After a huge debate for a few hours we the translators and the editors have finally came to a conclusion on what this chapter was referring to. It was about 5 (something) (五族), so it could literally mean 5 republics, races, tribes, family, clans, etc. We came to a agreement that we are using the 5 affinity as it suits this novel's theme.
Thanks for reading my rant and here is the chapter.