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Gu Xiao’s eyes lit up, and a look of delight emerged on his chiseled, handsome face as he laughed and said, “Ha, good, very good! I had long heard of his renown. I didn’t expect him to show up so soon.”

However, he did not rise from his seat, remaining seated there, his gaze turning to Wang Liangcheng, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, “Family Head of the main branch, since he is a junior uncle from Pure Yang Palace, it is only right to let him come in.”

Pure Yang Palace’s Zhou Heng!

Wang Liangcheng’s complexion changed slightly. As the patriarch of the direct line of the Wang Clan in Xuanzhou, he was, of course, well aware of the disputes between the Solar Divine Palace and Pure Yang Palace.

Why had someone from Pure Yang Palace suddenly arrived? Could it be that they had heard some rumors?

But those businesses and properties on Yuzhi Street were insignificant even to the likes of a hare’s fur for Pure Yang Palace. Why would they send someone all this way?

And that young man, Wang Xiuye, why would he return with Zhou Heng? What exactly was going on?

His mind was suddenly filled with many doubts.

Now, hearing Gu Xiao’s words and after a brief contemplation, he nodded to the servant, “Alright, go call both of them over. He is, after all, the sixth generation True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace, a junior uncle to many disciples of the seventh generation; it would be improper to neglect him.”

“Yes.” The servant quickly took leave and hurried outside.

A short while later.

Zhou Heng and Wang Xiuye arrived at the hall for receiving guests, and the first person they saw was Wang Xueyuan standing to the side.

This old timer was good at staying out of sight; a Fourth Rank Absolute Grandmaster, and yet there he was making tea on the side.

Then, Zhou Heng’s gaze shifted to Gu Xiao seated in the chair. He had already known who “the Divine Child” of the Solar Divine Palace was from the discussions on the street before he came here.

Zhou Heng sized him up.

This Gu Xiao was indeed extraordinary in bearing; he must possess some real skills.

Wang Xiuye’s brows were tightly furrowed as he approached Wang Xueyuan’s side in the hall and said, “Father, what’s going on? I heard from Little Tang that the main branch intends to sell off Yuzhi Street and clear out all of its businesses?”

“That is indeed elder brother’s intention.” Wang Xueyuan nodded.

“Great-uncle!” Wang Xiuye turned to Wang Liangcheng and said, “Great-uncle, there are one thousand seven hundred twenty-five businesses on Yuzhi Street, sustaining over a hundred thousand people in Xuanzhou County City.

“If we take into account the other ancillary industries, this is a matter that affects hundreds of thousands of people. You can’t do this; it will lead to chaos.”

“Are you teaching me how to do business?” Wang Liangcheng’s gaze turned indifferent as he stared at Wang Xiuye, his voice deep, “Xiuye, over the years the family has shown you and your father considerable favor, even emboldening you to the point where you dare to correct me?”

“Xiuye wouldn’t dare.” Wang Xiuye shook his head, his face troubled, “But, Yuzhi Street is truly…”

“No need to speak further.” Wang Liangcheng cut off Wang Xiuye’s words directly and said to Wang Xueyuan, “Take Xiuye away. You two don’t need to concern yourselves with the matter of Yuzhi Street.”

“Haha, good, that’s more like it.” Gu Xiao laughed, “That’s the authority befitting the Family Head of the main branch of the direct line. Otherwise, I would’ve thought that the illustrious four-thousand-year Wang Clan could no longer distinguish between the legitimate and the collateral lines.”

Wang Xiuye was immediately infuriated, his face turning an iron shade of blue. He was about to speak when Zhou Heng placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Why are you meddling in the Wang Family’s affairs?” Zhou Heng stepped forward with a light chuckle, “Could it be that you also bear the Wang surname?”

“Zhou Heng, spare me your clever words.” Remaining firmly seated, Gu Xiao’s mouth curled up slightly, “I’ve already settled my business with Family Head Wang. What words could you possibly have to say?”

“Young Master Gu, please, don’t be upset, don’t be upset.” Wang Liangcheng hurried over to smooth things over, then turned to Zhou Heng, “Taoist Zhou, please take a seat, please sit.”

This head of the Wang Family’s main branch treated Zhou Heng with a warmth entirely different from how he had addressed Wang Xiuye just moments before, inviting him to sit down.

“There’s no need for me to sit.” Zhou Heng gestured with his hand and said solemnly, “Family Head Wang, I’d like to understand exactly what’s going on with the matter of Yuzhi Street being sold to the Solar Divine Palace.”

“Oh… haha.” Wang Liangcheng heard this and chuckled dryly. His glance toward Wang Xiuye was icy, then he turned to face Zhou Heng and immediately switched to a pleasant demeanor, saying with forced brightness, “Indeed, that’s happening. I was just negotiating this deal with Young Master Gu.

