Chapter 44: The Common People's Tears Capsize the Boat |
After a good night's rest to wash away the exhaustion of his journey, Yulou woke up early.
After a quick wash, Yulou arrived at the door to the Patriarch's bedroom.
He harbored a few doubts and concerns.
How he was supposed to interact with Hongmei in the future—this was a matter that required the Patriarch's direction.
More importantly, Yulou wasn't quite sure how the Patriarch intended to deal with his nominal master.
The fact that Hongmei had harbored murderous intent toward him could not be erased, leaving a rift between them.
Despite this, Yulou still felt that Hongmei had value—a great deal of it.
The man was a Master Artificer capable of refining a high-grade magical artifact with thirty-two layers of restrictions.
In the Wunan Cultivation World, the limit for a lone wolf was the Qi Refining realm. If Yulou wanted to go further, he could not do without his clan's support.
If he took the initiative and urged the Patriarch to heavily employ Hongmei, making good use of this nominal master, Yulou's future path within the clan would be much steadier and longer.
In the cultivation world, surviving from a utilitarian perspective was nothing to be ashamed of.
Concepts like hot-bloodedness and passion usually only existed in fantasy tales.
Yulou had to face a master who could turn hostile and kill his disciples at the drop of a hat, an ancestor who would drain thousands of cultivators dry to attain the Golden Core realm, as well as the Immortal Alliance and the Ten Sects, which exhausted every possible means of exploitation and oppression.
He needed calmness, wisdom, patience, and perseverance... Only then could he go further.
The Wang Clan was a united family, but more importantly, it was a massive one—a clan with a long heritage and strict internal governance.
Yulou had no desire to enter a sect just to become a beast of burden. Therefore, he had to plan early, make full use of the Wang Clan's resources, and plot out his development path in advance.
First, he would cultivate within the Wang Clan until he was sufficiently prepared. Then, he would enter a sect to seek out Foundation Establishment opportunities. Walking these two steps steadily required early planning.
Arriving at the door to the Patriarch's room, Yulou didn't knock. He simply stood quietly outside.
Soon, the Patriarch's voice rang out from within.
"Come in. Don't just stand there looking silly."
Seeing Wang Xianmao sitting cross-legged on a futon, Yulou offered a bow before speaking softly.
"Patriarch, I have a question."
"Speak."
He didn't know why this kid had come to stand guard at his door so early in the morning, but the Patriarch still very much wanted to grow closer to the clan's younger generation.
"I am unsure of how I should interact with Hongmei in the future. I ask the Patriarch to point the way."
He asked how they should interact, but he was actually probing to see how the Patriarch intended to deal with Hongmei.
"Hahaha, didn't you put it quite well yesterday? Treat each relationship separately. You may call him master, but he is also a newly accepted member of our Wang Clan."
Wang Xianmao clearly hadn't given the issue with Hongmei too much thought; his plan was still to let Yulou study hard under the man.
But Hongmei had changed his name to Wang Yushuo, forced into the Wang Clan via a secret technique. He was neither an outsider with a different surname, nor was he a direct lineage member.
Yulou didn't quite understand.
"Then about his Foundation Establishment..." Yulou asked, his heart full of doubts.
'Patriarch, do you truly treat Hongmei as a child of the Wang Clan and intend to let him continue toward Foundation Establishment?'
"We'll talk about it once you've learned enough. If Hongmei wants to reach Foundation Establishment, he has to get past me first.
"Only a Purple Palace Grand Cultivator proficient in wood-attribute techniques can undo my Black Vine Soul-Locking Art. Rest assured."
Wang Xianmao answered with a hint of smugness.
He was a seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivator with a divine ability. The Black Vine Soul-Locking Art, developed using his unique divine ability as a catalyst, couldn't be undone by just any ordinary Purple Palace cultivator!
"Patriarch, if our Wang Clan can produce a few more direct lineage Foundation Establishment cultivators in the coming decades, we could actually give Hongmei a chance.
"He is a Master Artificer, after all. If we can get him to serve our Wang Clan, taking a small risk would be worth it."
Yulou saw things clearly. If Hongmei could achieve Foundation Establishment, he and Yu'an would be the greatest beneficiaries. No matter what path the Wang Clan took in the future, their own road would be incredibly broad.
After all, in a world where the Immortal Alliance suppressed everything, although Hongmei's forced induction into the Wang Clan was humiliating, the choice itself wasn't terrible.
Slaving away as a beast of burden for the Purple Palace cultivators of a sect was no different from slaving away as a beast of burden for an independent entity like the Wang Clan.
The only difference was that the Wang Clan's Foundation Establishment cultivators held shares in the family business, while a sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators remained pure beasts of burden.
On the other hand, Yulou's question was also a probe. He wanted to confirm exactly what the Patriarch had exchanged for in the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Merit Hall.
