Fairy, help me cultivate.

The hall erupted in noise once more. "Bang!" The long table was slammed shut again. Everyone looked and saw another elder, Jiang Mengtai. Unlike Jiang Mengyang and Jiang Mengmeng, Jiang Mengtai was low-key and extremely cautious. Back when Jiang Mengyang hadn't yet established a foothold in Shenzhou, the Jiang family only had a small tidal flat, suffering various forms of oppression and persecution from the locals. It was Jiang Mengtai who persevered, preventing them from being driven back. Later, in several major battles in Shenzhou, he was the one who held the reins, meticulously planning and strategizing—a true master of maintaining the status quo. Therefore, his opinions carried weight, and seeing that he had something to say, everyone quieted down to listen. Even Jiang Mengyang, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them. "I disagree with allowing outsiders to join the Elders' Council."

Just mentioning one point will cause unrest at home.

. "

Chapter 131 Joining the Elders Council

"Putting aside everything else, just considering that my Jiang family has no fewer than several thousand sons-in-law, if this young man were to enter the council of elders, it would undoubtedly make those sons-in-law eager to make their move."

Jiang Mengtai scanned the assembled elders, finally fixing his gaze on Jiang Mengyang's face: "Now that the Jiang family has gone from the open to the shadows, it needs stability at home to unite against external forces. If these people betray us, it will be difficult to deal with them."

He paused, then added a sentence to save face for Jiang Mengyang: "Of course I don't disagree with Third Brother's opinion, but could we reconsider and wait until everything is in order before letting him into the Elders' Council?"

This statement was dispensable, and everyone knew it didn't represent his personal opinion. Therefore, after Jiang Mengtai finished speaking, a heated argument broke out again in the hall.

As time went on, the arguments gradually subsided. It was clear that two of the three most important elders in the family had expressed their opposition, which caused the elders who had initially agreed to the argument to slowly change their tune.

Jiang Mengyang frowned more and more, knowing that he couldn't let them argue any longer.

"First of all, Bai Lian is the head of the family, and no one can replace her in this position."

He spoke, and the hall fell silent.

Everyone understood what he meant: ever since Jiang Bailian accepted the Jiang family's inheritance last time, no one would have any doubts about it.

"Then Chen Yao, as the son-in-law of the family head, should bear a share of the family's responsibilities."

Jiang Meng interrupted, "Taking responsibility doesn't necessarily mean joining the Council of Elders. Let him join Night Blade."

Many people agreed with his opinion.

Jiang Mengyang frowned as he looked at Jiang Mengmeng, expressing his dissatisfaction.

Jiang Meng stared back directly; this concerned his family, and he would not yield.

“The head of the family is not the knife of the family, but the one who holds the knife.”

Jiang Mengyang's voice was as loud as a bell.

"But this kid is not the head of the family either."

With Jiang Mengmeng as an example, some people immediately spoke out against it.

Jiang Mengyang's gaze suddenly sharpened like a knife, scraping across the man's face, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

"Chen Yao's character is acceptable, and his talent is particularly good, at least much better than most of the younger generation in the family. Everyone, we should wait and see."

"Looking ahead, it would be better to let him leave more offspring for the Jiang family. If Bai Lian is busy, there are many girls from other families who can take his place."

"You scoundrel, what do you take the daughters of the Jiang family for?"

The argument resumed, and the scene became chaotic.

Some of the elders subtly observed Jiang Mengyang, a hint of schadenfreude hidden in their eyes.

Jiang Mengyang was already somewhat annoyed.

"Shut up!"

A loud shout came from the main gate, and everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

Jiang Baisha, covered in wounds, was pushed in by Su Ning in a wheelchair. He was severely injured in the battle with the Fire Brocade Serpent, and his face was contorted with rage. His angry glare at everyone made the elders turn their heads in surprise.

"The noise continues from night to dawn, and from dawn to night again. Will that solve the problem?"

Jiang Baisha was pushed by Su Ning to Jiang Mengyang's side. He stretched out his skinless hand and slammed it heavily on the table. The wound on his hand, which had not yet fully healed, burst open, and blood splattered everywhere.

Even Jiang Mengmeng frowned upon seeing this scene, feeling sorry for him.

"Gentlemen, the Jiang family has already declined!"

He stated his conclusion first.

"Do you think that Third Uncle turned the family from the light to the dark just for Bai Lian and this Chen Yao? Even without them, the Jiang family would have to do it, because our descendants have no one who can carry the banner."

"I, Jiang Baisha, am no good, and Jiang Bailin is even less so. The war is still raging, and all the families are eyeing us covetously. If a real civil war breaks out, won't you all go to the battlefield? How many of you will be able to return to your families then?"

After Jiang Baisha said this, everyone lowered their heads and pondered.

"By then, less than one in ten elders will survive, the next generation will be in disarray, and the entire South China Sea will be in chaos. When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact?"

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. If Chen Yao was able to help once, with Bai Lian and Third Uncle's support, he will be able to help a second time."

"Admittedly, this decision involved an element of gambling. But gentlemen, small gambles can lead to ruin, while big gambles can build a nation! When it comes to achieving great things, isn't it always a gamble? This is an investment! In less than a year, this young man has progressed from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, and now he even shows signs of Golden Core. How many people in the South China Sea, or even the entire Divine Continent, possess such talent?"

Jiang Baisha looked around at everyone present: "We have now entered a chaotic era. We must be unconventional in our approach to employing people. All of you elders have fought your way through blood and fire, so you certainly understand this principle better than I, a junior."

