In June, the 906th year of Black Iron Calendar, this month was really an eventful one for Huaiyuan Palace.
In the past two months, too many things had happened in Huaiyuan Palace, which determined that this month would be the most important turning point for each member of Huaiyuan Palace.
Huaiyuan Palace was a big ship. When this big ship rocked and encountered gales and billows, even ran aground, each member of Huaiyuan Palace on the big ship would feel anxious, restless even scared.
In April, Elder Mushen disappeared. On the same day that Elder Mushen disappeared, Zhang Clan in Jinwu City was raided. The two events shocked the world.
In May, Elder Mushen returned safe and sound. However, only after a few days, Zhang Taixuan, the head of Huaiyuan Palace, had been possessed by the devil and died abruptly.
Zhang Taixuan's death shocked the entire Huaiyuan Palace and Youzhou Province greatly.
Zhang Taixuan was not only the head of Huaiyuan Palace, but also the provincial governor of Youzhou Province. After his death, the position of provincial governor of Youzhou Province could not be vacant. Almost 7 days after Zhang Taixuan's "sudden death", the Northeast Military Region appointed Lu Dingzhi as the new provincial governor of Youzhou Province. Lu Clan of Spiritualmaple Prefecture of Youzhou Province officially settled in White Tiger Complex in Youzhou City and took the seal of the provincial governor of Youzhou Province.
Undoubtedly, it was a great strike for Huaiyuan Palace to lose the qualification to rule the provincial governor of Youzhou Province after losing its head of Zhang Taixuan.
However, on the same day when the Northeast Military Region delivered the order, Lan Yunxi became the new head of Huaiyuan Palace.
It was out of many people's imagination that Lan Yunxi became the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace. In many people's opinions, after Zhang Taixuan died suddenly, the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace, Zhang Mushen, was the most qualified and prestigious one to take the position of the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace. However, what was weird was that Zhang Mushen didn't take the position of the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace as the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace. Additionally, Lan Yunxi, the daughter of Zhang Taixuan who had promoted to an earth knight, didn't take the position of the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace. Therefore, Zhang Mushen didn't compete for the position of the clan head; the other elders of Huaiyuan Palace were not as powerful as Lan Yunxi; plus other factors, Huaiyuan Palace welcomed its first female clan head.
Female head of Huaiyuan Palace was not rare in Taixia Country. In Youzhou Province, Guo Hongyi was also the head of Guo Clan in Threespring Prefecture. Although it was a bit controversial that Lan Yunxi became the head of Huaiyuan Palace, it finally came to an end.
The aftermath of Zhang Taixuan's sudden death and the funeral of Huaiyuan Palace didn't gradually recover until 1 month later.
On June 21st, it was a hot summer day. In the afternoon, the atmosphere in Embracing Tiger City abruptly became solemn as teams of soldiers of Huaiyuan Palace appeared on the streets and started to patrol …
When a team of soldiers of Huaiyuan Palace was patrolling a street not far from Embracing Tiger Mountain, the boss of a business called Huaian walked downstairs and came to the gate of the business. After that, he threw a glance at the team leader of the patrolling soldiers.
"Well, let's take a rest for 2 minutes. We will drink some water here before patrolling in case of heatstroke …" the team leader immediately shouted after catching the boss's glance.
The team leader's words won the agreement of all the soldiers. In such a hot day, steam was rising from the ground in the city. Even the cement ground was glowing; however, the patrolling soldiers were still in full-body armors. After 2 hours, all the patrolling soldiers had been sweating all over like staying in a steamer as their throats were smoking. However, military orders had to be obeyed. Without the consent of the team leader, nobody dared slack.
This team of soldiers just stood in the shadow of a banyan tree on the roadside. They didn't take off their armors; instead, they just took a rest for the time being.
"Lil 4, Lil 5, hurry up, send two pots of herbal tea to those disciples of Huaiyuan Palace …" the boss hurriedly issued the order when he saw that the team of soldiers had stopped to take a rest.
After receiving the order, the two assistants hurriedly walked out with the herbal tea and teacups.
At the sight of the name of this business, those soldiers didn't decline it at all. Instead, they started to drink herbal tea and take a rest.
