Protect Our Patriarch-Chapter 63Book 5: : Protecting the business! That’s also a big deal

……

A few days later.

At the entrance of the Dongfang Clan's main residence in Jingang.

Banners with white backgrounds and red characters were hung up, with slogans like "Pay back your debts" and "Dongfang Clan owes tenant farmers their hard-earned money" written in a manner that seemed to cry out in blood.

With onlookers gathering, the news quickly spread throughout Jingang.

Over the years, the Dongfang Clan in Jingang had been declining. Even though the clan continuously reduced internal expenses and lowered the allocation standards for clan members, they still found themselves in a situation where their income couldn't cover their expenses.

As the saying goes, "When the wall falls, everyone pushes." Once a clan falls into decline, it's like a sick animal emitting the scent of death, naturally attracting greedy vultures and various predators.

If they could withstand it, the clan might be able to revive. If not, the clan would be like a dead animal, its flesh and blood divided and devoured, with even the bones gnawed away by ferocious wolves and tigers.

This is the cruel survival law of the aristocratic families.

At this moment.

In the reception hall of the Dongfang Clan's main residence.

The second Ancestor of the Shangguan Clan, also a seventh-grade family in Jingang, Shangguan Yunde, was leisurely sipping spiritual tea and said, "Brother Yuxi, it's not that our Shangguan Clan doesn't value the bond of being from the same hometown. As they say, paying back debts is a matter of course. These IOUs, they all came from your hand, right? Pay up, our Shangguan Clan also needs to live."

Dongfang Yuxi's face was extremely grim. "These IOUs were all loans I took from various businesses. How did they end up in your Shangguan Clan's hands?"

"Naturally, those businesses owed our Shangguan Clan money and used these IOUs to offset their debts. The transfer of debt is a common occurrence." Shangguan Yunde put down his tea cup and sneered, "Brother Yuxi, I advise you not to beat around the bush. We have the IOUs in hand, and no matter where this case goes, we are guaranteed to win."

"Ancestor Yunde, I have a Xisui Dan here. Can it offset 150,000 Qian gold?" Dongfang Yuxi said with his head lowered, "The rest, our Dongfang Clan will repay slowly."

"Xisui Dan is a good thing, but you want to offset 150,000 Qian gold with it? Do you take me, Shangguan Yunde, for a fool?" Shangguan Yunde sneered, "Nowadays, the Wang's Alchemy Company sells Xisui Dan to members for only 126,000 Qian gold. I say, Dongfang Yuxi, if you can't refine pills, then don't. You've single-handedly brought your clan to decline."

Dongfang Yuxi's neck veins bulged with anger, his eyes filled with both defiance and regret.

Alchemy is a highly technical sideline. A skilled alchemist can easily support a seventh-grade family.

But the problem is, the investment to train an alchemist is astronomical.

To quickly master the refining of high-grade pills, Dongfang Yuxi often took risks by accepting alchemy opportunities at low prices. In such cases, if the refining went well, he might not lose money, but if it failed, he would have to compensate.

Many times, even when he offered low prices, people preferred to sell their spiritual herbs directly to the Wang's Alchemy Company for a stable exchange of pills or Qian gold.

The internal competition within Wang's Alchemy Company hit many solo alchemists hard. Persuaded by various branches, many alchemists from sixth and seventh-grade families joined Wang's Alchemy Company, enjoying high base salaries and bonuses, living even better lives.

"Brother Yuxi, I'll count your Xisui Dan as 125,000 Qian gold. The remaining principal and interest total 463,000 Qian gold." Shangguan Yunde said arrogantly, "You have three days to make up the difference, or don't blame us for having the city guard office seal your main residence."

After leaving these harsh words, Shangguan Yunde swaggered away, leaving Dongfang Yuxi feeling utterly drained.

What should become of this family?

Dongfang Yuxi stared blankly at the table in front of him, his expression dazed, his eyes empty.

Meanwhile.

By the base of the wall in the Dongfang Clan's backyard.

The siblings Dongfang Mingxu and Lingrou both wore solemn expressions.

"Lingrou, with such a big issue at home today, do you still plan to meet the Pill King?" Dongfang Mingxu's eyes were filled with worry.

"Brother Mingxu, precisely because of this, I must meet the Pill King." Dongfang Lingrou said through gritted teeth, "I can beg the Pill King to save our Dongfang Clan. I can join Wang's Alchemy Company, start as an apprentice, and work for free for a lifetime to repay this debt."

