Lu Xingzhou still decided to attend the meeting. After all, Huo Zhang was a key figure in this matter, and he should be able to learn something from him.

This time, he didn’t bring Anuo; he went alone.

Only after leaving the door did he realize that Huo Zhang was also alone, and he had chosen a small, nearby eatery.

Compared to the usual extravagance of establishments like Yanyulou, which others often frequented, Huo Zhang’s choice of a small eatery seemed uncharacteristically down-to-earth and casual.

The two entered a small private room in the eatery. It was dirty and damp, lit by an oil lamp. A few plates of peanuts sat on the table, and the sounds and cooking fumes from the boss frying dishes outside permeated the room.

“The food here is delicious. No matter what city you go to, the most authentic food is always found in alleyways, not in places like Yanyulou.” Huo Zhang sat down casually and poured wine for Lu Xingzhou, “I see you’ve suffered a lot since childhood, so you probably don’t put on airs like them. You should be used to eating and drinking in places like this.”

Lu Xingzhou found it quite amusing. “Hmm, it’s pretty good.”

Huo Zhang raised his cup and clinked it with Lu Xingzhou’s. Without waiting for a response, he drank first. “No matter what you think, we are essentially brothers, aren’t we?”

Lu Xingzhou smiled, didn’t respond, but drank the wine.

In fact, being distant cousins was true, so Lu Xingzhou often intentionally called him “Fourth Brother” or “Sixth Brother” before, which others mistook for Huo Shang.

Seeing that he was willing to clink glasses, and his attitude wasn’t as unyielding as expected, Huo Zhang showed joy and smiled, “The old man has long regretted it, but he just can’t bring himself to bow down and apologize to you. Now that you’re so young and have achieved the Third Rank, they regret it even more—their guts must be green with it. Last time you were in Jing, didn’t Father even bring gifts to try and reconcile? Unfortunately, he couldn’t let go of that last bit of pride, and all his efforts were in vain. Now he thinks, if only he had lowered his stance a bit more back then, the family would have another Third Rank official now.”

Lu Xingzhou smiled. “The Huo family has an abundance of talent; they don’t lack one Third Rank.”

“Lack? How could we not lack?” Huo Zhang said, “We have many Third Rank guest cultivators, even Second Rank! But do they bear the surname Huo? Ah? That Yang Dechang, you know him, he’s very capable, right? But his surname is Yang! As for you, do you dare say you don’t bear the surname Huo?”

Lu Xingzhou really couldn’t say he didn’t bear the surname Huo. He was rendered speechless and amused by this. “Yang Dechang’s loyalty to the Huo family surpasses mine, even though I’m a Huo. Young Master, your words are a bit hurtful.”

Huo Zhang waved his hand. “That’s different! I didn’t say he wasn’t loyal.”

Lu Xingzhou glanced at Huo Zhang. If one were to talk about people from the Huo family, this one was also a Third Rank.

Among the Huo family’s direct descendants, only Huo Qi and Huo Zhang were Third Rank. Huo Qi was past thirty-one, and Huo Zhang had just turned thirty last month. Their breakthroughs had occurred roughly one or two years prior. Counting it, Huo Zhang broke through at a younger age than Huo Qi, and by popular assessment, Huo Zhang’s talent was slightly superior to Huo Qi’s.

Lu Xingzhou twirled his wine glass and slowly said, “Second… Brother, does this mean you still want me to acknowledge my ancestors?”

Huo Zhang said, “The whole family wants you to. Who wouldn’t? For someone of your lineage to be estranged is already a joke, but to become enemies? That’s enough to make everyone in the world laugh out loud, wouldn’t you agree?”

“So, Grand Tutor and Marquis sent Second Brother to persuade me?”

“No, I came on my own.”

They exchanged glances, both seeing a smile in the other’s eyes.

Who sent him made a big difference.

At least in Huo Zhang’s own mind, others had a feud with Huo Shang, but he didn’t. Therefore, he could unite with Huo Shang to do things that others wouldn’t suggest.

He hadn’t expected this “Huo Shang” to be so perceptive, almost seeing through his thoughts at a glance.

At this point, the waiter brought the stir-fried dishes, and the two paused their conversation, each eating some food.

Lu Xingzhou praised, “Indeed, the stir-fries here are quite good.”

“Right?” Huo Zhang was very proud. “My soldiers eat here when they go home and call their friends. Damn it, they didn’t invite me, but I found out. The next day, I came to eat myself. What, do they think I don’t have money?”

Lu Xingzhou almost laughed out loud. “I know someone with the same given name as you, surnamed Liu. His temperament is the opposite of yours. It made me think you’d be similar when I first saw your name. The contrast is really big.”

Huo Zhang said, “All the names in our family use the ‘wang’ radical on the left, but it’s actually the ‘yu’ radical, hoping for gentlemen like jade. Others are fine, but I can’t learn it. Who told them to send me to join the army? But then again, all those other so-called ‘gentlemen like jade’ are just putting on an act, like monkeys in caps, looking very ridiculous. The truly most gentleman-like person is actually you, the only one without the ‘wang’ radical.”

Lu Xingzhou smiled. “I’m putting on an act too.”

