Chapter 843
Confronting the Nine Great Families
"Sir." The sound of wind chimes came from afar.
Zheng Yi slowly opened his eyes and suppressed his aura.
Fengling strode into the backyard, a serious expression on her face.
"What is it?" Zheng Yi asked.
"Something's happened in Hongyun City," Fengling said. "According to our scouts, the city lord of Hongyun City, Guo Chongshan, died suddenly last night; the cause of death is unknown."
"Guo Chongshan is dead?" Zheng Yi frowned slightly.
Guo Chongshan was the city lord of Hongyun City and also the head of the Guo family. Although the Guo family wasn't one of the nine great families, it was still a well-known clan in the Tianyuan Domain, and its power shouldn't be underestimated. Guo Chongshan himself was a peak Mahayana Realm expert, possessing formidable strength. How could he have suddenly died?
"Is the cause of death really unknown?" he pressed.
“It’s still unclear,” Feng Ling said. “But it’s said that Guo Chongshan died without any warning signs; he simply stopped breathing in his sleep. The Guo family suspects poisoning, but they haven’t found any evidence yet.”
"What's the current situation at Hongyun City?"
"It's complete chaos," Feng Ling said. "Guo Chongshan has three sons: Guo Tianyou, Guo Tianci, and Guo Tianen. All three want to inherit the position of family head and are fiercely vying for it."
"Moreover, it's not just an internal power struggle within the Guo family; external forces are also stirring. Hongyun City is one of the wealthiest cities in the eastern part of Tianyuan Domain, a hub for merchants and a source of abundant wealth. Many forces are eyeing Hongyun City, hoping to take advantage of the Guo family's internal strife to gain a share."
Zheng Yi was silent for a moment, then said, "What does this have to do with us?"
“Not for now,” Feng Ling said. “However, Hongyun City is only a few hundred miles from Qingyun City. If Hongyun City falls into the hands of a certain power, it might affect Qingyun City. I feel it is necessary to report this to you, sir.”
“You did the right thing.” Zheng Yi nodded. “Continue to monitor the situation in Hongyun City and report back immediately if there are any developments.”
"Yes," Fengling replied, turning and leaving.
Zheng Yi stood up, walked to the old locust tree in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, looked up at the sunlight filtering through the branches and leaves, and fell into deep thought.
The events in Hongyun City were indeed not of much concern to him. However, as Fengling said, Hongyun City was not far from Qingyun City, and if something happened there, it might affect Qingyun City.
However, he currently lacks the energy to concern himself with matters in Hongyun City. Qingyun City has only just stabilized, and various factions are secretly observing; he must remain vigilant and not be distracted.
"Never mind that for now," he muttered. "We'll deal with whatever comes our way."
He turned and went back to his room to continue practicing the Heavenly Gang Technique.
In the following days, news from Hongyun City kept coming in.
The power struggle among the three Guo brothers intensified, escalating from covert to overt. The eldest son, Guo Tianyou, seized control of the city lord's mansion and proclaimed himself acting city lord. The second son, Guo Tianci, dissatisfied, led a group of men to occupy the merchant guild in the east of the city, declaring his intention to rival his elder brother. The youngest son, Guo Tianen, hid in a villa in the west of the city, observing his two brothers' conflict with a cold eye, seemingly waiting for an opportunity to reap the benefits.
At the same time, external forces also began to interfere in the affairs of Hongyun City.
Several small and medium-sized aristocratic families sent people to contact the three Guo brothers, promising them various benefits in an attempt to win them over. Other forces were more direct, sending people into Hongyun City to secretly bribe Guo's subordinates, sow discord, and try to profit from the chaos.
"Hongyun City is in complete chaos," Wang Tianhai lamented. "With Guo Chongshan dead, the Guo family has fallen apart. It seems the Guo family's foundation is beyond repair."
"When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; when the wall collapses, everyone pushes it down," Zheng Yi said calmly. "When Guo Chongshan was alive, he could keep things in check. But after his death, all sorts of forces emerged."
"Sir, who do you think will ultimately get Hongyun City?" Wang Tianhai asked.
"It's hard to say," Zheng Yi shook his head. "The three Guo brothers all have considerable power, and none of them can suppress the others. External forces are also eyeing the city covetously, and could intervene at any time. The final result will likely be a division of Hongyun City among several parties."
"What impact will that have on our Qingyun City?"
“Not for now,” Zheng Yi said. “But if a certain force gains complete control of Hongyun City, it could pose a threat to Qingyun City. We need to be prepared.”