"Lingrou, are you crazy?" Dongfang Mingxu exclaimed in shock and anger, "You've already been noticed by Longzuo Academy. Once you join, you won't miss becoming a core disciple, and with the academy's resources, you have a great chance of reaching the Celestial Realm. Your future is bright; how can you make such a decision?"

"The academy is good, but distant water can't quench present thirst." Dongfang Lingrou lightly tapped her foot, and her whole body soared over the wall like a nimble swallow.

Her voice came from beyond the courtyard wall.

"Brother Mingxu, from now on, the family relies on you to protect it well."

"Lingrou!"

Dongfang Mingxu's young face was filled with pain, the veins on his neck bulging.

……

Jingang's Baiwei Pavilion.

This was one of the chain businesses of the Yuwen Clan of Longzuo.

Since the current head of the Yuwen Clan was Lady Bilian from the Guilong Shangguan's Clan, the Jingang Shangguan Clan found a way to connect with Lady Bilian, thus securing a powerful ally.

By helping the Yuwen Clan manage and operate the Baiwei Pavilion in Jingang, the Jingang Shangguan Clan gradually earned a portion of the shares, receiving some dividends each year.

This is the advantage of having a main branch relative in an aristocratic family. At critical moments, a little help can bring endless benefits.

However, relatives are not caretakers.

If one doesn't know their limits, only demanding without giving back, they will only be despised.

In this regard, the Jingang Shangguan Clan did well. Not only did they diligently curry favor with Lady Bilian, but they also spared no effort in currying favor with the Wang's Clan, even if it meant going through roundabout ways to establish connections.

Whenever the Wang's Clan held a "Celestial Banquet," "Purple Mansion Banquet," or even an ancestor's birthday celebration, the Jingang Shangguan Clan would have their ancestor personally deliver a gift.

This time, when Wang Shouye, the seventh elder of the Wang's Clan, happened to visit Jingang, the first ancestor of the Shangguan Clan, Shangguan Jianming, naturally paid a visit at the earliest opportunity, leveraging the connection from Shangguan Bilian to Shangguan Lingbo and Wang Ningxi.

Unable to refuse, Wang Shouye, after inspecting the small branch of the alchemy company in Jingang, accepted the Shangguan Clan's invitation for a banquet at Baiwei Pavilion.

At this moment, in a private room at Baiwei Pavilion, Wang Shouye was sitting with a few members of the Shangguan Clan and accompanying guests.

The number of attendees was very small.

Only three members of the Shangguan Clan were present: Ancestor Jianming, the current head Shangguan Zhiyuan, and a young, handsome, and clever teenager, Shangguan Yingjie.

In addition, there was Fang Huaiyuan, the current city guard of Jingang, who came to accompany them.

However, at this table, only the Celestial Realm Shangguan Jianming and City Guard Fang Huaiyuan were qualified to sit at the lower seats with Wang Shouye. Besides them, the promising young Shangguan Yingjie and even the head of the Shangguan Clan, Shangguan Zhiyuan, could only stand respectfully to toast.

There was no choice; the difference in status was too great.

Looking at Wang Shouye, who was sitting at the head of the table, composed and elegant, like a celestial prince, both Jianming Ancestor and Fang Huaiyuan were filled with awe, their faces unconsciously showing flattering expressions.

Over the years, although Wang Shouye kept a low profile, his nickname "Great Qian's Pill King" had long been renowned. The entire Great Qian knew that there was a Pill King in Longzuo Commandery, who, at a young age, was already proficient in refining fifth-grade spiritual pills, with outstanding talent and a great hope of breaking through to the Divine Realm, making him the most promising alchemist in Great Qian.

In the future, he might become another Divine Realm alchemist, following Yuan Dan Daoist of the Xuandan Pavilion lineage in the Holy Land.

Moreover, it was only after meeting Wang Shouye this time and sensing the faint yet powerful aura emanating from him that Jianming Ancestor and Fang Huaiyuan realized with a start that Wang Shouye had unknowingly broken through to the Purple Mansion Realm. Furthermore, Wang Shouye was only in his early 190s, much younger than both of them in the Celestial Realm.

The difference was simply worlds apart.

In fact, Wang Shouye had long reached the peak of the Celestial Realm, but Wang Shouzhe had asked him to hold back his breakthrough, waiting for the treasures from the Blood Venerable's relic.

Once his bloodline advanced, he naturally broke through.

