CHAPTER 93: CHAPTER 90: REAPING REPUTATION! REAPING DESPERATELY (ASKING FOR MONTHLY VOTES)

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That punch.

Directly collided with Elder Bo Jun’s claw.

"Boom!"

Two forces clashed, sending shockwaves in all directions.

Elder Bo Jun’s body flipped backward in mid-air for over ten zhang before he barely managed to regain his balance. A flush of redness on his face flashed and disappeared, indicating he had suffered some loss. Then, like a floating feather, he slowly descended to the ground. His face was filled with extreme rage: "It’s you, Gongsun Mang!"

The Zhao Family’s main territory was directly across from the Shanyang Gongsun Family, and he had crossed paths with Gongsun Mang twice before, so they were not entirely unfamiliar with each other.

After Gongsun Mang’s successful strike, he too landed heavily, his feet creating a pit in the bluestone ground.

He lifted the hood of his gray robe, sneering coldly: "Zhao Bojun, you disregarded the rules of engagement and struck at a twelve-year-old child. When this spreads, your reputation will surely be ruined."

"You..." Elder Bo Jun was so infuriated he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood, "Gongsun Mang, don’t falsely accuse me! I only acted out of concern to stop that girl from killing my great-great-grandson."

Gongsun Mang had merely wanted to provoke him with a remark. Since the matter was not accomplished, he naturally couldn’t do anything to a dignified elder. But to take the opportunity to kick someone when they are down and diminish the Zhao Family’s prestige was something he wouldn’t miss. He immediately said loudly, "Right and wrong will be judged by the public consensus. Over a thousand people witnessed everything today, and they will naturally spread news of your family’s actions."

Elder Bo Jun took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Our grievances with the Wang Family are not for discussion at this time. But it is not your place, as someone from Shanyang, to interfere, is it? Or are you preparing to provoke a clan war through marriage ties?"

Gongsun Mang laughed heartily and said, "Zhao Bojun, don’t accuse me of such grand intentions. I merely happened to come by to visit my great-grandson Wang Shouzhe. I just happened to see your Liu and Zhao Clans charging in and coincidentally couldn’t stand by while you, a dignified elder, bullied a twelve-year-old girl. If you want a duel, I’m ready to accompany you to the end."

Elder Bo Jun was somewhat uncertain.

Logically speaking, their coming to the Wang Family to make trouble and exert pressure was a temporarily arranged action, and Gongsun Mang would not have had time to rush over even if he got word.

Unless.

Had Gongsun Mang really come here just by chance?

However, he knew this was not the time to argue with Gongsun Mang. Seeing his own great-great-grandson still writhing on the ground, he immediately yelled in anger, "You impudent Wang family brat, since Zhao Dingteng has already lost, why do you still drive poisonous insects to torment him?"

Just as Wang Luojing was about to speak, Wang Shouzhe stepped in front of her, speaking calmly and gracefully: "In a duel, it’s inevitable that both sides suffer some damage. Furthermore, Zhao Dingteng, with his robust physique and indomitable will, has never admitted defeat in the battle. Naturally, it can be assumed that he is still in combat with my younger sister, possibly preparing for a counterattack in the next moment. It is reasonable and appropriate for my sister to continue her moves to ensure victory."

"Fine, fine, fine. A junior like you dares to speak so boldly in front of an elder. Is this the kind of ’teaching’ the Wang Family has?" Elder Bo Jun was enraged.

"I apologize, but I, Wang Shouzhe, am the Clan Leader of the Wang Family, and not some junior of yours to be scolded at will." Wang Shouzhe stated calmly and collectedly, "As for impertinence, the Liu and Zhao Clans’ leaders Liu Shengye and Zhao Jinxian constantly mentioning Wang Longyan, isn’t that rather arrogant and overbearing? The fact that I didn’t address you directly as ’Zhao Bojun’ shows much restraint."

Elder Bo Jun trembled with rage: "Wang Shouzhe, does that mean you have no intention of letting my great-great-grandson go?"

"As the duel continues, it’s not up to me." Wang Shouzhe turned and said, "Luojing, keep battling with Zhao Dingteng well. Don’t let them tarnish the Wang Family’s reputation. Besides, Zhao Dingteng appears to have a significant talent, resilient willpower, and possibly possesses a certain bloodline war body. Be extra careful not to let him turn the tables."

