176 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 175: Missed Opportunities The news of the Zhu Family's young master returning to the city caused a tremendous stir, with everyone in town talking about it. According to Xu Youqing, these past few days at the Xu Family's residence had been unbearable; not only did her father incessantly inquire about the situation between her and Zhu Yun, but various people also rushed for a chance to visit. The Zhu residence shut its doors to visitors, given the unstable situation, making it unfavorable to contact the Zhu sisters. Consequently, as their fellow disciple, Xu Youqing became the target of entanglement. Should the political winds shift, this clinging group would inevitably flock to the Zhu Family, but now was not yet the time to form such alliances. Yet, there were still some individuals whom Zhu Yun ought to meet. Rumors flew around the city, yet the Zhu clan elders seemed unaware, expressing no sign of allegiance or urgency to denounce Zhu Yun. Acknowledging Zhu Yun's status was out of the question for them since they, too, were merely observing, worried whether Yu Cangshan might be backing the two girls. Aside from the clan members who eyed Zhu Yun with hostility over the headship battle, even the Bai Family felt agitated by the sudden emergence of the Zhu Family's young master. Zhu Yun's forming a connection with the Xu Family pushed the Bai Family into a disadvantaged position. After several unsuccessful attempts on Zhu Yun's life, the Bai Family quickly resorted to sending gifts and seeking out a malleable puppet among the Zhu clan branches who were not too weak yet easy to manipulate. Regardless of whether this young master accomplished anything, they hoped to at least gain some favor. Though visitors were being turned away, "family" remained an exception. Upon arriving in Huaihai City, Zhu Yun's first action was to convene the remaining clan members. However, only two or three men with peculiar expressions ended up sitting at the assembly. These individuals, unlike Yu Ming's memory of arrogant Zhu Family members, seemed somewhat cowered as they sat. At this point, Zhu Yun was still too weak, overlooked by many. Only those with ambitions for a meteoric rise would dare place their stakes on a universally opposed young master. Yu Ming stood beside the girl seated on the head of the family chair, quietly observing how Zhu Yun, normally gentle and meek like her master, now bore a surprisingly stern facade. Noticing Zhu Yun trying hard to maintain a serious demeanor, Yu Ming glanced at Xiang Shiyan, stationed on the other side. Even disguised, Xiang Shiyan's natural authoritative presence was unmistakable. So, she was learning from her master, huh. Yu Ming couldn't help but chuckle softly behind her hand. The sigils of concealment hid Yu Ming's presence from everyone, including Zhu Yun, except for Xiang Shiyan, who knew they guarded the young master from either side like sentinels. Only a few could boast of having a Great Ascension stage and peak Nascent Soul cultivator as their bodyguards. Even when Li Huai needed someone to present a formidable appearance during visits to other sects, Xiang Shiyan and Yu Ming rarely troubled themselves to move. Despite appearing alone except for a young attendant by her side, Xiang Shiyan subtly exerted the pressure of a Great Ascension stage cultivator, creating an invisible weight that made the guests squirm with discomfort. Flashing a puzzled glance at Yu Ming, Xiang Shiyan caught her laughs, quickly adopted a serious tone, and asked telepathically, "The major branch families didn't show. These people are insignificant compared to the others. What do you think of the situation, my sister?" "Promising." Xiang Shiyan's unexpected response prompted Yu Ming to scrutinize her. With a manly face, now hinting a rare half-smile, the female cultivator continued, "The Zhu Family's unity is lacking. If the branches wielding key industries and resources joined with plans to control Zhu Yun later, our maneuvers would face substantial difficulties." "The current attendees are peripheral family members with minimal control. Although small, they pose no threat to the family head's authority. Besides, gathering the members wasn't about reconciliation. Regardless of the attendance, it legitimizes 'the family head's decree,' enabling us to publicly announce Zhu Yun's rightful status in Huaihai City." At its peak, the Zhu clan practiced internal marriages, which might have led to the subsequent scarcity of offspring. By Zhu Cheng's time, even with unremarkable talents, he had no brothers, enabling him to assume the headship stably. Currently, many branch families share distant blood ties with the main branch, and in the face of competing interests, they hardly considered accepting Zhu Yun as their leader. Zhu Cheng, having had only two daughters over the years, faced ambitious relatives eager to usurp his position. Had it not been for Xuanji wreaking havoc in Huaihai City, Zhu Feng's faction would have already secured the family leadership for themselves. "I guess I understand something of what you're implying. It’s not easy to rightfully claim the headship position. Zhu Cheng's demise leaves the issue of succession to be decided by the whims of the Zhu clan elders, doesn't it?" sighed Yu Ming. "I still don't understand why you agreed to their return. Someone inherits the name, and it pleases that odious man. Isn't that exactly what he wants?" "These two hold animosity towards Zhu Cheng and the Zhu Family, not less than ours. Trust them." Xiang Shiyan instinctively frowned while Zhu Yun, with a stiff expression, interacted calmly with the branch family representatives. The conversation reached a point where it was time to win them over. Zhu Yun stood up, arrogantly lifting her chin and gestured for Xiang Shiyan to present the prepared contracts. During the period without leadership, the main family’s assets were partially divided among several powerful relatives. On the surface, they maintained familial unity, avoiding overt greed which could incite envy. Some assets, however, required the family head's seal, which branches legally couldn't seize. As for how Zhu Yun acquired the family head's seal, Xiang Shiyan hadn’t figured it out since learning about it the night before. Zhu Cheng certainly wouldn't have passed it to Zhu