Even sitting at the same table drinking with Wang Shouye, Shangguan Jianming and Fang Huaiyuan felt a chill in their hearts, the pressure immense, as the gap in status and strength was too vast.

"Young Master Shouye." Shangguan Jianming respectfully toasted, his face full of smiles, "A while ago, we went to Xinping Town on business and met Young Master Ningxi and Miss Lingbo. At that time, we heard them mention you, but we never had the chance to meet. Today, seeing the Pill King, my dream has finally come true."

"Ancestor Jianming is too kind." Wang Shouye's tone was calm and polite, "The so-called Pill King is just an exaggerated title. There are many alchemists in this world more skilled than Shouye."

In truth, Wang Shouye knew that the Jingang Shangguan Clan's connection to Lingbo was rather distant, but since they were relatives visiting, the necessary courtesy couldn't be neglected.

Such is the way of aristocratic families; the larger the family, the less they can afford to be arrogant, looking down on others. Otherwise, if such an attitude becomes ingrained, it will sow many hidden dangers for the family.

"Young Master Shouye, you see, our child Zhiyuan here has a mid-grade C Leaving Fire bloodline. What path should he take in the future?" Shangguan Jianming cautiously asked.

"Mid-grade C is not bad." Wang Shouye elegantly encouraged, "He is still young, and before advancing to the Lingtai Realm, he can use a combination of Xisui Dan and Wuji Baodan to strive for a prodigy bloodline. However, Wuji Baodan should be used at the Lingtai Realm, and it's quite challenging, best done with a Purple Mansion Master as a guardian."

Wuji Baodan? And a Purple Mansion Master?

That would cost two to three million Qian gold!

Shangguan Jianming's old face twitched, thinking to himself, Young Master Shouye, you really have no idea how the other half lives, a classic case of "let them eat cake."

Their Jingang Shangguan Clan was a thriving seventh-grade family, managing to maintain two alternating Celestial Realms while still having the resources to cultivate a third Celestial Realm. This was already thanks to the Guilong Shangguan's Clan.

Moreover, the price of Wuji Baodan was just the beginning. To cultivate a Purple Mansion Realm, a family would need about 300 years and tens of millions of Qian gold!

Even if they sold the entire Jingang Shangguan Clan, bricks and all, they wouldn't come close to a million Qian gold.

"Thank you, Young Master An Ye, for pointing the way." Shangguan Jianming forced a dry laugh, "But our Jingang Shangguan Clan knows its limits. We won't dream of Wuji Baodan."

The Jingang Shangguan Clan had survived for a thousand years, naturally having its own survival strategies. Being overly ambitious is not good for a family.

"Haha~" Fang Huaiyuan laughed heartily, "Ancestor Jianming's words are wise. The development of a family lies in steady progress, not in being overly ambitious, dreaming of overnight success. Like the Dongfang Clan, they just can't understand this point, thinking they can rely on a bit of alchemy talent to turn things around. And the result? The family declined step by step, now unable to reclaim their mortgaged properties."

"Congratulations, Ancestor Jianming, it seems it won't be long before Jingang is dominated by your Shangguan Clan. With careful management, a sixth-grade family is within reach."

"Not at all." Shangguan Jianming modestly said, "This is merely Dongfang Yuxi's own doing. Nowadays, being an alchemist is not an easy path. It's too difficult to make a name for oneself alone."

Dongfang Clan? Dongfang Yuxi.

Wang Shouye frowned slightly, certain memories slowly resurfacing in his mind, as if he was transported back to the past.

That event happened a long, long time ago, almost 170 years ago, right?

Suddenly!

"Clang!"

The sound of a tray falling outside the room.

Immediately, a young girl in a Baiwei Pavilion attendant's outfit burst through the door. Before anyone could question her, she knelt before Wang Shouye with a "thud."

This girl was none other than Dongfang Lingrou of the Dongfang Clan.

Having apparently gone through some ordeal, Dongfang Lingrou's expression was urgent, her young cheeks flushed from running, looking both disheveled and pitiful.

"Pill King, please help our Dongfang Clan." Dongfang Lingrou crawled forward on her knees, pleading bitterly, "I will agree to any condition, even serving as your slave or servant."

"Who is this girl?"

Shangguan Jianming and Fang Huaiyuan's faces both changed.

Shangguan Jianming was even more furious, "Someone, what are you doing? How did you let a young girl in here?"

Outside, the manager rushed in with several attendants.

Seeing the scene inside, his face turned pale, nearly fainting.

It's over, it's a big mess now.

