Silence answered his domineering question as the Heavenly martial hall beacame quiet.The first that sam asked after sitting in the throne of the sectmaster already tore apart all the pretenses and disguises.Although they had made some plan to oppose him but being asked so directly made them extremely unhappy as their face became ugly.
Usally in such a condition,they would politely complain about their dissatisfaction and the opposing party would promise them some benefits to maintain a happy co-operation.The elders were prepared to negotiate about the benefit while providing their service but the boy tore the facade with his first sentence.So,the elders and protectors were speechless.They didnot know how to reply to such a direct question.
The person sitting on the seat closest to the the throne was a old man with white hair,white beard and white long hair.He was a honest and straightforward person.After listening to the question,he looked at sam as he righteously said:
"According to the rules of our sect,one must fulfill three condition to become the sectmaster of our sect.First,one must be a member of our sect.Second, the person must have a strong martial cultivation so that he could protect the sect during the times of peril and must have made enough contribution to the sect so that he is accepted by most of the member of our sect.Third, the person must be intelligent,clever and decisive enought to see throught the scheme of the enemy and make right decision when he is required to make one".
The first elder spoke clearly while folding his fingers with each sentence.
"Young sectmaster is still young and naive.He is just sixteen years old this year.He has yet to experience the cruelty and deviousness of the world.He still lacks the experience to see throught the deceit and schemes of enemies."
A elder added as he looked at the elders and protectors.
"We should respect the decision made by the late sectmaster to pass the position of the next sectmaster to the young sectmaster but we shouldnot follow his decision blindly.Young sectmaster is young and filled with viguour and hotblood.Nowadays young people fight to their death just beacause of small matters as their sects and families gets involved in their dispute as it results in massacre and sect war.Our young sectmaster is young too and he might provoke some powerful enemies while travelling the world in future as the sect gets involved leading to the destruction of our sect".
Another elder added his reason for opposing as he added his own logic to convince others too.
Sam sat on his throne without any change in his expression.
"Oh? respected elders and protectors,if you have anything more to add please do so.Today i will listen to you every complains and suggestion".
Sam said as he leisurely sat on the throne of the sectmaster.The elders and protectors were already angry at him for sitting in the throne of sectmaster without asking for their permission.His leisurely attitude and tone made them more unhappy for a junior was asking them to complain to him about their displeasure.
the second elder sitting in tbe seat beside the white haired first elder snorted coldly and he unhappily said:
"You will listen to our complains? Humph...you are just a ignorant and arrogant junior.Yet you think you are qualified to listen to our complains?Not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth".
The third elder sitting beside the second elder angrily said:
"You, a junior, arenot even showing respect to the elders and protectors of your own sect.You are just a junior with weak martial cultivation who havenot even made any contributions to the sect,yet you dream to become the sectmaster.HUMPH...HUMPH..Come back after you become a bit stronger and make some meritious deed towards the sect".
"All the things are fine but you even went away after your master's death when the sect was in turmoil and lacking a leader to lead them.We elders and protectors had to work hard day and night just to calm down the sect and put it on a path towards development.We work for the sect for all these years but you just come after several years and want to become sectmaster.Humph. Is there such a easy thing in this world?"
Another elder said angrily said as he pointed his finger at sam.
"I was indeed away during the time sect needed me and ignored my responsibility.I havenot made any contribution to the sect.Although i was training during these years but it doesnot justify the fact that i pushed my responsibility as the successor of the sect to you elders and protectors.So what do you suggest that we do to deal with this suggestion?"
The elders looked at each other as light flashed through their eyes.They have a serious expression on their face but they were smilling inside.
Before coming to the hall all the elder had made two plan after they heard about Sam return to the sect.The first plan was to negotiate with sam to get more benefit.If the first plan failed then the second plan was to push the position of sectmaster to first elder.
