Protect Our Clan Leader

Chapter 356: Chapter 73 – The leader of Jin! The strongest of the Eighth Grade Prominent Family_2

And for ordinary members of the clan who had not been involved in the case, such as the elderly, weak, women, and children, would all be scattered and sent to survive in remote areas.

There, away from their native land, life was not as easy as in Changning.

Moreover, they would also be subject to the strict jurisdiction of the local city guard mansion. They often could not regain their status for hundreds of years.

Da Qian has been established for more than seven thousand years, and the prominent family that colluded with foreign evil sects to stir up trouble domestically, such as the former Ma Huangfu family, was not the first nor the last; there were precedents to follow. Everything had to be handled according to old practices.

Apart from this, there was also the disposal of the confiscated property of the former Ma Huangfu family. Da Qian also had a complete process for handling such matters.

Usually, all real properties would be auctioned off by the city guard mansion. Thirty percent of the sale price would be returned to the innocent clan members as resettlement fees to be used for their survival in the new location. The remaining seventy percent would be kept in the city guard mansion’s treasury. It could be used to fund the construction of public facilities, maintenance of city walls, disaster relief, and so forth after an application had been filed and approved by the higher authority.

Of course, only local clans of Changning were eligible to participate in the auction.

Cities outsider clans, not to mention lacking eligibility to participate. Even if they were eligible, they would be uniformly opposed by local forces.

On the day of the auction hosted by the city guard mansion, the entrance was crowded.

To ensure fairness, the auction was held in the square in front of the city guard mansion. In this way, not only could various prominent families come to view it, but also the common people and independent cultivators could join in the fun.

However, there’s no seat for the ones who came to watch the excitement.

Only representations from major families were given seat access.

And this kind of scene that is hard to see once in a hundred years, most families would come to join in the fun even if they had no intention of bidding.

Some ninth rank families arrived early, under the arrangement of the city guard mansion officials, they have taken their seats in their designated spots.

Followed by some eighth rank families.

Changning currently only has seven eighth rank families left: The Shanyin Liu Family, Shanyang Gongsun Clan, Chen Clan of Donggang, Ningxi Dang Clan, Wangxia Lei Family, Ping’an Wang Family, and the Changning Xu Family.

Initially, the widely recognized strongest eighth rank family was the Changning Xu family.

The Changning Xu Family is said to have altogether six cultivators at the Spirit Platform Realm and one of them is the head of household at Spirit Platform Realm.

But now, on the surface, it still seems that the Changning Xu Family is the strongest.

But within the Wang Family’s internal In-law Alliance, they all privately felt that Ping’an Wang Family has gradually taken the lead.

The old ancestors and family heads in the alliance all knew that the present cultivators of Wang Family at the Spirit Platform Realm, besides Old Ancestor Longyan, also included the couple Wang Shouzhe, their eldest daughter Wang Licui, Commander Wang Dingzu of the Defense Second Battalion, Old Ancestor Xiaohan, and a level three Yuan Water Spirit Tortoise.

Just these obvious ones, they have seven cultivators at Spirit Platform Realm as combat power. Plus, considering the character of Wang Shouzhe, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had other cultivators at the Spirit Platform Realm hidden somewhere.

Moreover, people who know the inside story would know that the couple Wang Shouzhe was abnormal.

Especially Liu Ruolan, during the Qi Refinement Realm, she could kill a Spirit Platform Realm puppet demon with a single shift. Now she has become a Spirit Platform Realm cultivator, which is even more unfathomable.

It is said that after she reached the Spirit Platform Realm, no one has seen her take out her Autumn Water Sword to this day.

Last time during the battle at the Golden Sand Beach, she simply made a casual move, and it blasted Huangfu Kang Ping down together with his bird.

A few close friendly old ancestors have privately discussed it, yet they aren’t sure about her real strength.

In short, Ruhong, who is now at the advanced stage of the Spirit Platform Realm, had always thought he was not far behind the core disciples of the Academic Palace, but he also said he doesn’t feel confident about winning if he has to face Liu Ruolan, who is at the early stage of the Spirit Platform Realm. He believed that at most, it would be a 4-6 chance.

And it’s Liu Ruolan who has the sixty percent chance…

The head of the Wang Family, deep and unfathomable!

What’s more, the youngsters of the Wang Family are also very outstanding, and they have high chances of advancing to the Spirit Platform Realm in the future. Even those from the “Ding” generation like Wang Define the Sea, and those from the “Shou” generation, are all making efforts to grow and show strong intentions to collectively impact the Spirit Platform Stage.

It is estimated that not long after, the Wang Clan will enter a surge period of cultivators advancing to the Spirit Platform Realm.

