Zhu Yixiu ran to the Spirit Hall.

"Master, there's a fire in the backyard. It was my negligence. Please punish me."

"A fire? Where?"

"In the room where your brothers' bodies are placed."

"How could you be so careless! My brothers' bodies are not even cold yet! Were their remains rescued?"

"No, the fire was too fierce. We only managed to save the remains of the one related to Zhu Wude."

Xiaosuo looked a bit saddened upon hearing this.

"Ah, let it be. Dust returns to dust, earth to earth. It's all in the past now. When my father is buried, make sure their ashes are properly interred as well. As for your punishment, we'll discuss it later. I'm not in the mood right now."

"Yes."

After speaking, he slowly scanned the crowd present.

This was all arranged by Xiaosuo.

Weren't you all worried I'd settle scores later?

Now that the bodies are gone, I can't even tell who is who.

Except for saving Zhu Wude's nephew, to give an explanation to my subordinate, the rest of the brothers have all gone up in flames.

Let's move on from this, no need to dwell on it.

Sure enough, someone immediately reacted and quickly said:

"Master, please accept our condolences. We understand your difficulties!"

"Yes, yes, we understand the master's good intentions. Please, master, take care of yourself!"

The weight on their hearts was kicked away by Xiaosuo.

Dignified, so dignified!

The atmosphere at the funeral site, due to the fire, became cheerful again.

Subsequently, the funeral arrangements were quickly settled.

"Master, everything is arranged. You just need to wear mourning clothes and accompany the old master's coffin. There's nothing that requires your attention."

Zhu Sangao whispered beside Xiaosuo.

But Zhu Sangao's stature was such that Xiaosuo couldn't hear him clearly without bending down.

This made Zhu Sangao feel awkward; how could a servant speak while the master bends down?

Xiaosuo, however, indicated that he shouldn't mind.

It's a small matter, and it was a good opportunity to demonstrate Zhu Sangao's status in front of everyone.

Xiaosuo intentionally helped Zhu Sangao establish his footing.

After all, besides him, there was no one else he could trust.

Zhu Sangao felt grateful and even more loyal.

With everything prepared, the funeral procession of the Zhu Clan's master set off grandly.

Seeing the Zhu Clan's banners, everyone on the road made way.

As Zhu Sangao said, Xiaosuo didn't have to worry; there was indeed nothing that required his intervention during the funeral.

Zhu Sangao had done an excellent job.

He initially thought they would encounter people from the other three major families.

Either to cause trouble or to test the waters.

But none of that happened.

Zhu Sangao had made some preparations for this, cautiously waiting, but everything went smoothly.

Xiaosuo asked the County Magistrate beside him:

"County Magistrate, why don't we see anyone from the other three major families?"

The County Magistrate replied:

"Because the Zhu Clan previously stated that they only wanted Zhu family members present at the funeral. So the other three families didn't come."

Xiaosuo was initially puzzled. Were the people from the three major families so obedient?

If you tell them not to come, they just don't come?

But then he thought, perhaps this is how big families operate.

Your Zhu family has lost someone, and if you don't want us there, we won't come to be an eyesore.

After all, the new master isn't one of ours, so why bother?

Everyone here is a cultivator; let's keep it dignified.

Although the three major families didn't send anyone, Xiaosuo understood that the Zhu family descendants they supported must have been present.

But they all failed.

If anyone they supported had obtained the Vein Opening Pill, they would certainly have shown up to lend support.

With enough benefits, dignity becomes less important.

It's likely that the three major families are now each plotting how to carve out some benefits for themselves.

The funeral procession went very smoothly.

There was only one temporary route change.

Zhu Fulu's grave was placed in the middle of a cluster of tombs.

These tombs were where his concubines and children were buried.

Originally, the Zhu family had arranged for a feng shui treasure site to bury Zhu Fulu alone.

As a cultivator, he was supposed to receive extraordinary treatment.

This was a position carefully chosen by Zhu Sangao after referencing the funeral customs of the other three major families.

Cultivators are to be buried separately.

To highlight their different status.

However, Xiaosuo refused.

"Father loved lively places. Here, buried with his beloved concubines and children, he won't feel lonely on his journey."