“However, Taoist, rest assured that although Yuzhi Street will be sold, the Pure Yang Palace’s interests will suffer no losses.”

“As for those merchants, we will also make proper arrangements, provide them with new locations to establish new shops, and re-establish their business routes. You need not worry about them.”

His tone had completely transformed, offering concessions on issues he had previously refused to budge on when facing Wang Xiuye and Wang Xueyuan.

This left Wang Xiuye momentarily stunned, even doubting whether he had heard correctly.

Just, just like that, agreed?

So simple?

Initially, his reluctance to sell Yuzhi Street was simply due to concern for the livelihood of those merchants, but now that Wang Liangcheng had promised to address this issue, what reason did he have to object?

However, Wang Xiuye had not expected that the matter he and his father had so earnestly failed to resolve would be so easily agreed upon by Zhou Heng with just a few words, causing Wang Liangcheng to relent.

“Zhou Heng, you should be satisfied now,” Gu Xiao stood up and said with a light laugh, “Wang Liangcheng is right; although I bought Yuzhi Street, I promise not to let those shops suffer any loss and will even find them newer and better locations to set up new shops.

“If you’re still not satisfied, I can even dig into my own pockets and give those shops some resettlement fees, or if there are any other conditions, feel free to bring them up.”

“Would that not lead to rumors spreading through the martial world in a few days, saying the ‘Divine Son’ of the Solar Divine Palace came to Xuanzhou County City and with just a command, all of Pure Yang Palace’s properties stepped aside and relocated?” Zhou Heng laughed, asking, “Is it so or is it not?”

“Pure Yang Palace, with such a vast sect and long heritage, dating back to the mythical era, still afraid of a bit of gossip?” Gu Xiao shook his head and replied, “Zhou Heng, you are overthinking it.”

“It’s best to nip rumors like this in the bud as early as possible,” Zhou Heng, lifting a finger and giving it a light shake, added, “especially those rumors that are deliberately created.”

“So you’re dead set on opposing me?” Gu Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly, then chuckled softly and waved his hand dismissively, “Never mind, I won’t buy it then. What’s the point of being at odds with a kid who hasn’t even made it to the top ten of the rankings? Wang Liangcheng, I take my leave.”

With that, he strode out of the Wang Family’s reception hall, got back into his Golden Palanquin carried by sixteen people, with thirty-two maids carrying flowers following, and left the Wang Family estate.

Throughout it all, he never took Zhou Heng seriously.

“So arrogant, way too arrogant, that guy!” Watching Gu Xiao leave, Wang Xiuye trembled with rage, gritting his teeth, “What’s he acting so high and mighty for, as if Zhou Heng couldn’t just kill him with a slap!”

“Wang Xiuye, if you keep talking nonsense, I’ll enforce family discipline and be the end of you myself!” Wang Liangcheng roared in a low voice, “Do you know what? Do you realize what you’ve done? You, get out! Get out! Wang Xueyuan, take your son and get out!”

“Uncle…” Wang Xiuye was astonished.

He couldn’t understand why Wang Liangcheng was so enraged. Even if negotiations with the Solar Divine Palace had failed, wasn’t Zhou Heng of Pure Yang Palace still there?

And compared to just a True Disciple like Gu Xiao, Zhou Heng’s status as a sixth-generation True Disciple was clearly more prestigious.

Why such fury?

“Get out!” Wang Liangcheng roared again at Wang Xiuye then turned to Zhou Heng with an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry, Taoist Zhou, for making you witness this farce. It’s really inconvenient today; please return. Another day, I will definitely host you and apologize.”

“If that’s the case, then I shall take my leave,” Zhou Heng said with a smile, “As for the hosting, there’s no need. I won’t be staying in Xuanzhou County City for too long.”

Having said that, he too left the reception hall and the Wang Family estate.

Wang Xueyuan and Wang Xiuye also left.

They invited Zhou Heng to stay with them, offering accommodations in a residence affiliated with a branch of the Wang Family.

The grand reception hall was now left with only Wang Liangcheng.

This Secret Sixth Rank Innate master was panting with rage, clenching his teeth as he said in a low voice, “That side branch of the family, they have some tactics indeed!”

…

The residence affiliated with a branch of the Wang Family.

Nighttime.

The main house.

With a puzzled expression, Wang Xiuye asked, “Father, what’s going on? The family could have easily got on well with Zhou Heng; why go out of our way to fawn over that Gu Xiao?”

“Heh, Xiuye, you’re mistaken,” Wang Xueyuan shook his head, “It’s not that the family could have got on well with Zhou Heng, but rather our side branch could have. ”

“…” Wang Xiuye fell into a hushed silence upon hearing this, and it took him quite some time before he finally said, “Are those born from the collateral branches not considered part of the Wang Family?”

