From the fake emperor to the concubine

"You're still too green, kid. You have a lot to learn." Zheng Tianhao was overjoyed to be able to outsmart Zheng Hui.

That refreshing feeling was almost indistinguishable from a breakthrough in cultivation.

Afterwards, the two discussed many more details.

Although Zheng Hui is a man of exceptional strategic acumen, he always manages to think of things that ordinary people would never consider.

However, being so young, there are many things he hasn't experienced, so some mistakes are inevitable.

Although Zheng Tianhao's talent was mediocre in many aspects, he had been the clan leader for many years and had much more experience than Zheng Hui.

Let him do things on his own; he might not do them perfectly, but he'll have no problem identifying and correcting any mistakes.

The two worked together seamlessly, and before the apprenticeship ceremony began, they had considered all the possible scenarios and how to deal with them.

However, they both knew that they couldn't possibly consider all possibilities, and as for other matters, they could only adapt to the situation as it came.

Half an hour later, in front of the main gate of the Zheng family mansion.

The magnificent and resplendent cultivation family's main gate alone was a full twenty feet tall.

Each of the golden rivets on the gate was carved into the shape of a lion's head, raised and roaring.

The vermilion walls on both sides even seemed to emit a golden glow from afar.

Even the imperial palace in the secular world is no different from a thatched hut compared to the Zheng family's mansion.

Zheng Tianhao's worries, and the things that would make him a laughing stock for many people, did not happen.

At this moment, the area in front of the Zheng family's gate was packed with people, and almost everything in sight was black, with hardly any other colors visible.

"That's great!" Zheng Tianhao exclaimed with delight upon seeing this, pumping his fist in excitement.

Although this was the instruction of their ancestors, and their ancestors would never harm their descendants.

However, because of the recent rumors that have been circulating so badly, Zheng Tianhao couldn't help but worry that these rumors might lead to fewer people attending the apprenticeship ceremony.

It wasn't until I saw so many people that my heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

Zheng Hui, however, remained calm and said, "Clan leader, now is not the time to be happy. We don't know how many of them are pawns of other forces, or how many have ulterior motives."

Zheng Tianhao suppressed his excitement, glared at Zheng Hui, and said, "Of course I understand this principle."

In stark contrast to the excited Zheng Tianhao, those who had secretly conspired against the Zheng family were now furious.

In a secluded cave temporarily created using magical artifacts, several dark figures, some sitting and some standing, were closely monitoring all news related to the Zheng family.

Although everyone was hidden in the shadows, you could almost feel their furious emotions just by looking at their shadows.

"These idiots, haven't they heard the rumors? Why do they still want to join the Zheng family? Aren't they worried at all about being used as pawns by the Zheng family?"

“These guys can only struggle to survive at the very bottom. As soon as they see a glimmer of opportunity, they are like hungry wolves seeing meat. They don’t care at all whether the meat has been poisoned.”

Another person scoffed, "Although I expected it, I'm still a bit surprised that so many people came."

"That's right. Although the Zheng family is not as good as it used to be, its foundation is still there."

"The Zheng family only offered a tiny bit of profit, yet they swarmed around them like flies. They're a bunch of short-sighted idiots."

"The reason these people are flocking to this place, I think, is largely due to the emergence of the Zheng family's patriarch. Although we've tried our best to suppress the news and confuse the public, but..."

A tall, imposing figure sneered, "How could such news be kept secret? After all, the commotion caused by that so-called ancestor is no small matter."

His words drew sarcasm from another person: "Now is not the time to talk about these things, is it? We all have the blood of the Zheng family on our hands. Once the Zheng family grows stronger, none of us will have a good life. Instead of wasting time thinking about these nonsense, we should figure out how to suppress the Zheng family's momentum."

A woman's voice, sometimes near, sometimes far, rang out: "What's there to study? Either the Zheng family dies, or we die."

"I don't know what everyone is thinking, but we at Lianxiang Valley are sworn enemies with the Zheng family."

The woman's words, laced with an almost irrepressible resentment, sent a chill down the spines of even those present who shared a blood feud with the Zheng family.

