Elders' Court, Deliberation Hall.
BANG!
The Great Elder, dressed in a white robe, slamd his hand down on the office desk before him. "As Elder Wu Xing of the prestigious Elders' Court, for him to personally step in... what sort of precedent does this set!" he said coldly.
"Elder Wu Xing's temperant has always been a bit too impulsive." Jin Zheng, shedding his usual dour deanor, held a teacup in one hand and tossed a pile of docunts before the Great Elder with the other. "But the Liu Family is hardly clean. Their cris are truly monstrous. Any one of the charges, singled out, would be an unforgivable capital offense."
"For Wu Xing to enter the fray today could be considered delivering heavenly justice." Jin Zheng sipped his tea contentedly, looking at the Great Elder with a half-smile.
"Hmph!" The Great Elder sneered. "Do any of you still have any respect for as the Great Elder?"
First, Jin Zheng had mobilized the Forbidden Guards of the Elders' Court, and now Wu Xing had personally taken action and was on his way to the Liu Family. After all, they were powerful figures who wielded imnse authority. Have they all beco so careless with their positions?
"By the way, the results of the public poll for the War God title are in." Jin Zheng changed the subject, chuckling. "Fifty-five percent support 'War God of the State,' while forty-five percent support 'Carefree.' Since the two are so close, the Bureau of Secrets is suggesting we confer both."
"We would establish the position of War God of the State, ranking above the Nine Gates Admiral, and then also grant the title of 'Carefree'."
The Great Elder turned to stare out the window, remaining silent.
"Also, the design for the War God of the State's battle robe has been proposed—Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon." Jin Zheng pushed a design draft forward. As he stood to leave, he added nonchalantly, "Wu Xing and I are quite satisfied with it. You should take a look."
These two old foxes, one better at playing the good guy than the other... where does that leave ?
A mont later, the Great Elder shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips.
* * *
A heavy rain poured down, cloaking the night in desolation.
In the northern part of Cangyun City, near the suburbs, stood a European-style estate covering thousands of square ters. It was complete with a garden, a swimming pool, and an artificial mountain—every anity one could imagine.
Those in the know recognized it as the residence of the Liu Family, a local noble powerhouse in Cangyun City.
At this mont, under a massive rain shelter erected in the garden before the main hall, a luxurious and extravagant clan banquet was raging with feverish energy. Clan mbers from all across the empire had been summoned, and nearly everyone who could make the journey had arrived.
More than a dozen large round tables were arranged in two rows, where over a hundred people laughed and chattered, their cups clinking in toasts. The atmosphere was incredibly lively.
While Liu Bingtian, the Family Head of the Liu Family seated at the main table, was the center of attention, several young n in their pri nearby were also the subject of spirited discussion. In a grand and influential family with hundreds, even thousands, of mbers, there were bound to be frivolous scions who wasted their days, but there was no shortage of brilliant young talents either.
A pri example was Liu Chuang, who was currently the focus of countless conversations.
At thirty-two years old, he had not only reached the peak of the twelfth rank in strength but also dominated in the business world. The luxury brand he created had, in just three years, surpassed a billion in annual sales and achieved a market value of over five billion.
He didn't just overshadow the younger third generation; even among the middle-aged mbers of the family, he was an outstanding figure.
Seated at the head table, Liu Bingtian held his wine cup in one hand, beaming with pride and satisfaction as he watched Liu Chuang surrounded by admirers.
Although soone else was pulling the strings behind the plan to assassinate *that person*, the move to publicly announce it—thrusting the Liu Family into the spotlight and making them famous overnight—had been Liu Chuang's idea.
In Liu Chuang's own words, since it was already certain that person was dood to die, why not seize the opportunity to make the Liu Family's na resound throughout Cangyun City? After this, perhaps even the eight powerful noble families, or even the four royal families, wouldn't dare to underestimate the Liu Family again.
With such a descendant, how could the Liu Family not soar to new heights?
Liu Bingtian was exceedingly pleased with this grandson. Whether it was his decisive leadership or his ruthless thods, he possessed the potential of an ambitious and formidable leader.
Thinking of this, Liu Bingtian stood up and raised his glass to Liu Chuang with a smile. "Chuang, Grandfather toasts you."
As soon as he spoke, everyone else raised their glasses in unison, their eyes fixed on Liu Chuang. He was like a bright star surrounded by a constellation of admirers, a truly brilliant sight.
Liu Chuang's face flushed slightly. He held his head high, a confident smile on his lips. "Grandfather, it is I who should be toasting you."
"Haha, co, let us all drink together!" Liu Bingtian was filled with boundless pride and confidence. "After this matter is settled, our Liu Family's prestige will reach an unprecedented level. Our entry into the ranks of the eight great local families will be a certainty."
"Haha, I can almost see that day!" a tall, skinny young man nad Liu Cheng, who had clearly overindulged in debauchery, laughed broadly. "My brother Chuang is amazing. When he inherits the position of Family Head, he'll surely lead our Liu Family to a whole new level."
This blatant flattery, far from causing any offense, was t with murmurs of agreent. It was widely believed that the position of Family Head would skip a generation and be passed to Liu Chuang. Given his proven abilities, no one had any objections.
"That other guy... reaching the pinnacle was certainly remarkable, but he was just too arrogant and flaunted his abilities. For soone like that, it would be strange if he *didn't* end up dead." Liu Cheng stared at Liu Chuang with a fawning expression. "Brother Chuang, once he dies at Chilian Peak tomorrow, the leader of the younger generation will be none other than you!"
"Hmph!" Liu Chuang snorted disdainfully. "Even if he were alive, my future achievents would far surpass his. Among my peers, I disdain to be ntioned in the sa breath as anyone. Don't say such things in the future. It's an insult to ."
Liu Chuang drained his cup in one gulp, his expression darkening with displeasure.
Liu Cheng hastily apologized, refilling Liu Chuang's cup while offering repeated excuses. As a wastrel, he knew he had to suck up to the right people to get by for the long haul; otherwise, he would eventually be dealt with.
Liu Chuang narrowed his eyes and sat ramrod straight, exuding an air of majestic grandeur. "After tomorrow, I, Liu Chuang, will descend like a divine general, dominate this generation, and make all of Cangyun City tremble. A re Zhennan Prince? How could he possibly be worthy of my notice?"
BOOM!
A bolt of lightning tore across the sky above the Liu Family's estate, ripping open the firmant. Its cold light flashed across the ground below, startling many of the guests.
The flash illuminated a figure dressed in a gray robe, holding a large black umbrella, who was slowly walking toward them.
Hmm? A visitor, this late?
The crowd exchanged puzzled glances before turning to frown at the approaching newcor.
"Zhennan Prince went to war at eighteen. In his early twenties, he led his troops into Wild Wolf Valley and killed hundreds of thousands of enemy soldiers. And you? What do you have to compare with him?"
Liu Chuang was speechless.
"In the Battle of Great River Bay, he annihilated over a million enemy soldiers, cut down two of their great generals, and pushed our nation's border forward by eighty li. What right do you have to look down on him?"
Liu Chuang was speechless.
"At twenty-three, with a single iron sword, he fought his way through the entire Dragon Brilliance List. Look at you, well into your thirties. I wonder, do you have the courage to even challenge the Dragon Brilliance List?"
Three consecutive questions.
These questions instantly turned the face of this proud star of the Liu family, who had just been so full of himself, bright red.
The rest of the Liu family fell silent.
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