361: Chapter 301 361: Chapter 301 “Let’s not be so democratic; let’s have a meeting and have all the family members participate.
If they agree, then I’ll explain clearly what’s going to happen next and what I plan to do!”
“Good, we all support Jiang Tang Family Head’s idea.
Let’s go to the square for the meeting.
I believe everyone in the family will agree,” Patriarch Jiang’s words already represented the sentiments of everyone there.
With that said, there was no need for further discussion, and they all left the Council Hall together.
As the doors of the Council Hall opened, the eyes of those meditating inside turned towards the opening doors.
With the door now open and so many people surrounding the entrance, Patriarch Jiang said to the people who were seated in meditation:
“Don’t crowd around here; head to the square.
The Jiang Family has something to say to you.”
“Yes.”
The seated people quickly stood up and moved aside, allowing those who had come out of the Council Hall to walk ahead.
Patriarch Jiang led the way, followed by Jiang Tang with his people, and the Jiang Family Head with their family members as they all proceeded to the square.
This was a full-clan mobilization assembly, and a whistle was blown to gather everyone.
Those who were busy working stopped what they were doing and came to the square for the meeting.
No sooner had the whistle for the Jiang Family assembly sounded than everyone, old and young alike, headed to the square.
They all came to see the capable Family Head.
Otherwise, it would be like a flood washing over a Dragon King Temple—not recognizing one’s own family members.
As shopkeepers who worked in stores outside, they handed their duties to their assistants and hurried to the family square, where they might have the chance to meet their Family Head and perhaps receive a reward.
Many of those who served as shopkeepers were members of the family, who had given up cultivation as they could not advance any further, focusing instead on the family’s affairs.
However, if they could gain the favor of the Supreme Alchemist this time, even just receiving one Supreme Elixir might rekindle their hope and give them a chance to improve their cultivation.
The greatest wish of a cultivator is to become an Immortal, to enjoy immortality and become a powerful immortal.
Who would want to spend their days dealing with mundane affairs like a mortal?
As long as they increased their cultivation, they would receive more attention from the family, be able to let go of worldly matters, and further pursue their cultivation.
If the shopkeepers were thinking this way, then the assistants were certainly eager to meet the new Family Head.
In any case, it was a call for a full assembly from the Jiang Family, and those who managed a shop took no heed of their business.
If an entire shop was run by people with the surname Jiang, they would simply close the shop and cease trading for the day.
If a shop still employed people of other surnames—relatives of family members—those individuals did not need to attend the meeting and were left to handle the business.
Those walking on the streets noticed the spectacle of many people hurrying out of their shops, all heading in one direction.
Anyone who knew where the Jiang Family’s compound was understood that they must surely be heading to the Jiang Family’s location.
Everyone wondered what major event had occurred that required the entire Jiang Family to convene.
While the members of the Jiang Family were rushing to the square, two different families arrived at their compound almost as if they had arranged to meet simultaneously at the entrance.
These two families were the Luo and Lai Families, who, upon hearing that Jiang Tang had arrived at the Jiang Family, seemed to have a tacit agreement to arrive at the same time.
Upon seeing the Jiang Family members, both families moved towards the main residence.
Having inquired at the gate, they learned that Jiang Tang had gone to the square.
The people from the Luo and Lai Families intended to enter the Jiang compound but were stopped by the guardians, who said they could not let them in because there was an important family meeting underway.
“You cannot enter.
Our family is gathering for a meeting.
People who are not part of our family are strictly prohibited from entering,” the Jiang Family guardians barred their way.
Anxious to meet Jiang Tang, they understood the need to discuss matters with the Jiang Family privately and did not want to miss the chance to see him.
As long as they waited nearby, they could keep abreast of the meeting’s discussions using their Divine Sense.
“Young man, please report to your Family Head Jiang Tang that we are here to see him.
We have an appointment to meet with him.
It’s just that he told us to meet here with your family,” said Luo Sheng, the Family Head.
