Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 196 - 196 195 The Wen Family's Change

196: Chapter 195: The Wen Family’s Change 196: Chapter 195: The Wen Family’s Change He pulled out a silver coin and placed it in front of Qingpi.

Perhaps feeling it was too much, he pinched it between his fingers, and the silver coin was cleanly cut into two halves as if snipped by silver scissors, the break as smooth as a mirror.

This immediately made Qingpi realize exactly what kind of person he had encountered, someone who could decide his fate in an instant, toss him into jail without anyone daring to come to his rescue, but also someone who would reward him well if he cooperated!

This silver coin was just the beginning.

Whether he could get it, or even more, depended on his performance to come.

Hou Niao smiled slightly, “What is your esteemed surname?”

Without hesitation, Qingpi replied, “No need for formalities.

My surname is Sha, Sha Gua.”

This Gua was certainly not foolish.

Hou Niao cut straight to the chase, “Concerning the Wen Family, the Wen Family Clan, how much do you know?”

Sha Gua, indeed someone who had mixed with society, immediately had countless scenes flash through his mind.

A river and lake bandit?

A rat within the officialdom?

A Cultivation lunatic?

But he wouldn’t inquire about these things—knowing nothing about this person might be safer for him,

“Do you mean the disputes within the clan after the old uncle of the Wen Family ascended to immortality?

The infighting among the various branches?

The scheming and struggles?

The division of wealth?

The inheritance of resources?

The shift in power?”

Hou Niao smiled in satisfaction.

This was the advantage of such people—they could always meet your different needs, no matter the detail, everything was available.

The tea lasted for a good two hours.

Hou Niao was satisfied, and A-Gua felt a great relief.

He found a nearby inn to settle down and decided to visit the Wen Family after a few days; it’s hard for an upright official to decide domestic issues, and he was not an upright official—besides, the Wen Family was still a major clan…

A silent night passed.

The next day, rumors started circulating among the city’s folks, saying that a friend from the time when Wen Daoist was alive had come to repay old gratitude, bringing a huge trove of treasures to pay respects, and incidentally, to support the next family head of the Wen line, and so on.

In the following days, the rumors grew more and more far-fetched and exaggerated.

Some said the friend of Wen Daoist was wealthy enough to rival nations, others speculated that the treasure was originally left by Wen Daoist, who, fearing disputes among the clan members, had it moved elsewhere—there were all kinds of versions.

Three Rivers Prefecture was under Guangchuan State and had no Daoist Palace.

There were Cultivators, but their levels were quite limited, and with superficial knowledge.

Regardless of whether the rumors were true or false, there were many who believed them, and even more who wanted to get a piece of the action and take advantage of the situation.

For a time, undercurrents surged, and the number of people coming and going from the Wen Family estate noticeably increased, with some clearly being Cultivators.

Three days later, Hou Niao presented his visiting card at the Wen Family, signing it as a friend of Wen Jinglai.

Despite their age difference making this an impossibility, one couldn’t judge someone’s age in the Cultivation World simply by their appearance.

He wasn’t trying to take advantage of anyone; it’s just that assuming such a role would save a lot of trouble.

He needed a plausible identity, as under the current conditions, the Wen Family was probably least receptive to outsiders meddling in their affairs.

Those who benefited from the status quo wanted it to continue, while those on the brink of ruin hoped for a chance to turn things around.

None of this could be resolved by the sword.

He was escorted into the family ancestral hall, where a crowd of people with gleaming eyes surrounded him, looking at him as if he was a walking treasure pot.

Of course, he didn’t recognize these people.

However, given the vast business of the Wen Family, they had been quarreling without resolution for months, all gathering here, unwilling to leave without a definite outcome.

The acting clan head was a trembling old man who struggled to walk and had to be supported as he approached him,

“This old man has the honor of meeting an Upper Cultivator.

May I know your esteemed name and the illustrious sect you hail from?”

After a glance, Hou Niao knew that the current acting clan head of the Wen Family was nothing but a puppet, unable to decide anything.

The main reason he had been chosen as the acting clan leader was not only because of his amiable nature but also because he was old and likely to pass away soon.

