Chapter 41: Negotiation

Soon, Liu Hairen met Zhao Yuhui in the council hall. He forced a smile and said, "Aunt, it's been a long time. You still look so well. Before I came, my sister-in-law asked me to send her regards to you! She said that before she was married, you were the kindest to her."

Liu Hairen was subtly reminding Zhao Yuhui that both the Wang family and the Liu family were in-laws of the Zhao family. He implied that she shouldn't favor the Wang family, as both were equally important.

"That girl Zifeng is thoughtful. It was worth doting on her. Alas, I'm old and not as useful as I once was. I don't wish for anything else but for my children to be safe and sound. Hairen, don't you agree?"

Zhao Yuhui smiled, nodded, and said earnestly.

"Indeed! But the children are grown now; some things should be let go when it's time."

"That's true, but when children make mistakes, as their aunt, it's my duty to correct them. Hairen, Mingyuan told me what happened. He said your three families ganged up against the Wang family. Is there some misunderstanding? We're all family; if there's an issue, we can sit down and talk it over. There's no need for conflict. Mingyuan's uncle died, and two of his brothers died. Mingyuan simply can't swallow this injustice. However, after I appeased them, they hoped to have an open and frank discussion with you. Since we're all family, let's sit down and talk things through properly."

"For your sake, Aunt, I'll talk to him then."

Liu Hairen hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

Before long, Liu Hairen met Wang Mingyuan in a two-story bamboo building.

There weren't many people present. Besides Liu Hairen and his two companions, there were Zhao Yuhui, Zhao Ziheng, Wang Yaozu, and Wang Mingyuan.

By seniority, Liu Hairen should address Wang Mingyuan as 'uncle by marriage'. Although they were relatives, it was their first time meeting.

Zhao Yuhui made a brief introduction and smiled, saying, "Alright, there are no outsiders here. Speak your minds. Your aunt won't spread anything."

Wang Yaozu, with a stern expression, said solemnly, "Hairen, our Wang family discovered a first-order mid-grade spiritual vein in Qingshi Town. That spiritual vein is within our Wang family's territory. It's perfectly normal for us to cultivate spiritual fields on it, isn't it? The Song family wants to seize that spiritual vein. Are your Liu family determined to help the Song family?"

"What? A spiritual vein? Spiritual fields?"

Liu Hairen's expression subtly changed, his eyes filled with doubt.

Song Ziyang had clearly told him it was a mineral vein, but Wang Mingyuan claimed it was a spiritual vein. If Wang Mingyuan was telling the truth, the Liu family had been manipulated by the Song family to act as their pawn, which Liu Hairen could not tolerate.

Immortal cultivators can cultivate spiritual fields and practice cultivation on spiritual veins. Spiritual veins offer long-term benefits, whereas mineral veins have limited reserves and become useless once depleted, making them short-term gains. However, a single mineral vein can significantly enrich an immortal cultivating family. Spiritual veins, on the other hand, are often used as strategic strongholds, requiring personnel to be stationed there. If a family lacks sufficient strength, they cannot hold onto a spiritual vein, no matter how high its grade.

Qingshi Town is close to Guanglin County. Even if they could secure that spiritual vein, the Song family is closer, giving them an advantage. The spiritual vein would most likely fall into the Song family's hands. The Liu and Sun families are relatively far from Qingshi Town, making it impractical to send people to guard it. At most, they could demand more benefits from the Song family.

"Yes, a spiritual vein. Why? Hairen, did you think it was something else?"

A surprised expression appeared on Wang Yaozu's face.

Liu Hairen glanced at Zhao Yuhui, hesitated slightly, and said, "Why did I hear it was something else?"

Wang Yaozu frowned and said, "Hairen, don't listen to others' nonsense. Would your uncle lie to you? If you don't believe me, I can take you to see it for yourself. Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving. What do you say?"

Liu Hairen was somewhat swayed. If it truly was a spiritual vein, the Liu family absolutely could not help the Song family seize it. That would be indirectly strengthening the Song family, and while the Liu and Song families had been close for generations, they were also rivals.

"Hairen, your uncle is right. Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving. We are family; your uncle wouldn't lie to you. Outsiders, however, might. Don't let someone sell you out and then make you count their money."

Zhao Yuhui said earnestly.

