"Hey, have you heard? A large family moved over from Liuye Town, dozens of people in total."

"Naturally. I also know that this family has Immortal Masters among them, and they've now submitted to the main family."

"It is truly enviable. If only the two of us could be so fortunate as to join a North Bank clan in this lifetime."

Two traveling merchants chatted as they walked, turning a corner onto the broad avenue in front of the Zhao residence.

The two glanced at the plaque above the Zhao estate's gates, revealing a hint of disgust.

"Those wastrel sons of the Zhao family are truly detestable!" one said, shaking his head.

"Indeed. They were taught a lesson by the Clan Soldiers before, yet they still refuse to learn. It hasn't been long at all, but they've already come to our South Bank to cause trouble again."

The other agreed, "The Zhao family's reputation has been completely ruined by those few. Now, any shop on the South Bank locks its doors in fear the moment they are spotted from afar."

From their complaints, it was clear that the younger generation of the Zhao family had truly gone too far.

Just as they passed the Zhao residence, a series of miserable screams suddenly erupted from within the courtyard.

"Ah!! Help!!"

"Murder!!"

The two merchants shuddered at the sound, and the surrounding passersby gathered upon hearing the commotion.

The miserable screams from the Zhao courtyard continued, but the gates were tightly shut, and no one dared enter to investigate.

About fifteen minutes later, the screams stopped, leaving only faint sobbing echoing from within.

Bang!

The heavy gates of the Zhao residence were kicked open. The crowd looked toward the sound, only to see Zhao Dapeng walking out with disheveled hair, absolutely covered in blood.

This appearance terrified the passersby, who shouted in panic as they hastily backed away.

The two merchants, both frightened and curious, craned their necks to look. They saw Zhao Dapeng holding a chopping blade in one hand and dragging a burlap sack with the other.

Such sacks were usually used for storing grain, but no one knew what it held now. It was already dyed a deep, striking crimson.

Zhao Dapeng dragged the blood-soaked burlap sack all the way toward the Yang family estate.

The Clan Soldiers received word and quickly reported the matter upward. Yang Tieli rushed over in haste.

"Brother Zhao, what are you doing?"

Yang Tieli blocked Zhao Dapeng's path and asked.

Zhao Dapeng looked at him, panting heavily as he forced a smile. "Captain Tieli, do not worry. This old man isn't here to cause trouble. I am ashamed of my failings, and I am going to the main family to plead guilty."

"Plead guilty?"

Yang Tieli looked at the burlap sack behind him and guessed the general idea.

"I am heading that way myself. Let us go together."

"That would be for the best!"

Zhao Dapeng agreed and followed Yang Tieli to the gates of the Yang family estate.

Yang Feiyun was already waiting at the entrance.

Outside the gates, a dense crowd of onlookers gathered like a dark cloud, craning their necks and trying to squeeze to the front.

Zhao Dapeng wasted no words. Upon arriving, he immediately fell to his knees and kowtowed three times to Yang Feiyun.

"Great Master! I have failed in my discipline. These fools disgraced the clan's reputation outside. It is my Zhao family's fault."

Saying this, Zhao Dapeng tipped the contents of the burlap sack onto the ground-six severed heads rolled out!

"Ah!"

This bloody sight made the surrounding villagers gasp in shock. The faint-hearted rolled their eyes back and fainted on the spot.

Zhao Dapeng pointed at the rolling heads and declared, "These black sheep cannot be kept. I have dealt with them according to family law. I, Zhao Dapeng, was originally just an old mountain farmer. Everything I have today is entirely due to the main family's grace. Today, before all you fellow villagers, I swear to the Great Master that such a situation will never occur in the Zhao family again. If it does, I, Zhao Dapeng, will offer up my own head!"

As his words fell, the onlookers buzzed with discussion. Some clapped in approval, some shook their heads and sighed, while others merely grinned, happy to watch the spectacle.

Zhao Dapeng heard them but paid no mind. Their opinions didn't matter. What mattered was how the Yang family viewed this.

Yang Feiyun waited for him to finish, then turned to give a few instructions to the steward before stepping forward to help him up.

"Great Master, I..."

"Say no more. This matter cannot be blamed on you."

Yang Feiyun said gently, "When one person attains the Dao, even chickens and dogs ascend. No matter who it is, if an Immortal Master emerged from their family, their situation would be no better than your Zhao family's."

