Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

The upheaval in the Northeast quickly spread throughout the land, but surprisingly, it did not cause much of a stir. The world was in such chaos that such a remote place in the Northeast really couldn't garner the attention of the masses.

They were more concerned about the ownership of the Central Plains. After a prolonged war, the Noble Families had finally managed to eliminate the scattered Rebel Armies at a grievous cost.

But this news did not bring them much joy since the Central Plains had by now completely deteriorated. The foundations of the Noble Families had been thoroughly ravaged by the Bandits, akin to locusts, and the alliance among the families had also dissolved, bringing their conflicts back into the open.

However, the world strangely welcomed a moment of peace. The long wars had exhausted the reserves of all powers, and they were desperate for a chance to catch their breath and lick their wounds, already riddled with a thousand holes.

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In the Central Plains, the Liu Family, at this time, saw all the distinguished members of the family gather in the ancestral hall to discuss important matters.

"After untold hardships, those despicable Bandits have finally been suppressed, which can be considered a joyous occasion," the leading elder said with a slight sigh.

The others seated there also revealed smiles of relief. During this time, the Bandits had turned the Liu Family's territories upside down, leaving them in constant unease, fearing they might wake up to the Bandits' cold steel.

"It's finally settled down. I've been living in constant fear these days, hearing reports several times of Bandits reaching the city walls. My old bones can hardly bear it anymore," another elder said with a chuckle, lightly pounding his waist.

"Don't get too pleased too soon. The Bandits are no longer our main concern, but the Liu Family's challenges are just beginning," the leading elder said with a grave expression.

"What does Big Brother mean?"

"Who else could it be but them? In the past, when our Liu Family was powerful, they had to rely on us. Now that we've been severely weakened by these Bandits, they've started to entertain other ideas."

"Hmph! Those bastards, they don't think about how they got to where they are today, and now they dare to poke at our Liu Family," a younger-looking man said with force, slapping the table and standing up to speak sternly.

"Lao Qi, calm down, and let Big Brother speak. Are they making new demands again?"

"They've just sent us a letter demanding that we continue to supply the army with provisions as he plans to expand his troops."

"Expand his troops? He already has nearly a hundred thousand soldiers under his command, what more could he be dissatisfied with? He must be contemplating a rebellion," Lao Qi said with resentment.

"Lao Qi, you should be understanding. After all, he is the Commander on the front lines, and it was by his strength that we were able to suppress the Bandits in the Central Plains," said the elder who had been silent across from Lao Qi suddenly.

"Third Brother, I know he is your son-in-law, but I fear your worthy son-in-law covets the wealth of our Liu Family. Don't let your affection for your child blind you to his ambition," Lao Qi said with a sneer.

The Third Brother across from him abruptly stood up, his eyes wide as he stared at his younger brother and spoke, "What do you mean by that, Lao Qi? Don't forget, your ability to sit here and chat away is all thanks to the man you look down upon, who is fighting and bleeding at the front. Has the suppression of the Bandits just finished, and you're already planning to dispose of him after his use is done?"

At that, Lao Qi's face instantly turned extremely ugly. He pointed at his elder brother with an agitated expression, his lips trembling, but he ended up saying nothing.

"Enough, this is the ancestral hall. What are you two trying to do under the watchful eyes of our ancestors? I'm not dead yet; it's not your turn to call the shots in this family." The leading elder slammed the table, speaking with authority.

His anger subdued the two confrontational individuals, who exchanged resentful glances but chose to sit down nonetheless.

"Third Brother, you sent a private message to Wang Tao, telling him about our difficulties. How can we continue to support a large army after the Central Plains have been in chaos for so many years? He doesn't think of reducing the troops, and now he even wants to conscript more. With our strength, how can we sustain such a large population?"

"Big Brother, you're not unaware of the current situation. Although the bandits have been subdued, every Noble Family is watching us like a tiger stalking its prey. Without a strong military force for protection, how can we ensure the safety of our modest family fortune?"

"Oh! Now isn't this the elbow turning the wrong way? He has his difficulties; does the family not have its own? Now we're tightening our belts to support the army, but he only knows to expand the troops without considering the Liu Family's own welfare. After all, he's an outsider; no matter how much we try, we cannot warm his heart." The Fourth Brother also spoke up, mocking.

Third Brother's face immediately turned shades of green and purple. Because his son-in-law was in charge of the army, his influence within the family had grown, and it had been a long time since he had suffered such humiliation. His hands clenched into fists as he glared at Fourth Brother with rage.

"Enough. The family needs to be united at a time like this, not dissolving into internal strife for others to mock. Let's put an end to this matter. Tell Wang Tao about our difficulties and see how he responds." The Liu Family's eldest and the clan leader made this decision before turning away to leave.

The other people in the ancestral hall looked at each other and left with the swish of their sleeves.

After everyone had gone, the eldest quietly returned to the ancestral hall. He knocked lightly on the wall behind the hall, and a man dressed in black appeared as quietly and swiftly as a shadow.

"How has your investigation gone?"

"Reporting to the clan leader, Wang Tao has shown no unusual behavior in recent days."

"Does he have any complaints against the family?"

"None has been heard. Wang Tao is a man of few words, and he does not communicate much with his subordinates."

"Hmm, he is indeed a man with strategies in mind, difficult to control." The elder sighed softly. His feelings towards the most outstanding member of the family were complex. On one hand, Wang Tao's presence was essential to suppress the bandits and maintain the Liu Family's prestige, but on the other hand, entrusting him with immense power was extremely risky as he was, after all, an outsider.

He thought for a moment and then instructed, "Keep a close eye on him. If you detect any disloyalty, take care of him quietly, understand?"

The man in black's breathing became somewhat hurried in that instant, but he calmly responded, "Understood!"

After the black-clothed man exited the ancestral hall slowly, the elder walked towards the shrine, looking at the densely packed spiritual tablets. He let out a soft sigh and murmured to himself, "If only the Liu Family did not lack successors, and the younger generation weren't so ineffective, why would I take such risks? May the ancestors continue to bless us, and may the Liu Family flourish and prosper."

The elder's soft sighs echoed through the empty ancestral hall, unanswered, with only the rhythmically flickering candles and oil lamps keeping company.