In an instant, a wave of silence washed over the ancestral hall. Every member of the Wu Clan fixated their gaze on Wu Yuan, their faces contorted by a mixture of shock and disbelief. Anger simmered beneath the surface, their minds struggling to comprehend the audacity of Wu Yuan’s words.
The young master may have crossed a line with his words. Wu Xiong and Fang Ying exchanged confused glances.
Initially, Wu Yuan’s claims held a semblance of reason. However, his final accusation of disloyalty, unrighteousness, and filial impiety, was unquestionably inappropriate. In the minds of those present in the hall, the grand elder of the Wu Clan was someone to be held in high regard, a senior that Wu Yuan had to respect.
“Wu Yuan.” The grand elder’s ‘patience cultivation’ level was top-notch, but faced with such accusations in front of his clansmen, his face turned ugly. It had been many years since any member of the Wu Clan dared to speak to him like this. This was not mere defiance, but a public rebellion!
Yet, Wu Yuan remained composed, undeterred by the shifting attitudes of the crowd. His perception was keen, detecting the confusion that clouded the minds of Wu Xiong and Fang Ying.
If they are confused, that means I am on the right track. Under normal circumstances, if the main clan invited him to join them, a polite refusal would suffice. Even if they felt dissatisfied, they would have been hesitant to voice their discontent due to Wu Yuan’s current status. However, his choice of words deliberately strained their relationship to its breaking point.
The world of the Middle Land values traditions and bloodlines… But I am indifferent to all that.
He knew that even though the main clan provided little help to the Li City branch, the branch had definitely benefitted from the main clan’s prestige in the past. Admittedly, his accusations had been excessive.
But only by turning against the main clan today, can I take the upper hand in this relationship in the future. Wu Yuan had already thought it through.
He felt genuine gratitude towards his mother and the Wu Clan of Li City. Their considerable assistance, coupled with the fusion of his predecessor’s memories, had subtly influenced Wu Yuan. Hence, Wu Yuan was more than willing to lend a hand to the Wu Clan of Li City. However, it was not a pure sense of familial duty that propelled his actions, but rather a desire to reciprocate their assistance.
Moreover, the Wu Clan of Li City only consisted of a few hundred members. When Wu Yuan attained true power and held a prominent position in the Cloudstride Sect, aiding them would be a straightforward task. The main Wu Clan, however, was an entirely different matter altogether. It was a large family with a long heritage, and Wu Yuan was not familiar with them.
The burdens they would place upon me would be tenfold greater than those of the Li City branch.
He had acquired extensive knowledge concerning the main Wu Clan. Counting all their relatives, their number easily reached several thousand, with two second-rate Adepts and an even larger number of third-rate Adepts.
As Wu Yuan’s strength grew, the main Wu Clan would undoubtedly exploit the situation to aggressively expand their influence. Throughout history, such expansion was commonplace for families, yet for Wu Yuan, it would undoubtedly prove troublesome. Managing these miscellaneous affairs could devour an immense amount of his future time and energy.
Whether the decision-makers of the main clan are competent or not, it won’t prevent them from causing me significant complications.
If I choose not to assist the main clan when I’m in a position of power, I would undoubtedly face a deluge of criticism and misunderstandings. However, if I were to estrange myself from them first, others would find it difficult to fault me for not aiding the main clan in the future.
This allowed him to retain the freedom to extend his help whenever he chose to, and also possess valid reasons for electing not to do so.
Perhaps his current actions might lead many to perceive him as ignorant and impetuous, but the repercussions would pale in comparison to the consequences of not aiding them down the line. After all, Wu Yuan was merely distancing himself from the main clan, not forsaking his own family or abandoning the Wu Clan of Li City.
Wu Yuan had already formulated a plan. In due course, he would secretly compensate the main clan, but he would not announce it publicly.
The actions of martial artists were dictated by a clear conscience.
By falling out with them now, some higher-ups in the sect might actually commend me for my loyalty and integrity, viewing me as someone unashamed of my impoverished past. Wu Yuan remained cool and collected.
