Chapter 9: A Farce in the Hall

"Hehe, children are ignorant. On behalf of An Hong'er, I apologize to everyone here. Please come to Huanghou An's house for a drink during the official ceremony. Farewell, farewell." The older man, barely concealing his glee, bowed to the people in the hall and swaggered out.

The cultivators from the three sects stood up, returning the bow, watching the older man leave. They had seen quite a show at Chu Qin Sect today. However, the farce was not over yet...

The middle-aged cultivator from the library, Zhang, couldn't take his eyes off the sect leader's token in Qi Xiu's lap. After deliberation, he decided and signaled to the disciple who had previously pranked Qi Xiu.

The disciple understood, grabbed the token from Qi Xiu's hands, and handed it to Zhang. "Senior Brother Qi is not suitable as the sect leader. Senior Brother Zhang has superior cultivation and character. We only recognize him as our leader," he declared.

The Zhang Senior Brother he mentioned was none other than the middle-aged cultivator from the library. Several other disciples also chimed in, all followers of Zhang.

Qi Xiu, already injured and emotionally drained, hadn't noticed the loss of the token. He sat on the floor, dazed.

But Sister Qin reacted quickly, rushing to Zhang to snatch the token back, shouting, "What do you mean, Senior Brother Qi or Senior Brother Zhang? The sect leader belongs to our Qin family! Sect Leader Qi passed it to Si Yan. He was just momentarily swayed by a demoness. Once we talk to him, he'll come to his senses and reclaim his position. Give it to me, give it to me!"

Zhang's followers quickly blocked her, and the disciple who had pranked Qi Xiu retorted, "You old woman, that's nonsense! Qin Si Yan had already severed ties with the Chu Qin Sect. Are we supposed to beg him to come back? He's eighteen; he's not a child!"

"Still, it's not your place! The Chu family came to help because of our Qin family, not for you outsiders!"

Ordinarily gentle, Sister Qin fought ferociously for the token, scratching and clawing at anyone, cursing loudly, "You outsider dogs, finally showing your true colors. Eating at our Qin family's trough, getting fat, and now biting the hand that fed you."

Her insults infuriated Zhang, who bowed to everyone in the hall and said, "Slander! Qin Long was the first to bring people up the mountain. The outsiders fought to the last drop of spiritual power in the library. Do you have no shame?"

Outnumbered, outargued, and outmatched, Sister Qin was soon overwhelmed. The other disciples, primarily quiet and passive, didn't intervene. She resorted to sitting on the floor, wailing and cursing Zhang and his followers like a market fishwife.

Her infant previously soothed to sleep, woke up crying, adding to the noise. The hall reverberated with their cries, making the foundation tremble. Though Sister Qin was not genuinely vulgar, her repetitive insults were extreme for cultivators.

The cultivators of the three sects found the spectacle entertaining, but Chu Youyan, the Chu family's Foundation Establishment cultivator, was deeply irritated.

"Old Ancestor is getting soft-hearted in his old age. What kind of people are we supporting here?" he grumbled inwardly. Initially, Old Ancestor had declared he would no longer involve himself with the Chu Qin Sect, but visiting someone in the southern wilderness changed his mind, putting Chu Youyan in a tough spot. Earlier, the three sects' cultivators had coerced him into agreeing not to interfere in Chu Qin Sect's internal affairs. Now, witnessing Chu Qin Sect's disgraceful behavior, he felt deeply embarrassed.

As dawn approached, Chu Youyan, realizing the situation's futility, shouted, "Enough!"

Adding a bit of intimidation with his technique, he scared the two crying individuals into silence. Standing up, he said, "I don't care about your internal squabbles. Since your fourth-generation sect leader passed the position to that Qi fellow, I'll recognize him. Let him speak."

Qi Xiu, still sitting on the floor, was severely injured. A Qi, angry at him for attacking her beloved son-in-law, had struck him hard. Assisted by a few honest disciples, he staggered to Chu Youyan, still somewhat dazed. Chu Youyan pointed at his forehead, bringing him back to full awareness.

Chu Youyan said, "You are now the fifth-generation sect leader of Chu Qin Sect. I ask you this: Do you agree to move to the southern wilderness?"

Qi Xiu hesitated briefly but quickly made up his mind. "Though this sect unexpectedly fell into my hands, even if these people don't respect me," he glanced at Zhang and Sister Qin, seeing them watching him expectantly. If these self-serving people take over, yesterday's disaster will repeat. Better it is for me to honor my master and the sect. I owe it to them."

He bowed deeply to Chu Youyan, replying, "I am willing."

"Good."

Chu Youyan, relieved to find someone sensible, pulled a parchment from his sleeve, handing it to Qi Xiu. "Sign this, then prepare for departure. I will escort you to the southern wilderness in three days. During this time, the three sects won't trouble you."

Qi Xiu examined the parchment. It was a soul contract, detailing that the Chu Qin Sect would relocate to the southern wilderness, severing ties with their old territory and vowing not to seek revenge against the three sects, who would not trouble them further.

Qi Xiu harbored no grudge against the three sects. If not for them, it would have been someone else. They had brought their misfortune upon themselves. Resolutely, he signed his name, feeling a chill sweep over his soul as the contract took effect.

The new sect leader of the three sects also signed and handed the parchment back to Chu Youyan.

Without further delay, Chu Youyan exchanged farewells with the three sects' cultivators and flew off on a sword light. The three Foundation Establishment cultivators also left, leaving the new sect leader to oversee the proceedings.

With the high-ranking cultivators gone, Zhang and Sister Qin approached Qi Xiu, pretending concern but eyeing the sect leader's token.

Qi Xiu pocketed the token, ignoring them. He came across the new sect leader, bowed, and said, "Forgive my presumption, but our late sect leader's body remains unburied. We need your sect's assistance to conduct the funeral. We would be deeply grateful."

The new sect leader, impressed by Qi Xiu's decorum, readily agreed.

Qi Xiu left the hall, ignoring his pestering peers. One disciple who had pranked him earlier mocked, "Look at the new sect leader's arrogance!"

Qi Xiu turned abruptly at the door, glaring fiercely despite his bruises and swollen face. "This position is mine now. The Chu family only recognized me, and I signed the contract. You can't change that. I will arrange the funeral. Those willing to move to the southern wilderness meet me in three days. Those who aren't, consider yourselves expelled. We will go our separate ways!"