The Fei Household's Clan Elder

"Nanying of the She Mountain Hall pays respects to Elder Zong." Fei Nanying, accompanied by his wife, abandoned his usual stern demeanor and made no plans. He stood outside the residence and led his wife to bow respectfully to an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face, dressed in purple robes.

Even when facing an outstanding junior like Fei Nanying, the purple-robed elder seemed somewhat aloof, only offering a curt "okay." It wasn't until his gaze fell on Fei's wife that the old man finally showed a smile, "My niece-in-law has suffered here."

"Elder Zong, you flatter me. The scenery here is quite different from that of the capital region. How can you say we're suffering? It's Ningyue who has broadened her horizons," Han Ningyue replied softly.

"Good, as expected of the eldest daughter of the Jade Kun Han Household." The purple-robed elder's smile deepened, and in his great mood, he even looked at the couple behind Fei Nanying and his wife.

"This must be Shuhe, right? The last time I saw you, you were just an infant. Back then, your father and mother were still..." The old man in the purple robe suddenly realized he had misspoke and stopped talking, but his gaze towards Fei Shuhe remained very gentle.

Fei Shuhe gracefully stepped forward and gave a gentle bow. "Granddaughter Shuhe greets Elder Zong."

The old man in purple robes nodded. When his gaze shifted to Sect Leader Kang Da beside Fei Shuhe, his smile faded, but upon closer inspection, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"This young man is not as incompetent as the clansmen said."

Even so, the old man in purple robes showed no intention of stopping to talk to his grand-nephew-in-law any further.

Although Sheshan Hall has only had about ten pseudo-core cultivators in charge over the past hundred years due to the lack of a Golden Core cultivator, its status among the various branches of the Fei family in Yingzhou is relatively low and not very prominent. However, Fei Shuhe's maternal family is a prominent family in the Immortal Dynasty that is no less than the Han family of Yukun.

The fact that Kuang Liuting was so ruthless and insisted on marrying Fei Shuhe back then alarmed more than just the She Mountain Hall. After all, this was a matter that lowered the family's reputation, and it was by no means a small matter.

Therefore, quite a few members of the Fei Household had objections to this marriage, including the patriarch Ye Shui.

However, no matter how angry the Fei Household's high-ranking officials were, no one dared to touch Kuang Liuting. But whether or not to spare Kang Dabao's life was a question the Fei Household had discussed internally more than once.

After all, it's one thing to wholeheartedly follow Kuang Liuting to make a future, but whether or not one can be manipulated by this Earl of Nan'an is another matter entirely.

The Fei Household's high-ranking members argued endlessly about this matter, but it was ultimately Elder Ye Shui who stepped forward and made the decision, saying that this would not be repeated, which saved the life of Sect Leader Kang Da, who was unaware that he had already walked on the brink of death several times.

Kang Dabao was lucky today. The old man in purple robes was a moderate on this matter. If he had encountered a Fei Household elder who harbored resentment about it, Kang Dabao might not have been able to save his life, but he would have certainly suffered a lot.

Even so, the purple-robed elder did not give Sect Leader Kang Da a kind look. He led a few attendants and was personally welcomed into the main hall by Fei Nanying.

The arrival of the clan elders from Ying Prefecture was a great joy for the Fei Lineage members of the She Mountain Hall who had traveled a long way to Cloud Horn Prefecture.

Even the ascetics who usually lived in seclusion and rarely showed their faces came out to pay their respects.

People like Fei Household Fifth Master Fei, who held a high-ranking position as a clerk in the governor's office, would even vie to do menial tasks like serving tea.

This was the first time that the Fei Household had put on such a grand Sect Leader Kang Da. In no time, all fifty seats in the hall were filled.

As Cloud Horn Prefecture Court's foundation in Shannan Circuit has become increasingly solid over the years, nearly half of the Foundation Establishment from Fei Household's She Mountain Hall have now moved there. The predicament of when Sima Fei attacked a mere Five Aspects Sect but only had one Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, Gun Shilu, at his disposal is long gone.

According to Fei Shuhe, who was standing next to Kang Dabao, this was a grand gathering of the She Mountain Hall. Those who entered the hall were not distinguished by whether they were legitimate or illegitimate, but only by their Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Upon seeing this, Kang Dabao couldn't help but be somewhat surprised.

It should be understood that this is merely a portion of the apparent strength displayed by the Ying Prefecture Fei Household, specifically the She Mountain Hall.

Even among the ten False Core in his family, only one came—the elegantly dressed, white-haired old woman sitting below the purple-robed elder, Master Zong.

