Chapter 388 - Responsibility of an Heir Candidate

After Linye Caixia and her two companions left the Grand Ember Hall, everyone's attention fell upon Young Master Xuan Hao and his three friends.

They all heard what Linye Caixia said just now – that Young Master Xuan Wen was interested in Young Master Xuan Hao's friends, specifically Lu Tianzi.

While Xuan Wen was no longer part of the Blue Ember faction, everyone had no choice but to admit that he was extremely intelligent and had a good eye for people.

For him to express his interest in Lu Tianzi, there must be a good reason for that.

The question was… why?

Was there something special about him?

Well, they had to admit that it was rather impressive for Lu Tianzi to be able to stand his ground against Linye Caixia for this many moves. But his performance was still not good enough to put him on the level of a peerless genius.

After all, the Timeless Flame Sect was not one of the four ancient sects for no reason. They had their fair share of geniuses on Lu Tianzi's level as well!

In that case, was it his inscription skills?

That was probably it.

Sacred Cliff City was renowned for its weapon mastery. For such a young person to be a successful inscription master there, that was rather impressive indeed.

Unfortunately, they could not just start questioning Lu Tianzi about his exact skills and accomplishments here. That would be too unbecoming of them as hosts.

But no matter, they will find that out sooner or later anyway.

"Hao," Xuan Qinshang said.

"Yes, Faction Leader," Young Master Xuan Hao stepped forward upon being called.

"Are these the friends that you brought back with you this time?" Xuan Qinshang asked.

"Yes, Faction Leader," Young Master Xuan Hao replied. "I have known Sister Ruan Ling for a while now. As for Brother Tianzi and Sister Qianxue, I got to know them while exploring the outside world. They are truly talented people, and have helped me out a lot along the way."

"I see," Xuan Qinshang nodded. "All of you have my gratitude for taking care of our young Hao. Please make yourselves comfortable during your stay here. If there is anything you need, feel free to let the servants know."

"Thank you, Faction Leader Qinshang," Lu Tianzi, Nanlan Qianxue, and Ruan Ling answered in unison.

"Now then, we will be talking about some internal matters. So if there is nothing else, I would like to ask for your understanding to leave us for a moment," Xuan Qinshang said. "Would that be all right with you?"

There was only one correct answer to a question like that.

After bidding their farewells, Lu Tianzi, Nanlan Qianxue, and Ruan Ling were led out of the Grand Ember Hall by a servant, leaving Young Master Xuan Hao within.

That was when the atmosphere suddenly turned solemn.

"Hao, I heard that you brought a little girl back as a servant. Is that true?" Xuan Qinshang asked.

"Reporting to Faction Leader, this is true," Young Master Xuan Hao admitted. "Bo'er came under my care by coincidence, so I thought I would settle her in here."

"Hmph!" one of the seniors at the side harrumphed in displeasure. "Coincidence? You might as well settle her in? Where do you think this place is?"

"I don't quite understand what Elder Cuixiong is trying to say," Young Master Xuan Hao replied coldly. "I naturally treat this place as my home."

This Elder Cuixiong was one of Young Master Xuan Hao's granduncles, which also meant that he was the son of the Faction Leader Xuan Qinshang.

Unfortunately, the relationship between Elder Cuixiong and Young Master Xuan Hao was pretty bad to say the least.

When Young Master Xuan Hao was first selected as the heir candidate from their Blue Ember faction, Elder Cuixiong objected vehemently, recommending his own grandson for the position instead.

While Young Master Xuan Hao had not cared either way back then, Faction Leader Xuan Qinshang had decisively overruled his objection, insisting that Young Master Xuan Hao take the role.

Because of that, Elder Cuixiong had always seen Young Master Xuan Hao as an eyesore, and he never bothered hiding it as well.

Since he had repeatedly made things difficult for Young Master Xuan Hao over the years, the latter naturally did not have a good impression of him either.

"You treat this place as your home? Why do I find that hard to believe?" Elder Cuixiong sneered. "As the heir candidate from our Blue Ember faction, you have never once treated your position seriously. Even if we overlook that, now you decide to just bring home some mortal girl and put her in the ranks of our servants? Do you think that the Timeless Flame Sect is some common orphanage where anyone can just enter? Do you not know how stringent our selection process is for the servants, and how many people are lining up to join? Putting that aside, have you even investigated the background of the girl to make sure that she is not a spy? By doing this on a whim, you are effectively compromising the integrity and reputation of the Blue Ember faction!"

Silence descended upon the Grand Ember Hall, and Elder Cuixiong puffed out his chest in triumph.

Let's see just how you worm your way out of this!

Young Master Xuan Hao was at a momentary loss for words.

While he understood that Elder Cuixiong was out to get him, he also understood that there was some truth behind Elder Cuixiong's words.

This time, he had really failed to consider all the possible implications.

No matter how harmless Bo'er looked, there was only so much he knew about her.

There was no way he could say with one hundred percent certainty that she would not do anything to harm the sect.

"Elder Cuixiong doesn't have to worry. We will investigate the background of the girl and make sure that she is clean," Taomie Lianhe stepped up in front of Young Master Xuan Hao. "In the meantime, we will keep an eye on her and keep her out of any sensitive locations."

"That would be best!" Elder Cuixiong said. "However, this does not wash away the fact that Hao has indeed put our faction at risk because of mere carelessness. Coupled with the fact that he does not have the intention to vie for the position of heir, should we really continue pushing for him as the heir candidate of our Blue Ember faction?"

The seniors in the Blue Ember faction remained silent, but started exchanging meaningful glances.

This was not the first time that Elder Cuixiong had pushed for the removal of Young Master Xuan Hao as their heir candidate.

Previously, his proposals had been shot down every time it was raised.

