Chapter 139, Zhengyong’s Transformation and Millennium Plan

Translator: Raznick

 

Nine Peaks.

 

The day was quite lively.

 

Many Zhou Clan cultivators gathered near the entrance of the estate, preparing to welcome the cultivators returning from their campaign.

 

After being stationed in Cloud Province for over a year, the cultivators conscripted by the Zhou Clan were finally able to return to the clan.

 

This was not because the war between Cloud Province and the Dragonized Sect had ended, but because, after coordination and discussion among the Green Lotus Monastery and other factions of the Jing Kingdom, reinforcements from other factions and provinces of the Jing Kingdom had arrived in Cloud Province.

 

With the addition of fresh troops, the number of Jing Kingdom cultivators in Cloud Province was abundant, so the Green Lotus Monastery allowed the cultivators from Mist Province, Ridge Province, and Lotus Province who had been conscripted to return to the clan to recuperate.

 

Of the original fourteen Zhou Clan cultivators, only seven returned alive, and two of them were disabled, with missing limbs and impaired vision.

 

At this time, under the leadership of Zhou Jiarui, the Fourth Elder of the Zhou Clan, a group of Zhou Clan cultivators slowly walked into the estate entrance that had already been prepared for them and entered the estate.

 

They then saw Zhou Chun and Zhou Jiahe standing to face them, along with as many as sixty or seventy cultivators of various sizes.

 

Seeing this lineup, even Zhou Jiarui, who was unaware of the situation, was stunned.

 

He never expected so many clan members to be waiting for them.

 

Facing the few people with surprised expressions, Zhou Chun spread his hands and said with a full smile, “Welcome, brave warriors who have been campaigning abroad!

 

“You are all heroes of the clan, and the clan is proud to have members as dedicated as yourselves!

 

“On behalf of all cultivators of the clan, I sincerely thank you for your sacrifices and contributions to the clan!”

 

He then bowed deeply to the several individuals.

 

His eyes, filled with sincerity, gazed at them as he said, “Welcome home!”

 

“Welcome home!”

 

Behind Zhou Chun, cultivators of the Zhou Clan, including Zhou Jiahe, all spoke up, their faces brimming with smiles.

 

This scene heightened the already pleasant mood of Zhou Jiarui and the others, granting them immense comfort and satisfaction, and their faces were filled with happy, excited smiles.

 

“You always manage to come up with something new!”

 

Zhou Jiarui, smiling, stepped forward and clapped Zhou Chun on the shoulder, clearly pleased with the spectacle he had created.

 

Although everyone knew that the clan cultivators who had been conscripted were cannon fodder,

 

But no one could deny that their deployment had resolved a troublesome issue for the clan and had provided other members with opportunities to cultivate in peace.

 

Calling them heroes of the clan was certainly justifiable.

 

And these Zhou Clan cultivators, who had previously felt abandoned, upon their return, seeing the Deputy Clan Leader, an elder, and so many members come to greet them, felt that they mattered for the first time.

 

Would they have truly abandoned them?

 

Why would they have put on such a grand display to welcome them back?

 

People’s hearts were fickle.

 

For those who knew how to manipulate people, there were always ways to win back those who changed their minds.

 

Zhou Chun wasn’t a master manipulator; otherwise, he wouldn’t have remained a bachelor in his previous life.

 

He didn’t use them before but at least knew about them.

 

He at least knew some ways to win people over and change their minds.

 

When these methods were combined with the power and authority he currently possessed, the effect was obvious.

 

A praise coming from a peer and a praise coming from a leader or king held different weights.

 

What if it came from the entire nation?

 

This was a simple truth!

 

Of course, Zhou Chun also knew that praise alone could only make people happy in the moment, and that the emptiness would likely be more likely to erode the heart afterward.

 

So, he also prepared actual benefits for these returning Zhou Clan cultivators.

 

Including substantial merit rewards, spirit coin rewards, and exemption from all clan chores for three years.

 

Even fallen cultivators could inherit these, provided they had living relatives who were cultivators.

 

With both face and substance secured, returning Zhou Clan cultivators naturally had no complaints.

 

Even the battlefield experiences that previously filled them with fear and pain became something they boasted about, making even arguments more effective.

