Chapter 29: We Have Held You Back
"The one behind the Vicious Tiger Gang is indeed the Xu faction?" Wu Yuan's brow furrowed slightly. This matter reeked of a conspiracy from the start. The Vicious Tiger Gang unreasonably increased their tribute by exactly 5000 silver taels. How could it coincide so precisely?
Back when Wu Yuan stormed the Vicious Tiger Gang’s stronghold, he didn't have the time to contemplate the root cause of the issue. During his rampage, he killed many of their members in succession, stabbed the gang leader Yang Long to death with his spear, and fought a great battle with an unknown expert. Because of that, he was greatly weakened and didn't have the energy to ponder the matter.
"Chieftain, is there evidence?" Wu Yuan asked quietly.
Chieftain Wu Qiming's eyes held a chilly glint, "The Vicious Tiger Gang's second family head, Li Ye, personally told me that if the Wu Clan immediately returned the 5000 silver taels, they would leave us in peace. But ‘since we don't know what's good for us’, they ‘have no choice but to teach us a lesson’."
"Li Ye?" Wu Yuan recalled the fight that night. Was it the short and stout man he killed with a throwing knife? He didn't leave a deep impression.
"This general of defense has gone too far," Wu Yuan growled with a practiced show of indignation, "We've fulfilled our end of the agreement, yet they continue to press us. They even ordered the Vicious Tiger Gang to destroy our mansion? Aren't they afraid that the Wu Clan will report this to the sect?"
"Report it to the sect?" Wu Qiming shook his head mildly, "Firstly, we don't have evidence. The major tournament that day was conducted under the watch of many eyes. Secondly, Xu Yuanhan eventually lost and went to the Southdream Martial Academy."
Wu Yuan pretended to listen carefully.
"However, I have thought through this matter carefully." Wu Qiming continued, "This doesn't seem like General Xu's style. Though he puts on a domineering front, he always stands by his words. Even though things didn't work out, we did our best. With his status, there is no need for him to fall out with us over 5000 silver taels."
"Given General Xu's character, if he really wanted the 5000 silver taels back, he would have summoned us directly and coerced us with his authority. Why would he need to go about it in such a roundabout way?" Wu Qiming shook his head in confusion.
"But few people know about this matter." Wu Yuan frowned, "Could it be the headmaster? Does he want to bring down General Xu?" Apart from the Wu Clan and Xu faction, the only other participant was Headmaster Zhang Da of the martial academy.
"He wouldn't do that." Wu Qiming shook his head firmly, "Once the matter is exposed, the first to be punished will be the headmaster of the county martial academy. He is the primary responsible party."
Listening, Wu Yuan found some truth in his words.
"Could it be, the eldest son of the Xu family?" Wu Qiming wondered aloud. "Now that I consider it, this approach does seem to align with his usual style."
"The eldest son of the Xu family?" Wu Yuan showed a hint of confusion.
"You spend most of your time in the martial academy, it's not surprising that you haven't heard of him." Wu Qiming looked at Wu Yuan, "General Xu has six sons. Apart from his sixth son Xu Yuanhan, all the others have achieved nothing in the aspect of martial arts."
"His eldest son is named Xu Yuanjie. Born to his first wife, he is treasured by the general despite his age. He controls a large portion of the Xu faction's resources, and handles many of the miscellaneous matters. He is quite famous among the upper-class circles of Li City."
"During his youth, General Xu had not yet risen to power, hence he experienced a period of hardship. Perhaps due to that, he doesn't quite exhibit the magnanimity expected from a wealthy family." Wu Qiming remarked. He seemed to know a great deal about this Xu Yuanjie.
"The magnanimity of a wealthy family?" Wu Yuan pondered the phrase.
"In simpler terms, he is stingy." Wu Qiming slowly explained from the bed, "This Xu Yuanjie understands the difficulties his family experienced when they first rose to power. Thus, he values every little bit of profit and is reluctant to part with his wealth, lacking a broader perspective."
"But how can a wealthy clan conduct themselves like an ordinary household? During crucial times, if there are things that one should give up, one must be willing to let them go." Wu Qiming solemnly stated, "Otherwise, one might incur significant losses for the sake of minor gains."
"Wu Yuan," Wu Qiming sighed, "In this regard, you have an even deeper understanding than me." He remembered how Wu Yuan had readily agreed to General Xu's request to withdraw from the major tournament. It was a model example of 'letting go'. If he were in Wu Yuan's position, he doubted he would have been as decisive.
"Chieftain, you flatter me." Wu Yuan smiled. Decisive? When he agreed to General Xu's request, he couldn't have asked for more. Without those 5000 silver taels, his progress wouldn’t have been so rapid.
"Based on what Chieftain has said, if the Xu faction has been supporting the Vicious Tiger Gang in secret, it's quite likely that Xu Yuanjie is behind this," Wu Yuan said, "Since he wields significant authority within the Xu faction, he can naturally influence the Vicious Tiger Gang."
From their discussion, a clear thread of logic was woven.
"Wu Yuan, regardless of whether Xu Yuanjie is the instigator, the Xu faction is undeniably at the root of this," Wu Qiming said gravely, "Although the Vicious Tiger Gang has been dissolved, I hope you won't forget about the lives of our eight clansmen."
