The news that Tu Cenzhen had returned injured and intended to pass the position of Patriarch to Tu Congwen quickly spread throughout the family clan. Years ago, Tu Cenzhen's full-blooded younger brother, Tu Cunzhi, had advocated for splitting the family, seizing half of the family fortune, and moving to the left bank of the river bend.
Thus, they came to be known as the Left Tu Clan. At this moment, the Left Tu branch was gathered in a room. Two rows of rosewood armchairs were split to the left and right, and lounging on the main seat in the center was none other than the young Tu Mian.
"Failing the major matter is one thing, but I entrust a minor matter to you lot, and you can't even do that right?"
He propped his head up with one hand while kneading two crimson round balls with the other.
"I wanted an adult Gray-Winged Demon Moth, but you lot just had to be clever, force-ripening a larva to give to me. It caused my Golden Cicada Shedding Shell Gu to not eat its fill, and it came out as a Black Cicada instead."
Tu Cunzhi trembled like a sieve, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. He cried injustice, "It had nothing to do with this lowly one! After the lord gave the order, this lowly one also handed it to the servants to carry out.
How was I to know these idiots were so bold as to dare deceive the lord!"
"Heh!"
Tu Mian was so angry he laughed instead, squeezing the two red balls until they made cracking sounds.
"I give you a task, and you just toss it to the servants. Then what do I need you for?"
His grip grew tighter and tighter. The two red balls emitted several sharp screeches, then scattered into two entirely crimson centipedes, which crawled up into his sleeves. Tu Mian rose from his seat.
Those seated on either side did not dare to remain seated and followed him in standing, bowing their heads.
"If it weren't for you, you idiot, my Golden Cicada would have already killed those two!"
He suddenly lashed out, kicking Tu Cunzhi to the ground with such force that his chest and abdomen partially caved in.
"Kill those two first, and Tu Congwen wouldn't be able to stir up any waves. The Tu Family would naturally fall into my hands. You're usually so shrewd and calculating, but on this matter, you just couldn't see clearly!"
Tu Cunzhi was an old man with white hair and a white beard. After taking that kick, his eyes rolled back in their sockets, and he was about to stop breathing. Tu Mian resented his uselessness, but he couldn't let him die at this critical moment.
He shot a glance at someone, and a person immediately rushed forward to feed Tu Cunzhi a life-saving elixir pill, allowing him to open his eyes again.
"At the clan assembly this afternoon, watch my expression and act accordingly. Do not act rashly!"
Tu Mian cursed inwardly. With his abilities, it wouldn't be difficult to slaughter the entire main branch family. However, doing so would mean he couldn't obtain the token passed down by the True Spirit Sect to its vassal families.
Gaining an empty Tu Family would be useless. The plan was to use the Golden Cicada to kill the True Spirit disciple and Tu Cenzhen, then contend with Tu Congwen for the position of Patriarch, take over the Tu Family in a proper and justifiable manner, and obtain the token to go to True Spirit.
Such a simple matter, yet it was foiled by Tu Cenzhen, making Tu Mian wish he could flay him alive and feed him to his Gu-worms! While the Left Tu dispersed their meeting in fear and trepidation, the main branch family was also not at peace. The first point of conflict was Zhao Chun.
She was young, a child who had not yet reached the bloom of youth. Moreover, the crowd had not witnessed her ruthlessness when slaying the demon. For her to take thirty percent of the Tu Family's income, they were not convinced.
Resolving it was rather simple. Zhao Chun didn't even use a weapon, directly striking out and shattering a stone mountain in the courtyard that was as tall as three men, causing all who had objections to shut their mouths. The greatest difficulty, however, lay with Tu Congwen.
If Tu Mian had never appeared, his succession as Patriarch would have been a certainty. But since the clan learned that there was a Tu Mian of comparable age, talent, and even cultivation base, who was also more meticulous in his thoughts and more steady and proper in his actions, their opinion of him was bound to change.
The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it. Only by Tu Congwen defeating this opponent head-on could he make the clan willingly call him master.
"Congwen has been personally taught by me since he was a child, and he is willing to put in the hard work. Both his cultivation base and magical arts are solidly cultivated. If it really comes to a direct confrontation, I have confidence in him."
Tu Cenzhen spoke privately with Zhao Chun, his heart full of worry.
"I just fear that the other side will use some underhanded means, which are impossible to guard against."
"I will certainly do everything in my power to prevent those villains from succeeding," Zhao Chun said firmly.
Hearing these words, Tu Cenzhen relaxed slightly. He closed his eyes and said with deep meaning, "If it truly comes... comes to that point..." His voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, and Zhao Chun could not hear it clearly.
Outside the house, the watchman's clapper sounded for the Hour of Wei. The sunlight was intense.
"It is time, Fellow Daoist."
Tu Cenzhen stood up shakily, like a withered tree eroded through by wind and sand.
(End of this chapter)