Chapter 28: Chapter 28 – Zhao Yaozu’s Triumphant Return.

Zhao Yaozu had purposely worn his sect robes as he swept into his ancestorial home. He had been somewhat irked that nobody in the city had seemed to care or notice the dazzling light blue silks. The Thunder Sect was one of the most well known in the Capital and joining their ranks was a grand accomplishment.

The Thunder Sect even had a main branch on the mainland. Zhao Yaozu now had the chance to bring his family to a new and qi rich land! Nobody in the city had cared, there was apparently some kind of shocking revelation happening down by the river.

Zhao Yaozu sneered this money minded city was too concerned with what happened down on the river. Speaking of which Zhao Yaozu noticed a pair of servants carrying a chest of gold past him. There were thousands of gold coins in the chest.

Zhao Yaozu stopped the pair and asked, “where are you going with such a sum?”

The pair immediately upon spotting him feel to their knees and said, “welcome home Young Master. Congratulations on your acceptance into the sect. The Patriarch has ordered a feast to be held this evening when he heard of your return.”

Zhao Yaozu smiled at least his father knew how to do some things correctly. For the servants he kept his voice stern however, “I asked where you are brining such a large sum of gold.”

The servants did not dare to hesitate in their reply. One of them quickly answered, “it is the monthly payment to Miss Long. The Patriarch wished to make this payment today and offer his wishes for the success of her Collaborative Combine.”

Zhao Yaozu did not like the sound of that. If she was to be his wife, then she would have to come with him to the sect. She could not be a sect member herself, but it was still frowned upon for any sect affiliates to be a part of another organization. This Collaborative Combine sounded like an organization.

Zhao Yaozu waved the servants back the way that they had come, “that will not be necessary. My fiancé will be joining us tonight at the feast. I will talk to her then about the future of the Zhao clan.”

The servants trembled but did not immediately comply. “The Patriarch’s orders…” the braver one began.

Zhao Yaozu flared his ninth level of Qi condensation at them knocking them both to the ground with the pressure. The servants immediately started to carry the gold back to the family vault.

Zhao Yaozu chuckled at the rush of power he felt. The ninth level of qi condensation was almost unique in the interior of the Kingdom. There were only a few elders here who were his match or better. Certainly, none in the Clan could equal him.

Zhao Yaozu went to the central courtyard to see what preparations were being made for his return. He found his uncle the elder organizing the set-up of banquet tables and entertainers on the cobbled stones.

“Uncle,” Zhao Yaozu called out with a little affection in his voice.

The Elder spun on his heels and seeing Zhao Yaozu let out a sign of relief. “I knew you could do it. The Thunder Sect. You are the only hope of our clan.”

Zhao Yaozu frowned at the resigned tone of his uncle, “have things not been going well in my absence?”

Elder Zhao grimaced, “We have been making money if that is what you mean. Profits have never been higher. The problem has been that Long woman. Your father is all but her lap dog obediently sending her tribute every month. She even had the gall to accuse us of short-changing her the first month. She brazenly stole a few hundred gold from us, and your father did nothing about it.”

Zhao Yaozu’s frown deepened, “careful uncle. That woman is my fiancé after all.”

Elder Zhao cringed, “of course nephew I was just frustrated with your father’s weak way of doing things.”

Zhao Yaozu nodded, “Xiulan needs a strong male hand to keep her in check. Send her and invitation to the celebration tonight. I need to formally make my proposal and make some things clear to her. Also call together the elders of the Clan. I think it’s time we reorganized.”

Xiulan knew there was going to be trouble when she received the Zhao Clan’s invitation. Patriarch Zhao would never invite her to his son’s banquet as he knew their history and Xiulan’s dislike for the man.

Luckily, she had made preparations. The twins had taken to shadowing her on Yanlin’s instructions. He was too busy monitoring her businesses and training new recruits to be near all the time and Xiulan often needed something done discreetly.

Xiulan snapped her fingers and the twins materialized out of the shadows. “Find Zheng Ling and tell her that the arrogant son is back. She will know what I need. One of you also go and find Yen Wen. Have her bring a contingent of guards.”

Xiulan rose from her desk in her new office. The Collaborative Combine’s headquarters was purposefully subdued in its design and her office was no different. The idea was to project a place for the common man not a fancy point of commerce.

