Chapter 456

Chapter 456: Real Thoughts

As night fell, Wang Chen met with Xi Wanhai at the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion, who had come to pay a visit.

Xi Wanhai, the head of the Xi family in Daying and the biological father of Xi Manyun, was a Purple Palace master at the fifth layer of cultivation.

This Purple Palace master had been summoned by Xi Manyun upon her return to the Xi family.

Among the various local powers in Daying City, the Xi family ranked in the upper-middle tier in terms of strength and scale, boasting two Purple Palace members within their clan.

However, one of their Purple Palace elders was nearing the end of his lifespan, and the younger generation lacked the ability to break through to open a house, leading to a precarious situation where their influence had significantly waned.

Otherwise, Xi Manyun would not have found herself in such a difficult position at the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion.

Xi Manyun aspired to make a mark and seize the opportunity Wang Chen had presented. Relying solely on her own strength was insufficient, making it entirely reasonable for her to enlist her father’s assistance.

Xi Wanhai also made his stance clear to Wang Chen, expressing his support for Xi Manyun to take over Xiang Yingzhe’s responsibilities and help his daughter rise to prominence.

“Master Wang, our Xi family is willing to serve you,”

the head of the Xi family stated candidly. “However, the Wu family is formidable and enjoys the backing of the Grand Celestial Guardian. Our options are limited, and we hope you can understand.”

Wang Chen did not possess an aura of invincibility that could instantly command obedience.

Individuals like Xi Wanhai would never stake their family’s future on a newly appointed celestial guardian like Wang Chen, who lacked a strong foundation.

He was willing to support Wang Chen in exchange for the opportunity to control the workshop and five streets, thereby expanding his family’s influence.

But this support would only be extended under the assurance of their own safety.

This meant that the Xi family could not openly confront the Wu family nor dare to defy the wishes of the Grand Celestial Guardian’s residences.

After all, Wang Chen was only going to remain here for three years.

“It’s fine,”

Wang Chen replied. He had never expected to win over the Xi family by simply offering a pie.

In fact, Xi Wanhai’s cautious and prudent attitude was precisely what he needed.

If his counterpart had been a reckless individual, it would have posed a significant problem for Wang Chen!

Wang Chen aimed to win over the Xi family, using Xiang Yingzhe as an example to ultimately suppress the local forces represented by Wu Jingwei.

His goal was to ensure that he could smoothly navigate these three years.

Rather than relying on the Xi family to charge into battle, it would be better for him to take matters into his own hands, using Thousand Transformations to eliminate those rebellious elements himself.

The first task Wang Chen assigned to the Xi family was to replace all the servants and maids at the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion and dispatch a group of elite guards for protection.

The former celestial guardian had been incompetent, allowing Wu Jingwei to seize power—who knows how many spies had infiltrated the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion.

Wang Chen couldn’t accurately determine how many informants were among the servants and maids.

It was best to replace them all.

Even if relying solely on the Xi family carried risks, it was still preferable to inaction.

This personnel change would also further solidify Wang Chen’s authority as the celestial guardian!

Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, there were five hundred patrol guards affiliated with the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion.

It was said that many of them were from the Wu family.

But meals must be eaten one bite at a time; taking too big a step or acting too forcefully can easily give others an opportunity to stir up trouble.

Therefore, it is essential to proceed gradually and steadily.

Wang Chen spent two full hours discussing the details of their cooperation with Xi Wanhai.

Through the head of the Xi family, Wang Chen gained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of Daying City and the Xun district under his jurisdiction.

After the meeting, he personally escorted Xi Wanhai out of the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion.

Upon returning home, Xi Wanhai’s first action was to summon Xi Manyun to his side.

“I have reached an agreement with Master Wang,” he told his beloved daughter. “You have my full support. I will assign a reliable group of people to assist you.”

“Thank you, Father!” Xi Manyun was overjoyed, her smile radiant like a blooming flower.

“Don’t get too carried away just yet,” Xi Wanhai cautioned, dampening her enthusiasm. “The Wu family will not let this go quietly, and the Xiang family will surely cause trouble. You must be prepared and ensure no one takes advantage of you.”

Xi Manyun nodded confidently. “Don’t worry, Father. I know how to handle things.”

Having arranged the meeting between Xi Wanhai and Wang Chen, she had already prepared herself mentally for the challenges ahead.

Securing control over the workshop and five streets would not be an easy task.

Seeing the determination in his daughter’s eyes, Xi Wanhai was struck by a thought. “Yun’er, what do you think of Master Wang?”

Xi Manyun was momentarily puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Then, realizing his implication, her cheeks flushed. “Father, what are you saying?!”

Xi Wanhai chuckled. “This young celestial guardian has already broken through to open a house at such a young age. His future holds great promise for Golden Core, and his character is commendable. You should seriously consider it.”

The head of the Xi family’s thoughts were pragmatic.

The Xi family’s greatest challenge was the lack of a clear successor. Once the elder of the Purple Palace passed away, it would be difficult for a single master to maintain the current situation, let alone expand their influence.

However, if Xi Manyun were to form a partnership with Wang Chen, the situation would change dramatically.

With Wang Chen’s youth and the full backing of the Xi family, even the position of Grand Celestial Guardian might not be out of reach.

At the very least, the Xi family would gain a Purple Palace master with immense potential, ensuring the protection of their family legacy.

It was with these considerations in mind that Xi Wanhai accepted the olive branch extended by Wang Chen.

“I’m not talking to you anymore!” Xi Manyun exclaimed, her usual composure gone as she turned and hurried into the inner courtyard, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Xi Wanhai couldn’t help but smile.

He knew that despite her current embarrassment, Xi Manyun would eventually weigh the pros and cons on her own. There was no need for him to press the matter further.

Shaking his head, Xi Wanhai set aside his thoughts for the moment and turned his attention to the task of personnel arrangements.

This was the first task he needed to handle for Wang Chen, and he was determined not to fail.

Meanwhile, Wang Chen remained unaware of Xi Wanhai’s thoughts about pairing him with Xi Manyun.

He stayed at the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion for seven days, during which time the miscellaneous workers and guards were replaced, and internal affairs were put in order. Only then did he proceed with his next steps.

Throughout this period, the chief steward Wu Jingwei made no moves, as if he had already accepted his defeat at the hands of Wang Chen.

Even the Xiang family, the so-called “aggrieved party,” seemed to count themselves unfortunate and handed over control of the workshop and five streets to the Xi family.

What should have been a tumultuous power transition unfolded with unexpected calm.

Yet, Wang Chen did not grow complacent. Instead, he became increasingly vigilant.

The silence from the Grand Celestial Guardian’s residences and the retreat of the local families could not be attributed solely to his reputation. Wang Chen himself did not believe it.

Beneath the surface of this calm, a hidden undercurrent likely lurked, one that could erupt with devastating consequences.

To prepare, Wang Chen tasked the Xi family with gathering intelligence and monitoring the movements of other families.

At the same time, he decided to personally venture out into the streets to observe and gain a deeper understanding of the situation in the Xun district.

Knowing oneself and one’s enemies ensures victory in countless battles. When it came to intelligence and information, Wang Chen trusted only what he could see and hear for himself.

Even with the Xi family, his trust was only partial.