor mother and son?"

Su Jing's voice held a hint of reproach.

"Haha."

Lu Xuan gave a couple of dry laughs but didn't respond, knowing these were just jokes from Su Jing. She was blaming him for neglecting her lately, but it couldn't be helped.

"Then I'll stay at home for now. Tomorrow, have Da Fu and the others come over so we can finalize the establishment of the clan, lest any complications arise from delay."

"Fine. Oh, and what about An'er's marriage?"

"I'll go and discuss it after the spring next year, provided he can Breakthrough to Grandmaster."

"Are you trying to put pressure on him, husband?"

"Without pressure, where would the motivation come from? He's the eldest brother; shouldn't he set an example for his younger siblings?"

"As you wish!"

The next day, Lu Family Hall.

After half a year, Lu Xuan once again sat in his seat.

Today, Lu Xuan wore an ink-colored robe with tightened cuffs. His hair was held up by a jade hairpin, giving him an aura full of Immortal Qi.

"Family Head!"

"Sit!"

Lu Xuan signaled for everyone to take their seats.

"Da Fu, I heard yesterday that you've almost finished the preparations for establishing the clan that I asked for?"

"Yes, Family Head. All the vassal families and the commoners currently affiliated with the Lu Family have been accounted for.

Now, all that's missing is a date."

"I'll find a Daoist priest to calculate an auspicious date later; I'll handle this matter."

"Yes, Family Head."

"Besides this, your subordinate has one more matter."

Seeing Lu Xuan nod slightly, Lu Da Fu continued.

"Over these years, a group of children of the right age in West Mountain Village has become eligible for testing their Immortal Dao Aptitude. A few days ago, the county specifically sent someone to inquire about this. Please make a decision, Family Head!"

"The county came to ask personally?"

Lu Xuan was a bit puzzled. Normally, after paying a fee for the Immortal Dao Aptitude test, it was voluntary for the commoners. Why would the county send someone to ask?

"Could it be that the Prince of Zhennan or Immortal Venerable Lu Ying is still monitoring my Lu Family?"

A hint of displeasure surfaced in Lu Xuan's heart at this possibility.

The debt from five years ago with the Prince of Zhennan hadn't been settled yet. Five years ago, he had sold them to cultivators; if Lu Xuan hadn't been lucky enough to escape by the skin of his teeth, he would be a pile of bones by now.

And now he still wanted to cause trouble?

Now that he had entered the Immortal Dao, he would face the Prince of Zhennan sooner or later. It was better to make plans early.

"Pay it no mind. I'll find a way for the testing in the village."

"The end of the year is here. If everyone works together to do things well, my Lu Family will not mistreat any of you."

"Yes, Family Head!"

"If there's nothing else, you may all leave. Wei Feng and Ye Feng, stay behind."

After everyone left, the two stood there nervously, unsure why Lu Xuan wanted to see them.

"The two of you are considered the elite of my Lu Family's younger generation. You are both at Peak Innate Realm cultivation now; when can you Breakthrough to Grandmaster?"

"Family Head, I am already at Xiantian Perfection. I only need an opportunity to Breakthrough; I estimate it will take another half a year at most!"

Seeing Wang Weifeng look at him, Ye Feng spoke first.

"My situation is similar to Ye Feng's. Half a year at most."

"Good. You must Cultivate diligently; I have high hopes for you."

"Thank you for your favor, Family Head! We will serve the Lu Family unto death!"

The two expressed their resolve, and they were sincere.

Not to mention Ye Feng, even Wang Weifeng—when he first arrived, he thought the conditions here wouldn't be as good as the Wang Family's. He expected resources like blood-replenishing decoctions to be in short supply and had prepared himself for his cultivation speed to slow down.

To his surprise, special decoctions were provided every few days after arriving, making his cultivation speed even faster than it was in the Wang Family.

In just five short years, he had gone from Early Stage Xiantian to Peak Innate Realm and was about to Breakthrough to Grandmaster.

He was only twenty-four years old. Although there were more and more martial arts experts in the younger generation, becoming a Grandmaster at twenty-four still made him a chosen talent of heaven.

He and Shen Shishi had two sons, aged five and two. He was branching out here, representing his own branch of the Wang Family.

Ye Feng was the same. Not only had Lu Xuan provided him with a better Cultivation Technique and these decoctions, but he had also allowed the Ye Family to establish their own clan.

Under Ye Wentao's arrangement, he had long since married and had children. His eldest son was three, and his young daughter was over a year old. Now, he had to strive not just for himself but for his descendants.

"Currently, I am the only Grandmaster-level combatant in the Family. I need you all to grow up quickly."

Lu Xuan also gave them some encouragement.

"We will certainly not fail your high expectations, Family Head."

"You may go."

————

Study.

"Father, did you wish to see me?"

Lu Jingan had handed over the county town's business to Ye Wentao to manage, while also having Lu Jingyan follow Ye Wentao to learn.

"Yes! I've already discussed it with your mother. Once you Breakthrough to Grandmaster, I will go to propose the marriage."

"Ah!"

The immense joy left Lu Jingan momentarily stunned.

"What are you 'ah-ing' about?"

"What about you? Have you reached an agreement with that girl?"

"Don't worry, Father. Xiao Ya and Qing Yan have already met. Xiao Ya took the initiative to give up the position of the Primary Wife."

Seeing Lu Xuan's slightly furrowed brow, Lu Jingan quickly added.

"I gave Xiao Ya the status of an Equal Wife; I won't mistreat her. In my heart, they both carry the same weight!"

"Hmph, well said. I hope you act accordingly as well."

To Lu Xuan, the status of the two girls made no difference. In his heart, he even preferred Zhao Ya a bit more. After all, he knew her background well, she was beautiful, and she had been raised and taught by his wife, Su Jing, since childhood. Her knowledge and upbringing went without saying, and she knew how to be grateful—a true virtuous helper.

But since things had reached this point, he wouldn't say more. Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes; too much interference isn't good.

"Cultivate well and strive to Breakthrough to Grandmaster by the end of the year."

"I understand, Father."

Now that Lu Xuan had mentioned his marriage again, Lu Jingan was extremely excited. Even with the conditions attached, he still couldn't calm his heart.

"How has the attitude of the Wang Family people been lately?"

Hearing his father's question, his previously joyful expression turned somber.

"In the past half year, another Peak Innate Realm Martial Artist from the Wang Family has broken through to Grandmaster. Adding a Grandmaster from the Qian Family, the maiden Family of the Wang Family's matriarch, the Wang Family now has a total of three Grandmasters.

Currently in Pingze County, the Wang Family's power is at its peak, somewhat resembling the Zhao Family's past might. In fact, because they have no rivals to match them, they could be said to be even more powerful.

At the end of last month, the profits the Wang Family provided us were a third less than before. I suspect they're cooking the books, but the Wang Family adamantly denies it.

Father, you were in seclusion at the time, so I didn't inform you immediately!"

Lu Xuan picked up his teacup and took a sip, staring at the flickering candlelight, his eyes shifting between light and shadow.

"We will end the contract this year. After settling the accounts, we will no longer cooperate with the Wang Family. Next year, my Lu Family will open our own restaurant in the county town.

Living under someone else's roof is never good. As long as you, Wang Weifeng, and Ye Feng Breakthrough to Grandmaster, we won't have to fear the Wang Family even if I'm not around."

Ultimately, for the sake of his friendship with Wang Yuanhua, Lu Xuan didn't press the issue of the profits, deciding to just take the loss.

But continuing the cooperation was impossible; Lu Xuan was no pushover.

"If they don't know what's good for them, then don't blame me for being ruthless."