Zhao Jinpeng, who usually had nothing but contempt for Zhao Sheng, now rushed up like a madman, blocking in front of him, and berated Zhao Jingang furiously:
"You shameless old thing! That beast had already said it should be left to our main branch to handle. And yet you dare to come and snatch it! Have you forgotten the ancestral rules of our family? Don't forget that the Zhao family is still headed by our main branch."
Zhao Jingang retorted, "Speaking of rules, have you forgotten that I am also one of the family elders? In the absence of the Family Head, I have the right to deal with any matters concerning the Zhao family."
Upon hearing the words 'Family Head,' Zhao Jinpeng's complexion changed, and his momentum faltered.
In years past, to suppress the seccond branch, starting from Ancestor Yu Jie, the position of Family Head of the Zhao family was held concurrently by Foundation Establishment Ancestors.
However, the last Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Zhao family died too suddenly, failing to pass on the position of family head before leaving this world.
This was also one of the reasons why the conflict between the two branches had escalated so rapidly.
It was at this moment that Chen Zichuan suddenly threw out a casual remark, "In that case, why don't you just choose a new Family Head now?"
Wei Chengwo picked up the conversation perfectly, "Mr. Chen makes a fair point. As your in-law, I agree. Who objects?"
As soon as these words were spoken, they were like the Stabilizing Pillar, instantly calming the situation.
With both Foundation Establishment Cultivators having made their stance clear, how was the main branch supposed to play this?
Before long, some astute individuals sensed something was amiss.
It was clear that these two had planned this in advance, backing the second branch all along!
Chen Zichuan then added, "To follow the fairest approach, everyone in the Zhao family now has a single vote, which you can cast for the person you see as the Chief."
"Exactly, this is very fair!" Wei Chengwo echoed.
Pah, fair my ass!
Right now, in the Unity Hall, the main branch had only eleven people, while the second branch had fourteen.
It was a lost cause no matter how you looked at it!
Unless...
"I disagree. There are thirty-one cultivators in the Zhao family in total. Only twenty-five are present. Unless everyone is here, I refuse to accept this method," Zhao Jinding, resilient as a cockroach, stood up bravely at the crucial moment.
Chen Zichuan and Wei Chengwo looked at each other.
Wei Chengwo's face changed instantly, his Foundation Establishment aura flaring up, filled with murderous intent as he bellowed at Zhao Jinding, "Are you really going to oppose?"
It was clear that with one wrong word, he was ready to become severely violent.
Zhao Jinding finally hesitated!
At that moment, Zhao Jingang turned and walked over to the members of the main branch, proclaiming arrogantly, "Anyone who is willing to choose me as the Family Head, I will not pursue past grudges. From now on, we will all pull together. The contents of the Storage Bag will be shared fairly with everyone.
If you're not willing, I'll confiscate everything and expel you from the family. Go on and become a Loose Cultivator, destitute and wander without a home, unable to bring a shred of honor to your mortal relatives. Those who are willing, stand behind me!"
As soon as his words fell, the members of the main branch looked at each other, speechless.
But quickly, two members with wavering stances moved their feet, their heads nearly touching the ground, not daring to look at the relatives beside them.
Then, another three family members stepped forward.
"Ah! There's nothing I can do, having a large family to support."
"I was born at Dragon Carp Lake; I want to die here as well!"
"One can't write two 'Zhao' characters with a single stroke, so why resist? Blood is thicker than water!"
They murmured as they walked, as if they were trying to convince others or perhaps reassuring themselves.
Gradually, the number of people on the side of the main branch of the family dwindled until only four remained: Zhao Jinding, Zhao Chongwei, Zhao Sheng,
and one that came as a surprise to everyone.
This man had a simple and honest appearance, and his body was suffused with a strong scent of herbs. He was none other than Zhao Keru, the sole alchemist of the Zhao family.
Zhao Jinpeng was very astute. Seeing the situation, he immediately shouted, "Ke Ru, have you lost your mind? Hurry over here!"
"No, Uncle Six! I think I'll stand over here," Zhao Keru said, scratching the back of his head with some embarrassment.
Zhao Jinding saw so many people betraying their loyalties and became so angry that he was blowing his beard and glaring. He was about to curse aloud.
It was then that Zhao Sheng suddenly patted his shoulder and then moved to stand at the front.
At this moment, he was exceptionally calm.
Although he didn't care who would take charge of the Zhao family, he couldn't stand by and watch outsiders toy with his family.
Furthermore, Zhao Jinfu wasn't as ruthless and ungrateful as imagined.
He had left something in his storage bag that could be put to good use at this moment.
Respectfully bowing to the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Zhao Sheng spoke, "Senior Chen, Ancestor Wei. I greatly agree with both of your proposals. However, due to the suddenness of this matter, may we have a moment of privacy to discuss it between our two branches?"
"Heh, if you could have worked it out, your Zhao family wouldn't have ended up in this state. Young friend, there's no need for futile struggling. Come stand over here!" Wei Chengwo said while shaking his head, occasional flashes of contempt in his eyes.
"I only need a quarter of an hour. When the time is up, regardless of the outcome, I am willing to hand over the storage bag.
Although Zhao Jinfu has disowned the Zhao family, he still has our family's blood flowing in his veins. If he learned that someone immediately overturned his decision after he left, I don't think he would be pleased. I believe the Fulong Wei Family would not just stand by and watch."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Zichuan's brow furrowed.
Others might not understand, but he knew all too well that the Fulong Wei Family from the West Desolate Continent was a titanic power, no less formidable than the Purple Sun Sect, with a lineage of formidable masters and a Nascent Soul Ancestor in every generation.
Wei Chengwo, cunning with age, could tell from Chen Zichuan's demeanor that the Fulong Wei Family must be far from simple, otherwise, he wouldn't be so cautious.
"What a joke, Zhao Jinfu is no longer a part of the Zhao family anymore, he has no say in this—"
Zhao Jingang had barely gotten his words out when he was interrupted.
"Enough! I'll give you the quarter hour to discuss. Brother Wei, let's go!"
By this point, Chen Zichuan couldn't be bothered to keep up the pretense and ordered Wei Chengwo in a commanding tone.
Without another word, Wei Chengwo, accompanied by his family, followed Chen Zichuan out of the Unity Hall.
Once the grand doors of the Unity Hall were closed, Zhao Jingang, completely dismissive, impatiently said, "Speak up if you have something to say!"
Seeing that the overall situation was settled, yet a new complication had suddenly arisen, he was irritated and began to contemplate how to make things difficult for Zhao Sheng in the future.
Zhao Sheng smiled nonchalantly and spoke, causing everyone's expression to change, "Have you all forgotten that the lease on Dragon Carp Lake has less than ten years left?"
This statement starkly uncovered the reality that everyone was reluctant to confront.
Indeed! With the two hundred-year lease term nearing its end, what would become of the Zhao family?
The threats of the elder of the Zhao family still echoed in their ears, and now the true crisis was looming.
Could he really turn the tide?
Everyone was uncertain.
If the Purple Sun Sect decided to take back Dragon Carp Lake, what would the Zhao family do?
They could simply become Loose Cultivators, but the predicament of the fifty thousand people of the Zhao family was a massive problem.
Could they really be expected to relocate everyone out of Dragon Carp Lake?