Castle of Black Iron

The month June of the 906th year of Black Iron Calendar was annoying for Huaiyuan Palace.

In the past two months, too many things had happened in Huaiyuan Palace, all of which determined that this month became the most important juncture for each member’s life and destiny in Huaiyuan Palace.

Huaiyuan Palace was like a big ship. When it bumped in the ocean facing gale and billows or went ashore, each clan member of Huaiyuan Palace on it would feel somewhat anxious, restless even scared.

In April, Elder Mushen had disappeared. On the same day, Zhang family in Jinwu City was attacked. The two events shocked the country as a whole.

On May, Elder Mushen returned safe and sound; however, a few days later, Zhang Taixuan the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace was possessed by the devil and committed suicide when in cultivation.

Zhang Taixuan’s death shocked the entire Huaiyuan Palace even Youzhou Province as a whole.

Zhang Taixuan was not only the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace but also Youzhou provincial governor. After his death, the position of Youzhou provincial governor was vacant. Therefore 7 days after his “sudden death”, Lu Dingzhi had been appointed as the new Youzhou provincial governor. As a result, Lu Clan of Spiritualmaple Prefecture, Youzhou Province officially entered White Tiger Platform in Youzhou City with the seal of Youzhou provincial governor.

Undoubtedly, it was no doubt that Huaiyuan Palace was severely struck after losing its clan head and the position of Youzhou provincial governor.

However, on the same day when Lu Dingzhi was appointed as Youzhou provincial governor, Lan Yunxi promoted to the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace, which was out of the imagination of many people.

In many people’s opinions, after Zhang Taixuan’s sudden death, Zhang Mushen the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace was most qualified to be the clan head. What was strange was that Zhang Mushen as the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace didn’t take over the position of clan head of Huaiyuan Palace; nor did he express any dissent to the fact that Lan Yunxi was officially elected as the new clan head of Huaiyuan Palace by the branch of Yiyang City. Additionally, the other elders of Huaiyuan Palace couldn’t defeat Lan Yunxi, plus many other factors, Huaiyuan Palace had its first female clan head.

Female clan head was nothing strange in Taixia Country. In Youzhou Province, Guo Hongyi was the clan head of Guo Clan of Threespring Prefecture. Although it was a bit disputable for Lan Yunxi to be the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace, it was finally widely accepted.

The aftermath of Zhang Taixuan’s sudden death and his funeral ceremony didn’t fade away until one month later.

On the afternoon of June 21st, when it was hot in summer, the atmosphere in Embracing Tiger City became abruptly solemn; teams of soldiers of Huaiyuan Palace started to patrol on streets.

When a team of soldiers of Huaiyuan Palace entered a street not far from Embracing Tiger Mountain, the boss of a restaurant named Huaian went downstairs as he exchanged a glance with the team leader.

“2 minutes’ rest. We will take some water here, lest heat stroke…” the team leader immediately spoke.

The team leader’s words were hailed by all the other soldiers of the team at once. In such a hot day, the heat was rising; however, the soldiers were still wearing full-body armors. They had been patrolling on the streets for 2 hours. Like staying in steaming cages, they had long been oozing sweet all over and thirsty. However, they had to follow military order. Without the consent of the team leader, none of them dared be idle.

Standing in the shadow of a banyan on the roadside, they didn’t undo their armors. They just took a short rest there.

“Xiaosi, Xiaowu, quick, send pots of tea for the disciples of Huaiyuan Palace…” the boss hurriedly sent an order to his waiters.

The two waiters hurriedly went out of the restaurant with pots of cold tea and teacups.

At the sight of the brand of this restaurant, those soldiers didn’t decline as they immediately enjoyed the cold tea.

In Yiyang Prefecture, all the restaurants whose brands contained the characterHuai or Yuan were opened by Huaiyuan Palace. In fact, they were of the same family. Therefore, they trust each other very much. As it went, soldiers and commoners had a bosom relationship.