Needless to say, all the businesses in Yiyang Prefecture were run by members of Huaiyuan Palace. As these soldiers were also disciples of Huaiyuan Palace, they were all family members. Therefore, Zhang Tie felt reassured about them. It was not exaggerated to describe the relationship between soldiers and civilians.
Watching those soldiers drinking herbal tea and taking a rest for the time being, the team leader walked to the gate of the business and called the fat boss, "Second uncle …"
"What's going on today?" The owner of the shop stood under the awning at the entrance of the shop, waving the fan in his hand. He asked curiously, "Aren't you stationed outside the city? Why are you all out today?"
"I don't know. It's an order from the superior!" The team leader looked around as he replied in a low voice, "It's said that some elders have arrived here today. They're discussing something in the Shrine Palace …"
"What's that? It's so intense. It's almost a martial law!"
The squad leader smiled bitterly and said, "Second Uncle, don't ask me. I'm just a squad leader. How would I know what the elders and the patriarch are discussing? Not only me, even my superior's superior doesn't know!"
"Has Elder Mushen arrived?"
"I didn't see any airboat from Jinwu City and Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory today!" The team leader lowered his voice as he took two steps closer, "It's said that Jinwu City and Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory didn't dispatch anyone here. Neither did Elder Mushen nor Zhang Yang, Elder Mushen's elder brother, send any representative here. Even those in the old mansion over there didn't come here. These days, everybody in the military camp is in a flurried state. Various rumors are flying everywhere. I think it's not right today. Second uncle, as you've been in Huaiyuan Palace for a long time and used to be a clan steward, you should have a broader vision than me. What do you think is wrong …"
The boss stopped waving his fan as his face turned gloomy at once, "Don't meddle in it. Just do your job well. Watch your mouth. Talk less and do more. The more chaotic it is, the calmer you should be. Am I clear?"
"I see!" The team leader nodded.
After talking for a short while, those sergeants had almost drunk up their herbal tea. They dared not drink too much. As they were on duty, they were afraid that they had to go to the washroom. Therefore, each of them only had a sip of herbal tea. After taking a short rest, in less than 5 minutes, the team leader of Huaiyuan Palace had gone on patrol with his subordinates.
'What a world! Huaiyuan Palace has just risen and gained its prestige. Even the Gobbling Party has exited Northeast Military Region. Only after 2 months, Huaiyuan Palace has encountered so many troubles. First, Elder Mushen was killed; then, the clan head died suddenly. After the clan head died, Elder Mushen didn't take the position of the clan head; instead, he didn't come to Embracing Tiger City anymore. This is not a good omen …'
After those people left, the boss of Huaian Business muttered inside as he patted his head by his fan. After that, he turned around and watched Embracing Tiger Mountain in the distance with a strong concern in his eyes.
At this moment, the security on Tiger Embracing Mountain was 10 times stricter than that at the foot of the mountain. All the clan deacons and servants were standing at their posts around the Ancestral Hall of Tiger Embracing Mountain with solemn expressions. Many of them even dared not to breathe heavily.
Although the cicadas in Embracing Tiger Mountain were noisy, the Shrine Palace of Huaiyuan Palace was as silent as ice.
In mourning clothes, Lan Yunxi was sitting on the position of the clan head with a faintly pale face. However, Lan Yunxi's qi was tough and resolute. She didn't look weak at all.
Besides Zhang Tie, all the other elders of Huaiyuan Palace were sitting there. At this moment, none of the elders were smiling.
Besides the other elders of Huaiyuan Palace, Zhang Taibai, Lan Yunxi's 4th uncle and Zhang Taixuan's younger brother was also sitting aside with a gloomy look.
Under the majestic statue of Lord Huaiyuan, the entire Shrine Palace was filled with Lan Yunxi's chilly voice. "That day, Zhang Tie killed my father in front of me here.
"That day, Zhang Tie killed my father right here in front of me. It's a scandal and tragedy of Huaiyuan Palace. No matter what mistakes my father had made, even if he had committed an unpardonable crime or was involved in the disappearance of Elder Mushen, he had to be dealt with by all the clan elders through negotiation. As the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace, Zhang Tie, as the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace, it's already outrageous for him to kill the clan head in the Ancestral Shrine Palace. I propose to dismiss Zhang Tie, Zhang Mushen, as the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace and expel Zhang Tie, Zhang Mushen and the branch of Jinwu Palace from Huaiyuan Palace. From now on, Huaiyuan Palace has nothing to do with the branch of Zhang Tie and Zhang Yang anymore …"
All the elders were silent. Their brows were tightly knitted, and their faces were like cold iron.
