After the conversation with the Yang family's second daughter, Zhu Xiaosuo learned some news.
Breaking through from the Rebirth Stage to the Bone Transformation Stage requires about a year of seclusion.
During this time, one must not be disturbed.
Zhu Xiaosuo didn't know how to manage a year of seclusion, but it didn't stop him from preparing for it.
A year to plan and prepare for breaking ties with Zhuang Yun.
But Zhuang Yun didn't give him that much time.
As soon as they met, Zhuang Yun's Spirit Cleansing Sight immediately noticed Zhu Xiaosuo's breakthrough.
"You... broke through?"
"Yes, foster father. I went out and had a bit of luck, and managed to break through."
Unable to hide it, Zhu Xiaosuo could only admit it frankly.
"Good. Very good. As my foster son, being able to pass the first examination of the Immortal Sect brings honor to me as well."
"It's all thanks to your nurturing, foster father."
In a scene of fatherly kindness and filial piety, neither father nor son was truly sincere.
Zhuang Yun's smile hid a slight anger, perhaps because things were slipping out of his control, or perhaps because he knew Zhu Xiaosuo could pass the first examination of the Immortal Sect.
Zhu Xiaosuo's smile hid a hint of pride, perhaps because things were back under his control, or perhaps because he was confident about passing the first examination of the Immortal Sect.
They didn't talk much more.
Each left on their own.
After parting, their smiles gradually faded.
Both were reflecting on their performance just now, wondering if the other had seen through it.
In the following month, Zhu Xiaosuo adjusted the business income split back to an 80-20 ratio, and removed Madam Feng's half-percent profit.
According to Zhu Xiaosuo's calculations, with 20% of the profits in his hands, it would take more than two years to save enough Spirit Stones to break through to the Third Layer of the Rebirth Stage.
This way, Zhuang Yun shouldn't interfere.
According to Zhuang Yun's thinking, as long as he couldn't break through to the Third Layer of the Rebirth Stage on time, it was fine.
And just as Zhu Xiaosuo expected, Zhuang Yun tacitly agreed.
Cultivators who have passed or can pass the first examination of the Immortal Sect are still considered part of the Immortal Sect and are protected by it.
Only those who fail the examination would be abandoned by the Immortal Sect, severing all ties.
Zhu Xiaosuo had now become a cultivator who could pass the first examination of the Immortal Sect.
Zhuang Yun couldn't manipulate him at will.
Things proceeded in an unspoken yet orderly manner.
Until Zhuang Yun was about to leave.
After three months, Zhuang Yun was finally returning to the Immortal Sect for seclusion.
Before leaving, the Four Great Clans and high-ranking officials of the county all came to see him off.
The scene was grand.
Entirely because of Zhuang Yun's noble status and formidable strength.
Moreover, as the actual controller of Mountain Chicken County, no one would dare to disrespect him.
"Take care, foster father!"
Zhu Xiaosuo even squeezed out two hot tears.
Zhuang Yun waved his hand and said in front of everyone:
"No rush. Foster son, you are now capable of handling things on your own. Before I leave, I have nothing to give you, but I can give you a push to help you grow independently faster."
Zhu Xiaosuo immediately sensed something was wrong.
Without waiting for Zhu Xiaosuo to respond, Zhuang Yun walked to the Red Pavilion.
In front of Zhu Xiaosuo, with a casual wave, he killed Xiao Hong, Xiao Fang, Xiao Xia, Xiao Die, and Xiao Cai, who had come to see him off.
He then pointed a finger, and the "Zhuang" character on the Red Pavilion's sign exploded.
Only the crooked "Red Pavilion" remained hanging there.
"From today, my foster son's business will be handled by him alone. As a father, it's time for me to step back. Foster son, don't let down my painstaking efforts!"
After speaking, he glanced at Zhu Xiaosuo with disdain.