"The Valley Master is right. At this point, there is no possibility of reconciliation between us, so it's best if everyone doesn't have any ambivalent thoughts."

Even though it was just a black shadow, everyone seemed to feel that the other party's all-seeing gaze was on them, seeing everything about them clearly through the shadows.

"There are some things that I'm sure you all understand without me having to explain them." The speaker paused.

"This apprentice-acceptance ceremony is the best opportunity to eliminate the Zheng family. Once today is over, the Zheng family's strength will definitely grow stronger day by day."

"At that time, I can simply walk away and make a clean getaway, guaranteeing that no one will be able to find me. But you guys, hehe..."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

During this period, various rumors about the Zheng family have been circulating continuously, and each one has been spread at just the right time.

Even if it's just spreading rumors, to achieve this level of success is something that none of their forces could easily accomplish.

It was almost the same situation as when they joined forces to deal with the Zheng family before.

A mysterious figure reappeared and brought them together.

Although everyone felt that even if this person wasn't the mysterious guy from before, they must have some connection with him.

Having already suffered a loss once, they certainly didn't want to agree this time.

But under the current circumstances, they simply have no choice but to agree.

The patriarch of the Zheng family emerged from seclusion and slaughtered all the experts who had attacked the Zheng family.

Some of these people are the backbone of their sects.

The Zheng family had already suffered heavy losses, and their strength increased day by day due to the return of their ancestor.

Then someone appeared who could unite them again, and even though they knew this person had ulterior motives, they could only swallow their anger and resentment.

The tall figure gritted his teeth and said, "Sir, there's no need to keep pointing us out. We can all see the current situation clearly."

Others nodded in agreement.

"If I dare to be half-hearted, may I suffer a terrible death, okay?"

“If the Zheng family doesn’t die, we will all die, so please rest assured, sir.”

The man addressed as "sir" was quite satisfied with their attitude.

"I prefer to work with smart people who can see their own situation clearly, as this can avoid a lot of trouble. I also hope that you will not let me down."

Just then, a clear bell rang out, and a flock of colorful birds flew into the sky with melodious chirps.

Squeak!

The massive gate of the Zheng family slowly opened a crack. Clan Chief Zheng Tianhao and the elders filed out.

Those in front of the mountain gate understood that this was a signal that the disciple-acceptance ceremony was about to begin, and immediately fell silent.

The once bustling place was now so quiet that you couldn't even hear someone breathing.

Everyone watched Zheng Tianhao, the true patriarch of the Zheng family, with bated breath.

Zheng Tianhao was dressed in luxurious clothes. Although he was not particularly handsome, he had a square face and looked quite dignified.

If you didn't know this guy's personality, you would definitely think he was a dignified and old-fashioned elder.

In front of outsiders, Zheng Tianhao was still able to maintain the dignity of a clan leader.

After saying some polite words and announcing the rules of the apprenticeship ceremony, Zheng Tianhao was about to announce the start of the ceremony.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd raised a voice and questioned, "Clan Chief Zheng, I have a question that I hope you can answer."

"There are rumors circulating that the Zheng family held the disciple-acceptance ceremony because your ancestor needed a cultivator's blood sacrifice to cultivate, so you suddenly recruited disciples. The purpose is to provide a means for your newly resurrected ancestor to cultivate. Is this true or false?"

At such a crucial juncture, publicly criticizing the Zheng family, regardless of whether what he said was true or false, caused a huge uproar at the scene.

Although this is something that can appear here, most people have heard this rumor.

However, there are still some people who don't know this.

Moreover, when you think about things alone, you might be able to understand the pros and cons.

However, when many people gather together, emotions become contagious. People who are normally able to think clearly and calmly may be led astray by their emotions.

No sooner had this person finished speaking than someone exclaimed in shock, "What? So this was all a conspiracy? I'm not attending this damn apprenticeship ceremony!"

"To help your ancestor cultivate, your Zheng family has actually done such a despicable and shameless thing! I will never let your Zheng family get away with this!"

The constant accusations caused even some of the most steadfast individuals to waver.

