But the matter ended there without further developments.
Zhu Xiaosuo had no intention of leaving.
Madam Feng did not urge him either.
Even the servants became much more amiable towards Zhu Xiaosuo.
Apart from flipping through the "Cultivator's Beginner Guide" every day, Zhu Xiaosuo now had another book in hand, the "Exiled Immortal Nation's Edict."
A cultivator had turned into a scholar.
When Zhu Xiaosuo fell on hard times, it was only natural that opportunists would come to humiliate him.
Finally, one day, Niu Daijie came bearing gifts to visit Zhu Xiaosuo.
On the surface, it was a visit, but in reality, it was to probe Zhu Xiaosuo on behalf of several families.
Zhu Xiaosuo simply had Zhu Qigao respond at the door:
"Not seeing visitors."
Niu Daijie attempted to force his way in.
Zhu Qigao, however, pulled out a piece of paper:
"According to the Sect Rules, Article Seventeen, no one is allowed to forcefully enter a cultivator's residence without permission, or the sect may abolish their cultivation."
After saying this, Zhu Qigao stepped aside.
"Immortal Niu, you may enter if you wish; I dare not stop you."
Niu Daijie glared at Zhu Qigao, gritted his teeth, and left with his entourage.
After sending Niu Daijie away, Zhu Qigao muttered to Zhu Liude:
"I thought the master was just pretending to read every day, but it turns out reading every day is actually useful!"
Zhu Liude laughed:
"What the master thinks, how could we possibly fathom? In my opinion, we should just follow the master closely."
Zhu Qigao nodded:
"Exactly. The master has been reading the 'Cultivator's Beginner Guide,' which talks about sect matters that we can't get involved in. But the master has recently been reading the 'Exiled Immortal Nation's Edict,' and I think it might be helpful if we read it too."
Zhu Liude fell silent and said:
"Zhu Qigao, I'm not as good as you. To be honest, I'm ashamed to say, I've already been secretly reading the 'Exiled Immortal Nation's Edict.'"
Zhu Qigao jumped up and patted Zhu Liude on the shoulder:
"No worries, everyone looks out for themselves. I knew this long ago. We're the master's right-hand men, it's good to be open about it."
"You being the Chief Steward, I, Zhu Liude, am convinced! Indeed, we're all in the same boat now; it's petty to scheme against each other."
"To be honest, I have quite a bit of confidence in our master. You see, our master seemed very depressed before, but that was just an act for outsiders. From what I know of the master, he never shows his emotions."
"Exactly. I also think the master isn't as depressed as he seems. But let's keep this between us, don't let a third person hear it."
"Who else would I tell? If Sixiu were still alive, maybe I'd chat with him about it..."
Mentioning Zhu Sixiu, the two fell into a somber mood.
Thinking of Zhu Sixiu, they seemed to see their own future.
But as staunch supporters of Zhu Xiaosuo, there was no turning back for them.
Zhu Liude patted Zhu Qigao:
"Qigao, look ahead. If the master can get through this ordeal, maybe we can both advance further."
"I'm already Zhu Qigao, where else can I advance to?"
Zhu Liude chuckled and pointed to the sky.
"You mean?"
"Yes."
"I say, Zhu Liude, you really dare to guess!"
"What's there to be afraid of! Haven't you heard, in the local big families, even the servants of the sixth and seventh generations are cultivators?"
"Shh... don't say such things carelessly."
"I'm just saying it to you."
"You're the one, Old De! Dreaming big even in broad daylight."
No one knows you better than those by your side.
Zhu Qigao and Zhu Liude's baseless speculations did have some truth.
Zhu Xiaosuo, who seemed inactive, was actually observing in secret.
He was watching the actions of the Niu, Ma, and Yang Clans and the County Magistrate, contemplating future strategies.
More importantly, he was watching Madam Feng.
Constantly watching Madam Feng.
Never distracted for a single day.
