CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 87: NEVER REFUSE ANYONE, PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME! (SEEKING RECOMMENDATIONS)

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Among the closest to the center were two notable figures: one from the Liu Family, Liu Yongzhou, and one from the Zhao Family, Zhao Dingtian.

Suddenly, their hearts were gripped with panic, and they involuntarily took two steps back. But as soon as they did this, they were immediately overtaken by a sense of embarrassment and anger, their faces turning red with shame.

Following Wang Shouzhe out were the Liua Brothers and Sisters. They feared that Wang Shouzhe might suffer a loss and had intended to come and support him, but they did not expect to witness this scene.

"Brother Shouzhe, you truly are something else," murmured Liua Ruolei softly.

On the other hand, Liua Yuanrui, after a moment’s daze, showed a helpless bitter smile on his face; Brother Shouzhe, oh Brother Shouzhe, you never cease to surprise me.

The Clan Leaders of the Liu and Zhao Clans, who originally had an air of amiable confidence, found their expressions frozen on the spot.

The grand morale conjured by both clans’ people was utterly shattered by just a single sentence from him.

Sufficient time passed for a few breaths.

It was only then that Liu Shengye recovered from the shock. He shot a fierce glare at the somewhat humiliating Liu Yongzhou and then said to Wang Shouzhe with a sarcastic tone, "Dear nephew Shouzhe, since we parted at Dingpu Ferry, you’ve become more and more impressive. Is it that you no longer acknowledge even your elder uncle visiting the door? Your Ping’an Wang Family, with such scholarly heritage, does it not even understand the slightest decorum?"

Since the momentum was broken, Liu Shengye, known for his eloquence, was ready to turn the tables.

Wang Shouzhe glanced left and right before finally resting his puzzled gaze on Liu Shengye: "Oh, isn’t this the Patriarch Liu? My apologies, my apologies, I, Wang Shouzhe, a stalwart man, am not accustomed to acknowledging a jackal as my elder uncle."

"You..." Liu Shengye’s face flushed red. Originally, he came here full of confidence to accuse them, feeling superior. Under the public eye, he intended to showcase the Liu Family’s might and to exhibit the superficial manners of a traditional noble family.

Yet unexpectedly, Wang Shouzhe directly tore off the facade.

"Fine, fine, fine," Liu Shengye laughed in his anger, saying, "I never thought that the esteemed Ping’an Wang Family, even before vanishing, would already lose the demeanor and grace of a noble family."

"Liu Shengye, are you joking?" Wang Shouzhe said with an inexplicable look, "The demeanor and grace of a noble family are meant for people. In this world, who talks about manners to a beast?"

To "cooperate" with the propaganda strategy of the Liu and Zhao Clans, every word Wang Shouzhe uttered was laced with some Profound Qi, ensuring that those on the outskirts, the onlookers, could all hear clearly.

As expected, the surrounding crowd burst into laughter. Among them were many onlookers who had no particular stance, purely there for the spectacle.

Hearing Wang Shouzhe’s domineering words, they all laughed loudly.

In this situation, with hundreds or even thousands of onlookers, the Liu and Zhao Races had no way to handle them.

"You..." Liu Shengye’s old face turned crimson, almost spitting blood. His muddled old eyes showed a fierce glint, "You little bastard of the Wang Family, now that you want to tear off the facade, don’t blame me for being ruthless today."

"Haha~~ It seems as though your aggressive visit to our Wang Family’s doorstep today was to bow your head and greet me politely," Wang Shouzhe’s expression gradually turned solemn as he spoke loudly, "Liu Shengye, listen to me."

"Three thousand years of Great Qian Prosperity. Our Wang Family Ancestor Zhou Xuan bore the Pioneer Order southward, slaying demon beasts and clearing the wildlands, paving the way for humanity, establishing a haven for the ancestors, for which he rendered great service."

Hearing this, many onlookers adopted serious expressions. Most of them were locals, maintaining respect for Ancestor Zhou Xuan who helped establish Ping’an Town.

"In the year 3095 of Prosperity, a Tier Five demon beast stirred a beast tide. Our Ancestor Zhou Xuan personally went to the front lines, refusing to retreat, determined to protect tens of thousands of citizens in Ping’an Town. In that battle, our Wang Family suffered heavy losses, with clansmen and Household Generals dead and wounded. Our Ancestors, Zhou Xuan and Qiong Yuan, both fell in battle against the beast tide. At that time, where were Liu Zhide, Ancestor of the Liu Family, and Zhao Bojun, Ancestor of the Zhao Family? Haha, not only did they feign death, but they also let two beast tides in, causing our Wang Family’s defense line to completely collapse."

The emotions of the onlookers gradually turned to anger. Such hidden matters were, of course, not something the Liu and Zhao Clans wanted to spread. If this were true, the Liu and Zhao Clans would be utterly despicable and shameless.

"Slander, you’re spouting baseless lies," Liu Shengye roared, "Wang Shouzhe, without evidence, don’t talk nonsense." Should this matter truly spread, the reputation damage to the Liu and Zhao Clans would be immense.

Even the younger generations of the Liu and Zhao Clans felt a bit dubious. However, they considered such words, coming from rival forces, to be mostly false.

