Chapter 183: Family Head Assessment?

"Father favors the fourth option most, but how do we divide them?"

While Xu Mingyuan looked at Xu Chuan, his mind continued pondering how to do it.

Xu Chuan smiled as he swept his gaze over everyone, "You all want to know?"

"Yes." Xu Mingshu said.

The others also nodded.

"I'll leave this as an assignment for you all. Deling needn't consider it, and Mingshu, your brain probably isn't up to it either. You should focus on cultivating your spirit insects and tiger cubs. Remember, the Azure Fire Eagle's offspring should also be bred. Tell those three brothers to hurry up."

"Uh, Father, why are you acting like Mother, urging Ah Da, Ah Er, and Ah San to reproduce?"

"How is this the same? You've watched them grow up after all. Reproduction is their clan's natural instinct. You can't constrain them by your side for a lifetime, can you?"

"Fine, your daughter will do as you say." Xu Mingshu was once again left speechless.

"Family head assessment?"

Hearing this, Xu Mingxuan immediately said, "Father, then I withdraw."

"Your temperament is indeed not suitable for being family head, but you must honestly think about this matter."

Xu Mingxuan's face drooped as he cupped his fists, "Yes, Father."

"Mingxian, you can also consider it appropriately, but focus primarily on the array Dao."

"Your son understands."

"Playing favorites." Xu Mingxuan muttered.

"You can say that louder." Xu Chuan said indifferently.

"What? Father, I said your arrangements are extremely reasonable."

Everyone smiled gently upon hearing this.

"Three days from now, I'll call you over again." Xu Chuan said, "All of you may leave."

"Your son (grandson) takes his leave!"

After returning, Xu Mingyuan pondered for half a day, organizing all of the Xu family's current foundation and trump cards.

The alliance of the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families posed some threat to the Xu family, but actually not much.

The Xu family's clan protection grand array was a second-rank upper-grade Four Symbols Heaven Force Array. This was not only a defensive array but also had killing array capabilities.

Even an early Foundation Establishment cultivator forcing their way in could be killed. If the three families truly attacked the Xu family's ancestral land, they would definitely meet their doom.

Moreover, aside from this second-rank upper-grade array, there was also a first-rank defensive array. Later, after Xu Mingxian gained insights from comprehending the array inheritance, he arranged a first-rank upper-grade trapping array.

It could truly be said to be full of killing intent!

However, very few people in the Xu family knew about these foundations. Unless it was a true crisis, they wouldn't be revealed, and the three families joining forces clearly didn't qualify.

"Divide them, but how to divide them?"

Suddenly, Xu Mingyuan's eyes flashed with brilliance. He slapped his own forehead, then laughed heartily, "I'm truly foolish. I prided myself on seeing through human hearts, yet only now discovered something so simple."

"Father is still superior!"

"When did it start?"

"The insect disaster, establishing the clan, or when my Xu family surfaced in Yuehu Commandery?"

Xu Mingyuan spent half a day figuring it out. Afterward, he continued handling Discipline Hall affairs or reviewing messages sent back by the hidden department.

After finishing, he practiced talisman making skills alone.

Now, besides Fireball Talismans, he had also learned Ice Spike Talismans and earth-element defensive talismans.

Compared to the former, the latter's difficulty indeed increased considerably.

For Ice Spike Talismans, Xu Mingyuan spent nine attempts before successfully drawing the first one, while the earth-element defensive talisman took him thirteen failed attempts.

After raising his success rate for Ice Spike Talismans and earth-element defensive talismans above fifty percent, he planned to learn Divine Movement Talismans, Sound Transmission Talismans, Wind Blade Talismans, Golden Sword Talismans, and other low-grade talismans.

Lower-grade talismans were very cheap. In the market, three to five talismans cost one spirit stone.

Of course, their materials were also very inexpensive.

Lower-grade talisman transactions were typically one-for-one trades.

Middle-grade talismans, however, were expensive, with one costing five or six spirit stones.

As for upper-grade ones, seventy or eighty spirit stones was normal.

Of course, in Yuehu Market, even middle-grade talismans were rarely seen, let alone upper-grade talismans. Perhaps one wouldn't see anyone selling them for several years.

After all, upper-grade talismans were powerful, even stronger than upper-grade magical artifact outbursts. They were basically treasured possessions, only used at critical moments.

Nearly two days passed.

Xu Mingwei finally understood why Xu Chuan's words implied this matter was extremely simple.

His expression showed not the slightest trace of worry.

The three families joining forces would make even the Zhou family cautious.

"Father, you're really no fun, setting a trap for us brothers."

After understanding the principle behind it, Xu Mingwei stopped paying attention and focused entirely on cultivation.

He had already reached late ninth layer Qi Refining peak, just one step away from Qi Refining perfection.

He might break through before the year-end sacrifice, or perhaps after.

At the latest, within two months, the outcome would be clear.

