Weak in Power, Temporarily Avoid the Sharp Edge

When Zhou Ping heard the news of the Meng family's annihilation, he was shaken to the core, his spirit unsettled.

He had always anticipated the Huang family's domineering and overbearing nature, which was why the Zhou family maintained a cautious, obedient posture on the surface, fearing they might be targeted.

Yet he never expected their arrogance to reach such a blatant level, directly exterminating the entire Meng family!

However, he did not believe the Huang family had done wrong. If Zhou Ping discovered the various surnames under his own rule were secretly plotting rebellion, he too would strike with thunderous force, executing the chief culprits as a warning to the rest.

Currently, the Huang family was powerful while the other clans were weak. In the eyes of the Huang family, weren't these subordinate clans just lambs under their rule?

"I must be faster. After three more months of cultivation, I should be able to break back through to Qi Condensation," Zhou Ping murmured. The Huang family's ruthless methods filled his heart with urgent worry; he needed to restore his cultivation as soon as possible so the family could have an extra layer of security.

Now that his aptitude had improved to three cun and five cun, Zhou Ping's speed in gathering Spiritual Qi had become incredibly fast. Coupled with his cultivation resources, he could condense a strand every ten days. Even his Spiritual Qi limit had risen to seventeen strands.

Still uneasy, he summoned Zhou Changhe and Zhou Xuanya. "The Huang family's power is vast now. Whether in the market or the trading houses, do not engage in any disputes with them. Yield and step aside whenever you encounter an issue. You must act with the utmost caution."

"Uncle, your nephews understand. Zhou Chang'an has also stepped back from his governmental duties recently, yielding the yamen to Huang Yuancheng," Zhou Changhe replied calmly.

"Chengqian has also reined in the trading house's operations, practically giving away half of our businesses to the east."

When an immortal clan establishes itself in a region, over the years it naturally forms a massive and intricate web of influence, deeply affecting the mortal world.

Now that the Huang family was surging in power, their mortal merchants naturally rode their coattails, acting with rampant arrogance and aggression.

The Zhou family did not fear these mortal merchants, but when two factions conducted business side-by-side, minor frictions inevitably arose. If not handled properly, these small conflicts could evolve into major troubles, perhaps even providing the Huang family with an excuse to strike.

What the Zhou family lacked now was time. With no other options available, the sensible course was to trade space for time. Moreover, with the vast territory spanning the four counties, the Huang family would not endlessly expand westward-unless they truly wished to provoke Darong Mountain.

In the political circles of Qingshui County, the county marshal Huang Yuancheng was currently enjoying boundless glory. Following Zhou Changhe's instructions, Zhou Chang'an had long since retired to the leisure and comfort of his own home.

Aside from Lin Ruohe, ninety percent of Qingshui County's officials had attached themselves to Huang Yuancheng's banner, leaving Zhu Zhen practically stripped of all authority.

Zhu Zhen was a county magistrate appointed by the imperial court. Let alone Huang Yuancheng, even the main Huang family dared not lay a hand on him. To do so would be to defy the imperial court and rebel against the royal family-purely courting death.

However, as the saying went, a distant official was no match for the local authority. With all the officials in Qingshui County answering to Huang Yuancheng, Zhu Zhen's orders could not even leave the yamen walls.

"Chengqian has done well," Zhou Ping nodded. "Tell Chang'an that no matter how much Zhu Zhen complains, he must not get involved."

"Your nephew understands."

"The mortal population under our rule is still too small. The matter of establishing branch villages must be expedited," Zhou Ping said. "Although our territory is only eight or nine li in radius, as long as we cultivate and manage it well, it can easily sustain eight or nine thousand people."

"Xuanya, you and Fusheng should patrol the villages more often. See if there are any children with immortal affinities. The collection of worldly essence and human vitality must not be delayed either."

Zhou Ping handed down his instructions one by one, then turned toward Zhou Changhe. "Qianyun is fifteen this year, isn't she?"

Zhou Changhe's heart skipped a beat. Zhou Qianyun was his eldest daughter, and also the eldest daughter of the Zhou family's Cheng-Qian generation.

"Qianyun just celebrated her fifteenth birthday a few days ago."

Zhou Ping let out a heavy sigh. "Treat Qianyun well. The Huang family might come seeking a marriage alliance. They will likely demand someone from our family."

In truth, Zhou Ping did not want to marry off the women of the household. No matter what, they were still his descendants.

But now that the Huang family had annihilated the Meng clan to intimidate the remaining factions, they had already established their dominance. The natural next step would be to bestow their grace.

It was highly likely they would increase their external sales of Green Jade Pills, and they might even forge marriage alliances with certain immortal clans to feign closeness. This was their so-called grace.

The Huang family had previously married off a daughter to become Zhou Minghu's wife. If they sought an alliance with the Zhou family this time, they would inevitably be the ones taking a bride.

Zhou Changhe's expression dimmed, though he knew his uncle was right. Looking at their current situation, Qianyun was the only one of suitable age to marry. They had no other choices.

"Your nephew will do so." Zhou Changhe felt a stifling sorrow, a bleak chill settling in his heart.

Shortly after, the two men took their leave.

Zhou Ping could only set aside his lingering anxieties and focus his mind back on his cultivation.

Outside the chamber, Zhou Chengyuan was huddled in a hidden corner, happily munching on a spirit fruit while tossing a golden bead Magical Artifact in his hands. "Reading is no fun at all. Eating, drinking, and playing around are much more interesting."

Since Zhou Ping had dispersed his cultivation to rebuild his foundation, absolutely no one on the mountain could keep Zhou Chengyuan in check. Although the boy wouldn't run off the mountain, he spent every day hiding here and there, simply refusing to study.

He peered leisurely toward the secret chamber where Zhou Ping sat, then comfortably rolled over, pulled out another spirit fruit, and continued eating.

Before long, two servants ran over anxiously, but no matter where they looked, they couldn't spot the concealed Zhou Chengyuan.

One of them leaned dejectedly against the wall. "Where did Young Master Yuan go?"

"If we don't bring Young Master Yuan back to his studies, Sixth Master is going to punish us."

The other servant squatted on the ground, burying his hands in his hair with a heavy sigh. "Let him punish us, then. Who told us to have such bitter fates? Just let Young Master Yuan play a little longer."

With that, the two slinked away in utter defeat.

Hiding in the shadows, Zhou Chengyuan felt a pang of guilt. These two were his personal attendants who had always taken care of him; if they were punished because of him, his conscience wouldn't allow it.

In a flash, he revealed himself from the tree, leaped down lightly, and pouted.

"Fine, this young master will go back with you. Honestly."

A sly gleam flickered in the two servants' eyes. Didn't they know their young master's temper by now? Their only issue was usually failing to find him. As long as they located him, manipulating him was effortless.

If Miss Ling hadn't tipped them off, they truly wouldn't have known where Zhou Chengyuan was hiding.

Zhou Chengyuan marched ahead with his head held high, looking immensely displeased.

Even so, he still channeled his spiritual power to activate the formation disk tucked in his robes, gathering a thick, illusory mist around Zhou Ping's secret chamber before finally leaving with peace of mind.

With Zhou Ping's cultivation dispersed, control of the formation had naturally fallen to Zhou Chengyuan. Only then could it exert its maximum defensive power to ward off external enemies.

Because of this, although Zhou Chengyuan was not even eleven years old, he carried as many as four Magical Artifacts on his person. Even some disciples of major sects couldn't compare to him.

Meanwhile, on Pingyun Mountain, the Huang family was currently facing a stern inquiry from the Immortals' Directorate.

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