Vol. 1 - Ch. 77 - The Visit

"Kill them." The middle-aged man spoke calmly. The clan member silently retreated, his expression unchanged. For them, killing two people was an easy task, simpler than dealing with wild beasts. After the room was empty, the middle-aged man slowly walked towards the backyard, but his face could not conceal his joy. "Five years, five years!" The clan had searched Chaotic Burial Mountain for five whole years. If the Natural Blood Spring hadn’t gone dormant in winter, they would have found it long ago.  But it was precisely because the Blood Spring went dormant that they were able to trace it through the return flow. In other seasons, when the Blood Spring was active, there were too many tributaries, making it nearly impossible to pinpoint the source without turning the entire mountain upside down.  Unfortunately, their clan lacked the manpower, and a large-scale operation would easily attract unwanted attention. Yet their five-year search wasn’t in vain. Yesterday, the clan had finally found the main stream of the Natural Blood Spring through a tunnel they had dug. After careful consideration, the middle-aged man estimated a ninety percent chance that the Blood Spring was located beneath the Chen clan's estate.  Over the years, he had transformed from his initial impatience into a figure of calm calculation. He chose not to rush into action after learning the location, opting instead to gather information about the Chen clan first. In the past, he might not have been so cautious, but the Chen clan's unexpected victory against the Li clan had forced him to be more prudent. Most importantly, his own clan was not what it once was. He had decided to visit the Chen clan under the guise of a friendly meeting, assessing their strength before taking any further steps. The middle-aged man walked forward and soon arrived at a familiar courtyard. The bamboo grove was sparser than before, the green of the bamboo turning yellow.  In the center of the thinning grove, a single bamboo shoot, no more than half a foot tall and as thick as a wrist, caught his attention. Yet this bamboo shoot appeared lifeless, with no trace of green. Lighting incense, the man prayed: "Great Qingling, please bless our clan to successfully obtain the Natural Blood Spring this time..." After completing the ritual, he scattered the prepared Blood Rice among the bamboo. As soon as it touched the ground, the distinctive red of the blood rice faded, blending with the ordinary grains. The bamboo, however, showed no visible change. The blood rice could only sustain the vitality of the clan totem, but it wasn’t enough to revive it. Only the source of the blood rice—the Natural Blood Spring—could save their dying totem. That was why the clan had settled here. Even though their totem was on the brink of death, it still had certain powers. For instance, the fragrance that had wafted from the bamboo during Cai Mao's interrogation was an ability of the clan totem.  If it were in perfect condition, this fragrance would grant martial artists heightened agility and enhance their combat techniques. But it wouldn’t be long now. Once the clan gained control of the Natural Blood Spring, the totem would surely be revived. Then, they could leave this desolate mountain and reclaim their rightful place in the world. … "A calling card?" Upon hearing the report from a clan member, Chen Xingzhen’s face showed a trace of surprise. He immediately took the letter from the clan member's hand and opened it. "Liu Zishan, the head of the Liu clan, has come to offer his congratulations..." As he read the letter, Chen Xingzhen’s expression remained calm, but he was already on guard. The Chen clan had never interacted with the Liu clan before.  This sudden visit could only mean that they had discovered the location of the Blood Spring. They had come with malicious intent. Before Chen Xingzhen could put the letter down, another clan member arrived with a report. "Clan leader, several people from the Liu clan are outside. One of them claims to be the head of the Liu clan." "So soon?" Chen Xingzhen was slightly surprised, but he immediately called for Chen Tianyu and Chen Tianjing to accompany him. Since this was a formal visit, the clan needed to display proper etiquette. However, etiquette in these circumstances was often a show of strength. Although they knew the Blood Spring was beneath the Ancestral Hall, the Liu clan was clearly here for it as well. But since open conflict hadn’t yet broken out, there might still be room for negotiation. With the clan currently in a weakened state, if a confrontation was unavoidable, buying time wouldn’t be a bad idea. The invitation in Chen Xingzhen's hand confirmed what he suspected—the Liu clan was no ordinary small clan, and would have to be handled carefully. Chen Xingzhen and his group quickly arrived at the clan compound, where they saw the Liu clan members waiting outside. This time, the Liu clan had sent three people.  Leading the group was a middle-aged man who exuded authority. Although he appeared somewhat thin, his entire presence conveyed decisiveness and command. This man was undoubtedly Liu Zishan, the head of the Liu clan. As for the two who accompanied him, though their presence was slightly less imposing, their late-stage Blood Coagulation Realm cultivation made Chen Xingzhen's heart sink.  One of them had an exceptionally strong blood aura, indicating he had reached the peak of the Blood Coagulation Realm, where his blood was as thick as mercury. Hearing of the visitors, many clan members had gathered to watch. In front of the Chen clan onlookers, Liu Zishan remained calm, his smile so warm that many felt as though they were bathed in a spring breeze.  However, Chen Xingzhen and a few of the clan's martial artists in the Blood Coagulation Realm, aware of the visitors' true intentions, wore solemn expressions. Once the curious clan members were dispersed, the two clan patriarchs met face to face. "I am the patriarch of the Chen clan, Chen Xingzhen." "And I am the patriarch of the Liu clan, Liu Zishan." After a brief introduction, Liu Zishan smiled and said, "Today's visit is rather abrupt; I hope Patriarch Chen doesn't mind." "Patriarch Liu, you're too kind. Please, come inside," Chen Xingzhen replied graciously. "Please," Liu Zishan responded with a nod, and the two men smiled at each other before slowly walking towards the Chen clan's main hall. Once inside, Chen Xingzhen gave the order, "Someone, serve the tea." After some polite conversation, Liu Zishan suddenly asked, "With winter approaching, I noticed your clan has planted blood rice. How is the harvest?" "Thank you for your concern, Patriarch Liu. The cold weather lately has been harsh, and I'm afraid this crop won't yield much," Chen Xingzhen replied. "Oh?" Liu Zishan feigned surprise before nodding thoughtfully.  "Blood rice is indeed difficult to cultivate in winter. However, I recall our clan has a secret recipe that helps blood rice bear fruit even during the cold months. I just can’t seem to remember where it is stored." He smiled, adding,  "If your clan has need of it, I could send someone to find it and bring it to you. What do you think, Patriarch Chen?" Chen Xingzhen's face lit up with apparent joy at the offer.  "Is there truly such a recipe? If so, I must thank Patriarch Liu in advance!" "You're too kind, Patriarch Chen. I'll have someone deliver it to you in two days," Liu Zishan said smoothly. "That would be wonderful," Chen Xingzhen responded. S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Afterward, the conversation remained polite, and once the pleasantries were exchanged, it was time for Liu Zishan and his companions to leave. Chen Xingzhen, showing great enthusiasm, escorted the three men to the door. Only after their figures had disappeared from view did he turn back toward the clan.