Inside the Zhou Household

Lu Zhao pondered briefly before answering cautiously, "I know a little.

"Direct-line descendants mostly have generation characters such as Cheng, Xian, Qi, or Ping in their names, like Senior Qi Xing and Young Master Pingyuan.

"The collateral branches seem to have no fixed generation characters?" He recalled that Zhou Ming himself had no generation character in his name.

"Mm. You know one part, but have yet to glimpse the whole picture."

Zhou Ming nodded, a hint of deeper meaning in his smile. "Generation characters merely mark the bloodline succession of the direct line, a symbol of upright roots and true-born shoots. The collateral branches have far more complicated origins, and... far broader ones."

He paused and lowered his voice a little, speaking as though baring his heart. "There are roughly three sources of collateral members.

"First are the household-born children of loyal servants who have served our Zhou Household for generations.

"If their descendants are found to possess spiritual roots, regardless of grade, they are granted the surname Zhou and admitted into the collateral branches. They may practice the Lineage's basic cultivation methods and serve the Lineage. This is both a favor and a means of sustaining our foundations."

"Second are cultivators of other surnames who admire our Zhou Household's prestige or seek its protection, voluntarily adopting the surname Zhou and bringing their entire households into our fold.

"Such cultivators must swear a Heart Demon Oath of loyalty for generations, and their descendants likewise become collateral members bearing the Zhou surname. The Lineage grants them status and resources according to their strength and contributions."

At this point, Zhou Ming's gaze settled on Lu Zhao's face, observing his reaction. He shifted the subject slightly, his tone taking on a barely perceptible note of enticement:

"As for the third... it is a special doorway our Zhou Household opens to truly promising and capable young talents of other surnames."

He deliberately paused before continuing slowly, "If an outstanding man of another surname is willing to marry a woman of our Zhou Household as his dao companion.

"All their children, male or female, take their mother's surname, Zhou, enter our Zhou Household's genealogy, enjoy the treatment of collateral descendants, and receive the Lineage's protection and nurturing.

"As for the man himself-"

Zhou Ming smiled, looking particularly accommodating. "Though he does not change his surname, he may enjoy treatment equal to that of a core collateral member. Lineage resources, cultivation methods, protection-everything is provided."

"Better still, if he achieves success in cultivation one day, or feels drawn to his ancestral clan, his children need only volunteer after reaching adulthood to apply to the Lineage to 'return to their ancestral clan' and restore his original surname."

"The Lineage will never obstruct this. We would even welcome it, forging a bond of goodwill. This is 'temporarily entering our Zhou Household's gates,' an arrangement of mutual benefit."

Lu Zhao listened quietly, his expression unchanged, though ripples had already begun to stir in his heart.

Zhou Ming's words appeared to introduce the Zhou Household's structure, but every sentence was actually directed at him.

Granting surnames to loyal servants and taking in cultivators of other surnames were both standard practices.

Only this third provision-"temporarily marrying into the household," using children bearing the Zhou surname as a bond in exchange for treatment equal to that of a core collateral member, and even permitting a later "return to the ancestral clan"-was something he had never heard of in his years with the Zhou Household!

"Your explanation has cleared the thicket from my mind, Steward." Lu Zhao cupped his fists, his tone sincere. "The Zhou Household embraces a hundred rivers like the sea. I admire such breadth of spirit. As for this matter... please allow me to go back and consider it carefully."

"Of course. How could a lifelong decision be treated as a game?"

Zhou Ming smiled warmly and patted Lu Zhao's shoulder, looking understanding. "Fellow Daoist Lu, you possess excellent talent and comprehension, as well as exceptional puppet-making skills. Your future is boundless.

"The Lineage has always thirsted for worthy talent, especially outstanding men like you, with solid foundations and steady dispositions. Consider it carefully. Do not squander your own opportunity."

He pointedly emphasized the word "opportunity," then said no more on the subject. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he departed with an airy step.

Watching Zhou Ming's back disappear into the crowds of the Market District, Lu Zhao's calm expression slowly faded, and his brows drew together slightly.

Returning to the stone chamber equipped with a Spirit Gathering Formation at the Guest Lodge, he activated the restrictions and sat cross-legged, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the cold surface of his Storage Bag.

