The Pastoral Life of a Cultivation Master

Chapter 2930 Manpower Issues
“Okay, then after I get back, I’ll discuss it with the team members, select people to form an expedition team, and then set off at dawn to explore the temporary camp on the other side of the canyon.” When Ouyang Nan heard Qian Ying say that three to five people were needed, he nodded in agreement.

It seems that these numbers are exactly the same as the total number of Chen Mo and his group, so there's no need to bother discussing it with the family members when we get back.

Of course, although he thought there was no need for discussion, he still needed to make things clear. If things were to be done, they should be made public. That way, even if Ouyang Min had some ulterior motives, it would be clear.

Furthermore, it would allow her to clearly see the true colors of everyone involved and determine if there was any possibility of salvaging the situation. If there was no way to salvage it, then she wouldn't mind letting go.

Anyway, before Ouyang Min set off, he had been plotting to seize power behind the scenes. If it weren't for the decision of the family elders' meeting, she wouldn't have wanted to lead this group of guys who were always dragging her down.

In addition, it was decided in the family meeting that some of the elders and other martial artists should shed some blood in order to suppress their arrogance.

Ouyang Nan had initially thought that since they were all family and training martial artists was no easy feat, they should try to minimize bloodshed. However, it now seemed that his good intentions might be misunderstood, so he decided to let things take their course.

There's a saying that goes, "Put aside your desire to help others and respect their fate," and that applies here as well.

“Of course, you should go back and discuss it with the team members later, and then decide who is suitable.” Ouyang Nan’s words were not inappropriate, so Qian Ying nodded and said, “After you’ve decided, tell Qian Wantong, and then we’ll set off after dawn. What do you think?”

Ouyang Nan nodded and agreed, "Okay."

The others were delighted to see Ouyang Nan agree so readily. Since Ouyang family warriors were leading the charge, their own warriors wouldn't have to go to their deaths, so it was all good.

The group of people happily showered Ouyang Nan with compliments, praising her highly. After all, saying nice things was easy, so why not say as many as possible?

However, seeing how capable Ouyang Nan was, Han Chengye felt something was amiss. He hadn't even put in his best effort yet, and Ouyang Nan had already willingly accepted the task. Was there some reason he couldn't see or understand?
However, when he contacted Ouyang Min, he did not let anyone else hear it and asked them to keep it a secret. So why did Ouyang Nan accept the mission so readily?

It's rather strange. It seems I need to keep a close eye on things from behind, just in case I'm caught off guard and end up getting caught off guard.

Of course, these were all thoughts in Han Chengye's mind, which he did not voice. He even joined others in complimenting Ouyang Nan.

"Now that both proposals have been resolved, do you have anything else to say? If not, I think we should call this meeting here," Qian Ying said, waving her hand to interrupt the compliments.

After everyone turned to look at each other, they all shook their heads. Just as Qian Ying was about to end the meeting, Qian Wantong indicated that he had something to say.

"Manager Qian, what do you have to say?" Qian Ying asked after seeing this.

"Elder, I don't think it's ideal for this expedition team to consist entirely of martial artists from the Ouyang family. After all, the expedition involves all of us. Therefore, I think it would be better if our Qian family could also send someone to cooperate with the Ouyang family to complete the expedition. More people would provide more security."

"And since our Qian family is the overall leader, we can't fall behind in terms of reconnaissance missions," Qian Wantong said.

Furthermore, while speaking, he subtly gave Qian Ying a meaningful look.

Qian Ying didn't know why Qian Wantong wanted to add one of his own members to the team, but seeing the hint in his eyes, she knew that there was a reason behind it, so she nodded and said, "I think it's fine. After all, it was my idea, so I'll also send one person to join Ouyang Nan's team as an exploration team."

Ma Xianglong and Han Chengye's faces immediately darkened. Originally, Ouyang Nan was prepared to take the blame alone, but Qian Wantong stood up and said this. What exactly did he mean by this? He's such a busybody. You're everywhere.

When Zhou Zixing heard Qian Wantong say this, he assumed it was arranged by Qian Ying, so he glanced at him but couldn't figure it out. However, remembering that he had already selected a team member before the meeting, he was prepared and immediately said, "Then we'll send one too..."

