Chapter 248: Chapter 158: Mole Beast; Preparations for Entering the Ancestral Hall

There weren’t enough brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, but there was no shortage of chairs and stools.

Cheng Zongyang made a mental note of this. He’d go scour the County Town for more in a few days.

Furthermore, they didn’t have to go to school this morning. Instead, they were to observe the clan induction ceremony. They brought their schoolbags only because they still had classes in the afternoon.

After telling his younger brother to drop off the schoolbags at the schoolhouse, Cheng Zongyang headed to the Sect Hall.

As soon as he entered, he saw his father and several other elders discussing something. Outside, a large crowd had gathered.

"Zongyang, not sleeping in?" Zhou Zhenyuan asked with a grin when he saw him.

At his words, the others all glanced over before quickly returning to their conversation.

Cheng Zongyang shook his head slightly. "I’m used to it. What’s going on?"

"We’re discussing the ancestor worship ceremony," Zhou Zhendong said as he and Cheng Zongwen walked over.

For matters like this, when the adults were talking, the younger generation could only watch and learn from the sidelines.

"We’re about to establish the Earth Branch Lineage," Cheng Zongwen said in a low voice. "We’ve basically finalized the discussions over the past two days. We’re just waiting for the right hour and for the sacrificial items to be delivered to the ancestral hall."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. ’I didn’t expect it to be so soon. Wasn’t this just brought up yesterday?’

Zhou Zhenyuan asked, a bit confused:

"This looks like it’s going to be a big affair. This ancestor worship ceremony won’t be as simple as the ones we do during the holidays, will it?"

Cheng Zongwen nodded. "That’s right. It’ll follow the rite of the ’Grand Three Sacrifices.’ There will be more offerings, like wine, fruit, pastries, and so on—not the simple ’Lesser Three Sacrifices.’ We’ve never added a new lineage before, so we’re treating it like a major ancestor worship ceremony. It’s to formally announce it to our ancestors."

Cheng Zongyang smiled slightly as he looked at his younger cousin.

Cheng Zongwen was often in contact with Zhou Hansong and the old master regarding these types of affairs, so he knew a bit more. His explanation came quite naturally.

Zhou Zhenyuan and Zhou Zhendong were also familiar with the "Grand Three Sacrifices" and "Lesser Three Sacrifices."

Once the adults finished their discussion, Zhou Hansong summoned the eldest sons of the four families and began to give orders:

"Zongwen, go outside and tell those people to get ready. Inform them of the rules and etiquette."

"Right!" Cheng Zongwen nodded and left immediately.

Next, the brothers Zhou Zhenyuan and Zhou Zhendong were tasked with carrying the offerings to the Cheng Family Ancestral Hall.

Finally, it was Cheng Zongyang’s turn.

"The Clan Tree is in the ancestral hall. You’ve said before that there’s something special about it, so you will be the one to handle recording the names for the Earth Branch Lineage this time. Any problem with that?" Cheng Guanghai asked, his gaze fixed intently on his son.

Ever since he’d heard the Clan Tree was unusual, Cheng Guanghai hadn’t let anyone touch it.

It wasn’t just the Clan Tree; he had also moved the beast hide inscribed with the Immortal Ancestor’s Oath from the Sect Hall to the Cheng Family Ancestral Hall for safekeeping.

This was to prevent any secrets from being discovered by a Foreign Race.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zongyang did not refuse and nodded in agreement.

He was using the Flower Roster as the Clan Tree precisely because of its special function. Though it was currently incomplete, he would begin working on restoring it later.

Cheng Zongliang returned, bringing the younger brothers and sisters of the various families into the Sect Hall. They stood quietly and obediently behind their older brothers, listening.

In Cheng Family Village, there was no rule forbidding women from participating in the clan induction ceremony, nor was there one barring them from entering the ancestral hall.

The elders had proposed such a rule before, but he had vetoed it.

’This is just about participating in a clan ceremony, not making decisions on clan plans or being exposed to the family’s core secrets. There’s nothing that needs to be kept confidential.’

’That kind of policy would only make the women of the village and the clan feel excluded, as if they would always be outsiders. They wouldn’t develop a strong sense of belonging to the family.’

’Therefore, by vetoing that rule and giving them a sense of participation, it would strengthen the cohesion of the entire clan and village. Only then could Cheng Family Village and the Cheng and Zhou Families truly prosper!’

Otherwise, his second aunt would never have become the head of the Storehouse and the Household Affairs Hall.

Once the discussion was over, they waited for Zhou Zhendong to report that all preparations were complete. Then, they all started heading toward the Cheng Family Ancestral Hall.

All three hundred-plus people of the entire village made their way toward the Henei Region.