They all knew that the first elder was honest and prideful person.After losing the position of sectmaster to the previous sectmaster he would never accept this position.After the first elder refuses it ,one of them after the endless request from other elder would righteously accept the position of sectmaster to prevent the sect for being ruined in the hand of a inexperienced youth.
So,the moment asked their suggestion they knew that time to implement their plan.
The second elder took the lead as he seriously said after some thinking for a while:
"The first elder is the most qualified candidate to become the new sectmaster.He has worked for the sake of sect all his life and has made numerous contribution.He is well experienced,mature and clever to make the most appopriate decision for the further development of the sect.He has made numerous contribution for the sect.He even clashed with the previous sectmaster for the postion of the sectmaster.So,he is the most qualified person in this room."
"First elder is indeed the most qualified person.He fulfills all three condition according to the sect rule to become sectmaster."the third elder supported the second elder's proposal.
"Yes,I to support the firat elder to become the new sectmaster".
Other elder also agreed with the proposal as they agreed that the first elder was the most qualified person.
The protectors also wanted to chime in to support the proposal but with just a look from the main protector seated closest to the throne,they quickly shutted their mouth.The main protector was also against the idea of having a new young sectmaster but after seeing the sword shaped earring of Sam and how it resonated after he sat on the throne,he changed his mind because he thought of a old legend of the sect that he read in the ancient record of the sect during his youth.
Sam looked at the elder who were opposing him and shouted to support the first elder as he smiled slightly.This kind of small scheme had no effect on him who was taught about the schemes and tricks by the late sectmaster since his childhood.After getting injuired and knowing that it was incurable,his master even shared his experiences and memories with him to make him better prepared for the future.
"So, elders support and want the first elder to become the new sect master?Do the first elder want to become the new sectmaster?"
Sam asked the first elder who was quietly sitting on his seat.The first elder only shook his head.He was clever enough to deduce what was going on and didnot want to step in this muddy water.
Sam dediced to amuse hinself as he looked at the second elder and other as he said:
"But the first elder doesnot seem to be interested in becoming the sectmaster.What do we do then?"
The third elder knew that it was turn to speak as he righteously said:
"Since the first elder isnot interested,we must give this responsibility to someone who is equally as qualified as him.Yes,second elder is also equally qualified to become the sectmaster".
"yes,the second elder is most suitable to become the new sectmaster."
"we support the second elder to become the next sectmaster".
The other elder quickly supported him as they made numerous request to him to become the next sectmaster.
"Although i wasnot prepared to accept such heavy responsibility but someone must shoulder it.I, the second elder of the heavenly martial sect will take this responsibity and vow to work hard deligently and honestly to develop the sect and raise it to our former glory.I will do a better job of handling the sect that this inexperienced youth.I promise to revitalize our sect and make our name resound throughout the whole Nepamrtial continent."
Second elder stood up from his seat as he thumped his chest with own hand as vowed righteously.
"So,the second elder now want to became the new sectmaster?" Sam asked the secon elder amusingly.
"I was born in the sect,spend my childhood and youth inside the sect and became a oldman of this sect.The Heavenly martial sect is my home.I cannot bear to see my home destroyed in the hand of a inexperienced ,arrogant and ignorant junior like you."
The second elder replied righteously as his sound even become louder.
'It's time to end this farce'.Sam thought.
His faced became seious as his eyes became sharp.His body started to radiate imperious pressure as he looked at the second elder in his eyes as he said:
"So second elder wants to defy the last absolute order of our late sectmaster.Do you want to seize the power and revolt against you own sect?To disrespect the ancenstral teaching and rules of the sect to seize the power,whats is your ambition and plan,secon elder?To scheme against the young and inexperieced successor of the sect like me to become sectleader,are you going to betray your own sect and turn traitorous?"
Sam revealed the scheme of the elders as he looked at all the elder scheming against him with his sharp eyes.At this moment ,all the elder realized tha fact that this innocent looking youth before him wasnot as innocent as he looked.He was a wily fox hiding his tail scheming against them too.