Chapter 560

Zhao Chi quickly entered the public housing compound.

Zhao Huai and Zhao Jiao were both standing in the yard, talking about something.

Seeing Zhao Chi, Zhao Huai reached out his hand: "Let's go, to Grandfather Clan Leader's room. My father is in there too."

Zhao Chi nodded: "Alright."

Entering that old room.

A faint smell of mildew.

Red-lacquered furniture.

Clan Leader Zhao Shizhang sat in the chair in the middle, with Fourth Uncle Zhao Qiye seated beside him.

Zhao Chi greeted them first.

Zhao Shizhang laughed: "Good afternoon. How is the development going now?"

Zhao Chi replied: "Still going fairly smoothly."

The development of new lords is all much the same.

The early stage is relatively safe.

It's all about constructing buildings, producing supplies, and developing the territory.

Then it's training soldiers in battle formations, ranks, coordinated combat, and so on.

Commoners without family support can only go this far.

They grind slowly through time.

Accumulate bit by bit.

Those with family support can move a bit faster, have more heroes, and learn more skills.

They have special buildings, territorial traits.

Zhao Chi... also has them.

They were snatched.

And some he bought himself.

Zhao Shizhang nodded, his tone carrying a hint of self-reproach:

"Originally, after your entrance test, I planned to focus on cultivating you.

"But plans can't keep up with changes. First, the severe cuts to our extra quotas really weakened our strength.

"Then we joined under Zhao Quan's banner, becoming noble vassals completely.

"There are some things you don't know, but we do. The problems the clan faces now are very severe.

"So right now we really can't spare even a single resource.

"But don't worry. Once the clan gets through this period and survives, the Daoshihou Society will truly focus on cultivating you."

Zhao Chi shook his head.

Joining Zhao Quan means fighting for him—everyone knows that.

Zhao Chi understands too.

There are some things a junior like him really can't get access to; the Xiangbibu Society won't be easy.

Zhao Chi trusts Zhao Shizhang.

After all, before this he had put up real silver and gold as rewards.

And he had also entrusted him to Li Ruanyu.

Just on account of that, it's enough.

Zhao Chi said: "It's alright, Clan Leader. I understand the clan's situation is difficult right now. You don't need to say it like that."

Zhao Shizhang smiled:

"For this Xinxiu Assembly, our clan only has you and Lu Hong participating.

"Lu Hong's strength is passable, but asking him to place is pushing it. Still, the competition isn't dangerous, so going to broaden his horizons is good too.

"But you might break into the top 10, and then you'll receive a reward contributed by each clan—they're all quite good.

"I'd like to hear if you have any difficulties right now? Do you need any help or items? Feel free to speak up."

Though the words were said, Zhao Chi knew the clan couldn't offer much.

So he said: "Do we have any self-selected medicines treasure chests or the like? I'd like one or two."

"Self-selected medicines treasure chests?" Zhao Shizhang hadn't expected him to ask for that.

After exchanging a glance with Zhao Qiye, he said: "You're short on medicines, right? I can share some medicines with you."

Zhao Chi waved his hand: "I only want medicines treasure chests. Do we have any?"

"Of course. How many do you need?"

"Two will do."

Zhao Shizhang laughed: "I'll give you five. These things are indeed flexible, and everyone has some reserves. Qiye, do you have many left on your end?"

Zhao Qiye nodded: "Exactly five. I'll give them to you."

After speaking, he sent over the trade information.

Zhao Chi immediately thanked them: "Thank you, Clan Leader. Thank you, Fourth Uncle."

Zhao Qiye waved his hand:

"No need to mention it. Today is the registration day for the Xinxiu Assembly. You need to go to the venue in town to register.

"Your cousin Zhao Huai and your cousin Zhao Jiao will go with you.

"When the competition starts the day after tomorrow, the two of them will accompany you as well.

"By rights we should send an elder, but as I just said, we really don't have much time.

"After all, our Zhao family is only held up by these few people. Your eldest brother Zhao Feng and second brother Zhao Huang are strong, sure, but they still can't shoulder the main load.

"In the end, the family's affairs still have to be carried by us old relics.

"Now that we've joined the noble faction, we've caught a temporary breath, but the situation is even more severe.

"For now it can only be like this. I hope you don't mind."

Zhao Chi didn't mind at all.

Even if he went by himself, it would be fine.

Besides, he knew the family wasn't deliberately neglecting him — he really was insignificant right now.

Like a war on the front lines, while a younger generation of the family back home is in the first year of middle school and takes first place in the grade.

Everyone will offer congratulations.

They'll say he has a future.

But in the end, the front line still matters most.

Zhao Chi shook his head: "It's fine, Fourth Uncle. I understand these things. Having my cousins go with me is no problem."

Zhao Qiye smiled:

"I've put you in a difficult position. Since your parents died, the family hasn't paid you much attention either.

"Mainly because two main pillars suddenly vanished from the household, so the pressure all fell on us. Just like this time — we've borne it very艰难ly.

"The family applied many times for a reduction in the demonic beast quota, but it was never approved.

"So all we could do was grit our teeth and push through. Fortunately, we made it through.

"Fifth Brother was closest to me when we were young. If you have any difficulties, you can go to Zhao Huai and Zhao Jiao — I told you before, but you never went to them.

"Since you got injured, your temperament has changed, and you've become much more sensible. We can all set our minds at ease.

"I wish you good results."

Zhao Chi nodded: "Thank you, Fourth Uncle."

Zhao Qiye sighed: "I really can't leave my side for too long, so I'll head over first."

Those words naturally weren't spoken to Zhao Chi.

Zhao Shizhang nodded: "Be careful in everything. Don't be careless."

Zhao Qiye: "Understood."

His figure vanished in an instant.

Zhao Shizhang said: "Alright, you lot go on too."

Zhao Chi and the other two took their leave and departed.

Zhao Jiao said: "I'll go get the car. Don't forget to call Lu Hong over."

Zhao Huai nodded: "Mm, got it."