 

The noise escalated, and they exposed the scars left by past injuries and spoke loudly with emotion about how they shed blood for the Zhou Clan and shielded it from harm…

 

“I can’t believe how much has changed in just over a year since I left the clan!

 

“Thirteenth Brother, you not only reached Foundation Establishment but have also become the clan Deputy Clan Leader, overseeing clan affairs!”

 

On Ganoderma Peak, in his family’s living quarters, Zhou Zhengyong, who had returned from his expedition, gazed at his clan brother with a face full of emotion and amazement.

 

Although he had made gains during his year of conquest, and his own cultivation had broken through to the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining, compared to Zhou Chun reaching Foundation Establishment, it was insignificant.

 

Upon hearing his exclamation, Zhou Chun simply smiled slightly and said nothing.

 

Such words had already been said by many.

 

He took a sip of tea and then revealed a hint of surprise as he looked at Zhou Zhengyong and said, “Brother Yong, it seems you’ve also grown; not only has your cultivation improved, but your spirit and demeanor are different. It seems you’ve also experienced a lot during this year and a half!”

 

Hearing his words, Zhou Zhengyong’s eyes narrowed, and then his face suddenly became somewhat dazed, and he sighed softly, “Yes, I’ve indeed experienced a lot.”

 

“Would you tell me all about it?”

 

Zhou Chun asked with a hint of curiosity on his face.

 

Zhou Zhengyong hesitated, but only for a brief moment, before nodding slightly and saying, “Sure.”

 

It turned out that after going to Cloud Province, he had experienced dozens of skirmishes, large and small, in just over a year.

 

From encounters to sieges.

 

The enemy consisted of formal members of the Dragonized Sect, as well as those driven by the Dragonized Sect who had pledged allegiance to rogue cultivators.

 

The most impactful battle for Zhou Zhengyong was an assault on a Dragonized Sect stronghold.

 

In that battle, two Zhou Clan cultivators perished, leaving only one survivor.

 

What was anticipated to be an easily won battle ultimately turned into a grueling, narrow victory due to a traitor.

 

Ironically, that traitor had fought alongside Zhou Zhengyong for half a year, and the two had even become friends!

 

In that battle, Zhou Zhengyong not only lost two clan members but also a friend. He and his spirit pet, the Redtail Monkey, were both seriously injured, taking over two months to recover.

 

When Zhou Zhengyong spoke to this point, he couldn’t help but murmur softly, “After that battle, while I was recovering, I frequently noticed people looking at me with suspicion, guessing whether I too had been recruited by the Dragonized Sect!

 

“Even clan members around me weren’t completely trustworthy!”

 

Zhou Chun raised an eyebrow upon hearing this and pressed further, “And what happened after that?”

 

“After I recovered, I was reassigned to the front lines to participate in the fighting and was even saved by a teammate who had only recently formed a team.

 

“That’s when I realized what war is and what the cultivation world should be like!”

 

Zhou Zhengyong fixed his gaze on Zhou Chun, saying, “Once on the battlefield, we should always be vigilant. Even with companions who have fought side-by-side, a degree of caution must be retained!

 

“But we should also maintain some trust, even if we have only recently met. Once we choose to travel together, we must believe that they will assist us in moments of danger!”

 

He then waved his hand and said, “This is my experience and my understanding; I hope it doesn’t disappoint you.”

 

“Of course not!” Zhou Chun’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Zhou Zheng Yong, saying with great admiration, “Brother Yong, your experiences have truly tested your humanity and tempered your heart!

 

“From what Brother Yong experienced and the insights you gained, it’s clear that you’ve grown stronger, much stronger!”

 

That was true. Zhou Chun could see that Zhou Zhengyong, whether in terms of his actual combat ability or his psychological resilience, had grown since he left.

 

War was the fastest way for a man to grow.

 

Men who experienced the baptism of brutal war would have their bodies and spirits reforged.

 

This held true even for cultivators.

 

In Zhou Chun’s eyes, the Zhou Zhengyong of the past was merely a cultivator with a bit of talent and beast taming skills—a suitable manager for the beast enclosure, someone whose loyal and trustworthy nature could be safely placed in important positions.

