Protect Our Patriarch

After the auction.

Wang Shouzhe declined the invitation from the Tuoba Clan and the Tantai Clan to stay for a short visit, using the excuse of sending his daughter to the academy to make a swift retreat, to avoid being drawn into the vortex of their conflict.

Of course, the reason was genuine.

His eldest daughter, Wang Liyao, was already nineteen years old, and his eldest son, Wang Zong'an, was sixteen, both of the age to attend the academy.

Among them, his eldest daughter Wang Liyao was exceptionally talented, with limitless future achievements. The platform of Wang's Clan was too small for her, and she was definitely destined to follow the academy path.

Years ago, he had already asked his wife, Liu Ruolan, to write a letter to her acknowledged master, Tianyuan Shangren of the Yuan Shui Tian Lake lineage in the Zifu Academy, informing him of Liyao's basic situation and tentatively reaching an agreement on apprenticeship.

This time, Wang Shouzhe was preparing to send her to the academy en route.

As for Zong'an, although he did not receive the Bridal Blood Gu King, Wang Shouzhe had not spared any expense in purchasing pills to improve his aptitude over the years, such as the Spirit Awakening Pill, the Blood Tempering Pill, and the Marrow Cleansing Pill, all of which he had taken a round of.

Last year, Zong'an had passed the second level of the Shenwu Dynasty's trial instance and obtained the junior bloodline aptitude improvement liquid. Now his bloodline had awakened to the second layer, and in the academy, he was also considered a "genius."

However, Zong'an was the legitimate eldest son and was not suitable for the academy path, and Wang Shouzhe did not plan to have him fully join the academy.

Sending him there was just to let him be an ordinary disciple in the academy for a few years, to broaden his horizons and avoid growing up sheltered by Wang's Clan and becoming a frog in a well.

It is known that the world is vast, and Changning Guard is but a corner of it.

As the saying goes, "Born in distress, die in peace," only by witnessing the vastness of the world can one realize one's insignificance. Only then can one always harbor a sense of fear and not commit low-level mistakes due to arrogance.

For example, Yinyuze from the Yinsha Sect was a typical example.

Had he not been too arrogant, not taking Huaye and Huangfu Jinhuan seriously, with the means of a direct disciple of the Yinsha Sect, how could he have been killed so easily?

...

Half a month later, the Wang's Clan caravan arrived at Longzuo Commandery's city.

This was Wang Shouzhe's second visit to Longzuo Commandery's city; the last time he came was when he sent Luoqiu and Luoqing to the academy.

Eleven years later, the city walls of the commandery city were still as towering as ever.

The walls were mottled with traces of time, yet still thick and solid, with a heavy sense of oppression, as if they could stand for thousands, tens of thousands of years without change.

However, Wang's Clan was no longer what it used to be.

Looking at this scene, Wang Shouzhe was also filled with emotion.

The last time he came, Wang's Clan was just an eighth-rank family, but this time, they had become a proud seventh-rank family.

In Daqian, families were numerous, with each rank representing a different world, with status and treatment worlds apart.

When Wang's Clan first came to the commandery city, they needed the main family to receive them, but now, with the current status and identity of Wang's Clan, even without the main family's lead, they could directly enter the city through the VIP passage, enjoying the respectful attitude and envious gazes of the city guards.

After presenting his name card, the soldiers guarding the city immediately put on a warm smile and led the Wang's Clan caravan to the VIP passage.

With the rumbling sound of the carriage wheels, the caravan slowly entered the city.

After entering the city, Wang Shouzhe and his party did not first visit Longzuo Wang's Clan but went straight to a shop in the southern market.

This shop had three street-facing storefronts, with seven or eight residential courtyards suitable for living, and the location was quite good. Of course, the price was also good.

Even for Wang's Clan, it took quite an effort and a lot of Top Gold to take it over.

The commandery city was the commandery city, after all. The price of a prime shop of the same size was more than ten times that of Changning Guard. Three storefronts and some courtyards cost Wang's Clan nearly 150,000 Top Gold.

Fortunately, the shop now sold mirrors produced by Wang's Clan, fine glass products, skincare, and other luxury goods. Even though it had not fully taken off due to the short time of operation, it still had a profit of several thousand Top Gold each year.