This old woman was no ordinary person; she was Fei Nanying's great-aunt.

Back then, they even found a Golden Core cultivator to be their son-in-law for the She Mountain Hall, but that Golden Core cultivator was unlucky and has already passed away.

However, with this identity and her False Core cultivation, the old woman was able to maintain a transcendent position within the She Mountain Hall.

"Back then, it must have been her who orchestrated the release of Sima Fei's Fei Household daughter, whom he was supposed to marry. Otherwise, how could someone as shrewd as my brother-in-law, Boyue, have been fooled by a bunch of idiots?"

Kang Dabao wasn't Fei Household, Fei Shuhe wasn't a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, so neither of them got to sit on a chair. According to the rules, that was correct; the two of them should have stood in a corner of the room with Nanny Sun.

However, this son-in-law of the Sect Leader Kang Da is neither a live-in son-in-law nor a daughter-in-law, but a guest.

Since Fei Nanying has tacitly approved Kang Dabao, an outsider, to participate in the grand gathering, the Fei Household should treat him with courtesy.

Would a large She Mountain Hall be short of a chair for Sect Leader Kang Da to sit on? The answer is, of course, no.

However, this was clearly not Fei Nanying's intention. Kang Dabao didn't care much about saving face, so he didn't have any resentment towards the old woman who was playing tricks on him. However, Fei Shuhe, who was beside him, showed some displeasure on her face.

The white-haired old woman thought she had been quite polite to Kang Dabao, after all, she hadn't verbally insulted him or made any disrespectful remarks; at most, she had used some methods to embarrass him.

As for Fei Shuhe's face? A junior who hasn't even Foundation Establishment yet doesn't need to worry about so much. But Fei Shuhe doesn't see it that way. You must know that this couple is of the same blood and spirit, one body and one soul. They share the same fate, whether it's prosperity or ruin.

How could Fei Shuhe not be angry that Kang Dabao had been treated so poorly by the clan? However, she could not vent her anger because of the presence of the clan elders at such an important event.

After Sect Leader Kang Da discerned her thoughts, the image of the beautiful woman's burning hot body pressed against his body during their previous wild and unrestrained time flashed through his mind.

She gently bit her thick earlobe with her red lips, and the passionate whispers from that time seemed to echo in Kang Dabao's ears again, "I've given you my heart and soul, I only hope you won't betray me in the future."

"Has Boyue forgotten his position as son-in-law?" After Kang Dabao stepped forward and said this, the previously noisy hall suddenly fell silent.

Fei Shuhe looked surprised, but then felt a surge of joy at her husband's actions.

Fei Nanying was slightly surprised by Kang Dabao's actions, after all, the latter was not the type to show off, and would not have taken this small grievance to heart.

The purple-robed old man's previously expressionless face changed color; the corners of his mouth curled up slightly as he looked at the white-haired old woman with a half-smile.

The old woman remained calm and composed, seemingly unaware of what was happening. However, her turbid eyes glared at the large, fat body of Sect Leader Kang Da, her gaze so intense that Kang Dabao could feel his skin burning red even through his clothes.

Ironically, this time, even with Golden Core by his side, Sect Leader Kang Da did not choose to swallow his anger, which was somewhat unexpected for Sima Fei.

"Who wishes to sit down in the hall?" the old woman asked, her voice hoarse and rather grating.

"Replying to Senior, I am Kang Dabao, husband of Fei Shuhe, the eldest daughter of the She Mountain Hall. Please take a seat." Kang Dabao raised his head and straightened his chest, responding frankly.

"Ha, Kang Household son-in-law, it's not that the Fei Household is ignorant of etiquette, but at this time, only True Cultivator of the Fei Household is worthy of sitting." The white-haired old woman didn't even bother to lift her eyelids before retorting with Three Words.

"Reporting to the senior, I am Kang Dabao. I have been appointed by the Marquis of Cloud Horn Prefecture as the Pingrong Magistrate and concurrently in charge of Jin County." This time, Kang Dabao ignored Fei Shuhe's advice and asked again in a deep voice.

"How dare a lowly official overstep his bounds?" The old woman said indifferently, her eyes already closed as she spoke, as if she couldn't be bothered to say anything more to Sect Leader Kang Da.

"Senior, although I am of lowly rank, I have killed one fake Pill Master, more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, and countless Qi Refining cultivators during my tenure. I have made some meritorious contributions, and even the Earl of Yunjiao Prefecture praised me. Today, in the Fei family, I cannot even get a position?"

