Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

So after much consideration, only Yang Zhenshan is suitable to lead the entire situation.

The Yang family was previously a part of the Immortal Cultivation Family of the Sea of Spirit, maintaining good relations with the two sects and other families, though they had some grievances with certain families, but this does not affect things.

With the current strength of the Yang family, they are also qualified to lead the two sects and other families.

However, the Yang family does not have the profound influence in the Sea of Spirit as the Xuanqing Sect does on its side.

Moreover, there are some old grudges between Hidden Sword Mountain and the Xuanqing Sect and Illusion Moon Sect, indicating some estrangement on both sides.

In contrast, Hidden Sword Mountain does not have any old grudges or estrangement with the Yang family.

Therefore, Jian Changhe values Yang Zhenshan more and is more willing to support the Yang family.

”I thank the Mountain Master for holding me in high regard!” Yang Zhenshan thought for a moment and decided to take on this task.

The Yang family cannot withdraw from this battle, and since they cannot withdraw, they should respond actively.

Rather than handing over command to someone else, it is better to take hold yourself, to avoid situations detrimental to the Yang family.

”However, I have a request!”

”What’s the request?”

Yang Zhenshan looked directly at Jian Changhe and said, ”Since the Mountain Master trusts me so much, I will naturally do my utmost, but I also hope the Mountain Master will not interfere with my command!”

He wanted to set things straight from the start; he did not want to be merely a scapegoat set up by Jian Changhe.

”Oh!” Jian Changhe gazed at Yang Zhenshan and seeing his unwavering stance, he nodded slightly, ”Very well, not only will all the sects and families in the Sea of Spirit be under your command, but even I and all the elders will follow your lead!”

Yang Zhenshan, hearing this, displayed a confident smile, ”The Mountain Master is wise!”

”Since that’s the case, everything moving forward is entrusted to Elder Yang, does anyone have other opinions?” Jian Changhe looked around at everyone.

”No!”

Everyone shook their heads to indicate no objections.

After the matters were settled, preparations for the upcoming war were next.

The Nether Prison Sect has almost completed their army assembly and, in less than half a month, they would be under the city walls of Wuxiang City.

Whereas the Sea of Spirit had neither prepared supplies nor assembled an army.

Yang Zhenshan stepped forward to face everyone.

”Ladies and gentlemen, this battle concerns your very survival. To put it harshly, if the Nether Prison Sect conquers the Sea of Spirit, none of you will have a good outcome!”

”At worst, your families will be destroyed; at best, it’ll lead to annihilation of the clan!”

”Let me put it harshly again, whether it’s Xuanqing Sect, Illusion Moon Sect, or your various families, none will escape this disaster, and though the Yang family wishes to leave, no one can stop us!”

Saying this, Yang Zhenshan smiled slightly and continued under the shocked gazes of the crowd, ”So this battle is not being fought for the Yang family or Hidden Sword Mountain but for yourselves!”

”Do not hope the Nether Prison Sect will take you in. Though it may tolerate your continued presence in the Sea of Spirit, the families under its command will not allow you to occupy such a vast Blessed Land!”

”You’d better be ready for a life-and-death fight. Defend Wuxiang City, and your sects and families may continue to survive; if not, you will fare worse than stray dogs!”

”Simply put, you cannot afford to lose! Losing is worse than death!”

These words left everyone a bit stunned.

These words were not just harsh; they were unbearable, but they had to admit Yang Zhenshan was stating the truth.

They could not afford to lose, losing would be worse than perishing in battle!

Better a heroic fight to the death than lingering on in disgrace.

Sustaining the family bloodline does not necessarily mean an opportunity for resurgence.

Family lineage is important, but resources are even more crucial.

Without resources, no amount of lineage is worth anything.

The Sea of Spirit is their root, the cornerstone of their legacy. Losing it would mean losing everything.

Everyone understood this point, leading to a silent sigh.

Yang Zhenshan ignored their silent laments and continued, ”There’s no need for me to say more, give as many people as you can, and send as many supplies as you can.”

”Alright, you can all go back and prepare now!”

