Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Family Tradition and Education
(Thank You for Your Support) _1
Translator: 549690339
“Thankyou for your hard work, Luo Jing.” Wang Shouzhe didn’t want to delay any longer and bring unnecessary losses to the Lu Family.
Moreover, Lu Family’s two uncles have always been good to him and his sister, Wang Luoyi. Even if they could only meet once in one or two years, the Lu Family would often send their head of household to give gifts to Wang Shouzhe, Wang Luoyi, and even to their Aunt Gongsun Hui’s daughter, Wang Luomiao.
“I’m not troubled at all, I’ve been eating well these past few days.” Wang Luo Jing replied with a faint smile, “I feel energized.” Saying that, she even especially made a gesture to show her strength.
“Oh, come off it. You scrawny little girl, stop showing off in front of me. We must set off soon.” Wang Shouzhe said warmly with a smile, “You should have a sip of the Spiritual Wine and then have a good sleep in the carriage.”
“Big Brother Four, I will grow up.” Wang Luo Jing pouting a bit in dissatisfaction, “Big Brother Four can’t underestimate Jing’er.”
“I did not underestimate you, I dare not underestimate you.” Wang Shouzhe helped her onto the carriage, “My Luo Jing is the future great Insect Master. Maybe Big Brother Four needs your protection, how dare I underestimate you.” “So it’s settled, in the future if anyone bullies Big Brother Four, Luo Jing will let the insects bite them.”
“Ok, ok, you can say whatever you want. Now, go to sleep.
The carriage slowly moved along a smooth road.
Wang Shouzhe rode on a black horse, escorting the carriage alongside a few other household heads. There were two routes to the Lu Clan of Yingxiu, one went through the sunny side of Longji Mountain, while the other went around the dark side of the same mountain.
Of course, now there was no way they would go around the Yinyu Family’s side of the mountain, so they chose the sunny route.
This was one of the main reasons Wang Shouzhe prioritized helping the
Gongsun Clan of Shanyang to stabilize the crisis first.
Originally, Gongsun Qiang wanted to accompany them, but Wang Shouzhe rejected him. Firstly, he couldn’t bear Gongsun Qiang’s low social skills, and secondly, the Gongsun Clan was busy with disaster relief and didn’t have enough people.
Moreover, Aunt Gongsun Hui had voluntarily decided to stay in Shanyang for the time being, saying it was a good opportunity to accompany her parents. In fact, she knew her presence in the Lu Family would be inappropriate.
As the group moved on, they entered a dense forest and the road gradually became more rugged and bumpy.
Wang Shouzhe frowned slightly, “Wang Zhong, this road is not very easy to navigate, how far is it to Yingxiu?”
“Family Head, this forest is the boundary between Shanyang and Yingxiu, about seven or eight miles wide.” said Wang Zhong, who was familiar with the route, “After crossing the forest, we’ll reach the famous Yingxiu Lake. You haven’t been to Yingxiu for several years, and all the previous journeys took the major road on the shady side, so you may not be familiar with this part of the road.”
“Everyone, the forest is usually more dangerous, so everyone needs to be vigilant.”
At his shout, each of the household heads perked up, becoming more alert.
“Wang Zhong, is there something wrong with this forest?” Wang Shouzhe also became more vigilant, “Are there rumors of fierce beasts?”
In this world, it is no game. The appearance of a fierce beast may lead to casualties.
“Family Head, in border areas like this, Profound Martial families from both Shanyang and Yingxiu take turns to patrol. Most of the slightly threatening wild animals were killed off long ago, let alone fierce beasts.” Wang Zhong shook his head, “We, as the household heads, train for situations like this. In terrains where vision is poor, it’s our duty to be extra cautious in case of any situation.”
The team continued onward without any surprises until they reached a small stream that crossed the road.
Suddenly!
Wang Zhong’s face changed, he raised his hand and called for a stop.
The coachman, Old Wang, quickly halted the carriage, the other household heads unsheathed their weapons, being extremely vigilant.
Wang Zhong dismounted and walked over to the side of the stream, he picked up a small fragment of cloth. His face suddenly became serious, and he said to the following Wang Shouzhe, “Family Head, this piece of cloth was cut by a sharp blade and there are some bloodstains on it. There are also some traces of poorly cleaned blood on the stones by the stream.”
There seemed to be some situation.
The most feared thing when traveling in the wild is unexpected incidents, Wang Shouzhe said with a serious expression, “Wang Zhong, tell me your judgment.”
“Judging from the cloth, it’s fine grey-striped cotton fabric, quite pricey. Ordinary tenant farmers, civilians, hunters, and so forth wouldn’t afford such an expensive piece of clothing, and if they did buy it, it would be worn on festive occasions.” As a head of household, Wang Zhong had been trained by his elder family members since childhood, so he was quite familiar with this. “Therefore, this person is likely to be a Profound Martial practitioner of a higher status than a commoner. But, he isn’t of a very high status, as noble individuals like yourself, Family Head, would usually use more expensive brocade fabric.”