When those soldiers and commoners were drinking cold tea, the team leader went to the gate of the restaurant and called the fat boss, “Second uncle…”

“What’s up?” the boss waved his fan under the awning at the gate as he asked curiously, “Don’t you have to stay outside today? Why’re you in?”

“I have no idea. It’s an order!” the team leader looked around as he added in a low tone, “It’s said that all the elders of Huaiyuan Palace have arrived. They’re discussing in the shrine palace…”

“What for? That’s so intense. It’s almost like a curfew!”

The team leader revealed a bitter smile as he answered, “Second uncle, don’t ask me. I’m just a team leader. How could I know what they’re discussing about. Even my immediate superior doesn’t know that!”

“Has Elder Mushen arrived?”

“I didn’t see any airboat from Jinwu City and Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory today!” the team leader further lowered his voice as he approached his second uncle, “It’s said that Jinwu City and Fiery-Dragon Bounty Territory didn’t assign a person to attend the funeral ceremony of the clan head. Even Elder Mushen and Elder Mushen’s elder brother didn’t attend it, including those people from the their old mansion. These days, the camp has been filled with rumors. I find it grows increasingly weirder. Second uncle, you’re already an old man of Huaiyuan Palace; you’ve even worked as a butler of the clan; you must have a broader vision than me. Can you tell me about the reason…”

Hearing his words, the boss instantly stopped waving his fan as his face turned gloomy, and said, “Be prudent. Mind your own business. Speak less, do more! The more chaotic the surroundings is, the calmer you should be, am I clear?”

“Clear!” the team leader nodded.

After they had a short chat, the soldiers had almost finished their drink. As they were still on duty, they dared not drink too much in fear of going to the toilet. After a short break, the team leader led them away.

‘What the hell! Huaiyuan Palace has just grown better with a great reputation; even the Gobbling Party has exited Northeast Military Territory 2 months ago. Why did events happen in Huaiyuan Palace one after another? After Elder Mushen disappeared, the clan head died suddenly. After that, Elder Mushen refused to take over the position of clan head; he even didn’t come to Embracing Tiger City. That’s not a good omen…’

After those people left, the boss murmured as he patted his head by using his fan. Then, he turned around and looked at the Embracing Tiger Mountain in the far with full sadness.

At this moment, Embracing Tiger Mountain was guarded in a much stricter manner. All the clan deacons and servants were standing around the shrine palace. Many people dared not even breathe fluently.

EmbracingTiger Mountain was in a hubbub of cicada chirps. By contrast, the shrine palace was in absolute silence full of killing intent.

In mourning dress, Lan Yunxi was sitting in the seat of clan head with a faint, pale face. She felt aggressive and resolute.

Except for Zhang Tie, all the other elders of Huaiyuan Palace had been in the seat, none of which had a smile.

Besides, Lan Yunxi’s 4th uncle and Zhang Taixuan’s younger brother Zhang Taibai was also sitting there.

In front of the majestic statue of Lord Huaiyuan, the entire shrine palace was filled with Lan Yunxi’s clear and cold voice.

“That day, right here, Zhang Tie killed my father in front of me. It’s Huaiyuan Palace’s tragedy and scandal. No matter what mistakes had my father made, even if he should not be remitted or was involved with Elder Mushen’s disappearance, he could only be disposed of by the clan’s elders meeting. As the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace, Zhang Tie privately killed the clan head in the shrine palace. He has broken the law of our clan. Hereby today I propose to dismiss Zhang Tie as the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace before exiling Zhang Tie [Zhang Mushen] and the branch of Jinwu Palace out of Huaiyuan Palace. From now on, the branch of Huaiyuan Palace would have nothing to do with the branch of Zhang Tie and Zhang Yang…”

All the elders stayed silent as they frowned with a pale face.

“Clan head, as you were in secluded cultivation in Taiyi Fantasy Sect that day, how did you suddenly appear in Embracing Tiger Mountain?’

Elder Muray who was always bad-tempered and straightforward finally opened his mouth.

