Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1456 - 156: Talking Money Hurts Feelings, Talking Feelings Hurts Money. (Part 2)

Any intervention in the Sea of Spirit’s affairs would likely not target the Beishi family directly. Instead, their actions seemed designed to gauge the Xuanqing Sect’s strength.

Lan Peng was uncertain of Yang Zhenshan’s true intentions, as he appeared indifferent to the squabbles between the Beishi family and the Xuanqing Sect. What Lan Peng truly desired was an answer from Yang Zhenshan: would he accept the allegiance of the Lu and Lan families?

"Mr. Yang, what are your thoughts on me joining the Yang family?" Lan Peng inquired.

Yang Zhenshan snapped back to the present and regarded Lan Peng, his expression questioning, "Are you truly set on joining the Yang family?"

"Of course, it’s genuine! Otherwise, why would I seek you out?" Lan Peng affirmed.

Yang Zhenshan scrutinized Lan Peng, his mind racing.

Allowing the Lu and Lan families to settle in the Spirit Source Land?

It wasn’t an entirely impossible proposition!

A considerable portion of the Spirit Source Land remained undeveloped, providing ample space for additional inhabitants.

However, the crucial question remained: were the Lu and Lan families genuinely prepared to relinquish all their worldly possessions and relocate their entire kin to the Spirit Source Land?

The Lan family, being small in number, would find relocation relatively straightforward. The Lu family, conversely, with its numerous branches, presented a different challenge. A complete family relocation would involve tens of thousands of individuals.

Even if only the main lineage of the Lu family were to relocate to the Spirit Source Land, numerous complications would inevitably arise.

This was because, upon entering the Spirit Source Land, the Lu family would be bound by a thirty-year non-departure stipulation.

This was a long-standing regulation within the Spirit Source Land; any newcomer family was required to reside there for a period of thirty years.

Only after completing this thirty-year term would they be granted the possibility of undertaking missions outside the Spirit Source Land.

Could the Lu family possibly accept such stringent conditions?

Yang Zhenshan subtly shook his head. He knew with certainty that it was an insurmountable hurdle.

"Forget it, this plan is not feasible!"

"Why not?" Lan Peng pressed, seeking clarification.

"Certain established rules would likely place you in a difficult predicament!"

"What rules are you referring to?"

"The primary rule dictates that upon joining the Yang family, you must depart the Sea of Spirit and remain absent for a minimum of thirty years. Is this something you can endure?"

Lan Peng’s eyes widened in disbelief. "How can such a rule exist?"

"That can't be right; doesn’t the Yang family have numerous affiliated families residing here?"

He recalled the various families associated with the Yang family and sensed an inconsistency.

Yang Zhenshan gave a slight shake of his head. "If your aim is merely an affiliated relationship, the Yang family would welcome your presence at any time!"

Affiliated families?

What exactly did that entail?

Did the Yang family truly require affiliated families?

The answer was a resounding no.

While many families resided within the Spirit Source Land, they could scarcely be considered true families anymore.

From the outset, Yang Zhenshan had enforced a policy of fragmentation, systematically dismantling all familial structures into small, isolated units. This policy had led to the extreme disintegration of all families within the Spirit Source Land.

Consequently, the Yang family stood as the sole remaining true family within the Spirit Source Land.

Even the Yang family itself had become deeply fragmented, with its younger generations dispersed across the entirety of the Spirit Source Land.

Lan Peng grasped the underlying meaning, fully understanding the Yang family’s stance on affiliated families.

To put it mildly, their approach was one of tolerance; to be blunt, it was outright indifference.

Such a subservient arrangement was clearly not the outcome Lan Peng and the Lu family were seeking.

He found himself in a precarious position: joining the Yang family meant abandoning the Sea of Spirit entirely, while refusing meant forfeiting the invaluable protection of the Yang family. It was an unenviable choice.

Sensing Lan Peng’s unease, Yang Zhenshan offered, "If your primary concern is protection from hostile cultivators, perhaps my Yang family's direct protection isn't strictly necessary!"

"What do you propose?" Lan Peng inquired, intrigued.

Yang Zhenshan smiled. "You could consider inviting some Foundation Establishment stage cultivators to safeguard Ancient County City!"

"Inviting Foundation Establishment cultivators to stand guard?" Lan Peng furrowed his brow. "Is such a thing even possible?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"What assurance do we have that these Foundation Establishment cultivators won't harbor malicious intentions?"

"Then, invite individuals of proven trustworthiness. I can facilitate introductions, though the associated costs will not be insignificant," Yang Zhenshan stated.

The prospect of the Lu family relocating to the Spirit Source Land presented too many difficulties. However, Yang Zhenshan was still amenable to offering some assistance.

