Establishing Pillars: 4 Great Families

***Iron Beast Village Hall***

The hall was just a simple asian style building with common looking features. It had two floors. The first floor was used as a lobby for inquiries of the villagers and visitors if there are any. The second floor has the Village meeting room, Chief's office and the Iron Beast Village Treasury which is protected by an array that his father set up long before his death.

Right now, at dawn, All of the villagers are in front of the hall. They are all wary and fidgety except for the few elders that are considered as veterans in this village.

They all wore simple brown robes for commoners. It lacks luster and will blend well with the dry earth.

"Elder Wu Chen, what might be the reason for this morning's gathering?" An old lady that had a confident yet humble voice asked. She was Old Shu, the former merchant.

"I, myself, am not sure. The Chief simply wanted us to gather. Even Guardian Wu Chun is here." Wu Chen said calmly.

"Now that you mention it, he really is."

"Oh."

"He's really here?"

Some murmurings followed suit. It is rare for them to see the strongest villager. He was usually out patrolling the vicinity and gathering information. They have a feeling that this meeting must be very important to get the top dog to attend.

"Speaking of the chief, when will he arrive? Don't tell me he dares to call for us but not meet us?" Old An said with a tone of disdain. After that, the villagers murmured again about the chief that does nothing but stay hidden. They knew about his nonexistent talent and the rumors about his impotence.

"Is the chief really not going to show up?"

"Maybe he will?"

"Somehow, I kinda doubt it."

Wu Chen was about to rebut and scold the villagers for defaming the chief when Wu Chun's voice was heard.

"Calm down Old An. Nephew is approaching as we speak." The quiet Wu Chun suddenly spoke up with a domineering tone that shut up any more murmurings among the small crowd. They did not dare refute Wu Chun's claim.

Everyone thought that Wu Chun must have used his Divine sense, that was why he knew what Zhou Kai's actions were at the moment. Divine sense can be awakened upon stepping into the True Qi realm. Naturally, Wu Chen and Wu Chun are the only ones who have it in the village.

Sure enough, Zhou Kai exited his house that was just beside the hall. He wore a different robe this time. Instead of the usual well kept commoner robes, he chose to wear a Deep blue robe that gave off a metallic luster. It had a simple crest of the Iron Beast village which was a black and blue Feline looking in the North west direction. The robe went well with his short black hair and slightly tanned skin.

The moment he appeared, the crowd went stiff. This robe was the late Chief's, Zhou Bing's robe. All the elders became somewhat emotional while the younger generations were in awe. Those who have had the chance to witness the strength of Zhou Bing would definitely idolize him. Thus, the silence of the crowd was somewhat normal.

At that moment, Zhou Kai appeared to be an unfathomable scholar that would seem to have come from a faraway sect to choose disciples.

Zhou Kai saw the reactions they had and enjoyed it. 'Ha! I look handsome don't I?' he thought with a slight smirk on his face.

Wu Chen was not fooled though. "Kuhum~. Chief. All the villagers are here." Wu Chen broke the crowd's reminiscing with this phrase.

Zhou Kai was slightly disappointed to not garner any more praiseful looks but he decided to let it go.

"Thank you Elder Chen." This is an official meeting with his villagers. He should appear as a professional and not call his uncles in a familiar way willy nilly.

"It's only natural." Wu Chen replied.

Seeing the two of them talk, Wu Chun also joined in. "My Nephew! You Look Good on that! HAHA!"

Wu Chun then disappeared from the spot and appeared next to Zhou Kai. He then patted his nephew's back as an approval but the pat almost sent Kai's heart out from his mouth.

'This human bear beast!' Zhou Kai can't help but curse his uncle inwardly.

"G-Guardian Wu Chun, thank you for gracing us with your presence." Zhou Kai struggled to speak as he wiped some stains of blood from his lips.

"It's only natural."

'They are twins alright.' Was everyone's thought. Due to the interactions, the mood was slightly better and light.

"Alright! Enough of the pleasantries! Conduct yourselves and line up with your families! Family heads at the front!" Zhou Kai suddenly shouted, making everyone but his uncles a little nervous. Kai's voice had this trace of authority behind it.

In a few seconds, everybody except Old Mei and Ning lined up with their family heads in front.

Zhou Kai, Wu Chen and Wu Chun stood in a straight line facing the crowd. Behind the three of them was the hall.

Facing them were the 4 families and 2 rouges.

Everyone was quiet. Even the youngest baby , a 3-year old child was silently observing.

Zhou Kai gazed at them one by one. No one knew what he was thinking but everyone just stood still.

A moment later, Zhou Kai finally did something.

Kai took out the mid-grade crystal from his storage ring and gave it to Wu Chun.

"Hmm?" Wu Chun was slightly taken aback. 'Why not give it to Chen?'

Zhou Kai caught Wu Chun's questioning gaze. "Guardian Wu Chun, I want you to test everyone here for their affinities. Elder Chen will have to take note of everyone's affinity. As for me, I would just watch by the side. I want to observe." Zhou Kai said loudly for others to hear.

Wu Chun was slightly bothered doing such a menial task but he was still willing. This is for his village. He was not an idiot. He knew that he was lacking in brains and he just needed to follow his nephew and his brother's shenanigans.

"Certainly!" Wu Chun and Wu Chen said simultaneously.

"Good! Elder Wu Chen, Take note of every one! Even me."

"Line up! Decide among yourselves who would go first!" The villagers were slightly lost but the family heads had some idea so they cooperated.

This event was not normal. The elders knew that testing for your affinity will require you to pay some money to the village or just get yourself a null crystal and test it yourself. Both are not too hard so, upon stepping into the Mortal realm, one would be able to test for his/her affinity. It's just that, with their talent, they would not bother. In this village, those who have real talent had already left to join sects and academies.