“After promoting to an earth knight in Taiyi Fantasy Sect, I have been consolidating my cultivation base in the secluded back room. A few days ago before my father’s death, he suddenly contacted me and told me what happened to Huaiyuan Palace and Zhang Tie. He hoped me to come back home. My father knew that I acquinted with Zhang Tie in Hidden Dragon Island. Therefore, he wanted me to comfort Zhang Tie. After receiving my father’s notice, I hurriedly returned to Huaiyuan Palace…” Lan Yunxi explained with grief as she looked at Elder Muray, “Elder Muray, why do you ask me that? Don’t you believe in my words?”

Elder Muray let out a deep sigh before saying, “Sorry. Because so many major events have happened in Huaiyuan Palace in the last two months; additionally it’s not minor to oust the grand elder. Hopefully, we could figure out the details, lest that our Huaiyuan Palace did something that saddened our relatives due to animosity. I suggest the clan head to be cautious.”

“Zhang Tie killed my elder brother, the clan head privately. He has been hostic against the branch of Yiyang City. Hereby today, I would tell you on behalf of Yiyang City. If not oust Zhang Tie today, our branch of Yiyang City would establish another Huaiyuan Palace. Even though Zhang Tie is unrivaled in battle strength and power, our branch of Yiyang City doesn’t lack morale…” Zhang Taibai opened his mouth in muffled voice while Lan Yunxi stayed silent.

All the other elders were stunned as Lan Yunxi and Zhang Taibai were forcing them to cut off the relation with Zhang Tie with the branch of Yiyang City as a threat. If they didn’t oust Zhang Tie today, Huaiyuan Palace would split up.

All the elders appeared struggling as they could only choose one between Zhang Tie and the branch of Yiyang City. However, the branch of Yiyang City belonged to the posterities of the first wife of Lord Huaiyuan. Even incumbent clan head of Huaiyuan Palace came from Yiyang City. If Yiyang City declared independence, Huaiyuan Palace would not exist essentially…

That was the largest crisis facing Huaiyuan Palace ever since its birth. This was a juncture of the future of Huaiyuan Palace. In this case, no matter which party did the elders choose, they would definitely be sworn by people in the future.

At the sight of the looks of all the elders at present, Elder Muyuan sighed as he took out an envelope, “Elders, here’s the letter that Elder Mushen wrote for us. Elder Mushen has contacted me yesterday. He has already requested to resign from the position of the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace and build a new clan…”

Elder Muyuan then passed it to Elder Muen.

This letter meant Zhang Tie’s separation from Huaiyuan Palace as it was written by Zhang Tie’s blood.

After reading Zhang Tie’s letter, all the elders had complex feelings. It appeared that Zhang Tie had long predicted today’s result. Therefore, in case of separation of Huaiyuan Palace and making all the other elders embarrassed in Huaiyuan Palace, Zhang Tie resigned from the position of the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace and cut off the relation with Huaiyuan Palace. He wanted to establish another clan…

In Taixia Country, when friends cut off a relationship, they would break their sleeves which meant the separation of friendship. Similarly, when someone in a clan would cut off the relation between him and the rest of the clan, he would write a letter by using his own blood which meant the separation of the bloodline.

Zhang Tie did that to maintain the decency of Huaiyuan Palace; meanwhile, he shouldered all the responsibilities and bad comments due to this event.

Reading that letter, Lan Yunxi’s face turned whiter.

Zhang Taibai threw a glance at Lan Yunxi as he saw a very complex emotion from her eyes…

At the same time, Zhang Yang was drawing a big circle on a map of available land for sale about Youzhou Province on a table in the Land Resources Mansion of Youzhou Province in Youzhou City, which included the large area of land between Jinwu City and Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory. The total of the land occupied a small part of Youzhou Province which was equal to the size of some prefectures…

“This area, I want them all…” Zhang Yang turned around and told an elder of Lu Clan who was in charge of land trading affairs in the Land Resources Mansion.

