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The historical depth of the Chen Family could almost be described as unfathomable, because no one could ascertain when the Chen Family’s lineage truly began. Some said the Chen Family had existed for ten thousand years, while others claimed... the Chen Family predated the Sorcerer Dynasty.

Within the Chen Family, not even their own descendants knew the true history of the clan.

Only a very select few core members, Elders who were to inherit the family’s power, were barely qualified to know that the Chen Family was, in fact, a Central Plains Sorcerer Family that had long served the Dragon Clan during its heyday.

In other words, the origin of the Chen Family was actually serving under demons...

After vast epochs, this was something no one knew, and even if there were two families that carried on this legacy together, neither would mention it.

With every generation, only the capable few who managed the household would know some of the secrets, and as it happened, the third branch of the Chen Family was exactly the kind of marginal offspring that were not privy to the family history.

Inside the Chen Family Hall, Chen Baiye summoned all the descendants of his third branch. His line included four sons and two daughters, along with about fifteen grandchildren, which could be considered prosperous in terms of population.

At this moment he held the letter from the Jiangnan Delegation but didn’t rush to open it, instead recounting the family’s affairs to his descendants.

"Once I understand the family’s true intentions, only our third branch will remain in the Capital City...",

Upon hearing this, the younger family members showed complex expressions, not knowing what to say.

It was once the case that the Chen Family had served the Dragon Palace, and as far back as a hundred years ago, during the sealing of the ancients by the King of Qin, the family had begun scheming to betray the King of Qin and revive the Dragon Palace.

And now, the Family Head Chen Baifeng had arranged for the Chen descendants an escape route before departing for Jiangnan, but not a single one from the third branch knew of this route.

Clearly, in today’s Chen Family, the descendants of the third branch... had become outsiders...

"Father, has our third branch... been abandoned?

" The speaker was Chen Baiye’s youngest son, only fourteen years old, the one among his children with the best talent as a Magician.

According to the normal trajectory, he would have been able to enter the Yin Yang Academy next year.

With his aptitude, Chen Baiye believed that with good cultivation, he could become an Academic Commissioner, which would considerably elevate the standing of the third branch.

Feeling a tightening in his heart upon hearing his youngest son’s words, Chen Baiye managed a strained smile and said, "It’s not about being abandoned.

Our third branch is responsible for handling the mundane affairs of the Capital City.

The situation of our worse-off sixth branch in the north is such that they haven’t even had time to retreat. "

Everyone: "...."

Is this a comparison of who has it worse?

I’ve told you all this so that you recognize one fact," Chen Baiye sighed as he looked at the children. "We... at least for the time being, are not qualified to be involved in the core interests of the family. It’s not really about being abandoned, as the Capital City will always be important. The family will provide a few opportunities for you to let your children go to the Southern Sea to enjoy some resources. However, naturally, they won’t compare with the primary heirs of the first and second branches, and may even fall short of other families the main house seeks to win over. Do you understand?"

The others listened and fell silent. Their own aptitudes were average, and certainly not outstanding.

With more resources, they too could have entered the academy, but they were not born into the first or second branches.

In the end, if they lacked distinction, even with a place at the Yin Yang Academy, at most they would become a Fifth Rank Record Officer.

There wasn’t much they could fight for the next generation, and perhaps they would be better off managing the household affairs for the family’s portion.

But for the next generation, it was uncertain.

Those present were quite young, and most of their children were only around two or three years old.

No one could be sure about their aptitude, and naturally, they hoped the children could start from a higher level.

After all, it was about Ancient Secret Tomes. ..

But their father’s implication was that the slots given by the main family wouldn’t suffice for everyone here...

The thought that only one of their children might be chosen to go, or perhaps none at all, and even then, face a quality gap in resources compared to the offspring of the other two branches, made them extremely uncomfortable!

"Father, by clarifying all of this to us, do you have another plan in mind?

" The second son, primarily responsible for managing the external commerce of Chen Jia, particularly with Jiangnan, spoke up.

His familiarity with Jiangnan was the reason he resolutely sent both his son and daughter there and managed to secure their admission.

He was still grateful for this decision to this day, as reality had proven that the situation in the Royal Capital was getting worse, and his children at least had a fallback in Jiangnan.

Now, with the father summoning everyone here, in his eyes, it must certainly be related to Jiangnan.

