adbindia Chapter 516 - 16: Patriarch (Part 2)
Chapter 516 - 16: Patriarch (Part 2)
"When there’s time, my nephew will take Luoxian to visit Uncle and Aunt in Gu’an County."
"Good."
Fang Zheng nodded:
"Most welcome."
Seeing off the young couple, Fang Zheng sighed silently.
This Linghu Changping appeared humble, but in reality, was sharp and unyielding. Upon hearing that I had no plans to visit his residence, knowing he couldn’t win me over, his attitude instantly cooled.
Indeed!
My brother-in-law might not always succeed in his endeavors, but his judgment of people wasn’t wrong. This young man might not have a kind nature.
The Ling Family might find it hard to have peace in the future.
Fortunately, Linghu Qiuchan had once looked after me and showed some respect to his uncle.
It is evident.
Linghu Changping and his wife Luoxian showed nearly no kindness towards other members of the Ling Family.
"Everyone,"
"As the saying goes, a country cannot go a day without a ruler, and a family cannot go a day without a head. My father has been away in the East Sea for over two years now. We expect him to return overflowing with success, but the family’s affairs still need someone to manage."
Linghu Mingquan clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards everyone and made a round bow:
"Mingquan, though lacking, has been recommended and deliberated by the elders and stewards of the family to temporarily assume the position of Patriarch."
"Elder Brother."
As soon as he finished speaking, someone in the crowd spoke up:
"You’re not young, and recently, you’ve been nourishing your body with medicinal soups daily. It might not be suitable for you to be the Patriarch."
"It’s not that we doubt Elder Brother’s ability, but we’re concerned about your health."
The person speaking was Linghu Changping’s second uncle, although he was also Linghu Mingquan’s brother, but not from the same mother.
"Though Mingquan’s body has ailments, for the Ling Family’s sake, I cannot refuse." Linghu Mingquan’s face darkened slightly, and he said:
"What?"
"Does Fifth Brother want this position?"
"Uncle!" Someone spoke:
"Your health isn’t good, and your cultivation base isn’t high. If you sit in the Patriarch’s position, won’t others laugh at us, saying we can’t even choose a proper talent in the Ling Family?"
"Insolent!"
"Audacious!"
This person’s impolite words immediately triggered a series of rebukes, with even someone jumping out to shout:
"Xiao Qizi, how dare you speak about my father like this? Do you really think we can be bullied? If you’re capable, come out and challenge me one-on-one!"
"Afraid of you?"
The person who spoke also jumped out, ready to fight.
"Stop!"
Linghu Mingquan, trembling with anger, shouted loudly:
"Everyone, stop at once, what kind of behavior is this?"
"What kind of behavior is this!"
Today was supposed to be the day he was elected as Patriarch, having invited many esteemed guests from the city, and yet, it turned into a farce.
"Fifth Brother!"
He turned and spoke:
"My election as Patriarch was decided by the entire family. Do you not acknowledge it now?"
"Elder Brother."
Fifth Brother’s expression changed:
"I didn’t know your health deteriorated suddenly. I was just concerned for you, nothing more."
"Hmph!"
Linghu Mingquan snorted coldly:
"I’m aware of my health; there’s no need for your concern!"
"Uncle," Linghu Changping stood up at the right moment and said respectfully:
"I wasn’t present when the Patriarch was chosen, and as a junior, I dare not speak much. However, there are many elders in the family, and considering cultivation, reputation, and even health, Uncle doesn’t seem to be the best candidate for Patriarch."
"Of course,"
He spoke politely:
"My nephew means no disrespect, just merely wonders."
Just wondering?
Choosing such a moment, with so many outsiders present, to ask these questions, was a blatant challenge!
Linghu Mingquan’s face turned ashen.
The crowd had mixed expressions, some looking worried, others amused.
To them, today’s Ling Family farce was like a great show, free to watch.
They didn’t get involved and had no intention of mediating.
"Changping."
Linghu Mingquan glanced at Daoist Qiu, took a deep breath, and said slowly:
"Being the Patriarch requires more than just strength; there are other criteria. If everyone just competed based on power, where would be the rules?"
"Ask Daoist Qiu if you don’t believe it. Is the position of Pure Yang Palace’s Palace Master achieved by combat?"
Daoist Qiu’s eyes flickered, and he slowly nodded:
"This statement is reasonable."
"Fighting is not the righteous way. Since the Palace Master handles many matters, it might hinder cultivation progress, so the Palace Master is usually someone who finds no hope in further progress."
"Daoist Qiu is right," Linghu Mingquan cupped his hands:
"Mingquan is capable of little else, but having moved to the Prefecture City with my father, I am thoroughly familiar with all Ling Family endeavors. If someone else were to become the Patriarch, they might not know how to manage all the Shopkeepers."