“Aah, this area covers over 2,000 square miles. You want them all?”

“I want them all!” Zhang Yang nodded as he added, “I don’t care about its price. Hopefully, Land Resources Mansion could handle with the proceedings as soon as possible!”

After that, Zhang Yang left Land Resources Mansion accompanied respectfully by the Lu elder.

When he exited the Land Resources Mansion, Zhang Yang looked up at the sunny sky. Unconsciously, Zhang Yang felt ambitious and confident instead of being disappointed.

‘From today on, Zhang Tie and I would establish a new clan.’

Soon after Zhang Yang left the Land Resources Mansion, the Lu elder had hurriedly come to the White Tiger Platform.

At this moment, Lu Dingzhi in the official robe of Youzhou provincial governor was reading books quietly in the newly rennovated study. After being told that a clan elder wanted to see him, Lu Dingzhi let him in as he heard what Zhang Yang had done for him.

Lowering his head, Lu Dingzhi watched the map which was marked by Zhang Yang for a short while before looking up at his clan elder, saying, “It appears that Zhang Tie and Zhang Yang would like to establish a new clan!”

“What should we do?”

“What can we do?” Lu Dingzhi sighed, “Zhang Yang and Zhang Tie are unrivaled in wealth. It’s reasonable and legit for them to purchase land. We have no reason to stop them from doing that!”

The Lu elder said as he watched such a big piece of land marked on the map of Youzhou Province, “If so, Youzhou Province as a whole would almost belong to Zhang family’s private land. It depends on their opinion who would be the Youzhou provincial governor in the future!”

“Do you think that we should ignore their opinion now?” Dingzhi asked with a self-deprecating smile, “Do you know how many earth demon knights have Zhang Tie killed at the bank of Weishui River? A Youzhou provincial governor, an earth knight is nothing but sh*t in front of Zhang Tie. If he doesn’t agree, do you think that I could ascend to the position of Youzhou provincial governor? There’re two reasons why the commander chooses me to take over the position of Youzhou provincial governor: I could handle with political affairs as good as Zhang Taixuan; what’s more, I’m more docile than Zhang Taixuan. I know what to do and what not to do…”

“Is that gossip real? Was Zhang Taixuan killed by…” the Lu elder asked in a low voice.

“It’s the domestic affair of Huaiyuan Palace. Don’t mention it anymore. After losing a Youzhou provincial governor, even Xuanyuan Hill didn’t care about that as they had admitted Zhang clan’s explanation. Zhang Taixuan’s corpse had been burned. Our outsiders shouldn’t comment it in case of trouble. Immortal Qianji is always bright and frank. He’s never that merciless. Later on, Lu disciples are forbidden to talk about it. Otherwise, I would severely punish them…” Lu Dingzhi said as his face gradually turned solemn.

“Yes, clan head…” Lu elder said as he bowed.

“You can leave. Handle with Zhang Yang’s land purchase proceedings as soon as possible. Give him the biggest discount we can. We Lu Clan don’t need to be involved with this affair!”

“I see!”

After that Lu elder left, Lu Dingzhi strolled for a while in the study before fetching another Lu elder.

“It’s said that Zhang Tie has a nephew learning in the official school of Youzhou Province?”

“Yes, he’s Zhang Chengan, Zhang Yang’s son!”

“Is he as old as Wanqing?”

“Almost…”

Lu Dingzhi then watched that clan elder silently while stroking his mustache with a smile. That Lu elder immediately understood it as he replied, “I see, I will arrange it right away…”

“Keep secret. You’re free to use Lu’s resources. As Wanqing is clever and sagacious, she would coordinate with you. Make it as natural as possible…”

After the Lu elder left, Lu Dingzhi shook his head as he looked at the direction of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and let out a sigh…

On June 21st, Zhang Tie cut off the relation with Huaiyuan Palace by writting a letter using his own blood and resigned from the position of the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace; Zhang Tie and Zhang Yang would establish a new clan. The news had almost spread across the territory of Northeast Military Region in the evening…