The Zhao family of the Northeast, having obtained the "Shen Nei Jing" from Yan Shouyi, rose rapidly within half a year, becoming the foremost family of Northern shamans.
However, their swift ascent exposed their vulnerabilities. They were easily targeted by rivals, their foundation was unstable, and they were the first to attract attention, like a bird standing out in a flock. Thus, when relations between the two factions deteriorated, the North used the Zhao family as a warning.
According to Zhao Zhenghao, the so-called righteous sects acted like gangsters and bandits, directly storming the Zhao family mansion. They arrested many people on fabricated charges, and their entire enterprise was seized and taken over overnight. Zhao Zhenghao, despite his best efforts, managed to escape with only a portion of his family. The rest were either scattered or captured by the righteous sects of the North.
Upon hearing of the family's plight, Zhao Yiyao was furious. Yet, after spending half a year by Yan Shouyi's side, Zhao Yiyao was no longer the impulsive, hot-headed woman she once was. She comforted her father and led her clansmen inside.
"Once we reach Rongcheng, you won't have to fear anymore. I will protect you all."
Zhao Zhenghao looked at his daughter, realizing how much she had matured. She remained calm in the face of adversity and possessed a steady demeanor, a transformation he had never dared to imagine. In that moment, Zhao Zhenghao felt immensely grateful that he had placed his daughter under Yan Shouyi's care. It was a pity, however, that Yan Shouyi already had a partner, or Zhao Zhenghao would have hoped to "upgrade" their relationship further.
Zhao Yiyao worked tirelessly all night to settle everyone. Upon learning of the Zhao family's arrival, Wang Jiwang personally led his men to offer his condolences.
This was Zhao Zhenghao's second visit to Rongcheng, and his mood was complicated. Especially after the fall of his family, his mind was consumed with how to reclaim what had been lost, leaving him with little inclination to chat with Wang Jiwang.
Wang Jiwang, sensing Zhao Zhenghao's thoughts, said, "Patriarch Zhao, you need not worry. Our Chairman Yan will return to Rongcheng tomorrow, and all problems will be resolved then."
The Zhao family members frowned. "Really?" They were unaware of the full story, only knowing that Yan Shouyi was now the target of public scrutiny and would face far greater pressure than the Zhao family. With his young age, what kind of foundation could Yan Shouyi possess, and what capability did he have to resolve the conflict between the two factions?
"He definitely can," Zhao Yiyao reassured the younger members of the clan. Her perspective on problems now leaned more towards that of the Folk Research Society, which caused some dissatisfaction among the younger generation, who felt Zhao Yiyao was like a married daughter, already siding with outsiders. Zhao Zhenghao, however, understood the essence of the matter.
He said with great melancholy, "It's just... resolved?"
Wang Jiwang gave Zhao Zhenghao a deep look. "One must eat one bite at a time, and handle matters one by one. There's no need to rush." After speaking, Wang Jiwang shook hands with Zhao Zhenghao and left, leaving behind the bewildered Zhao clan juniors and Zhao Yiyao.
Exiting the guest room, Wang Jiwang found a boardwalk that offered a direct view of West Lake. He lit a cigarette and dialed Yan Shouyi's number. The call was answered quickly, and Wang Jiwang breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that Yan Shouyi and his group were currently proceeding smoothly.
"Old Yan, where are you?"
"We've reached northern Xiang, crossing the river."
"Good. The latest news is that the Zhao family of the Northeast has fallen. Patriarch Zhao brought dozens of people to us, and we've settled them."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Wang Jiwang sighed, "I've reassured everyone that the matter can be resolved, but Patriarch Zhao asked me if the matter is merely resolved?"
Yan Shouyi immediately understood Wang Jiwang's meaning. In the current situation, resolving the issue meant compromise, meaning asking the major sects to grant the folk sects a chance to survive without further harassment. On the surface, this was the best outcome for peaceful coexistence, but for the folk sect disciples who had already suffered, it was not. They had been persecuted by the major sects, and some had even lost loved ones because of them, yet now they had to beg for their release. How would those grudges be settled? How would that pain be accounted for? Zhao Zhenghao wanted more than just the "resolution of the matter"; he wanted the major sects to pay a price!
"My worst fear has come to pass," Yan Shouyi said with a headache. "This is likely the outcome Li Gengmiao desired most."
Wang Jiwang empathized. "What do you plan to do?"
"To pacify external threats, one must first pacify internal ones. The folk sects' greatest enemy is the Xin Xuan Mountain Sect. Once they are dealt with, we will have the time and energy to elevate the status of the folk sects," Yan Shouyi expressed his thoughts. His trip to Mount Emei had also given him many new insights.
Not all folk sect disciples were benevolent; some were even ruthless fugitives. The shadow puppet opera successor who insulted Daoist Jin Bi's daughter, the ancient physician successor who caused Huang Qingcang to lose his wife and family, the monkey tamer who hid in Mount Emei and trafficked children, and Qi Dongqiang who massacred the Emei sect – the folk sect disciples, due to a lack of organizational restraint, were largely not good people. The major sects' disdain for the folk sects was a long-standing stereotype that the folk sects had created. Changing this situation would require more than just shouting slogans or dealing with the major sects. According to Yan Shouyi's plan, the first step was to cleanse the house, the second was to organize forces, and the third was to elevate the status of the folk sects.
Wait... Yan Shouyi suddenly frowned. He realized that Li Gengmiao seemed to be doing the same thing. Was his command for the Twenty-Eight Constellations to kill other folk sect disciples another form of cleansing the house?
"You should return sooner. Those lurking in Rongcheng have become restless, and we probably can't hold on much longer," Wang Jiwang's voice interrupted Yan Shouyi's thoughts. He agreed and hung up the phone. The Yangtze River cruise ship he was on was heading east along the river. The water was turbulent, and the river wind, blowing so fiercely that one's eyes could not open, carried a strong fishy smell, as if foreshadowing a bloody storm.
Everyone dreams of being a hero, but they fail to see that the path beneath a hero's feet is always paved with corpses. Wang Li, a member of the Folk Research Society and a赊刀人 (debt-cutter), woke up early, changed his clothes, and headed to the cafeteria kitchen. He had joined the Folk Research Society out of admiration after Yan Shouyi's battle with the Chi Hua Hui. After joining the society, he felt an unprecedented sense of security. He bid farewell to his past days of hardship, enjoying a life of security and abundance. Moreover, under Wang Jiwang's guidance, his progress had been rapid. To contribute in some way, Wang Li helped in the kitchen every day.
However, today's Wang Li was different from his past self. He was preoccupied and nervous, finding the clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen incredibly jarring. Counting the days, it was finally today. Today was the day the Xin Xuan Mountain Sect had conspired to attack the Folk Research Society.