Xu Mingxuan also figured it out around the same time as Xu Mingwei, though he only understood after listening to his son Xu Deheng's words.

He had casually mentioned this matter to Xu Deheng when bored.

Upon hearing it, Xu Deheng became very grave, just like when they first heard about it.

After all, the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families were all established fifth-rank families. The Yuan family was even the second cultivation family in the commandery city after the Zhou family.

"Father, why did the three families join forces? Your son can't understand what conflicts our Xu family has with those three families. Please enlighten me, Father."

"Well, that's naturally because..."

Xu Mingxuan's words abruptly stopped. He immediately muttered to himself, "Right, why did the three families join forces? There were no conflicts before. The only conflict is... But the Xu family couldn't possibly..."

"Father, what are you saying? Why so cryptic?"

"Haha, you needn't worry about this. But you've done well and enlightened me. What three-family alliance? This is clearly a rhetorical trap."

Xu Deheng still didn't understand. Although he was clever, he actually didn't know much about the Xu family's foundations and wasn't very clear about external matters either.

Trying to deduce all the details from this was impossible.

Xu Mingxuan rubbed his head, "Don't overthink it. This matter has nothing to do with you."

"The three-family alliance is nothing but chickens and dogs. My Xu family will develop as it should, no need to pause for them."

"Alright, Father."

Xu Deheng felt somewhat depressed. Speaking in half-sentences really made one's heart itch unbearably, wanting to hit someone!

Was he being too low-key?

The Xu family's true power center might have many matters, heavy responsibilities, and burdens but at least one wouldn't be kept completely in the dark about everything.

On Xu Mingshu's side, after thinking with no results, she simply threw this problem to Little White and the three Azure Fire Eagle brothers.

Little White thought until white fur covered the ground.

The Azure Fire Eagles nearly became bald eagles.

Only then did Xu Mingshu take pity and let them go.

Xu Mingxian didn't think too deeply about it.

He did just as Xu Chuan said. After pondering briefly, he gave up and focused on comprehending the array inheritance.

For him, this was the most important matter.

It could also bring the greatest help to the Xu family.

Finally, there was Xu Dezhao.

He figured it out on the evening of the third day.

"I wonder how Father, Second Uncle, and Third Uncle are doing? Have they figured it out?"

Xu Dezhao was somewhat excited.

"Husband, what's wrong? Why so excited?"

"Of course I'm excited, because my Xu family is about to develop further. For my Xu family, a new era is about to arrive. Perhaps it's the same for Yuehu Commandery."

Shen Qingyi didn't quite understand these matters. She smiled gently, "Husband, it's time to rest."

Xu Dezhao glanced at her. She had just finished bathing. Her snow-white skin still had some water droplets, and her cheeks showed a slight pink hue.

Like a lotus emerging from clear water, arousing tender affection.

"Wife, you're so beautiful."

Whether from his earlier excitement or not, Xu Dezhao frolicked for half the night.

Only then did the two embrace and sleep.

The next morning, everyone gathered in Xu Chuan's quiet room.

Xu Chuan raised his head and swept his gaze over everyone, already having a clear picture in his mind.

Xu Mingyuan was the same.

After sitting down, he transmitted to Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxuan, "Big Brother, Mingxuan, a new era for Yuehu Commandery is about to arrive. Our Xu family should also have a new atmosphere. I see Dezhao seems quite confident."

Xu Mingwei responded, "It is time to choose a successor. Father previously had me serve temporarily."

"Dezhao has strong talent, good strength, high prestige among the brothers and sisters, and also has a sense of the big picture. He's a good candidate."

The three elders immediately formed a united front, yielding their positions to Xu Dezhao.

"Three days have passed. You all speak up. Who'll go first?" Xu Chuan looked at everyone.

Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and Xu Mingxuan lowered their heads in thought. Xu Mingshu made faces, Xu Mingxian meditated with closed eyes, and Xu Deling was eager to try.

Xu Dezhao observed everyone calmly.

Secretly pleased inside.

"Mingshu, why are you making faces?"

"Nothing." Xu Mingshu transmitted to Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan asking for answers, but unfortunately no one responded, leaving her quite depressed.

Did they turn on blocking?

"Deling, you have something to say? Then you go first."

"Yes, Grandfather, then Deling will make a fool of himself."

Xu Deling said, "I think since the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families can form an alliance and rally other aristocratic families, so can my Xu family. In terms of superior resources, my Xu family far exceeds those three families. Everyone in the world pursues profit. The other family heads will certainly be tempted. We could even spend some resources to request the Zhou family's involvement."

"As long as our momentum is great, the Yuan, Lu, and Huang family alliance will collapse without attack."

"Using overwhelming momentum to pressure them is good, but if the three families don't make a move, wouldn't my Xu family be wasting resources given to other aristocratic families just for rallying support? That would be quite wasteful." Xu Chuan commented.

