Chapter 25: Inside the Zhou Family
Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Inside the Zhou Family
Lu Zhao paused in thought before answering cautiously, "I know a little.
"The direct lineage disciples often have generational names like ’Cheng,’ ’Xian,’ ’Qi,’ or ’Ping’ in their given names, such as Senior Qixing or Young Master Pingyuan.
"And the branch lineages... they don’t seem to have fixed generational names?" he asked, thinking of Zhou Ming himself, whose name lacked such a character.
"Mm, you only know one side of it, not the whole picture."
Zhou Ming nodded, a profound look in his smile. "The generational names are merely a mark of the direct bloodline’s heritage, a symbol of their pure roots. The branch lineages, however, have far more complex origins... and are far more extensive."
He paused, lowering his voice a little, adopting a confidential tone. "The branch lineages have roughly three sources."
"First, there are the children born to the loyal servants who have been attached to our Zhou Family for generations.
"If their descendants are found to possess a Spiritual Root, regardless of its grade, they are all granted the ’Zhou’ surname and brought into the branch lineage. They can study the family’s basic Cultivation Techniques and serve the family. This is both a kindness and a way to maintain our foundation."
"Second are Cultivators from other families who, admiring the Zhou Family’s prestige or seeking our protection, voluntarily change their surname to ’Zhou’ and attach their entire family to ours."
"These Cultivators must swear a Heart Demon Oath of generational loyalty, and their descendants will also become part of the Zhou branch lineage. The family will grant them status and resources corresponding to their strength and contributions."
Having said this, Zhou Ming’s gaze fell on Lu Zhao’s face, observing his reaction. His tone shifted, carrying a subtle hint of temptation:
"As for the third... well, that is a special door our Zhou Family keeps open for truly talented and capable outsiders."
He paused deliberately before continuing slowly, "If a talented outsider is willing to marry a woman from our Zhou Family and become her Dao Companion..."
"...any children they have, male or female, will take their mother’s surname, ’Zhou.’ They will be entered into our Zhou Clan’s genealogy, enjoy the treatment of branch lineage disciples, and receive the family’s protection and nurturing."
"As for the man himself..."
Zhou Ming smiled, his expression particularly magnanimous. "Although he doesn’t have to change his surname, he can enjoy treatment equivalent to that of a core member of the branch lineage—family resources, Cultivation Techniques, protection, all of it."
"What’s even better is that if, one day, his Cultivation advances significantly or he thinks of his former clan, he can petition the family to ’return to his ancestral clan’ and reclaim his original surname, as long as his children agree once they come of age."
"The family would never stand in the way. In fact, we would be happy to see it happen and form a positive bond. This is what we call ’temporarily entering the Zhou Family’s gates’—a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Lu Zhao listened quietly, his expression impassive, but his mind was already in turmoil.
’Zhou Ming’s words might have seemed like an introduction to the Zhou Family’s structure, but every sentence was actually aimed at me.’
’Granting the surname to loyal servants, having outsiders pledge allegiance—those are common practices.’
’But this third option—this ’temporary marriage’ into the family, using one’s children’s surname as the bond in exchange for treatment equal to a core branch member, and even allowing one to ’return to his clan’ later—he’d been around the Zhou Family for years and had never heard of such a model!’
"Steward, your explanation has been truly enlightening." Lu Zhao cupped his fists, his tone sincere. "The Zhou Family’s magnanimity is as vast as the ocean. I am deeply impressed. As for this matter... please allow me some time to go back and consider it carefully."
"Of course. A lifelong matter is not to be taken lightly."
Zhou Ming’s smile was warm. He clapped Lu Zhao on the shoulder, looking completely understanding. "Mr. Lu, your talent and comprehension are both excellent, and you possess a mastery of Puppetry. Your future is limitless.
"The family is always thirsty for talent, especially for a remarkable individual like yourself, Mr. Lu, with your solid foundation and steady temperament. Think it over carefully. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by."
He deliberately emphasized the word "opportunity," then said no more. After a few pleasantries, he gracefully departed.
Watching Zhou Ming’s back disappear into the Marketplace crowd, the calm expression on Lu Zhao’s face slowly faded, and his brow furrowed.
He returned to his stone room with the Spirit Gathering Array at the Guest House and activated the Restriction. Sitting cross-legged, he unconsciously rubbed the cold surface of his Storage Bag with his fingertips.
’Zhou Ming clearly represents the attitude of a certain faction within the Zhou Family.’