This point was crucial.
"Yes, it's a difficult matter. Your Uncle Rongjiang is already in seclusion, and there will be results within two years.
"Next is the clan's guest elder, Tie Qinhuo. He also exchanged half a portion of Foundation Establishment resources from me.
"Although Tie Qinhuo's cultivation base is slightly lacking and his harmonization of root energy is insufficient, this is his second time attempting Foundation Establishment, so his success rate is quite high.
"Wang Rongyuan, Wang Rongwen, and the rest are even further down the line. It will probably be at least twenty years before they can even consider Foundation Establishment.
"We are not lacking in Foundation Establishment resources. We actually have to thank Hongmei for this time. If he hadn't done something so foolish, where would we have found this extra portion of Foundation Establishment resources? Hahahaha."
Yulou understood. The Patriarch had no intention of letting Hongmei actually reach Foundation Establishment.
Once he reached Foundation Establishment, he would be difficult to control.
Letting go of those distant thoughts, he said,
"I was not being thoughtful enough."
The Patriarch shook his head. He was satisfied with Yulou in every aspect; the child's only flaw was that he was too reserved.
They were all family, so why be so formal?
Was he afraid of him?
He was still quite approachable, wasn't he?
"No, I am very satisfied with you. Your guess was correct; the fall of Hidden Dragon Market to the Valley Spirit Sect was indeed not simple.
"It wasn't that the Valley Spirit Sect colluded with rogue cultivators as you guessed, but rather that Wondrous Peak Mountain has a problem. A major problem!"
How could Wondrous Peak Mountain not have a problem? Their Inner Gate Disciples had even started acting as rogue cultivators to rob Wang Rongyuan.
Of course, this was also partly due to Wang Rongyuan's exquisite baiting tactics at the time.
"Wondrous Peak Mountain has a major problem?"
That was a sect overseen by three Purple Palace Grand Cultivators. How could they have a major problem?
"Yes, they want to elevate another Purple Palace cultivator. A few years ago, when the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Merit Hall first opened to the outside, they exchanged for two portions of resources to attempt a breakthrough to the Purple Palace realm.
"As a result, the cost of these two portions placed unbearable pressure on Wondrous Peak Mountain's Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the Qi Refining cultivators were forced to jump ship in droves.
"The Valley Spirit Sect took advantage of this exact point. Knowing that Wondrous Peak Mountain's town guards in Hidden Dragon Market were spread thin, they went all out to take over Hidden Dragon Market."
Yulou was left utterly dumbfounded.
Well, well, well. The common people's tears capsize the boat.
For these sects to exploit their disciples to the point where they were forced to jump ship in large numbers, they were truly something else.
He and Yu'an had made the right choice by not directly joining a sect.
"Two portions of resources for the Purple Palace realm... It seems Wondrous Peak Mountain is putting all their eggs in one basket. They are determined to produce a new Purple Palace cultivator."
Seeing that Yulou was able to realize this, Wang Xianmao felt very satisfied.
"Indeed. The Supreme Elder of Wondrous Peak Mountain has a poor relationship with Patriarch Mangxiang. Now that the Patriarch wants to attain Golden Core, they are afraid.
"However, these matters have nothing to do with us. On the other hand, Yulou, I plan to have you manage the newly established Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Are you confident you can do it well?"
The Hundred Treasures Pavilion was a newly established shop aimed specifically at Qi Refining cultivators, inspired by the Huang Clan's Hundred Treasures Workshop.
The Wang Clan would buy another plot of land in Clear Stream Market to set up the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, specializing in high-quality talismans, pills, and magical artifacts.
After being exploited by the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, the Wang Clan needed to create new sources of income to meet future needs.
Setting aside everything else, just the thought of the Wang Clan gaining at least two more Foundation Establishment cultivators in the future was enough to give Wang Xianmao a headache.
The Wang Clan's foundation was only so deep. They could not afford to support that many Foundation Establishment cultivators. It would be impossible without finding new ways to increase their income of spirit stones.
"Shouldn't we let Uncle Rongsheng handle this? Hidden Dragon Market is in total chaos right now. Wouldn't it be perfect for him to serve as the shopkeeper of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion?"
Yulou certainly wanted to accept this appointment; Wang Xianmao was clearly trying to test and train him.
However, he worried that his poor management would end up dragging the clan down.
Wang Rongsheng had operated in Hidden Dragon Market for so many years. With his vast experience, he was far more suitable than Yulou.
Seeing Yulou decline, Wang Xianmao waved his hand and said,
"Yulou, there's no need to refuse. The low-priced rooms were very popular among independent cultivators, which shows that you actually have a talent for business.
"In the coming years, you will still manage the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. As for Rongsheng, I have other arrangements for him."