"Hey? Dongfang Lingrou?" Shangguan Zhiyuan recognized her, his face changing, "How did you get in here? This isn't a place for you. Leave now!"

They were all young members of the Celestial families in Jingang, with good qualifications and bloodlines, naturally having met before. Moreover, he was at an age where he admired young women, and he had some affection for Dongfang Lingrou.

"Shangguan Zhiyuan, you're here too? Hmph, I'm here to see the Pill King, not you!" Dongfang Lingrou said stubbornly, glancing at him before ignoring him, turning again to plead with Wang Shouye, "Please have mercy, senior."

Ancestor Jianming hurriedly bowed to Wang Shouye, "Young Master Shouye, this is my oversight, not preventing someone from barging in and disturbing you. Someone, quickly escort Miss Dongfang out."

"Miss Dongfang, please leave. If you don't, we'll be in trouble." The manager hurriedly led the attendants over, trying to escort Dongfang Lingrou out.

"Enough." Wang Shouye's eyebrows moved slightly, and he waved his hand, "Since she is a descendant of an old acquaintance, let her stay for now."

"This?"

The manager and attendants were at a loss.

"Gentlemen, since the Pill King has spoken, please leave." Shangguan Zhiyuan bowed to the manager, his young face calm and composed, "Please clean up outside, and the broken dishes and food will be on our tab."

"Yes, Young Master Zhiyuan." The manager and others hurriedly retreated.

Then, Shangguan Zhiyuan brought a chair for Dongfang Lingrou, sighing, "Miss Lingrou, indeed there are conflicts between our two clans, but aristocratic families naturally compete for survival space. Our Shangguan Clan and your Dongfang Clan both reside in Jingang, and competition for survival space is neither right nor wrong. You don't need to glare at me... glaring won't help."

Wang Shouye nodded silently.

This child, Shangguan Zhiyuan, reacted quickly. Hearing Wang Shouye mention an old acquaintance, he immediately sought to absolve the Shangguan Clan.

To nurture such a child, it seems the Jingang Shangguan Clan will have some lasting fortune in the future.

Although Wang Shouye was obsessed with alchemy, he was nearly two hundred years old, and naturally, he wouldn't judge matters based solely on his likes and dislikes, but continued to observe quietly.

"You're lying, your Shangguan Clan has many dirty tricks." Dongfang Lingrou was also very clever, immediately saying angrily, "Just before, your Ancestor Yunde went to our house to demand repayment, hanging banners at the main gate. Moreover, our family never had monetary dealings with the Shangguan Clan, you deliberately acquired others' IOUs."

"This is clearly an attempt to squeeze our Dongfang Clan."

"Miss Lingrou, you're mistaken." Shangguan Zhiyuan said, "Which family doesn't use a little strategy in conflicts and competition? Blame your ancestors for alchemizing themselves into poverty."

"Enough, Zhiyuan, don't say more." Ancestor Jianming apologized to Wang Shouye, "This matter must have amused Young Master Shouye."

"Local aristocratic competition for survival space is a common occurrence in the world, nothing amusing about it. Our Wang's Clan has also experienced these things along the way." Wang Shouye said indifferently, "However, my fourth brother once said, if the scope is broadened and the vision extended, local aristocratic families, if given the opportunity to cooperate and expand externally, would find it more beneficial than mere internal competition."

"The wisdom and insight of Master Wang Shouzhe are beyond my reach." Ancestor Jianming quickly adopted a solemn expression, bowing to the south.

Even Fang Huaiyuan bowed, his face full of admiration for Wang Shouzhe, sighing, "If only I could meet Master Wang Shouzhe in person and hear his teachings."

In Longzuo Commandery, the prestige of the Wang's Clan and Wang Shouzhe was extremely high.

A word from Wang Shouzhe could carry more weight than even the Emperor "far away in Guilong City."

"I know Brother Yuxi, his talent is good, just a bit too proud." Wang Shouye pondered for a moment, "Enough, enough, for the sake of past 'acquaintance,' Ancestor Jianming, please do me a favor."

Ancestor Jianming quickly adopted a serious expression, bowing, "Young Master Shouye, please don't be so polite. Our main branch's daughter Shangguan Lingbo is your great-granddaughter-in-law. For such a small matter, as long as you say the word, even if it means climbing mountains of swords or crossing seas of flames, our Jingang Shangguan Clan will not refuse."

"Since the matter is resolved, that girl Lingrou can go home now." Wang Shouye smiled and waved his hand.

What?

It's resolved just like that?

