Chapter 62: All Actors
Luo Chen never could’ve imagined.
Just as he planned to win over hearts, expecting gratitude to pour in, the first to react was none other than Luo Jiutian.
“Young Master is too generous! To think you’d use your entire fortune to compensate the branches!” Luo Jiutian said, eyes brimming with tears.
He even wiped a tear, acting deeply moved by Luo Chen’s noble gesture.
“Meeting a Young Master like you in this lifetime—how could the Luo Clan not… uh, not thrive!”
Luo Chen: “…”
He was pretty sure he’d said part of his fortune, not all of it, right?
And didn’t this guy just slip up?
Yet the disciples below seemed to ignore the slip entirely, their emotions ignited by the word “compensation.”
“Young Master is so benevolent!”
“Such responsibility—truly rare.”
“Not only does he see the big picture, but he cares for each branch’s feelings. This is the mark of a future Clan Head!”
They went on, showering him with flattery.
Even the bearded elder who’d opposed him nodded, his eyes approving. “The Young Master, so young, yet with such magnanimity—I’m impressed!”
Other elders chimed in, and the family meeting turned into a praise fest.
Only Luo Dingchuan frowned, staring at Luo Jiutian, lost in thought.
Luo Chen sensed things were going as planned, yet not quite, leaving him flustered.
Then came Luo Yuanshan’s voice transmission: “Young Master, the arrow’s nocked—you can’t back out now! Correcting yourself would disappoint everyone.”
Luo Chen nodded, seeing the logic.
His words were out, and everyone looked ready to cry with gratitude. Backtracking now would be slapping his own face.
Fine, he’d make it back next year.
So, he declared loudly, “Since there are no objections, it’s settled.”
The hall erupted in cheers—some just joining the hype, but most genuinely grateful to their Young Master.
Luo Chen raised a hand, silencing the crowd.
The praise gradually died down.
“Next, I’ll address something that concerns us all,” he said slowly.
“As you know, the clan has key assets outside. One, the Black Rock Ridge mine, has long been a major spirit stone source. But recently, its output has noticeably dropped.”
He scanned the crowd. “At first, the Clan Head thought it was mismanagement and sent investigators. But not only the stewards—even early Golden Core experts didn’t return.
So, I plan to send someone to investigate and resolve the issue.”
His words landed, and the disciples avoided his gaze.
Some coughed softly, others admired the scenery, and some played ostrich, dreading eye contact with Luo Chen.
Solving this would be a great merit, but since even Golden Core cultivators didn’t return, who knew what horrors awaited?
The elders exchanged glances, none volunteering.
Suddenly, Luo Chen’s eyes landed on Luo Dingchuan. “Third Elder, your branch has many young talents. How about… you take this on?”
Luo Dingchuan’s heart sank.
Here it comes.
His expression steady, he rose. “Young Master, my branch has been swamped lately. Our disciples are busy elsewhere and can’t spare anyone.”
Luo Chen smiled faintly. “Third Elder, you’re too modest. Your branch is full of talent, especially your son, Luo Yan. His cultivation and courage make him perfect for this critical task.”
Luo Dingchuan frowned. “Young Master, my son hasn’t recovered since the Qingyun Secret Realm. He’s not up to it.”
Luo Chen’s smile was ambiguous. “Third Elder, this is no small matter. Solving it would be a great achievement. Are you sure you want to pass up this chance?”
Luo Dingchuan’s gaze chilled.
As expected, this was about settling scores from the Qingyun Secret Realm.
Trouble.
He glanced at Luo Jiutian, gritting his teeth.
If not for him, his branch wouldn’t be dragged into this.
“Heh.”
Luo Chen noticed his glance, smirking.
This was the effect he wanted.
This overt targeting was both a warning to Luo Dingchuan and a way to make Luo Jiutian enemies.
If Luo Jiutian ignored it, his chances of winning over Luo Dingchuan’s branch would be nil.
But if he spoke up, Luo Chen could smoothly pass this dangerous task to him.
“It can be played like this?”
Luo Changqing was stunned by his son’s maneuver.
A blatant scheme!
His son had gone this far to target Luo Jiutian.
But he seemed to forget—Luo Jiutian wasn’t someone the Luo Clan could afford to provoke now.
Sigh, this son, wasting his talent on infighting.
Just as Luo Changqing considered stopping this farce, Luo Jiutian stood.
“Isn’t the Young Master’s arrangement a bit too overbearing?” he said calmly.
Luo Chen smiled. “Oh? Does Brother Jiutian have a better idea?”
He pivoted sharply. “How about… you take Luo Yan’s place?”
In the crowd, Luo Yan, who’d been playing NPC, paled and blurted, “Brother Jiutian, this is dangerous. I’ll go myself!”
“Luo Yan!”
Fearing escalation, Luo Dingchuan shot him a cold glare to shut up.
But Luo Yan, ignoring the warning, pressed on. “Really, this is my problem. I can’t drag you into it.”
He gave a bitter smile, as if resigned.
“Little Tian…”
Luo Yunlan hurried to his side, her eyes a mix of doubt, worry, and reluctance.
“Don’t be reckless. This is too dangerous—you don’t need to take the risk,” she whispered.
Luo Yuanshan jumped in, shouting, “Luo Jiutian, what’s your deal? Give us a straight answer!”
In this small Luo Clan hall, a cast of actors worthy of outshining movie stars had gathered.
Luo Jiutian ignored them, his gaze firm on Luo Chen. “Young Master, if I go, will you let Luo Yan and his branch off?”
Luo Chen, thinking he’d won, couldn’t hide his grin.
“Of course,” he said without hesitation.
Luo Jiutian nodded. “Good.”
Seeing his reluctant yet obligated expression, Luo Chen felt a rush of satisfaction.
But just as he opened his mouth to say more—
Luo Jiutian bolted out of the hall at top speed, leaving a bewildered crowd and one sentence behind.
“Wait for my good news. Oh, and tell the guy who bought those grapes I’ll settle with him when I’m back.”
Luo Chen: ?