“So he’s either a household leader, or a common member of a Profound Martial prominent family.” Wang Shouzhe nodded, “Or maybe a peddler.” “Peddlers usually travel in groups.” Wang Zhong shook his head, “Family Head, look at these footprints, they should all be from the same person, and he seems to have headed deep into the dense forest, hmm, as if he’s avoiding pursuit. Therefore, there’s a high chance this person is a fugitive Independent Cultivator, or a traitor from a certain family. He probably heard our voices and rushed into the depths of the forest without even having time to conceal his
traces.”
“Can we catch him?” Wang Shouzhe uttered solemnly, “We came from the Shanyang side, and there weren’t any rumors about fugitives or traitors, so it’s highly probable that this person came from the Yingxiu side. Regardless of the situation, let’s capture him first.”
“Don’t worry, Family Head.” Wang Zhong’s eyes flickered with a cold glimmer, “This person is already injured, and his hurried movements are hard to conceal. 1 will take a couple of brothers and bring him back.”
“Wang Yong, Wang Wu, you follow them.” Wang Shouzhe commanded, “Safety comes first. If things get tricky, call for backup immediately.
“Yes, Family Head.”
The three commanded agents then proceeded, spreading out a bit and tracking the traces in a triangular formation. And within the time it took to burn an incense stick, a miserable cry could be faintly heard from the depth of the forest.
Soon, the three agents of the Wang family came back to the carriage with a heavily bound man.
“Family Head, we have accomplished our mission.” Wang Zhong threw the captive to the ground and bowed, “This felon seems to be around Level Four in the Vital Energy Refining Realm, and judging from his clothes, he appears to be an Independent Cultivator.”
“Hmm, hmm’” The man’s eyes were filled with fear, his mouth was stuffed and his entire body was tied up. All he could do was twist and turn to get Wang
Shouzhe’s attention.
“Let’s hear what he has to say.” Wang Shouzhe ordered.
“Yes, Family Head.” Wang Zhong removed the rag from his mouth.
“My lord, no, sir,” the middle-aged man, who looked somewhat wretched, instantly began to plead, “I was just passing through your esteemed territory, I committed no crime. Please have mercy and spare me. I have Qian Gold on me and a Profound Martial Cultivation Technique, it can serve as my ransom.” “Whether you committed a crime or not is not for you to decide.” Wang Shouzhe made a gesture to Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong quickly searched the man and found a total of 5 Qian Gold, 17 Copper Coins, 56 shillings and a worn-out Profound Martial Cultivation Technique in a package on him.
“Small Circulation Qi Blood Transport Method .
Wang Shouzhe frowned as he looked through it. It was an ordinary Cultivation Method. The Wang family had a copy in their archives. It was used to build foundational skills in the early stage of training for the household servants. However, this method had a few clear errors and omissions.
But overall, it did fit the state of a destitute Independent Cultivator, independent Cultivators care the most about improving their cultivation base, so they would spend any money they got their hands on, on resources for cultivation.
“How did you get injured?” Wang Shouzhe looked at the deep knife wound on his shoulder.
“I ran into some bandits.” The Independent Cultivator said with an honest look on his face, “I stumbled into the forest while fleeing, tried to treat the wound, and then ran into you.”
“You’re lying. This area is where the territories of the Gongsun Clan of Shanyang and Lu Clan of Yingxiu intersect. Who would dare commit a crime here?” Wang Zhong rebuked angrily, “Confess honestly, or I’ll chop off your head.”
“I’ve been wronged, my lord. I’ve been wronged!” The Independent Cultivator cried out in panic, “Those bandits disguise themselves as peddlers and usually only bully Independent Cultivators passing by. They wouldn’t dare to lay a hand on prominent Profound Martial families like yours.
“That seems to make sense.” Wang Shouzhe said unmoved, “Take him to Yingxiu. Let the Lu Clan investigate the matter. If what he said is true and he’s not a criminal, we’ll return his possessions and let him go.”
Every Profound Martial prominent family has their code of conduct. Regardless of how much Qian Gold he has, be it tens or hundreds, or even more, Wang Shouzhe would never rob him or even resort to murder just for a small gam.
It’s a matter of family tradition. Once you cross that line, you’ll bury a great menace within the family. How would the servants and members of the family who participated in this event feel? Would they develop bloody and brutal thinking? Would their values get distorted?
The next time they encounter similar situations, would murdering and looting become second nature?
A family or power that values interest above all else, enough to commit crimes, can be rampant for a while but will definitely not last.
Any Profound Martial prominent family that has been passed down for hundreds, or even thousands of years, must have good family traditions and a highly reputable character. Its members must have strict behavioural norms and principles.
However, as soon as Wang Shouzhe finished speaking, the Independent Cultivator’s face turned ashen and he cried out, “My lord, I was wrong, don’t take me to Yingxiu. I beg you, I have some hidden possessions. If you let me go, they are all yours.”