novelnext Chapter 589 - 569: Luo Zuchen Makes His Move
Chapter 589 - 569: Luo Zuchen Makes His Move
Regarding the matter of Luo Zuchen, the information currently in our hands is indeed too little.
Relying purely on speculation is meaningless.
The banquet ended very late, with Master Xingchuan and the Patriarch of the Yun Family drinking late into the night.
Xiaoyao Peak and the Yun Family have always cooperated closely.
In recent years, under the mediation of Yun Shuang, the Yun Family has been selling pills to Xiaoyao Peak at very reasonable prices.
Xiaoyao Peak, in turn, has protected and supported the Yun Family as much as possible.
With this existing connection, Shen Han and Shi Yuezhu got closer, naturally strengthening the bond between the two sides.
The people from Xiaoyao Peak also got to see the Pill Room of the Yun Family today.
In the Pill Room, they encountered many pills they had never heard of before.
For Xiaoyao Peak, this alliance bore significant benefits.
After indulging in wine, everyone rested until noon the next day.
As guests, they couldn’t stay indefinitely.
The people from Xiaoyao Peak, after getting up the next day, prepared to return to their sect.
Shi Yuezhu also needed to go back.
After all, she is the Peak Master of Moon Bamboo Peak and isn’t free from responsibilities.
Moreover, as Shen Han and Shi Yuezhu had not yet married, they couldn’t stay together indefinitely like this.
To take their relationship further, they naturally have to wait until marriage.
The rumors outside were still abundant, just like before, but both Shen Han and Shi Yuezhu, as involved parties, no longer paid any attention.
The people of Xiaoyao Peak and Yun Mansion merely chuckled at the rumors questioning their compatibility, not bothering to argue.
After the people from Xiaoyao Peak left, Dean Tianyi also decided to return to the academy.
He had been away for a while, and as the dean, he was already quite biased toward Shen Han.
He still needed to manage the academy a little.
The Yun Mansion currently has three Honored Guest Elders of the Immortal Realm, so there wasn’t much concern for Shen Han’s safety.
After Dean Tianyi left, peaceful days went by for a few days.
But they only lasted a few days.
At dinner, the Yun Family’s grandfather furrowed his brow tightly.
Encountering a troublesome matter, the grandfather didn’t intend to hide it from everyone.
He brought it up directly during dinner.
"That Luo Zuchen, he really seems to have gone mad.
He recently announced that anyone who dares to do business with our Yun Family or buy our Yun Family’s pills,
whoever buys them, he will take action against them."
Hearing this, Shen Han also furrowed his brow.
Such a threat has likely affected over a hundred families.
"Has this impacted us already, grandfather?"
Upon hearing Shen Han’s inquiry, the Yun Family’s grandfather sighed with his brows furrowed.
"Initially, I didn’t pay much attention, considering that the forces and families buying our Yun Family’s pills were at least a hundred strong.
Moreover, many forces in Great Wei, after receiving this threat, didn’t take it seriously and continued buying our Yun Family’s pills."
The Yun Family’s grandfather paused at this point.
His brows furrowed even tighter: "But today I received news that in Heyang City, the Ding Family’s youngest son was directly kidnapped, and when found, he had already lost his life.
The message left behind mentioned that they were still buying our Yun Family’s pills..."
This tactic was clearly to instill fear.
To make people afraid, hesitant.
To thus hinder the development of the Yun Family’s pill market, while also proclaiming Luo Zuchen’s power.
Announcing his return.
Now, everyone knows it was Luo Zuchen’s doing.
However, there’s no direct evidence to prove it...
"After this incident, I’m afraid many families, many forces, will start refusing to purchase our Yun Family’s pills.
This Luo Zuchen truly is a madman."
The Yun Family’s grandfather wore an expression of anger, yet couldn’t think of a suitable solution.
Luo Zuchen is a strong practitioner of the Immortal Realm, and it would be quite easy for him to target other families’ younger generations.
Without making a sound, he could end a young person’s life.
Yet, trying to resolve him or protect those who might be at risk is a task a hundredfold more challenging.
Upon hearing all this, Shen Han understood the difficulty of the problem.
If Luo Zuchen couldn’t be resolved, going forward, those families and forces might not dare to buy the Yun Family’s pills.
At that point, only a few strong loose cultivators who were not afraid of Luo Zuchen’s retaliation would dare to purchase the Yun Family’s pills.
But how much could they possibly buy...
"Luo Zuchen has completely lost it since he returned this time.
Previously, he was arrogant but only targeted those who annoyed him and wouldn’t involve unrelated people.
However, this time, it’s as if anyone associated with our Yun Family has become his enemy."
The Yun Family’s grandfather furrowed his brow, truly not expecting that Luo Zuchen would dare act like this.
Luo Zuchen used to have concerns since he still needed to establish himself in Great Wei.
Now, Luo Zuchen has cast aside even the slightest concern.
"Without a doubt, this is only Luo Zuchen’s first move.
In dealing with us, he likely has more techniques in store.
Grandfather, has Luo Zuchen mentioned a solution?
Is it to stop the Yun Family from protecting me, to drive me out of Yun Mansion, and he won’t target us anymore?"
Hearing Shen Han’s question, the grandfather paused for a moment, then quickly shook his head.
"What are you saying? That’s not the case at all.
