Chapter 994: Literary Dao Law_4

Chapter 994: Chapter 307: Literary Dao Law_4

Most of these figures were members of the Shen Family’s direct lineage; they were his brothers.

Yet ever since that family rule of “severing mortal ties for the sake of immortality” was promulgated, Shen Xiuyan had always felt that the bond between himself and these brothers had been affected.

In daily life, whenever these elder brothers saw him, there was clearly less intimacy, and a bit more deference.

Bitterness welled in Shen Xiuyan’s heart, yet he could not pour it out to anyone.

“Brothers.”

Seeing everyone present, Shen Xiuyan pressed down the thoughts in his heart and gave them a slight cupped-fist salute.

Whatever his elder brothers thought in their hearts, he did not wish to concern himself with; but as the younger brother, the courtesies he ought to uphold could not be abandoned.

After the few of them returned the salute, Shen Xiuzhuo, now already in his middle years, was the first to speak: “May I ask, Patriarch, is this anomaly a sign that Uncle Chongxuan is about to break through?”

The others—Shen Xiuchan, Shen Xiumu, and the rest—were all looking at him with faces full of expectation.

Meeting the gazes of several elder brothers, Shen Xiuyan nodded with a smile and said, “Secret reports have already arrived from the various provinces; the scholars and literati of the Jiuzhou World have all sensed the blessing of the Literary Dao. I too have felt the Literary Qi of the Jiuzhou World surging forth like a spring; this should be a sign that Father is about to break through.”

As his words fell, he looked at the few before him and cupped his hands, saying, “This time, I must trouble my elder brothers to personally make a circuit of the various provinces.”

“This auspicious phenomenon of blessing will surely cause our Jiuzhou World’s Literary Dao to flourish even further. After you arrive in each province, you may inspect the specific situation and see whether the academies should be expanded and more students of the Literary Dao recruited.”

“In addition, I must trouble you to visit the various major affiliated Noble Families and Sects to see whether, given that the foundations of the Pill Array Dao and Artifact Refining Technique have been passed down for many years, each family and sect has disciples who display talent in the Hundred Skills of Cultivation.”

“If you discover a promising Immortal Seedling, you must immediately bring them back to Inference Saint Mountain for training.”

Hearing this, the expressions of Shen Xiuzhuo and the others before him each changed in their own way.

But after only a slight hesitation, they did not ask anything; having cupped their hands in acknowledgement one after another, they turned and left.

Watching Shen Xiuyun, who lagged half a step behind the others, Shen Xiuyan suddenly spoke: “Brother Xiuyun.”

Shen Xiuyun had just been about to depart by Wind Manipulation; hearing his call, the Finger Technique in his hand paused, and he turned back, cupping his hands: “Patriarch, do you have any further instructions?”

Seeing this, Shen Xiuyan was briefly taken aback, then shook his head with a smile.

“The Artifact Refining Dao will still need to rely much on you, Brother Xiuyun, and Uncle Zhongyi.”

Noticing his expression, Shen Xiuyun’s lips moved slightly; he sighed and said, “Does Brother Yan think we, your brothers, are targeting you?”

At that address of “Brother Yan,” Shen Xiuyan’s heart gave a tremor; then he felt a sudden sting in his nose, his heart a swirl of mingled emotions.

Looking at him, Shen Xiuyun sighed once more.

“Enough, today I shall speak to you of what is in your elder brother’s heart, so that you will not harbor pent-up knots and suffer in torment.”

With these words, Shen Xiuyun walked slowly toward the great hall.

Shen Xiuyan followed closely behind; the two brothers entered the hall and sat down.

“Your elder brother’s formality is not alienation, but respect.”

“Though I have not asked the other elder brothers, I imagine they feel the same.”

Once seated, Shen Xiuyun spoke in a low voice.

At these words, Shen Xiuyan’s expression went blank for a moment; then he gave a wry smile and shook his head. “I am still not accustomed to this kind of respect.”

Born with an Innate Literary Heart and preternaturally intelligent since childhood, he had, in fact, more or less guessed this would be the reason.

Back when he followed Shen Chongming in learning the Dao of governing the family, he had heard that when the Shen Family suddenly transformed from a farming household into a Noble Family and took charge of the whole of Anyang City, his eldest granduncle Shen Wenxing had experienced a similar situation.

Back then, in Jinliu Village, the Shen Family faced uncles, elders, and neighbors they saw day in and day out; in so short a time, it was simply impossible to complete the shift in status.

Yet those in high position must possess the majesty of those in high position.

Now the Shen Family controlled the entire Jiuzhou World. As for the affiliated families under their rule and Luoxia Mountain, Cyan Ruo Sword Sect, Qiyun Valley, and the like—was there any among them that did not share a deep connection and bond with the Shen Family?

Human nature is manifold; if everything were constrained merely by playing the emotional card, then the Jiuzhou World would, sooner or later, fall into chaos.

This was the most elementary of principles; people such as Shen Xiuyun and the others could clearly see it, and he, this head of the Shen Family, naturally understood it as well.

“For you, this course of action is indeed somewhat cruel.”

“Yet Brother Yan must understand that as the sons of us brothers gradually grow up, the members of our Shen Family’s direct lineage will only increase.”

“After a few more decades, when those juniors among our descendants who lack aptitude become branch members and, after taking wives and having children, the Shen bloodline will be yet more numerous.”

“As Patriarch, if because of blood kinship you show favoritism toward the clan, will all the ruthlessness you have steeled yourself to wield not be in vain?”

Pausing for a moment, Shen Xiuyun went on: “We are brothers of the same bloodline; as your elder brother, I understand how you feel.”

“But this, too, is what you, as Patriarch, must bear. What I can do is only this much.”

With that, Shen Xiuyun rose, cupped his hands, and walked slowly out of the great hall.

Watching his departing back, Shen Xiuyan’s expression was highly complex.

After a long time, he suddenly let out a relieved smile.

All were striving for the sake of the family; the other clansmen would, in the future, have to risk life and death, whereas he, as Patriarch, had merely suffered some grievance. Compared with them, it truly counted as nothing.

“So be it; let everything be carried on from my generation onward.”

Having already hardened his heart to promulgate the clan rule of “severing mortal ties for the sake of immortality,” he had likewise resolved to accept this loneliness that came with being one in power.

In this way, it could be considered setting an example for the Patriarchs of the Shen Family yet to come.

With resolve now settled in his heart, Shen Xiuyan suddenly felt his thoughts clear; much of the stubborn obsession pent up within him dissipated.

…

The anomaly within the billowing spiritual mist continued on.