“Perhaps, you are quite ruthless.”

“Naturally. Some are like jade, some are like ‘shang’ (grief/death).”

Since the conversation had reached this point, Huo Zhang stopped pretending and said directly, “You have no enmity with me, but you have enmity with everyone else. Therefore, if you acknowledge your ancestors, you will be my most natural ally. Of course, I hope you return.”

Lu Xingzhou poured himself a glass of wine, watching the liquid fall, and said indifferently, “Are you vying for the family head position with Huo Qi?”

“Sort of…”

“What do you mean ‘sort of’?”

“Because Father and Grandfather are both First Rank, with long lifespans, the succession of the family head position won’t be in the near future. It’s still a long way off.”

Don’t be fooled by being with Ye Tinglan, making it seem like even Supreme Rank cultivators are commonplace. That was the apex where the strongest sects of humanity, demon kings, and visitors from the ancient realms converged. In a general sense, First Rank powers were still among the world’s elite. A Huo family with two First Ranks was still one of Da Qian’s strongest forces, enough to inspire awe in ninety-nine percent of people.

According to the lifespan of a First Rank cultivator, they might outlive their children and grandchildren. The succession of the family head was naturally different from that of mortals. However, fate seemed to play another trick here: when one reached First Rank, the desire to pursue Supreme Rank would increasingly dominate, making them disinclined to manage worldly affairs. They would then gradually transfer power to the next generation, subtly bringing it closer to the transfer of power among mortals.

Grand Tutor Huo Liancheng had largely stopped managing affairs many years ago, passing the family head position to his son, Huo Xingyuan. As a result, Huo Xingyuan also reached First Rank some years ago, and his sons naturally had ideas, believing their father would eventually be like their grandfather.

Ideas were just ideas. Before Huo Xingyuan showed any inclination to abdicate, it could only be “sort of,” merely preparation.

Huo Zhang added, “I also told you earlier that I was sent away to learn martial arts since childhood, and then I joined the army. Doesn’t that sound quite normal? But you’re not just anyone; you naturally know that the Huo family is a martial arts family. Sending me away to cultivate Taoist methods is somewhat understandable, but sending me away to learn martial arts? What kind of thing is that?”

Lu Xingzhou nodded. “Perhaps the moment you were born, it was decided that you wouldn’t contend with Eldest Brother. Originally, it might have just been to avoid conflict between two sons. Later, they realized they were having more and more children, and the original idea became a bit comical. But since people had already been sent out, they could only make the best of it and simply cultivate both civil and military branches.”

“Exactly, that’s how it is, but why?” Huo Zhang’s voice grew louder. “They say I manage the military, as if my authority is greater, but in reality, the current dynasty’s system is different. Even Grandfather merely acts as the Emperor’s proxy for military affairs; all power belongs to His Majesty. Even if I take the position, I’d just be taking on a caretaker role. Eldest Brother is steadily making progress in court, truly bearing heavy responsibilities, wanting to make the Huo family into a Hedong Pei.”

All power belongs to His Majesty…

The Huo family is involved with the demon race…

These two pieces of information intertwined in Lu Xingzhou’s mind, and he remained silent.

Huo Zhang had no idea that these were the keywords in Lu Xingzhou’s mind. He continued, “Anyone with eyes can see that Grandfather still favors Eldest Brother as the family head, but why? Right? Is his cultivation higher than mine, or his talent better? Even his first suggestion in court was stolen from you!”

Lu Xingzhou finally smiled. “Yes.”

“I’ve lived away for a long time and am not close to my other brothers. Compared to Eldest Brother, I’m quite isolated and helpless. But if you come back, it will be different.” Huo Zhang smiled. “You want them all to die, don’t you?”

Actually, I want you to die too, but you don’t know that.

Lu Xingzhou slowly said, “Second Brother wants to use me as his arm… What can I gain, what can you help me get?”

“Can letting them all die be enough?”

Lu Xingzhou looked at Huo Zhang with interest, finding it truly amusing.

From his audacious attack on his own family’s city, he knew Huo Zhang was a ruthless character. He hadn’t expected him to be this ruthless.

“Such things are useless just by talking about them.” Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly. “At least let one die first, to see the strength?”

“If you see it, will you return?”

Lu Xingzhou twirled his wine glass, his pupils reflecting the candlelight with an inscrutable light. “Then I will at least try to go back to the Huo family for a meal.”

Listening to that, it sounded like he was at least willing to try to reconcile… One must remember that previously, his “biological father,” Huo Xingyuan, had personally brought gifts to invite him home for dinner, and he had refused.

Huo Zhang drained his cup of wine. “Then let’s wait and see.”

Here, the banquet was enjoyed by both host and guest. Meanwhile, Pei Chuyun stayed up until night, skillfully scaled the wall, and headed straight for the Dan Academy “dormitory,” her face full of anticipation as she pressed the bell of the cave dwelling.

She had expected Lu Xingzhou to pull her in for some “saucy” activities as soon as he opened the door, but when the door opened, there was no one in sight.

Her gaze lowered, and she saw a small boy standing there, looking up at her with eyes that seemed to be observing a courtesan delivered to him.