Such an expensive shop, if used to sell salted fish and other common goods, might not be able to recoup the investment even in a hundred years.

The reason why Wang Shouzhe spent a considerable price to establish a foothold in the commandery city was also for the future development of Wang's Clan. As Wang's Clan grew stronger, the frequency of visits to the commandery city would inevitably increase, and it would not always be appropriate to rely on Longzuo Wang's Clan's residence.

No matter how good the relationship between the two families was, they had already separated into different branches. Over time, there would always be inconveniences.

"Fourth brother, sister-in-law, you've arrived."

Seeing the caravan stop at the door, Wang Shounuo, who was already in his forties, immediately came out from the shop to greet them.

After exchanging greetings with Wang Shouzhe and the others who came with him, he immediately directed the servants to lead the carriages straight into the inner courtyard.

Yes.

The commandery city's foothold was managed by the third of the "Shou" generation in Wang's Clan, Wang Shounuo.

Although Wang's Clan's population was gradually growing, the growth of clan members took time, and there were still not many who could stand on their own. Moreover, with the increasing number of Wang's Clan's businesses, clan members were needed everywhere, and manpower was still very scarce.

Wang Shounuo, in his prime and having advanced to the Lingtai Realm with the support of the family, was the perfect choice to take charge of developing the commandery city's industry.

Of course, he was the only one here; his children were all staying in the main residence, taken care of by Shounuo's wife and receiving unified training from the family.

The inner residence had already been tidied up, and with the help of many servants and family guards, Wang Shouzhe and his party were quickly settled.

This time, Ancestor Long Yan also came with Wang Shouzhe.

After Wang Shounuo paid his respects to Ancestor Long Yan, the three of them gathered for a small meeting.

Ancestor Long Yan's visit to Longzuo Commandery was not made public, to avoid giving the impression that the main residence was left vulnerable. Of course, Wang Shouzhe did not actually leave the main residence's defenses empty.

With his wife, Liu Ruolan, in charge, ordinary Tianren Realm cultivators who dared to cause trouble in Ping'an Town would most likely not end well.

"Third brother, it's hard on you to manage the commandery city's industry and be separated from your family," Wang Shouzhe said with a bow.

"Fourth brother, what are you talking about?" Wang Shounuo hurriedly returned the gesture, "We are all part of Wang's Clan, and it's our duty to contribute to the family. I have limited abilities and can't handle big matters, but what's hard about doing my part? Besides, if I rush back at the end of the year, it's only an eight or nine-day journey."

"Once the kids at home grow up a bit more, I'll let them come over and work with the third brother," Wang Shouzhe said, "With them here to look after you, you can return every three or four months to spend time with your family."

Any family that dispatches clan members will not send their entire small family out. For example, sending his wife and children over to live together.

Because doing so, although it allows them to reunite, over time, it will cause the family to gradually lose cohesion and centripetal force.

If everyone works outside with their small family as the unit, in a hundred years, the entire family will become a loose sand.

"It's alright," Wang Shounuo said, "The family's development is not easy, and countless clan members and ancestors have paid with their lives for the family. I'm just doing my part for the family, fourth brother, you don't need to keep it on your mind."

Hearing this, Wang Shouzhe also felt somewhat emotional.

In this world of numerous families, many people's family concepts and thoughts are very different from those of modern Chinese people.

For someone like Wang Shounuo, whose wife and children are all in the main residence and separated for a whole year, it's all taken for granted, at most suffering from the pain of longing, with no reluctance.

His wife and children also feel that it's only natural as long as the family needs it.

Other clan members also don't find anything abnormal.

Only Wang Shouzhe, who was once a "modern person," felt somewhat guilty towards Shounuo and his wife and children.

"Let's not talk about this for now, let's discuss something else." Wang Shouzhe sat down with Ancestor Long Yan and Wang Shounuo and said, "You've been collecting news about the commandery city for the past two years, and it has been quite effective. Tell us, how is Longzuo Wang's Clan doing recently?"

This time at the Tianren Banquet, Ancestor Zhou Bo still couldn't get away, and only the family head and the elders went to Wang's Clan in a low-key manner to deliver a congratulatory gift. After that, they hurried back.