’What they value isn’t just my Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer Cultivation, but my Puppetry skills—skills that are constantly improving and have shown unique value, especially with Flying Puppets!’
’When I think about the support from the Nine Abyss Pavilion’s Shopkeeper, the possible losses suffered by the Zhou Family’s Cloud Pattern Cavalry, and Zhou Pingyuan’s mysterious injuries... my craft has probably, without my realizing it, become embedded in some critical part of the Zhou Family’s operations, causing its value to skyrocket.’
And this unheard-of option of a "temporary marriage" was like a carefully wrapped olive branch.
’It’s a way to bind a high-potential external technical expert like me more tightly to the Zhou Family’s war chariot with the smallest "cost," allowing me to enjoy their resources while also being completely branded by them.’
’Allowing me to "reclaim my lineage" is more like a psychological comfort and a gesture. Once blood descendants are involved, how could such a bond be easily broken?’
"Temporarily entering the Zhou Family’s gates." Lu Zhao repeated the phrase in a low voice, a cold, sharp curve forming on his lips.
’It seems the Zhou Family isn’t a monolithic entity. Is this sudden "appreciation" an opportunity, or the beginning of a deeper whirlpool?’
He needed time, and more importantly, he needed strength to see the undercurrents in these murky waters. For now, at least, improving his Puppetry and his own Cultivation was the fundamental way to deal with any changes to come.
「One day later」 Lu Zhao went to the Nine Abyss Pavilion and met with Shopkeeper Zhou.
He completed the routine transaction for the Flying Cloud Sparrows and Ice Mouse Puppets. As for the Ironwood Guards, he only had two and wasn’t planning to sell them for the time being.
After the transaction was complete, during their usual chat, Lu Zhao seemed to casually ask the shopkeeper about the distinction between the Zhou Family’s "direct lineage" and "branch lineage."
"Mr. Lu, could it be that you want to join our Zhou Family? With your qualifications, it wouldn’t be impossible for you to become the Dao Companion of a woman from the family’s direct lineage."
The shopkeeper teased him.
He knew the man before him very well: intelligent, cautious, knew when to advance and when to retreat, and could be ruthless at critical moments.
’How could such a person be willing to marry into a family? And even if he were willing, it wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing for the family.’
"That’s not it," Lu Zhao replied.
"It was just a passing thought. Yesterday, I heard about a matter... that one could become a member of the Zhou Family without changing their name."
Lu Zhao said this with a beaming smile.
The moment the Shopkeeper heard this, his expression darkened. He took a deep breath and said, "Thank you for telling me this, Mr. Lu. I owe you a favor."
"There’s no need for that. In fact, I have a matter to ask of you, Shopkeeper."
"I have a few Magical Artifacts I intend to sell and would like you to appraise them."
With that, he took four boxes from his Storage Bag and opened them one by one: two Tier One Middle-Grade Defense Spiritual Artifacts, one Tier One Middle-Grade Flying Sword, and one damaged Tier One High-Grade Spiritual Artifact.
The Shopkeeper glanced at Lu Zhao, understanding what he was up to, but it was true that he owed Lu Zhao a favor.
He picked up the four artifacts and appraised them one by one.
"A Tier One Middle-Grade Metal Attribute Defensive Spiritual Artifact, ninety percent new, worth one hundred Spirit Stones. A Tier One Middle-Grade Wood Attribute Defensive Spiritual Artifact, eighty percent new, ninety-six Spirit Stones. A Tier One Middle-Grade Wood Attribute Flying Sword, seventy percent new, eighty-five Spirit Stones.
He frowned only when he saw the damaged Tier One High-Grade spiritual artifact. "This thing is more than halfway ruined. The cost to repair it would be enough to buy most of a new one."
"If you really want to sell it, Mr. Lu... one hundred thirty Spirit Stones." After hearing the Shopkeeper’s words, Lu Zhao began to calculate in his head.
After a moment, he nodded without saying anything more.
’The highest total offer he had gotten from the other shops was only four hundred Spirit Stones. It was clear Shopkeeper Zhou was giving him the best possible deal within his authority.’
"I am very satisfied with this price," Lu Zhao said with a nod.
After Lu Zhao took the Spirit Stones and left the Nine Abyss Pavilion, the Shopkeeper, his face grim, summoned his confidant.
"Go investigate. Find out who in the Zhou Family has met with Lu Zhao."