Ziyang County was vast, nestled against mountains and rivers, with fertile land that yielded exceptionally high grain harvests.
A mountain, two to three hundred meters high, appeared desolate and uninhabited from the front. However, one side of its rear was densely packed with residences, resembling a hidden paradise, almost unbelievable.
Only a single asphalt road wound through the forest at the mountain's base, providing access. Various luxury cars were parked there, dazzling the eyes, making one believe they were in a major metropolis, yet this was merely a mountain village within Ziyang County.
This was also the location of the Zhu family, one of the Four Clans and Sixteen Sects of Ziyang County.
The Zhu family of Ziyang County was rumored to be direct descendants of the sage Zhu Xi from the Ming Dynasty, who had branched out and established their lineage here.
Great individuals often remained hidden in the wilderness.
Zhu Wensong, the patriarch of the Zhu family in Ziyang County, calmly summoned core clan members to the large mansion at the foot of the mountain.
Those with martial cultivation stood on the left, while those responsible for managing the Zhu family's assets and connections stood on the right, resembling an ancient court with civil and military divisions.
Zhu Wensong, clad in platinum-gold robes, sat regally. Stroking his beard, he spoke in a deep voice: "The Xuan Yang Marquis, recently enfeoffed by Longjing, will be visiting the Four Clans and Sixteen Sects of our Ziyang County one by one. His intentions are clear: to purge and rectify the region. However, we cannot simply allow him to slaughter us without resistance. I have convened you all today; do any of you have a good plan?"
"That Chen Jiuyang is of humble origins, merely possessing slightly better talent and extraordinary luck to have advanced to the Earth Realm. To be appointed Xuan Yang Marquis, he truly doesn't know his own capabilities, daring to provoke established aristocratic families like ours."
"If you ask me, if he dares to come to our Zhu family's doorstep to cause trouble, we'll simply kill him."
"Precisely. Our Zhu family has been established here for centuries. Who dares to threaten us and show us disrespect?"
"The last one who dared to challenge our Four Clans and Sixteen Sects was called Liu Hanguang, wasn't it? The Chief Constable of the Six Doors in Ziyang County? Hmph, a mere waste. He was crippled in a single move. He's been recuperating for over a decade and is still at the peak of the Profound Realm, unable to return to the Earth Realm."
"This Chen Jiuyang is unaware he's being used as cannon fodder, yet he dares to issue invitations to twenty of us at once. Truly, he doesn't know how to write the word 'death'."
The Zhu family members all sneered, speaking of Chen Jiuyang with utter contempt.
At this moment, an unwelcome voice interjected:
"Oh? Is that so? Chen would very much like to see how your Zhu family intends to teach me to write this word, 'death'."
The Zhu family members turned in unison. On the asphalt road, a young man with an imposing figure appeared. His black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and he wore elegant moon-white robes. A jade pendant inscribed with 'Xuan Yang' hung from his waist. He held a saber in his hand and slowly walked towards the Zhu family mansion.
Accompanying the young man was a burly man with a full beard, dressed in the uniform of the Six Doors.
These two were Chen Jiuyang and Liu Hanguang.
Upon seeing these two appear outside the Zhu family's estate, the Zhu family members' expressions changed drastically. Speak of the devil, and he appears.
Chen Jiuyang had issued twenty invitations simultaneously, and unexpectedly, their Zhu family was the first to be visited.
The Zhu family members, who had been arrogant moments before and dismissed Chen Jiuyang and Liu Hanguang, immediately fell silent.
Zhu Wensong's expression shifted several times before he slowly revealed a smile and rose from his grand chair. "I did not expect the Xuan Yang Marquis and the County Chief Constable to grace our Zhu family with their presence. We failed to welcome you properly, a discourtesy for which we beg your indulgence."
"Indulgence is not necessary," Chen Jiuyang said calmly. "Those who just spoke of killing me, step forward and exchange a few moves with me. Let's see whose skill is superior."
Those who had spoken earlier turned pale, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
"Heh, it was merely a jest, Xuan Yang Marquis. Why take it so seriously?" Zhu Wensong smiled, attempting to deflect the matter with a casual approach.
Ideally, they would reach a compromise with Chen Jiuyang, conceding some ground to appease him, and let the matter pass.
Chen Jiuyang's expression remained unchanged. "Why take it so seriously?"
"My purpose in visiting your Zhu family today is to see what your Zhu family intends to do. However, before I even arrived at your estate, I heard voices from hundreds of meters away speaking of killing me. Zhu Wensong, do you take me for a fool?"
A hint of coldness flickered in Chen Jiuyang's eyes.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly dropped by five degrees.
Zhu Wensong's smile slowly receded, his expression tightening. He said sternly, "Then, Xuan Yang Marquis, what is it you wish to do?"
"What do you think?" Chen Jiuyang asked with a forced smile, staring at Zhu Wensong.
Zhu Wensong's heart sank. He spoke, "Our Zhu family can donate ten billion to Ziyang County, to be used for the development of its livelihood and economy, and for the expansion of its infrastructure."
"Insufficient."
Zhu Wensong continued, "Our Zhu family can return the land we control to Ziyang County, for the people of Ziyang County to cultivate medicinal herbs."
"Insufficient."
Zhu Wensong's expression darkened slightly. "Xuan Yang Marquis, I know our Zhu family's servants offended your wife. We will have their heads severed and delivered to your residence as an apology."
"Insufficient."
Zhu Wensong's face grew grim. "Those who insulted Xuan Yang Marquis just now, you may deal with them as you see fit. Our Zhu family will also offer another twenty billion. Will that be enough to quell your Xuan Yang Marquis's wrath?"
"Insufficient."
Zhu Wensong's expression was as dark as water. "Xuan Yang Marquis, our Zhu family has been yielding to you at every step. You still say it's insufficient. Is your appetite too large, or do you think our Zhu family is easy to bully?"
Chen Jiuyang's expression was calm. "Your Zhu family's exploitation of Ziyang County's economy is a matter for the Six Doors and the government. Your Zhu family's servants insulted my wife; I am displeased, and my wife will file a lawsuit in court."
"Your Zhu family members insulted me with their words; I will handle it personally."
"But these are far from enough."
Zhu Wensong's voice sharpened, "Then what exactly do you want?"
Chen Jiuyang smiled. "Zhu Wensong, in your eyes, is there a price for everything and everyone in this world?"
"Yes," Zhu Wensong replied after a moment's hesitation. "What if there is?"
"Your cultivation, your sustenance, your daily expenses, can all be measured by a monetary price to nurture you."
"Your Xuan Yang Marquis title can also be built with money."
"Any martial art or elixir in this world has a price."
"What you, Chen Jiuyang, wish to accomplish can naturally also be measured by a price."
"Chen Jiuyang, you tell me yourself, what price must our Zhu family pay for you to show us mercy and spare our Zhu family?"
The Zhu family possessed immense strength, having been established here for centuries. However, they were a powerful clan, exploiting the locals in secret. They lacked the legitimacy of a Marquis title, such as Chen Jiuyang, who was enfeoffed by Longjing.
They were not bowing to Chen Jiuyang, but to the prevailing legal tide of the Dragon Kingdom.
Chen Jiuyang chuckled, slowly drawing his Saber of Aversion, and pointed it towards the entire Zhu family, his voice calm and indifferent:
"Since that is the case, tell me."
"What is the price for the lives of all your Zhu family members?"