Qi Family's High-Level Secret Meeting

The story splits into two threads: Qi Yu has his own gathering, and the Qi Family has theirs...

At this moment...

The Qi Family Ancestral Hall.

Incense smoke curled upwards, and the ancestral tablets stood solemnly. Offerings of sacrificial meat, fruit, and wine were arranged on a vermilion wooden altar.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, the four members of the Qi Family were gathered in advance.

For large families, important matters were always discussed and decided beforehand.

Currently, the head of the Qi Family, Old Master Qi—Qi Zhendong—along with his eldest son Qi Changfu, second son Qi Changji, and third son Qi Changshun, were holding an important secret meeting here.

Old Master Qi had a resolute face, his silver hair like a spear. His eyes, when opened, exuded a piercing gaze.

He held a black iron staff, exuding an imposing aura even without anger.

This old master had led the Qi Family for decades, acting decisively and prioritizing the family's prosperity. He slowly swept his gaze over his three sons. "Have you all heard?

Changji's son, Feng'er, possesses exceptional talent. He has already broken through to Seventh Rank and has made meritorious contributions in the Poison Water Army. Promotion to Brigade General is within reach.

This is a phenomenon unseen in our Qi Family for decades!"

His eyes shone with joy as he looked at the spirit tablets of his ancestors and said leisurely, "Feng'er's future is boundless. If he can advance further, reach the peak of Seventh Rank, and win the martial examination in two years to become a Martial Graduate, then our Qi Family will have a chance to secure another seat within the Five Direction Army! This is an opportunity to bring glory to our ancestors and lay the foundation for centuries to come."

The three sons remained silent.

Old Master Qi coughed and continued, "But... such a major undertaking cannot be accomplished by one person or one branch alone; it requires the strength of the entire clan to support it."

After speaking, he smiled and said in a casual, amiable tone, "How about this, Changfu, Changshun? To help Feng'er, withdraw your personnel from the Herb Gathering Pavilion and hand over its management to the second branch."

He looked at Qi Changji and added, "Second son, after your branch takes over, you must ensure that the resource allocation for the first and third branches remains unchanged, or even increases, each year."

Qi Changji, as the Poison Water Army Commandant and the Qi Family's foremost expert, stood tall, his brow bearing a sharpness honed on the battlefield.

He nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Father, rest assured. The proceeds from the Herb Gathering Pavilion will absolutely ensure that the resources for my eldest and third brothers' branches are not lacking."

Old Master Qi turned his head towards the eldest and third sons, his gaze questioning.

Qi Changshun took a deep breath and said, "Father, it's not that I refuse. It's just that back then, to motivate us brothers to diligently manage the Herb Gathering Pavilion, you established a rule: the secret Ten Square Spirit Fields were divided into two plots for each of us three brothers, with the remaining four plots for common use.

You once stated that whoever could be the first to cultivate the Heavenly Flame Flower in their assigned fields would prove their superior talent in managing spirit fields, and the Herb Gathering Pavilion would be managed by them.

After speaking, he paused and smiled, "Your son is untalented. For so many years, my efforts have been poured into those two spirit fields.

Now, after much effort and at some cost, I have finally found some special fertilizer that shows signs of the Heavenly Flame Flower blooming. I expect it to bloom within a year."

He looked at Qi Changfu and added, "Of course, Eldest Brother has also managed it skillfully, with remarkable results. I expect he will also be able to grow the Heavenly Flame Flower soon."

The air suddenly fell silent.

Qi Changshun spoke gently and articulately, "Father, the competition for the Heavenly Flame Flower is nearing its conclusion. Since that is the case, why don't my Eldest Brother and I jointly manage the Herb Gathering Pavilion?"

He smiled faintly and said, "Besides, Second Brother, as the Poison Water Army Commandant, is busy with military affairs and has no time to spare. He is also unable to manage the Herb Gathering Pavilion...

In this way, with the three of us brothers leveraging our respective strengths and supporting each other, wouldn't it be more beneficial for the family?"

Old Master Qi's brow furrowed, and he remained silent for a moment. "Second son, what do you think?"

Qi Changji replied, "I will obey Father's arrangements."

Old Master Qi closed his eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "Eldest son, third son, you two branches can continue to manage the Herb Gathering Pavilion.

However, you must cultivate the Heavenly Flame Flower within two years and then hand it over to the second son.

In addition, starting today, you will vacate the spirit field that has not been used for cultivating the Heavenly Flame Flower and hand it over to the second branch.

Once the second son breaks through to Sixth Rank, and after Feng'er achieves the status of Martial Graduate, we will then discuss the ownership of the Herb Gathering Pavilion."

Qi Changshun remained silent, then suddenly said, "Father, I have one more matter to report."

Old Master Qi said calmly, "Speak."

Qi Changshun reported, "Yu'er... yesterday broke through to Eighth Rank. Upon entering Eighth Rank, he already defeated Sun Da Yun, the Eighth Rank guard in my courtyard.

In this spring's provincial examination, Yu'er is certain to win the title of Martial Scholar.