”If there are other matters, I will send someone to notify you!”

With that, Yang Zhenshan looked at Jian Changhe, who nodded slightly and said nothing, then rose and left the hall.

The rest also dispersed to prepare for the impending war.

After everyone had left, Jian Changhe and Yang Zhenghe strolled casually under the Three Saints Tower.

”Why not forcibly recruit the martial artists?” Jian Changhe asked.

”Time is short, we cannot waste energy on this, and it is better they volunteer rather than be forced!” Yang Zhenshan replied.

Jian Changhe nodded, ”Can you tell me your plan?”

”A plan!” Yang Zhenshan’s lips curled slightly, ”There is no plan yet!”

”What do you mean?” Jian Changhe frowned slightly.

Yang Zhenshan spread his hands, ”Mountain Master, you’ve just put me in charge and already want a plan—it is somewhat unreasonable.”

Jian Changhe fell silent; well, perhaps it was indeed a bit unreasonable of him.

”Then you must have some thoughts!”

Yang Zhenshan chuckled, ”I do have thoughts, but military strategy is not just about having an idea! Please wait a moment, Mountain Master, my thoughts will soon be evident!”

Jian Changhe looked at him puzzled, not understanding what he meant.

Just then, Song Dashan came quickly, but he didn’t speak upon arrival, just stood quietly nearby.

Yang Zhenshan glanced at him and smiled, ”Speak, there’s no need to hide from the Mountain Master!”

”Yes, the elders of the Martial Hall and the Secret Martial Guards have arrived, waiting at the Four-direction Hall for you!” Song Dashan said.

”Mountain Master, would you like to come and see?” Yang Zhenshan invited.

”Very well, let’s go and see!” Jian Changhe was curious about what Yang Zhenshan was up to.

The two of them returned to the Four-direction Hall, but it had changed—previous tables were replaced by a long table as long as three zhang.

On the long table was a large sand table, displaying the terrain between the Sea of Spirit and the Nether Prison Sect.

More than ten people were gathered in the hall, including Qu Changkong, Yang Mingzhi, Yang Minghao, Yang Mingwu, Yang Chengze, Yang Mingzhen, Yang Chengxu, Yang Chengche, Yang Qinwu, Chen Zhongshu, and Lv Hua.

These people had one thing in common: they had all been military leaders.

”Greetings to the Mountain Master, greetings to the great elder!” the crowd saluted.

Jian Changhe glanced at Yang Zhenshan, who stroked his beard; this title seemed somewhat awkward.

But it was a customary matter; the title didn’t come arbitrarily but from the customs among Immortal Cultivators.

Some Immortal Cultivation Families liked to use titles like great elder and second elder.

Even the people around Foundation Establishment Cultivators would call their own Foundation Establishment True Men by similar titles.

Yang Zhenshan looked at everyone and nodded slightly.

”Now that everyone is here, let’s begin!”

”Let’s start with the reorganization of the army!”

”Yes!”

The people responded.

Then Qu Changkong stepped forward and said, ”Our own troops do not need reorganization, but the martial artists of other sects and families need structural organization. Time is tight, we cannot train them, so they can only be used as auxiliary troops!”

”How about first organizing three auxiliary troops? One from the Xuanqing Sect, one from the Illusion Moon Sect, and the rest from the families!”

”The Xuanqing Sect and Illusion Moon Sect are easier to handle, but things might be chaotic on the families’ side!” Yang Mingwu said.

”Chaos cannot be helped, just don’t assign them important tasks!” Yang Chengze said.

”I suggest not letting them into the city—they might affect our soldiers!” Yang Mingzhen said.

”Agreed!”

The crowd began to discuss, first deciding on their own forces’ organizational structure.

Three auxiliary troops were established, with the Xuanqing Sect and Illusion Moon Sect leading their respective ones, and the families’ auxiliary troop headed by a commander and two deputies: Master Yuqian as the commander, with Lu Fusheng and Nong Yutian as deputies.

The three auxiliary troops were temporarily stationed within a hundred miles west of Wuxiang City, forming a joint-force stance, as a reserve force for Wuxiang City.