Although they didn't say much, Wang Shouzhe could guess that Longzuo Wang's Clan must have encountered trouble.

However, it seemed that they did not want to involve Changning Wang's Clan, so they have been secretive, trying to solve it on their own.

But Changning Wang's Clan and Longzuo Wang's Clan are branches of the same tree, not only had they received a lot of help from Longzuo Wang's Clan in the past, but during the Luo Ying Gorge battle a few years ago, Ancestor Zhou Bo even risked himself to help deal with Huaye Ancestor, and did not take any compensation afterwards.

With this kind of relationship, Wang Shouzhe naturally could not watch them encounter trouble and act as if he knew nothing.

"Fourth brother's guess is not wrong, Longzuo Wang's Clan indeed encountered trouble," Wang Shounuo said seriously when Wang Shouzhe brought up the matter, "I probed around and carefully investigated through the relationships I've built over the past two years, and finally uncovered part of the truth. Here's what happened..."

Through Wang Shounuo's narration, Wang Shouzhe gradually understood the ins and outs of the matter.

Longzuo Wang's Clan, as an old family, was once a fifth-rank family and had its moment of glory with countless properties. However, due to continuous decline over the years, ancestral properties gradually slipped away, and now, apart from the main residence and a few remaining shops, they only had a few farms outside the commandery city that were still profitable.

In recent years, Longzuo Wang's Clan followed Wang Shouzhe's suggestion to vacate some of the real estate within the main residence and carefully operate "Zifu Palace," gradually accumulating wealth and gradually having the thought of cultivating a second Tianren Realm cultivator to rise again and restore the ancestral glory.

When they were clearing the family's previous defensive agreements, they found a land lease agreement from 330 years ago that had actually expired 30 years ago.

Therefore, Ancestor Zhou Bo tried to reclaim this ancestral land of about 20,000 acres.

"But the other party has been stalling, leading to conflicts between the two sides. Now the friction between Longzuo Wang's Clan and that family is escalating, and the conflict is deepening. If this continues, Longzuo Wang's Clan may suffer. Fourth brother, my foundation in the commandery city is too shallow to know the details, but the other family's strength is not weak, supposedly with a mid-Tianren Realm and an early-Tianren Realm ancestor in charge, Ancestor Zhou Bo is hard-pressed and probably stretched thin."

"I understand," Wang Shouzhe nodded, "The other party should only be a strong seventh-rank family. If it were a sixth-rank family, Ancestor Zhou Bo would not dare to make enemies."

A strong seventh-rank family, in the southern six guards, is naturally a top family, even Changning Wang's Clan would not want to be their enemy.

However, in the commandery city where families are clustered, a strong seventh-rank is definitely not considered top-notch, only mediocre, with many stronger than them.

Ancestor Long Yan had been quietly listening until now, and at this moment, a sharp light flashed in her eyes: "Hmph~ That family is so bullying, it's really hateful. Shouzhe, Longzuo Wang's Clan has been good to us, you must think of a way to help Ancestor Zhou Bo."

"Ancestor, rest assured," Wang Shouzhe bowed, "Helping Longzuo Wang's Clan was already in the plans. However, since our Changning Wang's Clan has a shallow foundation in the commandery city and lacks detailed information, please allow me to inquire with some friends first."

...

An hour later, at the headquarters of Baiwei Pavilion.

In a private room on the third floor, Wang Shouzhe was leisurely sipping tea.

The room was decorated elegantly, with famous calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, the fragrance of sandalwood wafting around, curtains gently rolling, and the faint sound of music coming from downstairs, indescribably leisurely and comfortable.

Even without fine food, the decor and atmosphere alone were enough to make one linger.

Even the tea served to guests was long-lasting and fragrant, not inferior to the tea used by Wang's Clan.

Baiwei Pavilion, with a thousand-year heritage, indeed had something special.

As Wang Shouzhe pondered.

Suddenly.

A graceful woman lifted the curtain and walked in.

She wore a light crimson gauze dress, her elegant skirt swaying slightly with her steps, revealing a graceful figure. It was a charm that only a married woman possessed, mature and enchanting, especially those charming eyes, which were captivating and alluring.Wang Shouzhe looked up and immediately cracked a slight smile, "Madam Bilian, it's been a long time since your last visit. I thought you had decided not to see me."

