Protect Our Clan Leader

That single punch.

It collided directly with the claw of Elder Bojun.

“Boom!”

The two forces clashed, causing a shockwave to spread in all directions.

Elder Bojun, floating in the air, tumbled backward for more than ten feet before he managed to stabilize himself. A flush of embarrassment crossed his face momentarily, a clear indication that he was at a disadvantage. Slowly, he descended to the ground, his face filled with extreme anger, “It’s you, Gongsun Meng!”

Zhao Clan’s main base was just across from the Gongsun Clan in Shanyang. He had come across Gongsun Meng twice before, and they were not strangers to each other.

After scoring a hit, Elder Meng plummeted to the ground like a sledgehammer, his feet creating a crater on the bluestone pavement.

He lifted the hood from his gray robe and sneered, “Zhao Bojun, you disregarded the rules of sparring and attacked a twelve-year-old child. Once the news gets out, your reputation will be in ruins.”

“You…” Elder Bojun was so angry that he almost spat out the blood he was holding back, “Gongsun Meng, don’t you dare slander me. I just prevented that girl from killing my great-grandson out of sheer concern.”

Gongsun Meng was just provoking him, and knowing that he couldn’t confront a respected elder if the incident didn’t escalate, he seized the opportunity to discredit the Zhao Clan’s reputation. He then loudly declared, “Righteousness will inevitably prevail. Everyone here today witnessed what your clan has done, and it will be widely publicized.”

Elder Bojun took a deep breath and said in a low voice, “Regardless of who’s right or wrong in our dispute with the Wang family, it isn’t your place as Shanyang people to interfere. Are you trying to start a family war?”

Gongsun Meng burst into laughter, “Zhao Bojun, don’t pin such a big hat on me. I merely came to visit my great-grandson Wang Shouzhe during my leisure time. You and the Liu Clan happened to crash in, and I coincidentally disapproved of your bullying of a twelve-year-old girl. If you want to spar, I’m ready anytime.”

Elder Bojun was somewhat suspicious doubting.

Normally, they had come to the Wang Family on a last-minute joint mission to pressure and provoke, and Gongsun Meng wouldn’t have had time to arrive even if he had heard the news.

Could it be…

Did Gongsun Meng really just happen to be visiting?

However, he knew that this was not the time to argue with Gongsun Meng. Seeing his great-grandson still writhing on the ground, he immediately shouted in anger, “You audacious Wang child, since Zhao Dingteng has already been defeated, why are you still torturing him with poisonous insects?”

Just as Wang Luo Jing was about to speak, Wang Shouzhe stepped in front of her, and said calmly and politely, “In a friendly spar, mutual harm is inevitable. Besides, that Zhao Dingteng is as robust as a bull, formidable and resolute, and has never admitted defeat throughout the fight. Naturally, he’s considered to be still in combat with my sister, and it’s possible he might counterattack at any moment. It’s perfectly reasonable and a matter of course for my sister to continue attacking in order to win the spar.”

“Very well, you junior, dare to be so presumptuous and talk so wildly in front of an elder. Is this the poor upbringing of your Wang family?” Elder Bojun was livid.

“I’m sorry. I, Wang Shouzhe, am just an ordinary man but also the Clan Leader of the Wang family. I’m not a junior of your family who can be scolded at your will,” Wang Shouzhe said calmly, “As for being presumptuous, the clan leaders of the Liu and Zhao Clans, Liu Shengye, and Zhao Jinxian, have been audaciously calling out Wang Longyan. Me not calling you Elder Zhao out of respect, shows my restraint.”

Old Ancestor Bojun was so angry that his whole body was shaking: “Wang Shouzhe, do you intend not to let go of my great grandson?”

“The battle is still underway, so it’s not up to me to make the decision.” Wang Shouzhe turned his head and said, “Luo Jing, you and Zhao Dingteng continue to fight with all due efforts, don’t let the reputation of our Wang family down. By the way, I found Zhao Dingteng has extraordinary talent and strong willpower, and he may possess some kind of Bloodline War Body. You need to be extra careful and don’t let an upset necessarily happen.”

