by Mars Gravity
Twenty odd years ago, who could imagine the Yun Qinghong, who was probably the brightest star within the entire Illusory Demon Realm, would be in such a pathetic state where no one would bother to look him in the eye.
Due to being crippled for twenty-two years until now, not one person in his own clan stood up to support this man, who used to lead the Yun Family, to continue as Patriarch.
However, even when facing such a reality, Yun Qinghong did not blame anyone. After all, he had been crippled. Whether it was the Elder Council or the Grand Elders, their main motive for doing so was for the future of the Yun Family. After all, letting a crippled person lead the Yun Family would invite ridicule and also bleaken the future of the family. When compared to the future of the Yun Family, the bloodline of the Patriarch did not seem as important.
The cheers supporting the Great Elder grew louder and louder. Yun Waitian found it hard to remain calm as he humbly said: “Towards everyone’s support, I’m truly humbled but with my weak strength, I’m not capable to take on the role as Patriarch… Instead, Seventh Elder whose strength is outstanding, is the most suitable person for this role.”
The “Seventh Elder” who was mentioned by Yun Waitian quickly waved it off: “Great Elder’s words are too kind. Pardon my honesty, but within the entire Yun Family, with Great Elder present, it would not please the masses if anyone else was Patriarch.”
“That’s right! We support Great Elder to succeed as Patriarch!”
“Great Elder don’t refuse anymore. The position of the next Patriarch is undoubtedly yours.”
The Yun Family cheers sounded once again and Yun Waitian cupped his fist together as his agitation had exploded… Since twenty-two years ago when Yun Qinghong was crippled, he had the thought of becoming Patriarch. For this twenty-two years, he had worked very hard for this goal while gaining more and more of a reputation for himself… If he were to become the Patriarch, the bloodline of the Patriarch that had existed for ten thousand years would change. A hundred years later, his son Yun Xinyue would become the next Patriarch, and after that, it would be his grandson and his descendants…
Facing the crippled Yun Qinghong and his son that was unable to use his Profound Handle, he knew that this day would come eventually… However, it had finally arrived today.
As the cheers of the Yun Family grew louder, a disharmonious cold laughter suddenly sounded: “Since Great Elder Yun knows that he’s not suitable for the position of Patriarch, why do you people have to make noise blindly and cause trouble for Great Elder Yun? If Great Elder Yun can’t resist it and choose to go back on his words and accept, when this spreads, won’t others gossip that the Yun Family Great Elder is actually eyeing for the position of Patriarch, and even hypocritically acted as though he did not want it? This vicious and cunning title does not sound particularly nice… Don’t you agree, Great Elder Yun?”
Mu Yubai’s words were actually quite vicious. The entire Yun Family supported Yun Waitian to be the next Patriarch, but since Yun Waitian kept pushing it away, this had been attacked by Mu Yubai. Using his own words, Mu Yubai made it such that if he were to accept the position of the Patriarch, he would become a vicious and ungentlemanly hypocrite. The corners of Yun Waitian’s lips twitched furiously. Just as he was about to say something, an insolent voice rang from the right side: “I agree with Young Patriarch Mu’s words.” The one who spoke was Helian Peng as he squinted his triangular eyes and spoke slowly: “I heard that after Yun Qinghong became crippled, Great Elder Yun took over all the affairs of the Yun Family. No matter how importance the matter was, he handled them by himself. Even though he’s only a Great Elder, he acted more like a Patriarch than the Patriarch himself… Tsk, tsk. From more than a decade ago, I have already heard rumors that the Great Elder of the Yun Family had been eyeing the position of Patriarch. After so long, the amount of such rumors only seemed to increase. If Great Elder were to suddenly take over the position of Patriarch, it would prove such rumors to be true. At that time, heh heh, the Patriarch name would be very respected within the family, but his reputation outside would be harshly tarnished.”
The Helian Peng, who had previously helped Yun Waitian speak and nearly fought with Mu Yubai, was now actually helping Mu Yubai, and the words he said towards Yun Waitian were even more vicious and straightforward than what Mu Yubai had said previously. The color of Yun Waitian’s face darkened, and all the core elders looked at each other. Mu Yubai frowned, glancing at Helian Peng… He would not naively believe that Helian Peng would happily go along with him.
