Chapter 237: The Dilemma of Wang Huashan

In a dim, gray space, a tall old man in white robes and a gaunt old man in black robes stood before a dense, dark forest. A large pile of white bones lay scattered around them, and two green-faced, fanged zombies stood to one side. "The Yin energy here is indeed potent, and there are many ghostly creatures. We must secure this secret realm."

"We've plundered enough. Let's return to the sect and report to the Sect Master! I wonder how the Sect Master discovered this Earth-grade secret realm."

After a brief exchange, the two men put away their zombies, transformed into two streaks of light, and vanished into the sky.

Chu State, Tianyun Mountain Range.

Inside an exquisite pavilion, Wang Shusheng was reporting this year's income to Wang Huashan.

"Third Uncle, two more of our shops have closed. The losses are too severe."

Hearing this, Wang Huashan's brows furrowed.

When he evacuated from Song State, he hadn't taken a single spiritual vein. Upon arriving in Chu State, the Wang family struggled greatly. Although he moved in sync with the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley, the lion's share was taken by the three sects, leaving the Wang family with only meager profits.

The Three Sects of Medicine King Valley gave the Wang family some spiritual fields, but these were far from enough to sustain hundreds of cultivators. Life became increasingly difficult.

Wang Huashan was filled with deep regret. He had initially thought it best to shelter under a big tree and settled in Chu State with the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley. However, the Four Sects of Chu State feared the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley would usurp their host status, so they remained constantly wary of them. The Three Sects of Medicine King Valley already had limited room for expansion, and as the weakest, the Wang family naturally received few benefits.

Despite his regret, he dared not propose withdrawing from the alliance to Chen Hongtian. Chen Hongtian and other Core Formation cultivators were already dissatisfied with the Wang family's split. If Wang Huashan suggested leaving the alliance, Chen Hongtian might very well have murderous intentions. If Wang Huashan wished to leave the Tianyun Mountain Range, he could probably do so. However, the hundreds of Wang family members would face disaster.

He knew that this current predicament was entirely due to his lack of a firm stance and his indecisiveness.

Wang Huashan had always firmly believed in not putting all his eggs in one basket. All four sects wanted to win him over, and he wanted to offend none of them. He greeted every Core Formation cultivator with a smile, but unexpectedly, this only incurred the displeasure of all four sects.

If given another chance, he would still split the family. Ultimately, the Wang family was simply too weak. If the Wang family had been strong enough, the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley wouldn't have dared target them.

Of course, Wang Huashan had also made some changes. He arranged for several Wang family members to marry disciples of Medicine King Valley, becoming dual cultivation partners. This significantly eased relations with the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley, but they still remained wary of him.

Once bitten, twice shy. The leaders of the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley were deeply impressed by Wang Huashan's wavering character. They did not trust Wang Huashan and continued to guard against him. They kept him from leaving the Tianyun Mountain Range precisely to prevent him from being recruited by the Four Sects of Chu State.

"Forget it. Let's not make any more trouble. Recall most of our people. We'll simply farm peacefully in the Tianyun Mountain Range. As long as I live, you'll all have food to eat."

Wang Huashan sighed.

Just then, a young man in a blue shirt walked in. "Third Uncle, Senior Chen and Senior Li are here to visit. They look quite serious, as if something big has happened."

Hearing this, Wang Huashan's face tightened, and he quickly asked, "Have any clan members caused trouble recently? Or committed some other offense? Think quickly."

Wang Shusheng carefully recalled, then shook his head. "The clan members have all been very well-behaved; they haven't caused any trouble! If they had, I would certainly know."

He seemed to think of something, showing hesitation, and stopped short of speaking.

"If you've thought of something, speak quickly. Don't play games."

Wang Huashan frowned, his expression displeased.

"Third Uncle, three years ago, you sent someone to contact Fourth Brother. Could it be about that?"

"That shouldn't be it! Shuyuan and I have normal contact. Is there anything wrong with staying in touch?"

Although Wang Huashan said this, he felt uneasy and unsure inside.