"On the other hand, you might consider his inclusion in the council as a means of winning him over. He's just an observer; he can't make decisions..."

As he spoke, he chuckled, his already ferocious face becoming even more grotesque: "After all, even Third Uncle can't make decisions for you, let alone a little kid."

This was a serious statement, and many people were sweating at the tip of their noses.

"This is a decision. Third Uncle is just informing you all; letting you discuss it is only to save face for everyone. I advise some people..."

Jiang Baisha's eyes were fixed on the faces of several elders, whose faces immediately turned red, whether from anger or shame, it was hard to tell.

"One must have self-awareness."

His gaze softened as he looked at Jiang Mengtai and Jiang Mengmeng: "Of course, what you two uncles said makes sense, but I believe that with the two of you in the Jiang family, not to mention Chen Yao entering the Elders' Council, even if all the sons-in-law rise up in rebellion, they won't be able to cause much trouble."

Jiang Mengtai and Jiang Mengmeng exchanged a glance: "That makes sense."

"Alright!" Jiang Mengyang said. "This junior is young and naive, and doesn't know his own limitations. Please don't mind him. Of course, I respect everyone's opinions. Please speak freely and let's discuss it together."

That's what they said, but the Golden Dragon Ancestor had already moved from outside the gate to inside.

All the elders said in unison, "We will obey the Grand Elder's orders!"

"Alright, Chen Yao will join the Elders' Council. That's settled then. Dismissed!"

Soon, only Jiang Mengyang, Su Ning, and Jiang Baisha remained in the lobby.

Jiang Baisha couldn't hold on any longer and suddenly began to convulse in pain.

Jiang Mengyang quickly injected spiritual energy into him to relieve the pain.

Jiang Baisha was weak and listless, but his eyes were still fixed on the outside of the hall: "The Li family's ambush is indeed more than just a scheme. I'm afraid it's also related to other families targeting us. The situation is unclear now, and these people all have their own ulterior motives. Third Uncle, we must not let our guard down."

Jiang Mengyang nodded: "Don't worry about these things. Your health is the most important thing. Your uncle can't do without you."

Jiang Baisha forced a smile, which looked more like a grimace: "We can't rely on me alone! I almost died this time, and only then did I realize that the Jiang family still lacks talent. We must win Chen Yao over; Chen Yao must become a family member we can trust with our whole hearts!"

After saying this, he twitched again and sighed softly, "Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time..."

Chapter 132 You feel sorry for your sister-in-law?

"Child, with your uncle here, don't worry. Even if it's for the Jiang family's sake, you must recover your health. And don't waste the top-grade pills Chen Yao gave you."

Jiang Mengyang comforted Jiang Baisha for a while, then winked at Su Ning, signaling her to push her husband away.

Su Ning nodded gently and pushed Jiang Baisha out of the lobby.

As she walked along the path lined with blooming crabapple trees, her mind cleared, and she relaxed, relieved to finally escape the pointless arguments of those men. Her steps became light.

Jiang Baisha closed his eyes to rest, but after a while he suddenly opened them and turned around to stare at him coldly.

Su Ning tightened her grip on the wheelchair.

"If I hear even the slightest leak of what happened at the meeting, you'd better watch your head!"

Su Ning's pink lips turned pale: "Don't worry, my lord, I won't utter a single word..."

As she spoke, her expression turned sorrowful: "In all these years in the Jiang family, I have no one to speak to."

Jiang Baisha glared at her: "So, it's because of the Jiang family that you've been wronged?"

Su Ning shook her head repeatedly, but the tears hanging on her eyelashes flew off and shone brightly in the sunlight.

"No, it is Su Ning's good fortune to be able to marry into the Jiang family."

"Hmph! What are you standing there for? Always trying to slack off. You're my woman, Jiang Baisha's woman, and you're under constant scrutiny. You need to set a good example!"

"Yes, my husband is right."

Su Ning quickly wiped away her tears and pushed Jiang Baisha forward.

Before long, the two arrived at Chen Yao's courtyard.

Jiang Baisha's cold eyes finally showed a hint of a smile: "If only I really had a younger brother like this..."

As he spoke, he thought of his troublesome younger sister and shook his head again.

He suddenly leaned back: "I heard from Bai Lin that you and Chen Yao had a good chat?"

Su Ning was stunned, then her face turned deathly pale, and she was clearly panicked: "No...no! Really no! He just came to see you that day..."

"Of course they came to see me. If they didn't come to see me, why would they come to see you? Hmm?"

Jiang Baisha's voice was very gentle, but to Su Ning's ears it sounded like the whisper of a demon.

"You're feeling guilty."

Upon hearing this, Su Ning was even more at a loss for words: "No... Husband, you frightened me..."

"Chen Yao is young, chivalrous, and considerate, right?"

Su Ning dared not say anything.

“I actually understand you very well. After all, you’ve been a widow ever since you married me.”

Jiang Baisha spoke the last sentence in a low voice, but with gritted teeth.

Su Ning panicked and knelt down on the ground with a thud, trembling.

Jiang Baisha looked at Chen Yao's courtyard, his eyes showing no sign of dissatisfaction. He even said in a voice only he could hear, "It's actually a good end for meat to rot in the pot..."

"Alright, I was just saying. Although you're lazy and stupid, you're still a virtuous woman. Get up! I'm tired."

He spoke loudly and then slowly pushed his wheelchair towards his yard.

Su Ning hurriedly got up and pushed the wheelchair.

Where did Bai Lin go?