Chapter 341: Temporarily Enduring

The Wang family currently only has three notable cultivators: Wang Ruyan (Foundation Establishment Layer 4), Wang Changhao (Foundation Establishment Layer 2), and Wang Qingshan (Foundation Establishment Layer 2). Destroying the Qin family with just these three would be very difficult. However, Wang Ruyan's maiden family, the Wang Clan, also possesses considerable power. If the two families unite, dealing with the Qin family would be more than enough.

This matter was of great importance, so she dared not make a decision on her own and needed to discuss it with the Wang family elders.

This was a drawback of cultivation families; in a cultivation sect, she could have made the decision independently.

Wang Ruyan found Wang Mingyuan and explained the entire situation.

Wang Mingyuan pondered for a moment, then said kindly, "Ruyan, your father is old. Changsheng isn't here, and before the twenty-first brother and the others left home, they asked you to look after the family. Whatever you decide to do, your father will support you."

Wang Ruyan felt a warmth spread through her heart upon hearing this.

"Father, I want to ask my maiden family for help. The Qin family is too powerful; with our current strength, we are no match for them."

Having a powerful maiden family was what made her so confident.

"How do you plan to deal with the Qin family?"

Wang Ruyan smiled faintly and stated solemnly, "Qingshan just said it too: a life for a life, a debt repaid. Our twelfth uncle and the others cannot have died in vain. What happened decades ago will not be repeated."

Wang Ruyan was referring to the affair of the Black Gold Ore Vein. Back then, the family lacked sufficient power and was targeted by other cultivation families, forced to swallow their humiliation. Now, history seemed to be repeating itself, but the Wang family would no longer choose to tolerate it.

Hearing Wang Ruyan bring up the past, Wang Mingyuan's expression became somewhat agitated. This incident was a knot in his heart.

His clan uncle had been killed, and the family, being too weak, could only endure it. Now, the same situation had arisen, and the Wang family would absolutely not choose to tolerate it again.

"Ruyan, go ahead and do it! Your father supports you. Either don't do it at all, or if you do, make sure it's done cleanly, leaving no future troubles."

"Father, your daughter-in-law knows what to do. I'll go back to my maiden home right away."

Early the next morning, Wang Ruyan, accompanied by several clan members, left Wang Family Fort and headed straight for her maiden home.

Over a month later, Wang Ruyan arrived at her maiden home.

No one was happier about her daughter returning home for a visit than Yang Yueqin.

Yang Yueqin was over ninety years old, but as a cultivator, she was still in excellent spirits.

After the mother and daughter whispered to each other for a while, Yang Yueqin spoke, "Yan'er, has someone in the Wang Family been bullying you? Why have you come back alone?"

Wang Ruyan shook her head, hesitated for a moment, then briefly explained the entire incident.

"Mother, you must help me. My husband and the others aren't home. Before they left, they asked me to look after the family. Since this happened on my watch, I must handle it properly."

Yang Yueqin sighed and calmly said, "A married daughter follows her husband. I cannot help you with this. Go to your father. If he is willing to help you, then he will."

Wang Ruyan nodded and went to Wang Shuming's study.

"Ruyan is back! What about Qingzhi and Qingqing? Have they returned?" Wang Shuming asked with a smile.

Wang Shuming only had Wang Ruyan as a daughter, and he doted on his two grandchildren.

"Father, I've come back this time because I need your help with something."

Wang Ruyan did not hide anything and told him the full story.

After listening to Wang Ruyan's account, Wang Shuming pondered for a long time before asking, "How do you intend to deal with this matter?"

"Blood for blood, tooth for tooth. What do you say to the Wang Clan and the Wang Family uniting to destroy the Qin family?"