Now that Zhou Kai was willing to test them for free, they would not refuse.

"Old An's family will go first."

Just like that, the testing of all villagers was finished in under 3 hours. The cultivators just infused some of their Qi into the crystal and it showed their affinity. For the non cultivators, Wu Chun helped by using his Qi to let the person's natural Qi be infused into the crystal. All in all, the event went well.

The results were satisfactory as there was no one unlucky enough to be like Zhou Kai before the contract with the Maple stallion. Everyone had a natural affinity.

He saw that Old An and his family had the affinities for either Water or Earth. His three grandsons are all fire attributes though.

Old Shu and her family are all inclined to Water, Wind and Fire. The 3-year old baby has Earth affinity.

The 8 members of the new craftsmen group/family are varied with Fire, Earth and Wind affinities.

Old Huang's and Old Zhong's group all had water and wind affinities while Old Mei had Ice affinity.

Ning was a special case though. She was just a mortal for now but, there was a note that she had potential that is on par with Zhou Kai's siblings. She also has the rare Metal element that his father had. This makes Her the only one in the village with an advanced affinity. Except for Kai and old Mei of course.

"Uncle Chen has the Wind affinity while Uncle Chun has the Earth Affinity."

Right after the testing for affinities, everyone instinctively lined up. They were all well behaved. Once again, Zhou Kai looked at them one by one.

'This old Mei and this little Ning are somewhat mysterious. Now that I think about it, Ning seems to be a beauty?'

Kai saw Ning. She was just about 1.6 meters tall and had white skin and metallic black hair. Her eyes were also black but appeared to be full of life. She stood straight like a warrior. If not for her rugged commoner robes and bare feet, she would appear to be someone well off in life.

'Huh?! This is no time for that!' Kai shook his head to quickly get rid of the thought.

Cultivate cultivate.

"Kuhum~ Now we will go to the main event!" Zhou Kai shouted.

"Hmm?"

"That wasn't the main event?"

"There's more?" Once again, there were murmurings.

Wu Chen and Wu Chen would not allow this though. "Silence!"

Sure enough. Everyone immediately shut their mouths and kept their thoughts to themselves.

'Strength is law.'

"Sigh." Zhou Kai then gazed intently at everyone present and then looked into the sky.

He activated his Chief speech mode. He spread his arms and looked in the villagers eyes as he spoke.

"For 2 years, the village has continuously declined. What was once great and prosperous is now on the brink of collapse. I'll be honest and admit that I was at fault that I, the Chief, let this happen." He paused.

Seeing no one rebut and they are all listening, Kai continued.

"But, That is then and this is now. Look at yourselves then your neighbors. They will be the one to be with you from now on. I implore everyone here to stay in the village and work together not just for survival but for prosperity." Zhou Kai looked left and right then continued again.

"As they say, bundles of twigs are stronger than a lone stick. Let us help each other. Help me return this village to its glory days!"

There was no reply that came. No cheer, no boos. Just an eerie silence of contemplation. 'Is it possible? Has he gone mad? How will we even do that?' Those were their thoughts.

As this was going on, Zhou Kai took out 4 pieces of square cloth about 4cmx4cm. They were cut from different colors of clothing.

"Old Huang and Old Zhong! Step up!" Zhou Kai shouted with authority. This was no act anymore. He was like a real veteran Chief of some well known Village in the inner dukedom.

"Y-Yes!" Old Huang and Old Zhong were also twins with wind affinities. They both stepped up and presented themselves with a 90 degree bow. They did not know why they were bowing but they just felt like it was the right thing to do at that moment.

The Wu brothers were naturally pleased and they smiled. 'Zhou Bing would be proud.'

"As the Chief of the Iron Beast Village, I give you a name and make you 1 of the Pillars of our Village! You and your family will have the family name Ren! Ren which symbolizes the eastern hunt! Will you accept it?!" Zhou Kai looked at the bowing figures. He was sweating internally and had his heart almost pound out of his chest. He wanted to do this since last night but he was not sure if they would accept this.

"T-This…" The twin hunters however had different thoughts. 'How can this be?!' Both of them sweated buckets and felt their knees buckle from some unknown pressure.

It was natural to be flustered in this situation. A commoner is a commoner because they had no right to possess a family name. Now that the chief wanted this, it is more than an honor.

Even the Wu brothers were taken aback by this sudden development.

There were 7 great families in the village in the past but they had all left for safety and resources. Now, Zhou Kai wants to establish 4 new great families.

It was overwhelming but, as heads of their families or groups, accepting this offer brings nothing but benefits. "C-Chief! We accept wholeheartedly!!!" The twin hunters kowtowed to Zhou Kai as they shouted at the top of their lungs.

"Good! Stand tall Ren Huang and Ren Zhong! Lead your family and occupy the eastern cliff! May your hunts be successful!" Zhou Kai declared as he gave them a green piece of cloth that had an outline of a Wind drake.

The twin hunters and the Ren family members finally bawled their tears out in joy. Wailing in happiness was a sight to behold.

The other villagers however did not know what just happened. Perhaps they are not in the situation the Ren Family was in. They only knew that it was good news.

Soon, the four families were given a family name and all of them celebrated.

Old An's family was given the name Nan that meant southern Plain. His family was assigned to the southern plain which was also their original land. Although they only owned a small piece. They were given a blue cloth with a River beetle drawn.

Old Shu was bestowed a name Bei for northern Venture. She was assigned on the northern cliff. She was also given their family crest which was a black cloth with an earth tortoise

The blacksmiths which were led by a widow named Yi were given the name Xifang which stands for west and a white cloth with a fiery wolf drawn.

Afternoon came in a flash and Zhou Kai was about to dismiss everyone and make his uncle sell his wood crystals but something else came up.