<h4>Chapter 64: The Li City Wu n Will Rece The Main n</h4>
In an instant, a wave of silence washed over the ancestral hall. Every member of the Wu n fixated their gaze on Wu Yuan, their faces contorted by a mixture of shock and disbelief. Anger simmered beneath the surface, their minds struggling toprehend the audacity of Wu Yuan''s words.
<i>The young master may have crossed a line with his words.</i> Wu Xiong and Fang Ying exchanged confused nces.
Initially, Wu Yuan''s ims held a semnce of reason. However, his final usation of disloyalty, unrighteousness, and filial impiety, was unquestionably inappropriate. In the minds of those present in the hall, the grand elder of the Wu n was someone to be held in high regard, a senior that Wu Yuan had to respect.
"Wu Yuan." The grand elder''s ''patience cultivation'' level was top-notch, but faced with such usations in front of his nsmen, his face turned ugly. It had been many years since any member of the Wu n dared to speak to him like this. This was not mere defiance, but a public rebellion!
Yet, Wu Yuan remainedposed, undeterred by the shifting attitudes of the crowd. His perception was keen, detecting the confusion that clouded the minds of Wu Xiong and Fang Ying.
<i>If they are confused, that means I am on the right track. </i>Under normal circumstances, if the main n invited him to join them, a polite refusal would suffice. Even if they felt dissatisfied, they would have been hesitant to voice their discontent due to Wu Yuan''s current status. However, his choice of words deliberately strained their rtionship to its breaking point.
<i>The world of the Middle Land values traditions and bloodlines... But I am indifferent to all that.</i>
He knew that even though the main n provided little help to the Li City branch, the branch had definitely benefitted from the main n''s prestige in the past. Admittedly, his usations had been excessive.
<i>But only by turning against the main n today, can I take the upper hand in this rtionship in the future. </i>Wu Yuan had already thought it through.
He felt genuine gratitude towards his mother and the Wu n of Li City. Their considerable assistance, coupled with the fusion of his predecessor''s memories, had subtly influenced Wu Yuan. Hence, Wu Yuan was more than willing to lend a hand to the Wu n of Li City. However, it was not a pure sense of familial duty that propelled his actions, but rather a desire to reciprocate their assistance.
Moreover, the Wu n of Li City only consisted of a few hundred members. When Wu Yuan attained true power and held a prominent position in the Cloudstride Sect, aiding them would be a straightforward task. The main Wu n, however, was an entirely different matter altogether. It was arge family with a long heritage, and Wu Yuan was not familiar with them.
<i>The burdens they would ce upon me would be tenfold greater than those of the Li City branch.</i>
He had acquired extensive knowledge concerning the main Wu n. Counting all their rtives, their number easily reached several thousand, with two second-rate Adepts and an evenrger number of third-rate Adepts.
As Wu Yuan''s strength grew, the main Wu n would undoubtedly exploit the situation to aggressively expand their influence. Throughout history, such expansion wasmonce for families, yet for Wu Yuan, it would undoubtedly prove troublesome. Managing these misceneous affairs could devour an immense amount of his future time and energy.
<i>Whether the decision-makers of the main n arepetent or not, it won''t prevent them from causing me significantplications.</i>
<i>If I choose not to assist the main n when I’m in a position of power, I would undoubtedly face a deluge of criticism and misunderstandings. However, if I were to estrange myself from them first, others would find it difficult to fault me for not aiding the main n in the future.</i>
This allowed him to retain the freedom to extend his help whenever he chose to, and also possess valid reasons for electing not to do so.
Perhaps his current actions might lead many to perceive him as ignorant and impetuous, but the repercussions would pale inparison to the consequences of not aiding them down the line. After all, Wu Yuan was merely distancing himself from the main n, not forsaking his own family or abandoning the Wu n of Li City.
Wu Yuan had already formted a n. In due course, he would secretlypensate the main n, but he would not announce it publicly.
The actions of martial artists were dictated by a clear conscience.
