Vol. 1 - Chapter 157 - The New Clan Leader

Zhou Honglang’s face was noticeably radiant, his expression tinged with joy. Chen Xingzhen couldn’t help but ask, “May I ask, Young Master Zhou, has something good happened recently?”

Zhou glanced at the others still unloading the Blood Rice and chuckled again. “I didn’t expect Clan Leader Chen to notice.”

Chen Xingzhen’s face twitched slightly. You practically have the word ‘joy’ written on your face—if I couldn’t tell, I’d have to be blind.

He didn’t interrupt, and Zhou Honglang went on, “This is technically a clan secret, though it won’t remain one for long. Since it’s bound to become public knowledge soon, I suppose there’s no harm in telling you now.”

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough.

“Soon, my uncle will become the new head of the Zhou clan.”

Chen Xingzhen’s brows rose slightly in surprise. His uncle—he must be referring to Zhou Huaian.

Zhou Huaian's ascending as the clan leader of the Zhou clan didn’t seem to affect the Chen clan directly. After all, the Zhou clan’s affairs were distant and far removed from local concerns. Who led the Zhou clan didn’t appear to matter.

But upon closer thought, this development could actually benefit the Chen clan.

Their link to the Zhou clan had always been Zhou Huaian. While their relationship wasn’t particularly deep, they had at least crossed paths. If another man were to take Zhou Huaian’s place, the Chen clan might not be able to maintain its current stability.

For a powerful clan like the Zhou, the position of clan leader brought significantly more authority and access to resources—leagues beyond what he, as leader of the Chen clan, could ever command.

Realizing this, Chen Xingzhen offered his congratulations without hesitation.

“That is truly joyous news. To commemorate Mr. Zhou’s rise to leadership, my Chen clan is willing to offer sixty percent of our Blood Rice as tribute.”

Behind him, several clan members looked visibly confused. But since the words came directly from the clan chief, they kept silent in front of the outsiders despite their doubts.

Zhou Honglang, too, looked slightly surprised.

For the Zhou clan, Blood Rice wasn’t particularly valuable. Beyond the mid-stage of the Blood Coagulation Realm, it had limited usefulness. But for a second-tier clan like the Chen clan, Blood Rice was nothing short of essential.

He hadn’t expected Chen Xingzhen to be so bold—to offer sixty percent outright.

Still, Zhou didn’t rush to accept. Instead, he smiled faintly. “That’s not a decision I can make on my own. Let me report this to my uncle. If he agrees, I’ll return with his answer.”

Chen Xingzhen wasn’t disappointed. He cupped his fists and nodded. “Then I’ll trouble Young Master Zhou to deliver the message.”

He glanced toward the setting sun. “It’s getting late. Why don’t you and your companions rest here for the night and leave in the morning?”

But Zhou Honglang shook his head. “My uncle’s succession is imminent, and there’s much to prepare back home. I must return as soon as possible.”

“That is understandable,” Chen Xingzhen said with a respectful nod. “Tianyu, bring out a few jars of the rice wine we set aside. Let Young Master Zhou take them back as a gift. Perhaps Mr. Zhou himself might enjoy the taste of our Chen clan’s brew.”

Zhou’s eyes lit up, and this time he didn’t decline. He accepted the wine with genuine appreciation.

Although the Zhou clan also cultivated Blood Rice and their brewing techniques surpassed the Chen clan’s by a large margin, they lacked the time or interest to actually make rice wine, given their sheer numbers.

The Wind Chasing Falcon that had carried them here came and went just as swiftly.

Before long, the Zhou clan entourage soared into the sky on the back of the great bird.

Below, many Chen clansmen stared up in envy. If only their clan had a Wind Chasing Falcon too.

After the Zhou clan had left, Chen Tianyu stepped forward and asked, “Clan Chief, even if Zhou Huaian becomes the Zhou clan leader, why should we offer an additional ten percent of our Blood Rice? Doesn’t that just leave us with even less?”

Chen Xingzhen shook his head. “Ten percent is no small amount, and yes, it’s precious. But there are some things that jade coins can’t buy.

“If our clan never produces a cultivator in the Qi Realm, we will always be limited. Only by turning resources like Blood Rice into real, tangible gains can we strengthen ourselves.”

He paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “If I remember correctly, the Zhou clan has a plant known as the Wind Immortal Flower. Building good relations with them is worthwhile. Qingyu’s potential must not be buried within our ranks.”

Chen Tianyu and the others fell silent, considering his words.

Still watching the sky where the falcon had vanished, Chen Xingzhen continued, “The news should have reached Yong’an City by now. The four major clans are unlikely to make any moves for the time being.

“The Blood Rice harvest is complete. In a few days, we’ll head to Yong’an City to sell the surplus, along with any other goods we’ve accumulated. We can exchange them for rare treasures—especially things like Wind Immortal Flowers or Tian Nan Stars.

“This mission is important. Tianyu, you’ll go with Tianjing and take several of our people along. It will do them good to see the world beyond our walls.”

“Yes, Clan Chief,” they replied in unison.

Night fell.

The moon hung in the sky like water poured across silk.

A long howl broke through the silence.

Within the depths of Chaotic Burial Mountain, a pack of wolves cried out in eerie unison.

With a single distinctive howl, several green wolves of the Body Tempering Realm stirred. Cloaked in shadow, they crept toward the Chen clan compound, eyes gleaming with an unnatural light.

But the Chen clan made no move. No alarms. No sentries raised their voices.

The moment those wolves tried to squeeze through a narrow hole in the wall, they collapsed, eyes rolling back, limbs limp.

On the other side of the wall, the clan’s response was swift and practiced.

When the first wolf pushed its head through the gap, they were ready. Using a local herb found only in the Chaotic Burial Mountain, the Chen clansmen paralyzed the beasts instantly. With efficient movements, they wrapped them and carted them off to the wolf pens they’d already prepared.

“How many batches is that this month, Qingxiu?” one of the clansmen asked while binding the unconscious wolf beneath him.

“Third batch,” Chen Qingxiu answered without hesitation. “I heard from the others that we’re finally seeing some progress over the past couple of days.”

Taming green wolves was no simple task, but the clan wasn’t without options. They trained as they learned, adapting each day.

There had already been some early results—but full control would still take time.

Still, the morale was high. After all, who wouldn’t be excited at the idea of having a powerful green wolf as their personal mount?

“That should be the last of them. Let’s get some rest.”

“Wait a bit longer.”

Another distant howl echoed in the night. At once, the clan members sealed the hole and turned to leave.

This time, it truly was over.

Upon the hillside, wolves gathered beneath the pale moon.

At the top stood the Wolf King, its commanding cry signaling retreat and concealment. But a few of the stronger wolves—those of the Blood Coagulation Realm—remained still.

They did not leave.

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