Chapter 547 - 233: Wang Family
The Shen Family, Council Hall.
Sandalwood incense swirled through the hall, creating a solemn atmosphere.
The Elders of the Shen Family were seated on either side, with the seat of honor at the head occupied by none other than the Shen Family’s Grand Elder, Shen Boyuan.
His hair and beard were completely white, but his eyes were clear and sharp. A keen light glinted within them as they opened and closed, and he possessed an imposing aura without any sign of anger.
Grand Elder Shen Boyuan’s gaze slowly swept across everyone present. His voice was steady, yet it carried an undeniable authority. "I have gathered you all here today because there is a matter that requires our collective discussion and decision."
Upon hearing this, Second Elder Shen Wanqing, seated in the first position on the left, unconsciously straightened his posture. A barely concealed smile touched his features, as if he had already anticipated the topic of discussion.
Across from him, Third Elder Shen Qianshan remained expressionless, merely lifting the teacup by his side and waiting for the Grand Elder to continue.
"The matter primarily concerns Lao Jiu’s daughter, Xinyue, and the genius from the Mystic Sun Lineage, Han Xiong."
The Grand Elder continued, "I’m sure you have all heard of this young man, Han Xiong. He is one of the eight publicly acknowledged ’True Successor Candidates’ in the Inner Sect, with a solid foundation and immense potential. Xinyue and he are mutually in love. It is my intention that the Shen Family do everything in its power to facilitate this union and... pour our resources into helping Han Xiong contend for a True Disciple position."
As soon as he finished speaking, a low murmur of discussion filled the hall. The Elders whispered amongst themselves, most of them showing expressions of approval.
Second Elder Shen Wanqing was the first to speak, his voice booming. "Grand Elder, your words are exactly what I was thinking! This young man, Han Xiong, is indeed a fine match, and an even better investment! He is already a True Successor Candidate, just one step away from becoming a True Disciple."
"Once he succeeds, it will be like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate! Just imagine, if our Shen Family had two True Disciples to rely on through marriage... what heights would our prestige reach within the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect? It’s almost unimaginable! This is crucial for the prosperity of the Shen Family for decades to come! I support this matter with all my heart and will mobilize all the resources of my lineage to lend Nephew Han a helping hand!"
His words showed his undisguised support for Han Xiong. After all, Shen Xinyue was his direct granddaughter.
Shen Qianshan gently set down his teacup. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly said, "This matter with Han Xiong is indeed a good thing and a great benefit to our Shen Family. Grand Elder, Second Elder, your foresight is admirable. I, Qianshan, am impressed."
His tone shifted slightly. "But... Grand Elder, what of the matter I previously proposed, an alliance with Chen Qing of the Wutai Sect? He is young, with extraordinary potential. To become a True Successor Candidate in his early twenties is a sign of a boundless future. I believe he is also an important candidate for a marriage alliance. Since Xinyue’s match is settled, why not... consider Lao Ba’s daughter, Xinwen?"
Upon hearing this, the other Elders’ eyes flickered. They all understood the situation perfectly.
Shen Qianshan had always wanted to strengthen their relationship with the Wutai Sect, an old ally, and Chen Qing’s rise presented him with an opportunity.
If he could marry Shen Xinwen to Chen Qing, his own lineage’s influence both within and outside the family would increase.
However, before Grand Elder Shen Boyuan could speak, Second Elder Shen Wanqing was already shaking his head. "Third Brother, we all know you value talent. This young man, Chen Qing, is just as you say—his potential is impressive, and to have achieved so much at such a young age is truly rare. But..."
He emphasized his next words. "You and I are both well aware of young Xinwen’s situation. She is a rare cultivation genius, the likes of which our Shen Family hasn’t seen in decades. A month ago, she broke through to the Astral Force realm on her own. Her foundation is solid, and her heart and spirit are sharp and insightful. She is the true future hope of our Shen Family! The Second Master himself has given the order to place her in the Yangxin Pavilion to be personally trained and guided by him. Surely you understand what that implies?"
Grand Elder Shen Boyuan nodded and added, "It is a fact that among the younger generation of our Shen Family, the women outshine the men. There is a shortage of promising male heirs, which is why we must rely on marriage alliances to borrow external power and solidify our foundation. How often does a seedling like Xinwen appear—one who has the potential to support the family’s future on her own?"
"The family’s current expectation for her is to become a future pillar of support. We hope she can walk further down the path of Martial Arts and one day wield the family’s authority! How can we casually marry her off, letting her be tied down by marriage so early and dividing her heart and spirit? That would be tantamount to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. It is absolutely out of the question!"
The other Elders present all nodded in agreement. Although the Shen Family’s strategy of marriage alliances was a broad direction set by the Patriarch’s lineage, it was also entangled with the schemes of the various branches and lineages within the family.
Which lineage a daughter came from, and whom she married, directly affected that lineage’s influence and share of resources within the family.
Why did the Grand Elder’s words carry so much weight?
It was all because his own granddaughter had married Luo Chengxuan, the seventh-ranked True Disciple.
If Shen Xinyue from the Second Elder’s lineage could be bound to the immensely potential-filled Han Xiong, their position would naturally become even more secure.
For Shen Qianshan to propose using Shen Xinwen—a girl the family valued immensely and who possessed enormous potential herself—to bind Chen Qing was, in their view, unacceptable for both public and private reasons.
Chen Qing was certainly excellent, his potential astonishing, but it was still just "potential" that had yet to be fully realized. Furthermore, his background in the Wutai Sect could not compare to Han Xiong, who was backed by Luo Chengxuan and the Mystic Sun Lineage.
Han Xiong was already an established True Successor Candidate with a secure position. If any of the top ten True Disciple seats were to change, he would undoubtedly be one of the most promising contenders to challenge for it. He represented tangible, immediate power.
As for Shen Xinwen, she was the seed of hope for the Shen Family’s own future rise. How could she be so easily used as a bargaining chip in a marriage alliance?
Hearing this, Shen Qianshan’s lips parted slightly, but in the end, all that escaped was a silent sigh.
He understood clearly now. His plan to deepen ties with the Wutai Sect—specifically, to pull the promising Chen Qing into his camp through marriage—had gone up in smoke, sacrificed for the sake of the family’s overall interests and internal power balance.