“Ling Shichang looked at Ye Wanwan and asked, ‘Wuyou, where is your brother?’
“Grandpa… my brother, he recently took on a job and hasn’t returned yet,” Ye Wanwan smiled forcibly.
The matter concerning Nie Wuming had not been made public, and the Nie family had sealed the information immediately. Even the Ling family was unaware.
“Alright, when your brother returns, have him come to the Ling family,” Ling Shichang instructed.
“I understand,” Ye Wanwan nodded.
“By the way, what’s the story with that island, and who’s behind it?” Ling Shichang continued to ask.
After some contemplation, Ye Wanwan decided to reveal the whole story to Ling Shichang.
“It’s the Martial Arts Alliance Guild…”
Upon learning the truth, Ling Shichang’s brows furrowed instantly. “Are you saying that the little boy your grandfather rescued back then is now the president of the Martial Arts Alliance Guild?”
“Yes,” Ye Wanwan nodded.
“I’ll investigate this matter thoroughly,” Ling Shichang’s expression turned serious. “In the recent days, Independent State may not continue to be peaceful.”
“Grandpa, what do you mean?” Ye Wanwan asked, puzzled.
“While you were on the island these few days, the main branch has announced that they want to go to war with the collateral branches in Independent State. They are also trying to win over the various major forces in Independent State,” Ling Shichang slowly explained.
The main branch has announced a war with Independent State…
Ye Wanwan was unaware of this development.
“By the way, Grandpa… How do you distinguish between collateral branches and the main branch?” Ye Wanwan asked Ling Shichang.
“The so-called collateral branches and main branches, to put it simply, are the descendants of the early ancestors who originally lived in Independent State, such as the Si Clan, the Jiang Clan, and other major ancient clans, which belong to the collateral branches. The main branch was also an ancient clan in Independent State, but after the collateral and main branches had a big war, the main branch was defeated and driven out of Independent State by the collateral branches,” Ling Shichang explained.
“So, are our four major families part of the main branch or collateral branch?” Ye Wanwan continued to inquire.
Upon hearing this, Ling Shichang smiled slightly. “Wuyou, our four major families don’t belong to either the collateral or main branches. Not only us four major families, but also all the forces in Independent State, apart from the ancient clans, are not part of the collateral or main branches.”
Ye Wanwan: “…”
It was only now that Ye Wanwan had a rough understanding of the concept of collateral and main branches.
In essence, it was a war among those ancient clan members, and it had nothing to do with them.
Since it didn’t concern them, they might as well let them fight; it wouldn’t affect them. At most, the collateral branches would be driven out.
“Grandpa, if it doesn’t concern us, why should we get involved?” Ye Wanwan asked, puzzled.
“It does concern us,” Ling Shichang explained, “The main branch emphasizes dominance, while the collateral branches focus on balance. If Independent State is controlled by the main branch, it won’t be a good thing.”
“I see.”
Upon hearing her grandfather Ling Shichang’s explanation, Ye Wanwan suddenly understood.
Upon careful consideration, the most powerful force in Independent State must belong to those ancient clans.
However, as Ling Shichang had said, the ancient clans emphasized balance, so they never interfered in the affairs between the various major forces, let alone taking sides.
To be precise, the major ancient clans were responsible for the rules and regulations of Independent State, while the Martial Arts Alliance was responsible for enforcing those rules and regulations. As for other forces, they were ranked as A, B, C, and D.
“Grandpa, in your opinion, who has the upper hand in this battle between the main and collateral branches?” Ye Wanwan asked.”