He did not bother with him, but instead offered a stick of incense to the ancestral tablet on his own, muttering a series of indistinct phrases.

Yu Zhengxing was an elder he respected, and this Daoist Wen was Yu Zhengxing’s close friend, so it was appropriate to show some respect.

Then he turned around, “Who I am and where I am from need not concern you; I have come merely to witness an agreement from days past, to see if the Wen family has material worth crafting, to leave an offering and then depart.”

His appearance seemed young, yet who would dare to question him rashly?

For no other reason than the prospect of unexpected wealth.

The Wen family’s estate was large, and its expenses high; just the current manor alone housed several hundred people.

Living off their reserves, they would not last long without income; with Daoist Wen present, several profitable ventures in Three Rivers Prefecture could be managed, but with the mainstay gone, who would consider honoring the face of a dead man among competitors?

This was the last opportunity to make money, miss today, and such easy prey might never come again.

Regardless of the occasion, he took out a Treasure Gourd and spilled its contents onto the table, leaving a dazzling array of items—shimmering Spirit Stones, treasures, various Cultivation objects, and of course, gold and silver from the mortal world, enough to make one’s head spin.

With another movement, he gathered the items back in, lifting his belt with the ostentation of a nouveau riche, revealing eight delicate and exquisite Treasure Gourds.

“I hear the Wen Family’s main and collateral branches total thirteen; flourishing indeed!

Here, I have eight Treasure Gourds.

I can’t be bothered to pour them out and distinguish each one, so one gourd shall count as one share; you all figure out a way to decide how they should be distributed.”

Those with some understanding shook their heads at this; in the past, two peaches killed three warriors, and now, eight gourds trouble thirteen branches?

Someone expressed reluctance, “I heard that what Daoist has brought includes items entrusted by my ancestor?

If so, why not hand over these wealths for us to distribute ourselves?

Daoist traveling a thousand miles in response to a promise is highly honorable, and such should be praised in tales; but family matters are not for outsiders to discuss, and it would be more prudent to resolve them internally?”

Hou Niao was unmoved, “In my hands, of course, it’s for me to decide; allowing you to decide for yourselves is already quite liberal.

If I truly left it to you, wouldn’t you all end up in complete disarray?”

The members of the Wen family were somewhat dissatisfied, particularly a few branches with considerable strength; as a Cultivation Family, although there was only one Tongxuan Cultivator, Wen Jinglai, they had no shortage of Bridge Connection, Fasting, and Essence Building Cultivators, totaling seven or eight, plus more than a dozen Loose Cultivators they had found from god knows where.

The forces were not insignificant.

The Wen might not be able to guess Hou Niao’s age, but one can’t hide one’s Realm, a mere Fasting Realm cultivator having the audacity to boast so brazenly.

Respecting him was because he brought back wealth, not because everyone must heed his orders; that’s what’s due.

Now that he’s entered the Wen estate, how could they tolerate such impudence?

Someone cast a sidelong glance, and a Fasting Realm Loose Cultivator, taking this cue, swaggered forward, making a threatening display,

“That Daoist, ignorant of propriety; the items have been delivered, thus you have no further involvement; heed my advice, and you may still earn the Wen’s goodwill, but if you insist on overestimating your favor, I fear you will stumble today.”

As he spoke, he gestured with his hand as if to reach for Hou Niao; he was cautious enough to maintain a certain distance, not truly intending to strike, simply trying to intimidate,

But just as his hand extended, a flash of sword light passed by, and his hand was severed at the wrist!

Being a ruthless character accustomed to the Cultivation circles, he did not cry out in pain; his other hand reached for his waist, but he was no match for the swift sword light, and the other hand was cleanly slashed off as well!

Still resolute, the man clenched his teeth fiercely, his eyes bulging with rage, “If you have the guts, kill me today, and see if you can walk out of this manor alive!”

The sword light flashed again, and his head fell to the ground.

The sword returned to its sheath, “I, for one, always believe in fairness!

Having promised to come, how could I neglect my obligation?”

…Who knows where he resides, roaming alone with a sword in hand.

Although killing is done incidentally, he cherishes fairness in his affairs.