The Chu family's mansion was magnificent. Although it could not be compared to the Shen family, which had been rooted in the Tong Zhou Prefecture for hundreds of years, the Chu family was still a big family in the Tong Zhou Prefecture.
Chu Xiu followed the Second Madam to the Chu family's meeting hall. At this time, the hall was already full of people. At the head of the hall sat a tall, middle-aged man with a square face. He wore a brocade robe and had his eyes closed.
This middle-aged man was Chu Xiu's father, the Chu family's patriarch, Chu Zongguang.
Chu Zongguang's experience could be considered legendary. More than 20 years ago, he brought dozens of Chu family members to the Tong Zhou Prefecture and established a foothold in the Tong Zhou Prefecture from scratch. Now, the Chu family had become one of the three big families in the Tong Zhou Prefecture, even stronger than the Li family that had been rooted in the Tong Zhou Prefecture for hundreds of years.
However, in Chu Xiu's memory, his father could be said to be extremely cold. He had not seen his father more than a few times since he was a child.
Of course, Chu Zongguang was not only cold to him, but also to his other sons. The only one who was slightly better was the Fourth Prince of the Chu family, Chu Shang, who was also Chu Zongguang's youngest son.
In the past, Chu Xiu did not think so much, but now that he had been reborn, Chu Xiu felt that his father was a bit strange.
Chu Zongguang's strength was at the Innate Realm. He had already crossed the Body Tempering and Blood Condensation Realms. He had reached the realm where the qi, blood, muscles, and bones in his body were completely integrated, without any impurities, like a newborn baby. Chu Zongguang was actually in his fifties, but he looked even younger than the Second Madam who was in her forties.
Warriors at the Innate Realm were considered to have reached a higher level in martial arts. In the outside world, they were not unknown people, but in the Tong Zhou Prefecture, they were real experts.
However, in Chu Xiu's memories, his father had always been in closed-door training, to the point where he didn't even care about the internal affairs of the Chu family. He only expressed his opinions on some major matters. If it wasn't for the fact that he was the strongest in the Chu family, the Chu family's authority would have fallen.
In fact, it was not a big deal that they liked to go into closed-door training. After all, the Chu family was considered a martial arts family. Even though they were the smallest, in the martial arts world, strength was everything. Rather than wasting effort to curry favor, it was better to use strength to suppress others.
But the problem was that Chu Zongguang had cultivated so hard for more than 20 years, but his strength did not seem to have changed much. It was simply a waste of time. Without talent and comprehension, no matter how hard he cultivated, he would not become a master.
Below Chu Zongguang were five old men. Looking at their appearances, even the youngest was over 60 years old.
These old men were all elders of the Chu Clan and were also Chu Zongguang's elders. They all held some power in the Chu Clan.
There were also some people standing beside these elders. These were the stewards and stewards of the Chu Clan. Some were even the descendants of these elders. They also held a portion of the Chu Clan's authority.
In addition to these elders and stewards, sitting on both sides were Chu Zongguang's wives and Chu Xiu's brothers.
It was said that the Chu family's first wife came from a large family. Before Chu Zongguang had come to the Tong Prefecture, she had been married to Chu Zongguang.
The Chu family's eldest brother, Chu Kai, had a tall figure. He always had a trace of arrogance on his face. He was the strongest of the four Chu family brothers, having already reached Blood Condensation.
As for the Chu family's third brother, Chu Sheng, he was a bit skinny. He always had a warm smile on his face. But when he looked at Chu Xiu, his gaze contained a trace of ruthlessness. Obviously he had not expected Chu Xiu to return alive.
The Chu family's third wife was a graceful woman in her thirties. She was the one Chu Zongguang loved the most. The Chu family's Fourth Prince, Chu Shang, was only sixteen this year. He was handsome, and it was said that he looked very similar to Chu Zongguang when he was young. So he was also the one Chu Zongguang loved the most.
The Chu family had four sons, but they only had three wives. Chu Xiu's mother was only a concubine. Of course she couldn't be considered a proper wife.
Chu Xiu walked in and bowed to everyone in the meeting hall. "Greetings, Father, Great Granduncle, Third Granduncle, Seventh Granduncle, Eighth Granduncle, Ninth Granduncle, First Mother, Second Mother, Third Mother.
Chu Zongguang nodded lightly. "You've returned. Go sit."
As his father, he had spoken. As for Chu Xiu's five uncles, they didn't even bat an eyelid.
They were two generations older than Chu Xiu. Of course they wouldn't care about a junior like him. Most importantly, they all knew just what kind of position Chu Xiu had within the Chu family.
Chu Zongguang coughed and said, "Our Chu family has been in the Tongzhou Prefecture for more than 20 years. Now we can be considered to have taken root here. In recent years, the children have all grown up, and several uncles have been urging us. It is time for our Chu family to decide on a successor."
At this time, the first madam of the Chu family suddenly said, "What else? Chu Kai is the eldest son of the Chu family. He is also the strongest. If we don't let him be the successor, who else can? "
Hearing this, the second madam of the Chu family immediately sneered. "Eldest sister, what you said is wrong. Why can the eldest son inherit the position of the patriarch? Our Chu family is not the royal family. Only the eldest son can inherit. Look at the other martial arts families. The position of the patriarch has always been taken by the strongest. "
A cold light flashed in the first madam's eyes. "Are you saying that my son is not as good as your son?"
