Chapter 1799: Redistribution
At the summit of Heaven Fang Mountain stood an enormous ancestral hall containing the memorial tablets of the Hechuan Fang Clan's ancestors throughout the generations. However, on every level, several memorial tablets remained empty, including the highest position at the very top.
After Fang Qiurou led Fang Chen and the others into the ancestral hall to offer incense, they took their seats outside, where arrangements had already been prepared in advance.
Fang Chen casually asked, "Does the empty tablet belong to Ancestor Fang Lie?"
"Correct. The other empty tablets also belong to ancestors who left Great Zhou in past generations. They became divine ability users, naturally becoming undying and immortal," Fang Qiurou replied.
Fang Chen naturally understood that calling their lifespan limitless was only an exaggeration. It was simply because those divine ability users had never returned, leaving the Hechuan Fang Clan completely unaware whether they were alive or dead. Naturally, no memorial tablets could be erected for them.
At this moment, nearly every notable figure of the Hechuan Fang Clan had gathered outside the ancestral hall. The Huofeng Branch had by far the largest number, with a massive sea of people seated together, numbering roughly over a thousand.
The present-day Hechuan Fang Clan had four major branches. Aside from the Huofeng Branch, the other three branches all appeared sparsely populated, including Fang Longshan's own branch. Of the tens of thousands within the Hechuan Fang Clan, roughly ninety percent belonged to the Huofeng Branch.
Fang Chen swept his gaze across the Huofeng Branch elder. The man wore luxurious robes and was surrounded by figures such as Fang Sheng.
Then Fang Chen looked toward the elders of the other two branches. Their clothing was plain. Some of the people around them even wore patched garments.
There were scarcely any Blood Moving or Marrow Refinement Stage martial artists among them.
Fang Chen mused, No wonder undercurrents have been surging within the Hechuan Fang Clan recently. If Fang Longshan were not a Martial King, he would never have been able to secure the position of clan leader. Compared to the Huofeng Branch, this branch's foundation is simply far too weak. Even with the support of the other two branches, it still isn't enough for him to truly control the Hechuan Fang Clan.
Fang Qiurou spoke softly. "Uncle Fang, have you noticed? The Huofeng Branch contains the wealthiest members of the Hechuan Fang Clan. Nearly all of the Fang Clan's businesses, large and small, are controlled by the Huofeng Branch. The remaining three branches essentially survive by relying on their favor. Even when the clan leader wishes to mobilize resources to nurture disciples under his branch, he faces obstacle after obstacle."
Fang Chen smiled. "So today's ancestral rite may provide some entertainment?"
Fang Qiurou sighed softly. "Whether it will become entertainment remains uncertain, but I hope for a good outcome. Father suffered quite badly after exchanging blows with you that day in the bamboo tower courtyard. I only hope that if something unexpected occurs today, you will be willing to lend assistance, Uncle Fang."
Fang Chen's voice rang directly in Fang Qiurou's ears. "So you know the truth. But why would you hope for my assistance? With your strength as a divine ability user, if you truly acted, the Huofeng Branch would not be your opponent."
Fang Qiurou was stunned. For the first time, she looked at Fang Chen with an utterly serious gaze. When her eyes met those gray-white pupils, she suddenly felt that the man before her was far more mysterious than she had imagined.
"No one... has ever been able to tell that I am a divine ability user. Even the Envoy never noticed. You might be blind, Uncle Fang, but you see more clearly than anyone else. I awakened my divine ability during the early stage of the Blood Moving Stage, so in terms of raw physical strength, I'm far inferior to ordinary martial artists. If I act, my divine abilities will inevitably be revealed, but now is not a good time. If the Envoy takes me away, then the remaining three branches of the Hechuan Fang Clan will very likely be completely swallowed by the Huofeng Branch. That would not be a good thing.
She fell silent for a moment. Finally, she curiously asked, "Uncle Fang, are you a divine ability user, or a Martial Saint?"
"Neither."
"Neither?"
Fang Qiurou was stunned. She assumed Fang Chen simply did not wish to discuss the matter further and wisely changed the subject.
Because Fang Longshan had already arrived before the ancestral hall together with Fang Yue, thousands of gazes turned toward him in perfect unison, all focusing upon the two men.
The elder of the Huofeng Branch wore a faint smile upon his face. "Clan Leader, the time is nearly upon us. Let us begin the ancestral rite. I suspect it may rain this afternoon, and it would be inconvenient for the clansmen descending the mountain."
Fang Longshan glanced at the bright, cloudless sky. There was not the slightest sign of rain. He could not help but laugh. "You've become a fortune teller now? You even know when the heavens will rain."
After speaking, he lightly cleared his throat and announced to the crowd, "The ancestral rite begins."
The clan's ancestral ceremony looked complicated, but in truth, it was rather simple.
According to seniority, everyone first paid respects to their ancestors. Then the clan rules passed down through generations of the Hechuan Fang Clan were recited, followed by an update to the ancestors regarding the clan's current state.
If any descendants had achieved notable success, firecrackers would be lit in celebration.
At the stage concerning successful descendants, the Huofeng Branch naturally shone the brightest.
"Fang Ji, fourteen years old, peak Blood Moving Stage!"
"Fang Rui, twelve years old, late Blood Moving Stage!"
"Fang Rui'er, thirteen years old, late Blood Moving Stage!"
"Fang..."
Dozens of young descendants were announced one after another, all belonging to the Huofeng Branch.
Fang Ji was Fang Sheng's son, the very boy who had nearly entered Fang Chen's tutelage.
Even the announcer belonged to the Huofeng Branch, and his tone grew increasingly impassioned.
The people of the Huofeng Branch glowed with pride. Even if the youngsters being announced were not from their direct bloodline, they still shared in the glory.
Only afterward did the other three branches finally receive their turn.
Standing behind Fang Chen, Fang Hai and Fang Ling watched the scene unfold. At first, traces of envy appeared in their hearts, but eventually even that envy faded. They knew that they had already stepped ahead of every other young disciple, no doubt about it.
After the announcements concluded, the firecrackers were lit, their explosions echoing throughout Heaven Fang Mountain.
After roughly the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Fang Longshan cleared his throat. His voice sounded clearly in everyone's ears. "There is one more matter I wish to discuss during today's ancestral rite."
The elders of the other two branches immediately stirred. One subconsciously straightened his posture and lifted a teacup for a sip, while another wiped the sweat from his forehead with a cloth.
The Huofeng branch's elder smiled faintly. "Clan Leader, which matter needs to be discussed? Since everyone is gathered here today, speak plainly."
Fang Longshan smiled. "It concerns the distribution of the clan's interests. In the past, all four major branches of the Hechuan Fang Clan prospered equally. However, due to certain reasons over the years, the distribution of resources became imbalanced.
"Nine out of ten poor families now belong to the three branches outside the Huofeng Branch. The three branches have become increasingly barren of talent. Young and old combined, they number only a few thousand people. If this continues, won't these branches eventually lose their roots and become extinct?"
The members of the three branches silently nodded as they listened.
Meanwhile, the Huofeng Branch had already vaguely sensed the deeper meaning hidden within Fang Longshan's words. Their expressions gradually became cold and ugly.
Fang Longshan's smile spread. "So I propose that the Huofeng Branch relinquish some of its businesses and allow the other three branches to manage them instead. That way, balance may be restored between yin and yang. I wonder what the Huofeng Branch thinks of this proposal?"
The moment those words fell, the lively atmosphere of the ancestral rite instantly chilled.
The disciples of all four branches fell silent.