"Whether slander or not, you and I know well," Wang Shouzhe said with a cold laugh, speaking loudly, "If you have opinions, let’s talk about the present. In this pest disaster, how many outrageous deeds have your Liu and Zhao Clans committed in an attempt to seize civilian lands? How many civilian families have suffered because of you? If not for our Wang Family’s relief effort through work-for-relief, who knows how many self-cultivating farmers would have lost their land and ended up as serf tenants? Will you still say this is baseless?

"Liu Shengye, before you ask others to respect you, you must first be a human, not a beast."

As soon as Wang Shouzhe finished speaking, a group of self-cultivating farmers shouted, "It’s true, everything Clan Leader Wang said is true."

More and more people began to shout: "It’s true, the Zhao and Liu Clans are heartless, not only do they not provide disaster relief, but they even seize the opportunity to annex and plunder everyone’s land."

The cries of the farmer and civilian voices gathered, echoing in the sky, as they finally found a channel to express their anger within.

Many traveling merchants and passersby who had just arrived in Ping’an Town were quite surprised, all filled with disbelief. Could it be? The Liu and Zhao Clans are so shameless, couldn’t they cover their shame a little when annexing land?

To make a fuss at the Wang Family’s door over such matters?

In an instant, even the momentum of the Liu and Zhao clansmen and their household generals was suppressed.

Especially Clan Leaders Liu Shengye and Zhao Jinxian, they were so enraged that they nearly spit blood.

Originally, in their plans and imaginations, the two clans would come together to suppress the Wang Family. Even if the Wang Family didn’t beg for mercy on the spot, they would at least be trembling in fear, not daring to confront them directly.

Their bigger purpose was to provoke Wang Longyan to appear, so that the two Ancestors could personally, under the guise of sparring, suppress her. Killing her on the spot wasn’t possible, after all, the Daqian Law stands in the way. But if they could injure her further, hastening her to an early grave, that would be the right path.

Without Wang Longyan, the mere Wang Family is nothing more than a sick tiger without claws or teeth, left to be molded at their will, isn’t it?

But to their surprise, Wang Shouzhe was so audacious. Does he not fear completely angering the Liu and Zhao Clans, not even giving them a chance to survive?

Just as Liu Shengye was about to retaliate verbally, he heard some instructions from the ancestors in his ear.

His face immediately darkened, and he stepped forward, viciously saying, "Wang Shouzhe, you’re just a junior here spouting nonsense, has Wang Longyan died? Let her come out immediately to explain the matters of commercial sniping, otherwise don’t blame our Liu and Zhao Clans for being rude."

What’s the use of these mere commoners even if they scream louder?

Could it be, they’re daring to take up scythes and charge at a noble family? Once the Wang Family is completely suppressed, won’t each of these commoners obediently fall in line?

"Haha, truly those with big fists have strong confidence." Wang Shouzhe laughed lightly and casually, "With your family of wolves and traitors, what qualification do you have to request an audience with Ancestor Longyan? How about this, and don’t say the Ping’an Wang Family lacks grace. I’ll give you a chance: if anyone under forty in your two clans can defeat me, Wang Shouzhe, I’ll invite Ancestor Longyan out."

"Clang!"

"I, Wang Shouzhe! Currently eighteen years old, welcome any opponent under forty." Wang Shouzhe drew out his fine steel longsword, assumed a battle stance, and shouted aloud.

"Please enlighten me!"

He stood on the steps, his expression neither angry nor joyous, looking down at the Liu and Zhao Clans as if they were nothing!

Unfortunately, no elite from the Liu and Zhao Clans dared to meet his gaze.

With just one person and one sword, he once again completely suppressed the momentum of the Liu and Zhao Clans.

"Brother Shouzhe..." Liua Ruolei’s eyes flickered, muttering incessantly, "Truly a hero, a true champion. Boohoo, elder sister is so fortunate."

Liua Yuanrui, who always thought highly of himself, looked somewhat pale, inwardly complaining, Brother Shouzhe, oh Brother Shouzhe, haven’t you set the bar a bit too high for the younger generation?

This puts the young legitimate sons such as himself in a tough spot.

Even his eldest legitimate brother Liua Yuanhui probably couldn’t achieve this, could he?

At this very moment.

A little girl with braided pigtails jumped out from behind Wang Shouzhe. She skittered over to Wang Shouzhe’s side, also gazing down at the Liu and Zhao Clans.

"Before challenging fourth brother, you’ll have to defeat me first."

"I, Wang Luqiu! Currently eleven years old!" Wang Luqiu’s immature yet proud voice echoed across the square, "Welcoming any Black Tortoise Practitioner under sixteen, please enlighten me!"

Before Wang Shouzhe could speak.

Wang Luojing also walked over slowly, saying calmly as she walked, "I, Wang Luojing! Currently twelve years old."

"Welcoming any Black Tortoise Practitioner under sixteen, please enlighten me!"

Wang Shouzhe’s heart warmed. His two sisters stepping forward to fight was not part of the plan; this feeling of standing shoulder to shoulder with family, of having someone protect you and share the burdens of the family together, was truly wonderful!

The scene was silent, all eyes lifted to gaze at the three young members of the Wang Family. Such boldness, truly such boldness.

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