"Rest assured, Changping, even if I become Patriarch, what belongs to you will remain yours, unchanged."
"Uncle is overthinking it."
Linghu Changping lowered his head:
"I am simply curious. By the way... how many years does Uncle intend to hold the Patriarch’s position?"
"It won’t be indefinitely, right?"
Linghu Mingquan’s face darkened.
He now understood that the commotion instigated by Fifth Brother wasn’t about seizing his Patriarch position.
It cannot be snatched away.
Now, most of the Ling Family’s assets are in his hands, and none of the shopkeepers have any intention of changing their loyalty.
But,
a few years from now, it may not be the case!
Everyone can see that Linghu Changping has a promising future, not something that an old man like him can compare to.
More and more people will pledge their allegiance to him in the future.
This attempt is not aimed at the current patriarch position, but at the future, to limit Linghu Mingquan’s term.
"Uncle."
Linghu Changping looked at Fang Zheng and cupped his hands, saying:
"Elder Brother’s health is not well, and the patriarch’s duties are exhausting and tedious. It would be reasonable to choose again after a few years."
"Do you agree?"
...
Fang Zheng sighed lightly in his heart.
"What Changping said is not untrue."
"However, who becomes the patriarch is not for outsiders to decide; it still requires the Ling Family to discuss it themselves."
Saying this, he gave Linghu Mingquan a subtle glance.
This time Linghu Mingquan was able to gain the recognition of the family’s shopkeepers and elders, he could do the same next time.
But if one becomes the patriarch and remains so for life, today Linghu Changping and others will surely not agree.
Alas!
In a few years, Linghu Changping will surely make trouble again, and these years the Ling Family is likely to find it hard to find peace.
Everyone is taking sides, and there is little progress in business as well.
"Yes."
Linghu Mingquan’s face was stiff as he nodded slowly.
As these words fell,
the atmosphere in the hall suddenly relaxed, and smiles and laughter filled the hall, the unrest silently dissipating.
Night.
Linghu Mingquan, holding a brocade box, appeared in Fang Zheng’s room.
"Click..."
The brocade box opened.
A Thousand-Year Blood Purifying Lotus sealed with a Profound Ice Talisman appeared before his eyes, its vein-like patterns exceptionally striking.
"I shall temporarily keep this,"
Fang Zheng spoke:
"Within three to five years, if my father-in-law returns, I will certainly return it, if not... I may use it myself."
"Take it," Linghu Mingquan waved his hand:
"That bastard Changping still covets the patriarch position, if he becomes the patriarch, this thing will just be a bargain for him."
"Giving it to him,
is better than giving it to you!"
Fang Zheng was speechless.
How could his eldest brother-in-law, having lived so many years, still have a child’s naivety at times?
"Big Brother."
Thinking it over, he spoke slowly:
"The surname Linghu can’t be written with just one pen stroke; Changping is also part of the Ling Family, and he has a promising future..."
"Bang!"
Linghu Mingquan slammed the table and stood up, eyes wide with anger:
"What, do even you not believe I can handle the patriarch position?"
"Just wait, if I was chosen by the shopkeepers and elders as patriarch this time, I can be chosen again next time."
Fang Zheng opened his mouth, ultimately shook his head, and said nothing.
He lowered his head and looked at the Thousand-Year Blood Purifying Lotus, this item is the main ingredient in refining the Three Treasures Pill and is extremely rare.
He needed only two more spiritual medicines to make two Three Treasures Pills.
The Three Treasures Pill,
can aid a Flawless Martial Artist, a Great Mage, in Opening the Spiritual Aperture, and breaking through realms.
Just so.
In Master Jiuyuan’s memory, there is one of the spiritual medicines, so only one is left to find.
The Three Treasures Pill is not difficult to refine.
The difficulty lies in how rare the spiritual medicines are.
’Now, there is still some way to go to reach the Ninth Heaven of the Primordial Sound Thunder Technique perfection, taking this opportunity, I can seek the third spiritual medicine, one Thousand-Year Blood Purifying Lotus divided into two parts is more than enough, even if my father-in-law returns, splitting half with him should not be a problem.’
’Good!’
......
The next day.
Fang Zheng went to pay respects to Commandery Princess Qingyuan.
"Young Master Fang, the Commandery Princess does not wish to see you."
The Commandery Princess’s close maid Xiao Cui stepped out of the mansion, shrugging:
"You should return."
"Hmm?" Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow:
"Miss Xiao Cui, do you know why?"
"I do not know," Xiao Cui shook her head, then added:
"But the Commandery Princess mentioned that Luofu Immortal Sect’s Fairy Lv Hua and Miss Xiao Qian also died, she is very sad."
?
"Understood."
Fang Zheng cupped his hands:
"Please inform the Commandery Princess that I also deeply regret the incident involving the Luofu Immortal Sect disciples."
"Farewell!"