"Yes, Fourth Brother." Wang Luojing responded sweetly, then with a serious and determined face, continued to play the insect flute, commanding various poisonous insects and spirit bees to attack Zhao Dingteng.

The brother and sister spoke so earnestly and in tune as they spun blatant lies. Old Ancestor Mang couldn’t help but feel a slight twitch in his heart, realizing that Gongsun Hui and Wang Longyan may not have exaggerated Wang Shouzhe’s capabilities in their accounts.

Judging from the current scenario, their words may have been conservative regarding Wang Shouzhe. Immediately, he reminded, "It’s just a duel, be careful not to cause any fatalities." As soon as he said that, Ancestor Mang felt that his realm of speaking falsehoods had reached a new level.

"Yes, Ancestor Mang." Wang Luojing replied respectfully during a pause.

Not far away, the siblings Liua Yuanrui and Liua Ruolei both swallowed hard. Their Brother Shouzhe, who usually seemed gentle and elegant, a refined gentleman.

Yet when he became ruthless, he was truly terrifying. Zhao Dingteng was indeed in a pitiful state.

"Junior, such audacity you show." Elder Bo Jun chuckled angrily, "Gongsun Mang, since today you choose to protect these juniors, don’t blame us for getting physical with you as well. Brother Zhide, aren’t you planning to take action in such circumstances?"

As his words fell.

From another carriage, the curtain of the sedan opened, and an elderly man with simple clothing and white beard slowly emerged. He did not exhibit the Spirit Platform Realm’s ability to fly mid-air, but walked slowly.

Yet with every step, he seemed to cover several zhang, as if the ground shrunk beneath his feet.

His complexion was rosy, and his white hair fluttered. His garments drifted with the wind, as if a revered land immortal was approaching. In a few breaths, he stood before everyone.

Liu Family’s Ancestor, Liu Zhide.

"Liu Zhide, greets Ancestor Mang." Ancestor Zhide bowed slightly.

"Gongsun Mang, greets Ancestor Zhide." Naturally, since the other party was polite, Gongsun Mang wouldn’t lose the noble family’s manners and returned the greeting.

Ancestor Zhide nodded, slowly and steadily saying, "Since Ancestor Mang is coincidentally here, I understand the protective instincts for your grandsons, but there’s indeed some misunderstanding regarding our Liu and Zhao Clans."

"Though we, the Liu and Zhao Clans, have had misunderstandings with the Wang Family, ultimately we are families sheltered by Ancestor Zhou Xuan, considered a lineage united as one. We should ideally support and watch over each other, yet unfortunately have reached today’s situation." Ancestor Zhide stated calmly, "How about this? As long as Clan Leader Wang Shouzhe promises never to interfere in matters within our territories and dismisses those recruited laborers, we can let this matter pass."

Ancestor Mang’s eyes turned to Wang Shouzhe.

Wang Shouzhe stepped forward, straightened his demeanor, and said loudly, "Our Ping’an Wang Family, unlike the Liu and Zhao Clans, do not share the same ancestors. Additionally, this region of Ping’an was preserved as a human habitat by Ancestor Zhou Xuan and several Wang family forebears who risked their lives."

"As descendants, if we stand by idly while others desecrate our ancestors’ legacy without taking action, wouldn’t that make us unworthy descendants, disgracing our forebears?"

These words, spoken with clarity and reason, resonated with the Wang Clan Members and most bystanders.

Wang Shouzhe’s face was serious as he said, "I have a suggestion — why don’t our Wang Family, Liu Family, and Zhao Family join forces? Together, we can provide disaster relief and assist the innocent civilians in overcoming this difficult situation. Here, on behalf of the twenty thousand citizens of Ping’an Town, I, Wang Shouzhe, thank Ancestors Zhide and Bo Jun."

After saying that, Wang Shouzhe rose to his full height, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and bowed deeply.

"Well said, the Wang Family is a clan of benevolence and righteousness." "Truly worthy descendants of Ancestor Zhou Xuan."