Could this guy be here specifically to make trouble today?
Mu Yubai’s words made Yun Waitian seem as though he had swallowed a fly, but Helian Peng words made it seem as though he smeared shit on his face, causing his hatred and indignation to be unbearable. He thought that if he were to really attempt to become Patriarch, he would face resistance from Mu Yubai, but never had he ever expected that other than Mu Yubai, there was also a Helian Peng trying to stop him! The corners of his mouth twitched as he tried to suppress his feelings in order to look less awful. He forced himself to say: “I, Yun Waitian, did everything all these years for the Yun Family and have never ever fawned over the Patriarch position.”
“Sigh!” After remaining silent for a long time, Grand Elder Yun Jiang sighed and said: “Waitian, within the Yun Family now, you are indeed our most suitable candidate. Whether you’re willing or not, you becoming the next Patriarch would be the best result for the Yun Family. You don’t have to reject it. As for what others say, we simply don’t have to listen to it.”
A Grand Elder’s words naturally carried supreme weight. Yun Waitian was secretly overjoyed, and just as he was about to go along with the flow, he heard Duke Hui Ye speak up: “Concerning this matter of the Yun Patriarch, this king has a small suggestion. I wonder if everyone from the Yun Family would like to hear it?”
Once Duke Hui Ye spoke, he caught everyone’s attention. Yun Waitian stopped his attempt to speak, turned to Duke Hui Ye, and respectfully replied: “What suggestion does Your Highness have? I’m sure everyone would like to know.”
Duke Hui Ye was calm as he smiled slightly, swung the fan in his hands, and spoke slowly: “In my opinion, what Young Patriarch Mu and Elder Helian had said isn’t unreasonable. Even though Great Elder Yun has done a lot for the family and no one can match his reputation within the family, he’s indeed not suitable for the position. Otherwise, going by what Young Patriarch Mu and Elder Helian had said, it would become the laughing stock of the others; the human tongue is powerful. If it only concerned Great Elder Yun, it could be overlooked. However, the current situation within the family is already dire. If the public starts to gossip even more because of this matter, it wouldn’t be beneficial to the Yun Family.”
Duke Hui Ye words caused Yun Waitian’s heart to clench. He looked down in an attempt to hide his ugly expression that looked worse than crying: “What Your Highness said is true. I’m truly unsuitable for the position of Patriarch.”
Duke Hui Ye quickly continued: “Judging from the Yun Family’s current predicament, there’s a need to change Patriarchs, and in my opinion, there’s an even better candidate.”
“I wonder who Your Highness is referring to?” Grand Elder Yun Xi asked.
Duke Hui Ye closed his fan, stood up and paced about: “Since Great Elder is not suitable, and there’s no one that can please everyone from this generation of elders, then, why not nominate the new Patriarch from another place?”
“You Highness is saying?”
Duke Hui Ye replied: “Back then, your family lost your Patriarch and the ten strongest Grand Elders. The strength of your family weakened drastically overnight and you all had to carry sins for hundred years. If the Yun Family were to rise again, it would undoubtedly require a long amount of time and an exceptional leader. An exceptional leader requires a long time to groom. From what this king sees, since it’s difficult to make a choice from the older generation, why not ch
oose one from a younger generation. It is known to the whole city that the eldest son of the Great Elder, Yun Xinyue, is a gifted talent who has strong aptitude, and possesses the same cyan colored profound handle as the Demon King. His personality is also humble and not arrogant; he is undoubtedly the pride of the Yun Family that heaven has bestowed. More than once, this king has heard him being praised as the biggest hope of Yun Family’s future. If he were to become the next Patriarch and be guided by Great Elder and all the other Elders, this king believes that within ten years, he would become an exceptional leader. The days of glory for the Yun Family won’t be long away.”
“Furthermore, although Yun Xinyue is young, his talent and personality is obvious to the entire Yun Family. If he were to become the next Patriarch, this king believes that there would be less people dissatisfied with this as compared to Great Elder. What does everyone think?”
Chapter 517: I Have An Objection!
The words said by the Duke Hui Ye immediately caused waves among the Yun Family members who were present. After most of them had recovered from their momentary surprise, their eyes suddenly began to shine with the light of emotion. Many of the core elders from the Elder Council began to look at each other in consternation, after which, they all began to slowly nod their heads simultaneously.