<i>By falling out with them now, some higher-ups in the sect might actuallymend me for my loyalty and integrity, viewing me as someone unashamed of my impoverished past. </i>Wu Yuan remained cool and collected.
As he contemted, Wu Yuan let an insolent shade pass over his face. He fervently wished for the grand elder to fall out with him!
"Wu Yuan, I am not just the grand elder of the main n, but also the six county branches of the Wu n!" The grand elder''s voice resonated deeply as he stared Wu Yuan down. "Do you understand this?"
"Of course," Wu Yuan replied dismissively, his nonchnt demeanor provoking the grand elder even further.
Just as the grand elder was about to berate him, a solemn voice echoed from outside the ancestral hall. "Grand Elder, Wu Yuan has had a difficult journey."
The grand elder''s expression shifted subtly as he shifted his gaze toward the source of the voice. The other members of the Wu n, both inside and outside the hall, followed suit.
"It''s the chieftain!"
"Wasn''t the chieftain overseeing the inspection of the local city guards in the outlying municipalities?"
"Did the chieftain rush back overnight?" Murmurs spread through the crowd, and Wu Yuan instantly recognized who had arrived: the chieftain of the main Wu n, Wu Mao. As a lieutenant colonel leading three battalions in Southdream City, a second-rate Adeptmanding 2000 soldiers, he was the most powerful figure in the Wu n within the Cloudstride Sect.
The crowd parted effortlessly, creating a path for a group of guards leading a towering figure d in the formidable armor of a general. With an authoritative stride, the burly man, standing over two meters tall, made his way towards the ancestral shrine.
"Chieftain, do you know..." The grand elder was the first to speak.
"I know everything," Chieftain Wu Mao said, lighting an incense stick as he paid his respects to the ancestral portraits and tablets below. The grand elder could not help but remain silent.
After bowing thrice, Chieftain Wu Mao inserted the incense stick. Only then did he turn to the grand elder, "Grand Elder, now that I am back, I will take charge of Wu Yuan''s affairs."
The grand elder was irate, but seeing the solemn expression on Chieftain Wu Mao''s face, he could only mutter his consent, "Very well." In terms of seniority, he ranked higher than Wu Mao. But in terms of standing? Losing a grand elder was of little consequence to the Wu n, but should they lose Wu Mao, the entire family would be destabilized.
"Wu Yuan," Wu Mao finally turned to face Wu Yuan, an amiable smile adorning his face.
"Chieftain." Wu Yuan maintained a calm demeanor.
"You need not take the words of the n elders to heart. They wish for you to join the main n because of their desire to strengthen the Wu n." Chieftain Wu Mao, though half a head taller than Wu Yuan and d in heavy armor, exuded no oppressive air.
Wu Mao continued with a slight smile, "A single brush stroke cannot write two ‘Wu’s. Be it the Wu n from Southdream or Li City, we all share the same origin, do we not?"
Wu Yuan slightly knitted his brows, but had no choice but to nod in agreement, "Indeed." Even if he didn''t wish to be associated with the main n, Wu Yuan couldn''t deny the shared ancestry of the main and branch families of the Wu n.
"You are the greatest genius the Wu n has seen in hundreds of years. Our ancestors would take immense sce in knowing this," proimed Chieftain Wu Mao, shocking the nearly 1000 n members gathered around the ancestral hall. The greatest genius in hundreds of years? Was that true?
Several n elders exchanged bewildered nces. Was the chieftain not pursuing the matter any further?
"You tter me, Chieftain," Wu Yuan said softly.
"Whether I''m ttering you or not, only time will tell," Chieftain Wu Mao’s smile did not fade in the least, "Wu Yuan, is your reluctance to join the main n due to the Wu n of Li City?"
"Yes," Wu Yuan nodded.
"Very well, there is no need for you to join the main n then," Wu Mao’s smile widened, "Moreover, from now on, you will be considered a n elder of the Wu n and entitled to a seat among the n elders."
A stir rippled through the crowd as everyone looked at Wu Mao in astonishment, unable to believe their own ears. Even Gu Ji and Wu Xiong wore expressions of confusion. What was going on?