"I understand," Wu Yuan nodded. The reason he had attacked the Vicious Tiger Gang with such mercilessness was largely because he had witnessed the corpses of his clansmen with his own eyes.
He didn't know much about the Xu faction before. But now that he understood the reason behind the tragedy, he was determined to avenge his clansmen when the chance presented itself!
"However, don't rush to take revenge. The Xu faction holds significant power, and we shouldn't provoke them at this moment," Wu Qiming advised. "I hadn't intended to share all this with you, but your Uncle Long and Uncle Dongyao informed me that you've reached the level of a martial virtuoso. Is that true?"
"Yes," Wu Yuan nodded.
"At the age of fourteen, you already possess the strength of a martial virtuoso. In the future, becoming an Adept will be a walk in the park. There's a chance you'll become a second-rate or even first-rate Adept," Wu Qiming looked at Wu Yuan, his face filled with hope.
"When that happens, when you become a high-ranking member of the sect, that will be the time to seek vengeance. For now, keep this matter between the two of us, we cannot inform the others," Wu Qiming said.
"Don’t worry, Chieftain. I understand," Wu Yuan nodded, "I won’t act recklessly before I have enough strength."
Wu Qiming gave a small nod. He had full faith in Wu Yuan, whom he knew had a measured character. Telling Wu Yuan about this was a carefully considered decision, and he hoped it could serve as motivation for Wu Yuan's training. Without motivation, complacency would set in.
"Chieftain," Wu Yuan questioned, “Why did Meng Qiang, the leader of the county mayor's personal guard, visit our Wu residence earlier? Ordinarily, even if they were investigating the Vicious Tiger Gang, it wouldn't warrant his presence.”
Meng Qiang was a second-rate Adept. Given his strength, both the county deputy and county magistrate dared not treat him lightly, the county mayor respected him immensely. Unless it was a matter of great importance, he would not be deployed.
“Haha, Meng Qiang came on behalf of the county mayor.” A smirk crept across Wu Qiming's face, “He wants us to serve as witnesses, accusing General Xu of abusing his power and forcing you to fake your defeat during the martial academy major tournament."
"Would the sect believe that?” Wu Yuan frowned.
“In just over three months, you've improved from a martial novice to nearly a martial virtuoso. This news has spread, and you also won first place in the martial academy minor tournament,” Wu Qiming said, “Even if the sect doesn't believe it, they won't ignore such a claim and will surely send someone to investigate. Even if they find nothing, it will be enough to make General Xu flustered."
"And this is probably just a part of the county mayor's scheme. With the Vicious Tiger Gang disbanded, General Xu has lost an arm, and the county mayor probably wants to use this opportunity to bring him down," Wu Qiming explained.
Wu Yuan listened. He didn't fully understand these political machinations, but he did comprehend the gist of them.
"Did Chieftain agree?" Wu Yuan asked.
"I did not," Wu Qiming shook his head, “We don't have substantial evidence. Even if we did, what can we do about it? If we prove that General Xu manipulated the major tournament, wouldn't our Wu Clan also be guilty of playing along? How would that benefit us?”
"Meng Qiang promised that the county mayor would protect us, but in reality, the final decision rests entirely on the county mayor's discretion. Moreover, what if we fail to bring down General Xu completely? Can we endure the brunt of his retaliation?"
"By vehemently denying the matter, the county mayor can only suspect that the major tournament was manipulated, which might lead to some frustration on his part. However, it's unlikely he will go to great lengths to harm us."
"I must choose the lesser of two evils. Currently, our Wu Clan is weak, we can't afford to provoke either side. When you and our Wu Clan become stronger, we can then seek justice."
"Remember, you did not fake the results of the martial academy major tournament." Having clearly understood the situation, Wu Qiming explained it in detail to Wu Yuan.
"I understand. In the martial academy major tournament, I was outmatched and thus lost to Liu Ruyan." Wu Yuan responded. It was best to let the past remain in the past. Overturning the verdict would only bring trouble upon themselves.
"Your strength has improved so quickly, a sign of your incredible talent. The only thing holding you back has been the Wu Clan. If you had joined the Cloud Martial Hall sooner, your progress would have been even more remarkable," Wu Qiming looked at Wu Yuan with regret.
"Chieftain, the clan has treated me well enough." Wu Yuan argued.
"No!" Wu Qiming shook his head and said, "Being treated well doesn't necessarily mean it's in your best interest. We've inadvertently held you back. I intend to request Liuye to write a letter to the main clan. In the near future, they will send someone to Li City to bring you there."
"The main clan?" Wu Yuan was taken aback. The Wu Clan in Li City was just a branch of the Southdream Wu Clan, and a rather weak branch at that.
"While the Southdream Wu Clan may not be considered a large clan, it's still somewhat stronger than the Luo Clan. If you go to Southdream Province and receive the main family's full support, your growth will be accelerated. Your chances of becoming the number one in the four provinces at the Cloud Martial Hall tournament next year will increase significantly," Wu Qiming told Wu Yuan with a sigh. "Your genealogy will also be transferred to the main family."
"Chieftain!" Wu Yuan frowned, speaking resolutely, "I'm staying in Li City. My genealogy will always remain in the Wu Clan of Li City. I'm not going anywhere else."
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