This was the only time Xiaosuo spoke during the funeral procession.

The reason given was quite heartwarming.

After all, Zhu Fulu had over a thousand wives and concubines in his lifetime. Who could say he wasn't a man who loved lively places?

Being buried with his loved ones and children, he could truly enjoy family bliss in another world.

That's what they said.

But anyone with eyes could see that these people all died because of Zhu Fulu.

Each and every one of them, there's no way any of them didn't regret marrying Zhu Fulu before they died.

It's not lovers being buried; it's clearly enemies.

Burying Zhu Fulu here, he indeed wouldn't be lonely.

If these vengeful spirits saw Zhu Fulu, they might just honor him to death once more in the afterlife.

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So everyone understood Xiaosuo's attitude towards Zhu Fulu.

It's pitiful that Zhu Fulu, who was so mighty in life, ended up like this in death.

This can't be blamed on anyone else, not even Xiaosuo.

No one present raised any objections to Xiaosuo's arrangement.

They all had supported the Zhu family bloodline; who wouldn't know about Zhu Fulu's sordid affairs?

After burning paper money and crying bitterly, Xiaosuo left with Zhu Wude's support.

Who knows if there's an underworld in this world.

Hopefully, at least this graveyard has one.

On the way back to the Zhu Residence, Zhu Sangao brought up a matter.

"Master, what do you plan to call yourself in the future?"

Xiaosuo suddenly remembered that this was indeed a problem.

He's now the head of the Zhu family, so he can't have the surname Xiao.

According to Old Huang's words back then, he should be called Zhu Yuanmei.

But that sounds terrible.

"What was the naming convention for Zhu Fulu's sons?"

"The old master set four generational names for descendants: Yuan, Heng, Li, Zhen. For you, it's the Yuan generation."

"Can't it be changed?"

"Well... your father set it, who can change it?"

Xiaosuo thought for a moment.

"It has to be changed. All the Yuan generation are dead, it's not a lucky name."

Zhu Sangao thought for a moment and said:

"Why not call Zhu Wude? He has a higher seniority in the Zhu family than I do, he might have some ideas."

Xiaosuo didn't expect Zhu Sangao to recommend Zhu Wude.

He thought Zhu Sangao would see Zhu Wude as his biggest competitor.

Didn't expect him to have such a broad perspective.

Xiaosuo smiled meaningfully:

"You really are starting to have the demeanor of the Zhu family's Chief Steward."

"It's all thanks to the master's good training."

"Alright, call him over. Rest assured, the Chief Steward position is definitely yours. If you don't get it, it'll only be because of your own reasons, understand?"

"Thank you, Master!"

After hearing Xiaosuo's thoughts, Zhu Wude said:

"I think we can let the First Madam speak. As the old master's legitimate wife, she can decide on changing the generational name."

Xiaosuo nodded:

"That makes sense. So, you've decided to keep her?"

"Yes. The Second Madam only has one son, and after his death, she's likely to lose control. The First Madam still has two daughters, so she'll be more cautious. That's why I think keeping the First Madam is more beneficial for the master's filial duties."

Xiaosuo clicked his tongue:

"You really are something, Master Wang!"

"Master, my surname is Zhu."

"In private, it doesn't matter. Master Wang, every time I talk to you, I gain a lot."

"Master saying that makes me feel uneasy."

Xiaosuo patted Zhu Wude on the shoulder:

"Old Wang, once things settle down, and revenge is taken, get married and have children. You've had a tough time these years, but you have to look forward. Don't worry, I won't treat you and your descendants poorly."

"Master..."

Old Wang's eyes reddened again after hearing this.

"Thank you, Master!"

The next day, under the First Madam Madam Feng's chairmanship, the first Zhu family meeting was held after Xiaosuo succeeded as the family head.

First Madam Madam Feng had now become the Grand Madam.

In fact, there weren't many people left; most had died.

Only Grand Madam Madam Feng and a concubine named Madam Zou remained.

The Second Madam was too ill to attend.

And Xiaosuo's ten or so sisters.

Originally, the Zhu family had only five sisters.

After Xiaosuo inherited the position of family head, a few more sisters returned to recognize their ancestry.

