Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 784 Attack on Nanxia County

Just as Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi returned to Lingxi Mountain, Nanxia County was thrown into chaos.

As night falls, Nanxia County remains as tranquil as ever. Lanterns sway along the streets, casting a soft glow on the bluestone pavement, and occasionally a pedestrian strolls by.

Suddenly, a series of hurried, chaotic footsteps broke the silence. A group of burly martial artists emerged from the shadows, each with their faces covered by black cloths, revealing only their fierce eyes, and surged into the martial arts market.

The leader was a burly man, his long sword gleaming in the moonlight, exuding a chilling aura. His gaze swept over the many shops in the market, his eyes revealing a greedy and crazed look.

"Brothers, our chance to make a fortune has arrived!"

"kill!"

In an instant, the market was thrown into chaos. The rioters pounced on their prey like hungry wolves, smashing open shop doors and indiscriminately slaughtering and looting all kinds of valuables.

……

In the county government office study, Lu Jianghua sat behind his desk with a frown, looking at the yellow book in his hand.

This yellow register is the yellow register of martial arts families in Nanxia County. It records the population, number of martial artists, and cultivation level of each martial arts family.

Lu Jianghua has been in charge of Nanxia County for ten years. He is very clear about the strength of the many martial arts families in Nanxia County. However, he is still carefully observing the situation of these martial arts families because he needs to draw more people from them.

Others in Nanxia County were not very clear about the battle situation in Yushan Town, but he was very clear about it.

Over the past four years, the Lu family has recruited nearly 10,000 innate martial artists to Yushan Town, but now there are less than 4,000 left.

The continuous conscription has almost drained the strength of many martial arts families in Shanggu County, leaving the Lu family with almost no one left to use.

Such heavy casualties have caused many martial arts families to harbor resentment towards the Lu family.

They wouldn't hold a grudge against the Netherworld Sect because it was far away from them. Instead, they blamed the Lu family for sending their elders and relatives to the battlefield.

As resentment accumulates, so does the chaos that arises.

Some martial arts families lost their pillars of support, and some martial arts families wanted to take advantage of the situation and seize more resources.

In recent years, due to the infighting among martial arts families, more than seven martial arts families in Nanxia County have been wiped out.

Even so, the situation in Nanxia County became increasingly chaotic, with numerous disputes resembling boiling volcanoes, ready to erupt into even greater chaos at any moment.

However, faced with this situation, Lu Jianghua still needed to recruit more martial artists.

He had no choice but to do this, because if he didn't recruit more martial artists, he would have to send the Lu family's own forces to the battlefield as cannon fodder.

The Lu family was already weak, and if it lost too much strength due to the war, even with Lu Fusheng supporting it, it would still be unable to reverse the decline of the Lu family.

Therefore, in order to prevent the decline of the Lu family, everyone in the Lu family is desperately exploiting those martial arts families at the bottom.

As Lu Jianghua looked at the contents of the yellow book, his gaze gradually settled on the Yang family of Lingxi.

In recent years, the Yang family of Lingxi has been developing rapidly. Although they have not expanded extensively, many innate martial artists have emerged in the Yang family.

Moreover, the Yang family also has a member named Yang Zhengshan!

Thinking of Yang Zhengshan, Lu Jianghua felt conflicted.

Yang Zhengshan had a deep relationship with the Lu family. This was not only because Yang Zhengshan was on good terms with Lan Peng, but also because Yang Zhengshan and Lan Peng had helped send Lu Youning back to the Lu family.

This was a true act of saving a life, and the entire Lu family still remembers this kindness.

Therefore, Lu Jianghua has never made any moves against the Yang family of Lingxi over the years, and has even been supporting them.

But should we recruit people from the Yang family in Lingxi now?

This time, Lu Jianghua wants to recruit sixty innate martial artists. Currently, Nanxia County can still muster sixty innate martial artists, but if they are forced to recruit again, those martial arts families will probably really rebel.

The Yang family can't solve his problems, but they should be able to help him gather seven or eight innate martial artists.

If the Yang family doesn't come in or out, then the Lu family will have to send people!
Moreover, Yang Zhengshan alone can subdue dozens of innate martial artists.

