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"Dad, you’re not really considering Second Brother’s suggestion, are you?"

Old San didn’t feel like arguing with his second brother and turned to the decision-maker of the Chen Family, but after a few moments without an answer, a chill spread through him...

The fact that Dad didn’t immediately refute Second Brother meant... he was genuinely contemplating Second Brother’s proposal!

"Dad?" Old San turned back, staring blankly at his father.

Chen Baiye looked at his third son’s incredulous face and his eldest son’s deeply furrowed brow and sighed deeply.

Frankly speaking, among his sons, he had always considered the second one as the best in grasping future opportunities, which was why he had initially put him in charge of external affairs.

Outside Capital City, business opportunities depended on one’s own vision; here, people could rely on relationships and family background, but beyond that, the Chen Family’s clout was not as decisive.

Trying to seize opportunities through craftiness would likely fail in the presence of the local power brokers.

Over the years, the second son had performed extremely well, even better than he himself had.

Therefore, he trusted the second one’s judgment even more. When the second son mentioned the tremendous opportunities in Jiangnan and proposed sending the grandchildren there, he had had no objections.

But at that time, it was merely a cautious investment. This time... it was an investment that could determine the fate of their household. Should it fail, they might face the ruin of their home and family!

"Dad, what are your thoughts?" The furrowed-browed eldest son finally spoke up.

Chen Baiye said, "I am hesitating because the second son makes a lot of sense.

You all know the situation in the Southern Sea.

Based on my estimate, the main branch will likely grant us a maximum of three spots, and Old San is definitely entitled to one because no one can dispute that he has the best aptitude, right? "

The eldest son nodded slightly. There was no disputing that; the grandchildren’s talents were as yet undetermined, but Old San’s talents were well-established, so it made sense to bet on him.

"Now comes the problem. With Old San taking one spot, that leaves only two. Who should get them?"

As soon as these words were said, both the eldest and Old San fell silent.

The talents of the grandchildren were not yet obvious, and naturally, everyone would want a spot.

Furthermore, even if they managed to secure one, deciding who to give it to would pose another problem.

If given to one child, the others would certainly harbor resentment for the future. ..

"Jiangnan has much more to offer," Chen Baiye whispered. "The system in Jiangnan is excellent. My second son’s two children have sent detailed letters about it, praising its system of selection for scholarship based on a wide range of talents. Even those with a bit of craftsperson’s talent can become a respected magician.

Personally, I think that the academies in Jiangnan are truly the future for magicians. "

"Additionally, there’s the matter of the Dragon Palace legacy. The main house has the Nanhai Dragon Palace, while Jiangnan is linked with the West Sea. The difference should not be significant, or else Chen Qing’s influence would not have included such a powerful master this morning."

"You have also seen the situation in Capital City. The Royal Family has brought in a strange force. Although it’s currently only performing secret human sacrifices on commoners, who can say what will happen in the future?

Honestly, I am deeply disturbed by those eerie Ghost Temples.

Such ancient forces might become very powerful later on, but I do not believe they will be benevolent towards the Human Race. "

"Dad, once we betray the Royal Family, the main house will certainly abandon us!" the eldest son said gravely.

"That’s the price we pay," Chen Baiye sighed. "There’s no perfect choice in this world. Gains and losses are what most situations entail. No one knows what Jiangnan’s fate will be.

Perhaps if we decide to side with them, they may fall apart soon after, or be destroyed by the Imperial Court’s reprisal.

Maybe all the beauty rumored about Jiangnan is false, and there are even more terrible dangers lurking there; we just can’t be sure. "

"Dad seems to be clear on this..." the eldest son let out a sigh of relief, his greatest fear being that Dad would fully side with the second brother.

"So, let’s have a good discussion," Chen Baiye looked at his children.

"This decision will determine your future. Once chosen, there can be no regrets. If you choose Jiangnan, you are destined to be the enemy of the Imperial Court. Whether we can safely withdraw to Jiangnan is a tremendous gamble. Being abandoned by the main house, we would lose the last three stable spots in the Southern Sea, and our offspring might end up without any hope. But if we choose the Imperial Court, mediocrity is our destiny; we can only hope for the three slots that the main house might pityingly offer us. Once the Yin Yang Academy system collapses, our family’s chances of turning our fate around will be even slimmer! "

"This..." The eldest son was momentarily speechless; those words were undeniably true. With the Yin Yang Academy in place, if a talented youth emerged from the third branch, the family couldn’t suppress them, because the academy would provide extra resources; as long as their talent was proven, they would surely be cultivated by the Imperial Court. If the family didn’t woo them, the Imperial Family certainly would. Mu Hongqing was an excellent example.

Thus, as long as the academy existed, the family would value each talented child and not suppress them for not being from their own branch.

But once the academy was gone, all bets were off. People are inherently selfish; who would want to share resources meant for their children with others? Who wouldn’t want to hold on to better things forever?

