Chapter 214

The grand family sacrifice of the Chen clan of Xishan Village lasted exactly two days and finally ended.

During these two days, Chen Wuji's face almost went numb from smiling.

The number of Chen clan branch lines exceeds the household count of the main line; some of these people are doing well outside, some are as poor as the main line, but in the matter of sacrificing to the ancestors they all show sufficient respect.

Except for a few branches that have attached to other great clans and now look down on the Chen clan and did not come, the other branches basically all arrived.

The numbers of representatives sent by each branch varied, with many having ten or more and few having three or five.

Besides hosting the event these two days, Chen Wuji spent the rest of his time seeing people off and welcoming them.

Since the day the family sacrifice began, Chen Li loudly requested the family head to present a memorial, and Chen Wuji's status as the head of the Chen clan was thus firmly established.

The only problem is that it seems not everyone acknowledges it.

When the branch line people arrived, they were all smiles, but once seated in Chen Wuji's home, their expressions turned unnatural, as if they hadn't expected their clan head to be reduced to such a miserable state.

The decline of the main line, such a thing happening was within Chen Wuji's expectations.

But since the vast majority of branch lines showed this attitude, Chen Wuji felt somewhat displeased.

In a dynasty where clan notions run deep, their conduct like this is somewhat improper; this is not the later age.

Because of this matter, the somewhat fatigued Chen Wuji deliberately sought out Chen Bushi, who was busy sweeping up after affairs in the ancestral hall, and asked, "Do the branch lines have objections to my being the Family Head?"

"As expected." Chen Bushi lifted a jar of wine, tilted his head at Chen Wuji to gesture outside.

The two walked outside and sat down on the large stone slab at the entrance of the ancestral hall.

Chen Bushi opened the seal, tipped his head back and gulped a mouthful, then with a hint of cool disdain curling his lips he said, "No matter who is Family Head of our main line, they will always have objections; this isn't aimed at you, but at our entire main line."

"Do they seem to want to change the Ancestral System?" Chen Wuji asked.

Chen Bushi nodded and passed the wine jar to Chen Wuji, saying, "Yes, this time twenty‑eight branch lines have come, twenty‑one of them, either subtly or directly, have raised this matter with me. Their idea is rather nice, but they also want to take the lead—do they even deserve it?"

"As long as our main line still has a single person, they cannot become the main line, nor can they be the head of our Chen clan."

Chen Wuji bent his right leg, tipped his head back, and took a sip of wine.

The clear liquor slid down his throat, and moments later a strong osmanthus fragrance exploded in his mouth.

Chen Wuji was somewhat surprised, "This wine is not bad!"

"The leftover wine for the ancestors is, of course, good wine—this is the famous Osmanthus Wine." Chen Bushi said, "Ordinary folks can't even get a taste of this."

Osmanthus Wine, the highest‑grade liquor used in Da Yu's sacrifices.

"Don't worry, keep thinking about how to make silver; this wine will later serve as your rations." Chen Wuji joked with a smile.

Chen Bushi waved his hand, "Making silver will be your responsibility as Family Head; from now on I only handle killing—I, the laborer, will be a ruthless Executioner, carving a bloody path for our Chen clan."

"People who boast like that usually have no real ability."

"Get lost—if you can't say it, don't speak at all!" Chen Bushi suddenly exploded.

Chen Wuji laughed heartily, steering the topic back on track: "Since you want to be an Executioner, let's start from within the family. We need to sort out whether these people are human or ghost first; only then can we proceed with our work."

"Hmm."

Chen Wuji slipped the wine jar back into Chen Bushi's embrace and said wistfully, "Actually, I think the clan's people aren't indispensable; rather than waste energy wrangling with them, it'd be better to seek more avenues outside. Yunan City seems to have plenty of talent."

Chen Wuji had been hesitating whether to say that.

Chen Bushi is someone who places great importance on clan notions.

That degree of emphasis is far beyond what Chen Wuji's modern soul can comprehend.

But saying it is heavier than life would still be an understatement for Chen Bushi.

Chen Bushi suddenly turned to Chen Wuji, "Wuji, you are now the Family Head; anyone else could say this, but you alone cannot."

Chen Wuji silently thought, "As expected," and with a touch of self‑mockery said, "It's just that I've newly become Family Head and am not yet practiced; I'll say it now, and later I won't need to."

Once he clarifies the internal situation, he will know how to act thereafter.

"Wuji, I understand your meaning and ideas, but the ancestors' foundation cannot be lost in our generation." Chen Bushi said solemnly, "Everyone else could abandon the Chen clan and live for themselves, but you as Family Head and we of the main line cannot."

"Then would it be alright if I put forward a few conditions?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Speak your piece."

Chen Wuji's expression turned solemn as he looked at Chen Bushi and said in a low voice, "We just need to sort out whether those people in the clan are human or ghost; but we cannot rely on them, nor can we lower the stance of our main line to discuss so‑called clan righteousness or cooperation with them."

"When the main line flourishes, the thing you are now painstakingly trying to accomplish will become very easy; they will come rushing to beg at our door, and then the initiative will fall into our hands."

Chen Bushi fell silent for a while, then said, "But what I plan to do next requires manpower."

"What are you hiding from me again? No, you little old-timer, why so many schemes? You haven't even finished explaining the mountain matters, and you're starting this again?" Chen Wuji shouted.

Chen Bushi rubbed his nose, gave a dry laugh, "What's with the shouting? I just haven't had a chance to tell you yet—not that I'm keeping it from you, I simply haven't had the time."

"Then say it now!" Chen Wuji said.

This old brat is anything but honest.

Chen Bushi gave a dry laugh, "You heard what Yang Yu said earlier—the Court intends to abandon the Lingnan Six Commanderies; we can't just do nothing and wait for death."

"My intention is for the branch lines to mobilize their own strength to the fullest, producing weapons and grain. If one day the Southwest Yi Army invades and the Court truly abandons the Lingnan Six Commanderies, they will swiftly gather at Nan Jun."

"At that time, relying on my savings over the years and this natural barrier of Shenxian Ling, we will at least have a foothold. Main line plus branch line could muster at least three thousand Young Strongmen, enough for self‑defense."

"When the ancestors first chose Lingnan, they had many calculations; the main line settling beneath Shenxian Ling shows they valued that very peak. The thirty‑six branch lines scattered across the Lingnan Six Commanderies also signify scattering like stars across the sky, converging to form the Sky‑piercing Tower."

Chen Wuji remained silent for a moment, then said, "Hmm… your idea is still quite solid. I just have a small question: do you think they… will believe it if we tell them?"

"I'll make them believe it!" Chen Bushi said firmly.

He turned his head to glance at Chen Wuji, gave a light chuckle, "Don't think I'm being pedantic; I was born knowing how to avoid groveling for help—I, the laborer, care about dignity. I prefer to force a stubborn mule to lower its head; I tell it what to do, and it must comply."