Douluo: A Century-old Legend I Am the Second Uncle Chenxin

Chapter 1701 The Entire Clan Comes to Seek Help
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……

The Chen family had already discussed the conditions for recruiting "White Emperor" Si Baining.

Some provisions are fixed, according to the new regulations of the Organization Department; others are flexible provisions, allowing for changes.

Ultimately, the biggest headache for the Chen family right now is this: they don't have enough Title Douluos that they can actually use and deploy in the front lines of fierce battles!

Against those top-tier or super-powerful forces that still value some semblance of decorum, even against the Spirit Hall, the strongest force, as long as they maintain proper decorum, the Chen family's current strength is more than sufficient, if not more.

But if the opponent is something like the Crimson Church? Then it's a fight to the death without any reason! It's a brutal battle of life and death.

In this situation, having another Title Douluo who can step in at any time would be of great significance.

In the previous wave, the Crimson Church went mad and revealed nine Title Douluos at once!
Everyone knew what was going on. If they made a move again, it was almost certain that Crimson would pull out at least ten titled enemies.

The family's accelerated "golden years" program needs to be expedited; this is the foundation.

But distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.

Therefore, actively recruiting powerful high-level Soul Masters from outside as offerings has become an important strategy that must be pursued in parallel.

It can also cover up those branch lineages of Title Douluo, making it easy to cut them off if needed in the future.

The current "White Emperor" Si Baining has taken the initiative to seek refuge with the Chen family, which is naturally a welcome development.

Moreover, he has an advantage over Zhuo Qianren. Although Elder Zhuo is powerful, he has a public office at Chang'an Academy and has to stay there most of the time, so his range of movement is limited.

But Si Baining is different; he has a high degree of freedom of movement and mobility, and can respond to the needs of the Chen family at any time.

Moreover, although he is also a flying-type Soul Master, and his speed is not as extreme as Zhuo Qianren's, his ice-type abilities are quite useful and very practical.

Both sides had the will, the ability, and were exactly lacking a highly mobile title like his. It was a perfect match for both sides, as their core interests and strategic needs aligned.

……

Chen Xun laid out the terms and risks in detail.

Si Baining didn't rush to respond. His gaze first met that of his younger sister, Si Baining. The exchange of glances was quick, but the meaning behind it was profound.

He picked up the celadon teacup beside him, took a small sip, then put it down and looked at Chen Xun.

The voice was less icy and more lively than before.

"Clan Chief Chen has spoken frankly, and I, Bai Ning, am well aware of what he has to say."

"Old Zhuo is all alone, so it's easy to handle. He signed a contract between himself and the Chen family."

“But our Si family is different; we have families to support.”

He paused, his tone becoming exceptionally serious, "So, I have another idea I'd like to ask you, Chieftain—"

A barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "If our entire Si family were to come and submit to the Chen family, working for them, would you... accept them?"

Upon hearing this, even Chen Xun, who was used to seeing all sorts of things, felt his eyelids twitch, and genuine surprise was written all over his face: "Mr. Si, what you said..."

He took a breath before continuing, "They really caught me completely off guard." A thought immediately flashed through his mind: 'What a "mad family"! No wonder…they were planning to place a huge bet before they came; they were betting the entire clan!'

Si Baining, who was standing to the side, then spoke up, but her words were like a knife stabbing directly at him: "Since Clan Chief Chen is so straightforward, I, Si Baining, will also speak frankly and not mince words, it's too tiring."

“In Nottinghamshire, we are at the bottom of the five southern counties. The Si family has the reputation of being a prominent family in the county, which sounds good, but in reality, we are just the tallest among the short. Our family is very poor.”

She looked at Chen Xun, her gaze like a small hook: "Don't laugh at me, but the Si family does have ambitions to climb the social ladder, but for so many years, they've been stuck in Nottingham and can't get out!"

"Even if my brother is capable, his personal reputation is only a name in this southern region. But on the grand stage of the entire Fasno Province, or even the Empire and the continent? He's not good enough!"

She spoke coldly and piercingly: "The overall strength of the family, the foundation left by our ancestors, the business empire, and the reputation and prestige accumulated over a century... these things, how can they grow by holding one's breath?"

"If we really expect the Si family to climb to that position step by step and wait for them to do so on their own, don't even think about it for three to five hundred years!"

Her eyes shone like stars as she stared intently at Chen Xun: "My brother is the pillar of the family, the symbol, but he's still just a person. Even if he truly becomes a revered figure in the Chen family,"

As she said this, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. "With all that fighting, what if... I mean, what if my brother gets killed in there? The Si family's sky would immediately collapse! And their future would be completely cut off."

Her eyes suddenly became extremely sharp and firm. "So, rather than putting the future of the whole family on my brother's only son and groping in the dark on a path where one wrong step will lead to total defeat, we would rather bring the Si family into the Chen family's fold and follow them directly out of Fasno."

"Of course, we've inquired and found that the threshold for becoming a follower family of the Chen family is extremely high."

"These are all we can offer: my brother, who has worked like a slave for the family's survival; and the two hundred or so capable and somewhat useful members of the clan."

"Our stronghold—Tianfeng City, as you know, is situated right at the intersection of Nottingham, Starfall, and Marseille counties. It's a key city on the route to the other part of the Middle East, making it a strategic stronghold."

"And then there's Tianfeng Academy, which, though not large in scale, has a solid foundation;"

"Finally, and most importantly, our entire clan will henceforth recognize only the Chen family banner and will have no other intentions!"

"This is all the family's wealth," Si Baining leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed on Chen Xun, "It's all here. What do you think, Clan Chief Chen, is this deal... a good one?"

Chen Xun listened quietly as Si Baining clearly analyzed the family's predicament and choices, his eyes deep.

Si Baining's eloquent speech demonstrated thorough thinking and a penetrating insight, even laying bare the risk of her older brother's potential death.

Even Chen Xun could tell from her straightforwardness and the air of someone in charge that Si Bai Ning's words carried just as much weight in the Si family as her brother's!
At the same time, this also confirms that although Si Baining has an adventurous spirit, his fundamental stance has always been to prioritize the overall interests of the family, even placing the future of the family above his personal honor and disgrace.

However, this astonishing proposal, which leaped from a single person's offering to the submission of the entire clan, far exceeded expectations in terms of weight and scope. Although Chen Xun had already considered it in his heart, he did not show the slightest inclination on his face.

This involves the overall absorption and resource integration of a family, and cannot be determined in just a few words.

The hall fell into a silent, heavy stillness, with only wisps of incense smoke rising silently from the incense burner.

After a good while, Chen Xun spoke again, his voice still steady: "Mr. Si, Ms. Si's proposal... is a matter of great importance concerning the foundation of our clan. Even as the clan leader, I dare not make a hasty decision. How about this..."

He looked at the brother and sister and said, "It's almost lunchtime. You two have come from afar, so you should at least have a hot meal."

"I'll have Meng Wei accompany you two for a short walk around the village, to enjoy the scenery and take a rest. As for the matter of the entire clan submitting..."

He paused, his eyes showing seriousness, "This afternoon, I will definitely give you both a definite answer."

(End of this chapter)