Chapter 37. I'm So Glad You're My Eldest Brother

Swish.

Hou Gong drew his sword from the room.

'Indeed, it is an excellent sword.'

The more he looked at it, the more he marveled.

It was the product of the blacksmith's effort and passion.

This sword, a gift from the Iron Gold Society's leader, was on par with the three divine swords he once possessed: Fan, Kuai, and Qin.

He didn't receive the sword because of some embarrassing story about a life-saving favor. If he hadn't known the Iron Gold Society leader's intention to present him with a sword, he wouldn't have accepted it.

This sword was undoubtedly made for him from the beginning.

It was optimized for sword techniques.

Perhaps the old marks were left to make it seem like the oldest, even though it was received late.

Fan. Kuai. Qin.

It was impractical to reclaim the three beloved swords.

No, it wouldn't be difficult to retrieve them if he put in the effort. However, using them openly would cause many problems. He would have to explain a lot, and before that, he would likely be chased for theft.

'The beloved swords can wait. Don't I have plenty to do right now?'

First, he needed to take the Lingyao Grass to advance his cultivation.

Of the three techniques in the Hoshinji, only Zhenxue was complete, while Xuyun and Tongge were just beginning to take shape. Without Xuyun and Tongge, surviving a proper opponent or crisis would be difficult.

He also needed to secure the Duyang Chong as soon as possible.

He had sent letters to the three major libraries: the Thousand Gold Library, the Nanhua Library, and the Tianhua Library, along with the Iron Gold Society and the Medicine King Gate. Perhaps he could achieve the Three Evils sooner than expected.

And,

Hou Gong looked down at his sword.

'This new one also needs to be integrated... Hmm, but what should I name it?'

While he was organizing his thoughts, a voice came from outside. It was Yun and Bu Meng, who were still far away but were already making a ruckus as they approached.

"Brother, who would have thought that the Iron Gold Society leader was such a petty person?"

"Bu Meng, you're speaking my mind. It's not like they openly ignored our family. What are they doing? Besides, if they wanted to bring a sword, one would have been enough. Why did the Iron Gold Society leader bring three for us to choose from? What's his intention?"

"Eldest Brother must have been subtly guided to choose the most inferior sword. It's despicable."

Despite gifting the greatest masterpiece, the Iron Gold Society leader was being cursed out by the two younger brothers.

The Iron Gold Society leader was probably rubbing his ears in frustration right now.

"Bu Meng, to be honest, I don't like any of the gifts. I can understand the Ximen Family, but what was the Continental Battlefield thinking? They didn't even think they could eat it, so they brought the Lingyao Grass."

"Hexagonal Net and Lingyao Grass might be good for the body, but I'm worried that Eldest Brother's body might rot from this. And the Iron Gold Society's sword is just a lump of metal."

Just as they were grumbling and almost arrived, Hou Gong went out with his sword and greeted his younger brothers.

"Younger brothers, have you come?"

"Brother, you've come out?"

"Eldest Brother, greetings. How upset you must be about the metal sword."

Hou Gong frowned.

"Metal? Bu Meng, what nonsense are you talking? This sword is a divine sword, unparalleled in the world. How great it is!"

"Divine sword?"

"Watch."

Hou Gong drew the sword and slashed through the air.

Buzz.

It was a fierce slash, as if trying to catch a fly.

"How is it? The buzz is different, isn't it? Now, anyone who disrespects me will be cut down."

Buzz.

Seeing Eldest Brother buzzing continuously, Bu Meng's eyes welled up with tears.

Despite it being a ridiculous lump of metal, Eldest Brother, who couldn't ignore the gesture and happily accepted it, was truly...

"Eldest Brother, I will definitely find a famous sword and gift it to you."

"No, you foolish one, why can't you understand even when I tell you it's a divine sword? Stop talking nonsense and tell me why you came."

"Oh, right. Grandfather is looking for you."

"Is that so?"

Bu Meng explained that it was about the discussion on how to deal with those involved in the rebellion.

"Let's go. I also had something to tell you."

Upon entering, they found the patriarch and the uncle already there.

After exchanging greetings, they sat down with the younger brothers.

The patriarch, after some pleasantries, got to the point.

"Even if they are guilty, we must distinguish between the severity of their crimes. Those who joined out of fear should be given a chance to repent. However, we cannot live with them as if nothing happened, so I think we should expel them."

Through the chief steward, he had identified those who actively participated in the plot and verified them from multiple angles.

The chief of the guard and the deputy chief had already been sent to the Ximen Family, effectively dead, and many had already been dealt with.

The issue was how to handle those who joined under coercion or duress. The patriarch showed his intention not to kill them.

"Father is right."

"I agree."

"I will follow Grandfather's decision."

The patriarch's gaze turned to the eldest grandson, who had been silent while everyone else agreed. Seeing him deep in thought, the patriarch waited a moment before kindly asking,

"Son, do you have a different opinion?"

The resolution of this incident was entirely due to the eldest grandson.