Zhou Ming clearly represented the attitude of a certain faction within the Zhou Household behind him.

What they valued was by no means merely his fifth-level Qi Refining cultivation, but his increasingly refined Puppet Art, which had demonstrated unique value in flying puppets in particular!

Considering the support from the Nine Abyss Pavilion's shopkeeper, the possible losses suffered by the Zhou Family Cloud-Patterned Cavalry, and Zhou Pingyuan's mysterious injuries... his craft had likely already quietly become embedded in certain crucial links within the Zhou Household, its value soaring.

And this unheard-of option of "temporarily marrying into the household" seemed more like a carefully wrapped olive branch.

At the smallest "cost," they would bind him, a highly promising craftsman of another surname, more firmly to the Zhou Household's war chariot. While enjoying its resources, he would also be thoroughly branded with its mark.

Allowing a "return to the ancestral clan" seemed more like psychological reassurance and a gesture. Once bloodline and children were involved, how could such bonds be severed easily?

"Temporarily entering our Zhou Household's gates." Lu Zhao repeated the phrase under his breath, a faint, cold curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

It seemed the Zhou Household was not a single slab of iron internally either. Was this sudden "recognition" an opportunity, or the beginning of a deeper vortex?

He needed time, and even more than that, strength, to see the hidden currents beneath these waters clearly. At least for now, improving his Puppet Art and his own cultivation remained the foundation for dealing with any change.

A day later, Lu Zhao came to the Nine Abyss Pavilion and met Shopkeeper Zhou.

He completed the usual transaction for Flying Cloud Sparrows and Frost Rat Puppets. As for Ironwood Guards, he only had two on hand and had no plans to sell them for the time being.

During their customary chat after the transaction, Lu Zhao asked the shopkeeper about the distinction between the Zhou Household's "direct line" and "collateral branches," as though casually.

"Could it be that you wish to join our Zhou Household, Fellow Daoist Lu? With your aptitude, becoming dao companions with a woman of the Lineage's direct line would not be impossible."

The shopkeeper teased him.

He understood the man before him very well: clever, cautious, aware of when to advance and retreat, and capable of hardening his heart at crucial moments.

How could such a man willingly become a live-in son-in-law? Even if he truly were willing, it might not be a good thing for the Lineage.

"Not really," Lu Zhao replied.

"Something simply prompted the thought. Yesterday, I heard someone mention a way to become a member of the Zhou Household without changing one's surname."

Lu Zhao spoke with a broad smile.

The moment the shopkeeper heard this, his expression darkened. He drew a deep breath and said, "Thank you for telling me this, Fellow Daoist. I owe you a favor."

"There is no need to go that far. I also have something to ask of you, Shopkeeper."

"I have several magical artifacts I intend to sell, and I would like you to appraise them."

With that, he took four boxes from his Storage Bag and opened them one by one: two first-tier middle-grade defensive magical artifacts, one first-tier middle-grade flying sword, and one damaged first-tier superior-grade magical artifact.

The shopkeeper glanced at Lu Zhao and understood what he was after, but he did indeed owe Lu Zhao a favor.

He picked up the four magical artifacts and appraised them one by one.

"A first-tier middle-grade metal-attribute defensive magical artifact, ninety percent as good as new, worth one hundred Spirit Stones. A first-tier middle-grade wood-attribute defensive magical artifact, eighty percent as good as new, ninety-six Spirit Stones. A first-tier middle-grade wood-attribute flying sword, seventy percent as good as new, eighty-five Spirit Stones.

"Only when he examined the damaged first-tier superior-grade spiritual artifact did he frown. "This item is already more than half ruined. The cost of repairing it would cover most of a new one."

"If you truly wish to sell it, Fellow Daoist, one hundred and thirty Spirit Stones." After hearing the shopkeeper's words, Lu Zhao began calculating inwardly.

A moment later, he nodded without saying anything more.

The highest offer from the previous shops had only been four hundred Spirit Stones, so Shopkeeper Zhou had evidently given him the most favorable treatment within his authority.

"I am very satisfied with this price," Lu Zhao said with a nod.

Once Lu Zhao had collected the Spirit Stones and left the Nine Abyss Pavilion, the shopkeeper summoned his trusted aide, his expression grim.

"Go investigate who within the Zhou Household has met with Lu Zhao."