They survived to this day because they had backing.

Who knows if they were spies planted by other families.

But Xiaosuo had just sent off his father, and it wasn't convenient to deal with these sisters who posed no real threat.

So he accepted them all.

At the Grand Madam's strong request, Xiaosuo retained his original name, only adding the Zhu family surname.

The filial Zhu Xiaosuo had no choice but to tearfully abandon the Yuan generation name and agree to his legitimate mother's request.

Zhu Xiaosuo.

This was the name of the second head of the Zhu family.

No one but Xiaosuo felt any change.

After all, no one had ever called him by his full name.

No matter what Zhu Xiaosuo was called, they would only address him as "Master."

The meeting established the theme of Zhu Xiaosuo's succession as the family head.

Madam Feng's cooperative attitude was quite good.

This was not unrelated to Xiaosuo privately telling her that she had been deceived by the Niu family for ten Spirit Stones.

And he made it clear that if her son had taken out ten Spirit Stones or equivalent spiritual materials at the time, it wouldn't have been Xiaosuo's business.

After hearing this, Madam Feng's eyes turned fierce.

Xiaosuo remembered the Old Monk saying that Madam Feng often offered incense and prayed to Buddha, so she should be a kind and gentle person.

But upon hearing that her son was killed, she couldn't suppress her murderous intent.

The Grand Madam had her own perspective.

She didn't actually blame Zhuang Yun, because avenging the death of a son by killing the enemy's son was understandable, especially when the opponent was a powerful cultivator.

She didn't even blame Xiaosuo, because he was involved in a life-and-death struggle, where it was kill or be killed.

But the Niu family, she had a score to settle with them.

Xiaosuo said directly:

"You help me handle some matters of face, and I can try to assist you in collecting the Niu family's debt. But you'll need to plan it yourself and handle it with care."

What Xiaosuo said was exactly what Madam Feng had in mind.

She looked at this twenty-year-old youth with a bit of newfound respect.

She had heard he was just a seller of braised chicken feet before.

Suddenly in a high position, he remained neither humble nor arrogant, did things methodically, and understood the importance of a smooth transition.

Her son, who was nearly forty, might not have done much better.

Being twenty years older, his failure was understandable.

"Also, you don't need to worry about your two daughters; they can be married off with dignity."

This also gave Madam Feng hope.

Cooperate well, for herself and for her daughters.

After the meeting, Xiaosuo indicated that Zhu Wude could take action against the Second Madam.

The Second Madam didn't even attend the first meeting, probably up to some mischief.

It's better to deal with changes early rather than late.

Demonstrating filial piety, one legitimate mother is enough.

More would be a nuisance.

Especially when there's no legitimate mother with children to worry about.

Next was the arrangement of subordinates.

First was the Zhu family's Chief Steward, Zhu Qigao.

Promoted four levels, from someone who did dirty work to the Zhu family's second-in-command.

He became famous in Mountain Chicken County overnight.

Zhu Qigao also became a role model for everyone involved in dirty work. Some even secretly set up statues of Zhu Qigao, hoping for a bright future.

Next was the Zhu family's internal and external affairs manager, Zhu Liude.

Although Wang Zhengwu was only promoted one level compared to the previous Zhu Wude, he went from being a wanted criminal to a real power player in the Zhu family.

In fact, this position was specially created by Xiaosuo for Zhu Liude, showing his appreciation for him.

With his left and right arms arranged, Xiaosuo didn't forget the others.

Zhu Yixiu, Zhu Ermao, and Zhu Eryou, who had followed Zhu Liude, Zhu Qigao, and Zhu Liucai in battle, saving Xiaosuo's life.

These three were also promoted to Zhu Sixiu, Zhu Simou, and Zhu Siyou.

Zhu Sixiu, being more clever, was responsible for Xiaosuo's security.

Zhu Simou, who had an arm chopped off by Zhu Liucai, was assigned a logistics management role.

Zhu Siyou was in charge of the Zhu family's security affairs.

With this, the internal turmoil of the Zhu family came to an end.

With matters settled, Xiaosuo finally had time to read the "Cultivator's Beginner Guide."