Wu Jun and Xu Qinghe had both come to pull strings through the back door, so their meeting was a little awkward.
Zhou Luan smoothed things over. "The matter concerning Young Master Wu is settled, then. As it happens, the Second Elder is here too.
"A hall master position in a second-level branch can be decided by the Second Elder alone."
Wu Weizhong bowed. "Thank you for your guidance, Shadow Master."
Then he bowed to Xu Qinghe as well. "Greetings, Second Elder."
Xu Qinghe smiled. "The Wu Family has produced many talented people over the years. This junior is indeed no ordinary person.
"Being a hall master of a second-level branch will be a piece of cake for him.
"Once I return, I'll take care of this matter."
Wu Jun and his father exchanged a few more polite words before leaving the small courtyard.
Xu Qinghe cupped his hands. "Your subordinate came to ask how the Zhang Family should be dealt with.
"Now, all three Great Elders are loyal to the Shadow Master, and so are the Elders of Punishment and Finance.
"Now that Wu Jun has arrived, Wu Xiang presumably intends to draw closer to the Shadow Master as well.
"This is the perfect opportunity to act against the Zhang Family."
Wang Daoyuan smiled. "The Yan Kingdom needs a complete Blood Shadow."
Xu Qinghe fell into deep thought. Only after a long while did he say, "I understand. The Supreme Emperor wants the Zhang Family to throw themselves into disarray.
"But with Zhang Dingming, a Nascent Soul cultivator, around, it will still be difficult to make the Zhang Family turn against itself.
"At most, we could win over some non-direct-line Elders who rely on the Zhang Family. It would be very difficult to win over the Zhang Family's own