Dongfang Lingrou was stunned. The enormous disaster her family faced was resolved with just a word from the Pill King?

"What are you standing there for, girl? Go home." Ancestor Jianming glared, "Do you think our Jingang Shangguan Clan would dare deceive Young Master Shouye?"

"Senior, I, I am willing to serve you as a slave or servant for life." Dongfang Lingrou was about to kneel but found herself held up by an invisible force, unable to kneel no matter what.

At the same time, she felt a blur before her eyes, and when she regained her senses, she was already outside Baiwei Pavilion, hearing Wang Shouye's gentle voice in her ear, "Girl, I don't need you to serve me. Your talent is good, cultivate well, and strive to become someone who can protect your clan and be useful to humanity."

"Yes, senior!"

Dongfang Lingrou stubbornly thanked Wang Shouye and hurriedly returned home.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she arrived home, she saw that the banners at the entrance had all been taken down.

At this moment, the second ancestor of the Shangguan Clan, Shangguan Yunde, was stepping into the Dongfang Clan's main residence with a beaming smile, "Brother Yuxi, we didn't recognize each other as family, and I'm here to apologize."

"Brother Yunde, why do you say that?" Dongfang Yuxi was puzzled and quickly invited him into the reception hall.

Soon, Shangguan Yunde's hearty laughter and Dongfang Yuxi's apologetic laughter could be heard from inside. The Shangguan Clan expressed that there was no rush to repay the debts, and they could take their time. In the future, the two families should interact more and jointly create a better future for Jingang.

Moments later, after seeing off Shangguan Yunde, Dongfang Yuxi's aged face was filled with joy, and even his hunched body seemed less bent.

"Ancestor Grandfather." Dongfang Mingxu was also shocked by this scene, "How is it possible, did Lingrou really resolve this matter?"

"Lingrou?" Dongfang Yuxi was momentarily stunned, then had a bad premonition, looking at Dongfang Lingrou who was walking over, "Lingrou, what exactly did you do?"

"Ancestor Grandfather, here's what happened." Dongfang Lingrou said excitedly, "I went to see the Pill King, and with just a word, he resolved our family's enormous crisis."

"Wang Shouye?" Dongfang Yuxi's expression became unpredictable, "Lingrou, tell me in detail, don't leave out a single word."

Dongfang Lingrou quickly recounted how she met Wang Shouye and how the events unfolded, word by word.

Dongfang Yuxi's old face remained gloomy throughout, until finally, when Dongfang Lingrou recounted Wang Shouye's words: "Girl, I don't need you to serve me. Your talent is good, cultivate well, and strive to become someone who can protect your clan and be useful to humanity."

Dongfang Yuxi's body trembled heavily, his face showing shame and self-reproach, muttering, "Wang Shouye, I always thought you only took my opportunity because of your family background. If we switched places, I, Dongfang Yuxi, would definitely do better."

Protecting the clan, being useful to humanity!

The difference in their magnanimity was too great.

Regret filled his chest. If only he hadn't been so arrogant in his youth, he wouldn't be in this situation today.

If he had the courage of Lingrou, even if it meant shamelessly begging Pill Cauldron Master to let him stay as a named disciple, how could the Dongfang Clan have fallen to this state?

"Girl, you're stronger than Ancestor Grandfather. Remember the Pill King's words." Dongfang Yuxi lovingly ruffled the child's hair and turned to walk out of the main residence.

"Ancestor Grandfather, where are you going?" The two juniors hurriedly followed.

"Ancestor Grandfather is going to apply for a job at the Wang's Alchemy Company branch." Dongfang Yuxi straightened his chest, "With a base salary of 30,000, plus bonuses, I, Dongfang Yuxi, will soon repay the debt to the Shangguan Clan and make our Dongfang Clan rise again."

"Ancestor Grandfather, we'll go with you, we're also alchemy apprentices, we'll work together to repay the debt."

"Good, good, we'll go together, repay the debt together."

Meanwhile.

Not far away, Wang Shouye, who had witnessed the scene from the shadows, nodded silently. Passing through Jingang and resolving such an old matter made him feel quite gratified.

He hoped that this time, in seeking the alchemy "manual" opportunity in the Great Zhou, everything would go smoothly.

I, Wang Shouye, also have my clan to protect.

"Young Master Shouye is truly kind and gentle, making me quite moved." A charming and melodious voice sounded behind him, "That little girl has good bloodline and character, why not let me train her for you? I assure you she'll be very useful."

……