Chapter 22: The Missing Person, Wu Sansheng

Chapter 22: The Missing Wu Sansheng

This temptation for the other eight clans was far greater than anything Wu Yu had brought out before.

Wu Sansheng was already grinning from ear to ear; with such a treasure in his hands, wouldn't he be able to go anywhere he pleased in the future?

"Hey, hey, hey, you old geezer! It’s one thing to just inspect it, but why are you biting it with your teeth?" Third Uncle snapped back to reality. Seeing an old man—he couldn't even tell which clan he belonged to—practically stuffing his finger into his mouth, he hurriedly broke free from the crowd and scrambled to the side.

With a lingering sense of fear, he glared at the group: "Alright, alright, the viewing is over. My family needs to eat breakfast, so we aren’t keeping you. Go back where you came from! If you don't leave now, I'm unleashing the dogs!"

It must be said that the final scene had left a lasting psychological shadow on Wu Sansheng. He felt a shiver of disgust at the sight of the saliva on the ring, yet even so, he couldn't bring himself to take it off.

From this day on, he was going to wear this thing even while sleeping and bathing!

He looked at Wu Yu with a mournful expression: "You brat, don't you know that one shouldn't flaunt wealth? Good heavens, showing off this treasure in a den of thieves—if your third uncle didn't have a few tricks up his sleeve, he wouldn't be able to keep it."

"Since Third Uncle doesn't like it, just give it back to me. I’ll make sure to find you a Dragon Ridge Back to compensate you later!" Wu Yu rolled his eyes at his uncle, who was clearly milking the situation despite his complaints.

"That’s right! Third brother, you aren't even married; why are you wearing a ring? Just hand it over to your second brother!" Wu Erbai chimed in, his tone laced with jealousy, not missing the chance to take a jab at Wu Sansheng.

"Who—who says you have to be married to wear a ring!" Wu Sansheng stiffened his neck, but his voice faltered when he saw the expression on the family matriarch’s face.

In the past, he at least had Wu Erbai to share the pressure, so it hadn't been this awkward. But who would have thought this cunning guy would play his trump card, having a wife, a child, and a son already over twenty!

Now, naturally, he was the only one left alone.

"Hmph! Wu Sansheng, come inside with me!" Grandmother Wu gave him a cold look before turning and walking away.

"Mom..." Hearing his mother address him by his full name, Wu Sansheng could only manage a tearful, bitter laugh.

Turning back, he saw a row of gloating faces. Even his eldest brother, Wu Yiqiong, who was usually serious and rigid, was doing the same, which only fueled his frustration.

"Hmph, you guys just wait... If I could whisk Wu Tianzhen away, why couldn't I do the same with Wu Yu?" Wu Sansheng vowed to himself.

It must be said that if Wu Sansheng had dared to say that out loud, he wouldn't have made it to the back room; he would have been dragged away by Wu Yiqiong and Wu Erbai for a "brotherly chat."

***

Wu Yu took on the role of seeing the guests off. After all, it was clear that Wu Sansheng and the others wouldn't be showing their faces again; the Wu family's attitude toward the Eight Clans had always been this way—each of the Nine Clans had their own unique temperament.

As the head of the household, someone had to show courtesy. This was originally Wu Tianzhen's job, but seeing him chatting animatedly with two peers, Wu Yu had to step in.

After seeing off the last group, Wu Yu approached them: "Cousin, I saw you chatting here while I was upstairs. Who are these two?"

"Hmph, you were busy hogging the spotlight, so I was afraid of stealing it from you!" Wu Tianzhen muttered with a hint of jealousy. "These are my childhood friends. I haven't seen them since I went abroad. This is Huo Xiuxiu from the Huo family, and Xie Xiao from the Xie family."

"Oh? So it's the two of you. I've long heard of your reputations." Wu Yu cupped his hands in greeting.

"Oh? Brother Yu knows of us?" Huo Xiuxiu's eyes lit up. This was the first time she had seen a man even "prettier" than Xie Xiao!

"Of course. My father has used both of you as examples to educate me since I was a child. Miss Xiuxiu is naturally gifted, well-versed in history both ancient and modern, and after studying abroad for a few years, you’ve even expanded the Huo family's market overseas, carving out a place for yourself. You can truly be called a role model for the younger generation of the Nine Clans!"

Wu Yu nodded with a smile. He had indeed done some research on Huo Xiuxiu. He couldn't help but admire that she was truly someone from the Nine Clans; even if she seemed a bit sweet and naive, her capability and wit were second to none.

Judging by their current achievements, and setting aside the future, Wu Tianzhen was still the most lackluster of the bunch.

"Hehe..." Huo Xiuxiu blushed, two small dimples appearing on her cheeks at the praise.

"Oh? Then I’d like to hear what the Second Young Master has to say about me!" Xie Xiao looked at Wu Yu and smiled, though there was a hint of distance compared to how he treated Wu Tianzhen.

Xie Xiao, who had personally resolved the internal strife of the Xie family, was undoubtedly the most mature of the three. He had been apprenticed to Er Yuehong from a young age, received personal guidance from the Huo family matriarch, and was ultimately supported by half the influence of the Wu and Qi families.

Even the future "Evil Emperor" could not match such resources. Therefore, if his father, Wu Erbai, was the current secret representative, then the true future leader of the Nine Clans would undoubtedly be Xie Xiao.

"Master Xie Nine... Great wealth and prosperity!" Wu Yu thought for a moment, and upon looking at Xie Xiao’s face, these were the only four words that came to mind. Since the other party wanted his assessment, he would speak his mind.

"Hahaha, little brother, you’re too kind. Xiao has been wealthy and prosperous for many years now. This guy is the real tycoon among us!" Wu Tianzhen said with a touch of envy.

"Hehe..." Xie Xiao chuckled, but no one noticed the shock hidden deep in his eyes.

"Great wealth and prosperity"—these were the exact four words someone had used to interpret his destiny long ago!

A man with the features of a woman, destined for great wealth and prosperity!

It was precisely because of this that the Second Master had once been moved to take him as a disciple. And the person who had given that interpretation was none other than the legendary figure of the Nine Clans... the Eighth Master, Qi Tiezui!

To hear those same words again today left him inwardly amazed; Wu Yu was not to be underestimated!

Turning his head to look at his carefree childhood friend, he shook his head: "I hope Tianzhen can grow up quickly. The current Wu family is no longer just about you..."

Unfortunately, Xie Xiao didn't know that even if Wu Tianzhen understood, he wouldn't take it to heart—even the future Evil Emperor would be the same. Wu Tianzhen’s personality was destined to let these things slide; he was content and easygoing, letting things be what they were.

For a while, the four of them chatted quite pleasantly. However, before long, the sound of Grandmother Wu’s angry scolding echoed from behind the ancestral hall. The group looked at each other and couldn't help but shake their heads with a wry smile.

It turned out that in the blink of an eye, Third Uncle had disappeared again...

Wu Tianzhen’s reaction was even more dramatic, grumbling that Third Uncle was heartless for not taking him along; at this rate, he wouldn't be able to leave the old mansion before the Lantern Festival.

Wu Yu nodded thoughtfully. He knew that Third Uncle’s departure was to trade identities with Xie Lianhuan. After all, it was the Lunar New Year; since Wu Sansheng had come home for the reunion, the other party had to take a turn to go home and see his own family as well!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glance at Xie Xiao.

Unexpectedly, Xie Xiao was also observing him, which made Wu Yu rub his nose in embarrassment, wondering what this Young Master Xie was plotting now.