Negotiations

Soon, Liu Huairen met Zhao Yuhui in the Council Hall. He forced a smile and said, "Aunt, it's been a long time. You still look as well as ever. Before I came, my younger sister-in-law asked me to send you her regards. She said that before she married, you were the one who treated her best."

Liu Huairen was reminding Zhao Yuhui that the Wang Family was related to the Zhao Family by marriage, and the Liu Family was also related to the Zhao Family by marriage. Both were family, and she shouldn't favor the Wang Family.

"Zifeng is such a thoughtful girl. My affection for her wasn't misplaced. Alas, I'm old now and useless. I don't want anything else—I only want my children to live in peace and safety. Huairen, wouldn't you agree?"

Zhao Yuhui nodded with a smile and said earnestly.

"That's right. But the children have all grown up. Some matters should be let go when the time comes."

"That's true, but when the children make mistakes, I, their aunt, have to correct them. Huairen, Mingyuan told me what happened. He said that your three families joined forces against the Wang Family. Is there some misunderstanding here? We're all family. If there's a problem, we can sit down and discuss it properly. There's no need to resort to blades and spears. One of Mingyuan's uncles and two of his brothers died. He really can't swallow this grievance, but after I comforted him, they expressed their hope of having an open and honest discussion with you. We're all family. Whatever the matter, we can sit down and talk it over."

"Out of respect for you, Aunt, I'll talk with him."

Liu Huairen hesitated for a moment, then agreed readily.

Not long afterward, Liu Huairen met Wang Mingyuan in a two-story bamboo building.

There weren't many people present. Besides the three members of the Liu Family, there were Zhao Yuhui, Zhao Ziheng, Wang Yaozu, and Wang Mingyuan.

According to their seniority, Liu Huairen should have addressed Wang Mingyuan as Cousin-uncle. Although they were relatives, this was still their first meeting.

Zhao Yuhui briefly introduced them, then said with a smile, "All right, there are no outsiders here. Say whatever you have to say. Your aunt won't repeat it to anyone."

Wang Yaozu wore a stern expression as he said, "Huairen, our Wang Family discovered a First Grade Middle Rank Spirit Vein in Green Stone Town. That Spirit Vein lies within our Wang Family's territory, so it's perfectly normal for us to cultivate Spirit Fields on it, right? The Song Family wants to seize that Spirit Vein, and your Liu Family is determined to help them?"

"What? A Spirit Vein? Spirit Fields?"

Liu Huairen's expression shifted slightly, and his eyes filled with confusion.

Song Ziyang had clearly told him that it was a Spirit Ore, yet Wang Mingyuan was saying it was a Spirit Vein. If Wang Mingyuan was telling the truth, then the Liu Family had been used as a weapon by the Song Family. That was something Liu Huairen couldn't tolerate.

Cultivators could cultivate Spirit Fields on a Spirit Vein and practice cultivation there. Spirit Veins were long-term resources, while Spirit Ore had limited reserves and became useless once it was mined out. Spirit Ore was a short-term resource, but a single Spirit Ore could greatly fill an Immortal Cultivation Family's coffers. Spirit Veins, on the other hand, were often used as bases. They required people to be stationed there, and without sufficient strength, even the highest-grade Spirit Vein couldn't be defended.

Green Stone Town was close to Guanglin County. Even if they managed to seize that Spirit Vein, the Song Family was closer and would have the advantage of being near the water. The Spirit Vein would most likely fall into the Song Family's hands. The Liu Family and Sun Family were much farther from Green Stone Town, making it impractical to send people to guard it. At most, they could demand greater benefits from the Song Family.

"Yes, a Spirit Vein. What's wrong? Huairen, did you think it was something else?"

Wang Yaozu's face showed surprise.

Liu Huairen glanced at Zhao Yuhui, hesitated briefly, and said, "Why did I hear that it was something else?"

Wang Yaozu frowned. "Huairen, don't listen to other people's nonsense. Would your uncle-in-law deceive you? If you don't believe me, I can take you there to have a look. Seeing is believing, while hearsay is unreliable. What do you think?"

Liu Huairen was somewhat tempted. If it truly was a Spirit Vein, the Liu Family would never help the Song Family seize it. That would only strengthen the Song Family by other means. The Liu Family and Song Family had been longtime friends, but they were also rivals.

"Huairen, your uncle-in-law is right. Seeing is believing, while hearsay is unreliable. We're family, and your uncle-in-law won't deceive you. Outsiders, however, may not be so trustworthy. Don't let someone sell you off while you help them count the money."

