Ancestor Coffin

Chapter 42: The Ancestor Coffin

Inside the Situ Family's council hall, dark clouds gathered, and many faces looked grim.

"First Elder, these past few days, the Wang and Wan families have been like rabid dogs, specifically attacking our Situ Family's businesses," a subordinate reported. "Several of our elixir workshops and weapon stores have already been forced to close."

"We three families used to develop peacefully. I didn't expect them to lose patience the moment Father passed away," the eldest son, Situ Bo, said indignantly. "If you ask me, we should fight them and let them know we're not to be trifled with, and make them act more restrained."

"Even if we wanted to fight now, we can't," the First Elder said without looking up. "The Patriarch had the strength of the True Meridian Realm peak, and he was always in a stalemate with the Patriarchs of the other two families. Now that he's gone, how can we fight?"

"Our Situ Family is in turmoil right now. I think it's better to first choose a capable leader," the second son, Situ Yu, stepped forward and said.

"I believe Second Brother's words have merit. Although I am not talented, I have studied extensively and am willing to lead our Situ Family through this crisis," the third son, Situ Jing, said with a firm tone.

"Third Brother, you are too kind. As the saying goes, the elder brother is like a father. Since Father is no longer here, I, as the eldest brother, naturally have the responsibility to carry the burden," Situ Bo quickly said.

"I believe the position of Patriarch cannot be decided by age. After all, it concerns the interests of the entire family. It should be based on ability," Situ Yu said neither servile nor overbearing. "I believe I have some talent."

The First Elder, sitting at the head seat, frowned and slammed the table in anger. "To argue like this over the position of Patriarch, what kind of propriety is this? I will temporarily act as the Patriarch until a new candidate is found."

"First Elder, at least give us a standard. How about we have a competition? Whoever wins can inherit the position of Patriarch," the three brothers exchanged glances and said to the First Elder. Although the competition among the three of them was fierce, and each was determined to obtain the position of Patriarch, they did not want to let the Third Elder benefit from it.

Situ Yunqing sat silently in a corner. Watching the arguing crowd, she couldn't help but feel sorrow for the family. A heartfelt sorrow. These people were all thinking about seizing power, yet they themselves lacked ability and were driven by selfish desires, completely disregarding the family's safety. Situ Yunqing even felt that if the Situ Family were handed over to her to manage, she would be much better than these people. Unfortunately, she had no power or influence and could not contend for anything. At this moment, the first person who came to her mind was Xu Zimo. She had also inquired about his identity; he was said to be a disciple of the True Martial Sacred Sect, and his background was not low. Situ Yunqing pondered; she did not want to be a mere vase and live a plain life.

Three days later, due to the secret clashes between the three major families in Zhouque City, the people in the city were somewhat apprehensive, feeling a sense of impending doom, as if a storm was about to break.

"Did you hear? The eldest son of the Situ Family, Situ Bo, was assassinated the day before yesterday." In a restaurant, someone whispered. "Who knows? The Situ Family is truly facing many misfortunes. I heard their second son was also assassinated last night."

"How come I heard their third son was also assassinated?" The restaurant was crowded with people from all walks of life, but most of the topics of conversation were about the Situ Family. Many people were not optimistic about the Situ Family's future.

"Do you think the Wang and Wan families did it? They want to take this opportunity to destroy the Situ Family and change the balance of power."

"Who knows? Maybe it was someone from the Situ Family themselves, all vying for the position of Patriarch."

In a guest room at the Linjiang Restaurant, Xu Zimo listened to Xiao Guizi's report, tapping his right hand rhythmically on the windowsill.

"I've already warned the Wang and Wan families. They definitely didn't send anyone to assassinate him," Xiao Guizi said. "Those assassinations were likely carried out by people within the Situ Family."

"Once everything is ready, we'll arrange to close the net tomorrow. There's no need to waste any more time," Xu Zimo said.

"I understand. I'll go make the arrangements now," Xiao Guizi nodded and withdrew.

The night was enchanting, with a few faint, sparse stars hanging in the sky. The entire Zhouque City was asleep. The next morning, while everything was still in a daze, not yet fully awake, disciples from the Wang and Wan families had already surrounded the entire Situ Family. The Patriarch of the Wang Family, Wang Cheng, and the Patriarch of the Wan Family, Wan Cangqiong, strode together to the entrance of the Situ Family.

"Are you trying to go to war with my Situ Family?" The First Elder's roar awakened the entire Zhouque City, which was still in a daze.

"Situ Mang, stop your futile struggle. Today, we will make your Situ Family disappear from Zhouque City," Wan Cangqiong said loudly. The aura of a peak True Meridian Realm expert emanated from him. The First Elder's expression changed slightly. Although he was also in the True Meridian Realm, he was only at the seventh level, no match for Wan Cangqiong.

"Patriarch Wan, Patriarch Wang, we don't seem to have any deep enmity, do we? Why must you seek to kill us," the First Elder began to persuade. "Although our Situ Family's Patriarch is gone, we are not easily provoked. I can guarantee that our Situ Family's elixir workshops and weapon stores in Zhouque City can offer a 50% profit share to both of your families."

"Situ Mang, after dominating for decades, don't you understand?" Wang Cheng sneered. "The winner becomes king, the loser becomes a bandit. Why do we need a reason to destroy your Situ Family? It's simply survival of the fittest."

"If you all insist on fighting, I will accompany you to the end," the First Elder said with a solemn expression, speaking to those behind him. "Please, ancestors."

Following that, a dark purple coffin was carried out. This coffin seemed to have been stored for a long time, with red crystals embedded around it.

"Do you two want to reconsider? Once I open the Ancestor Coffin, it will be a battle to the death," the First Elder said imposingly.

"Then let's try. I'd also like to see the previous generation's Situ Family Patriarch," Wan Cangqiong said, not panicked, only slightly more vigilant.

The one lying in this Ancestor Coffin was the previous generation's Situ Family Patriarch. In fact, when many powerful individuals were nearing the end of their lifespan and had no hope of breaking through to higher realms, they would seal themselves away. The red crystals outside the Ancestor Coffin are called Dust Blood Stones, which can effectively slow down the flow of time. These ancestors sealed themselves in Ancestor Coffins containing Dust Blood Stones. Under the effect of the Dust Blood Stones, their lifespan consumption would be minimized. In other words, if he originally had only five years of life, but because the flow of time was slowed down, they could extend their life to ten, or even twenty years.

Updates will resume tomorrow, two to three chapters per day.