Published at 24th of November 2024 4:16 am

Chapter 299: Hooked! The Hidden Puppeteer Takes the Bait 2

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He spoke very nonchalantly.

They had no feud with the Wang family back then, they just casually wiped it out.

The red-haired old man slightly frowned: “Now that you mention it, I do recall it. This clan seems to have some relationship with the Wang family of Longzuo. Initially, the Wang family of Longzuo obtained a letter from the Academic Palace to protect that small clan. Why are you suddenly bringing up this trivial clan? Do you think they can honestly pose a threat?”

“Old ancestor.” The man in the ornate robe spoke gravely, “This small clan is indeed turning the heavens upside down now. Recently, our clan members in the Purple Abode Academic Palace sent back news that this Wang family of Ping’an has, for some reason, produced no less than three Sky Prides. Among them, two have been independently selected for cultivation as direct disciples by the Valley of Ten Thousand Butterflies and Leisure Peak.”

“And their family head, Wang Shouzhe, is even more extraordinary…”

He explained some recent events at the Academic Palace to the old ancestor.

Of course, they did not receive news about Wang Longyan and Wang Licui, as they were keeping a low profile and were not known to outsiders.

“Old ancestor, if this trend continues, within two hundred years, I’m afraid the Wang family will surpass us. I wonder if they will investigate the events of the past?”

“The two from the Academic Palace are still too young to pose a threat in the short term.” The red-haired old man said indifferently, “The teachers in the Academic Palace will not meddle in the disputes among local powerhouses. The real threat is the head of the Wang family, Wang Shouzhe.”

His eyes were calm: “Back then, inhibited by the warning from the Academic Palace, we could not completely eliminate them. This time we must be more discreet, it is necessary to strike with a thunderous blow, directly aiming at their key point.”

“Yes, old ancestor.” The middle-aged man replied, “Moreover, our spies have discovered a top secret matter. Recently, the ‘cement’ that has been making waves in Donghaei is actually the masterpiece of the Wang family of Ping’an.”

When he mentioned this matter, his eyes glowed.

No wonder the Wang family of Ping’an has risen so rapidly in recent years, it must be because they have gained a lot of resources by selling cement.

“Cement?”

The red-haired old man apparently did not know about this substance.

The middle-aged man explained it to him and then said, “Cement is sold at a high price. But in recent years, many buildings and infrastructures in Ping’an Town, including roads and river banks, have used a lot of cement. From this, we can infer that the cost of producing cement should be very low, making it extremely profitable. If we could get our hands on this business… ”

Even the red-haired old man’s breathing became a bit heavier after hearing this.

If a clan wants to develop and grow, they cannot do so without resources.

The Huangfu family is very powerful with numerous industries, huge scale operations, and an astonishing annual total income of around three hundred thousand Qian Gold.

However, their expenses are even more staggering.

With an old ancestor in the Heavenly Human Realm, over a dozen backbone figures in the Spirit Platform Realm, two Heaven-human Seeds, over a dozen Spirit Platform Seeds, plus two to three hundred key clansmen, over a hundred house servants and tributes, and one to two thousand other servants, the number is impressive.

The yearly expenses for all these people could reach astronomic figures.

How much surplus could be made from the three hundred thousand Qian Gold?

As the saying goes, “Each has difficulties of its own”. Even though the life of a 7th-rank Aristocratic Family may seem luxurious, they too face their own unique challenges.

Without enough accumulation, the red-haired old man would not dare to go all out in cultivation and to break through to the Purple Abode Realm, otherwise he himself would become a resource sinkhole, making the growth of other family members an impossibility.

Their current plan and direction is to become a sixth-rank Aristocratic Family.

But if they could seize the cement industry, they could generate far more wealth than they have in Ping’an Town with the heritage of their Celestial-type family.

At that time, not to mention becoming a sixth-rank Aristocratic Family, accumulating wealth for a one or two hundred years, they might even have the qualifications to challenge and become an Aristocratic Family in the Purple Abode Realm.

Just as the saying goes – an innocent man gets into trouble because of his wealth. The Wang family of Ping’an is courting disaster upon themselves.

The red-haired old man’s eyes flashed with a strong sense of greed, and a strong and suffocating aura gradually emanated from him.

“Jinghuan, you are free to proceed with this matter. But remember, you must make sure to leave no traces.”

“Yes, old ancestor.”

The middle-aged man’s spirit was lifted; he realized that the old ancestor had approved his plan.

He was thrilled: “This marks the rise of our Huangfu family. I will make necessary arrangements now. Once the disaster relief team from the Purple Abode Academy leaves, we will take action.”

…

A few days later.

Changning County.

First Capital City.

As the political center of the Guard City, the First Capital City is square and imposing, with a sense of grandeur, and its design details do not lose their dignity. Right in the center, there is a high tower from which the entirety of the Guard City can be viewed.

Outside the First Capital City, there is a vast square in each of the four directions.

