Chapter 1088: Chapter 1088
Shen Da's words naturally garnered the support of all members of the Shen Family. They also felt that this matter should be decided by Shen Tianjun personally. Moreover, their lives were saved by Ye Qing, and they were actually very grateful to Ye Qing in their hearts. Now that Ye Qing was in danger, they certainly wouldn't just stand by and do nothing.
After Shen Da finished speaking, he was just about to get up to find Shen Tianjun. At this moment, a person suddenly walked in at the entrance of the hall, and it was none other than Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun.
Seeing Shen Tianjun, everyone in the room was taken aback. Shen Er's expression changed, and he softly said, "Father!"
Just now, Shen Er was adamant about not telling Shen Tianjun about this matter, also for the sake of the family. However, he himself knew that doing so was against his conscience. Therefore, seeing Shen Tianjun enter, he was indeed a bit startled.
Shen Tianjun didn't speak, and walked straight to the main seat in the hall to sit down. Shen Da hurriedly stood by his side, not knowing when Shen Tianjun had arrived. But judging by Shen Tianjun's expression, he should have heard everything that happened earlier, clear as a bell.
"Father..." Looking at Shen Tianjun, Shen Da felt a bit anxious in his heart, and softly said, "I was just about to report to you, over on Ye Qing's side..."
"No need to say anything, I already know!" Shen Tianjun waved his hand and said, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Fourth Brother, you three stay, the others can leave first."
Shen Da, Shen Er, and Shen Si are the core figures of the current generation of the Shen Family, and Shen Tianjun usually consulted them for any matters. Upon hearing this, the others didn't linger, stood up, saluted Shen Tianjun, and left the hall one after another.
Shen Qianyue was also among the crowd; he actually didn't want to leave, wanting to hear what exactly Shen Tianjun had to say. However, he knew that he couldn't play any tricks in front of Shen Tianjun. Otherwise, he would definitely be singled out. So, with great reluctance, he withdrew.
As he watched everyone leave, Shen Da immediately turned to Shen Tianjun and said, "Father, with Zi Yu in danger, what do you think we should do?"
Shen Er felt a bit awkward but still softly said, "Father, the one who ambushed Zi Yu is surely the strongest among the younger generation of the Twelve Green Halls. This person is definitely someone that the Twelve Green Halls has fully nurtured. Since he has come, I suspect the Twelve Green Halls must have sent experts to shadow him secretly. Otherwise, if he encounters a true master, wouldn't he be doomed? Surely there are experts protecting his safety in secret. If we intervene to help now, we might end up making enemies with the Twelve Green Halls!"
Shen Er knew very well that what he said was improper. However, he still had to say it in front of Shen Tianjun, as it concerned the life and death of the entire Shen Family.
Shen Tianjun didn't speak directly. He was silent for quite a while and suddenly said, "Do you know that a homicidal maniac appeared in Tianhui City recently?"
"I've heard about it." Shen Da paused and said, "Also, I've heard this matter seems to be related to the Bloody Monk. It is being said outside that the Bloody Monk has appeared again. This homicidal demon has hidden for over a decade and suddenly emerged this time; it certainly isn't a good thing. I estimate with nine chances out of ten, he's also targeting the Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Gates!"
"The Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Gates have been circulating in Huaxia for thousands of years. Each time they appear, a supreme figure is born. How many people in the world would not desire to enter the Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Gates?" Shen Tianjun sighed and said, "Unfortunately, each time the Three Gates open, it's a time of great calamity. At this time, someone with Zi Yu's skills, or even with the power of the Five Uniques, would find it hard to ensure their own safety. The world is in chaos, heroes are divided, and absolute power is the only way to ensure absolute survival. As it stands, our Shen Family does not yet have the strength to survive in this great upheaval!"
Shen Da, Shen Er, and Shen Si looked at each other in astonishment. These words coming from Shen Tianjun surprised them greatly. It should be known that Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun had always been confident, facing any situation with composure. However, this time, he was uncharacteristically a bit downcast. It seems that even Shen Tianjun himself is uncertain about the coming chaos.
"Father, our Shen Family Manor is already closed off, with no interaction with the outside. Even if the world is in chaos, it has nothing to do with us!" Shen Er said.
"Second Brother, you are too naive!" Shen Tianjun shook his head and said, "Under the fallen nest, how can there be unbroken eggs? Whether it be the Seven Steering Committees of the Hong Alliance or the Twelve Green Halls, they are all ambitious organizations. No matter which side gains the ultimate victory, they will eliminate any potential threats. Shen Family Manor has been too famous in the Southern Six Provinces for these twenty years, and it will become a target for some people!"
Shen Si clenched his fist and said, "Hmph, even if the Seven Steering Committees of the Hong Alliance and the Twelve Green Halls are strong, our Shen Family Manor is not to be trifled with. If they truly dare to challenge our Shen Family Manor, even if the entire Shen Family falls in battle, we will ensure they pay a heavy price!"