Even the three grand elders, Yun He, Yun Jiang and Yun Xi had sunk into deep thought, but they did not show any sign of rejecting his words.
“Mn?” Yun Che rested his hand under his chin as he looked thoughtfully at the completely relaxed Duke Hui Ye. He gave a faint chuckle, and then said in a low voice, “Ah, so it was like this after all… Before, I only had a grasp on about ninety percent of the situation, but now I can see the entire picture.”
Yun Che’s soft words were fully transmitted into Yun Qinghong’s ears. Yun Qinhong looked askance, giving him a deep, long look.
“If Father must truly abdicate his position… Letting Brother Xinyue take over as Patriarch doesn’t seem to be a bad idea.” Yun Xiao said softly.
“His Highness Hui Ye has truly presented an excellent proposal!!” After the noise had begin to die down, a core elder began to clap his hands while standing. He said with a voice filled with admiration, “For all these years, every time the occasion arises for one Patriarch to succeed the other, that person is almost always above one hundred years of age, so this has caused us to unwittingly overlook such an excellent candidate.”
“That is right!” Another elder also stood up, “Xinyue is the best amongst our young generation, and it can also be said that he is perfect in every way. Even though he is not the son of the Patriarch, he is still the son of the Great Elder. Whether it is regarding aptitude or background, you will not be able to find another candidate who can compare to him amongst his peers. As for his age, Xinyue is indeed still young, but why can’t we consider this a kind of advantage? In regards to his shallow qualifications, as long as we put in every effort to assist him, this shallowness can be completely compensated for.”
“Even people from outside the Yun Family has called Xinyue the great hope of our Yun Family. This is definitely not idle talk or lies. Letting Xinyue be the next Patriarch, may truly bring about an entirely new beginning for our Yun Family.”
“His Highness Hui Ye’s suggestion is truly sublime.”
In the current Yun Family which had greatly declined in strength, the halo surrounding Yun Xingyue was indeed dazzling without compare. Countless praises and the greatest hope and expectation for the Yun Family’s resurgence was gathered in that halo of light. And under such a light, even the problem of his age was easily covered up; the seniors of the Yun Family already did not feel that the suggestion for him to be the next Patriarch was too inappropriate, and following the approval of one elder after the other, they felt like it was more and more feasible, to the point where it could be said that he was an excellent choice.
As for the younger members of the Yun Family, it was natural that they exhibited a incomparably excited response. Yun Xingyue becoming the Yun Family Patriarch caused a fierce pride to well up in the hearts of all of those young disciples.
The present cheers were even louder than the ones given when Yun Waitian was presented as the successor of the title of Patriarch.
After the Grand Elders had given this matter careful consideration, they all slowly nodded their heads as well. Yun Jiang said in a gentle voice, “Our Yun Clan has never had the precedent of allowing someone from the younger generation to take the seat of Patriarch prematurely, but that does not mean that such a precedent cannot be set. Xinyue’s temperament and talent are enough to compensate for his lack of experience. After serious consideration and taking into account the present condition of the Yun Family, Xinyue seems to be even more suitable than Waitian to take over the position of Patriarch.”
“I also concur with what has been said.” Yun He nodded his head.
“I can expect no less of Duke Hui Ye. His suggestion has enlightened us, allowing us to see something that we had not been able to see before.” Yun Xi added as he nodded his head as well.
“To be able to attain the recognition from all three Grand Elders is this king’s fortune.” Duke Hui Ye said as he gave a faint smile, “This king merely gave a simple suggestion, I did not expect to receive such a vigorous response from your entire clan. It looks like all of you ladies and gentlemen of the Yun Family has an even greater appreciation and respect for Yun Xinyue than I had previously anticipated. Since this is the case, Great Elder, for your virtuous son to succeed the title of Patriarch seems to be the perfect conclusion to this matter.”