"Clan head, as you were in secluded cultivation in Taiyi Fantasy Sect, why did you suddenly appear in Embracing Tiger Mountain?"
After being silent for a short while, Elder Muray, who was bad-tempered and straightforward, opened his mouth first.
"After promoting to an earth knight in Taiyi Fantasy Sect, I had been in secluded cultivation to consolidate my cultivation base. However, a few days before my father was killed, my father suddenly contacted me and told me that Huaiyuan Palace and Zhang Tie were in trouble. He hoped that I could go back home. My father knew that Zhang Tie and I were acquainted with each other in Hidden Dragon Island; therefore, he wanted me to go back home to comfort Zhang Tie. After receiving my father's notice, I hurriedly returned to Huaiyuan Palace …" Lan Yunxi said as she looked at Elder Muray, "Elder Muray, do you not believe in my words?"
Elder Muray let out a sigh, "No, I dare not. However, major events have happened in Huaiyuan Palace one after another in the past 2 months. Additionally, it's not a trivial matter to expel a grand elder. All the other elders hope to figure out the details so as to prevent Huaiyuan Palace from doing something that would hurt our relatives and delight our enemies. Clan head, please take it seriously."
"Zhang Tie killed my elder brother and abolished the clan head's position. He's already at odds with the branch of Yiyang City. Today, on behalf of the branch of Yiyang City, if we don't expel Zhang Tie today, we will establish Huaiyuan Palace. Even though Zhang Tie could cover the entire sky with one hand, our branch of Yiyang City never lacks moral integrity from old to young …" Zhang Taibai opened his mouth in a muffled voice. However, Lan Yunxi remained silent.
All the other elders were stunned. Lan Yunxi and Zhang Taibai were forcing the elders to make a decision by using the entire branch of Yiyang City as a bargaining chip. If they didn't expel Zhang Tie today, the entire Huaiyuan Palace would be torn apart from then on.
All the other elders looked struggling. Given the current situation, Huaiyuan Palace could only force them to make a choice between Zhang Tie and the branch of Yiyang City. However, the branch of Yiyang City belonged to the eldest wife of Lord Huaiyuan while the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace also came from the branch of Yiyang City. If Yiyang City established itself, Huaiyuan Palace would cease to exist …
This was the biggest crisis in the history of Huaiyuan Palace. It was also a crossroad that determined the future of Huaiyuan Palace. On this occasion, no matter what decision they made, whether to give up Zhang Tie or the branch of Yiyang City, they would definitely be scolded by someone in the future.
Watching the other elders' looks, Elder Muyuan let out a sigh as he took out a letter from his coat, saying, "Elders, this is a letter from Elder Mushen. Elder Mushen contacted me yesterday and informed me that he has already resigned from the position of grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace. He's going to leave Huaiyuan Palace and establish his own clan …"
Elder Muyuan passed the letter to Elder Muen on his side and asked the other elders to pass it on to each other.
This letter was written by Zhang Tie using his own blood to sever ties with Huaiyuan Palace.
After reading Zhang Tie's letter, all the elders had complex feelings. It seemed that Zhang Tie had long predicted this. Therefore, in order to prevent Huaiyuan Palace from being split up and not make the elders embarrassed, Zhang Tie resigned from the position of grand elder and severed ties with Huaiyuan Palace. He wanted to found his own sect …
In Taixia Country, if someone wanted to break up with his family, he would break up with his family; however, if someone wanted to establish his own clan, he would break up with his family.
By doing so, Zhang Tie not only maintained the dignity of Huaiyuan Palace, but also shouldered all the responsibilities and reputation of Huaiyuan Palace.
Reading that letter, Lan Yunxi's face turned paler.
Zhang Taibai glanced at Lan Yunxi, and from her eyes, he could see an incomparably complicated emotion ….
…
At the same time, when the elders of Huaiyuan Palace were negotiating in the Ancestral Shrine Palace, Zhang Yang was watching the map of the unsold regions of Youzhou Province on the table as he drew a big circle on the map with a pen, covering the large area between Jinwu City and Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory. This area covered a small half of Youzhou Province …
"I want all of them …" After drawing a circle, Zhang Yang turned around and told the Lu elder who was in charge of the affairs in the Land Management Mansion of Youzhou Province calmly.