This is also the important reason why the In-law Alliance is gradually taking the lead by the Ping’an Wang Family. After all, even without addressing scheming and tactics, the potential that the Ping’an Wang Family has shown after Wang Shouzhe’s years of careful management, is just too horrifying.

In the square.

Representatives of Grade Eight Prominent Families all started to arrive.

Finally, Wang Shouzhe and Xu Anbang appeared arm in arm, naturally drawing much attention.

As per usual, the officials had arranged for the Xu family of Changning to take the main seat.

However, Xu Anbang did not take the seat, but instead turned to Wang Shouzhe beside him: “Shouzhe, you should take the seat of head of Grade Eight”

“You’re joking, Uncle Wu,” Wang Shouzhe declined immediately, “You are my senior and belong to an established Grade Eight clan. You certainly should hold the main seat.”

“You overestimate me, you overestimate me,” Xu Anbang said seriously, “The one with talent should preside. In the past, you kept a low profile to avoid attracting the attention of certain families. But now, there’s no need for that. It’s time to enhance your prestige. This way, you’ll be able to raise even more capital to resist certain clans.”

“Moreover, our family’s Old Ancestor, Beichen, has already closed himself off in the ancestral hall to try to impact the realm of heaven and humankind. If successful, our Xu family of Changning will undoubtedly move up to Grade Seven. If not, what right do we have to sit above you?”

Wang Shouzhe gave it some thought and found it to be precisely so. He was no longer conflicted and, with neither arrogance nor self-abasement, he cupped his hands and said, “Then I accept your kindness, Uncle Wu.”

Subsequent to a discussion between Xu Anbang and the welcoming official, the official’s smile showed a slight oddity, but nevertheless, as requested, switched the seats. He then turned to Wang Shouzhe with an amiable smile, “Master Shouzhe, please take the main seat in the Grade Eight section.”

“Thank you.”

Wang Shouzhe returned a graceful bow, then under the watchful eyes of everyone, he sat in the main seat of Grade Eight.

This arrangement of seating was not unexpected among the family clans related by marriage. After all, they were gradually accustoming to Wang Shouzhe becoming their leader.

To the other Grade Eight, Grade Nine and lower families, however, it’s a whole different story.

Shock was written all over their faces. Had the Ping’an Wang Family developed to this extent?

Even the ancient and prestigious Xu family willingly gave up their seat to them?

If they didn’t genuinely feel inferior, they wouldn’t voluntarily give up their seating position. Instances of families with similar power fighting over seating were common, but they had never seen a stronger family giving up their seating position.

In an instant, whispers spread throughout the Rank Nine families as their views on the Wang family began to change.

The main seat of Grade Eight meant they stood next to the two Celestial Families. Even when the Old Ancestor Zhou Xuan was alive, they had never received such honor.

As Wang Shouzhe swept his gaze over these Grade Eight or Nine families, most of their heads displayed a smile with a hint of flattery in their eyes.

Next.

The heads of the two Celestial Families, Huangfu Jinghuan and Lei Yangyu, appeared almost simultaneously as if it had been planned beforehand.

In terms of overall strength, the Huangfu Celestial Clan was actually slightly stronger than the Lei Clan. However, the Lei Clan had never accepted the Huangfu Clan’s superiority and always strove to be the first, or at least not to fall behind.

Their seats were placed higher, one to the left and one to the right, to prevent them from arguing over who holds the higher status.

The arrival of the Celestial Clan naturally created a unique aura, causing many heads to unconsciously stand up as a show of respect.

“Master Shouzhe.” As soon as Lei Yangyu saw Wang Shouzhe, he greeted him warmly with a smile, “It’s been half a month since we last meet. Ah, Lei has missed you dearly.”

Seeing this, Wang Shouzhe rose to his feet, cupped his hands in return and said, “I am also excited to see Master Yangyu.”

When they were close enough, Lei Yangyu pulled Wang Shouzhe aside and whispered, “Brother Shouzhe, I support you. Make sure to not let that old Huangfu cheap during the auction. A lot of businesses in Qianma Town revolve around Spirit Pasture Grass and Spirit Fodder, which are the upstream industries of the Huangfu’s ranch. If you control this, it’s the equivalent of clasping the Huangfu Caterpillar by its neck.”

Of course, Wang Shouzhe understood this. He also knew that Lei’s intentions might not be all good, but at least his actions could be used to his advantage.

He too consort Lei’s ear and whispered a few words in response.

Upon hearing this, Lei Yangyu squinted his eyes and nodded understandingly. “Brother Shouzhe, I must say, you don’t let others take advantage of you. Alright, I’ll follow your plan.”

…