After all, many cultivators are not stupid.

The patriarch of the Zheng family was a legendary master who could kill three thousand people with a single sword strike.

Do cultivators like this need the blood of the weak to cultivate?
However, as more and more doubts arose, even those who initially believed it was just a rumor began to have their doubts.

Could it be that what these people are saying is true?

Zheng Tianhao watched the rumors continue to spread without expression.

Zheng Tianhao could imagine the scene before him without even needing anyone to remind him.

Zheng Tianhao's original plan was to capture these people immediately after this happened, find out their identities, and announce them to the world.

However, after discussing it with Zheng Hui last night, he changed his mind.

Since some people want to spread rumors, let them spread them to their heart's content.

This time, the Zheng family is truly recruiting disciples, and they need people with exceptional talent and unwavering will.

They originally wanted to think of other ways to identify and test these people.

Now that's great, haven't we saved those malicious guys this trouble?
If you can't even distinguish this rumor, and give up this opportunity because of a few words of encouragement from some people.

People like that, once they're gone, that's that.

That's why, when people in the crowd kept spreading rumors, Zheng Tianhao didn't react at all, he just watched quietly.

Soon, quite a few people actually left secretly because of the impact of the rumors.

If you pay attention at this point, you'll notice that those who were initially indignant and condemning the Zheng family have secretly switched places, and no one has left.

The cultivator who questioned Zheng Tianhao assumed that Zheng Tianhao didn't know what to do because he hadn't spoken.

So he quickly pressed his advantage: "Clan Chief Zheng, why have you been silent? Could it be that the rumors are true and you don't know how to defend yourself?"

Previously, Zheng Tianhao could remain silent, but now that the other party is questioning him repeatedly, if he still doesn't react, then this is not a test, but rather an admission that everything is true.

Zheng Tianhao smiled slightly: "The so-called innocent will clear themselves. I, the clan leader, do not think there is anything to respond to."

"Everyone in the world knows that the Zheng family cultivates upright and righteous techniques, and has never needed such cruel and despicable methods as blood sacrifice."

"Besides, given the strength of our clan's ancestor, even if he really wanted to perform a blood sacrifice..."

Zheng Tianhao's contemptuous gaze swept across the entire room: "With your cultivation levels, even if I killed you all, what benefit would it bring to my clan's ancestor?"

"What's the point of responding to such absurd rumors?"

"If you all believe this rumor to be true, you are free to leave now. My Zheng family will absolutely not stop you."

Many cultivators who were wavering but had not yet left quickly calmed down when they saw Zheng Tianhao's attitude.

Yes, if the Zheng family really had any schemes or tricks up their sleeves, they would definitely try to keep them here instead of letting them leave like this.

Even many cultivators who had already gone far away turned back upon hearing Zheng Tianhao's words.

Just as they returned to the main gate of the Zheng family, an invisible barrier suddenly appeared, keeping them outside.

This barrier isn't particularly sturdy; even for cultivators of average strength, breaking through it would only be a matter of time.

However, this barrier represents the Zheng family's attitude.

Some people questioned indignantly, "Why did you stop us?"

Zheng Tianhao smiled broadly: "Since you have all left, it means you have no connection with our Zheng family. Since there is no connection, there is no need to force it, is there?"

That's just polite talk, but what it really means is, since you've already left, don't come back.

Many cultivators who were blocked by the barrier blushed instantly.

He cursed angrily, then turned and strode away.

Some shameless individuals directly broke down the barrier: "I just went to the restroom, I never said I was leaving."

However, as soon as he broke through the barrier, two disciples of the Zheng family appeared beside him.

The two men, one on each side, easily subdued the cultivator: "Fellow Daoist, everything has its own laws and cannot be forced. In this vast world, my small Zheng family is probably not able to accommodate someone like you."

The younger generation of the Zheng family may be comparable to those powerful experts, but ordinary cultivators are still no match for them.

Moreover, after practicing the ancestral techniques, their strength has increased rapidly.

Their methods of dealing with this cultivator caused many who understood the situation to gasp in astonishment. (End of Chapter)