Inside the Ancestral Hall, the Left Tu and the Main Family were arrayed on two sides. Zhao Chun and Tu Cenzhen were the last to arrive.
“For a Clan's Important Affair, the Clan Head should dismiss outsiders.”
Tu Cunzhi was already seated. Though his voice carried a hint of weakness, his pair of gong-like big eyes were wide and round as he glared.
“Daoist Friend Zhao is a Main Sect Disciple, so she cannot be considered an outsider. Moreover, I already informed the Main Family yesterday that I have invited her to be a Guest Elder to discuss Family Head Matters together. The Left Tu is just a Side Branch Sect, so it's quite normal for you to not know.”
These words made Tu Cunzhi frown, and he said in a sarcastic tone, “I wonder when the Patriarch became so arbitrary. To think no one in the Main Family advised against it, allowing such an absurd thing to happen.”
“Absurd or not, it has been decided and cannot be changed.”
Tu Cenzhen's voice was resolute. He swept a cold gaze over the Left Tu clan members and walked towards the great seat in the center. He naturally sat in the Main Seat, and Zhao Chun was also invited to sit at the Right-hand Seat, just below him.
With everyone present, Tu Cenzhen did not wish to beat around the bush and got straight to the point, “The purpose of holding this Clan Assembly today has already been conveyed in advance. Congwen was raised by my side since childhood. In terms of talent, temperament, and ability, it is difficult to find his equal within the Main Family.
Now that I no longer have the strength to manage the clan's affairs, I intend to abdicate the position of Patriarch to him…”
“Patriarch, that is incorrect!”
Tu Cunzhi had already raised his eyebrows upon hearing the words ‘difficult to find his equal’. Before Tu Cenzhen could finish, he hastily interrupted, “The Main Family may not have one, but that doesn't mean my Left Tu doesn't!”
“In terms of closeness, Tu Mian is only a grandnephew, not as close as the direct great-grandson Tu Congwen. But in terms of ability, as for who is stronger between Tu Mian and Tu Congwen, everyone present has eyes to see…”
Before the Clan Assembly, Tu Cenzhen knew he would make an issue of this matter, but when the words were actually spoken, he was still so angered that he was at a loss for words. After calming down a little, he said angrily, “So you do know there's a difference in closeness!
Back when the Left Tu split from the family, your branch was removed from the clan. It was only in recent years, under the pretext of erecting a stele for your father, that your direct line was reluctantly re-entered into the genealogy register.”
“Having committed the crime of splitting the clan, you dare to vainly covet the position of Patriarch!”
“Patriarch! Please hear Tu Mian out!”
A youth with smiling eyes and brows stepped out from the Left Tu ranks. He was the other person at the center of the storm, the Young Master of the Left Tu, Tu Mian.
He first gave a long, formal bow, performing the proper etiquette, before saying in a resonant and forceful voice, “The matter of the Left Tu's migration back then was indeed a loss to the Tu Family.
It is precisely for this reason that my Left Tu has now erected a Clan Stele and added to the Clan Property, using these humble actions to atone for our past great mistake.”
“Today, the Tu Family faces external enemies and internal instability. We are in dire need of a Patriarch who can repel our foes and pacify our home, only then can we restore the prestige of the Tu Clan. I, Mian, am untalented and dare not guarantee that I can eliminate all external enemies.
But as for internal matters, I can promise that if I inherit the Patriarch's seat, the Left Tu will merge into the Main Family on this very day. All that was taken in the past, along with the profits of the last hundred years, will be handed over to the clan.
From then on, there will be no more Left Tu! Only the Main Family of the Tu Clan will remain!”
The atmosphere in the Ancestral Hall changed instantly. Even within the Main Family, many people were stirred and eager. Tu Mian did not stop there, continuing, “I and my paternal cousin's son, Congwen, are the same age.
Yesterday, I broke through to the Third Level of Qi Refinement! May I ask the Patriarch, is this position of the next Patriarch to be decided by your personal affections, or by the ability of the younger generation!” Every word truly struck at the heart, forcing Tu Cenzhen's face to flush red.
Zhao Chun really had to see Tu Mian in a new light. With such a figure in the Left Tu, their future resurgence would not be difficult. It was just a pity that they happened to be involved with the Yang Water Sect…
The contest for the Patriarch's seat today was originally meant to have Tu Congwen and Tu Mian fight a match to decide the winner. Having just learned that Tu Mian had advanced to the Third Level of Qi Refinement, Tu Cenzhen had no intention of letting this matter proceed.
Although the difference in strength at the Early Stage was limited, Tu Congwen's chances of winning were already slim. Forcing him to fight rashly would likely lead to his humiliation on the spot, completely destroying any possibility of him inheriting the Patriarch's position. A thousand thoughts swirled in Tu Cenzhen's mind as he pondered how to turn the situation around.
But unexpectedly, Tu Congwen stood up and said in a stern voice, “Patriarch, Congwen is willing to engage in martial combat with Tu Mian. The winner will be the successor, without a second word!” Before Tu Cenzhen could refuse, Tu Mian spoke out, “I am willing to fight!”
The Third Level of Qi Refinement against the Second Level of Qi Refinement—it was a martial combat where the outcome was almost certain. It made Tu Cenzhen collapse into the great chair, having completely lost his composure. Outside the Ancestral Hall was a Martial Combat Platform made of bluestone.
From this, one could see a glimpse of the Drifting Clouds World's reverence for strength. Tu Cenzhen was helped out by someone, his face pale, filled with both grief and anger. Zhao Chun followed by his side, yet she was extremely calm, which made him suspicious.
“Fellow Daoist, you are so calm and composed. Do you have some kind of plan?”
“It's not a great plan, I only have about fifty percent confidence.”
Tu Cenzhen grew even more suspicious, “This…” Zhao Chun brushed aside the stray hair on her forehead and looked at him steadily.
“Patriarch Tu, whatever hidden moves you have, you should bring them all out. If my guess is correct, that younger brother of yours is far more audacious than you think…”
(End of this chapter)