bookbashuk Chapter 132 Only Effective Death
Chapter 132 Only Effective Death
The Du family.
As vassals of the Zhang family, the Du family, like the Huang family, was one of the most loyal families.
It is said that the ancestor of the Du family was originally a rogue cultivator. More than two hundred years ago, he had nowhere else to turn, so he sought refuge with the Zhang family. Later, he cultivated all the way to the peak of Qi Refining, killed many cultivators from the Yun and Ming families, and made great achievements. This place, Feather Stone Mountain, was bestowed upon him.
After that, their descendants multiplied and served the Zhang family loyally, and there were intermarriages between them throughout the generations.
Today is an especially joyous day, as the Zhang family's eldest elder, Zhang Yuanhua, and the next patriarch, Zhang Lingyu, have actually come to the Du family in person.
As the current head of the family, Du Yunpeng quickly flew out of Feather Stone Mountain, looked at the figures of the old man and the young man in mid-air, and respectfully bowed:
"Junior Du Yunpeng respectfully welcomes both of you. We should have informed you of your arrival at my home."
"Patriarch Du, you are too kind. This visit was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. It's been two years since I last saw you, Patriarch, and your cultivation has improved considerably."
Zhang Lingyu responded with a smile, in his eyes Du Yunpeng had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining.
"Does Patriarch Du have some free time? Would you mind coming in for a chat?"
He and Zhang Yuanhua had already visited the Huang family, using the excuse that they were about to take over as the family head and needed to get to know their subordinates to further plan for the future development of the family.
However, since I am not very familiar with the relevant situation, I need someone to accompany me.
Of course, this reason wasn't just to deal with the approaching Li Heihu, but also because he genuinely wanted to understand the situation below.
The old man agreed without hesitation, since this was something he would have to do sooner or later.
"Please come inside and discuss this further."
Du Yunpeng also felt that coming at this time was rather unusual, but he could keenly sense that the Zhang family must have some big plans recently.
After all, the news that the Yun and Ming families had each lost a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a Qi Refining cultivator during the beast tide, almost wiping out their entire forces, had already spread throughout Yingchuan County. As vassals of the Zhang family, they were naturally overjoyed.
On the contrary, both families recruited many Qi Refining cultivators from their subordinate families to resist the beast tide, but they all died, causing widespread resentment. If it weren't for the fact that the Foundation Establishment cultivators were still alive, they would probably have rebelled long ago.
The three flew all the way to the top of Featherstone Mountain, where there was a pavilion. They sat down and Du Yunpeng called over a woman, whispered a few instructions, and soon tea was served.
He said somewhat awkwardly:
"This tea is made from the leaves of the second-tier spirit tree, the Purple Cherry Tree. It is not as good as the noble tea, please forgive me."
"What are you saying, Patriarch Du? This is already excellent."
Zhang Lingyu savored it carefully and found it to have a unique flavor. She smiled and said, "I wonder if the patriarch has any more here? I'd like to take some back with me."
"Yes, yes, please don't worry, I'll pick it up in a bit."
Du Yunpeng was delighted. He hadn't expected this person to have this hobby. It seemed that he could use this as a starting point to please him in the future.
After a while, he tentatively asked, "What brings you here, sir?"
"The Du family is the western gateway of my Zhang family. It is right next to Yanxing County and close to the Yun family's territory. For hundreds of years, they have been guarding the border for my family. They have worked very hard."
Zhang Lingyu's words of appreciation flattered the Du family head, who quickly waved his hand and said:
"Back then, the nobles took in my ancestors and bestowed this Feather Stone Mountain upon my family, allowing us to establish a clan. These were immense gifts."
"It is only right for the nobles to defend the borders."
Taking this opportunity, the young man inquired about the first purpose of his trip, asking seriously:
"Patriarch Du, how many cultivators does your family have now?"
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"My family has a total of twenty-one cultivators. Only my cousin and I are at the late stage of Qi Refining, there are ten mid-stage cultivators and nine early-stage cultivators."
Without hesitation, Du Yunpeng answered directly that his Du family currently has more than 200,000 mortals, but 21 cultivators. This is considered a lot of cultivators among the Zhang family's vassals, since the Huang family only has 26.
Then, with a regretful expression, he smiled wryly and said:
"This beast tide was far too brutal. Ten people from my family were sent out, led by my cousin, but only he returned. He is currently in seclusion in the mountains healing his injuries."
"Please forgive him for not being able to come out to meet the two gentlemen."
Few cultivators from the aristocratic families who participated in the beast tide returned, let alone those from Qi Refining families.
With neither strength nor magical artifacts or talismans, the fact that one person from the Du family could return, and that he was a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator at that, was incredibly lucky.
The Huang family also sent ten people yesterday, but only one Qi Refining stage cultivator returned.
If ranked by strength, the Du family, with its two late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, could easily be the number one among the Zhang family's vassals.
Moreover, his divine sense had already seen through the entire Du family home as soon as he entered, so the other party was not lying.
Seeing that the time was almost ripe, Zhang Lingyu began to explain the true purpose of his trip, asking with a smile:
"They're here!"
"Du believed that this county should be unified by one clan to end the conflict between the three families."
Du Yunpeng was slightly pleased, knowing that they had finally gotten to the point. He solemnly said something, then patiently listened to the other person continue:
"The Yun and Ming families have repeatedly invaded my Zhang family's territory, killing my cultivators and seizing my people. My vassals have also frequently suffered at their hands. In addition, the two families have exploited their vassals in every way, making life unbearable for their people, and causing widespread suffering."
"However, both families have considerable resources and have repeatedly colluded and conspired against each other, so we have not been able to find a suitable opportunity. Now that both families are weak, it is advisable to eliminate them quickly. I plan to send troops to destroy them in a month. What does Patriarch Du think?"
"The Du family are your subjects; their only duty is to die for you."
Du Yunpeng knelt down on one knee without hesitation and said respectfully:
"Both families are enemies of my Du family. Since you have given the order, I will follow. All twelve cultivators of the clan are at your command."
"Hmm...not bad."
Zhang Yuanhua, who had been standing to the side, remained silent throughout. Then, he saw Zhang Lingyu help the man up and respond with a smile:
"Patriarch Du, if this matter succeeds, I'm afraid your Du family's territory will need to be expanded; this place is simply too small."
"real?!"
Du Yunpeng was somewhat shocked, but after a moment he realized he had said the wrong thing and quickly lowered his head and said, "It is entirely up to you, sir."
His voice trembled slightly. If he could really get some territory, he would become the most dazzling figure in the Du family history books besides that ancestor.
Of course, the family's strength will also increase further, and there may be a possibility that a Foundation Establishment cultivator will emerge in the future.
"Master, please get up quickly."
Zhang Lingyu helped him up again and discussed many matters in detail.
If the Zhang family were to unify Yingchuan County, they would certainly have to wipe out the Qi-refining families that were close to the two families. In that case, such a large territory would be impossible to manage in a short time, and it would be unreliable to entrust it to the newly joined rogue cultivators.
It's better to hand it over to these vassals who are still relatively loyal for the time being.
As for whether they would take the opportunity to grow stronger, Zhang Lingyu naturally had ways to curb and suppress it.
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