Wang Shuming was somewhat surprised. He scrutinized his daughter carefully and frowned, saying, "This matter is of great importance and requires a slow, deliberate approach; we mustn't act too hastily. The Qin family is an affiliated family of the Yellow Saint Palace. If word gets out, it will bring trouble to both our families. My suggestion is to act as if nothing happened, appear relaxed but be vigilant, and strengthen our defenses. The Qin family might already know that they killed members of the Wang Family. If we fail to eliminate the Qin family, even a single Foundation Establishment cultivator escaping could cause significant problems for both our families. My opinion is to secretly investigate the Qin family's strength and wait until this incident has faded before making a move. It won't be too late then."

"Wait until this matter has faded before seeking revenge?"

"Exactly. For a gentleman, revenge is never too late, even after ten years. If I were a high-ranking member of the Qin family, I would certainly be on high alert. Attacking the Qin family now would be quite foolish."

Wang Ruyan remained silent, then, after a long pause, nodded and said, "Alright! I'll go back and discuss it with the other clan members."

Upon returning to Wang Family Fort, Wang Ruyan relayed Wang Shuming's words to Wang Mingyuan.

Wang Mingyuan approved, saying, "Ruyan, your father is right. The Qin family has considerable power, and we must proceed cautiously. Acting now would only trigger a large-scale war between our families. Let's pretend nothing happened and wait until the matter has calmed down before retaliating against the Qin family. It would be great if Shenger and the others were back; with them here, we wouldn't have to be so constrained in our actions."

"Since Father also feels this way, then let's proceed with this plan."

The incident was thus downplayed, and the Wang family strengthened its defenses.

Qin Cloud Ridge, the Qin family residence.

Qin Yunxiang received secret letters from Qin Yuntai and Qin Yunhu and immediately became furious.

"Those two fools! Attacking Wang family cultivators over some spirit herbs and spirit fish? Aren't they just causing trouble for the family?"

"Second Brother, you can't entirely blame Eighth Brother and Eighteenth Brother. It was already wrong for the Wang family to occupy a second-tier spiritual vein right under our noses. Besides, they were the ones who attacked first; it's perfectly normal for Eighth Brother and Eighteenth Brother to retaliate. And who told the Wang family members to wear civilian clothes? Moreover, Eighth Brother and Eighteenth Brother were also in civilian clothes, so the Wang family might not even recognize them."

Qin Yunxiang frowned and snorted coldly, "Hmph, even so, they shouldn't have killed people without bothering to find out the facts. If they had killed them all, that would be one thing, but two of them escaped. If the Wang family finds out the truth, they definitely won't let this go. Issue orders to heighten vigilance and patrol day and night. Also, send someone to the Yellow Saint Palace to inform Third Sister about this. We must prepare for the worst-case scenario; if something happens to all of us, Third Sister can avenge us."

"You're right. I'll send someone to inform Third Sister at once."

To Qin Yunxiang's great relief, the Wang family seemed unaware of who the perpetrators were, or perhaps they had forgotten about their clan members in the underground cave.

Spring turned to autumn, and a year quickly passed.

At the Spirit Fish Garden, Qi Shanshan stood alone by the lake, gazing absently at the spirit fish within.

Over the past year, Wang Qingzhi had rarely visited the Spirit Fish Garden.

"Has he forgotten about me? Or has his family arranged a marriage for him?"

Qi Shanshan wondered silently, her face filled with worry.

The last time she saw Wang Qingzhi was nine months ago.

Suddenly, a familiar male voice rang out: "Fairy Qi, long time no see."

Hearing the voice, her face lit up with joy. She turned to see Wang Qingzhi approaching her, carrying an exquisite food box.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, long time no see. I thought you had forgotten about me."

Qi Shanshan gave a self-deprecating smile.

"My mother told me to go into seclusion for cultivation. Thankfully, I advanced to the sixth layer of Qi Refining, otherwise, she wouldn't have let me come to the Spirit Fish Garden! Today is my grandmother's birthday, so I brought you some delicious food."

Wang Qingzhi and Qi Shanshan went to sit cross-legged under a tree. He took out the items from the food box and offered Qi Shanshan some tea to taste.