Yun, not even for show. Could they have stolen it during the turmoil at the Zhu residence? Perhaps so; Zhu Yun seemed reticent, and Xiang Shiyan, unwilling to press her, left it a lingering question. After dismissing the uneasy distant relatives, Zhu Yun let out a sigh of relief. These people were minor figures at the end of the power chain yet had already unnerved her. The young girl hesitated to imagine mingling with the truly influential figures soon. Especially now… without their master present. "For now, you only need to focus on handling the clan. Defeating all branches will leave the Bai Family overwhelmed and unable to spare further effort against you. The Xu Family can continue to be placated with empty promises; their head may not be the benign elder he presents himself as, but an ally bound by mutual interests can be relied upon for some time. They’ve just sent an invitation, setting a banquet at the Xu residence to welcome you both..." Xiang Shiyan, in seldom-spoken nervously whispered words, hinted at her concerns. The young woman's voice softened as she looked back at Zhu Yun, who had stopped her. The girl gazed at her toes, mumbling, "Master, do you really have to leave by evening?" The atmosphere shifted subtly, Xiang Shiyan glancing at Yu Ming, finding her astonished just like herself. Lost for words, Yu Ming knotted her brow, realizing Zhu Yun had unknowingly revealed something significant to them. Despite the hidden charm concealing her presence, Zhu Yun didn't know she was there. Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared express her reluctance to see her master leave in front of her senior. The young girl, small in stature but with outsized pride, couldn't let it show. "I must." Xiang Shiyan reassured Zhu Yun with a pat on the hand. "I will find time to visit you both again." "But I… I…" Zhu Yun couldn't articulate her reluctance. Why did she feel this way? Keenly observing Yu Ming, who seemed to suddenly understand something, Xiang Shiyan noticed her expression—pale and flushed at once, as if contemplating something unmentionable. Having dealt with Huai Ye and He He recently, Xiang Shiyan oddly comprehended her senior's thoughts. A complex secret, long suppressed, felt abruptly exposed, and a flush spread across her cheeks. While the youth struggled to voice her plea, Xiang Shiyan gently stroked her head, suggesting, "Zhu Yu's arrangements are complete. You can go attend the banquet at the Xu residence now." "I want to see Master off." Zhu Yun instinctively tightened her grip. Were Xiang Shiyan a mortal, her wrist would likely be bruised purple. "I'll visit whenever possible. Besides politics, don't neglect your cultivation, understood?" "Yes, I won’t let my master’s painstaking efforts go to waste." The revised cultivation manual, tailored to accommodate the unique meridians of the two sisters, took Xiang Shiyan five years to complete. Zhu Yun treasured it dearly, keeping it alongside the family head's seal that could help fulfill her ambition. When Zhu Yun left, she glanced back frequently, turning around just before exiting the hall to say, "You promised to visit us often... Master, you mustn't break your word." Xiang Shiyan nodded, assuring her commitment, while Yu Ming watched with a peculiar expression. Only after confirming Zhu Yun had gone far did Xiang Shiyan turn, somewhat helplessly, to her senior, whose expression was contorted with frustration: "What do you want to say?" "Don't follow in my footsteps. While Zhu Yun resembles Senior Sister Gong Ning in appearance, their temperaments are evidently different. She shouldn't mimic our senior sister’s ways just to please others..." Yu Ming lamented, pouring out her own painful lessons, hoping Xiang Shiyan would realize the truth in time. But Xiang Shiyan merely rolled her eyes, "You think everyone's like you?" Fuming but unable to retort, Yu Ming demanded, "Then why have you been troubled lately?" "I... never mind. I'll explain when I've sorted things out," Xiang Shiyan answered cryptically as always. Yu Ming was sensitive enough to detect that Xiang Shiyan's unease was indeed linked to her, which explained the odd behavior in her presence. As Yu Ming sought a breath of fresh air, she inadvertently found herself near Huaihai City's flower district again. Wrinkling her nose in disdain, she watched men seeking pleasure walk past, serenaded by coquettish laughter. Intending to leave, she impulsively stepped inside. As lively as the previous day, Yu Ming pulled her hood down and slipped into an alley. With a few agile steps, she scaled the wall, perching silently like a bird outside a balcony. The woman inside noticed her at once, but merely glanced up before resuming her writing at the desk, her focus unbroken. Long Rui Qing had changed rooms, yet Yu Ming's ability to find her across vast distances proved that a simple room change was no deterrent. Like the day before, Yu Ming seemed mute, gaping wordlessly at Long Rui Qing from afar, struggling with words that felt wrong upon arrival. But today, Long Rui Qing had something for her. Having long severed their master-disciple bond, Long Rui Qing assumed she would be the one humbling herself before Yu Ming. The irony was not lost on her. Picking up a paper from the table, she blew gently on the ink to dry it, "I heard the Zhu Family's young master returned. The Lord of Moonlight must be here as well." Taken aback by the sudden conversation, Yu Ming stammered, "Yes, she..." "That ghost cultivator left something with me for her, and there’s information about that black dragon. I met her once and heard snippets from the ghost cultivator. I’ve gathered what clues I could... something about her feels off. It seems she's hiding under another identity in a human cultivator sect. This is urgent, please pass it on to Lord Yu Ming." Cold and distant, Long Rui Qing handed everything over in a storage artifact. Yu Ming, uncertain of how she felt, simply echoed hollowly, "She just left the city fifteen minutes ago..." Author’s Note: Thanks to all the little angels who voted for me or poured nutrient solutions between 2022-10-05 35:59:58 and 2022-10-05 22:29:13~ Thanks to the little angel who poured nutrient solution: I super love Teacher Ding 10 bottles; Many thanks for everyone's support, I'll keep working hard! This site has no pop-up ads, permanent domain (xbanxia.com)