Choosing a Family Head, and the Lease Nears Its End

Zhao Jinpeng normally looked down on Zhao Sheng immensely, but now he rushed forward like a madman, shielding him as he cursed Zhao Jingang outright:

"You shameless old bastard! That beast already said to let our First Branch handle this. Yet you still dare come up here and snatch it away! Have you even forgotten the family's ancestral rules? Don't forget, the Zhao Family is still ruled by our First Branch!"

Zhao Jingang shot back, "Since you mention the rules, have you forgotten that I am also a family elder? With the Family Head absent, I have the right to handle any matter concerning the Zhao Family."

At the mention of the words "Family Head," Zhao Jinpeng's expression changed, and his momentum faltered.

Back then, to suppress the Second Branch, beginning with Old Ancestor Yu Jie, the position of Zhao Family Head had always been concurrently held by the Foundation Establishment Ancestor.

However, the Zhao Family's previous Foundation Establishment Ancestor had died too suddenly. Before he could pass down the position of Family Head, he had already breathed his last.

This was also one of the reasons the conflict between the two branches had escalated so quickly.

Just then, Chen Zichuan suddenly tossed out a casual remark. "In that case, why don't you choose a Family Head right now?"

Wei Chengwo smoothly picked up the thread. "Fellow Daoist Chen speaks reasonably. As your in-law, I approve. Who objects?"

The moment those words were spoken, they became like a needle that steadied the sea, instantly suppressing the situation.

Both Foundation Establishment cultivators had stated their positions. How was the First Branch supposed to play this? Very quickly, some clever people sensed that something was wrong.

These two had clearly planned this long ago. They were obviously backing the Second Branch! Chen Zichuan added, "By the fairest method, every member of the Zhao Family now has one vote, which they may cast for the Family Head candidate in their hearts."

"Indeed, that is very fair," Wei Chengwo echoed.

Pah, fair my ass!

There were only eleven people from the First Branch in United Hearts Hall, while the Second Branch had fourteen.

No matter how they looked at it, they were bound to lose! Unless...

"I disagree. Our Zhao Family has thirty-one cultivators in total. Only twenty-five are present now. Unless everyone is here, I absolutely will not agree to this method."

Like an indestructible cockroach, Zhao Jinding bravely stepped forward again at the crucial moment.

Chen Zichuan and Wei Chengwo exchanged a glance.

Wei Chengwo's expression immediately changed. His Foundation Establishment aura erupted in full force as he barked at Zhao Jinding with killing intent, "Do you truly intend to object?"

His posture made it seem as though, at a single wrong word, he would strike with deadly force.

Zhao Jinding finally hesitated!

At that moment, Zhao Jingang turned and walked before the First Branch members, saying arrogantly, "Anyone willing to choose me as Family Head, all past grievances will be forgotten. From now on, we will all pull in the same direction. The contents of the Storage Bags will also be distributed fairly among everyone.

Those unwilling will have everything confiscated and be expelled from the family. Go become Rogue Cultivators, drifting from place to place with nowhere to settle, unable to let your mortal relatives benefit in the slightest. Those willing, stand behind me!"

As soon as his words fell, the First Branch members looked at one another in silence.

But very soon, two whose resolve was weak shifted their feet. Their heads were nearly lowered to the ground, and they did not dare look at the clansmen beside them.

Then three more clansmen stepped out.

"Ah! It can't be helped. I have a whole family to support."

"I was born at Dragon Carp Lake, and I still want to die here!"

"One brushstroke cannot write two Zhao characters. Why insist on butting heads? Blood is thicker than water!"

They muttered as they walked, and no one knew whether they were speaking for others to hear or trying to persuade themselves.

Gradually, fewer and fewer people remained on the First Branch's side. In the end, only four were left: Zhao Jinding, Zhao Chongwei, Zhao Sheng, and one person who surprised everyone.

This man had an honest, simple face and carried a heavy medicinal scent. He was none other than the Zhao Family's sole alchemist, Zhao Ke Ru.

Zhao Jinpeng was highly attuned to the times. Seeing this, he immediately shouted, "Ke Ru, you're confused! Hurry over here!"

"No, Sixth Uncle! I think I'll stay on this side." Zhao Ke Ru scratched the back of his head and spoke somewhat sheepishly.

Seeing so many people betray their position, Zhao Jinding was so enraged that his beard bristled and his eyes bulged. He opened his mouth to curse.

Just then, Zhao Sheng suddenly patted his shoulder, then stepped to the very front.

At this moment, he was exceptionally calm.

Though he did not care who ruled the Zhao Family, he could not watch the Zhao Family be toyed with in the palms of outsiders' hands.

Moreover, Zhao Jinfu was not as heartless and unfeeling as they had imagined.

One item he had left in the Storage Bag was about to prove greatly useful.

After seriously bowing to the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Zhao Sheng said, "Senior Chen, Ancestor Wei. This junior greatly agrees with the proposal of both seniors. However, this matter has come too suddenly. Could you give us a little private space to let our two branches discuss it?"

"Hehe, if you could have discussed things successfully, your Zhao Family would not have come to this point. Little friend, do not make futile struggles. Hurry and come stand over here!" Wei Chengwo shook his head as he spoke, contempt flashing through his eyes from time to time.

"This junior only needs a quarter of an hour. Once the time is up, regardless of the outcome, I am willing to hand over the Storage Bags.

Although Zhao Jinfu no longer acknowledges the Zhao Family, Zhao blood still flows through his veins. If he learns that, the moment he left, someone overturned his decision, I think he certainly would not be pleased. The Subduing Dragon Wei Family presumably would not stand by idly either."

The instant his words fell, Chen Zichuan frowned.

Others did not understand, but he knew that the Subduing Dragon Wei Family of West Barren Continent was a colossal force in no way inferior to the Purple Sun Sect. The family was filled with experts, with Nascent Soul Ancestors presiding over it generation after generation.

Wei Chengwo was old and shrewd. Seeing Chen Zichuan's reaction, he knew the Subduing Dragon Wei Family must be anything but simple. Otherwise, the other man would not be so cautious.

"What a joke. Zhao Jinfu is no longer a member of the Zhao Family. What business does he have managing—"

Zhao Jingang had barely gotten halfway through his sentence when someone cut him off.

"Enough! I'll give you a quarter-hour to discuss it. Brother Wei, let's go!"

By this point, Chen Zichuan could no longer be bothered to keep up appearances and directly ordered Wei Chengwo in a commanding tone.

Without saying a word, Wei Chengwo led his clansmen out of United Hearts Hall behind Chen Zichuan.

The moment the doors of United Hearts Hall shut, Zhao Jingang wore a thoroughly dismissive expression and said impatiently, "If you have something to say, spit it out!"

Just when the overall situation seemed settled, this little hitch had suddenly cropped up. It annoyed him greatly, and he began plotting how he could make Zhao Sheng wear tight shoes in the future.

Zhao Sheng smiled indifferently. The moment he opened his mouth, everyone's expressions changed. "Have you perhaps forgotten that Dragon Carp Lake's lease has less than ten years remaining?"

Those words brutally exposed the fact none of them wanted to face.

That was right! The two-hundred-year lease was about to expire. When that time came, where would the Zhao Family go? The Zhao Clan Elder's threats still rang in their ears, yet the real crisis was already upon them.

Could he truly turn the tide? No one had any confidence.

What if the Purple Sun Sect insisted on taking back Dragon Carp Lake? What would become of the Zhao Family? They could simply become Rogue Cultivators, but the Zhao Clan's fifty thousand members were a tremendous problem.

Could they really move every last one of them out of Dragon Carp Lake?