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By residing with the Wang Family, Lu Shuyun instantly elevated their status to a new height; their standing in the South was already high, and now with Lu Shuyun staying there every day, the Wang Family’s status went even further up.

After Lu Shuyun raised troops in the South, many of the generals leading these forces were also from the Wang Family.

Where there were people, there was the martial world. Even if the Aristocratic Families of the South openly supported Lu Shuyun, they felt discontent with Lu Shuyun’s actions in their hearts. They merely didn’t speak out about it at this critical time for confronting the Imperial Court.

In the middle of the great hall, Lu Shuyun sat facing the entrance. He swept his gaze over the Family Heads of the various major families seated on both sides before he spoke, “Family Heads, I am delighted that you all stand with me at this critical moment.”

“Today, I have called you here primarily because I have received intelligence that the Grandmaster of the royal family has ended his seclusion, information delivered by none other than Prime Minister Zhao.”

Upon hearing this, the hall erupted with discussion.

“A Grandmaster? This complicates things.”

“I don’t think any of our Aristocratic Families in the South boasts a Grandmaster, do they?”

“Not necessarily, the Wang Family puts such emphasis on Martial Arts; it’s possible they have a Grandmaster within their ranks.”

“Gentlemen, no need to worry. Our Qin Family has a Grandmaster. Even if the royal family’s Grandmaster really shows up on the battlefield, there is no cause for fear.”

“Have you forgotten the incident a few decades ago when a certain powerhouse of the Heavenly Human Realm slaughtered the royal family’s Grandmaster? The Grandmaster of the royal family has been quiet all these years because they fear the reappearance of that Celestial powerhouse. Even if the royal family sends out the Grandmaster, he won’t dare to act rashly, for who knows if that Celestial power will strike again?”

“Master Zhao is right, a Celestial, given his lifespan of several hundred years, wouldn’t die so soon. If he hears of the royal Grandmaster acting, he may very well make an appearance again.”

…

Over the years, one major reason why the great Aristocratic Families have become increasingly unrestrained is that they know the royal Grandmaster generally does not act wantonly, or more correctly, dares not to act lightly. They even suspect the royal Grandmaster might have been annihilated by that Celestial powerhouse decades ago.

Although they do not know why the Celestial strongman from decades ago wanted to kill the royal Grandmaster, they can infer that the Celestial did not wish for the Great Sum’s royal family to grow any stronger.

As for Situ Ce, the State Preceptor, the Aristocratic Families feared him even less.

Situ Ce was not a royal kin; at best, he was loyal to the Great Sum royal family, but not to any one Emperor.

As far as Situ Ce was concerned, as long as it was someone of the Lu lineage and the Great Sum was not overthrown, it made no difference to him which member of the Lu family sat on the throne. This could be seen from his non-involvement in the previous generation Prince’s struggle for succession.

Back when Lu Xingqiu vied for the throne, he secretly disposed of many of his brothers. Situ Ce, already the State Preceptor during the prior Sum Emperor’s reign, could have interfered if he chose to, and Lu Xingqiu might not have become Emperor.

Listening to the discussion of the Family Heads in the hall, Lu Shuyun then continued, “Everyone, this is a critical time for the lives and survival of the Aristocratic Families of the South. If any of your families have a Grandmaster, now is not the time to remain hidden.”

“My father the Emperor has already sent a Grandmaster southward. If we do not have a Grandmaster to hold them in check, our mere few hundred thousand soldiers might not even reach the Capital city, let alone ‘rid the emperor of “evil” ministers.\'”

“Initially, I came south for your sakes. If anyone still harbors other intentions or is not fully committed, you should not blame me for turning my face and becoming unrecognizable once I find out.”

Hearing this, Dongfang Yi sat unmoved in the hall.

The Dongfang Family had a Grandmaster, but the Dongfang Family’s Grandmaster would absolutely not come forward.

Whether standing with the Sum Emperor or with the North Prince, there was no need to bring out their Family’s Grandmaster in this war.

It was then that Lu Shuyun directly asked, “Master Chu, your family has always been the most powerful among the South’s Aristocratic Families. I have heard that your family has even had conflicts with the Mysterious Moon Palace and dared to confront them. Surely, your family must have a Grandmaster, right?”

Smiling at the question posed by Lu Shuyun, Chu Liang replied, “Of course. Please be reassured, Crown Prince. Our Chu Family stood with you from the beginning; we will not engage in any scheming behind your back. Should the Crown Prince need the help of a Grandmaster, our Chu Family will surely send one to protect you.”

Lu Shuyun was very pleased with Chu Liang’s response.

When he convened these Family Heads, he had already had people secretly inquire if any of the South’s Aristocratic Families might have a Grandmaster. The Wang Family certainly had one, as did the Qin Family; now with the Chu Family also saying they would send a Grandmaster to assist, they would have three Grandmasters on their side.

If the royal family’s Grandmaster truly appeared on the battlefield, with these three Grandmasters, the Imperial Army might not fare well at all.