"The head of the esteemed Wang's Clan of Changning, how could I dare not meet you? But it's rather surprising that Clan Head Wang would come to visit an old acquaintance like me—it's quite the rare occasion~" Madam Bilian's beautiful eyes slanted as she glanced over Wang Shouzhe's shoulder, "What about it, your niece who can eat a mountain, didn't she come with you?"

It was quite evident that Wang Lici had left a deep impression on her. The money spent on a single meal for her could cover ten meals for someone else.

"She's traveling and training with her master. I haven't seen her for many years. She couldn't even return for the family's celestial banquet this time." Wang Shouzhe picked up his teacup and took a sip, casually smiling, "If Madam Bilian misses her, once she returns from her training, I'll have her stay with you for a while."

At his words, Madam Bilian, who had just sat down, nearly dropped the teacup she had just picked up.

She gave Wang Shouzhe an annoyed look, "Who would miss her? Such an outstanding child, your Wang's Clan can keep her~~ Now, tell me, what brings you here this time? Considering your handsome and valiant appearance, as long as it's not too difficult, I'll take care of it for you."

Wang Shouzhe indeed had matters to discuss, and hearing this, he didn't beat around the bush, "Does Madam know of the Zhang Clan of Longzuo?"

"The Zhang Clan? So that's why you're here." Madam Bilian slightly furrowed her brows, "I've heard that there's some enmity between the Zhang Clan and the Wang's Clan. In recent years, due to disputes over property, there have been several conflicts."

Her Baiwei Pavilion was a millennium-old establishment with extensive connections, especially within the Commandery. There was little that could escape her notice.

"Though the Zhang Clan isn't considered powerful, they are an old and established family that has risen over six to seven hundred years, with a network of connections far stronger than the recently declining Wang's Clan of Longzuo, even having some relations with my Yuwen's Clan. However, when it comes to relationships and backing, Changning's Wang's Clan is still stronger." Madam Bilian smiled as she glanced at Wang Shouzhe, "If you need it, I can mediate and resolve the grudge between the Zhang Clan and the Wang's Clan."

"Mediate?" Wang Shouzhe shook his head, "Thank you for your kind intentions. But the fat that has reached the belly, how could the Zhang Clan be willing to spit it out? With your warning, I now understand what to do. Thank you for today, Madam. I shall take my leave."

With that, he put down his teacup, ready to bid farewell and leave.

"Wait."

Madam Bilian was not ready to let him off so easily.

"I've helped you out, you can't just leave without any further ado, can you? I also have a matter that's difficult to speak of and need your help. After all, Clan Head Wang, with your handsome appearance and excellence..."

As she spoke, her beautiful eyes measured Wang Shouzhe up and down, her gaze shimmering with implication.

This...

Wang Shouzhe felt a chill run down his spine, secretly thinking that Madam Bilian, having lived in widowhood for too long, seeing his handsome appearance, might have had some improper thoughts.

Embarrassed, he pretended to drink his tea, "Madam, I'm actually quite ordinary in appearance..."

"Do you believe that yourself?" Madam Bilian gave him a sideways glance, "A man of such profound and towering presence, with an exceptional celestial bearing like Clan Head Wang, I'm afraid you wouldn't find many in the whole of Longzuo Commandery."

"Well... but, I'm not that familiar with Madam. Since it's difficult to speak of, perhaps it's best not to say it. I shall take my leave."

Wang Shouzhe coughed twice and immediately made a swift exit.

"Wait a moment."

Madam Bilian was not about to let him go just like that.

"When you needed my help, a single invitation from you, and I pushed aside important guests to meet you. Now that I need your help once, you tell me we're not familiar? Do you really think I'm so easily bullied?!"

"No, I've been enduring this matter for a long time, and only an outstanding and handsome man like you can solve it. A flat rate, fifty thousand Top Gold!"

"What?"

Wang Shouzhe staggered, nearly falling to the ground.

Was he being pelted with money by a beautiful woman again?

Was it just because he was a bit too handsome? A bit too outstanding? Why must life be so difficult?

...