Zhao Yuhui said earnestly.

"All right. I won't go back. I'll notify Fourth Brother right away and have him take some people there. I'll trouble you to notify the clansmen at the Quarry, Uncle-in-law."

Liu Huairen hesitated for a moment, then agreed readily.

If it truly was a Spirit Vein, the Liu Family absolutely wouldn't get involved unless the Song Family offered sufficient benefits.

As the saying went, people rushed about under heaven for profit. As the Family Head, Liu Huairen naturally had to put the interests of the family first in everything.

Of course, to guard against the Wang Family playing tricks, he didn't go personally. Instead, he sent his younger brother, the Fourth Brother he had mentioned, who was Zhao Yuhui's niece's husband.

Wang Yaozu considered it, then agreed. "No problem. I'll send word to Fifth Brother right away. But don't bring too many people. It's best not to bring more than five. After all, that place is our Wang Family's new base."

Liu Huairen didn't object and agreed readily.

Zhao Yuhui smiled slightly, looking satisfied. "That's more like it. Huairen, you've had a hard journey. Ziheng, take Huairen downstairs to rest. Tell the kitchen to prepare several more good dishes. Tonight, we'll welcome Huairen and the others properly."

"Brother Huaiyuan, this way, please."

Zhao Ziheng rose and led Liu Huaiyuan and the other two away.

"Yaozu, whether you can reconcile with Huairen will depend on you."

"I'll trouble you, Eldest Sister. I'll return now and notify Fifth Brother. Mingyuan, stay here and have a few more drinks with Huairen."

Guangyuan Prefecture and Changping Prefecture were more than a thousand li apart. Communication Talismans of the Second Rank and above were extremely expensive, so Wang Yaozu could only return personally to Changping Prefecture to notify Wang Yaojing.

"The journey is a long one. I'll send two clansmen back with you. When the time comes, you can settle them at Azure Lotus Mountain."

Out of caution, Zhao Yuhui made the suggestion.

Both families were related to the Zhao Family by marriage, so Zhao Yuhui naturally had to ensure their safety.

Wang Yaozu thought it over, then agreed.

That evening, Zhao Yuhui hosted a banquet for Liu Huairen. Wang Changsheng and the siblings Zhao Ningxuan and Zhao Yuhui also took their seats.

Wang Changsheng rarely spoke and simply ate in silence.

Liu Huairen carefully sized up Wang Changsheng, then said with a smile, "Brother Mingyuan, your son is handsome and dignified. May I ask whether he's engaged yet?"

"The child left home at sixteen to serve as a Celestial Master in Peaceful County. He isn't engaged yet. What is it, Brother Huairen? Does your Liu Family have a suitable girl?"

Wang Mingyuan smiled slightly and replied politely.

"Heh heh, our Liu Family really does have several clanswomen close to your son's age. I just don't know whether your son would take a liking to them."

"That would be wonderful. When I have the time, I'll definitely bring Sheng'er to your manor for a visit and see whether we can find a good daughter-in-law."

Liu Huairen nodded with a smile. "No problem. The gates of my Liu Manor are open to you at any time, Brother Mingyuan. Come, let me toast you."

The two raised their cups and drank together, chatting and laughing as though they had been friends for many years.

After the banquet ended, Wang Changsheng helped the drunken Wang Mingyuan back to his quarters.

They had just returned when Liu Qing'er hurried over.

She smelled the strong reek of alcohol on Wang Mingyuan and frowned. "How did you drink so much? Sheng'er, quickly help your father onto the bed."

"Sheng'er, let go. There's no need to support me. I'm not drunk." Wang Mingyuan waved his hand as he spoke.

Wang Changsheng looked up and saw that Wang Mingyuan's face was flushed, but his eyes were clear. There wasn't the slightest trace of drunkenness.

"Father, you were pretending?"

Wang Changsheng was slightly stunned.

Wang Mingyuan smiled and said indifferently, "It was just an act. That Liu Huairen was doing the same. If our Lineage weren't lacking in strength, I wouldn't want to drink with him at all! Don't forget—your Ninth Uncle-Grandfather and the others died at their hands."

Wang Changsheng suddenly understood. After hesitating briefly, he asked cautiously, "Father, then was what you said just now about marrying a daughter of the Liu Family also fake?"

"Of course it was fake. The Liu Family took part in this matter. If you married a girl from the Liu Family, your Ninth Uncle-Grandfather wouldn't be able to rest even in death. I was only being polite. No one should take things said at the dinner table seriously."