“I understand,” Wang Tianhai nodded.
That evening, Zheng Yi was studying the Heavenly Gang Manual in his room when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.
"Sir, someone requests an audience." The sound of wind chimes came from outside the door.
"Who?" Zheng Yi put down the book in his hand.
“I don’t know,” Wind Chime said. “It was a young man, dressed in ordinary cloth, who looked like a poor scholar. But he said he had important business to discuss with the master, and that he knew the master’s true identity.”
Zheng Yi frowned.
What is his true identity? What does this person know?
“Let him in,” he said.
"Yes," Fengling replied, turning and leaving.
A moment later, footsteps could be heard outside the door.
Zheng Yi stood up and looked towards the door.
A young man walked in.
Just as Fengling said, the young man was dressed in ordinary gray cloth clothes, his hair was simply tied back, and his face was covered with some dust, making him look like he had traveled a long way.
But his eyes were clear and bright, revealing an extraordinary aura. His steps were steady and powerful, and his breathing was long and even, clearly indicating that he was a person who had achieved success in cultivation.
"Who are you?" Zheng Yi asked.
The young man looked around to make sure no one else was in the room before bowing and saying, "I am Guo Tianyou, the eldest young master of the Guo family of Hongyun City. I apologize for disturbing you, Mr. Dark Night."
"Guo Tianyou?" Zheng Yi's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're the eldest young master of the Guo family?"
"It is indeed me," Guo Tianyou nodded.
Zheng Yi looked him up and down, a playful smile on his face.
"As far as I know, the eldest son of the Guo family is currently in the City Lord's Mansion of Hongyun City, having appointed himself acting City Lord and vying with his two younger brothers for the position of family head. What are you doing here?"
“Sir, you are well-informed.” Guo Tianyou gave a wry smile. “I should indeed be in Hongyun City. But things have changed, and I have no choice but to risk leaving the city to seek your help in Qingyun City.” “Help?” Zheng Yi raised an eyebrow. “What kind of help do you need?”
Guo Tianyou took a deep breath, seemingly organizing his thoughts.
“Sir, to be honest, I have come here with an urgent matter to ask of you,” he said. “Hongyun City is on the verge of collapse, and the Guo family is about to fall apart. I have nowhere else to turn but to seek your help.”
"Why do you think I would help you?" Zheng Yi asked.
“Because I have heard of your deeds, sir.” Guo Tianyou looked at Zheng Yi, his eyes gleaming with hope. “You killed the Lu family’s prodigy with a single punch, and intimidated the allied forces of the three great families. Your strength and courage are truly admirable.”
"I believe you are a trustworthy person. That's why I risked coming to you, hoping you can help me through this difficult time."
Zheng Yi remained silent for a moment, then sat down in the chair and gestured for Guo Tianyou to sit down as well.
“Tell me the details first,” he said. “I’ll listen and then make a decision.”
Guo Tianyou sat down opposite Zheng Yi and began to recount the situation in Hongyun City.
“Sir, my father died suddenly two weeks ago, and the cause of death remains unknown,” he said. “My father was healthy before his death, without any illness. I suspect he was poisoned.”
"Who do you suspect?" Zheng Yi asked.
“I suspect it is my second brother, Guo Tianci.” Guo Tianyou’s voice became low.
"Your own brother?" Zheng Yi frowned slightly.
“Yes,” Guo Tianyou nodded. “Sir, you may not know, but my father valued me the most. I am the eldest son and was raised as his heir from a young age. Although my second and third brothers were also born of the same mother, my father treated them far less favorably than he treated me.”
"My second brother has always harbored resentment about this. He feels that his talents are no less than mine, so why should I inherit the family business while he can only be a collateral branch? Over the years, he has been secretly accumulating power and cultivating his confidants, just waiting for the day he can replace me."
"After my father's sudden death, my second brother was the first to object to my succession as head of the family. He said that my father had not left a will, and the successor should be decided by the elders of the Guo family. He also rallied a group of elders to oppose me."
"I suspect that my second brother was responsible for my father's death. He wanted to get rid of my father, then me, and become the head of the Guo family himself."
After listening, Zheng Yi remained silent for a moment.
"Do you have any evidence?" he asked.
“There’s no conclusive evidence,” Guo Tianyou shook his head. “But on the night my father died suddenly, my second brother’s movements were very suspicious. He appeared near my father’s bedroom and was seen by a servant. But that servant later disappeared, and I can’t find him anywhere.”