“Yes, fourth brother.” Wang Luo Jing obediently responded, followed by her serious and solemn expression. She continued playing the Worm flute, leading a variety of poisonous worms and spiritual bees to attack Zhao Dingteng.

Seeing the siblings speak such blatant lies in such a serious manner, Old Ancestor Meng couldn’t help but shudder. Earlier, based on Shouzhe’s various words, he always felt that Grand Aunt Longyan and Gongsun Hui might have exaggerated their claims.

Now it seems that they perhaps understated Wang Shouzhe. Suddenly, he reminded them: “Remember, this is just a competition. Be careful not to cause any fatalities.” As soon as he said this, he himself felt his level of rhetorical bluntness had hit a new record.

“Yes, Old Ancestor Meng.” Wang Luo Jing respectfully replied when she had a moment.

Not far away, the siblings Liu Yuanrui and Liu Ruolei swallowed hard. Their brother Shouzhe, who usually appeared gentlemanly and elegant, was truly terrifying when he became serious. That Zhao Dingteng was in real trouble.

“Youngsters, you’re truly bold.” Old Ancestor Bojun burst into bitter laughter. “Gongsun Meng, if you’re going to protect these youngsters today, don’t blame us for including you in the fight. Old Brother Zhide, at this point, aren’t you ready to take action?”

His words barely subsided when-

The curtain of another carriage was opened, and a simply-dressed, white- bearded old man slowly walked out. He didn’t display his Spirit Platform Realm ability to fly, but chose to walk instead.

However, with each step he took, it seemed he moved many yards, as if he was shrinking the ground beneath him.

His face was ruddy, his white hair floating in the wind. His clothes swayed with a breeze, giving the impression of a venerable, land-bound immortal. In a few breaths, he arrived in front of everyone.

The Liu Clan’s Old Ancestor, Liu Zhide.

“Liu Zhide, greetings to Old Ancestor Meng.” Old Man Zhide slightly nodded his head.

“Gongsun Meng, greetings to Old Ancestor Zhide.” Since the other party was polite, Gongsun Meng, naturally, would not let the manners of the Prominent Family falter and returned the salutation in kind.

Old Man Zhide nodded, calmly saying, “Since Old Ancestor Meng is here, I understand your protectiveness over your offspring. But I believe you are misunderstanding our Liu and Zhao Clans.”

“Our Liu and Zhao Clans have had a misunderstanding with the Wang Clan, but in the end, we all are supported by the protection of Old Ancestor Zhou Xuan, and hence share the same roots. We should be watching over each other, helping each other. It’s regrettable that it has come to this stage.” Old Man Zhide calmly said, “so how about this, as long as Wang Clan’s Leader Wang Shouzhe promises not to interfere in our territories, and dismisses the peasants he recruited, we can put this past us.”

Old Ancestor Meng looked towards Wang Shouzhe.

Wang Shouzhe stepped forward, with a serious expression, he declared loudly: “Our Ping’an Wang Family, and the Liu and Zhao Clans have different ancestral roots, so we can’t be said to share the same roots. Moreover, The Peaceful Corner is the human habitat that Old Ancestor Zhou Xuan and the ancestors of the Wang family sacrificed their lives to defend.”

“If we, as descendants, turned a blind eye to other people spoiling the foundation of our ancestors, wouldn’t we be disgraceful descendants unworthy of our ancestors?”

This speech made a persuasive case, resonating with the Wang family, as well as the majority of the onlookers.

Wang Shouzhe spoke solemnly, “I have a suggestion. Perhaps our Wang family, the Liu Clan, and the Zhao Clan should join hands. Jointly provide disaster relief and help the innocent people of Ping’an Town get through this arduous ordeal. On behalf of the twenty thousand citizens of Ping’an Town, I, Wang Shouzhe, hereby thank Old Ancestors Zhide and Bojun.”

Having said that, Wang Shouzhe stood up, clasped his hands in a bow, and deeply bent over in respect.

“Well said, the Wang family truly carries the virtues of benevolence and righteousness.” “They are indeed the worthy descendants of Old Ancestor Zhou Xuan.”

“For the sake of twenty thousand citizens, the Clan Leader of the Wang family is ready to set aside past grudges and salute their adversaries with such great courtesy. This truly is magnanimity and benevolence.” “If they can guide the Liu and Zhao Clans back onto the right path, it would indeed be a great merit.”