Duke Hui Ye’s words had undoubtedly speedily changed Yun Waitians previous melancholy into sheer joy. Letting Yun Xinyue become Patriarch naturally filled him with even more joy than his own appointment as Patriarch would have given him. He strongly restrained the ecstasy in his heart and said in a polite and modest tone, “Duke Hui Ye has such great love for my unworthy son. For that I, Yun Waitian, am eternally grateful. However… my unworthy son is simply too young, and the reality is that… His ability is still currently lacking…”
Yun Xinyue stood up, and it was clear that he was at a loss. He said in a deferential tone, “Everything that my father has said is true. For Duke Hui Ye to show me such great love, Xinyue is simply grateful beyond words. However, Xinyue is not even thirty years old yet and my power, ability and experience still fall far short of the required mark, so how can I be worthy of receiving the huge responsibility of becoming the new Patriarch. Xinyue is truly unbearably perplexed.”
“Oh?” Duke Hui Ye’s smile quickly receded and a displeased look soon appeared on his face. He gave a cold snort and said, “Hmph, looks like those rumors are after all, in the end, merely rumours. This king had originally thought you, Yun Xingyue, is indeed an incomparable genius who was bestowed to the Yun Family by the heavens, but it looks like you are nothing more than this. The Yun Family currently exists in the boundary between life and death. The entire Yun Family is willing to entrust such a heavy burden to you, even the three Grand Elders have given given their approval. But alas, you do not even have the courage or the nerve to take on this task. Ah, it’s too bad that the so-called ‘Great Hope of the Yun Family’ is nothing more than a joke; this ‘hope’ is merely a fool to be despised by all.”
Duke Hui Ye’s words caused Yun Xingyue’s face to become stained a crimson red. He clenched his fists tightly and said through gritted teeth, “Xinyue does not recognize what Your Highness has just said. To bring about the revival of the Yun Family is my life’s greatest wish. If I am allowed to accomplish this wish, I will not hesitate to pay any price to make it come true….”
“This king has never bothered listening to useless words that are beneath my notice.” Duke Hui Ye replied with a bland smile, “This king only wants to know one thing, this position of Yun Family Patriarch, do you dare to take it?!”
“I dare! Why would I not dare!” As if he was severely jolted by Duke
Hui Ye’s words, Yun Xingyue’s hesitation disappeared and he replied in a manner that was extremely resolute and decisive. He furrowed his brows and said with a solemn expression, “As long as all the seniors of the Yun Family, as well as my fellow brothers and sisters think highly of me, and is willing to let a junior like me be Patriarch of the Yun Family. Then I will dare to throw caution to the wind and say that I will cause the Yun Family to rise to ascendancy again within my lifetime!”
Once Yun Xinyue had uttered such strong words, all the Yun Family members present naturally went into a frenzy and they blanketed the arena with roars. Several core elders stood up one after the other and as they nodded their heads and laughed, they announced as one body, “Who would have thought that this major event concerning the Patriarch would reach such a resolution. Even though it was beyond our expectations, it is indeed a perfect ending. All of us will commit our greatest strength into supporting the new Patriarch!”
Yun Waitian drew in a long breath and said in an incomparably agitated voice, “Since this is the current state of affairs, if my unworthy son still chooses to decline, it would instead seem like a pretentious and cowardly act. And since today, this heavy burden has fallen upon the shoulders of my unworthy son, I as his father, will exert ten times my previous effort! In hopes that this father and son will not become guilty of perpetuating the decline of our Yun Family.”
The inner circle within the Yun Family all knew that the true motive of this Family Competition was to replace their Patriarch. And before this, everyone had assumed that the new Patriarch would be Yun Waitian. Who would have thought that, under the urging of Duke Hui Ye, they would reach a conclusion that seemed to be even more perfect.
Duke Hui Ye gave off a big laugh and said, “For a clan to change Patriarchs is originally a huge affair that is dealt with within that family. This king did not expect that as a stranger giving a rather superficial proposal, that my proposal would receive recognition from all the members of the Yun Family present. This king is overjoyed and extremely honored. And since this matter was precipitated by this king, this king also has a burning desire to see it through to completion. Since all those who are present feel that Yun Xinyue is the most suitable candidate to assume the role of Patriarch, and every single member of the Yun Family, including the Grand Elders and core Elders that are present, the esteemed guests who are visiting shall bear witness. The stars have truly aligned and people from every corner are gathered in witness. Since this is so, I do not see why we should not, on this very day, at this very time, proceed to complete the ceremony of succession for the new Patriarch. Everyone, do you have any objections?”