"You all decide," Chen Baiye stood up. "Whichever side you choose, the majority will prevail this time. I will not participate; it’s entirely up to you six siblings to decide.

But once the direction is set, no one can drag their feet.

If I find out anyone dares to act contrary in secret, that person will be considered a traitor to the entire family, worthy of death! "

Upon hearing these words, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop considerably. In that moment, the children realized their father was serious.

"Then let’s vote," said the second brother.

"I maintain my previous stance: Jiangnan is more suitable for our family.

There, we can ensure that every descendent has the opportunity to advance, rather than begging for scraps from the main and second branch.

Jiangnan will surely offer generous concessions to win us over.

If we miss this chance, we will have no value to Jiangnan whatsoever! "

"In that case, I’ll vote as well. I oppose Second Brother’s view," Old San said coldly. "The risk in Jiangnan is too high. It’s doubtful whether they can guarantee their own safe departure, let alone ours. How can they ensure it?"

"Even if Jiangnan really is as good as you say, if we can’t all make it there alive, it’s all just an illusion.

And I don’t believe that Jiangnan is as great as the second brother’s children claim.

That’s just the naive words they’ve been deluded with as kids; maybe they’ve been coerced or controlled. "

Upon hearing this, the second brother’s expression turned less than pleasant, yet he did not retort, considering the other’s points could be valid.

Chen Baiye nodded and then looked towards his two daughters.

"I oppose going to Jiangnan..." said the older daughter, shaking her head.

"I am already betrothed, marrying into the Yuan Family, and our families have already exchanged betrothal letters. You all know of the Yuan Family’s influence in the Southern Sea; they are guaranteed a share.

With this marriage alliance, perhaps we could also secure some benefits for our family. .."

"Let’s just leave it at that..." Old Second sighed and shook his head, "Younger Sister Four, you’re marrying into the Yuan Family. It’s already good enough if you can secure a spot for your own child, but to take care of your natal family? Are you joking?"

Upon hearing this, Younger Sister Four bit her lip, "Father said that we’ll vote by headcount. Even if I only consider my own interests, that’s not wrong, is it?"

"That’s not wrong..." Chen Baiye nodded directly, "I said, this is about choosing our own paths for the future. Everyone is entitled to speak for their own future. Before things are decided, anyone is eligible to vote, whatever their reasons."

With these words, Younger Sister Four regained her smile and cast a proud glance at her second elder brother.

Old Second rolled his eyes, as he had never expected his sister, who was so bent on marrying outside, to take his side.

"What about you, Younger Sister Five?"

"I think... Old Second is making sense..." The youngest daughter of the Chen Family, Younger Sister Five, was not yet of considerable age and shared the same birth year as the youngest.

"What sense does Old Second have?" Younger Sister Four scornfully glared at her, "Aren’t you just swayed because Mister Bai praised you last time for having a good talent for divination? What, you also want to follow those minor noble families’ children to Jiangnan and compete to become a Magician? "

Younger Sister Five bit her lip, but this time she mustered the courage to speak up, "If Fourth Sister can think for herself, can’t I do the same? So what if I think this way?"

"Wishful thinking, it’s better not to indulge in such fantasies without the destined fortune. Being too greedy often leads to unpleasant consequences!"

"I’m not like my sister, who only thinks of marrying out."

"What do you mean? You believe you are ambitious?"

"Enough!" Chen Baiye interrupted his two daughters directly, "This is not the place for your quarrels!"

The two daughters dared not say more, and Chen Baiye turned to look at Chen Eldest, "It’s now a tie at two to two. What do you say?"

Old Eldest fell silent, while Old San became impatient, "Big brother, what are you thinking about? Do we even need to think about this matter?"

He had always thought that Old Eldest was on his side, but now he was surprised to see his hesitation.

Old Eldest ignored his younger brother and looked up at Chen Baiye, "Father, I want to meet with the people from Jiangnan and make a decision after talking to them. What do you think?"

Chen Baiye immediately smiled, as expected, his efforts in nurturing the eldest had not been in vain. Although he was not as perceptive as Old Second, he was the most mature of them all.

"Good, let’s meet the people from Jiangnan..."

----------------------------

Path of Yin and Yang:

"Where is this?"

Bai Feng had followed Chen Qing carefully for three days and nights, only to arrive at the ruins of what seemed to be a large city.

"This couldn’t be Jiangnan, could it?" Though he had not been among the living for an entire cycle of reincarnation, he still recognized where Jiangnan was.

"No..." Chen Qing shook his head.

"Then where is this?"

"Capital City, the royal capital newly established by this dynasty."

"Is there a gateway to the Path of Yin and Yang here?" asked Bai Feng curiously.

"No..."

"Then what are you doing here?" Bai Feng frowned, "If I’m not mistaken, up ahead is King Xiang’s Tomb, isn’t it? This place is anything but simple..."

"Of course I know that..." Chen Qing forced a smile, "But here... there’s our only hope of escape!"