Therefore, Lu Jianghua actually wanted to ask Yang Zhengshan to take action.

However, he felt that doing so was somewhat ungrateful, because he knew very well that once Yang Zhengshan went to the battlefield, he would be used as cannon fodder by the three major sects.

Just as Lu Jianghua was struggling with his decision, a series of hurried footsteps sounded, followed by the study door being kicked open, and several of his close followers rushed into the study.

"What are you doing?" Lu Jianghua's face turned extremely ugly in an instant.

"Young master, something has happened!"

The attendant pointed in the direction of the market and said in a panic, "Someone is attacking the market!"

Lu Jianghua's expression changed drastically. He stood up and looked towards the market. Under the dim night sky, a patch of fire rose from the market. The fire wasn't very big, but it was enough to show the current situation of the market.

"who is it?"

Lu Jianghua roared in fury.

"It's still unclear! But it seems there are many experts!" the attendant said, his voice trembling slightly.

Although Wuxiu Market in Nanxia County is owned by the Lu family, most of the shops in the market are actually run by other aristocratic families, such as the Sun family's Transmission Hall, the Beishi family's Pill Shop, the Shentu family's Restaurant, and the Nong family's Teahouse, etc.

Each of the twelve families has its own specialty industries. They cooperate and compete with each other, and their markets also introduce industries from other families.

It's roughly the case that each market town has at least six established families owning businesses; this is considered an unspoken rule in the Sea of ​​Spiritual Beauty.

The reason for this unspoken rule is to prevent someone from attacking the market.

Since each market town has properties owned by at least six powerful families, whoever attacks a market town will offend all six families, not just one.

As for the industries of the three major sects, they are mostly located in large markets. For example, the martial arts market in the county seat has the industries of the three major sects, while the martial arts market in the county town does not have the industries of the three major sects.

Of course, no matter how many powerful families own businesses in Wuxiu Market in Nanxia County, the Lu family will suffer the greatest loss if Wuxiu Market is attacked.

"Go to Nanqingshan for help!" Although Lu Jianghua was furious, he had not lost his mind.

Although Lan Peng has been in Yushan Town for several years, the Chiyan Army has remained in Nanqingshan.

No matter who is causing trouble, as long as the Chiyan Army can come to our aid in time, they will definitely be able to wipe out those rioters.

In fact, he didn't need to send anyone to inform them; the Chiyan Army on Nanqing Mountain already knew that the county town had been attacked, because the fire in the county town was burning brighter and brighter, and the red-hot night sky could be seen from dozens of miles away.

……

On Lingxi Mountain.

Wang Lei hurriedly arrived at the main house and stood in the outer room, calling out in a deep voice, "Master!"

Yang Zhengshan, who was cultivating on Lingquan Mountain, heard his call, frowned slightly, and with a thought, appeared in his bedroom.

Although he and Yu Qingyi came to Lingxi Mountain, they would still return to Lingquan Mountain Plain to cultivate at night.

"What happened?" Yang Zhengshan asked as he came out of the bedroom.

If there's nothing wrong, Wang Lei definitely wouldn't come over to bother him in the middle of the night.

"Something big seems to have happened in the county town; the fire is huge!" Wang Lei said in a deep voice.

Yang Zhengshan walked out of the house and looked towards the county town. Sure enough, he could see the county town engulfed in flames, and the dark night sky was burned red by the fire.

Suddenly, Yang Zhengshan remembered the few disguised martial artists he had seen when he left the city during the day.

Where is Xiang Heng?

"They're already waiting in the front yard!"

“Make him bring back all the clansmen who are away!” Yang Zhengshan said.

He wasn't clear about the situation in the county town, and he wouldn't easily go to their aid. Although he had a good relationship with the Lu family, it wasn't enough for him to abandon the Yang family of Lingxi to help Lu Jianghua. Besides, since the other side dared to attack Nanxia County, they must have made thorough preparations.

During the day, he saw one Heavenly Gang stage martial artist and five Earthly Fiend stage martial artists, and the other side was definitely more than just these six people; there might be quite a few Heavenly Gang stage martial artists.

The situation was unclear, and he could not act rashly.

