Ancestor Mang pondered, "Shouzhe’s idea is very good. From what I know, the closer it gets to the Guardian Cities of Longzuo County, the more united the families become. The reason is twofold. First, the history of those Guardian Cities is even longer, and the relationships between the families are more intimate. Secondly, among some families by marriage, there must be someone who can act as a central figure to reconcile all contradictions. Just looking at this second point, Shouzhe seems very qualified."
Ancestor Mingsheng said, "Ancestor Mang missed a point. All families inevitably have their own interests and are unwilling to let their clan industries leak out. For the families to unite, there must be a common industry and a mutual benefit sharing. Otherwise, what is called a deep alliance is merely an illusion, shattering at the slightest touch."
Ancestor Ruhong pondered slightly and said, "Both of you Ancestors are right, but Shouzhe’s consideration is also correct. After this, we should sit down and have a good discussion. Let’s retreat for now, so we don’t delay Shouzhe and their continued autumn-winter hunt."
"In that case, Shouzhe will not see off the distinguished Ancestors." Wang Shouzhe smilingly cupped his hands in a fist.
After the three ancestors escorted Liang Haofeng away.
The Wang Race still stayed in the camp for an extra day. The cleaning of the battlefield, the categorization of the spoils, the burning of bodies, all these follow-up tasks were very tedious.
However, despite the Wang Family members’ hard work, they were all very excited and even held a small celebration at night.
Afterwards, they embarked on the true journey of the autumn-winter hunt.
Another more than half a month went by.
Ping’an Town had entered early winter.
A few days ago, a light first snow fell, making the weather much colder all of a sudden.
This time of year was always the most lively period.
Apart from some Black Tortoise Clans who would choose to go outside Zhouxuan Pass for the autumn-winter hunt, there were also many loose cultivators who traveled from afar, pooling money to buy supplies, and venturing into the Outer Domain together.
Some loose cultivators would never return.
Yet some would reap considerable gains, enough to cultivate peacefully for one or two years. Some exceptionally lucky loose cultivators would become wealthy enough to not need to leave home for ten years.
Thus, within the Weng City of Zhouxuan Pass, many traveling merchants and representatives of some commercial firms would gather.
They came to purchase the outputs from the Outer Domain, anything worth some money, like spiritual medicines, fierce beast flesh, ores, high-tier fierce beast spirit bones, fur, spirit wood, and so on!
Some loose cultivators, when returning fully loaded, would choose to sell part of their miscellaneous items, both to lighten the load and to facilitate distribution.
However, the Black Tortoise Clans mostly had their own channels for handling such items and would rarely sell to traveling merchants at low prices.
A pair of young girls and boys were straining their eyes, gazing toward the Outer Domain. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novel※fire.net
The girl’s lips pursed, "Brother Shouzhe is really something, saying he’d be back in half a month; it’s been almost twenty days now! Not even a shadow in sight."
The girl, with bright eyes and white teeth, and a tall, graceful figure, was a rare young beauty. She was Liu Ruolei, Wang Shouzhe’s future sister-in-law.
"Ruolei," another slightly older youth said, "Brother Shouzhe must have been delayed for a couple of days. Don’t worry, we must trust him." This youth was none other than Liu Yuanrui, Wang Shouzhe’s future brother-in-law.
Before Wang Shouzhe left, he naturally couldn’t ignore the main residence.
With his tendency to overestimate his enemies, he was naturally worried that his home base might be raided in his absence. Therefore, he contacted Liu Yuanrui and Ruolei, and through them, invited the Liua Family’s third Ancestor—Ancestor Zhi Sheng to come and oversee.
Ancestor Zhi Sheng had deep ties with the Wang Race; his grandmother was none other than the Wang Race’s legitimate daughter, Wang Zhuwei.
Therefore, Ancestor Zhi Sheng almost didn’t hesitate and agreed to the matter.
Just when Liu Ruolei and Liu Yuanrui had been standing guard for half a day without seeing Wang Shouzhe.
Two more groups of youngsters came up the city wall. They were the youngest generation from the Liu and Zhao Clans, also coming to Zhouxuan Pass every day to wait for their family.
Leading them was Liu Yonghao, who once had his ribs broken by Wang Luqiu, and the naive Zhao Dingteng.
Although Liu Yonghao didn’t dare to directly provoke Liu Ruolei and the others, he still couldn’t help but mutter nonsense to himself. Saying how the Wang Race must be doomed this time, possibly ending up in a fierce beast’s stomach.
Despite his words, those young men and women were equally full of worry.
The dangers of the Outer Domain, no one could guarantee that their clan elders who went out would return safely.
Just as Liu Ruolei was sulking, preparing to argue.
A Liu clan youth shouted, "A convoy, there’s a convoy. Seventeen or eighteen horse-drawn carriages, such a big team, it must be our Liu and Zhao Clans returning."
"It must be our Liu and Zhao convoy. I heard the Wang Race only sent out ten carriages."
"Oh no." Liu Ruolei’s heart tightened. She vaguely heard Ancestor Zhi Sheng hint that the Wang Race and the Liu Zhao Clans would likely resolve some conflicts during this autumn-winter hunt.
If the Liu Zhao Clans returned fully loaded, wouldn’t that mean Brother Shouzhe and the others...?
Some traveling merchants, garrison soldiers, representatives of the Shang Family, and various others, upon hearing of a large convoy returning, all ran up the city wall to see the excitement.
A convoy of such a scale must belong to a clan.
This time, only six or seven Black Tortoise Clans had left Zhouxuan Pass. Among them, three had already returned.
The convoy slowly approached.
An experienced garrison soldier said, "It’s most likely the Liu and Zhao Clans’ convoy. They took fourteen carriages out, probably picked up three on the way. Eh, the carriage at the forefront seems to have a huge python head on top of the carriage box."
"Goodness! What a big python head, with horns growing on top. Could it be about to transform into a Jiao?"
"Not quite transforming into a Jiao," someone said, "but judging from the python head, it’s likely a Mountain-Swallowing Python at the peak of Tier Three."
"Hahaha!" Liu Yonghao laughed heartily, brimming with confidence, "This must be the Mountain-Swallowing Python we Liu Clan hunted."