Unexpectedly, Qian Ying interrupted Zhou Zixing, saying, "Elder Zhou, there's no need. The main task of this small expedition team is to go ahead and scout out the canyon to see if there are any dangers. As long as we're careful and return promptly after the scout, the fewer people the better. Three to five people from the Ouyang family, plus one from our side, is enough. Other families don't need to send anyone; they can just lend a hand if they encounter danger later."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zixing said no more. Since he wasn't allowed to send anyone, he wouldn't. He had done what he was supposed to do, and as a master of innate cultivation, contributing his strength was only what he was supposed to do. Of course, if it became too dangerous, he would run away anyway.

Han Chengye and Ma Xianglong breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Qian Ying's words. That was good; as long as no one else came out, everything else was negotiable.

"Alright, does everyone have anything else to say?" Qian Ying glanced around and, seeing that everyone was shaking their heads, said again, "Manager Qian, please hand over the matter of forming the small expedition team to Team Leader Ouyang. We'll start the operation at dawn." "Yes, Elder." Qian Wantong nodded in agreement.

"Alright, that concludes today's meeting. Let's call it a day," Qian Ying said.

Watching the crowd disperse and disappear into the mist, he softly asked Qian Wantong, "Manager Qian, why did you say that just now?"

“Elder, I was thinking that if the team consists entirely of members of the Ouyang family, what if they conceal the situation after crossing the canyon, or hide any good things they find? Wouldn’t that be bad for the rest of us? So, I’m thinking of arranging for a family martial artist to keep an eye on them after we get there.”

"I plan to select someone of similar strength to join a small expedition team. That way, even if we encounter danger and someone dies, it won't cause too much loss to our Qian family," Qian Wantong said.

Qian Ying nodded. Actually, he had thought of that as well, but no one knew what the situation was like over there. If they encountered danger before finding anything good, it would be suicide. Just like the beast attack they had just encountered that night, if the beast hadn't retreated in time, he and Zhou Zixing might not have been able to hold out and would have had to abandon everyone and run away.

However, there were many such opinions, and Qian Wantong was right. If one chose a martial artist of mid-level strength, then even if one died, it wouldn't matter much.

“Okay, you can arrange it as you see fit,” Qian Ying said.

On the other side, after Ouyang Nan returned, she went back to Ouyang Ruoxi's side and told Chen Mo about the specific details of the meeting.

"Just as Amo said, these guys did it on purpose. It seems that we have fewer losses and more people, which makes them jealous," Ouyang Ruoxi said.

Chen Mo also said, "That's human nature. It's the same for anyone."

"Aunt, what are your plans for the future?" Ouyang Ruoxi asked.

“I plan to gather everyone together, go over what happened in the meeting, and see what these guys do,” Ouyang Nan said.

“With Ouyang Min here, I have no hope. These people might turn their attention to us,” Ouyang Ruoxi said.

"It doesn't matter, I'm just taking one last look. If there's still hope, then I'll do everything in my power to protect them if they encounter danger later. If it disappoints me, then I'll feel more at ease letting go. Also, I plan to take this opportunity to hand over the team leader position to Ouyang Min, and from now on, the team's affairs will be none of my concern." Ouyang Nan had actually anticipated this, so he spoke directly.

“Alright, let’s see if these people are truly following Ouyang Min or if they are taking responsibility,” Ouyang Ruoxi said.

The calm and decisive Ouyang Ruoxi knew that the reconnaissance mission was obviously dangerous. If these people were to back down just because they saw her and her aunt taking the risk, then abandoning them wouldn't be so bad.

Now that Chen Mo has revealed his strength, we can't let these disloyal martial artists from our own ranks drag him down.

After a brief discussion, Ouyang Nan went to Ouyang Min and asked him to convene a meeting of all members of the Ouyang family.

When Ouyang Min heard Ouyang Nan ask him to gather everyone, he understood that what Han Chengye had said had come to a conclusion, and that he should start preparing to take action.

So, he found Ouyang Jun and Ouyang Ding and asked them to notify everyone to attend a meeting. He also whispered some instructions to them, telling them to watch their step during the meeting.

The two immediately sprang into action. The Ouyang family warriors weren't far away to begin with, but due to the fog and cold, they were scattered in small groups nearby. In the frigid weather, minimizing the consumption of their vital energy was essential.

Otherwise, if another monster attacks, survival will be in question.

Therefore, everyone sought shelter from the wind, snow, and cold. As a result, due to the fog, it became difficult to see each other clearly among the huddled groups.

If you want to gather people together, you need someone to notify them.

Before long, more than a dozen people gathered around, including Chen Mo, Ouyang Ruoxi, and Ouyang Nana.