Protect Our Patriarch

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It seemed that after years of "education" from the Wang Clan, Wei Wenxun had begun to grasp the true essence of the world's rules.

A powerful overlord like the Wang Clan, dominating a region, was not someone any city guard could easily manipulate or even oppose. If the Wang Clan decided to take things seriously, Wei Wenxun's orders as the city guard might not even make it out of the city guard office.

The reason was simple. Local eighth or ninth-grade clans, or even those unranked Basalt clans, were not fools. The city guard changed every twenty or thirty years, but the Changning Wang Clan had been entrenched here for generations.

Moreover, unlike other powerful families in various cities and garrisons, the Changning Wang Clan grew strong by earning external profits, not by draining the local clans. Instead, they brought the local clans along to earn and develop together.

Nowadays, any ninth-grade clan aligned with the Wang Clan in Changning Garrison was no longer living in poverty. Some formerly stagnant ninth-grade clans were now accumulating resources and power, ambitiously planning to advance to the eighth grade.

The original eighth-grade clans in Changning Garrison were also striving to become seventh-grade clans, with some already succeeding.

For example, Ancestor Ruhong of the Donggang Chen Clan had reached the Celestial Realm over a decade ago. With this achievement, the Donggang Chen Clan had risen to a seventh-grade clan, becoming the undisputed overlord of Donggang.

However, as a core disciple of the academy, she would be promoted to an academy elder after reaching the Celestial Realm, which technically couldn't be counted as a merit for the Liu Clan's promotion. It was acceptable for the Liu Clan to be considered a strong eighth-grade clan, but not enough to elevate them to the seventh grade solely based on her achievement.

Therefore, the Shanyin Liu Clan, despite having over a dozen Lingtai Realm cultivators, was still classified as an eighth-grade clan, albeit a very powerful one, often referred to as a strong eighth-grade clan. Their overall strength was many times that of an ordinary eighth-grade clan.

The Liu Clan's first ancestor, Liu Qingbai, was the direct grandson of Ancestor Zhouxuan. He had always been exceptionally talented and had been in seclusion, striving to reach the Celestial Realm. In the past twenty years, thanks to the Liu Clan's growing strength, the resources provided to Ancestor Qingbai had become almost limitless.

Now, at just over 140 years old, Ancestor Qingbai had already reached the peak of the Lingtai Realm. If everything went smoothly, it wouldn't be long before the Liu Clan became a true seventh-grade clan.

The Shanyang Gongsun Clan was also developing well, though not as fortunate as the Liu Clan. Their first ancestor, Ancestor Ao, was already 160 years old but still only at the mid-stage of the Lingtai Realm, with little progress over the decades.

When the Wang Clan was rising, Ancestor Ao was already too old, missing the best opportunity for growth.

Now, the hope for the Gongsun Clan to reach the Celestial Realm rested on Ancestor Mang. With the clan's full support, Ancestor Mang, just over 100 years old, had already reached the peak of the fifth level of the Lingtai Realm. Given the Gongsun Clan's financial resources, Ancestor Mang had a high chance of reaching the Celestial Realm.

Another rising family was Wang Shouzhe's maternal clan, the Yingxiu Lu Clan. Ancestor Mingsheng of the Lu Clan had little hope of reaching the Celestial Realm in his lifetime. However, the Lu Clan's array master, Lu Xiaoxiao, had "unwittingly" become a great prodigy.

Now, at just over forty years old, Lu Xiaoxiao had also reached the peak of the fifth level. She would likely achieve the Celestial Realm before Ancestor Mang, making the Yingxiu Lu Clan the first to become a seventh-grade clan.

Moreover, as the only array master in the marriage alliance, Lu Xiaoxiao's role was significant, and her position was very special and stable.

Adding to this were the Celestial Lei Clan and the Celestial Xu Clan...

Even without the Changning Wang Clan, the combined strength of the entire marriage alliance was much stronger than an ordinary sixth-grade clan. The influence of the city guard office in Changning Garrison had been waning.

Setting aside the idle talk.

The current city guard, Wei Wenxun, gave Wang Shoulian a grand inauguration ceremony and then left, citing the need not to disturb the new garrison commander's work.

In the evening.

In the side hall of the Xin'an Town garrison office.

Wang Shouzhe and Wang Shoulian, dressed in military uniform, sat facing each other.

On the table were some small dishes and wine, personally prepared by Wang Shoulian's wife, Zhou Qingning. Though her cooking skills were not exceptional, the dishes were well-presented.

"Fourth Uncle, you and Shoulian take your time drinking. I'll go check on Tai'er's studies," Zhou Qingning said with a slight bow before quietly retreating, giving the two brothers some private space.