Shen Si is somewhat impulsive, and his words reflect this.
Shen Tianjun glanced at him and softly said, "Fourth Brother, you are too impulsive in your actions, and this will eventually cost you dearly. You must understand that a great battle will be a matter of life and death for hundreds of people in Shen Family Manor. Don't forget, there are many young children still in need of care in Shen Family Manor. Can you bear to see them perish in chaos?"
Shen Si was momentarily speechless, helplessly looking at Shen Tianjun, and said, "Father, they are already pushing us to the doorstep, are we not to retaliate?"
"They are pushing us to the doorstep because our strength is not enough!" Shen Tianjun said sternly, "As long as we possess sufficient strength, who would dare to bully us?"
"But isn't it a bit too late to try and increase our strength at this point?" Shen Si said anxiously.
Shen Tianjun did not speak, only sighed lightly and looked up, "Qingyi is not young anymore. Isn't it time to find her someone to rely on?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Da and Shen Er's expressions changed simultaneously; both understood the implied meaning of Shen Tianjun's words. It seemed Shen Tianjun intended to use marriage to find a good ally for the Shen Family, to ensure the family's survival during these chaotic times!
Shen Si, not as astute as Shen Da and Shen Er, couldn't grasp the underlying message. Hearing this, he immediately said, "Father, I think Qingyi and that Ye Qing have a good relationship. Moreover, Qingyi seems to care a lot about him. Ye Qing is a great person, loyal and righteous, full of heroic spirit, clear on matters of right and wrong, acts decisively. What do you think..."
Before Shen Si could finish, Shen Tianjun waved his hand and said, "Shen Da, send out invitations, stating that our Shen Family is seeking a suitable husband for Qingyi. Anyone who meets the conditions can come to the Shen Family Manor for a try. The final candidate will be the son-in-law of our Shen Family!"
"Ah?" Shen Si was taken aback, hurriedly saying, "Father, doing this... Qingyi definitely won't be happy, you..."
Shen Tianjun directly said, "With chaos impending, can personal feelings compare to the survival of the family?"
Shen Si's subsequent words were suddenly suppressed, and he opened his mouth but dared not say anything more. In fact, he was very surprised, knowing that Shen Tianjun would have never done such a thing in the past. Could it be that the impending invasion of the Twelve Green Halls was putting so much pressure on him?
Shen Da said in a low voice, "Father, what about the matter with Zi Yu?"
Shen Tianjun remained silent for a while and softly said, "Zi Yu will be fine. Right now, the most crucial thing is Ye Qing. Ye Qing has disrupted so many of Wang Tian'an's plans; the people of the Twelve Green Halls will not let him go."
"Should we send someone to help him?" Shen Da asked anxiously.
"Alas!" Shen Tianjun sighed helplessly, "That young man's strength is too great. You can't help Ye Qing much on your own."
The three of them felt a bit embarrassed at once. The Shen Family, in this generation, simply didn't have anyone particularly strong. Shen Da's strength was only comparable to those like the Right Protector of Wang Tian'an, far inferior to that young man from the Twelve Green Halls. This was the Shen Family's biggest weakness. Even if they wanted to help Ye Qing, they had no one capable to send to his aid. Of course, it was impossible for Shen Tianjun to step in personally.
However, Shen Tianjun then took out a string of Buddha beads from his person and handed it to Shen Si, "Fourth Brother, go to Da Bei Temple to find a monk named Wuhua. Give him this string of Buddha beads, and he will know what it means!"
"Wuhua?" Shen Si was puzzled for a moment and asked, "Father, is he the handsome monk who came when Sha Men invaded the Shen Family Manor last time?"
"That's right, it's him!" Shen Tianjun nodded.
"Oh, I understand now." Shen Si scratched his head and asked, "Who exactly is this monk?"
"Heh heh..." Shen Tianjun smiled faintly but said nothing, only waved his hand, "Get these things done quickly!"
"Yes!" Shen Da responded and left the hall with Shen Er and Shen Si. In the end, Shen Si still did not get the answer he wanted. However, Shen Tianjun's act of instructing Shen Si to go to Da Bei Temple to find someone already indicated that he still intended to help Huangfu Ziyu and Ye Qing!
As the three left, an indescribable sense of loneliness crept onto Shen Tianjun's face. He sighed lightly, as if suddenly much more weary.
"Regretting it?" A voice came from behind. Old Madam Shen appeared, leaning on her staff, walked slowly and said, "Can't bear to marry off Qingyi?"
"A grown daughter cannot be kept; we can't keep her at the Shen Family Manor forever!" Shen Tianjun said, "I only hope to find her the most suitable and ideal husband, someone she can entrust with her life!"
"Prince Nalan's grandson, Helian Tiehua's son, the successor of Northern Martial Zen, the young leader of the Northern Desert Iron Cavalry!" Old Madam Shen sighed and said, "Any of them would be the most outstanding choice among the younger generation. It's just a pity Qingyi has someone in her heart, and doing this, she will not be happy!"