Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1683 - 532: Five Chu Family Sons—Hidden Strife and Open Showdown (Part 2)

People below may not think much, but it’s different for those in higher positions.

Chu Tianhe said that Father Landgrave Chu Longteng is still in the vigor of spring and autumn. This statement is actually a bit problematic; Chu Longteng is already 352 years old this year. Compared to the other three Landgraves of Moao River, he indeed seems vigorous, but in terms of lifespan, he’s actually not young.

The Xianyang Level has a lifespan of 200 years, breaking through to the First Transformation Tribulation Body Realm grants 300 years, and for every transformation after, an additional 50 years. Thus, the lifespan of the Fourth Turn Tribulation Body Realm would be up to 450 years. Calculating this way, Father Landgrave Chu Longteng probably has more than 90 years left.

Though he is still vigorous, it is time to consider the next Landgrave.

In recent years, especially as Landgrave Fu Wanhe of Hezang has shut his doors, leaving the affairs of the feudal town to his three sons; Landgrave Cai Qianshan of Cai Qiu has also promoted his youngest son Cai Qiuhu to the position of Little Landgrave. Such acts of choosing the next Landgrave in two of the vassals have understandably influenced Chen Cang.

The succession system of the Four Vassals is different, but Chen Cang places the greatest emphasis on the order of seniority. Thus, when such a matter relating to the succession of the Landgrave position rises, Chu Tianming, as the eldest son, undoubtedly becomes the center of the storm.

In Chu Tianming’s view, he can only be the next Landgrave because the rules on seniority set by Chen Cang were personally established by Father Landgrave Chu Longteng many years ago.

However, over the past twenty years, he has gradually sensed something amiss.

Father seems to have a clear preference for the third brother, Chu Tianxu. Even though he helped Father depose the former Grand Master Chen Lixin, it seems this hasn’t changed the trend. Moreover, when Xue Zijing from the Outer Domain took over as Grand Master and proposed to reform, Father supported it, though the entire Chen Cang opposed, except the third brother Chu Tianxu, who agreed with Father and supported the reform strongly. As such, Father became more attentive to him.

Chu Tianming suddenly felt a sense of crisis. Even if he knows the position of the next Landgrave might be a hundred years away, or even more distant if Father advances further, how could he ignore these developments?

Thus, open and covert struggles began among the five brothers.

Chu Tianming and the second brother Chu Tianhe are born of the same mother, naturally forming a faction together.

Chu Tianhe’s statement, "An older brother is like a father," is indeed a gesture of allegiance to his elder brother while trying to remind Father not to forget the rule he established.

But once this was spread, the meaning changed.

Declaring allegiance to Chu Tianming so early, despite being of the same blood, seemed overly eager on Chu Tianhe’s part, and this somewhat syrupy remark naturally drew some discreet mockery from those in high positions.

Originally, it was discreet, but the fourth brother Chu Tianmang openly pointed it out, turning it into blatant humiliation.

"Fourth Brother, if you have the guts, say what you just said again!"

Chu Tianhe already couldn’t stand the fourth brother Chu Tianmang. Being provoked like this, his anger surged, and while asking, he outright drew the longsword from his waist, suggesting that if he dared to say it again, he would fight him then and there.

However, they all have the Second Turn Tribulation Body Realm Cultivation; their cultivation levels are generally on par, and although they haven’t fought, they know each other’s strengths, so how could Chu Tianmang be intimidated? Besides, he also couldn’t stand this sycophantic, deceitful second brother. With a cold laugh, he directly responded:

"Second Brother, do you have hearing problems? Well, let me repeat, when it comes to finding patronage, who in Chen Cang can compare to you?"

"You’re courting death!"

Chu Tianhe growled in a low voice, drawing the longsword from his waist with a crisp sound...

"Second Brother, what do you intend to do?"

Just as he was about to charge with his sword drawn, a voice descended from above, interrupting him directly.

The voice, although steady and calm, carried a force that intimidated. Chu Tianhe instinctively re-sheathed his longsword, then bowed his head towards the sky.

As for Chu Tianming and the other four, they had already bowed their heads.