As he contemplated, Wu Yuan let an insolent shade pass over his face. He fervently wished for the grand elder to fall out with him!
“Wu Yuan, I am not just the grand elder of the main clan, but also the six county branches of the Wu Clan!” The grand elder’s voice resonated deeply as he stared Wu Yuan down. “Do you understand this?”
“Of course,” Wu Yuan replied dismissively, his nonchalant demeanor provoking the grand elder even further.
Just as the grand elder was about to berate him, a solemn voice echoed from outside the ancestral hall. “Grand Elder, Wu Yuan has had a difficult journey.”
The grand elder’s expression shifted subtly as he shifted his gaze toward the source of the voice. The other members of the Wu Clan, both inside and outside the hall, followed suit.
“It’s the chieftain!”
“Wasn’t the chieftain overseeing the inspection of the local city guards in the outlying municipalities?”
“Did the chieftain rush back overnight?” Murmurs spread through the crowd, and Wu Yuan instantly recognized who had arrived: the chieftain of the main Wu Clan, Wu Mao. As a lieutenant colonel leading three battalions in Southdream City, a second-rate Adept commanding 2000 soldiers, he was the most powerful figure in the Wu Clan within the Cloudstride Sect.
The crowd parted effortlessly, creating a path for a group of guards leading a towering figure clad in the formidable armor of a general. With an authoritative stride, the burly man, standing over two meters tall, made his way towards the ancestral shrine.
“Chieftain, do you know…” The grand elder was the first to speak.
“I know everything,” Chieftain Wu Mao said, lighting an incense stick as he paid his respects to the ancestral portraits and tablets below. The grand elder could not help but remain silent.
After bowing thrice, Chieftain Wu Mao inserted the incense stick. Only then did he turn to the grand elder, “Grand Elder, now that I am back, I will take charge of Wu Yuan’s affairs.”
The grand elder was irate, but seeing the solemn expression on Chieftain Wu Mao’s face, he could only mutter his consent, “Very well.” In terms of seniority, he ranked higher than Wu Mao. But in terms of standing? Losing a grand elder was of little consequence to the Wu Clan, but should they lose Wu Mao, the entire family would be destabilized.
“Wu Yuan,” Wu Mao finally turned to face Wu Yuan, an amiable smile adorning his face.
“Chieftain.” Wu Yuan maintained a calm demeanor.
“You need not take the words of the clan elders to heart. They wish for you to join the main clan because of their desire to strengthen the Wu Clan.” Chieftain Wu Mao, though half a head taller than Wu Yuan and clad in heavy armor, exuded no oppressive air.
Wu Mao continued with a slight smile, “A single brush stroke cannot write two ‘Wu’s. Be it the Wu Clan from Southdream or Li City, we all share the same origin, do we not?”
Wu Yuan slightly knitted his brows, but had no choice but to nod in agreement, “Indeed.” Even if he didn’t wish to be associated with the main clan, Wu Yuan couldn’t deny the shared ancestry of the main and branch families of the Wu Clan.
“You are the greatest genius the Wu Clan has seen in hundreds of years. Our ancestors would take immense solace in knowing this,” proclaimed Chieftain Wu Mao, shocking the nearly 1000 clan members gathered around the ancestral hall. The greatest genius in hundreds of years? Was that true?
Several clan elders exchanged bewildered glances. Was the chieftain not pursuing the matter any further?
“You flatter me, Chieftain,” Wu Yuan said softly.
“Whether I’m flattering you or not, only time will tell,” Chieftain Wu Mao’s smile did not fade in the least, “Wu Yuan, is your reluctance to join the main clan due to the Wu Clan of Li City?”
“Yes,” Wu Yuan nodded.
“Very well, there is no need for you to join the main clan then,” Wu Mao’s smile widened, “Moreover, from now on, you will be considered a clan elder of the Wu Clan and entitled to a seat among the clan elders.”
A stir rippled through the crowd as everyone looked at Wu Mao in astonishment, unable to believe their own ears. Even Gu Ji and Wu Xiong wore expressions of confusion. What was going on?