Touched by Wang Shouzhe’s words, the onlookers started envisioning a “better future.”

The members of the Wang family looked at each other in surprise. Is the family head truly considering collaborating with the Liu and Zhao Clans for disaster relief? This doesn’t seem like him at all, does it?

Only Zhao Bojun and Liu Zhde could truly comprehend how Wang Shouzhe’s words and actions made them feel; how disgusted and sickened they felt.

This lad has real malice in his heart.

What gives a youngster like you the right to speak for the twenty thousand residents of Ping’an Town? Who do you think you are really?

If they refuse to participate in the disaster relief with everyone watching, their reputation will surely plummet. But if they agree, won’t they simply be swords in the hands of that lad? They would be doing all the challenging and tedious tasks under the leadership of the Wang family. Are they supposed to serve as vassal families?

Either way, they are in a jam.

Looking at Zhao Bojun and Liu Zhde, feeling sick to their stomachs, is exactly what they wanted.

The sicker they became, the more comfortable Wang Shouzhe felt inside. Boosting reputation!

I’ve indeed claimed the moral high ground. I’m indeed using the name of twenty thousand citizens to pressure you. Regardless of whether they submit or not, Wang Shouzhe’s goal has been achieved.

They dare to stir trouble in the main residence of the Wang family today, they should be prepared to play the role of some “reputation monsters.”

From start to end, Wang Shouzhe intended to exploit their reputation, wave after wave of it.

Once he got hold of them, there’s no way he would let go easily. From inside out, he would creatively exploit their reputation to the fullest.

Seeing such a sight, Wang Shouzhe wanted to pull out his tiny system notebook for personal and family reputation value data and greatly adjust it upwards—if he wasn’t considering the occasion.

At the least, the “Town Reputation” column was about to max out, reaching a full too points.

Old Ancestors Bojun and Zhide exchanged a glance, both seeing regret in each other’s eyes.

If they had known that the land merge would give the Wang family and Wang Shouzhe such a chance to spin it, becoming a never-ending narrative, they would never have taken that step.

But now that things have gotten to this point, there was no use regretting.

They had to proceed and let their fists do the talking. As long as they completely suppress the Wang family this time, who in Ping’an Town would dare to criticize the Liu and Zhao Clans?

The eyes of Old Ancestors Bojun and Zhide gradually hardened, they blocked Old Ancestor Meng on the left and the right. While they did not want to fight with Old Ancestor Meng, since he was obstructing the Liu and Zhao Clans’ retreat, they had no choice but to suppress him first.

“Zhao Bojun from the Zhao Clan requests guidance from Old Ancestor Meng.”

“Liu Zhde from the Liu Clan requests guidance from Old Ancestor Meng.”

Everyone was dumbstruck, the crowd too was dumbfounded. The duo, great Old Ancestors, going as far as ganging up on one Old Ancestor in front of everyone —they’ve truly lost all shame.

Sure enough, one becomes invincible when they’ve lost all shame.

“Hehe- Gongsun Meng of the Gongsun Clan, please enlighten me.” With a serious expression, Old Ancestor Meng prepared for battle, there’s no room for him to back down now.

Suddenly!

“Hum!”

A melodious sword chime rang, echoing as if there was a resonance in everyone’s ears.

Simultaneously, an illusory light shadow rapidly approached from a distance, like a roaming dragon, chopping towards Old Ancestor Zhide.

Old Ancestor Zhide was shocked and rapidly retreated, narrowly escaping the sudden sword strike.

“Whoosh!”

The illusory sword light flickered, a white whisker fluttered against the wind and then spun back as if it were a spiritual object floating before Old Ancestor Meng.

The sword, light as smoke, emitted an ethereal and illusive beauty.

“The Dragon Smoke Sword!”

The faces of Old Ancestor Zhide and Old Ancestor Bojun changed drastically out of fear. They were reminded of what occurred many years ago!

At the same time, a gentle, cool, and ethereal female voice echoed.

“Liu Zhide, Zhao Bojun. Where did you get the audacity to suppress me, Wang Longyan?”