Gu Wanchang shook his head.

"It is not between our Gu Clan and the Yu Clan, but the Fang Clan and the Yu Clan."

Gu Changhuan was surprised. The clans had already arranged a marriage, and the wedding should be approaching. Why were they suddenly at odds?

"Speaking of it, it was just minor friction among the younger generation. It got somewhat out of hand later, but thankfully the ending was fairly satisfactory." Gu Wanchang took a sip of tea and detailed the origin of the incident.

It turned out that Fang Kaitong of the Fang Clan had made inappropriate remarks toward a female cultivator of the Yu Clan at one of the Yu Clan's restaurants in Nine Perches Market. It was not a major issue initially, but her brother happened to be present. Enraged on the spot, he flared up and began fighting Fang Kaitong.

Others from both clans tried to separate the two, but somehow the peacemakers ended up joining the fight. Soon it was out of control.

Rogue cultivators present watched the commotion, while those who wished to stay out of it slipped away. Naturally, a few troublemakers loved the spectacle and called over their companions to watch the excitement.

Fang Kaitong went too far. By the time the enforcement team arrived, the woman's brother had two broken ribs. Everyone else had escaped with scrapes and a little blood.

Both sides were at fault, but it was a Yu clansman who had been badly hurt. That left the Fang Clan with more to answer for.

The enforcement team could only temporarily detain those involved, notify the Foundation Establishment elders stationed by both families in the market, and invite Foundation Establishment members from the Gu and Zhang clans to mediate and bear witness.

Yu Daochang, the Yu Clan's elder stationed at the market, tried to be reasonable. No one had died, he said. Give the youngsters a punishment to remember, then send them home to reflect on their conduct.

The Fang elder lost his temper. "Your people struck first, and you want ours punished? Have you lost your wits? If this is how your Foundation Establishment cultivators behave, no wonder the Yu Clan is going downhill!"

That stirred up a hornet's nest.

The Yu Clan had already made concessions. If the Fang Clan elder possessed even an ounce of sense, he should have used the opening to back down. Even without punishing his own clansman, he could have agreed to settle the matter and let everyone preserve their dignity.

Instead, he had publicly humiliated Yu Daochang and the whole Yu Clan in front of the Gu and Zhang elders.

Yu Daochang had already compromised once. Another retreat would leave his clan with no dignity at all.

The two Foundation Establishment cultivators nearly came to blows.

Though a fight was averted, Elder Yu Daochang's face turned ashen, and he flicked his sleeve and stalked off.

After speaking his piece, the Fang Clan elder also felt a prick of conscience, but apologizing was entirely beyond him. He merely snorted and stormed away as well.

After seeing to his clan members, Yu Daochang returned to Mount Yan and reported the matter to Clan Leader Yu Daoyan.

Upon hearing the news, Yu Daoyan was naturally furious. Yet she was no ordinary woman; she quickly calculated how to handle the situation to secure the greatest benefit for her clan.

The very next day, she personally visited Jade Splendor Mountain, where the Fang Clan resided.

The Fang patriarch already knew what had happened. He was no fool and was considering how to smooth things over when Yu Daoyan arrived.

Expecting her to come seeking retribution, he was taken aback when Yu Daoyan greeted him with congratulations.

The Fang Patriarch stood bewildered. After listening for a moment, he understood her intent: she proposed to deepen their ties by marriage, offering the very same Yu Clan woman who had been harassed to Fang Kaitong.

In doing so, they would defuse the conflict and preserve the honor of both families.

The Fang patriarch agreed at once. The two clans could not afford to fall out. Far better to make peace.

The Fang patriarch accepted her solution and promised that the woman would be well treated, with betrothal gifts to satisfy both her and the Yu Clan.

Following this, the Fang Patriarch transferred the troublesome elder away from Nine Perches Market and ordered Fang Kaitong to reflect behind closed doors for six months as a formal reprimand.

Yu Daoyan likewise spoke with the female cultivator, and after some persuasion, the woman agreed to join the Fang Clan.

Thus, the farce finally came to an end.

Having heard the tale from start to finish, Gu Changhuan could only marvel at the sheer lack of sense and tact displayed by that Fang Clan elder.

He had seen foolish people before, but never one so profoundly dull-witted who had still managed to reach Foundation Establishment.

Even if the Fang Clan had easier access to Foundation Establishment Pills through the Haoran Sect, wasting such a resource on an idiot felt like a travesty.

Seeing Gu Changhuan lost in thought, Gu Wanchang asked, "What are you pondering?"

Gu Changhuan smiled slightly and replied,

"That elder and Fang Kaiji are nothing alike, though they come from the same clan. It takes all sorts, I suppose.

"And Yu Daoyan may be a woman, but she is not to be underestimated. It was clever of her to find this solution. It binds her clan completely to the Fang Clan, but at least keeps them safe and gives their people peace of mind.

"People need that reassurance. A clan cannot have a future without stability."

Besides, the Yu Clan still possessed Yu Ruyi, a youngster with Dual Spirit Roots. Given a century, the Yu Clan might well rise to become a Purple Mansion family.

Gu Wanchang nodded, then asked once more,

"Will you stay a while, or set off again tomorrow? Prices in Heng Prefecture have been rising sharply. Make sure you take everything you need.

"Also, how many Spirit Stones did you spend acquiring the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula and purchasing the herbs? Tell me; the clan should naturally reimburse this expense."

Gu Changhuan pondered briefly. He was well aware of the clan's current financial straits.

"He intended to sell the formula to more than one buyer, so I didn't pay too much. Give me five thousand Spirit Stones, Patriarch, and the rest in Clan Contribution Points."

The concession hurt, but he kept his expression calm as he spoke.

Gu Wanchang let out a long sigh. Though he was no alchemist, he knew the value of a Foundation Establishment Pill; a formula could hardly come cheap.

"I know you're trying to spare the clan, but we have our rules. Ten thousand Spirit Stones, ten thousand Clan Contribution Points, and your choice of three treasures from the treasury."