Indeed, Chen Baiye glanced at his second son and nodded, "The Jiangnan Delegation has sent a letter, hoping to have a talk with us."

"Father, what are your thoughts?" the eldest son, Chen Song, asked.

"My thought is, one more path, one more choice."

The second son’s eyes brightened, while the eldest and the third frowned deeply. The two daughters had a flicker in their eyes, unsure of what to think, and the youngest son cocked his head, listening intently.

"Jiangnan seeking us out surely comes with a price, doesn’t it?" Old San said with a heavy voice.

"In this world, is there such a thing as a free lunch?" Chen Baiye laughed, "After so many years in commerce, haven’t you understood this principle yet?"

"Then, what are their demands?"

"What else could it be?" the second brother said with a laugh, "The uproar about Chen Qing’s daytime entry into the Imperial Court is now well known.

Clearly, this is a test between the Imperial Family and Jiangnan.

Chen Qing came with strong forces but was directly wiped out by the Imperial Family using unknown methods.

He must be looking to gather some intelligence, and our Chen Family, being the top family in the Capital City, naturally has the most comprehensive information. "

"Intelligence?" Old San scoffed, "The consequences won’t be small. At this stage, providing intelligence, how would Your Majesty view us?"

Chen Baiye remained silent for a moment before he directly took out the second envelope. As everyone present was a magician, one glance was enough to recognize it as a Royal Sorcerer Envelope.

"A letter from His Majesty?"

"His Majesty guessed that the Chen Family would ask us for information, so he made arrangements with us in advance. You understand his intentions, right?"

"His Majesty anticipated this from the start?" Old San said in surprise.

"What is there to guess?" the eldest brother shook his head, "In the entire Capital City, the Chen Family is the best target for collaboration. If Chen Qing wants to gather information, our Chen Family is also the best candidate. It would be strange if His Majesty didn’t guess it."

Speaking, he looked towards Chen Baiye, "The key question is, what does Father think? Is he planning to help His Majesty scheme against Jiangnan?"

"That is the path you must choose today!" Chen Baiye said gravely to everyone, "If you could guess this, then clearly Jiangnan could also guess it. Still, they invited us, betting on which side would offer bigger stakes, betting on which side we will ultimately choose!"

"Isn’t that obvious?" Old San said with a smile, "Of course, we should lean towards the Capital City. How could we possibly align with a vassal king who has neither name nor proper claim?"

"Chen Qing’s title was personally bestowed by the Imperial Court, won by the strength of his fists. If that is neither proper in name nor speech, then what in this world is?" the second brother countered directly.

"It seems like you have quite a soft spot for Jiangnan?" Old San narrowed his eyes, "But that’s understandable, especially since you sent your children down to Jiangnan early on. It makes sense for you to lean that way."

"Was it wrong of me to make the decision to send my children to Jiangnan?

" the second brother looked back at him, "Hasn’t our Chen Family’s business been seizing the initiative in the Capital City, thanks to the firsthand intelligence from the children I sent?

Without them telling us which products are most likely to be popular, would we have this much silver now? "

"That’s only because His Majesty allowed trade!" Old San said with a stern voice, "If we end up completely at odds, what does Jiangnan’s abundance of good things have to do with us?"

"Of course, it has nothing to do with you as you’ve always stayed in the Capital City."

"What? Are you planning to run off to Jiangnan?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

"Have you lost your mind?" Old San stood up, "For the sake of your two children, do you want our entire family to abandon the Capital City along with you?"

"What’s so good about the Capital City?" the second brother looked at him with amusement, "What’s left here? The major families are all running to the Southern Sea. Do you think the Academy’s Dao Treasury will remain afterward?

Without Yin Yang Academy, what’s good about staying in this Capital City? Its scenery, its Spirit Field quality?"

"At the very least, it’s the Royal Capital of the Central Plains!"

"The Royal Capital?" the second brother let out a sneer, "It’s almost turned into a ghost city, yet you still call it the Royal Capital. Jiangnan has a Sorcerer Academy that is not inferior to the Capital City’s. My children sent messages saying that Jiangnan also has the Dragon Palace’s secret teachings in the West Sea, which is better than guarding some failing businesses here, right? "

"The Capital City is a good place... If it were truly a good place, why didn’t even a single descendant of the main and second branches of our family stay here?"

Old San: "...."