"This kid has killed False Core?" The purple-robed elder, being new to the place, was unaware of the intricacies and was thus slightly taken aback.

Judging from the expressions of Fei Nanying and the white-haired old woman, it was clear that the fat cultivator in front of them was not exaggerating. However, the purple-robed old man remained silent, still somewhat anticipating how the old woman would respond.

The white-haired old woman pondered for a long while before slowly speaking, "I have killed fake alchemists before, so it is not surprising."

Logically, the old woman's response was already rather weak, but Kang Dabao remained undeterred, continuing to clasp his hands and say, "Reporting to senior, this junior is Kang Dabao, Sect Leader Double Brightness wishes to take a seat."

"There's no place for minor factions in the Fei Household. With your status, Young Master Kang, you can't even get through the Fei Household's gates." The old woman sneered at this, seemingly mocking the foolishness and ignorance of the Sect Leader Kang Da.

"Reporting to the senior, although our sect is small, our founding patriarch was a loyal and righteous man who moved from the capital to Cloud Horn to pacify the barbarians with Shen Lingfeng Supervisor Shen, the chief steward. He earned military merit with his passion and was appointed as the deputy lieutenant to seek favor."

The Chongming Sect existed for over two hundred years since its founding by Patriarch Zhang Yuandao. Since Patriarch Zhang, every generation of sect leaders has sacrificed their lives for the Immortal Dynasty. After the sect was passed down to the younger generation, even disciples who were ten years old or older sacrificed their families to help the country and went to the battlefield.

They are truly loyal and righteous, their very bones and blood serving as torches, their skin and flesh as banners. May I ask, senior, with such loyalty and righteousness, why can't I, as the leader of Double Brightness Sect, even secure a place in the hall today? May I dare to ask again, senior, is this your will, or the Fei Household's will?"

The Fei Household cultivators were shrewd and calculating. Even when the white-haired old woman questioned them repeatedly, belittling Kang Dabao to the point of being worthless, they did not, like the villains in a storybook, offer any ridicule or mockery.

But when they heard Sect Leader Kang Da invoke the words "loyalty and righteousness" to pressure the white-haired old woman, the cultivators couldn't help but begin to whisper among themselves. Who didn't know that the Earl of Nan'an cherished those two words? Who could bear the accusation of disrespecting loyalty and righteousness?

Fei Shuhe's eyes sparkled with a different kind of light. She had been sharing a bed with her plump husband for so long, but this was the first time she felt that his figure had become somewhat imposing.

The scene became somewhat noisy. The situation did not develop as the white-haired old woman had expected. Her face was very ugly. She had been put in a difficult position by Kang Dabao's words and was in a dilemma.

"Interesting." The old man in purple robes smiled slightly.

Fei Nanying wasn't entirely on good terms with the white-haired old woman, who used her seniority and cultivation to hinder him at every turn. While secretly pleased, he feigned anger and rebuked her, "This is certainly not the Fei Household's intention!"

After breaking the awkward atmosphere in the hall and subtly rebuking the white-haired old woman, Sima Fei continued, "With so many clansmen here, why are you the only one who's different? Don't you know how to find a seat for yourself?!"

After Sima Fei finished his performance, some sensible and trusted clansmen came over and made room for Sect Leader Kang Da.

The white-haired old woman stared at Fei Nanying for a long time, not feeling that she had done anything wrong. She had stood up for the Fei Household when Kuang Liuting came to the Fei Household to take her away, and now she was treating Kang Dabao poorly for the Fei Household's sake.

In his view, if this useless young sect leader were wise, he should have given up his status as the Fei Household's son-in-law as soon as possible, so as to relieve the Fei Household's worries.

This is not to ask the impossible, at least not in the eyes of the white-haired old woman. This has been the way of the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty since its founding; bamboo gates face bamboo gates, and vermilion gates face vermilion gates—it is only natural and the law of nature.

However, with Elder Zong present today, the old woman, though still harboring resentment, did not want to make things too ugly. After all, if word got out, it would ultimately be their She Mountain Hall that would be the laughingstock.

But no matter what, she was indeed too attached to words this time, arguing with a junior over a few words. Even if she had won, it wouldn't have been honorable.

"Please sit down, Madam." The Sect Leader Kang Da was not alarmed by offending a False Core. Instead, he smiled and offered his seat to Fei Shuhe. Fei Shuhe could not hide her joy and also revealed a rare glimpse of her girlish thoughts.

After taking his seat, he glanced at the white-haired old woman, looking rather smug.