He was the commander, made clear decisions at every moment, and even showed unexpected abilities. Now, he was no longer a worry for the family but a treasure and a solid pillar that couldn't be spared.

Therefore, if he had a different opinion, there must be a good reason, and the patriarch believed without doubt that it was for the benefit of the Tianhua Library.

Such absolute trust wasn't limited to the patriarch.

Everyone was waiting for him to speak.

When Hou Gong finally shook his head,

"No, I think it's a good idea."

Hou Gong had briefly considered sealing their martial arts and expelling them but changed his mind as some faces flashed through his mind. He also remembered Zhong Wujue's choked voice.

- I can die a hundred or a thousand times, but please spare my daughter and wife.

Who could blame them?

There was no need to be cruel.

The cause of this series of events was himself.

The patriarch nodded in satisfaction.

"Let's settle the internal matters this way. The next topic is about the alliance. The 'Anhui Northern Alliance,' proposed by the Baihua Hall, has been agreed upon by several families. While we can respond to difficult situations with good intentions, a formal alliance will allow for closer cooperation and faster response. What do you think?"

'An alliance. It's good that the Baihua Hall proposed it first.'

Hou Gong had also been thinking about an alliance. He intended to bring it up at the right moment, but unexpectedly, the discussion was already underway. It was better that another sect proposed it and the Tianhua Library agreed, so Hou Gong couldn't help but smile.

After this incident, the nearby sects and families were not problematic. If only the lower-tier sects like the Wujiu Sect and Guanghui Sect were filtered out, it would be ideal.

As Hou Gong was organizing his thoughts, Bu Meng burst out.

"Grandfather, I strongly agree! Honestly, we thought the Martial World Alliance would do something, but they were useless. It's a good idea to form our own!"

"I agree with Bu Meng. It's been three months since Hou Gong's death, and the alliance should have been able to respond. They have many branches, but it seems they are all distracted."

The uncle also agreed, calling it a good suggestion.

Hou Gong, feeling a bit uncomfortable being mentioned with the alliance, hesitated but then spoke.

"I also agree. The Ximen Family's issue may seem resolved, but it's not over yet. Ximen Chui's network is not simple, and there will be resistance from the in-laws. Even if not immediately, they have the potential to threaten the main family. Additionally, the Ximen Family will likely face internal power struggles, and the formation of an alliance by nearby prestigious families will exert a restraining influence on the opposition."

As he listed the detailed reasons, everyone's eyes widened.

The significance of the alliance was greater than they had thought, and the realization that it was too early to relax heightened their vigilance.

They couldn't help but admire his insight.

Especially Yun and Bu Meng.

Eldest Brother always seemed calm, but he was always looking at the deepest issues, inspiring awe.

"Furthermore, when the alliance solidifies, there is something the main library must do."

"What is it?"

The patriarch asked.

"Support with formations."

"Formations..."

The patriarch hesitated, then sighed.

"Hmm... In fact, several prestigious families have subtly requested this from me, but I haven't given a clear answer."

The patriarch's reaction was lukewarm.

Hou Gong understood his concern.

He was wary of the formations being exposed to the outside.

It was time to shed such timidity.

"The benefits of supporting formations are numerous. Not just in terms of profit, but it will allow the main library to control the nearby areas. By supporting formations, we will have the key to enter anywhere. If something happens to any family, the main library can respond easily. We will support formations at the intermediate to advanced level and install secret formations that can be modified by the main library at any time. They will follow the set formations, while the Tianhua Library can control them freely."

"..."

"..."

The patriarch was stunned, and the uncle and the two younger brothers were speechless.

The reluctance to support formations was due to the fear of the formations' secrets being leaked.

However, the heir of the Tianhua Library was suggesting placing the prestigious families under the control of the Tianhua Library.

It was a reverse thinking.

Depending on what was embedded in the formations, defensive formations could become offensive, disrupt, or trap.

It felt like a mental barrier was breaking down.

The realization that the family's power was much greater and more threatening than they thought was a turning point.

"But if we do as you say, there is a risk of misuse. What do you think about that?"

Indeed, the patriarch was a scholar who valued propriety and trust. His cautious voice met with an unexpected smile from the eldest grandson.

"Grandfather, do you plan to misuse it?"

"Of course not."

"Then who would misuse it? Uncle? Or the younger brothers here?"

"Hehe..."

The patriarch laughed awkwardly.

Looking around at each person, he realized how unnecessary his concerns were. Misuse wasn't the issue; it was whether they could even use it properly.

The patriarch's laughter was as good as a decision, and the uncle and the younger brothers looked moved.

"Haha, this might make our family the greatest in the world."

The uncle laughed heartily,

"I'm so glad you're my eldest brother."

"Eldest Brother, you must always be on our side. It's amazing how you plan everything."

The two younger brothers felt reassured.

'Plan everything... '

Hou Gong smiled.

It wasn't that surprising, but the innocence of these scholars, deeply immersed in literature and learning, was truly touching.