Elder Ji's Study
"What is the Clan Master thinking?" one elder whispered, his voice barely audible over the crackling of the oil lamp.
"Shhh! The walls have ears," another elder cautioned, his gaze darting to the corners of the room.
Several elders had gathered in the dimly lit study of Elder Ji, their expressions tense.
"What do we do, Elder Ji?" one of them finally asked, breaking the silence.
Elder Ji, a sharp-eyed man with a balding crown and a calculating demeanor, leaned forward. "The Clan Lord has started to lose his edge," he said in a low, conspiratorial tone. "Perhaps it's time we assist him... into retirement."
"Retirement?" another elder echoed nervously.
Elder Ji's eyes gleamed. "By proving he is no longer worthy of his position."
The room fell silent. Then, a deep voice broke through the tension, steady and cold.
"Let's be serious here, Elder Ji," came the voice of Elder Mu, stepping out from the shadows. His long, thin grey beard swayed with each deliberate step. "The Clan Lord's cultivation surpasses anyone in the family. Who among us dares question his worthiness?"
Elder Ji met Elder Mu's gaze, his lips curling into a sly smile. "The Clan Lord's cultivation has been stagnant for years. He is strong, yes, but not invincible. This is a battle of strategy, not brute force. And I don't intend to confront him directly—at least not yet."
The other elders exchanged uneasy glances, beads of sweat forming on their brows. Elder Ji frowned inwardly. Still too hesitant? Cowards.
He cleared his throat, adopting a more persuasive tone. "How about we focus on the Lu Jin Ruins? The treasures hidden there could shift the balance of power. If we succeed, the Clan Lord's stature will diminish, paving the way for new leadership."
The room buzzed with murmurs of agreement. The elders' anxious expressions brightened ever so slightly.
"Who will take the mantle of Clan Lord if we succeed?" Elder Mu asked, his tone as sharp as his calculating eyes.
Elder Ji waved a dismissive hand. "That's a matter for later."
It will be me, Elder Ji thought, his heart swelling with ambition.
This fool thinks he's outsmarting me, Elder Mu mused silently. Better for me when the dust settles.
With the plan agreed upon, the elders dispersed, each harboring their own schemes.
In Xiao Zhu's Room
Sitting cross-legged in the silence of his chambers, Xiao Zhu opened his eyes briefly, his expression unreadable. "I'll fix this family," he muttered, his voice as steady as a mountain. "But first, I'll use them to my advantage."
He leaned back slightly, resting his hands on his knees. "Elder Ji... the first to betray me in my past life. And Elder Mu—switching sides to a hostile clan after our family's losses. Treacherous fools."
His lips curled into a cold smile. "Still, they are useful for now. Each controls 20% of the family's income. Losing them too soon would be a waste."
He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes again, focusing inward. "For now, I must concentrate on cultivation and securing resources for the clan's future."
As he sank deeper into meditation, his thoughts turned to the Crimson Panel and its mysterious origins. This 'System' is powerful, but relying on it too much could spell my downfall. I still don't know its true purpose.
A faint notification flickered across his mind's eye:
[ CREDIT +1 ]
[ CREDIT +1 ]
[ CREDIT +1 ]
Xiao Zhu smirked without opening his eyes. "Those brats... already stirring up trouble in town, are they?" His smirk widened into a grin.
"Watch as my Xiao Family rises again," he murmured, his voice carrying a quiet determination.