"Greetings, Elder Zong!" After everyone was seated, Fei Nanying led the Fei Lineage members in a formal bow to the purple-robed elder, who then shifted his gaze away from the white-haired old woman.

"The borderlands are harsh and desolate, yet you gentlemen, for the sake of your clans, have traveled thousands of miles, abandoning your homes and livelihoods to come to Cloud Horn Prefecture to establish yourselves. Your loyalty is truly evident. On behalf of the head of my clan, I thank you all."

The purple-robed elder was a kind and honest man who didn't just talk a good game. But as soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hands, and in the next instant, rays of spiritual light emerged from his sleeves and fell into the hands of all the Foundation Establishment in the hall.

This patriarch of the Fei Household clearly put a lot of thought into it; each spiritual item was perfectly suited to the needs of the Foundation Establishment True Cultivator he acquired.

Even the white-haired old woman and Fei Nanying, two prominent figures of the Fei Household in Cloud Horn Prefecture, were no exception, their faces showing joy.

"This chair is really worth it! I almost missed out on this great deal!" Kang Dabao thought to himself, looking at the gleaming Spirit Artifact in his hand.

Like Sect Leader Kang Da, Fei Shuhe also obtained a Spirit Artifact. However, she didn't lack such items, so she didn't care much about it.

Looking around, Fei Shuhe saw that all the dao companion Lineage members in the hall were male members of the Fei Household, and all of them were married men. However, only the couple had received the treasure bestowed by the clan elder. This honor made Fei Shuhe feel a sweet warmth in her heart.

"Thank you, Patriarch! Thank you, Elder!" The Fei Household cultivators in the hall knelt down in a dense mass. The purple-robed elder stroked his beard and smiled, handing a brocade Storage Bag to Fei Nanying, then said, "The rest of the juniors are in here. Find a time to distribute them."

"Yes." After Sima Fei bowed, he saw the purple-robed elder support him from afar, and the Fei Household cultivators in the hall felt themselves being lifted up by an invisible hand.

"Very well, I have come all the way from my clan's territory in Ying Prefecture without having eaten or drunk anything. It would be perfect to have a drink with you all. Nanying, how about we have a long table banquet for today's family feast?!"

Although the purple-robed elder Fei Nanying had no reason to refuse, and immediately replied readily, "Elder, Nanying the arrangements immediately."

At Fei Nanying's command, all the servants in the Fei Household mansion began to busy themselves. Fortunately, most of them were servants born and raised in the Fei Household, and before they began cultivating, they had all mastered the menial skills passed down from their fathers and grandfathers.

Thus, the Fei Household's servants arranged the long table banquet, which could accommodate hundreds of people, in less than a quarter of an hour. The process was orderly and without the slightest mistake.

After reading it, Kang Dabao felt admiration. However, he wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt that the servants of the Fei Household seemed to be much more serious and orderly than the local militia of the seventeen counties in Cloud Horn Prefecture.

If both sides were to employ military tactics and engage in battle in formation, the local militia would likely be routed in no time.

After the jade platters of delicacies had filled each table to the brim, and all the guests at the long table banquet had arrived, the purple-robed elder's gaze swept over each of the Fei Household cultivators before he finally spoke after a long pause:

As the sage said, "Skill is perfected through meticulousness and ruined by idleness." The patriarch said that you gentlemen are far away in the border region and have lost the guidance of your elders in the clan, and may have become lax in your cultivation. The greatest purpose of my trip is to hold a small competition within the hall for the outstanding talents of my Fei Household's She Mountain Hall, as ordered by the patriarch.

There's no time like the present; today is the perfect time. No need for preparations, let's test the true mettle of the Fei Household's men, and enjoy the company of your valor while we drink!

Seeing the purple-robed elder drink a full cup of spiritual wine, and noticing the surprised looks in the eyes of the white-haired old woman beside him and Fei Nanying, it was clear that this arrangement must have been a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Elder Zong, being Golden Core cultivator, had no reason to disobey the orders of the She Mountain Hall. Fei Nanying to begin making arrangements when the purple-robed elder spoke up again, instructing, "Also, add the incomparably loyal and righteous Double Brightness Leader Chongming to the list of participants for the minor competition. Let the Fei Household's sons see what kind of demeanor he has when he can defeat the Pingrong County, who is a False Core cultivator."

Fei Shuhe's expression changed, and she hurriedly gripped the hand of the Sect Leader Kang Da tightly. The smile on the latter's face also vanished abruptly. He looked around and took in the reactions of the Fei Household members who had reached the Foundation Establishment, feeling as if he were being pricked by thorns.