He had been visiting the Jiang compound since his youth, and now he was speaking so politely to the guardians, undoubtedly out of respect for Jiang Tang.
“Yes, we can wait here in the guest room area as well; we have an arrangement with your new Family Head, which is why we came.
If you don’t believe us, you can go and report to your new Family Head.” Family Head Lai said as well.
“Then please wait in the guest lounge over there.
Don’t wander around and cause us trouble.
We’ll send someone to report to the new Family Head immediately.”
The guards knew these people were not to be trifled with, suspecting they might really have an arrangement with the new Family Head.
One guard ushered them to the guest lounge to wait, served them tea, and brought fruit and refreshments.
The guards hurried along, eager to get to the square to hear the new Family Head’s address.
The members of the Luo Family and Lai Family could only wait patiently, leisurely sipping their tea while their Divine Sense surveyed the Jiang Family.
They noticed even more people heading toward the square and discerned that a Great Power Holder with an imposing presence stood there.
Lai Jianlin and Luo Yaxuan, who were acquainted with Jiang Tang, looked even more astonished; in just half a month, Jiang Tang had increased his cultivation ー they, as his peers, were filled with both admiration and envy.
They couldn’t help but sigh that comparisons can be odiously discouraging.
Believing that they had achieved their high-status in the Cultivation World by consuming Supreme Elixirs.
Compared to Jiang Tang, though, even their accomplishments seemed insignificant, and this realization struck them hard.
“Luo Yaxuan, we’re nothing compared to Jiang Tang…”
“Jiang Tang is such a monster; who could ever match up to him?”
The words spoken by these two youths elicited varied reactions among their companions, each harbouring their own thoughts.
Their relatives inquired which one in the square was Jiang Tang?
“The one with the strongest Divine Sense, can you feel the pressure emanating from him?
And he has a unique sign: nine women and one man following him, and they are not from the Jiang Family.”
Having heard Luo Yaxuan and Lai Jianlin, their relatives all agreed that fame was not the same as witnessing firsthand.
They had thought those rumors circulating in the Martial World were mere gossip.
But those who had actually consumed Supreme Elixirs and improved their cultivation knew it was more than just rumors.
They had assumed Jiang Tang was merely at the Nascent Soul Stage; now they realized they knew too little – this person’s cultivation had to be far beyond that.
Otherwise, how could he exude such a powerful presence?
The guard hurried to the square to report, informing the families there that someone would see the new Family Head.
Patriarch Jiang and the other senior officials didn’t want other families meddling, yet since they couldn’t decide about Jiang Tang’s affairs, they had no choice but to ask if he truly had an arrangement with these individuals.
While they spoke, Jiang Tang had already used his Divine Sense to detect two familiar presences at the entrance of the Jiang Family estate, lodged within a mansion.
These were indeed the individuals from the Luo and Lai Families he had an agreement with.
Seeing them so eager yet respectfully waiting on the sidelines, Jiang Tang thought that these families might be trustable.
In looking for collaborators, Jiang Tang naturally preferred those with sound character.
He wasn’t interested in harboring people with ulterior motives; even if he became a dominator, he had no intention of becoming a rat that everyone wanted to chase out into the streets.
He wanted to be sincerely revered and supported, and achieving such a status required some effort.
“Let them wait there; I do have an arrangement with them.
I’ll meet with their families after I’ve spoken with you all here.”
Since Jiang Tang had spoken, the guard went out, and the crowd in the square had mostly gathered.
Patriarch Jiang was eager to avoid further complications and urged Jiang Tang to address the crowd.
“Family Head Jiang Tang, most people have arrived, and your time is precious.
Don’t wait for the rest; please address us now,” he said.
Jiang Tang nodded and responded, “Those who haven’t arrived yet, we won’t wait for them.
Whatever I say can be conveyed to them later.”
“Surely, as long as most of us here support you, it will reflect the entire family’s sentiments,” Jiang Family Head added.