Undercurrents Beneath the Calm

"Elder Cousin, y-you..."

A red handprint swelled across Fourth Master Lian's face as if someone had blown it up. If anyone else had dared pick a fight with him like this, even a member of the family, nothing could have stopped him from turning the heavens and earth upside down.

But the old man before him had not only personally led the Lian Family's relocation, but had also steered the family through every subsequent decision, keeping it from collapse and helping it climb step by step to where it stood today—a pillar that steadied the seas.

After taking that slap, Fourth Master Lian did not dare harbor the slightest grievance.

Even though he had now taken over the position of chief steward, and anyone with eyes could see that within a few years, he would succeed the family elders or even the family head.

"Idiot."

Lian Xingyun was thoroughly exasperated.

He had always been generous in his dealings. Under this tide of spiritual energy, the Lian Family's wealth had multiplied by who knew how many times compared to before. Yet why was it that each new generation in the family was greedier for money than the last?

This brat had not even tried the Spirit Grain, yet he was already scrambling to seize the chance to suppress his rivals. What was that supposed to mean?

Did he really take the Lian Family for some enormous sect? Could the little benefits gained from fighting over power and profit ensure they passed steadily through the coming great upheaval?

Without a future for the family, could they rely on a single person? Did they have the talent to live in comfort and dignity on their own?

Idiot. Utterly, hopelessly stupid!

The family's future absolutely could not be handed over to these short-sighted parasites.