At these words, Zhao Dapeng was first stunned, before his face lit up with wild joy.

The onlookers exclaimed in surprise. The Zhao family's boy had actually succeeded in his cultivation!

This news had never been released before. Even Zhao Dapeng himself had not known.

"Great Master! Do you mean my boy has succeeded!"

"Haha, would I lie to you? But Old Zhao, now we must call him Immortal Master Zhao," Yang Feiyun laughed.

"Yes, yes, yes. We must follow the rules. That is how it should be!" Zhao Dapeng nodded hurriedly, his eyes narrowing into slits with joy.

"Come, let me take you inside to change your clothes. Immortal Master Zhao has already accompanied Immortal Master Liang up the mountain. The two had a wonderful conversation, feeling as if they had met too late in life."

Zhao Dapeng heard Yang Feiyun's words and immediately understood his meaning.

He lowered his voice. "Great Master, rest assured. My Zhao family will stand with the Liang family and support each other!"

The two entered the Yang residence, and the six heads on the ground were quickly cleaned up by the Clan Soldiers.

No one cared about their deaths anymore. Instead, the crowd eagerly discussed how the main family had gained two more Immortal Masters on the mountain.

Meanwhile, the Liang family group had been led to their lodgings.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they were utterly stunned.

The courtyard the Yang family had prepared for them was even more luxurious and grand than their old home in Liuye Town.

And that was just the beginning. When they later saw the newly reclaimed fertile farmland, a three-story tavern, and several newly decorated shops, they could no longer contain their emotions and wept openly.

They had thought they would be living under another's roof, forced into hard labor. They never expected the Yang family to not only protect their lives but also preserve their dignity. More importantly, they felt respected.

"Master Yang, my entire Liang family is endlessly grateful!"

Liang Min, the second-in-command of the Liang family, said tearfully, "Such great kindness is beyond repayment. We only wish to serve the main family for ten thousand generations without complaint!"

"Brother Liang, your words are too heavy."

Yang Xiaolei waved his hand. "The Liang family has long shared ties with ours. Now that Immortal Master Liang has entered our family's immortal mountain, we are all one family. Do not stand on ceremony."

After settling the Liang family, Yang Xiaolei returned to the Yang estate and found Yang Feiyun.

"Second Brother, the Liang family is settled," Yang Xiaolei said.

Yang Feiyun nodded. "Lingqing's method truly worked. Without us having to intervene, the problem was resolved, and the tone has been set for both families."

As they spoke, the two looked up toward Mist Mountain. In their hearts, they felt immense gratitude that the Yang family possessed a descendant like Yang Lingqing.

Yang Family Restricted Grounds.

After Liang Yi met with the Yang family cultivators, Zhao Qi led him to the branch courtyard lodgings. No sooner had the two left than Gao Hui, the town chief of Baishi Town, arrived outside the formation to pay a visit.

"Greetings, Clan Leader Yang."

"Town Chief Gao, you are too polite. Please, come in."

Yang Lingqing welcomed him inside. After Yang Guanfeng left, she had taken over as acting clan leader and had interacted with Gao Hui many times.

Gao Hui sincerely admired this girl, who had just turned fifteen. Her style of conduct differed from Yang Guanfeng's, but her skills in managing the family and handling social relations were equally brilliant.

"This is this month's reward money issued by the Wangchao. Please keep it safe."

After they sat down, Gao Hui took twenty Spirit Crystals from his Storage Bag. Since Yang Guanfeng was selected by the Wangchao and left home, the Yang family had received monthly Spirit Crystals from the Wangchao as compensation.

"Twenty? Why are there ten extra this month?" Yang Lingqing asked.

Gao Hui smiled. "Brother Guanfeng rendered meritorious service while pacifying the rebellion in the east. The extra ten are a reward from the Wangchao."

Hearing the words "meritorious service," Yang Lingqing showed no joy on her face, but instead revealed a hint of worry. Compared to meritorious service and extra rewards, she hoped far more that her family's Ancestor would remain safe.

"I also have another matter to discuss with Clan Leader Yang on this visit."

"Town Chief Gao, please speak freely."

Looking for more free chapters? Visit www.skynovelvault.com to read over 5,000 free chapters and continue exploring more stories from SkyNovelVault.