290 Clandestine Manias

Clandestine Manias

Jen felt a warm breath and opened her eyes, her head was supporting against a strong chest.

Zhi Chang brought her in her room and let her rest but then his heart was unwilling to leave, his hands wrapped and picked her up then supported against his chest and closed his eyes, they were sitting and sleeping while supporting each other, now she could not move because if she moved her head, Zhi Chang will be disturbed because his head was resting on her head, it was shocking for her but not irritating.

Jen thought to wake him up but stopped doing so, who knows if he needed little more rest and she might disturb.

After some time, she thought to wake him up but what was with this sudden grabbing, he was still asleep and yet his arms wrapped around her and clutched her in his chest as if hiding some treasure.

Jen moved hurriedly and his resting head fell on her face, Zhi Chang immediately opened his eyes, what was he doing he hastily lifted up his face because his lips were touching her rosy lips and she was looking at him little worried.

There was awkward silence.

Someone knocked on their lodge and Zhi Chang reacted first, "I will go and see," he walked out of the room and heaved a deep breathe.

Jen could see that his intention was not immoral and beyond limit.

The Second elder invited both apprentice in the crown house to talk about the future of the Clandestine Manias, two days were passed and they required to give it was thought.

Since second elder was aware about the seal, it was better to get advice from the man and the girl, they sure have strong backing and in this case they could be helpful in choosing someone as the next crown.

"I am from the crown house, the second elder has invited both seniors," the messenger handed the invitation letter and asked permission to leave.

Zhi Chang came back and entered in her room, only to feel more awkward and leave immediately, he admonished himself, he was doing number of mistakes, he should have gotten her permission before entering the room.

Lin'an was told about the matter, five remaining elders were sitting in the crown hall, the position of city archon was still empty because only a crown can appoint city archon.

"I know she was not someone worried about the threats of this Manias," Lin'an remembered the two days she spent in the lodge.

They took one hour and reached the crown house, why it took whole one hour because Zhi Chang felt embarrass to face her soon.

Jen on the other hand was little worried because she started feeling adoration for Zhi Chang, she liked the care he showed for her but she cannot spoil her path, a long path to become a Defender, right?

But was there to get worried, if she choose someone her husband, it won't hinder her future advancement nor her husband would be a hurdle for her learning, she was arguing herself, did not her great grandfather wished her the same?

"Senior Jen what are you thinking?" Lin'an noticed her thinking something much deep.

"It's nothing, why did you call for us? The elders and the royal blood can decide who will be the crown of Clandestine Manias? If the outsiders were too allowed then I might be appointing a wrong one," Jen answered and smiled.

"Usually a strongest person of the Manias become crown," the fifth elder stood up and spoke hesitant, others understood his notion what he was implying, that means he was against someone who was not stronger enough.

"Who said that only crown is the symbol of strength? And who made this rule that only a stronger crown can be given respect in that case the respect is not for the crown instead the power?" Zhi Chang questioned the elder.

"Mm, I was only giving my suggestion," the elder apologized.

"Since Dean of the cultivation school and the respected elders are willing to work for the betterment of the Clandestine Manias, the matter does not need much discussion, second elder will be responsible to guide the royal blood and the Dean of the cultivation school will give pointers, this way Lin'an will be able to become stronger and will prove a better choice for the Crown position, first, third and fourth elders will help implementing the laws in the Manias, I hope Lin'an can take this responsibility to become the Crown if not then there will be a competition among the royal families and their heirs to get this position," Jen explained briefly.

The elders found this suggestion better one, all the elders belong to the royal families and they have their children to compete for this position.

But this suggestion was a trap, Jen wanted to know which one among the five elders still bear the thoughts to succeed this position?

Zhi Chang could not understand initially because the second part of the suggestion might trigger commotion and both of them would be hooked in this mess.

Only fifth elder showed that he was excited to hear this suggestion, other four elders were not interested.

"Alright, if the royal families do not mind, I will suggest to strip fifth fourth elder from the eldership," Jen calmly spoke, if a single opportunist was allowed in the crown house then Lin'an would face endless problems during her crown ship until she becomes stronger, and Jen don't want this to happen soon.

Everyone immediately looked at Jen, why she suddenly suggested this? The fifth elder felt being played.

Zhi Chang muffled his smile, he liked the way Jen brought out the hidden enemy, if after going through much ordeal, a feeble crown position was established then it would soon crumble again, and a single traitor can destroy a whole empire.

The fifth elder wanted to cry but no tear came out.

"Miss Jen, the total number of elders has already decreased, only four elders for the all the Clandestine Manias would be burden and they perhaps could not meet all the responsibilities," the second elder stood up, since the duties were already divided, there will be huge burden on every single elder.

"Cultivation School has many geniuses, they can be appointed as the protectors and handed some of the responsibilities this way the sense of obligation will stir up in the individuals," the Yellow River followed this rule, and appointed young protectors from the imperial class.

The second elder was amazed at this suggestion, the Dean would definitely appreciate this suggestion, this way the geniuses would work hard and learn.

"Jen, I think I don't deserve to be a crown, I am not strong enough, second elder is my uncle and he can better take care of the matters in the Clandestine Manias," Lin'an was so much indebted to this girl.

She cannot take hold when senior most uncle was here and it would be embarrassing to release orders.

"Lin'an, I am old enough to take this position, I will guide you to become stronger and you don���t need to worry about it," he spoke politely.

"Since things are settled, I should go back now," Jen stood up, she has only three months to live here and Zhi Chang was in the middle of the learning.

She don't want to meddle in the internal matters of the Manias, her three month stay would be enough to keep check whether everything was working fine or not.

The people who were responsible and few sincere people of this Manias would definitely come up with better solutions.

The walked back toward the lodge, there was a crowd of merchants in front of their lodge, Jen looked at Zhi Chang and also don't know what was going on.

"They are here," someone spotted them and shouted with excitement.

The old merchant came smiling toward them and spoke, "I was here to give the payment and I am also giving this house to you both," he handed a small pouch of jade pins.

Zhi Chang received the pouch and thanked, "We are only staying for three months and this house will remain in your property," the merchants were pleased, these both apprentice were completely different, despite having strong backing, they were humble and modest.

They slowly left.

"Should we eat something first?" Zhi Chang stopped Jen who was ready to enter in the lodge.

He happened to see her when she was dressing up her wounds and it seemed she needed healthy meals to fasten her recovery, she has to use up her force while fighting against crown lady and it resulted the wounds to remain open, and it hurts too.

"Sure, I was also thinking to take my meal," she nodded and walked behind him.

Zhi Chang was feeling lonely, he slower down his pace and let her walk by his side, Jen was noticing his minute care and her heart was feeling warmth for him.