Arranging for hired guards for the Lu family was a relatively straightforward matter.

This could be accomplished through an engagement via the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Store boasted not only Guest Elders proficient in Immortal Cultivation but also formidable combat experts.

The extensive commercial network of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store spanned the entire Wanhua Western Region, naturally necessitating a robust security force, which included a powerful contingent of Immortal Cultivator guards.

It was important to note, however, that this guard force operated under strict guidelines and typically did not accept external hiring requests.

As an eighth-grade Guest Elder for the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, Yang Zhenshan could leverage connections to facilitate this matter, finding it far from difficult.

Lan Peng inquired with a touch of uncertainty, "Are they truly reliable?"

"Naturally, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store possesses a sterling reputation," Yang Zhenshan affirmed.

Unaware of the true stature of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, Lan Peng nonetheless chose to place his faith in Yang Zhenshan's word.

"What would be the expense in Spirit Stones?"

After a brief contemplation, Yang Zhenshan stated, "It might cost around a hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones per person annually. The precise figure isn't entirely clear; you could discuss it with Lu Fusheng. If you're set on hiring, I can make inquiries for you!"

The Yang family could indeed provide protection for the Lu and Lan families if they so desired, but the underlying question remained: why would they?

Was it merely for the allegiance of the Lu and Lan families?

That notion was absurd!

Allegiance was merely a facade; the crucial factor was the tangible benefits it would bring to the Yang family.

Regarding sentiments, discussing finances often strains relationships, and discussing feelings can lead to financial loss.

Yang Zhenshan, seeking to avoid both, devised this mutually advantageous proposal.

By facilitating the Lu family's engagement of Guest Elders from the Ten Thousand Treasures Store for security, Yang Zhenshan offered assistance through established connections, thereby extending a helping hand due to their past association.

Lan Peng pondered for a moment before responding, "Then I shall confer with the General."

"Excellent, proceed with your discussion. I assure you, once the Guest Elders from the Ten Thousand Treasures Store are stationed in Ancient County City, no force within proximity of the Yunxiao Mountain Range will dare to cause any trouble," Yang Zhenshan declared with a smile.

Lan Peng's eyes brightened, "Is the Ten Thousand Treasures Store exceptionally powerful?"

"Indeed, significantly more so than White Cloud Immortal City!" Yang Zhenshan confirmed.

"I comprehend!" Lan Peng felt a considerable sense of relief.

A power surpassing White Cloud Immortal City would certainly hold no interest in a mere Martial Arts Family like the Lu family.

Given Yang Zhenshan's assurance, it was evident that the Ten Thousand Treasures Store was a trustworthy entity.

...

While Yang Zhenshan was advising Lan Peng on engaging Guest Elders from the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, a contingent of five Immortal Cultivators, having recently concluded a raid, were dividing their spoils in the mountains located three hundred miles south of Yang Family Town.

The leader, a cultivator at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, was clad in a form-fitting black outfit. His attire featured an embroidery of a dark gold flowing cloud pattern along the hem. A short, neatly trimmed beard graced his chin, and his eyes, sharp as an eagle's, held a subtle, cunning smile that hinted at underlying ferocity.

Another member, at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, idly fanned himself with a folding fan adorned with a half-bloomed lotus. A white jade ring gleamed on his little finger, a stark contrast to the hidden menace lurking within his gaze beneath the veneer of gentleness.

The remaining three, all at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, carried an air of unrestrained roguishness, unmistakably marking them as unorthodox cultivators.

"Tsk, tsk, who could have imagined these Martial Arts Families would be so affluent? We've only plundered four families and already amassed tens of thousands of Low-grade Spirit Stones!"

"Boss, this is considerably simpler than risking our lives guarding the workshop!" exclaimed a tall, slender cultivator, his small eyes fixated on the pile of Spirit Stones with palpable excitement.

"Indeed, if we had known it would be this straightforward, we ought to have journeyed to the Sea of Spirit much sooner!" another cultivator chimed in.

Fang Shou, overhearing their remarks, gave them a dismissive glance and declared, "Enough chatter, let's distribute these Spirit Stones first!"

He privately disdained these incompetent individuals; had the mission not been unsuited for his own crew, he would never have stooped to recruiting such useless subordinates.

"Hehe, Boss, then we won't stand on ceremony!" the tall, slender cultivator chuckled.

"Thank you, Brother Fang!" The cultivator with the folding fan offered his gratitude by cupping his hands.

The five then proceeded to divide the ill-gotten gains, meticulously placing tens of thousands of Spirit Stones into their respective Storage Bags.