“They are, of course they are, but we’re not part of the main lineage’s direct descendants,” Wang Xueyuan took a sip of tea and laughed, saying, “Haven’t you realized it yet? In the eyes of the main lineage, there is a difference between the legitimate and the collateral.”

“Because of the distinction between legitimate and collateral, your friendship with Zhou Heng and establishing good relations with the Pure Yang Palace will not be recognized as contributing to the family. They’ll only think you’re trying to use the power of the Pure Yang Palace to compete with the main lineage, or even… want to replace the main lineage.”

“I, I didn’t think that way,” Wang Xiuye quickly shook his head.

“No, you must think that way,” Wang Xueyuan suddenly spoke up and said, “Under the leadership of such a main lineage’s direct descendants, the Wang Family has no hope, no future. It’s bearable now with the old patriarch backing things up, but that might not be the case in the future.”

“What, that the old patriarch… ” Wang Xiuye’s eyes widened in shock at these words, and then he realized something, saying incredulously, “Father, you… you want to replace the main lineage?”

The ‘old patriarch’ they referred to was the current head of the Wang Family, a Great Grandmaster at the pinnacle of Fourth Rank, who had already lived for over a thousand years and was nearing the end of his lifespan.

“Wang Liangcheng is fawning over the Solar Divine Palace because he wants their ‘Sun Opening Thousand Longevity Pill’ to extend the old patriarch’s life,” Wang Xueyuan sneered, “But he forgets that the four-thousand-year history of the Wang Family wasn’t carried on by fawning over others.”

“I, I’m a bit confused,” the expression on Wang Xiuye’s face was a little bewildered as he asked doubtfully, “Then father, what should we do now?”

“You continue to stay by Zhou Heng’s side and maintain your friendship with him,” said Wang Xueyuan. “As for the rest, play it by ear.”

“But Father, you’re only at the Secret Sixth Rank,” Wang Xiuye still couldn’t help but ask, “With such cultivation, it might be hard to convince the masses. Even though the old patriarch is the only Absolute Fourth Rank in our family now, there are still several Sect Fifth Rank old uncles around.”

“They will agree,” Wang Xueyuan said with a smile, “You don’t have to worry about these, I will handle everything.”

“This…okay,” Wang Xiuye nodded.

“Go and rest,” said Wang Xueyuan, “Tomorrow is the first day of the twelfth month, and the latest three rankings will be announced. Perhaps there will be quite a few things happening in the city tomorrow.”

“Yes, Father,” Wang Xiuye stood up to take his leave and returned to his room.

A moment later.

“Star Master, you heard all that, didn’t you?” Wang Xueyuan suddenly spoke.

creeeak.

The back door of the room was pushed open, and Zhou Heng walked in, smiling, “No wonder Elder Jiaoxu concealed his ambition for so many years, he already had plans.”

“The roots of the Wang Family are rotten, the main lineage’s direct descendants are growing more conservative, and the old patriarch doesn’t have many years left. What else can be done?” Wang Xueyuan sighed and said, “The Wang Family is in danger, I can only step forward.”

“I can extend the old patriarch’s life by fifty years,” Zhou Heng suddenly said with a smile, “Would the head of the Wang household accept this?”

“…” Wang Xueyuan fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter, “Hahaha, Lord Zhou, you’ve seen right through me, right through me indeed. Yes, I want to be the Family Head, to reverse the natural succession from legitimate to collateral.

“However, what I said just now isn’t entirely false, you’ve seen the situation of the Wang Family. If I take over, the Wang Family still has a way out; if I don’t, the Wang Family will certainly fall, and I cannot bear that.”

“Indeed,” Zhou Heng nodded, having no true regard for distinctions between legitimate and collateral offspring before saying, “Head of the Wang household, I came to talk to you about something.”

“Please speak,” Wang Xueyuan gestured for him to continue.

“Tomorrow, I will be killing someone in the city,” Zhou Heng said in a calm tone, as if discussing a matter-of-fact occurrence.

“Gu Xiao?” Wang Xueyuan asked.

“That’s right,” Zhou Heng nodded and said, “In our bout, I don’t want anyone to interfere.”

“Alright,” Wang Xueyuan said decisively, “I’ll make the arrangements.”

“I thank you for that,” Zhou Heng smiled, “I’ll transfer a hundred good deeds to you when we gather.”

“Really?” Wang Xueyuan’s eyes lit up as he asked, “Will you be killing others too? I can make more arrangements.”

“Haha, that won’t be necessary,” Zhou Heng stood up to take his leave and departed.

…

The next morning.

“`

In the southern district of Xuanzhou City, within a five-courtyard compound.

Gu Xiao was lying on a rocking chair, enjoying the service of over a dozen beautiful maids.