"Chieftain, this goes against the n rules. ording to the rules, one can only assume the title of n elder if one has made significant contributions. Moreover, Wu Yuan has not even joined the main n," the grand elder spoke in a deep voice.
"Grand Elder, a hundred years ago, when six branches separated from the main family, the main n made a promise to treat each branch as its own kin," Chieftain Wu Mao exined, his voice calm and measured. "There has never been a rule that explicitly forbids a branch member from attaining a seat among the n elders. The chieftains of the six branches have always been members of the n elders assembly."
The grand elder''s eyes widened. It was customary for each chieftain of the six branches to be given a seat in the n elders assembly. But it was merely a formality. With no actual power, the branch leaders were limited to influencing their respective families alone.
"Chieftain, the grand elder is right. I am too young and inexperienced. It is improper," Wu Yuan interjected, taking the initiative to voice his concerns. He had no desire to be a n elder.
"Haha, one''s capabilities are unrted to age. I understand that you do not wish to join the main n, but are you truly unwilling to be a n elder?" Chieftain Wu Mao chuckled, "This n elders assembly epasses the entire Wu n, not just the main n."
Wu Yuan found himself staring at the chieftain''s infuriating smile, at a loss for words.
"This matter is thus decided," Wu Mao dered, bringing down a metaphorical hammer. The Wu nsmen exchanged nces, but no one dared to voice their objections. Within the n, it had long been the norm that Wu Mao''s word wasw.
"All outstanding youngsters of the Wu n are rewarded equally, whether they hail from the main n or a branch," Wu Mao said, his smile unwavering. "Wu Yuan, once you formally join the sect, the entire Wu n will jointly gift you 20,000 silver taels every year for your cultivation."
"Chieftain, there''s no need," Wu Yuan was slightly surprised.
"I hope you don''t find itcking. I shall convene another n elders assembly and strive to increase the amount as much as possible," Chieftain Wu Mao boomingugh echoed around the hall. "Rest assured, the Wu n may not be arge n, but we will spare no effort when ites to supporting your cultivation. Surely you won''t refuse this?"
"These resources aren’t just from the main n, but the entire Wu n. Unless, of course, you don''t consider yourself part of the Wu n?" Wu Mao shook his head, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
Wu Yuan was left speechless.
The hundreds of Wu n members were all struck dumb. 20,000 silver taels a year? By the heavens! From their understanding, Wu Yuan was merely an unremarkable martial virtuoso. Could he spend so many silver taels in a year even if he tried?
"Chieftain, thank you." Wu Yuan said slowly. One should not rebuff a friendly gesture. Since Wu Mao, a second-rate Adept and the chieftain of arge n, was demonstrating such an attitude, Wu Yuan would truly be going overboard if he continued to express dissatisfaction.
"Wu Yuan, I understand your reservations," Wu Mao replied with a smile. "But fear not, throughout history, it has been a regr urrence for the main n''s family to be reced."
"I assure you," he continued. "Once you reach the second grade and be an elder of the sect, the Li City Wu n will take the ce of the Southdream Wu n as the main n."
An audible gasp swept through the room.
Wu Yuan looked at Wu Mao with a mix of surprise and doubt, wondering if he had misheard. A change in the main n''s family? Indeed, this was not unheard of. But in most cases, it was due to a branch of arge n gaining independence and surpassing the original main n in influence, rather than the main n voluntarily stepping down.
It was akin to a battle for the throne, there have been many usurpers throughout history, but which emperor ever willingly abdicated?
"Chieftain, you musn''t!"
"You musn''t!" The expressions of several n elders were filled with rm. A change in the main n''s family was a nightmare scenario for any main n.
"I am the chieftain, if you have any objections to this matter, bring them up at the n elders assembly." Wu Mao’s sharp gaze swept over the hundreds of Wu nsmen. Everyone fell silent.
"Wu Yuan, what are your thoughts?" Wu Mao turned his gaze back to Wu Yuan, his eyes softening once more, as if he had transformed into an entirely different person.