Wang Shusheng saw Wang Huashan's reaction and sighed inwardly. Wang Huashan had been confined to the Tianyun Mountain Range for several years and had grown increasingly timid and fearful of trouble. He lightly coughed and reminded him:

"Third Uncle, we should hurry out and meet Senior Chen! Making him wait longer would only cause more trouble."

"Yes, yes, let's go out and meet Fellow Daoist Chen."

Soon, Wang Huashan met Chen Hongtian and Li Shixian in the reception hall. Neither of them showed the slightest smile upon seeing Wang Huashan.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, Fellow Daoist Li, I was just about to invite you for tea and discussion!"

Wang Huashan said, feigning composure, but his voice was somewhat shaky.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, we're not here for tea. You have quite the nerve!"

Chen Hongtian said meaningfully.

Wang Huashan was utterly confused and even more anxious. He put on a smile and asked, "Fellow Daoist Chen, Fellow Daoist Li, I've been staying in the Tianyun Mountain Range all this time and am unaware of what has happened. Please explain clearly. We are allies now; we should face any challenges together."

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Li Haifeng and his group are here, right outside. Five Core Formation cultivators. They claim to be here to propose marriage. You have quite the gall!"

Chen Hongtian said with a sneer.

"What? A marriage proposal? Five Core Formation cultivators?"

Wang Huashan grew even more bewildered. That the Five Sects of Wei State would simultaneously come to propose marriage – there had to be something deeper going on.

He shivered, breaking out in a cold sweat, as he met Chen Hongtian's grim gaze. He hastily explained, "Fellow Daoist Chen, Fellow Daoist Li, I didn't invite them here. I have no contact with them. You must believe me."

The sudden arrival of Li Haifeng and his group startled Chen Hongtian and the others. If this were wartime and Wang Huashan conspired with Li Haifeng's five, the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley would certainly not survive.

"Is that so? How is it that I heard several Wang clan members went to Wei State a few years ago? What were they doing there, Fellow Daoist Wang? Shouldn't you give us an explanation?"

Li Shixian stared intently at Wang Huashan, his gaze sharp as a blade, chilling anyone who met it.

Wang Huashan's previous decision to split the family had already caused their resentment. Later, when several Wang family members became dual cultivation partners with Medicine King Valley disciples, they had thought Wang Huashan had changed. But now it seemed Wang Huashan hadn't changed at all, truly living up to the saying, "A dog can't change its habit of eating shit."

A cold sweat beaded on Wang Huashan's forehead. He didn't know how to respond.

He had contacted Wang Shuyuan, hinting that Wang Shuyuan should form a marriage alliance with a cultivation family in Wei State.

Of course, he couldn't say this. If he did, he wouldn't be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River. He was now like a mute eating bitter herbs – suffering greatly but unable to voice his pain.

Back then, before Wei State and Shu State began fighting, he had sent someone to deliver a message to Wang Shuyuan, intending to leave a path of retreat for the Wang family. The messenger hadn't even returned when Wei State and Shu State went to war, and soon after, the Four Sects of Chu State and the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley formed an alliance.

Hearing that three states were attacking Wei, Wang Huashan felt Wei State surely couldn't hold out. So, he arranged for several Wang family members to become dual cultivation partners with Medicine King Valley disciples, easing relations with the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley. But unexpectedly, Wei State invited the Taiyi Immortal Sect, only having to cede some territory.

Not long after the war ended, the Five Sects of Wei State came to propose marriage. No matter how Wang Huashan tried to explain, Chen Hongtian would not believe him.

Wang Huashan was trying to think of an explanation when Chen Hongtian took out a communication plate. He cast a spell on it, and Zhao Yunxiao's urgent voice suddenly rang out: "Fellow Daoist Chen, quickly let Fellow Daoist Wang come out! Fellow Daoist Li said that if we harm Wang Huashan, they won't be polite with us."

Hearing this, Wang Huashan felt like crying but had no tears. Li Haifeng's action was clearly pushing him towards a fatal predicament!