He was more worried about the situation in the county town than about the impact on the Yang family in Lingxi.

The Yang family of Lingxi is not considered powerful. At most, they only have seven innate martial artists, and that's with the addition of Wang Lei and Tian Hu, who are outsiders.

The situation is currently chaotic, and it is not advisable to disperse people to different places. It would be better to recall everyone.

The Yang family's businesses in Lingxi were all located around Lingxi Mountain, with the furthest one being no more than twenty miles away.

Within two hours, most of the clansmen who were away had been summoned back.

In the front yard of the ancestral home, the Yang family members gathered together, and the atmosphere was somewhat solemn.

Yang Zhengshan sat in the main seat in the hall, with Wang Lei standing behind him. The five brothers, Yang Xiangheng, Yang Xiangdong, Yang Xiangxi, Yang Xiangyang, and Yang Xiangwu, sat in the lower seats, while Tian Hu sat in the last seat.

Tian Hu is the only retainer of the Yang family in Lingxi. He has lived a relatively peaceful life in the Yang family over the years. Prince Ji's heir, Wei Qianye, has also grown up. However, he is no longer Prince Ji's heir, but just Tian Hu's apprentice.

"Report! The Crimson Flame Army has left its camp and is heading to the county town to provide support!" A member of the Yang family ran up to report.

Yang Xiangheng lowered his head and pondered for a moment before saying, "Grand Uncle, with the Chiyan Army on the front lines, the county town should be fine, right?"

Yang Zhengshan shook his head slightly, "Not necessarily. Since the other side has already made a move, they must have made thorough preparations and will not ignore the existence of the Crimson Flame Army!"

"We still don't know what their purpose is. If they just want to rob the market, they will definitely retreat before the Chiyan Army arrives in the county. But if that's not their goal, then the Chiyan Army is likely to be in grave danger!"

The Crimson Flame Army is an elite force; although it only has two thousand soldiers, its combat power is extremely strong.

However, this applies to ordinary innate martial artists. If they were facing a group of Heavenly Gang stage martial artists, the Crimson Flame Army would be nothing more than lambs to the slaughter.

The difference between the Heavenly Gang stage and the Qi Sea stage is enormous, even though they are both innate martial artists.

Most of the soldiers in the Crimson Flame Army were at the seventh or eighth level of the Acquired Realm, and their individual strength was not actually that great.

Not many Heavenly Gang stage warriors are needed; just seven or eight Heavenly Gang stage warriors would be enough to defeat the two thousand Crimson Flame Army.

"Grand Uncle, if that's the case, wouldn't the Crimson Flame Army be in danger of being completely wiped out?" Yang Xiangdong said worriedly.

Yang Zhengshan did not answer; he simply picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

Yang Xiangxi couldn't help but ask, "Grand Uncle, should we go and support the Crimson Flame Army?"

"Why should we go to support the Chiyan Army?" Yang Zhengshan looked up at him.

Yang Xiangxi was taken aback. "The Crimson Flame Army is General Lan's subordinate, they..."

Yang Zhengshan shook his head slightly, "I do have some connections with Lan Peng, but you must understand that the Crimson Flame Army belongs to the Lu family, not Lan Peng."

"Furthermore, we owe the Lu family nothing; on the contrary, the Lu family owes me a favor!"

Whether it's Nanxia County or the Chiyan Army, those are all matters for the Lu family.

Yang Zhengshan is not a cold-blooded person, but he is not a warm-hearted one either.

If Lan Peng were here today, he would have no choice but to lend a hand, because he and Lan Peng are true sworn brothers.

Emotionally speaking, Lan Peng was his friend, not the Lu family.

From a purely economic standpoint, the fact that the Lu family is embroiled in trouble is actually more advantageous to him.

"People should know their own limitations. Our Lingxi Yang family is just a small family, and we are not qualified to talk about friendship with the Lu family. So you shouldn't think too highly of the Lu family!"

"My personal relationship with Lan Peng is purely personal, and I will not let it harm the interests of the family!"

"If a family wants to grow and prosper, it cannot rely too much on emotions; interests are the foundation of a family!"

Yang Zhengshan took the opportunity to give a lesson to Yang Xiangheng and the others.