However, Young Master Xuan Hao's refusal to get actively involved in vying for the position of heir was an issue that had continued to worry them for years. No matter how they tried, they simply could not got Young Master Xuan Hao to take this seriously.

Now that this matter was brought up once again, they could not help but take Elder Cuixiong's words a little more seriously.

Perhaps Elder Cuixiong had been right all along?

On his throne, Xuan Qinshang simply watched without saying a word.

He was the one who had pushed for Young Master Xuan Hao to be the heir candidate of their Blue Ember faction in the first place, but that did not mean that he would stubbornly insist on following his previous decision.

As the leader of the Blue Ember faction, he naturally had to act in its best interest.

If Young Master Xuan Hao continued to show no improvement, then he would have no choice but to do something about it.

"No matter what, Hao is still the best person for the role," Taomie Lianhe said. "Be it talent or morality, he is the best in the younger generation."

"That matters not if the person involved is not interested," Elder Cuixiong scoffed. "Since everyone is here right now, why don't we stop wasting time and just ask him directly? Hao, are you even interested in vying for the role of heir?"

With that, all eyes fell upon Young Master Xuan Hao.

Young Master Xuan Hao did not answer immediately.

Instead, he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath.

When Young Master Xuan Hao opened his eyes again, they were clear and resolute.

"I understand that my actions prior to today has disappointed everyone, and I sincerely apologise for that. But I assure you that this will not continue," Young Master Xuan Hao said. "From now on, I will start to seriously vie for the position of heir."

"Oh?" Xuan Qinshang's lips curled upwards.

Similar to him, everyone present were surprised to hear that.

After so many years of refusing to actively participate, Young Master Xuan Hao suddenly changed?

Even Taomie Lianhe could not help but to turn around and look at her son, as though trying to confirm if those words were truly spoken by him.

Only Elder Cuixiong could not help but frown.

This was not the answer that he had expected to hear!

"Pardon me, but I cannot help but question the commitment behind those words," Elder Cuixiong said unhappily. "Do you even know what it means to actively vie for the position of heir?"

"I understand that I am lacking in terms of knowledge and awareness, but Elder Cuixiong doesn't have to worry. I have thought it through, and am now fully committed to this," Young Master Xuan Hao said. "Still, I hope that everyone will give me the support and advice that I sorely need. In return, I will surely do my best to not let everyone down!"

"Hahaha! Good! Very good!" Xuan Qinshang laughed out heartily, cutting off Elder Cuixiong before he could retort. "Looks like this trip to the outside world has tempered your mind quite a bit! It is a little late, but I am glad that you have finally thought things through!"

"Hao..." Taomie Lianhe muttered emotionally.

Her son had finally agreed to it!

Now, she could finally go ahead with all the arrangements that she had planned for this day!

"Tch!" Elder Cuixiong clicked his tongue. "You say that now, but are you truly ready for what is to come? Disregarding everything else, are you sure you will be able to go against Young Master Xuan Wen?"

The originally joyous atmosphere died down immediately when they heard Elder Cuixiong's words.

Everyone knew the close relationship between Young Master Xuan Hao and Xuan Wen, as well as the fact that Young Master Xuan Hao always listened to whatever the latter said.

As long as he was unable to break out of the shadow of Young Master Xuan Wen, Young Master Xuan Hao would never stand a chance in this fight for the position of heir.

But faced with everyone's concerned gazes, Young Master Xuan Hao did not waver. "Seniors don't have to worry about that. Since I have already decided to do this, I am naturally ready to face my elder brother."

"Hmph! We shall see about that!" Elder Cuixiong snapped.

"All right, enough from you, Cuixiong," Xuan Qinshang said. "And Hao, Cuixiong's words are not without reason. By only starting now, you are already on the back foot. So you have even more to do if you wish to catch up to the accomplishments of the other heir candidates. If you can't even handle your emotions when it comes to Wen, then there really isn't anything left to say."

"I understand, Faction Leader," Young Master Xuan Hao replied.

"Good," Xuan Qinshang nodded. "There will be a lot that you would need to do from now. However, there is one thing that you have to prioritise, and that is getting Caixia on your side."

"Senior Apprentice Sister Caixia? Why do we have to involve her?" Young Master Xuan Hao asked.

"That's right. As the top talent of the Timeless Flame Sect, it is not an exaggeration to say that the future of the sect is dependant on her. If you have her support, the chances of you being selected as the eventual heir will naturally skyrocket," Xuan Qinshang explained.

"Even without relying on Senior Apprentice Sister Caixia, I can still –"

"No, Hao, throw away your useless sentiments," Xuan Qinshang cut him off. "One thing you need to understand is that Caixia is the most important factor in this fight for the position of heir. That said, I have lent Caixia the Impervious Thunder Banner and told her to return it to you when she is done with it. Make full use of this opportunity to cultivate stronger ties with her. Even if you can't bring her under our banner, you need to at least stop her from supporting Xuan Wen. This is the most important thing that you need to focus on right now. No one else will be able to help you with this, so it will be your sole responsibility – one that you would have to undertake now that you have decided to seriously vie for the position of heir."

"I-I understand..." Young Master Xuan Hao answered.

In his heart, however, Young Master Xuan Hao was unwilling.

He did say that he would be fully committed to this, but he had never expected this fight for the heir position to move in such a direction.

This was supposed to be a contest between the heir candidates, and he wanted to use this contest to prove to everyone that he was someone capable as well.

That would set the stage for his declaration to marry Ruan Ling, allowing her to stand with pride in front of both the Timeless Flame Sect and her family.

However, would it still be something to be proud of if he had to deliberately sabotage the relationship between others just to achieve his goal?

Was this really the responsibility of an heir candidate?