Chapter 610 85: An Excellent Match (2)

"Alright, stop kneeling at every turn. You'll be the clan's representative in Yang Province from now on. Don't diminish the clan's prestige." Song Changsheng once again reached out to pull Chi Huo Old Ghost to his feet.

"Please rest assured, Young Master. This old servant will be your eyes and ears in Yang Province. I will absolutely not tarnish your prestige."

"I have no doubt you are capable. What's more, I've already arranged an excellent marriage for you." Song Changsheng smiled faintly and gestured for Chi Huo Old Ghost to follow him.

He led Chi Huo Old Ghost before the seven Clan Leaders of Yang Province. With a smile, he looked at Bai Ruohong and said, "Clan Leader Bai, I hear you have a younger sister who is gentle and virtuous, a peerless beauty, and still unwed?"

At these words, the expressions of Shangguan Yinn and the others shifted slightly. They all turned to look at Bai Ruohong, their faces unreadable.

Bai Ruohong's eyes, however, lit up. He nodded eagerly. "My younger sister, Bai Ruotong, is twenty-two this year and indeed unwed. Ascendant, are you suggesting..."

Deep anticipation filled his eyes. 'If the Bai Clan can form a marriage alliance with Song Changsheng, won't we skyrocket to prominence?'

The gears in his mind were turning, but Song Changsheng had no such intention. He pointed to Chi Huo Old Ghost behind him and said, "Excellent. This is one of our clan's Foreign Clan Elders, Chi Huo. He has a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Cultivation and is still unmarried. I wish to propose to you on his behalf for the hand of Fairy Ruotong. What do you say, Clan Leader Bai?"

At his words, Bai Ruohong's face froze. He had assumed Song Changsheng had taken a fancy to his sister, not that he was here to play matchmaker. For a moment, he couldn't help but feel his face burn with embarrassment.

However, as a Clan Leader, he was exceptionally thick-skinned. He quickly adjusted his attitude and began to weigh the pros and cons.

'Chi Huo Old Ghost's qualifications are beyond question. He's a bit old and not exactly handsome, but his cultivation is powerful, and he's clearly held in high regard by Song Changsheng. My sister is merely a Qi Cultivator. Even with her beauty, she would definitely be marrying up.'

'Most importantly, this will allow our clan to build a connection with the Song Clan. That's a tangible benefit. Even the scraps the Song Clan lets slip through their fingers would be enough to let the Bai Clan feast and grow prosperous.'

'That's the main thing; nothing else matters. Forget a prime candidate like Chi Huo Old Ghost; even if Song Changsheng had brought a drooling idiot, I would have agreed without a second thought.'

'Trading one woman for the future of the clan is an excellent bargain.'

His face wreathed in smiles, Bai Ruohong bowed with clasped hands to Song Changsheng. "It is a blessing my sister has earned over a hundred lifetimes to become Dao companions with Chi Huo Elder. On her behalf, I accept this marriage. We need only choose an auspicious day for the two of them to be wed."

"Hahaha, then I must thank Fellow Daoist Bai for helping to bring this about."

Being called "Fellow Daoist" left Bai Ruohong feeling incredibly flattered. He repeatedly said he was unworthy, but he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

Seeing this, the other six Clan Leaders shot him disdainful looks. Inwardly, however, they were all completely baffled. 'Why weren't the women from our clans chosen?'

Of course, Song Changsheng had his reasons for choosing the Bai Clan.

First, although Chi Huo Old Ghost's strength was considerable, he was ultimately an outsider with no clan backing. He was bound to find it difficult to gain a foothold in Yang Province.

Therefore, Song Changsheng needed to find him a major local clan to make up for this deficiency.

The Chu and Shangguan Clans were too powerful; choosing one of them would be like rearing a tiger that might one day turn on him.

The Bai Clan's strength, on the other hand, was in the middle-upper tier among the seven great clans. There was no short-term risk of them becoming the next Lieyang Sect, yet they still possessed a degree of power, making them one of the most suitable choices.

Furthermore, Song Changsheng had been observing Bai Ruohong for some time.

The man had very few principles. He would do anything to climb the ladder.

Standing against the other six great clans would mean nothing to him, provided Song Changsheng offered sufficient benefits.

It was for these reasons that the Bai Clan stood out from the seven great clans and became the "lucky one."