The square is paved with blue stones, adorned with rune bricks interspersed, forming a huge protective array around the First Capital City.

That is to say, the city itself is an incredibly robust fort, capable of withstanding attacks from a Level Seven fierce beast for quite some time.

However, at the moment, the four vast squares are already filled with carriages. These carriages have different clan crests, representing the different aristocratic families attending the meeting in the First Capital City.

At this moment, inside the main hall, a large number of the members from the Eight Grade aristocratic families had already arrived.

There was Clan Leader Liu Gaowang of the Liu Family from Shanyin, and Elder Liu Zhisheng.

Obviously, since Clan Leader Liu Gaowang had not yet reached the Spiritual Platform Realm, he came to support Elder Liu Zhisheng.

In addition, there was the Clan Leader of the Chen Clan from Donggang, Chen Dewei.

As he himself was a Clan Leader in the Spiritual Platform Realm, only he came.

Similarly, there was the Clan Leader of the Gongsun Clan from Shanyang – Gongsun Yan.

Gongsun Yan was just twenty-three years old, but he was already at the peak of Rank Seven of the Vital Energy Refining Realm. With his composed and restrained demeanor, yet not lacking in majesty, he was the new Clan Leader of the Gongsun Clan.

As for his father, Gongsun Qiang, he was a Young Clan Leader all his life. In the end, he never had the chance to become the Clan Leader. After achieving the Spiritual Platform Realm, he became an Elder.

As for Wang Shouzhe’s maternal clan, the Lu Clan of Yingxiu, they currently only have two cultivators in the Spiritual Platform Realm and have not yet met the threshold of the Eighth Grade Aristocratic Family. Therefore, they are not eligible to participate in this welcome meeting.

In addition, the Clan Leader of the established Eighth Grade Xu Family of Changning, Xu Anbang, was also waiting here early.

Aside from them, notable Clan Leaders like Party Zhenghe of the Dang Clan from Ningxi, Huangfu Deyun of the former Ma Huangfu’s family, Lei Family of Wangxia and others have already arrived.

Among them, the former Ma Huangfu’s family and Lei Family of Wangxia, were side branches split from the two Celestial families, Huangfu Clan and Lei Clan of Changning. Under the care of their main family, they developed into an Eighth Grade Prominent Family within a short span of one to two hundred years.

Together with Ping’an Wang Family, all eight Eighth Grade prominent families in the entire Changning Guarding Area are now gathered.

When Wang Shouzhe entered the main hall guided by a City Guard Mansion officer, the eyes of everyone in the room fell on him.

Clan Leaders of the Liu Family from Shanyin, the Gongsun Clan from Shanyang, and the Chen Clan from Donggang naturally all cast friendly and affectionate eyes.

The gaze of Xu Anbang, the Clan Leader of the Xu Family from Changning, is significantly more complicated.

Not long ago, the Xu Family of Changning, as an old Eighth-Grade Prominent Family, was high above and infinitely proud. Their relationship with the Ping’an Wang Family was extremely complex.

Over time, the two sides maintained contact less and less, maintaining the occasional marriage alliance only within the direct lineage.

But now, within a short span of ten years, Ping’an Wang Family has risen rapidly, occupying a healthy portion of Ping’an, not only having shifted the old Eighth-Grade Aristocratic Family in terms of power, but their future potential is also incalculable.

The Clan Leaders of the other Eighth-Grade prominent families also looked at Wang Shouzhe with meaningful eyes, as if they all had their own schemes and plans.

“Cousin Shouzhe.” Gongsun Yan, the youngest clan leader present, was the first to greet Wang Shouzhe. He clasped his hands and said, “Why did you come so late? Everyone has been waiting for a long time.”

“Cousin Yan.” Wang Shouzhe replied with a smile, “I was at Ping’an Town. It’s a long way to go, so it’s normal for me to be late.”

Afterward, Wang Shouzhe greeted each of the Clan Leaders individually and exchanged pleasantries.

Everyone present had status, so it was normal for close relations and allies to be intimate. Even with the other Clan Leaders, even if there had been some friction in the past, they would not lose their demeanor in such formal occasions. Each of them received each other with a smile, talked, and laughed as if they were good friends who had not seen each other for many years.

However, in this situation, the words everyone spoke were all devoid of any substance.

Just at the height of the hustle and bustle.

The officer outside shouted: “The Celestial Clan Leader of the Huangfu Clan, Huangfu Jinhuan has arrived…”

All those present who were talking and socializing immediately stopped, and their eyes turned to the doorway.

They saw a middle-aged man dressed in magnificent clothing stride in with the movement of a soaring dragon and charging tiger.

His eyes scanned the room, and a smile appeared on his face: “I’m sorry, everyone. I’m late.”

After some general courtesy, his gaze fell on Wang Shouzhe.

And Wang Shouzhe’s gaze also fell on him.

They locked eyes.

…

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