In contrast Xiulan maintained her image as a daughter of wealth. She was still wearing the gold and white clothing from her announcement. As she walked out of the Combine, she could already see a number of people queuing in front of the doors waiting to be admitted the next morning.

Outside Yen Wen was also waiting with a palanquin and ten guards. Yen Wen was dressed in a more ostentatious version of a guard uniform. White and gold as Xiulan had taken her colours to be.

Yen Wen joined Xiulan on the cushions as the palanquin began its journey from the bottom of the Gorge to the Zhao compound.  Xiulan had already explained the plan to her so Yen Wen cuddled Xiulan in a companiable silence.

The city was still buzzing with excitement Xiulan’s Combine would forever shift the balance in the city.

The Zhao compound was clearly done up for a celebration. Streamers were fluttering in the wind and the smell of food wafted out of the doors. When Xiulan presented her invitation to the guard at the door he replied, “welcome miss Long. I am afraid that your guards will have to remain outside.”

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Xiulan sneered, “The Zhao Clan is afraid of my guards? I had heard that Zhao Yaozu was already at the ninth level of Qi condensation. Given our past I would feel more comfortable with some protection against that man.”

The Zhao family guard hesitated but a qi infused voice boomed from inside, “let her bring in whomever she likes.”

Xiulan rudely walked forward with Yen Wen and her guards fanned out in front of her. The central courtyard was full of Zhao Clan members. Notably Patriarch Zhao was relegated to a table of low standing.

That same elder Xiulan had argued with was now sitting in the Patriarchs chair with Zhao Yaozu sipping from a wine cup on a slightly raised platform.

Xiulan assessed the situation and decided that she would try and speak sense to Zhao Yaozu one last time.

“I assume that this shuffle in leadership will not affect our ongoing business?” Xiulan said curtly.

Zhao Yaozu laughed, “between family there is no business, only what is best for the Clan.”

Yen Wen spoke out, “you are not going to try and propose again, are you? It was embarrassing enough the first time.”

Zhao Yaozu glared at Yen Wen, “your betters are speaking woman.”

Xiulan had to restrain Yen Wen from acting rashly at that arrogant jib. Xiulan questioned, “I have already rejected you once what makes you so sure I will accept now?”

Zhao Yaozu smiled, “As you can no doubt see I am a member of the Thunder sect now. Surly a woman of your ambition knows what that means.”

Xiulan shook her head, “my answer is still no. Now answer my question, will the Zhao clan honour our contract.’

Zhao Yaozu looked at her playfully, “no we will not. What can you do about it? He flared his cultivation and puffed out his chest. This is what you and my father never understood. In this world might makes right contracts and gold mean nothing in the face of real power.”

Xiulan sighed and turned to the former Patriarch, “I am sorry, but he really does leave me no choice. At this point he is not going to take no for an answer.”

Patriarch Zhao looked miserable, “I understand,” he said.

Xiulan removed a vial of liquid from her robes and smashed the glass against the ground. The liquid quickly turned into gas and dispersed.

Zhao Yaozu blinked, “what was that” he asked in confusion.

“The antidote,” said Xiulan with a smile.

Zhao Yaozu paled and collapsed to his knees. So too did his uncle. They began to convulse, and their cultivation rapidly began to be eaten from the inside.

Xiulan sighed, “that is what you never understood Zhao Yaozu only cultivators play by those rules, merchants look for the cheapest option. That poison that is killing you only cost me a few gold to have made.”

The pair took a few minutes to die, and Xiulan guards fanned out to keep the Zhao clan calm and inside the courtyard. After they had taken their last breath Xiulan turned to the Patriarch.

“The price is now three percent and I do not want to have too clean up your messes anymore. I know he was your son. Do we have a problem?”

Patriarch Zhao sighed and he had some tears in his eyes, “I know it was self-defence. He had gone mad with his own power. He would have been a menace. I do not know though if the Thunder sect will let this go.”

Xiulan waved her hand dismissively, “it will be months before they even take notice.”

Xiulan was pleased with the effectiveness of the twins she had not even noticed them spike the wine cups of the pair. Zheng Ling was also surprisingly vicious with poisons.

Most importantly she had satisfied the system by not taking a hand in this business herself.

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