Chapter 1777 — Each with Their Own Designs
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
The arrival of these old family heads clearly meant that a matter of great importance was to be discussed. Among the hidden clans, relations were for the most part competitive, yet when a matter of common interest arose, they too would cooperate with one another.
"Old man Zhao, I never would have thought you had actually become an early-stage Heaven-rank expert. I remember, at your birthday last year, when I sent Xiao Chen to offer you birthday congratulations, you were still a peak late-stage Earth-rank expert, were you not?" The Yu Family Ancestor looked at his in-law with some surprise. In less than a year, the man had actually succeeded in breaking through to the peak and become a Heaven-rank expert!
"Hahaha, am I really so worthless in your eyes? What, does my becoming a Heaven-rank expert make you uncomfortable?" Old Master Zhao laughed heartily. "You, my dear in-law, have long been a Heaven-rank expert. If I did not make an effort, how could I hold my head up?"
"Fair enough! Our Yu and Zhao families have always been close. That your Zhao family prospers naturally delights me beyond measure!" The Yu Family Ancestor said this, then turned to look at Zhao Guangyin behind Old Master Zhao and remarked coolly, "Guangyin, I hear from Xiao Jin that you intend to bring back a bastard son from outside? What exactly is going on? There is nothing wrong with a man being a bit of a philanderer, but do not let it stir up trouble within the family."
Zhao Guangyin's face flushed at once. Though the Yu Family Ancestor had mentioned the matter only lightly, anything that drew the attention of a Heaven-rank expert was by no means a small matter. It showed that the Yu Family Ancestor was already somewhat displeased with this course of action.
At that thought, Zhao Guangyin could only brace himself and say, "To reply to my honored father-in-law, this matter was decided by our family's Ancestor. It was not Guangyin's idea..."
He could only shift the matter onto Old Master Zhao. In truth, it had indeed been Old Master Zhao's decision. Now that Old Master Zhao and the Yu Family Ancestor were both Heaven-rank experts, it was naturally impossible for them to fall out with each other over such a thing.
Among the hidden clans, whenever an elder advanced to become a Heaven-rank expert, he would be respectfully addressed as Ancestor, for the lifespan of a Heaven-rank expert was extended. Once one became a Heaven-rank expert, one could shelter the family for at least another century, so the title of Ancestor was no exaggeration.
"This was my idea!" Old Master Zhao took the matter upon himself. "However you look at it, he is a descendant of my Zhao family. Taking advantage of this joyous occasion of my breakthrough to Heaven-rank, I brought him back. It is hardly a great affair."
The Yu Family Ancestor nodded and said no more. Though his daughter was somewhat displeased about the matter, it was, after all, the Zhao family's own business. Since the Zhao Family Ancestor had spoken thus, he naturally could not continue to meddle.
Of course, had Old Master Zhao not broken through to Heaven-rank, that would have been another matter entirely. To a hidden clan, a Heaven-rank expert was akin to a guardian deity. So long as a Heaven-rank expert held the seat and the family was not foolish enough to provoke a more powerful force, the family was guaranteed not to decline for a hundred years.
But if some of the younger generation in the family grew so puffed up with confidence that they lost all sense and provoked a more powerful force, then that was another matter altogether!
Still, a hidden clan possessing a Heaven-rank expert could already stand on equal footing with an ordinary ancient sect. Even those ancient sects possessing only one or two Heaven-rank experts would have to weigh matters carefully before moving against such a hidden clan.