"I'm just a passerby in Mountain Chicken County. This Mountain Chicken County, after all, belongs to you four clans and the County Magistrate. Take care, everyone, I'm off..."
Zhu Xiaosuo's backing was about to withdraw.
Truly withdraw.
The Zhu Clan now only had one cultivator at the Second Layer of the Rebirth Stage.
How could they take over more than half of Mountain Chicken County's business?
Everyone's minds became active again.
"Take care, Friend Zhuang!"
"Take care, Immortal Master Zhuang!"
Zhu Xiaosuo was caught off guard by Zhuang Yun.
He didn't expect Zhuang Yun to be so ruthless.
Leaving him no chance at all.
Originally sitting firmly as the second chair in Mountain Chicken County, he suddenly became a lamb to be slaughtered.
Back at the Zhu Clan, Zhu Xiaosuo leaned weakly on a chair, dazed for a long time.
Zhuang Yun had unexpectedly stabbed him in a vital spot.
The counterattack from the three other clans and the County Magistrate would soon come.
He just didn't know where these hungry wolves would bite first.
But he didn't have to wait long.
By noon the next day, Zhu Liude returned, supporting the blood-covered Zhu Qigao.
Zhu Liude wore a bitter expression, while Zhu Qigao looked completely numb.
Zhu Liude managed to bow to Zhu Xiaosuo, but Zhu Qigao collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.
Did they attack Zhu Qigao?
Zhu Qigao was the Chief Steward of the Zhu Clan.
If they attacked Zhu Qigao, it meant a fight to the death.
Even if it was a counterattack, it shouldn't escalate to a life-and-death struggle!
Zhu Xiaosuo couldn't understand.
"Zhu Qigao, are you okay?"
Zhu Qigao shook his head.
"They didn't touch me."
"Then whose blood is that?"
Zhu Qigao couldn't hold back and started crying:
"It's Sixiu's... he was hacked to death by the Niu Clan..."
A thunderbolt struck in Zhu Xiaosuo's mind.
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"Zhu Sixiu... wasn't today... his wedding day?"
Zhu Qigao was sobbing uncontrollably, unable to speak.
He tried to prop himself up, but failed several times.
Seeing this, Zhu Liude took over and answered:
"Yes, we were both there for his wedding, and we brought the gift as you instructed. But halfway through the ceremony, Niu Daijie led a group of men and, in front of everyone, hacked Zhu Sixiu and his bride to death."
"Niu Daijie? Niu Shilin's nephew?"
The Niu Clan had three cultivators.
Niu Shilin, his son Niu Daihao, and his nephew Niu Daijie.
Zhu Xiaosuo had only seen Niu Daijie once at a banquet in the Red Pavilion.
He only remembered that he was also a cultivator.
"Yes, he's the Niu Clan's Immortal Master. One of our brothers didn't recognize Niu Daijie and tried to stop him, but Niu Daijie shattered his skull from a distance."
Zhu Qigao was still curled up on the ground, wailing.
"A dozen men surrounded them, hacking away for a long time... I... I tried to collect Sixiu and his wife's bodies, but couldn't even piece them together..."
Normally short in stature, he now seemed like a stray dog.
This was the first time he had lost his composure in front of Zhu Xiaosuo.
It was also the first time he had spoken so much in front of Zhu Xiaosuo since Zhu Xiaosuo had killed a servant in anger.
The sudden bad news left Zhu Qigao at a loss.
He had become the only Chief Steward of the Zhu Clan with the character "Gao" (High).
He was a legend in Mountain Chicken County.
Yet he watched as his brother, who had followed him for years, was hacked to death in front of him.
He couldn't even collect the bodies properly.
Standing less than 1.5 meters tall, he had always been shorter than most people since childhood.
He was used to cold sarcasm.
When he joined the Zhu Clan, he chose the character "Gao" (High).
He wanted to grow taller.
To become taller than everyone.
He wanted to be the highest Zhu Qigao in the Zhu Clan.