“Chieftain, this goes against the clan rules. According to the rules, one can only assume the title of clan elder if one has made significant contributions. Moreover, Wu Yuan has not even joined the main clan,” the grand elder spoke in a deep voice.
“Grand Elder, a hundred years ago, when six branches separated from the main family, the main clan made a promise to treat each branch as its own kin,” Chieftain Wu Mao explained, his voice calm and measured. “There has never been a rule that explicitly forbids a branch member from attaining a seat among the clan elders. The chieftains of the six branches have always been members of the clan elders assembly.”
The grand elder’s eyes widened. It was customary for each chieftain of the six branches to be given a seat in the clan elders assembly. But it was merely a formality. With no actual power, the branch leaders were limited to influencing their respective families alone.
“Chieftain, the grand elder is right. I am too young and inexperienced. It is improper,” Wu Yuan interjected, taking the initiative to voice his concerns. He had no desire to become a clan elder.
“Haha, one’s capabilities are unrelated to age. I understand that you do not wish to join the main clan, but are you truly unwilling to become a clan elder?” Chieftain Wu Mao chuckled, “This clan elders assembly encompasses the entire Wu Clan, not just the main clan.”
Wu Yuan found himself staring at the chieftain’s infuriating smile, at a loss for words.
“This matter is thus decided,” Wu Mao declared, bringing down a metaphorical hammer. The Wu clansmen exchanged glances, but no one dared to voice their objections. Within the clan, it had long been the norm that Wu Mao’s word was law.
“All outstanding youngsters of the Wu Clan are rewarded equally, whether they hail from the main clan or a branch,” Wu Mao said, his smile unwavering. “Wu Yuan, once you formally join the sect, the entire Wu Clan will jointly gift you 20,000 silver taels every year for your cultivation.”
“Chieftain, there’s no need,” Wu Yuan was slightly surprised.
“I hope you don’t find it lacking. I shall convene another clan elders assembly and strive to increase the amount as much as possible,” Chieftain Wu Mao booming laugh echoed around the hall. “Rest assured, the Wu Clan may not be a large clan, but we will spare no effort when it comes to supporting your cultivation. Surely you won’t refuse this?”
“These resources aren’t just from the main clan, but the entire Wu Clan. Unless, of course, you don’t consider yourself part of the Wu Clan?” Wu Mao shook his head, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
Wu Yuan was left speechless.
The hundreds of Wu Clan members were all struck dumb. 20,000 silver taels a year? By the heavens! From their understanding, Wu Yuan was merely an unremarkable martial virtuoso. Could he spend so many silver taels in a year even if he tried?
“Chieftain, thank you.” Wu Yuan said slowly. One should not rebuff a friendly gesture. Since Wu Mao, a second-rate Adept and the chieftain of a large clan, was demonstrating such an attitude, Wu Yuan would truly be going overboard if he continued to express dissatisfaction.
“Wu Yuan, I understand your reservations,” Wu Mao replied with a smile. “But fear not, throughout history, it has been a regular occurrence for the main clan’s family to be replaced.”
“I assure you,” he continued. “Once you reach the second grade and become an elder of the sect, the Li City Wu Clan will take the place of the Southdream Wu Clan as the main clan.”
An audible gasp swept through the room.
Wu Yuan looked at Wu Mao with a mix of surprise and doubt, wondering if he had misheard. A change in the main clan’s family? Indeed, this was not unheard of. But in most cases, it was due to a branch of a large clan gaining independence and surpassing the original main clan in influence, rather than the main clan voluntarily stepping down.
It was akin to a battle for the throne, there have been many usurpers throughout history, but which emperor ever willingly abdicated?
“Chieftain, you musn’t!”
“You musn’t!” The expressions of several clan elders were filled with alarm. A change in the main clan’s family was a nightmare scenario for any main clan.
“I am the chieftain, if you have any objections to this matter, bring them up at the clan elders assembly.” Wu Mao’s sharp gaze swept over the hundreds of Wu Clansmen. Everyone fell silent.
“Wu Yuan, what are your thoughts?” Wu Mao turned his gaze back to Wu Yuan, his eyes softening once more, as if he had transformed into an entirely different person.