Summoning the Gods: Start by creating the Eternal Night.

The next day,

The main hall of the Shangguan family mansion.

Shangguan Hong sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the two rows of anxious elders below, and spoke in a deep voice:

"Elders, I secretly contacted the Nangong family last night."

Old Wang was the first to stand up and ask:

"Master, what's the response from the Nangong family?"

"His specific thoughts are still unknown, but I predict that Nangong Lin will also choose to leave the capital."

"After all, staying in Qianzhou only leads to death."

Shangguan Hong analyzed.

An elder immediately stood up and asked:

"Has the patriarch contacted the Dongfang and Beiming families?"

Shangguan Hong shook his head:

"Never."

"These two families have always looked down on my Shangguan family. Even if we go to contact them, they may not form an alliance with us. Instead, they may expose our whereabouts."

Old Wang frowned deeply: "Then how should we leave Qianzhou? And where should we go?"

"I have contacted the Drizzle Pavilion and am willing to offer 60% of my family's resources in exchange for their protection!"

As soon as Shangguan Hong finished speaking, several elders below suddenly stood up, their faces full of opposition.

"Master, you mustn't!"

"Sixty percent of the resources is far too much; the cultivation quota for our clan's disciples will likely be reduced by half in the future!"

"Yes, Master, this decision was far too hasty!"

Shangguan Hong slammed his hand on the armrest and shouted sharply:

"Shut up!"

"Now that the family's survival is at stake, do you think resources are more important than the lives of the entire clan?"

"Resources can be earned back, but if you lose your life, everything is meaningless!"

The elders, silenced by his rebuke, exchanged bewildered glances and then bowed their heads in silence.

Yes, if you can't even save your life, how can you talk about resources?

"We understand now, please forgive us, Master."

Just at this time,

A figure appeared out of thin air in the hall. His hair and beard were all white, and his aura was calm. It was Shangguan Lie, the patriarch of the Shangguan family.

"The patriarch is right. As long as we're alive, what's there to worry about regarding resources?"

Shangguan Lie's voice was loud and clear, carrying an air of authority.

Everyone quickly stood up and bowed:

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

Shangguan Lie waved his hand, sat down next to the main seat, and looked at Shangguan Hong:

"Master, have you decided where the family will relocate?"

"There are two options available right now," Shangguan Hong replied.

"First, there's Qingzhou. I spent several years there, and it's the territory of Xiyu Tower. With their protection, I might be able to establish myself there."

"Secondly, there is Tianzhou, but Tianzhou belongs to that mysterious force, Yongyetian. Our clan has no dealings with them, and it would be too risky to go there rashly."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Lie nodded and then expressed his own thoughts:

"Let's set aside Tianzhou for now and avoid offending Yongyetian. Let's go to Qingzhou instead."

"With the resources and connections of my Shangguan family, I'm not afraid I'll be able to establish myself there."

"It would be even better if we could have the shelter of the Fine Rain Pavilion. Have they replied yet?"

"Not yet..." As soon as Shangguan Hong finished speaking, the communication jade slip at his waist lit up.

His heart tightened, and he quickly channeled his spiritual power into it. The cold voice of Di Qi rang out:

"Patriarch Shangguan, we have granted your request for protection."

"However, you will need to discuss the specific terms with the senior management of my building in person."

Shangguan Hong was overjoyed and quickly replied:

"Alright, alright! I wonder when and where?"

"You just need to wait, and Lord Lou will come to your door."

"Understood! Thank you!"

The message was interrupted. Shangguan Hong took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement:

"Ancestor, the Drizzle Pavilion has agreed!"

A hint of relief flashed in Shangguan Lie's eyes:

"Alright! When they arrive, you will have full authority to negotiate. Whatever decision you make, the Ancestor will support you."

"Thank you, Ancestor!"

Shangguan Hong cupped his hands in greeting, then looked at the elders.

"You all go and immediately begin preparations for the relocation; there must be no delays!"

"yes!"

……

At midnight, the cold moonlight shone down on the Shangguan family mansion.

Shangguan Hong and Shangguan Lie sat quietly in the hall, their lights flickering in the dim light of the oil lamps.

Time ticked by, then suddenly, Shangguan Lie's gaze sharpened, and he spoke loudly into the air:

"Since fellow Daoists from the Drizzle Pavilion have arrived, why not show yourselves?"

A soft, effeminate laugh echoed through the hall:

"Hahaha, as expected of the Shangguan family patriarch, such keen perception!"