Yang Xiangheng and his friends weren't exactly idiots, but they were just too naive.

Their experience was limited to Nanxia County, and the people and things they encountered were only the struggles between small families. In short, they had a poor overall perspective, a narrow vision, and a very short-sighted outlook.

This doesn't mean they aren't smart or capable; it's just that their limited experience restricts their perspective and vision.

You see, Wang Lei wouldn't have asked those questions. Wang Lei has followed Yang Zhengshan for over fifty years, and his knowledge and vision are far beyond what Yang Xiangheng can match.

Of course, Yang Zhengshan did not think that his vision was very broad or his knowledge was very extensive. His current vision was only limited to the Lingxiu Sea. He did not know much about the immortal cultivation forces, and he knew even less about the hidden strength behind the three Lingxiu sects.

It's okay to have limited knowledge and a narrow perspective; what's important is to understand your own shortcomings and consciously broaden your horizons and knowledge.

Yang Zhengshan taught Yang Xiangheng and others in the hope that they could grow quickly and become his assistants in the Sea of ​​Spiritual Beauty.

"We have learned a great deal!" Yang Xiangheng said respectfully.

"Well, don't rush. Only when Shanggu County is in chaos can my value be demonstrated, and only then can we gain more benefits!" Yang Zhengshan stroked his beard and laughed.

He wouldn't try to build a relationship with the Lu family, but he did have some connections with them.

The Lu family has a weak foundation and few capable people, so at this time the Lu family definitely needs external help.

The Yang family of Lingxi is not powerful, but at least they have him, so the Lu family should be willing to win him over.

"Where did Li Chang go?" Yang Zhengshan asked Wang Lei.

He just arrived and hasn't even learned about the situation here yet.

"He went to find Lord Chen, who is currently in Wuxiang City!" Wang Lei replied simply.

Wuxiang City, the large city owned by the Wuxiang Sect, is located in the east of the Lingxiu Sea. It is relatively close to the battlefield of the three Lingxiu sects and the Youyu Gate, and can be regarded as the eastern gateway of the Lingxiu Sea.

Chen Zhongshu was there to better gather intelligence on both sides of the war.

"Let him come back. We need him to help with some things here!" Yang Zhengshan said.

There aren't many forces available at Lingxi Mountain, and he doesn't plan to involve the Yang family of Lingxi with Lingyuan Land yet. Apart from Li Chang and Wang Lei, he won't call on anyone else to come to Lingxi Mountain.

However, the intelligence support from the Secret Guard is still necessary, and Li Chang, being by his side, can act as an intermediary between him and the Secret Guard.

As for the Secret Martial Guard, it was naturally handled by Lü Hua and Chen Zhongshu.

Just as Yang Zhengshan had predicted, at dawn, the disciple Yang Xiangheng had sent out to gather information returned and reported: "Reporting to the patriarch, the Chiyan Army was ambushed five miles north of the county town, and the Chiyan Army has already been defeated!"

Yang Zhengshan nodded slightly. "Let's leave it at that for now. Arrange for someone to keep an eye on the situation in the county town. As for the rest, don't worry about it!"

The county town was attacked, and two thousand Chiyan soldiers were defeated, which meant that the Lu family had lost control of Nanxia County.

It's unclear how many targets these people are targeting. If it's just Nanxia County, the impact on the Lu family shouldn't be significant. But if there are other counties involved, the Lu family will be in serious trouble this time.

As for the identities of these people, it's obvious they are related to the Netherworld Sect, but they are definitely not from the Netherworld Sect. They should come from forces west of the Sea of ​​Spiritual Beauty.

Yang Zhengshan has several guesses.

The forces west of the Lingxiu Sea are the same forces that split off from the Great Zhao Dynasty.

The Great Yun Dynasty, the Southern Zhao Dynasty, the Great Zhen Dynasty, and the Tianwu Dynasty.

The Tianwu Dynasty is the furthest from the Lingxiu Sea, and is too far away to reach it, so it's definitely not them.

The remaining three dynasties are all capable of targeting the Lu family, and all have the motive to do so.

Yang Zhengshan is not yet able to fully determine who it is.

(End of this chapter)