After Zhou Qingning left, Wang Shoulian raised his cup and said, "Fourth Brother, it's all thanks to you that the Wang Clan has reached its current status. I toast to you."

At this moment, Wang Shoulian was no longer the green youth who was chased and beaten by his sister Wang Luo Qiu every day.

Years of military life had forged him into a mature man. Now, he stood tall and imposing, with a pair of mustaches and a deep, authoritative gaze.

No wonder, Wang Shoulian was already 47 years old. Though his bloodline was not of the great prodigy level, with the family's continuous support, he had reached the middle-grade A level, and his cultivation had reached the peak of the third level of the Lingtai Realm. It wouldn't be long before he advanced to the mid-stage.

The Purple Mansion Realm might be out of reach, but the Celestial Realm was inevitable.

"This isn't just my doing," Wang Shouzhe smiled as he clinked glasses with him. "It's the result of our family's collective effort over generations. You've worked hard too, Sixth Brother. Due to the family rules, you had to be separated from Qingning and the children, spending long periods in the military."

Every family has its rules, and every clan has its laws.

Wang Shoulian's wife, Zhou Qingning, though from a military family, had to follow the Wang Clan's rules once she married into the family.

When Zhou Qingning was pregnant with their first child, Wang Lixuan, she resigned from her military post and returned to the Wang Clan's main residence to give birth. Over the years, she stayed at the main residence, raising the children. When a clan member marries, they marry into the entire clan. The children they bear are not only their own but also the clan's.

Unmarried children must live in the main residence and attend the clan school, growing up with their peers and receiving a complete Wang Clan education.

These family rules were inviolable.

Otherwise, if Shoulian and his wife lived together in the military camp, and the children grew up there... Lixuan, Zongping, and Zongtai would feel distant from the family.

Only visiting during holidays would make them no different from relatives.

Therefore, the concept of family in this world was different from that on Earth. In the eyes of all clan members, the importance of the clan surpassed that of the individual family. The closeness and mutual recognition among clan members were incomparable to the familial ties on Earth.

Growing up in this environment, Wang Shoulian naturally accepted this concept. He shook his head and said, "What's so hard about it? Didn't Father go through the same? Besides, I'm not stationed far away; I can visit from time to time. If anyone has it tough, it's Third Brother and Seventh Brother in the commandery city."

The two brothers drank and chatted, having not had such an opportunity to talk alone for a long time.

"Fourth Brother, although my appointment as the garrison commander of Xin'an Town came suddenly," Wang Shoulian pondered, "Father and I have discussed it. We'll bring over a hundred trusted soldiers we've trained over the years. They are all young soldiers with excellent character and potential. They can maintain the order in Xin'an Town and assist the Wang Clan in the upcoming outer region expansion."

"Since they are trusted by you and Third Uncle, our Wang Clan won't treat them poorly," Wang Shouzhe pondered. "The family will allocate an additional 100,000 top gold resources annually to supplement the 'military expenses.'"

"Fourth Brother, that's too much," Wang Shoulian quickly said. "The family already supports us every year. An additional 100,000 is too much; the family has many expenses."

Wang Dingzu and Wang Shoulian represented the Wang Clan's influence in the military. Therefore, the Wang Clan secretly supported them every year, giving them more opportunities to build relationships and cultivate trusted followers, gradually strengthening themselves.

"It's fine. Xin'an Town is entering a rapid development phase, with farms sprouting up like mushrooms after rain. The annual income is increasing significantly," Wang Shouzhe said solemnly. "However, with the Imperial Heir Struggle underway, our Great Qian will inevitably face turmoil and changes. The more power we hold, the more secure we'll be."

"Besides cultivating your influence, you can also use the money to expand our intelligence network and deepen our military connections, increasing the Wang Clan's reach."

Speaking of this, Wang Shouzhe felt a bit frustrated. Why did the Imperial Heir Struggle have to start now? If he had a few hundred years to develop, the Wang Clan would become a giant. By then, even with the Imperial Heir Struggle, he wouldn't be so passive.

But since the tide of the times had arrived, Wang Shouzhe was not one to complain. He would only work harder to plan and develop, avoiding being swept away by the tide.

"Fourth Brother, I understand," Wang Shoulian said seriously. "Over the years, Father and I have developed many connections. We'll work even harder to build relationships. If there's any sign of trouble, we'll be alerted in advance."

"Don't cut off the connection with Wei Wenxun either," Wang Shouzhe smiled. "You and Third Uncle are his old subordinates. This relationship might come in handy someday."

"Also, keep an eye on military resources, especially Xisui Dan, Wuji Baodan, or related alchemy materials. These are resources our family urgently needs."