"Hmm, it's difficult. Your Rongjiangshu is already in seclusion, and there will be a result within two years.
"Next is the clan's guest elder, Tie Qinhuo. He also exchanged half a portion of Foundation Establishment resources from me.
"Although Tie Qinhuo's cultivation base is a bit lacking, and he falls short in the harmonization of root energy, this is his second time attempting Foundation Establishment, so his chances of success are very high.
"Wang Rongyuan and Wang Rongwen's batch is even further behind. It's estimated that they won't be able to consider Foundation Establishment for at least another twenty years.
"We are not lacking in Foundation Establishment resources. We really have to thank Hongmei this time. If he hadn't been so foolish, where would we have found this extra portion of Foundation Establishment resources? Hahahaha."
Yulou understood. The Patriarch had never planned to let Hongmei truly reach Foundation Establishment.
Once he reached Foundation Establishment, he would become too difficult to control.
He set aside those distant thoughts and said,
"It was I who failed to think it through."
The Patriarch shook his head. He was satisfied with Yulou in every way; the child's only shortcoming was being too restrained.
'We are all family, why so restrained?'
'Is he afraid of me?'
'I'm still quite approachable, right?'
"No, I am very satisfied with you. You guessed correctly, the matter of Hidden Dragon Market being breached by the Valley Spirit Sect is indeed not a simple matter.
"It's not that the Valley Spirit Sect colluded with rogue cultivators as you guessed, but rather that a problem occurred at Wondrous Peak Mountain—a major problem!"
How could Wondrous Peak Mountain not have problems? Their Inner Gate Disciples had even resorted to acting as rogue cultivators to rob Wang Rongyuan.
Of course, this was also tied to Wang Rongyuan's exquisite baiting tactics at the time.
"A major problem occurred at Wondrous Peak Mountain?"
That was a sect overseen by three Purple Palace Grand Cultivators. How could a major problem occur?
"Yes, they want to push forward another Purple Palace cultivator. A few years ago, when the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Merit Hall was first opened to outsiders, they exchanged for two portions of resources for attempting the Purple Palace realm.
"As a result, the heavy burden of acquiring these two portions of resources left the Foundation Establishment cultivators across Wondrous Peak Mountain suffering unspeakably, and their Qi Refining cultivators were forced to defect in droves.
"The Valley Spirit Sect targeted this exact vulnerability. Knowing that Wondrous Peak Mountain's town guard forces in Hidden Dragon Market were hollowed out, they devoted all their strength to taking down the market."
Yulou was dumbfounded.
Good, good, good. The common people's tears capsize the boat.
For those sects to harvest their own disciples to the point of forcing mass defections... they were truly something else.
He and Yu'an hadn't directly joined a sect; it seemed they had made the right choice.
"Two portions of resources for attempting the Purple Palace realm. It seems Wondrous Peak Mountain is putting all their eggs in one basket, absolutely determined to push forward a new Purple Palace cultivator."
Seeing that Yulou could grasp this, Wang Xianmao was very satisfied.
"Indeed. Wondrous Peak Mountain's Supreme Elder and Patriarch Mangxiang have a poor relationship. The Patriarch wants to attain Golden Core, so they are afraid.
"However, these matters have nothing to do with us. But as for you, Yulou, I plan to have you take charge of the newly established Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Do you have the confidence to run it well?"
The Hundred Treasures Pavilion was a newly established shop specifically catering to Qi Refining cultivators, inspired by the Huang clan's Hundred Treasures Workshop.
The Wang Clan intended to buy another plot of land in Clear Stream Market to establish the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, specializing in fine talismans, pills, and magical artifacts.
After being harvested by the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, the Wang Clan desperately needed to expand their income streams to meet their future needs.
Leaving aside everything else, just the thought that the Wang Clan would be adding at least two Foundation Establishment cultivators in the near future gave Wang Xianmao a headache.
The Wang Clan's foundation was only so deep. They couldn't afford to support that many Foundation Establishment cultivators, so they had to open new income streams to increase their spirit stones revenue.
"How about letting Uncle Rongsheng do it? Hidden Dragon Market is in a mess right now; wouldn't it be perfect for him to manage the Hundred Treasures Pavilion?"
Yulou naturally wanted to accept this appointment; Wang Xianmao clearly wanted to groom him.
But he was worried that he wouldn't manage it well and would end up holding the clan back.
Wang Rongsheng had operated in Hidden Dragon Market for many years and was highly experienced, making him far more suitable for the role than Yulou.
Seeing Yulou decline, Wang Xianmao waved his hand and said,
"Yulou, there is no need to decline. Your low-priced rooms are very popular with rogue cultivators, which shows that you have a talent for business.
"For the coming years, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion will be managed by you. As for Rongsheng, I have other arrangements."
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