"Father is right. These Qi Refining families have occupied the commandery city for at least one or two hundred years. Their relationships are complex, they have eyes and ears everywhere, and the families are intermarried. If there's any sign of trouble, they'll probably back down. Even if my Xu family doesn't give all the promised resources at once, we must give out a portion first. Otherwise, with just empty words, we can't persuade those families. These resources will ultimately just become their foundations."

Xu Mingwei said indifferently, "Ling'er, your thinking is still somewhat one-sided."

"Ling'er has been taught. Thank you for Father's instruction." Xu Deling cupped his fists toward Xu Mingwei.

"Anyone else?" Xu Chuan asked again.

Seeing that his father and other elders had no intention of speaking, after pondering briefly, Xu Dezhao said, "Grandfather, Dezhao will also share his views."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

"Actually, the three-family alliance isn't really three families. Looking at everything since my Xu family surfaced, the family with the greatest conflict with my Xu family is the Yuan family."

Xu Dezhao's lips lifted in a slight smile, his eyes flashing with confident brilliance as he slowly said, "My Xu family obtained thirty percent of the resources, seizing the Yuan family's interests. My Xu family allied with the Zhou family through marriage, stealing the Yuan family's limelight. Originally, with the Su family's destruction, the Yuan family should have been Yuehu Commandery's second-largest aristocratic family.”

“Yet my Xu family suddenly jumped out, making them displeased. It's just that because of the Xu-Zhou marriage alliance, they were wary. That's why the Yuan family caused trouble at my Xu family's Ascension Celebration."

After pausing, he continued, "Originally, our Xu family should have retaliated long ago, but Grandfather handled it peacefully. Your grandson thought at the time that Grandfather was considering the family's overall situation. After all, the Xu family had just become a cultivation family. If we immediately engaged in a great war with the Yuan family, it would seem too arrogant and domineering. But only now does your grandson understand Grandfather's other intention, which was to paralyze and indulge the Yuan family. Until the insect disaster, when all families' spirit fields suffered huge losses, only my Xu family didn't.”

“Yet my Xu family researched insect repellent potion and sold it to other families at high prices. This made many families dissatisfied with my Xu family. Plus the layout of Xu family's commercial establishments, the appearance of middle and upper-grade medicinal pills and magical artifacts, aroused their greed. Commercial establishments spread throughout Yuehu Commandery, letting them see the Xu family's ambitions. This is what made the Yuan family urgent, truly jumping out, wanting to eliminate my Xu family before we truly grow strong."

Hearing this, after careful thought, Xu Deling asked, "What about the Lu and Huang families?"

"They're just fools who fear my Xu family and were instigated by the Yuan family."

Xu Mingshu also asked, "Earlier, your Second Uncle also said the three families might privately establish a covenant, bound by oaths, to advance and retreat together."

Xu Dezhao glanced at Xu Chuan, then his gaze fell on Xu Mingshu's face, "Aunt, do you think it's possible for everyone in the three families to make oaths?"

"That shouldn't be the case. Most likely just the family heads."

"Exactly. Then comparing one person's cultivation path and life with the entire family, which is lighter and which heavier? If Aunt had to choose, would you choose to protect yourself or protect the family?"

"Of course protect the family. My Xu family has struggled through hardships to reach today, though I haven't personally experienced it. But my parents gave birth to me and raised me, my brothers protected me, and the family gave me a paradise to grow in. One person's life and death, compared to the family and hundreds or thousands of clan members, is insignificant."

Xu Dezhao smiled, "If a person wholeheartedly serves their family, no matter which aristocratic family, they would have the same thoughts as Aunt. So regardless of whether the Yuan, Lu, and Huang families made oath-bound covenants, we only need to target the Yuan family, clearly tell the other two families, then use the overwhelming momentum Ling'er mentioned earlier to pressure them, promising them benefits. That's enough to break apart the three-family alliance. As for benefits, we don't need to actually give them. A verbal promise, a beautiful future, is sufficient!"

Xu Mingxuan smiled, "Second Brother, Dezhao has learned to paint grand visions like you. Did you secretly give him private lessons?"

"What private lessons? Speak less, listen more, observe more, learn more!" Xu Mingyuan said indifferently, also nodding with satisfaction at Xu Dezhao's words.

"Hearing Dezhao say this, it really seems like just a few words can defeat the three-family alliance, and my Xu family doesn't even need to expend much effort."

Xu Mingshu smiled at Xu Chuan, "Father, is what Dezhao said what you were thinking?"

Xu Chuan smiled and nodded.

Xu Mingshu continued, "Big Brother and the others didn't think of it. It seems this family head position belongs to none other than Dezhao."

"Aunt flatters Dezhao. Compared to Father and my uncles, Dezhao is still very inexperienced and has much to learn."

"Modest." Xu Mingshu patted his shoulder, "In my Xu family, the capable rise and the mediocre fall. Isn't that right, Father?"