Xiang Xingyu was the first to step forward and speak, expressing support for Yang Chen.

Under normal circumstances, Xiang Xingyu's words would certainly be met with severe criticism.

But now, everyone was silent for a moment.

Because Xiang Xingyu's words hit them where it hurt.

If the Heart Protection Armor is taken by Yang Chen, they would have to continue enduring the pain of losing their children, and the sorrow of losing parents in middle age.

This was something they were unwilling to endure.

After a long time, someone shouted, "But, we are surnamed Xiang! We are descendants of King Xiang!"

Everyone's hearts were gripped tightly as if seized by someone.

Indeed!

They bear the surname Xiang; they are descendants of King Xiang.

Back then, King Xiang lived as a king, and even in death, he was a heroic ghost.

Their ancestors possessed such heroism!

They would rather die unyielding, opting to end their own life by the Wujiang River rather than become souls beneath the enemy's blade.

Now, they are to submit to the enemy, even fall under the enemy's control.

If they agree, wouldn't this disgrace their ancestors' fame?

"Yes! Our ancestors were King Xiang!"

"Back then, what a hero King Xiang was; how can we…"

"We cannot sully our ancestors' reputation!"

"Right! Even if we die, it must be with dignity!"

...

Everyone's thoughts shifted again.

Someone began to shout, preparing to resist.

At this moment, a commanding voice slowly resonated.

"All of you, shut up first!"

Upon hearing this voice, the crowd couldn't help but turn back to look.

They spontaneously made way to look at the speaker.

The speaker was the long-haired elder leaning against the wall, the head elder of their clan, most authoritative and influential.

This long-haired elder was so severely beaten by Yang Chen, he could hardly stand, his face pale as gold paper, his breath faint, suffering serious internal injuries.

But the long-haired elder still held on, gazing at Yang Chen, sternly asking, "I ask you, if you control the Xiang family, what will you do to our Xiang family members?"

Yang Chen looked at the long-haired elder, slightly frowning.

The long-haired elder now resembled a father entrusting a child to a teacher or someone else, repeatedly enquiring.

After a moment's thought, Yang Chen spoke lightly, "Whatever needs to be done will be done; I will have them do whatever I instruct!"

Xiang family members' faces were filled with anger.

Yet the long-haired elder seemed a little relieved, asking again, "Will you treat the Xiang family kindly?"

Yang Chen looked at the long-haired elder and said, "As long as they obey my orders!"

The long-haired elder nodded slightly, looked at Xiang Xingyu, "Take them away; from now on, the Xiang family will follow his orders!"

Xiang Xingyu clenched his fist and nodded seriously to the long-haired elder.

The others, however, were in an uproar.

"Elder, why are you doing this!"

"Elder, there's no need to compromise! We are willing to live and die with the Xiang family!"

"We're not afraid of him!"

"Elder!"

...

Looking at these people, the long-haired elder's expression darkened; redness rose in his cheeks, he shouted angrily, "Shut up! Do as I say!"

Seeing the long-haired elder angry, the crowd dared not say anything more.

After all, they have always obeyed the long-haired elder's arrangements, his authority built high, so they dare not resist.

Xiang Xingyu led Meng Po to take over the Xiang family's assets.

Yang Chen also dispatched someone to summon Zhang Shaoting and Zhang Qicheng.

The rest of the Xiang family continued their ritual ceremony.

As for the content and significance of the ceremony, Yang Chen couldn't quite understand, only feeling that they were performing extremely complicated tasks.

Yang Chen did not interfere with them at all, merely watched them, preventing any tricks.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Zhang Shaoting and Zhang Qicheng finally arrived.

Ancheng is only two-hour journey from Xuan Mountain, yet it took them a full five hours!

Even so, Zhang Shaoting and Zhang Qicheng were covered in scars.

It's evident how they've come this far along the way.

"Brother Chen!"

"Young Master Yang!"

The two, upon seeing Yang Chen, felt like seeing a savior.

Their journey was perilous, nearly costing their lives, but finally, they arrived here.

Yang Chen looked at the two and acknowledged it was indeed no small feat for them to come this far, saying, "As long as you're safe!"

Zhang Shaoting couldn't help but ask, "Brother Chen, how is the situation now?"

Yang Chen briefly told them about the situation, asking them to wait a while longer.

The Xiang family's ritual was about to end.

Though Zhang Shaoting had little trust in the Xiang family, since Yang Chen said so, he only waited.

At five o'clock in the afternoon, the Xiang family's ritual finally concluded. The entire clan was jubilant, excited, cheered, and danced, embracing one another.

For the Xiang family, today was an extremely good day.

Yang Chen understood that it seemed that over the years, this curse truly troubled them immensely.

Meng Po approached Yang Chen and said, "I have investigated; the curse seems real. I also checked their birth and death records; it is indeed bizarre."

Yang Chen nodded slightly.

At this moment, Xiang Xingyu also rushed over excitedly.

Because at noon, all the Xiang family's assets had already been handed over, Xiang Xingyu also came to the ritual site.

"Young Master Yang!" Xiang Xingyu excitedly said to Yang Chen, "Our Xiang family… is finally saved! Thank you!"

Yang Chen nodded slightly, not saying much.

Once the elders came down, Yang Chen signaled Zhang Shaoting and Zhang Qicheng to follow Xiang Xingyu.

With Xiang Xingyu leading, Zhang Shaoting and Zhang Qicheng went up to the altar, accompanied by two more Xiang family clan elders.

Then, they began another ceremony.

Only this ceremony was much simpler than theirs.

After more than an hour, Zhang Shaoting and Zhang Qicheng seemed exhausted, collapsed on the altar, and were carried down.

When Yang Chen saw the two, he found both of them with tears streaming down their faces.

"Xiaobao… our Zhang family has finally returned to normal!" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Grandfather! Did you see? I finally fulfilled your last wish!"

When they saw Yang Chen, they were even more ecstatic.

Zhang Shaoting and Zhang Qicheng directly knelt on the ground, intending to kowtow to Yang Chen.

Yang Chen quickly stopped the two, frowning and said sternly, "What are you doing, get up!"

Zhang Shaoting looked gratefully at Yang Chen and said, "Brother Chen, if it hadn't been for you, we would never have lifted this curse; you saved me, saved our Zhang family!"

"Yes! You saved not only us but also our Zhang family and the child of mine yet to touch this world; please accept our gratitude!" Zhang Qicheng said with a trembling voice.

Yang Chen, one in each hand, forcibly lifted the two up, sternly saying, "The reason I help you is because Elder Zhang was kind to me, and secondly because I have a bond with your Zhang family! I help you; you don't need to express anything. If outsiders do anything similar, I wouldn't respond at all, understand?"

Zhang Shaoting moved, beating his chest, gratefully said, "I'll remember it in my heart!"

Zhang Qicheng also said solemnly, "I will remember it in my heart; in the future, wherever I am needed, I will go through fire and water, without hesitation!"