 

However, he sensed that Zhou Zheng Yong’s potential increased, already possessing enough value to warrant support for his Foundation Establishment. He would be able to play a greater role in the clan in the future.

 

Compared to many cultivators in the Zhou Clan, Zhou Zhengyong had an even more important value: he had a wife and children, and both were cultivators!

 

From the clan’s perspective, descendants were undoubtedly more important than those without, even with comparable abilities.

 

Zhou Chun, currently serving as the Deputy Clan Leader of the Zhou Clan, had reason to regard him differently for this alone, not to mention his personal relationship with Zhou Zhengyong.

 

Zhou Zhengyong seemed to understand something as well, suddenly speaking with a serious expression toward Zhou Chun, “I know that you have great ambitions and vast potential. Now that you’ve become the Deputy Clan Leader of the clan, the time has come to put those ambitions into action.

 

“In the future, I can’t say I can do anything, but if the clan needs my help in any way, I will certainly not hesitate!”

 

A Qi Refining cultivator saying such things to a Foundation Establishment cultivator would be unbelievable to rogue cultivators.

 

Even within a cultivating clan, it was rare to find a Qi Refining cultivator with the audacity to speak so boldly.

 

He now possessed that very audacity.

 

Zhou Chun understood that this was due to both the great courage he gained through life-and-death trials and his profound sense of loyalty, which prevented him from viewing himself as an outsider.

 

He immediately nodded formally and said, “I will definitely take you up on it, Brother Yong!”

 

“Then I shall await your instructions.”

 

Zhou Zhengyong grinned, seemingly pleased with Zhou Chun’s response.

 

After a bit more conversation, Zhou Chun did not further occupy Zhou Zhengyong’s time and quickly bid farewell, allowing him to return to his wife and child.

 

It seemed like a joyful reunion.

 

Not long after the cultivators returned to the clan, Zhou Clan’s Third Elder, Zhou Daoquan, who had been in seclusion for several years, successfully broke through to late Foundation Establishment and emerged.

 

Thus, the Zhou Clan now possessed two late Foundation Establishment cultivators.

 

And because Zhou Daoquan was only in his late 170s, he also possessed the potential to go for the Violet Palace.

 

It was simply that his luck was slightly off, coinciding with Zhou Daoyi’s preparation to also go for the Violet Palace thanks to a transformation opportunity granted by his spirit pet.

 

Given the Zhou Clan’s current strength, simultaneously supporting two Foundation Establishment cultivators to go for the Violet Palace was unrealistic.

 

It would likely require one of the two to find a breakthrough opportunity independently in the future.

 

But that was a matter for another day.

 

At least for now, the cultivators of the Zhou Clan were in high spirits because Zhou Daoquan had broken through to late Foundation Establishment.

 

This was what a vibrant clan looked like; this was what a thriving clan should be like!

 

“I can’t believe so much has happened while I was in seclusion!

 

“The Mu Clan fell and was rebuilt, and a Guardian of the Dragonized Sect died.

 

“And you, you’ve not only reached Foundation Establishment but have also become the clan Deputy Clan Leader, formally taking over the Clan Leader’s responsibilities!”

 

On Flying Stone Peak, Zhou Chun came alone to congratulate Zhou Daoquan. This elder of the Zhou Clan looked at the young junior who was now at the same level as himself and thought about the news he had just learned, feeling a deep sense of emotion.

 

After hearing his lament, Zhou Chun’s eyes lit up and he couldn’t help but smile. “Elder, you really have missed a lot. If you feel regretful for not participating in these matters, why not help me conduct a reform of the clan?

 

“I can assure you, this reform will undoubtedly be an important reform that will affect the Zhou Clan for a millennium; it’s not an exaggeration to call it a Millennium Plan!”

 

Speaking at the end, his tone had become extraordinarily solemn.

 

This change in tone caused Zhou Daoquan to narrow his eyes and look at him with surprise.

 

Then he said solemnly, “From your tone, it sounds serious.”

 

Then he asked, “You want to reform the clan, but does the Grand Elder know? Has he agreed?”

 

“I plan to first obtain the consent of the elders and then invite the Grand Elder to make a final decision!”

 

Zhou Chun calmly stated, causing Zhou Daoquan’s expression to change.