As soon as the words were spoken, a figure dressed in a dark red robe appeared out of thin air in the hall.

He wore a bronze mask, and his aura was unfathomable.

Shangguan Lie stood up and cupped his hands in greeting:

"I am Shangguan Lie, the patriarch of the Shangguan family. May I ask how you are addressed?"

The masked man's lips curled into a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown.

"Zhao Gao, the deputy master of Xiyu Tower."

Shangguan Hong's pupils suddenly contracted.

Zhao Gao!

One of the deputy owners of Xiyu Tower!

He never expected that the person who came to negotiate would be someone of such high caliber.

"Greetings, Master Zhao!"

Shangguan Hong quickly bowed, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Zhao Gao waved his hand, his gaze falling on Shangguan Hong, and went straight to the point:

"You have asked my Xiyu Tower to protect the entire Shangguan family, which is not in accordance with the rules of my tower."

He then changed the subject: "However, I would like to make an exception and give it a try."

Shangguan Hong was overjoyed and quickly asked:

"What conditions does Master Zhao require?"

Zhao Gao calmly retorted, "You tell me first, how do you need the protection of my Fine Rain Pavilion?"

"My Shangguan family wishes to relocate from Qianzhou to Qingzhou. We earnestly request your esteemed establishment to escort our clan safely there!"

"Furthermore, while establishing a foothold in Qingzhou, we may need to borrow your name to deter troublemakers."

Shangguan Hong quickly explained his demands.

"Yes!" Zhao Gao nodded.

"But in addition to the Shangguan family's 60% of resources, I also want 40% of your clan's profits for the next 50 years."

Shangguan Hong's expression changed drastically, and he stood there stunned.

Forty percent of the profits over the next fifty years?

This is much more ruthless than taking out 60% of the resources at once!

The former is existing stock, while the latter is a continuous source of fresh water!

"this……"

Shangguan Hong looked troubled.

"Master Zhao, these conditions are far too harsh..."

"harsh?"

Zhao Gao looked at him with a half-smile.

"Patriarch Shangguan, do you know what it means to protect a family?"

"This means that my Xiyu Tower will have to confront the Great Qian Dynasty head-on."

"This means that our assassins will have to give up their advantage of operating in the shadows and stand in the open to protect you."

"This means that if war breaks out, there will be casualties in my building!"

With each word he spoke, Shangguan Lie and Shangguan Hong's faces paled a little more.

"Sixty percent of the resources are merely payment for escorting you to Qingzhou."

"And the profits over the next fifty years are the result of your sincerity in using my name, Xiyulou."

Zhao Gao stood with his hands behind his back. "Of course, if you are unwilling, I may leave now."

Shangguan Hong fell silent, his mind racing with calculations.

While a 40% return over fifty years is astonishing, it is clear which is more important than the lives of the entire clan.

"Fine! I agree!" Shangguan Hong gritted his teeth and agreed.

A hint of admiration flashed in Zhao Gao's eyes: "A clever man."

Zhao Gao's tone turned cold: "However, I must make this clear from the start."

"Our Fine Rain Pavilion is only responsible for fending off the imperial court's overt pursuit this time."

"If your Shangguan family makes enemies in Qingzhou in the future..."

"If any member of the clan causes trouble outside, our building will not be held responsible."

"If you want my building to be used again, you'll have to pay another price."

"Furthermore, during the period of protection, your clan must obey the orders of my building and must not act without authorization."

"Of course!" Shangguan Hong nodded repeatedly.

He then handed over a storage bag:

"This contains 60% of the resources promised to your building. Please check them, Master Zhao."

Zhao Gao took the storage bag, examined it briefly, and then put it into his pocket.

"In that case, the deal is done."

"Starting tomorrow, assassins will be gradually sent from our building to your home."

Disguised as members of their tribe, they secretly protected the person. They departed precisely three days later.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Gao's figure flashed and disappeared from the hall.

Shangguan Hong looked at Shangguan Lie and said nervously:

"Ancestor, don't you think I agreed too hastily?"

"Hahahaha!" Shangguan Lie laughed heartily.

"I've said it before, you are the head of the family, and I support all your decisions."

"As long as the Shangguan family still exists, we might very well be able to make a comeback in fifty years!"

"Go down and tell the tribesmen to prepare. We will depart in three days!"

"Yes!" Shangguan Hong nodded emphatically, his fighting spirit rekindled in his eyes, and turned to leave.

The night grew deeper.

Inside the Shangguan family mansion,

One by one, figures began to quietly get busy, making final preparations for the relocation three days later.