After settling the matter in just a few words, Song Changsheng changed the subject and announced to the seven, "By the way, there is one more thing I must inform you all."

"Since none of you wished to become our clan's representative in Yang Province, after careful consideration, I have chosen Chi Huo to fill that role."

"In the future, should you encounter any difficulties, you may all come to Celestial Yang Peak to speak with Chi Huo Elder. In Yang Province, he has full authority to act on my behalf."

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of Shangguan Yinn and the others changed dramatically. The implications of Song Changsheng's few short sentences were simply staggering.

Bai Ruohong's face, in contrast, lit up with delight.

'I knew our clan wouldn't lose out by forming a marriage alliance with Chi Huo, but I didn't expect a bonus like this so soon.'

'The representative for Yang Province, with full authority to act on Song Changsheng's behalf.'

'Those words were worth their weight in gold.'

"I will be in your care from now on." Chi Huo gave the clan leaders a perfunctory bow, his expression impassive. He then stepped back behind Song Changsheng, exuding an unapproachable aura.

Song Changsheng's brow furrowed slightly. 'This won't do.'

"Chi Huo, come with me. I have a few instructions for you."

Song Changsheng pulled Chi Huo Old Ghost aside and instructed, "As the saying goes, even a mighty dragon can't crush a local snake. Your foundation here in Yang Province is weak, and the clan can only offer so much help. Remember to make more friends and fewer enemies. Only by becoming one of them can you truly establish your footing in Yang Province."

"The Bai Clan is a force you can leverage. You should interact frequently with Bai Ruohong. Also, try to build connections with the Gan, Shen, and Li Clans."

"As for the Chu and Shangguan Clans, don't suppress them too aggressively. Just keep a close watch on them. I will dispatch the Wind Language Hall to assist you."

"This old servant will remember the Young Master's teachings," Chi Huo Old Ghost said, bowing solemnly with clasped hands.

"Oh, and one last thing. It's the most important one."

"Please instruct me, Young Master."

Song Changsheng smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "After you're married, take a few more concubines. The most important thing is to start a family and have many descendants."

For once, Chi Huo Old Ghost's grizzled face flushed slightly red. He could only nod in awkward agreement.

Early the next morning, Song Changsheng led his clansmen back to Ling Province.

Chu Nanfeng and the others saw them off from the foot of Celestial Yang Peak.

After the massive form of the Black Star Ship vanished from sight, Chu Nanfeng looked at the beaming Bai Ruohong and found the man's very presence grating.

He snorted coldly and was about to turn and leave, but Bai Ruohong, pretending not to notice, sidled up to him. "Now that Clan Leader Song has departed and Chi Huo Elder is in charge of matters in Yang Province, it is only proper that we go and pay our respects. Where are you off to, Fellow Daoist Chu?"

"Fellow Daoist Bai, I don't recall you being so eager in the past. If you wish to go curry favor, then by all means, go. I have no time to waste on such things." Chu Nanfeng sneered and turned to leave.

Just then, a quiet voice spoke up from behind him.

"And where might Clan Leader Chu be off to?"

Chu Nanfeng's body went rigid. Turning, he saw Chi Huo Old Ghost standing halfway up the mountain, watching him with a smirk.

"Chi Huo Elder, I am busy with clan affairs. Please excuse me." Chu Nanfeng gave a slight bow with clasped hands, his expression stiff.

"Set your clan's affairs aside for now. We will hold a meeting first to finalize the arrangements for our visit to Ling Province to attend the ceremony."

"Our Clan Leader will be holding his Purple Mansion Grand Ceremony upon his return. Yang Province cannot be absent from such a momentous occasion. We must finalize the plan now to ensure nothing goes wrong," Chi Huo Old Ghost said flatly.

"Yes, yes, of course. Chi Huo Elder is right. This is indeed a major event. My clan's affairs are trivial in comparison, truly trivial, haha."

Chu Nanfeng laughed stiffly and began walking silently up the mountain.

'Wouldn't it have been much simpler to do this from the start?' Bai Ruohong smirked, clasping his hands behind his back and leisurely following him up the mountain.

Shangguan Yinn and the others exchanged glances. Ultimately, none of them dared to challenge the Song Clan's authority, and they began to follow, one after another.

Thus, both Ling and Yang Provinces fell under the control of the Song Clan.

...