Yu'er has been indulging in wine and women for so many years, but this winter he began practicing martial arts and has achieved such success. It seems his talent is extraordinary.

That Heavenly Flame Flower... I wish to keep it for Yu'er.

With the help of this flower, his future..."

Thump!!

Before he could finish speaking, the heavy sound of a staff hitting the ground echoed.

"His future what?"

Old Master Qi asked.

His voice was calm, yet it carried an icy chill.

Qi Changshun stood up, bowed to Old Master Qi, a hint of stubbornness appearing in his eyes, but his expression remained respectful. "Yu'er has extraordinary talent. I wish to give this Heavenly Flame Flower I cultivated to him. In the future, he may not be unable to break through to Sixth Rank."

"Enough!" Old Master Qi suddenly roared. "Third son! Must I expose you?

Do I need to tell you how Yu'er broke through?"

You, Qi Changshun, in order to get your son an official title and inherit more of the Qi family's fortune, used some "force-fed growth" tiger and wolf medicine! The path of martial arts values foundation above all else, how can one seek temporary pleasure?

Heavenly Flame Flower, Heavenly Flame Flower... was it meant for him to ruin?!

Qi Changfu hurriedly raised his hand to secretly tug at his third brother's hem.

Qi Changshun, however, flicked his sleeve and broke free, calmly saying, "Father, your son didn't give Yu'er any temporary boosting tiger and wolf medicine, it was just a blood-activating soup."

He hardened his heart and continued, "Back then... my injury was only a step away from a Heavenly Cloud Flower in the secret realm.

But you said my second brother needed that flower to break through to Seventh Rank.

So I gave it to him.

For my second brother, for the Qi Family, I accepted it.

Now, you can't deprive Yu'er of his chance again, can you?

Isn't Yu'er your grandson?"

Old Master Qi was stunned. He grabbed his cane and brought it down hard.

The shadow of the cane flashed like lightning!

Crack!

Qi Changshun's knees buckled, and he knelt heavily.

His hem got dusty, and he pressed his palms firmly against the bluestone, cold sweat breaking out from the pain.

His martial arts power was completely lost; he was just an ordinary person.

Old Master Qi, however, had trained in martial arts.

This blow was heavy.

Qi Changfu was startled and quickly knelt beside Qi Changshun, supporting his third brother while repeatedly saying, "Father, please don't anger yourself... You, you give me some time, I'll persuade third brother. Third brother is just temporarily confused right now."

Qi Changshun's arm was already red and swollen. Hearing this, he raised his head and said angrily, "I'm not confused! Father, I am also your son, and Yu'er is also your grandson!"

"Rebellion, rebellion!"

The Old Master's face was filled with rage, his silver beard trembling.

He raised his cane to strike again, but ultimately held back, saying coldly, "The foundation of my Qi Family, built over hundreds of years, is right before us. I won't waste words with you. Tend to the Heavenly Flame Flower well!

You refuse to hand over the spirit fields, so you will allocate half of the resources each year. All spirit field harvests and secret medicines will be chosen by the second branch first, and the remainder will be for your third branch."

Qi Changshun's arm ached fiercely, and he suddenly tried to get up, but was held back tightly by his eldest brother, Qi Changfu. Then, he said, "Father, I'll try to persuade him again, I'll try to persuade him again."

Old Master Qi looked at him and said, "Eldest brother, you are sensible. Your share is fine, right?"

Qi Changfu repeatedly said, "No, no, no, I'll listen to Father."

Old Master Qi tapped his cane heavily and said, "That's all for today."

With that, he turned and walked out.

Qi Changji looked at his elder brother and third brother still kneeling on the ground and sighed, "Third brother, practicing martial arts requires bone structure and comprehension.

Yu'er... is not suited for martial arts.

I promise you, if your branch has any potential martial arts seedlings in the future, I will personally cultivate them."

Qi Changshun suddenly looked up, as if about to say something, but then took a deep breath and closed his eyes, remaining silent.

Qi Changfu patted his shoulder and said, "Second brother, I'll talk to him again."

Qi Changji nodded, then strode out.

When only the two of them were left in the ancestral hall.

Qi Changshun finally said, "Personally cultivate them? To become guard dogs for the second branch, or lackeys they can order around? And then our whole family has to be grateful to him, thank him!

These years, he's been a Poison Water Army Commandant, his second branch is high and mighty, how have they treated us? Does he still consider us brothers?!"

Qi Changfu quickly covered his mouth, his eyes deep, and said, "Third brother, don't be impatient."

Qi Changshun panted heavily.

Qi Changfu asked, "You said earlier that Yu'er only used blood-activating soup? Is that true?"

Qi Changshun nodded, "It's true. That kid, I don't know how he suddenly got enlightened... Originally, I also thought my wife used some tiger and wolf medicine. But after checking yesterday, it wasn't."

Qi Changfu's expression turned cold, "Then we'll fully cultivate Yu'er..."

He smiled, but his fists were clenched tightly without him realizing it, and he said in a low voice, "Third brother, don't hide that fugitive of yours anymore, let him help Yu'er. Father and second brother haven't left us much time."