"Alright! I won't go back then. I'll inform my fourth brother and have him lead some people there. I'll trouble my uncle to notify the clansmen at the quarry."

Liu Hairen hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

If it truly was a spiritual vein, the Liu family would absolutely not get involved, unless the Song family offered sufficient benefits.

The world is bustling with people coming and going for profit. As the family head, Liu Hairen naturally had to prioritize the family's interests in all matters.

Of course, to prevent the Wang family from playing tricks, he didn't go personally but sent his younger brother instead. The fourth brother he mentioned was precisely Zhao Yuhui's niece's husband.

Wang Yaozu thought for a moment and agreed: "No problem. I'll send a message to my fifth brother right away. But don't bring too many people; it's best not to exceed five, as that is, after all, our Wang family's new stronghold."

Liu Hairen did not object and readily agreed.

Zhao Yuhui smiled slightly and said with satisfaction, "That's more like it! Hairen, you've had a tiring journey. Ziheng, please take Hairen down to rest and tell the kitchen to prepare several good dishes. We'll host a welcoming feast for them tonight."

"Brother Hairen, please come this way."

Zhao Ziheng stood up and led Liu Hairen and his two companions away.

"Yaozu, whether you can reconcile with Hairen is up to you."

"Thank you, elder sister. I'll go back and inform my fifth brother. Mingyuan, you stay here and have a few more drinks with Hairen."

Guangyuan Commandery and Changping Commandery were separated by over a thousand miles. Communication talismans of the second order and above were extremely expensive, so Wang Yaozu could only return to Changping Commandery himself to inform Wang Yaojing.

"The journey is long. I'll send two clansmen with you. When you arrive, you can settle them on Qinglian Mountain."

Zhao Yuhui suggested this out of caution.

Since both families were in-laws of the Zhao family, Zhao Yuhui naturally had to ensure their safety.

Wang Yaozu considered it and agreed.

That evening, Zhao Yuhui hosted a banquet for Liu Hairen. Wang Changsheng and the siblings Zhao Ningxuan also joined them.

Wang Changsheng rarely spoke, simply eating his meal quietly.

Liu Hairen carefully observed Wang Changsheng, then smiled and said, "Brother Mingyuan, your son is quite distinguished. Has he found a fiancée yet?"

"This child left home at sixteen to become a Heavenly Master in Ping'an County; he hasn't been betrothed yet! Why, Brother Hairen, does your Liu family have any suitable young women?"

Wang Mingyuan smiled slightly and said courteously.

"Hehe, our Liu family indeed has a few clan members close in age to your son. I just wonder if your son would find them suitable."

"That would be wonderful. If I have time another day, I'll definitely bring Sheng'er to your esteemed residence as a guest to see if we can find a good daughter-in-law."

Liu Hairen smiled and nodded, "No problem. The doors of my Liu residence are always open for you, Brother Mingyuan. Here, I toast this drink to you, Brother Mingyuan."

The two raised their cups and drank, chatting and laughing as if they were old friends.

After the banquet, Wang Changsheng helped the liquor-soaked Wang Mingyuan back to their residence.

As soon as they returned, Liu Qing'er quickly approached them.

She smelled the strong scent of alcohol on Wang Mingyuan, frowned, and said, "Why did you drink so much? Sheng'er, quickly help your father to bed."

"Sheng'er, let go! No need to help me, I'm not drunk," Wang Mingyuan waved his hand and said.

Wang Changsheng looked up and saw Wang Mingyuan's face flushed, but his eyes were clear, showing no sign of intoxication.

"Father, were you faking it?"

Wang Changsheng was slightly startled.

Wang Mingyuan chuckled and said nonchalantly, "It was just for show. That Liu Hairen was doing the same. If our family wasn't powerful enough, I wouldn't have wanted to drink with him! Don't forget, your ninth grand-uncle and the others died at their hands."

Wang Changsheng suddenly realized. After a slight hesitation, he cautiously asked, "Father, so what you just told him about marrying a woman from the Liu family, was that also fake?"

"Of course it was fake. The Liu family was involved in this matter. If you were to marry a woman from the Liu family, your ninth grand-uncle wouldn't rest in peace. Your father was just speaking pleasantries. Don't take anything said at the dinner table seriously."