The second madam said unhurriedly, "I didn't say that. I only know that we are all women. In these important matters, it is still the master who makes the decisions."
Saying this, the second madam turned her gaze to the third madam. "Younger sister, don't you think so?"
The third madam just smiled and said softly, "I am just a woman. Of course I don't understand these things. Whatever the master says is the truth."
Hearing this, the first madam's face suddenly turned livid.
Although the third madam didn't say it explicitly, from her words, it was obvious that she was on the second madam's side.
Chu Zongguang slammed the table and shouted, "Enough!"
Seeing Chu Zongguang's anger, the women stopped talking.
Chu Zongguang rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. He hated dealing with this kind of mess the most.
"Don't say anymore. Of course, we need to carefully consider the successor. Today, all the uncles are here, so I will set the rules.
In this one year, Chu Kai, Chu Xiu, Chu Sheng, and Chu Shang, each of you will hold a part of the family's business in your hands. Whoever manages the family's business the best will be the successor.
Our Chu family is only so big, and our business is only so small. Whoever makes the most progress can be seen at a glance. "
Speaking up to here, Chu Zong Guang looked at the youngest Chu Shang and said, "Although my Chu Clan is a martial arts family, because of your age, your strength will not be examined. Only your ability will be examined. Do you agree?"
As soon as these words came out, the first madam and the eldest Chu family Chu Kai's expression immediately became gloomy. Chu Zongguang was obviously siding with the youngest Chu Shang. With one sentence, he had taken away Chu Kai's greatest advantage.
The second madam smiled and said, "Of course I agree with the master's words."
The third madam also followed up, "This servant naturally also agrees."
Only the first madam's face was ashen. She coldly snorted and said, "I disagree! Our Chu family is a martial arts family, yet we don't test strength when choosing the successor. This is simply a joke! "
Chu Xiu narrowed his eyes as he looked at the people present. Through this conversation, he had more or less grasped the personalities of the people present.
The elders of the Chu family were just decorations. They had their own little schemes, but they didn't dare to disobey Chu Zongguang's will.
His eldest brother and the first madam were of the same character. They were very arrogant and didn't put anyone in their eyes.
It was said that the first madam came from a great family. Now it seemed that this was true. She actually dared to directly challenge Chu Zongguang.
However, doing this was also very stupid. Even if her family background was great, this was not her home. This was the Tong Zhou prefecture, the Chu family. She dared to contradict Chu Zongguang like this, which would only make Chu Zongguang hate her even more.
There was no need to mention the second madam. She was vicious and merciless. Her son Chu Xiu's cultivation was much weaker than his mother's. When he came in, Chu Xiu could feel killing intent from his body.
Finally, the third madam was a smart person. After the first madam and second madam grew old, she was the only one Chu Zongguang liked. She also appeared harmless, but she didn't fight. Chu Zongguang liked Chu Shang the most.
As for Chu Zongguang himself, Chu Xiu could feel that his father was someone who hated trouble. Even if he kept saying that choosing the successor was a very important matter, he still didn't seem to care about it.
This made Chu Xiu feel a little strange. Could it be that his father had really gone into seclusion? How could he be so perfunctory about such an important matter?
At this moment, the Chu family's first madam suddenly said, "Chu Xiu, although you are a bastard, you are still the successor to our Chu family. What do you think about the matter Master spoke of?"
Only now did everyone seem to notice Chu Xiu. The second madam immediately frowned. She was afraid that this would happen. Although she had won over the third madam and Chu Shang, that idiot Chu Xiu had always been standing on the side of the first madam and Chu Kai.
The first madam was also aware of this. She proudly raised her eyebrows at the second madam. It was two against two. If Chu Zongguang brazenly sided with Chu Shang, it would be a little unreasonable.
But who would have thought that Chu Xiu would actually smile at this moment. He cupped his hands at Chu Zongguang and said, "How could this child dare to disagree with Lord Father's decision? Of course, this child will do whatever Lord Father says. "
As soon as these words left his mouth, everyone present was stunned.
The first madam and Chu Kai looked at Chu Xiu in disbelief, especially Chu Kai. He clearly remembered that this brat used to follow behind him like a follower. Now, he actually dared to oppose him?
The second madam furrowed her brows. She couldn't guess what Chu Xiu was thinking.
She was now sure that Chu Xiu should know about her plot to kill him. But even if he knew about it, he still stood on her side. What was Chu Xiu trying to do?
In fact, Chu Xiu's intention was very simple. He also wanted to fight for the position of Patriarch. If he stood on the first madam's side, then what was the point of fighting?
In the past, Chu Xiu didn't want to fight, but now Chu Xiu didn't want to fight for the position of Patriarch. The Chu family's assets couldn't be taken advantage of by his useless brothers, right?
At this moment, even Chu Zongguang looked at Chu Xiu in surprise. He felt that this son of his, whom he had always neglected, seemed to be a little different from a year ago. Did the Nanshan Mining Area train people like this?
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