"For the sake of twenty thousand civilians, Clan Leader Wang actually set aside past grievances and performed such a great ceremony for the other side. What great virtue and benevolence." "If the Liu and Zhao Clans could return to the right path, that would indeed be a great merit."

The onlookers were deeply moved by Wang Shouzhe’s words, and each spoke of their vision of a "bright future" without hesitation.

Each of the Wang Clan members exchanged glances, wondering if the patriarch truly intended to cooperate with the Liu and Zhao Clans on disaster relief. It did not seem to fit his character.

Only Zhao Bojun and Liu Zhide could truly feel how uncomfortable and disgusted Wang Shouzhe’s words and ceremony made them.

This young man strikes at the heart.

You, a mere junior, how dare you represent the twenty thousand citizens of Ping’an Town? What do you take yourself for?

If they refuse to participate in disaster relief in front of everyone, their prestige will surely plummet. If they agree, wouldn’t they become mere tools in that young man’s hands? They would do all the hard work, yet everything accomplished would be under the leadership of the Wang Family. Was this using them as a vassal family?

Advancing was impossible, retreating wasn’t an option either.

Watching Zhao Bojun and Liu Zhide was like swallowing a handful of flies, utterly disgusted, which was precisely what they felt.

The more disgusted they were, the more Wang Shouzhe felt an extreme sense of satisfaction.

Gaining reputation!

I stand on the moral high ground, using the mantle of twenty thousand citizens to suppress you. Whether they accept it or not, Wang Shouzhe’s goal was already achieved.

Having come to the Wang Family’s main residence to cause trouble today, they had to be prepared to play the role of "reputation monsters" psychologically.

From start to finish, Wang Shouzhe was using them to harvest reputation, and it was wave after wave.

Once caught, how could he easily let go? He would exhaust every method to relentlessly harvest their reputation, from the inside out.

At this moment, had it not been for the occasion, Wang Shouzhe might have wanted to pull out that little notebook system of his, to massively adjust the personal and family reputation values upward.

At least the [Town Reputation] column was about to explode, maxing out at 100 points.

Elder Bo Jun and Ancestor Zhide exchanged glances, both seeing the regret in each other’s eyes.

Had they known that the matter of land annexation would be used by the Wang Family’s Wang Shouzhe to make an issue of — and make a big issue at that, endlessly — they would surely not have taken that step.

But things have come to this, and there is no regret pill to take.

Thus, the only option was to let fists do the talking. This time, as long as the Wang Family could be thoroughly suppressed, who in Ping’an Town would dare discuss the shortcomings of the Liu and Zhao Clans?

Ancestor Bo Jun and Ancestor Zhide’s gazes gradually became sharper, one on either side surrounding Ancestor Mang. Although they did not wish to battle Ancestor Mang, since he was already blocking the path of the Liu and Zhao Clans and refused to retreat, they had no choice but to suppress him first.

"Zhao Bojun requests guidance from Ancestor Mang."

"Liu Zhide requests guidance from Ancestor Mang."

The crowd was stunned, the onlookers were also amazed. Two revered elders, shamelessly joining forces to spar against one elder in the public eye.

Indeed, a shameless person is invincible.

"Hehe~ Gongsun Mang offers his guidance." Ancestor Mang’s expression was serious, but at this time, he had no choice but to assume a battle stance.

Suddenly!

"Buzz!"

A gentle hum of a sword reverberated, as if echoing, lingering in human ears.

At the same time, a hazy light flashed swiftly from afar, slashing towards Ancestor Zhide like a wandering dragon.

Ancestor Zhide was taken aback, and hurriedly retreated, narrowly avoiding the sudden blow of the sword.

"Swish!"

The hazy sword aura flickered, a strand of white whiskers fluttering open in the wind, and then it returned, hovering like a spiritual object before Ancestor Mang.

The sword, light as smoke, emanated an ethereal beauty, both real and illusory.

"Longyan Sword!"

Ancestor Zhide and Ancestor Bo Jun both changed their expressions dramatically, filled with extreme fear. The scene from years before surged into their minds!

Simultaneously, a light, ethereal, icy female voice echoed.

"Liu Zhide, Zhao Bojun. Where do you find the courage to suppress me, Wang Longyan?"

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