For Wang Shouzhe, treasures like Xisui Dan and Wuji Baodan, which could enhance bloodline potential, were in endless demand. He couldn't just focus on his own great prodigy bloodline and ignore his clan members.

Within his capabilities, the more great prodigy bloodlines in the family, the better. Not only would they be strong individually, but it also concerned the strength of the Wang Clan's future descendants.

With the overall improvement in the Wang Clan's bloodline, the newly born children had significantly stronger innate bloodlines, surpassing the average of Wang Shouzhe and Wang Shounuo's generation.

"Yes, Fourth Brother," Wang Shoulian agreed readily.

In the eyes of the Wang Clan members, Fourth Brother Wang Shouzhe was like a god. They would unconditionally support any decision he made.

Unknowingly, more than an hour passed.

Zhou Qingning knocked on the door and said, "Fourth Uncle, Husband. Lixuan and Zongping are nearby on a mission. They heard the news and came to visit Husband."

"That's perfect. I've finished discussing matters with Shoulian. Sister-in-law, you don't need to cook yourself. Let's have the cook prepare another table. I haven't seen the children for a while; it's a good time to catch up and test them," Wang Shouzhe said energetically.

In the past two years, he had been focused on the final stage of reaching the Celestial Realm, neglecting the children's supervision. Every child in the family was the future of the Wang Clan. As the clan leader, Wang Shouzhe had the responsibility to encourage their progress.

"Fourth Brother... still as concerned about the children as ever," Wang Shoulian's mustached mouth twitched slightly, a shadow of unease flashing in his eyes. It wasn't just Fourth Brother's tests; there was also the "encouragement" from his sister, Wang Luo Qiu.

Zhou Qingning acknowledged with a smile and went to prepare the new table. Fourth Uncle's tests were the children's "motivation." They might not fear their loving mother or their often-absent strict father, but they certainly feared their clan leader, Fourth Uncle.

Soon.

Three young men and women stood in the side hall. They stood with their hands at their sides, heads lowered, not daring to breathe loudly. Especially Wang Lixuan and Wang Zongping, who were on a nearby mission and came to visit their father.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Fourth Uncle. They should have checked their luck before leaving.

The youngest, Wang Zongtai, looked pale, his eyes filled with innocent helplessness, dragged into this by his older siblings.

"Bang!"

Wang Shoulian slammed the table, angrily saying, "What kind of expressions are those? Have your mother spoiled you?"

"Shoulian, don't be harsh. You three, don't be nervous," Wang Shouzhe smiled. "Lixuan, you're already a grown woman, sensible and hardworking. Unlike these two boys, you can sit."

"Thank you, Fourth Uncle," Wang Lixuan, now a beautiful young woman in her twenties, smiled sweetly at Wang Shouzhe and then sat aside, turning her head, clearly distancing herself from her brothers.

Ten-year-old Wang Zongtai was stunned by his sister's betrayal. She had always treated him like a treasure. How could she turn on him in front of Fourth Uncle?

But Wang Zongping understood. In front of Fourth Uncle, who wouldn't seize the chance to distance themselves?

"Zongping, you're sixteen this year, right?" Wang Shouzhe looked approvingly at the ninth child of the "Zong" generation. He had the Wang Clan's typical good looks, with sharp eyebrows and a heroic spirit.

Moreover, his steps were steady, and his profound energy was solid and thick.

With Wang Shouzhe's current Celestial Realm cultivation, he could see that Zongping had reached the seventh level of the Qi Refining Realm, showing his dedication to basic skills.

The family's population was growing. The "Zong" generation boys were up to the fifteenth, and the "Li" generation was up to the thirteenth. The "Shi" and "Ying" generations were up to the seventh.

It was foreseeable that the "Zong" generation would surpass the "Shou" generation in number, and the "Shi" generation would surpass the "Zong" generation. Such prosperity was the foundation of the Wang Clan's future rise.

"Zongping, well done. Your basics are solid. Follow the elders or older brothers and train well," Wang Shouzhe praised.

Wang Zongping breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Fourth Uncle, I will work hard."

Then, Wang Shouzhe looked at Wang Zongtai. His foundation was good, already stable at the high stage of the first level of the Qi Refining Realm. He began to test his knowledge...

Ten-year-old Wang Zongtai shivered under his gaze and quickly changed the subject, "Fourth Uncle, I heard that Big Brother has a crush on a beautiful rogue cultivator sister."

What?

Wang Zongping's face darkened instantly. This little brat sold him out to avoid a test? Damn it, where was the brotherly love?

Before Wang Shouzhe could speak.

Wang Shoulian roared in anger, "You unfilial son, how dare you!" He had arrested countless rogue cultivator criminals in his career. To him, most rogue cultivators were lawless.

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:.:

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