The Immortal Clan begins with deductive intelligence.

One hour later.

Jiang Rou had fallen into a deep sleep, her breathing long and even.

Xu Changqing put on his robe and sat up, his expression regaining its clarity.

He glanced at his sleeping wife beside him, tucked the blanket around her, then closed his eyes and let his mind sink into his sea of ​​consciousness.

The ancient Tongtianjian still floats silently.

Xu Changqing took a deep breath and silently recited in his mind: "The root cause and solution to the mass deaths of the family's spirit fish pond."

As the thought settled, the mist on the mirror surface surged violently once more.

After a while.

As the fog dissipated, a line of golden characters slowly emerged:

[Deduction begins.]

[Time required: Five days.]

Xu Changqing frowned as he looked at the number.

five days?

The diseased fish in the pond are dying every moment; they may not survive five days.

But there's nothing we can do about it. Since the Heavenly Mirror has given us this time, it means that the cause and effect behind it is much more complicated than catching a few fish in Huilong Bay.

The more complex something is, the bigger it is.

Five days it is.

......

The next morning.

Cangwu Island was blessed with a rare sunny day.

The snow hadn't melted yet, and the sun shining on the white snow was so bright it hurt people's eyes.

The fire in the charcoal brazier had long since gone out, and a slight chill permeated the room.

Just as Xu Changqing got up, Jiang Rou came in carrying a copper basin.

The water in the basin was still steaming, a cloth was draped over the rim of the basin, and a small dish of salt for rinsing mouth was placed next to it.

She wrung out the handkerchief and handed it to him, then smoothed Xu Changqing's slightly wrinkled collar, murmuring softly:

"As soon as it was light, Uncle Dayou led a group of people to the market with fish chests. I thought that my husband had gone to bed late last night, so I didn't wake you up."

Xu Changqing took the handkerchief and wiped his face. The warm water made his pores open, and he felt much more refreshed.

He glanced at his wife.

Jiang Rou had two faint dark circles under her eyes, clearly indicating that she hadn't slept well that night.

Since taking over this mess, she hasn't enjoyed a single day of happiness. She's been meticulously calculating every penny, wishing she could stretch every single cent in half.

Xu Changqing's heart softened, and he took her hand in his, which was busy at his collar.

"You've worked hard these past few days. After this year's tribute is paid, you should take a good rest and not ruin your health."

Jiang Rou's cheeks flushed slightly. She tried to pull her hand away but didn't use force, only giving her husband a reproachful look:

"It's so early in the morning, people will laugh at us."

"There's no one here right now..."

Before he could finish speaking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

"Chieftain! Chieftain!"

An old servant of the Xu family rushed to the door, still out of breath.

"The Zhang family... the Zhang family's steward has arrived! He's waiting in the front hall, saying he's here on the orders of the Zhang family patriarch to come and visit us!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Changqing's smile faded, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Zhang family on Ling'ao Island.

Back when the Xu family patriarch was still alive, the Zhang family would practically bury their heads in their crotches whenever they saw members of the Xu family.

Later, when the Xu family fell into decline, the Zhang family changed their tune and took advantage of their misfortune both openly and secretly. Most of the Xu family's original prime waters were swallowed up by the Zhang family.

That old devil Zhang is very greedy. He has long had his eye on Cangwu Island and wants to squeeze the Xu family out completely.

Although the fish plague is being suppressed on the island, secrets don't stay hidden forever.

They came because they smelled it.

Xu Changqing threw the handkerchief back into the basin, splashing a few drops of water.

"They came quickly."

He patted Jiang Rou's hand to reassure her, then straightened his robes and strode towards the main hall.

……

The Xu family's reception room.

Steam rose gently from the teacup, but the atmosphere in the hall was rather cold.

Zhang Fu sat in the guest seat, dressed in a silk robe, playing with a jade thumb ring in his hand.

Like Xu Changqing, he was also at the fourth level of Qi Refining, but he was plump and healthy, with a friendly and prosperous look on his face.

Seeing Xu Changqing enter, Zhang Fu didn't get up, but simply cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, offering a forced smile:

"Clan Chief Xu, it's been a long time. How have you been? Ah, on this journey, I see that your mansion is still as magnificent as ever. You are indeed a family with a rich heritage. Even after some hardships, your dignity has not been broken."

Xu Changqing looked at the somewhat mottled beams and pillars around him with a calm expression, and walked straight to the main seat to sit down.

"Steward Zhang is too kind. This is an ancestral property, and I, Xu, will certainly do my best to repair it. May I ask what brings you here today, Steward Zhang?"

Zhang Fu picked up his teacup and took a sip. He seemed to dislike the poor quality of the tea leaves, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. He then put down the teacup, leaned forward, and feigned concern, saying:

"I've heard some rumors, and out of consideration for our family friendship, I made a special trip here. I heard... your fishpond has been infected with a plague?"

"Oh dear, this is a serious matter. The annual tribute is due soon. If Chief Xu fails to pay, and the upper sect blames us, taking back Cangwu Island, how will the Xu family of dozens of people survive?"

Xu Changqing's expression remained unchanged as he picked up his teacup and gently skimmed off the foam. "Thank you for your concern, Steward Zhang. This minor ailment is under control. The annual tribute will naturally not be delayed, so there's no need for outsiders to worry."

Seeing his unyielding attitude, Zhang Fu's smile faded slightly.

He's stubborn as a mule.

"Clan Chief Xu, let's not beat around the bush."

Zhang Fu pulled out a pre-written contract from his sleeve and slammed it on the table:

"Don't try to hold on any longer. My patriarch is kind and considerate. Because our two families have been friends for generations, he is willing to lend the Xu family two hundred catties of spirit fish to help them through this difficult time."

Xu Changqing glanced at the contract.

Zhang Fu tapped the contract with his finger, his tone carrying a hint of charity: "As long as you sign this, the fish will be delivered immediately."

"Of course, even close brothers should keep clear accounts. As for the interest, we'll pay nine out of ten and return thirteen. If the Xu family can't repay in the future, we can use the ten acres of spirit fields on the west side of Cangwu Island to settle the debt."

Nine out, thirteen back.

How could the Zhang family even say that?

If they sign this agreement, the Xu family will only collapse even faster.

Seeing that Xu Changqing remained silent, Zhang Fu assumed he was wavering, leaned back, and spoke in an aggressive tone:

"Clan Chief Xu, a wise man submits to circumstances. Signing this will preserve your clan's reputation. Otherwise, once you are expelled from Cangwu Island and become a rogue cultivator, the Great Swamp will not recognize you as any clan chief."

Xu Changqing took a deep breath and reached out to press down on the contract.

Then it was slowly pushed back.

"Thank you for your kindness, Manager Zhang."

Xu Changqing's voice was a little hoarse, but every word was clear: "I want to try one last time. If we really reach a dead end, it won't be too late to ask your mansion for help. You should take this contract manager back."

Zhang Fu's fat twitched.

He never expected that the meat that was almost in his mouth would fly away.

"Okay, okay, okay!"

Zhang Fu laughed in anger, grabbed the contract and stuffed it back into his arms before standing up.

"Since Chief Xu has backbone, then I, Zhang, will not interfere. Just don't kneel and cry at my Zhang family's doorstep later!"

He snorted coldly, turned and left, turning back before throwing out a harsh remark: "I'd like to see what the Xu family will have to say at the end of the month!"