Zhu Xiaosuo was like a venomous snake, ready to deliver a crucial strike when the prey was at its most vulnerable.
Until one day, six months later.
Zhu Xiaosuo believed the time was ripe.
He resumed his cultivation.
With the aid of spirit crystals, he had no worries about cultivation resources.
As a cultivator, he no longer needed much sleep to recuperate.
He spent ten hours a day on cultivation.
His long seclusion was known to all, and everyone knew the head of the Zhu Clan had resumed his cultivation.
This news gradually spread outside.
The cultivators of the Niu, Ma, and Yang Clans and the County Magistrate were somewhat surprised.
Zhu Xiaosuo was so poor he was almost down to his underwear, where did he get the resources for cultivation?
It was very strange.
After Niu Daijie was turned away last time, this time, it was Niu Shilin who came to visit.
The head of the Niu Clan came in person, bearing gifts, showing great respect.
Under the pretense of visiting Madam Feng and her son, he also wanted to see Zhu Xiaosuo.
But he was still stopped outside Zhu Xiaosuo's main courtyard by Zhu Qigao.
Niu Shilin coldly stared at Zhu Qigao.
Zhu Qigao was sweating profusely, barely able to stand.
But he still recited the words Zhu Xiaosuo had instructed:
"According to... according to Sect Rules, Article Seventeen, no one is allowed to forcefully enter a cultivator's residence without permission, or the sect may abolish... abolish their cultivation."
"I have received permission to enter the Zhu Clan, it is not a forced entry."
"The permission the head of the Niu Clan received was from Madam Feng, not from the head of the Zhu Clan."
"Madam Feng and Zhu Xiaosuo are mother and son, how could a mother's permission not be acknowledged by the son?"
"According to Sect Rules, Article Thirteen, apart from the cultivator themselves, only direct relatives who are also cultivators can make decisions on their behalf. Although Madam Feng is the master's stepmother, she is not a cultivator, so she cannot... cannot represent the master's decision."
After saying this, Zhu Qigao stepped aside.
If Niu Shilin forced his way in, he couldn't stop him.
So Zhu Xiaosuo instructed him to say what needed to be said and then step aside.
Don't become the target of Niu Shilin's anger.
Niu Shilin glared with his bull-like eyes, gritting his teeth, but was helpless.
He still handed the gifts he brought to Zhu Qigao.
"Convey my regards to the head of the Zhu Clan."
"Yes."
"Hmph."
Niu Shilin left in frustration.
Zhu Xiaosuo's refusal to see Niu Shilin was not surprising to ordinary people.
After all, the two were sworn enemies.
But it caused a great stir among the cultivators and high-ranking individuals in Mountain Chicken County.
Why would Zhu Xiaosuo, who was about to be expelled from the Zhu Clan, risk offending Niu Shilin before leaving?
Everyone had a bold guess.
Zhu Xiaosuo's previous meekness was not due to helplessness.
He was waiting for the right moment!
He still had a trump card!
And this trump card was enough for him to dare to confront Niu Shilin.
Madam Feng was equally flustered.
She thought she had completely taken control of the Zhu Clan.
Expelling Zhu Xiaosuo was just a matter of course.
For over half a year, Zhu Xiaosuo had been like a dead dog, beaten and scolded by anyone.
Who would have thought that one day he would suddenly bare his teeth?
Only then did people realize that his previous silence was not because he was a dead dog.
But because a barking dog doesn't bite.
Zhu Xiaosuo had already opened his jaws wide.
Everyone feared being bitten by him.
Months of continuous cultivation, without stepping out of his courtyard.
Although he did not appear, the entire Mountain Chicken County was being influenced by him.
Until the day before Zhuang Yingdi's first birthday.
Zhu Xiaosuo stepped out of his courtyard.
"Zhu Qigao, Zhu Liude, pack your things, we're leaving tonight. I have some matters to attend to."
"Yes!"