"Ahh, this area covers over 30 million square miles. You want all of them?"
"I want all of them!" Zhang Yang nodded, "Money is not a problem. Hopefully, the Land Management Mansion could handle the formalities as soon as possible!"
Finally, Zhang Yang left the Land Management Mansion under the courtesy of the Lu elder.
When he walked out of the Land Management Mansion, Zhang Yang raised his head and threw a glance at the sunny sky. Not knowing why, Zhang Yang didn't feel disappointed at this moment; instead, he felt full of ambition.
'From today on, we two brothers will be the real masters of Huaiyuan Palace and establish a shrine.'
…
Soon after Zhang Yang left the Land Management Mansion, the Lu elder who was in charge of the affairs in the Land Management Mansion had hurriedly arrived at White Tiger Complex.
At this moment, Lu Dingzhi, who was dressed in a provincial governor's robe, was quietly reading a book in the newly renovated study room of the White Tiger Terrace. After receiving a message from a clan elder requesting an audience, Lu Dingzhi let the clan elder in and listened to the clan elder's account of what had just happened.
Lowering his head, Lu Dingzhi watched the map of Youzhou Province which was marked by Zhang Yang seriously. After a short while, he raised his head and told the clan elder, "It seems that Zhang brothers are going to establish their own clans!"
"What should we do then?"
"What else can we do?" Lu Dingzhi let out a sigh, "Zhang Yang and Zhang Tie are the richest in the world. It's reasonable and legal for them to buy land. Why should we stop them?"
The elder of Lu Clan watched the large area on the map of Youzhou Province unwillingly as he said, "But in this way, Youzhou Province would become the territory of Zhang Clan. In the future, whoever becomes the provincial governor of Youzhou Province has to depend on Zhang Tie and Zhang Tie!"
"Do you think that we don't care about Zhang brothers' opinion?" Lu Dingzhi revealed a self-mocking smile, "Do you know how many earth demon knights have Zhang Tie killed at the bank of Weishui River? A provincial governor of Youzhou Province, an earth demon knight, is nothing in front of Zhang Tie. If Zhang Tie didn't agree with me, why did I replace Zhang Taixuan as the provincial governor of Youzhou Province? One of the reasons why Lord Cheng chose me is because I can handle matters as well as Zhang Taixuan. The more important reason is that I know the rules better than Zhang Taixuan. I know what to do and what not to do … "
"Is that legend true? Zhang Taixuan was …" The Lu elder whispered. "It's the family affair of Huaiyuan Palace.
No matter what, don't mention it anymore. Even Xuanyuan Hill didn't ask about the death of a provincial governor in Taixia Country. It means that Zhang Taixuan acquiesced to the statement of Zhang Clan. Zhang Taixuan's corpse was directly cremated without being examined by a coroner. What else could we say? In case of trouble. Immortal Qianji is frank and honest. He's never a tyrannical person. Deliver my order. Disciples of Lu Clan are not allowed to talk about this event in the future. If they're discovered by me, they will be punished heavily … "Lu Dingzhi said as he turned solemn.
"Yes, sir …" The Lu elder bowed.
"You can leave now. Deal with Zhang Yang's affairs as soon as possible. Give him the biggest discount. Lu Clan doesn't need to be a villain!"
"Yes, sir!"
After that Lu elder left, Lu Dingzhi paced around the study room for a short while before calling another Lu elder.
"It's said that Zhang Tie has a nephew studying in the official school of Youzhou Province?"
"Yes, he's called Zhang Chengan, Zhang Yang's son!"
"He's almost the same age as Wanqing!"
"Almost the same age …"
Lu Dingzhi watched that Lu elder silently as he stroked his beard with a smile. That Lu elder understood it at once as he replied, "I see, I will arrange it right away …"
"Keep it confidential. You can use the resources of Lu Clan at your will. Wanqing is smart and will cooperate with you. The more natural it is, the better …"
After the Lu elder left, Lu Dingzhi shook his head as he looked at the direction of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and let out a sigh …
…
On June 21st, the news that Zhang brothers would resign from the position of grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace and found their own sect had almost spread over the entire Northeast Military Region in the evening …
…
(To be continued.)
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