"Furthermore, my second brother reacted very quickly after my father's death. He took over the merchant guild in the east of the city almost immediately, as if he had been preparing for this all along. This makes me even more suspicious that he is the mastermind behind it all."
"If your suspicions are true, then what's the point of you coming to me?" Zheng Yi asked. "You should report him to the Town Administration Bureau, not come to me."
"Sir, you are unaware of the situation," Guo Tianyou said with a wry smile, "I already sent people to contact the Town Domain Division. But they said they wouldn't accept accusations without evidence. Moreover, the Town Domain Division is currently busy dealing with a rebellion in the northern part of Tianyuan Domain and has no time to attend to the matter of Hongyun City."
"And what about your third brother?" Zheng Yi asked again. "What's his attitude?"
“My third brother is a cunning old fox,” Guo Tianyou said. “He appears to be neutral on the surface, but he’s actually watching from the sidelines. He’s waiting for my second brother and me to both be severely weakened so he can reap the benefits.”
"So, you're now beset by internal and external troubles, and have nowhere to turn?" Zheng Yi concluded.
“Sir, you are right.” Guo Tianyou nodded, a bitter expression on his face. “My current situation is extremely difficult. My second brother is stirring up trouble internally, and my third brother is eyeing us covetously. Several other powerful families are also secretly interfering, trying to seize the Guo family's assets. I am alone and helpless; I truly don't know what to do.”
So you came to find me?
“Yes.” Guo Tianyou looked at Zheng Yi, his eyes full of sincerity. “I have long heard of your strength, sir. You alone were able to intimidate the combined forces of the three great families; such strength is rare in the entire Tianyuan Domain. I believe that if I could get your help, perhaps we could overcome this difficulty.”
"Why should I help you?" Zheng Yi asked. "We're complete strangers, and the Guo family's affairs have nothing to do with me. What makes you think I'd help you?"
Guo Tianyou remained silent for a moment, then took out a small cloth bag from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“This is a token of my sincerity,” he said.
Zheng Yi opened the cloth bag, inside was a fist-sized crystal, entirely emerald green, emitting a faint glow.
"This is... a Spirit Marrow Stone?" Zheng Yi's eyes lit up slightly.
Spirit Marrow Stones are an extremely rare cultivation resource, containing pure spiritual energy from heaven and earth. Cultivating with Spirit Marrow Stones can greatly accelerate the cultivation process, achieving twice the results with half the effort. A Spirit Marrow Stone this size is worth at least tens of millions of spirit stones.
“Sir, you have a good eye,” Guo Tianyou nodded. “This is a treasured possession of my late father, which I have kept for future use. I am bringing it out now to express my sincerity.”
“If you are willing to help me, sir, I will offer even greater rewards upon completion of the task. Hongyun City is the wealthiest city in the eastern part of Tianyuan Domain, and the Guo family's businesses are scattered throughout the land. If you ask, sir, I am willing to offer thirty percent of the Guo family's assets as your reward.”
"Thirty percent of the industry?" Zheng Yi raised an eyebrow. "You're quite generous."
“Sir, your help is worth the price,” Guo Tianyou said. “Moreover, I have another condition.”
"What are the conditions?"
"I hope to form an alliance with you, sir," Guo Tianyou said, his eyes resolute as he looked at Zheng Yi. "Not just for this one time, but a long-term alliance. I know you have the strength and courage to face the Nine Great Families without fear. I hope to join forces with you to fight against those behemoths."
"A joint confrontation?" Zheng Yi's lips curled into a slight smile. "You've certainly thought ahead."
"Sir, to be honest," Guo Tianyou said, "Although I am the eldest young master of the Guo family, the Guo family is only a mid-level power in the Tianyuan Domain, and is simply powerless to contend with the nine great families. Over the years, the Guo family has always been extremely cautious, fearing that offending any of the great families would bring about its annihilation."
"But I've always felt that this kind of life isn't sustainable. The power of the nine great families is growing stronger and stronger, and sooner or later they will swallow up smaller and medium-sized families like the Guo family. Rather than sitting and waiting for our doom, we should take the initiative, find allies, and unite to fight against the nine great families."
"Sir, you are the ally I have chosen. You possess strength and courage, daring to confront the nine great families head-on. If I can form an alliance with you, the future of the Guo family will be secured."
After listening, Zheng Yi remained silent for a long time.
He had to admit that Guo Tianyou's words had moved him.
The power of the nine great families is indeed immense. Although he single-handedly defeated the combined forces of three of the great families, that was only temporary. If the nine great families were to join forces against him, he would find it difficult to withstand their attacks. (End of Chapter)