Some were massaging his shoulders, others his feet, and some were kneading his legs or arranging his hair, while a few were peeling various fruits and delicately feeding them to him.

In front stood a splendid stage upon which more than twenty beautiful maids, dressed in translucent gauze, swayed their graceful outlines and danced elegantly.

At that moment, a middle-aged man, who appeared to be in his forties, materialized out of thin air and approached.

Dressed in a grey robe and holding a duster in his hand, his aura was incredibly obscure, making it difficult to gauge his true cultivation realm, presenting an unfathomable impression.

“Young Master, are you truly giving up that Yuzhi Street?” the middle-aged man came up and whispered, “It’s land managed by the Pure Yang Palace, and there’s a chance for the Pure Yang spirit veins to condense there; it would be greatly beneficial for your cultivation of the ‘Myriad Yang Thousand Scenery Great Technique’.”

“I know, I won’t give up Yuzhi Street, you can rest assured, Uncle Quan,” Gu Xiao sat up from his rocking chair and said with a smile, “Right now, I just want to resolve one matter.”

“Are you referring to Zhou Heng?” Uncle Quan frowned, “You can’t touch him; his identity is no ordinary one.”

“I’m not planning to kill him,” Gu Xiao shook his head and chuckled, “I just want to humiliate him thoroughly. It would be quite fun to defeat the little uncle of Pure Yang Palace in public, wouldn’t it?

“Uncle Quan, rest assured, this little brat Zhou Heng isn’t worth my killing intent. After all, he hasn’t even made it to the top ten people list, while I had already reached the sixth rank three years ago.

“During that great Tao conflict years ago, the Tao Lord from the Pure Yang Palace used despicable means to defeat my ancestor, causing both my family and the Solar Divine Palace to lose a Tao Lord, no—a Divine First Rank!

“These days, Zhou Heng has achieved a good track record, and his fame is soaring, as bright as the noonday sun, with the identity of a great power reincarnation and even more so as the little uncle of Pure Yang Palace. Using him to tarnish the face of Pure Yang Palace is truly the best case scenario.”

“Indeed,” Uncle Quan nodded slightly and smiled, “As long as you don’t harm his life or his cultivation foundation, then it’s just Zhou Heng being inferior in skill, and the Pure Yang Palace can’t complain about it.”

Thump thump thump!

At this moment, footsteps sounded from outside; it turned out to be a servant boy who ran back, holding a piece of paper with ink that was not yet dry.

“Young Master, Young Master! I have copied the latest top ten rankings of the people list for you.” The servant boy ran over, handing the paper to Gu Xiao with a sycophantic expression.

“Well done,” Gu Xiao casually threw a silver ingot weighing five taels to the servant boy and looked at the copied list, huffing, “Let’s see if that bald donkey Cheng Zhi has any new achievements, it’s really irksome that he’s been keeping me at sixth.”

But when he looked at it, his eyes suddenly bulged, and he stood up abruptly, his gaze fixated on the text of the list, his hands trembling slightly.

“Seventh, seventh??” Disbelief covered Gu Xiao’s face, “How is this possible, how could I be seventh? I’ve always been sixth; who took my spot?

“Zhou, Zhou Heng? How is that possible, he wasn’t even in the top ten on the previous people list! How did he suddenly jump to sixth, what gives him the right to be sixth?”

Gu Xiao couldn’t believe it and continued reading.

…

“Name: Zhou Heng

“Age: Seventeen

“Realm: Seventh Rank

“Identity: Sixth generation true disciple of Pure Yang Palace, taken as a disciple by the generation’s Tao Lord, Yan Shouyi, undoubtedly a reincarnation of a great power

“Achievements: … fresh into the Seventh Rank, he slew the half-crippled Ma Quan of the Secret Sixth Rank from the Plague Emperor Sect… Targeted by a killing order jointly issued by four Evil Sects, he did not retreat but advanced, journeying alone from Fangzhou to Sui State, covering ninety thousand li, killing ninety-three Seventh Rank evil doers, annihilating sixteen Evil Sects… slaying the Peak of the Seventh Rank expert Jia He from the Plague Emperor Sect… killing the treant whose strength far surpassed that of Li Qingyao, who is close to the Secret Sixth Rank… Li Qingyao, the seventh on the people list, once fought with Gu Xiao, who is sixth on the list, and was only slightly less skilled, hence Zhou Heng is ranked sixth.

“Title: Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, Evil Slaying Blade, Evil Suppressing Thunder Envoy

“Rank: Sixth”

…

“Damn it!”

Gu Xiao cursed out loud, raising his hand and crushing the head of the servant boy, who was still admiring the silver ingot and thinking of buying new clothes for his mother, “I don’t believe it! I won’t accept this! Come, I want to see this issue of the people list with my own eyes!”

“`