This Luo Zuchen is targeting our Yun Family specifically this time."
Shen Han smiled faintly, having already guessed the true nature of the situation.
"Luo Zuchen is not someone who can refine Pills. Going through all this trouble to affect the Yun Family’s Pill business doesn’t bring him any direct benefit.
It seems, he just wants to use this opportunity to deal with me.
Among the Yun Mansion, there are three Immortal Realm Honored Guest Elders, and he finds it hard to make a move against them.
So naturally, he needs to find a way to force me out.
Seizing this opportunity to also inform those who wish to help me.
Whoever dares to protect me in the future, Luo Zuchen will use such methods against them."
Upon hearing this from Shen Han, Patriarch Yun’s brow tightly furrowed.
"Han, don’t be impulsive. No matter what happens, we must face it together.
The Yun Family’s Pill business is now unique, and Luo Zuchen cannot suppress it at will.
There are so many strong Pill recipes that even the Changsun Family dares not to attempt.
In the end, they must seek our Yun Family.
With this capability, our Yun Family will not have any issues.
We can earn a little less and still have an easy life.
But it’s entirely enough for the expenses of our entire mansion, and as for Luo Zuchen, we don’t need to fear him at all."
Shen Han merely smiled and nodded, continually calculating the upcoming plans in his mind.
Beside him, Yun Shuang and Cailing’s faces were full of concern and worry.
"I knew when Luo Zuchen returned, he surely wouldn’t have good intentions.
He must have other conspiracies and tricks. Han, you must be careful.
During these days, stay in the mansion and don’t leave again."
At Yun Shuang’s words, Shen Han did not argue and simply nodded.
He had his plans, and naturally, when facing Madam Yun, the main goal was to reassure her.
In truth, Shen Han wasn’t worried about himself.
What concerned him was that Luo Zuchen was becoming increasingly deranged, and he was no longer targeting just one individual.
In the past, when teaching at the Mountain Sea Academy, Luo Zuchen only targeted specific people.
Now, Shen Han worried that he might take action against so many people at the Yun Mansion.
With so many household servants in the Yun Mansion, along with nearly a hundred alchemists,
Not to mention Madam Yun and Cailing; even just these people alone provide enough targets for Luo Zuchen.
"What is the Imperial Court’s stance on this? Have they made any statement?"
Hearing Shen Han’s question, Patriarch Yun shook his head.
"I have spoken about this to the Government Office in Anyang City, but they too are probably powerless.
Luo Zuchen’s threats are currently just rumors spread by word of mouth.
And his acts of violence have not been witnessed by others.
The Imperial Court might find it hard to directly intervene.
At least at this initial stage, the Imperial Court is unlikely to take action."
With a frown, Patriarch Yun finished speaking and looked at Shen Han, showing some hesitation.
"Han, over at the Shen Family, there have also been some significant changes."
Upon hearing this, both Shen Han and Yun Shuang, along with Cailing, instinctively looked over to Patriarch Yun.
"Significant changes?"
"At the Shen Mansion in Yun’an City, it is now empty, with only a few maids and servants remaining.
It’s said that the people of the Shen Family have all migrated to the eastern region of Great Wei.
The Shen Family is controlling the Eastern Garrison, seemingly planning a rebellion."
A rebellion?
As soon as this word was spoken, Yun Shuang and Cailing were startled.
"How could they dare... Impossible..."
The thought of rebellion was something Yun Shuang dared not even consider.
Shen Han, however, thought deeply for a moment.
"Has the Shen Family openly declared rebellion?"
"Not yet; current information is just hearsay.
It’s said that the orders from the Imperial Court have been completely ignored by the Shen Family; they don’t even pretend to comply.
They are even demanding provisions and military funds from the Imperial Court, causing headaches at the Ministry of Agriculture.
If military funds are not provided, it’s said that the Eastern Garrison will open the pass,
allowing people from Yan Country to enter Great Wei’s territory at will."
Patriarch Yun added a line upon saying this: "However, the Imperial Court officially denies any rebellion by the Eastern Garrison."
Shen Han nodded, having already formed his own conclusion.
The Imperial Court is likely trying to prevent other ambitious forces from taking advantage of the chaos.
But most likely, the Shen Family has already begun taking action.
"Hearing this, I seem to understand why the Imperial Court suddenly exonerated Luo Zuchen of his crimes.
If we consider the actions of the Eastern Garrison, it makes perfect sense.
If the Imperial Court does not comply with their demands, then the border pass will be directly opened to Yan Country.
The Shen Family, in essence, has turned the Eastern Garrison into a force independent of Wei and Yan.
Benefitting from both sides, their intentions are indeed clever."
Shen Han’s words made everyone suddenly realize.
Many unclear matters became instantly logical at that moment.
"Next, Luo Zuchen and his allies will probably have the Imperial Court find reasons to accuse me, right?
Let me think, most likely it will be under the pretense of disrespecting elders, having a cruel temperament, or attacking my own brother..."
During the following days, Shen Han obediently stayed within the Yun Mansion, never stepping out beyond the gates.
On the other side, news continued to pour in.
Families still doing business with the Yun Family began experiencing incidents regularly.
All involved the younger generation encountering fatal harm, dying directly.
After several consecutive incidents, the Yun Family’s Pill collaboration indeed plummeted drastically.