"You’re all over two hundred years old, yet fighting over such remote matters. Do you all think you’re growing backward? If you truly believe in your abilities, then stop eyeing my seat and carve out your own path. Let’s not mention that I am far from dying; but should I happen to die unexpectedly one day, with your capabilities, the Chen Family would leave not even bones or dregs of you, hmph!"

"Father Landgrave, forgive us!"

Upon hearing his words, the bodies of the five brothers trembled slightly, their already lowered heads drooped even further, and they hurriedly pleaded for forgiveness with fear and trepidation.

Chu Longteng never appeared. He seemed distant, and after seeing his five sons bowing, he stayed silent for a while before asking, "I asked you to keep an eye on Xia Hong and Cai Qianshan. What is the situation?"

Chu Tianming immediately replied, "As Father Landgrave predicted, Xia Hong has more than two Beast Emperor-level puppets. He brought out twelve, including a Three Elements Level one. Although Cai Qianshan was shocked, he refused to yield to Great Xia and withdrew into Aikou City. It seems he plans to borrow Jinshan and Wuchuan to continue resisting Great Xia."

"Not surprising, Cai Qianshan is too narrow-minded. How could he willingly hand over Jinshan and Wuchuan to Great Xia? Let’s watch as their two families clash on the Southern Slope!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Tianming’s expression turned urgent as he said, "Father Landgrave, if Cai Qianshan does not wish to make peace with Great Xia, isn’t this our chance? The miasma of Jiuqu Blood Corridor has receded. We could send troops southward from Dongchuan City to expand. If we delay, wouldn’t the Southern Slope become Cai Qiu’s?"

Seeing no response from Father Landgrave, Chu Tianming continued, "Regardless of whether the miasma’s retreat is due to the deceitful monster’s scheme, we can still use it. Chen Cang is currently campaigning against the Blood Miasma Plain. Great Xia’s strength is average, and with Cai Qiu blocking them, by sending only a small part of our forces..."

"Elder Brother, if Chen Cang intervenes in the Southern Slope, Cai Qiu will cease to oppose Great Xia. Cai Qianshan is narrow-minded, but he’s not stupid!"

Chu Tianxu could no longer listen and interrupted Chu Tianming.

Upon hearing this, Chu Tianming immediately retorted, "If we do not intervene and let Cai Qiu integrate the Southern Slope into their territory, Chen Cang would be attacked on two fronts. Once Cai Qiu loses the room for expansion, with so many people and resources at the Southern Slope, the conservatively estimated twenty thousand Cold Resistance-level of Great Xia, if all taken by Cai Qianshan..."

What level of strength would Cai Qiu need to swallow all the Southern Slope territory?

Moreover, Cai Qianshan’s opposition to Great Xia is not purely to take over all the Southern Slope. He wishes to plant a thorn there and, at most, now seeks to regain face from Xia Hong.

Even assuming that Cai Qiu truly wishes to consume Great Xia, would Chen Cang agree?

Chu Tianxu did not voice all these thoughts.

He understood that his elder brother Chu Tianming may not be unaware of this. However, since the proposal to watch the fight like sitting on a hill was his idea, if Father Landgrave agreed, it would mean he supports him. Chu Tianming apparently saw this point and deliberately opposed it.

In other words, he opposed just for the sake of opposition.

Given this, what else was there to say!

Father Landgrave is wise overall and wouldn’t let him have his way.

But the next words from Chu Longteng took him by complete surprise.

"Tianming, since you are keen to intervene in the Southern Slope, then proceed with your plan. All military funds and provisions will come from Hezang County. I won’t interfere in how you contend with Cai Qiu and Great Xia; my only requirement is not to let Chen Cang suffer any losses, understood?"

Chu Tianxu was stunned upon hearing this and immediately prepared to oppose.

"Alright!"

But before he could speak, Chu Tianming rushed to give a response.

"Don’t rush to agree. I haven’t finished. If you lead this event successfully, I will follow Cai Qianshan’s example and appoint you as Little Landgrave. However, if you fail and cause losses to Chen Cang, from now on, you should not aspire to the position of Landgrave, understood?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Tianming’s expression stiffened.

Chu Tianhe, Chu Tianxu, Chu Tianmang, and even the silent fifth brother Chu Tianba all had subtle changes in their expressions.

The atmosphere instantly became stagnant.