Chapter 0745: Results
Zhong Yushi's words stifled the air. The people present were all elders of the Dragon's Fang Lineage, and some were extremely senior. The other Hall Masters were also present, and everyone knew what he meant. It was about obtaining the Green Nether Hall's Hall Master position.
After all, Zhong Yushi had spent many years cooped up in the Green Nether Hall and remained as the Second Hall Master. Although he had accumulated significant power over the years, whenever anyone mentioned the Hall Master, they would naturally think of Li Taixuan, which made him feel extremely unreconciled.
As for the issue of the empty Hall Master seat of the Green Nether Hall, even the Mountain Ruling Dragon's Blood Lineage had asked about it. In fact, they had shown signs of wishing to intervene directly. However, this was only met with the same answer. This was an internal affair of the Dragon's Fang Lineage and not for outsiders to get involved. As the Mountain Ruling Lineage, the Dragon's Blood Lineage had the right to supervise the other four lineages, but the old man had always adamantly held on and blocked the issue completely.
Although the Dragon's Blood Lineage was unhappy with the Lineage Chief's stubborn refusal, the root of the problem was the fact that they had indirectly forced Li Taixuan away. As such, they could only restrain themselves and not interfere.
Thus, the position of the Hall Master had remained vacant for ten-odd years, turning into the only hall without a Hall Master.
However, Zhong Yushi had once again raised the issue, clearly unable to help himself.
Li Qingpeng frowned as he replied unhappily, "Second Hall Master Zhong, the matter has been oft repeated by my Respected Father many times. Why do you wish to stir up trouble once again?"
"Hm. The Green Nether Hall has been losing prestige day after day under Second Hall Master Zhong's supervision. You dare to covet the Hall Master's seat when you’re so incapable? Don't you think that's laughable?" Li Jinpan impolitely replied, directly mocking him.
Zhong Yushi remained calm. "The Green Nether Hall's descent is a fact. However, everyone should also understand that without an official Hall Master to rally everyone's hearts, they will only continue to struggle internally. Thus, I would like to beseech the Lineage Chief to re-elect a new Hall Master. I'm not raising this subject out of a desire for personal power! No, it is because I don't wish to see the reputation which was painstakingly built up be tarnished. The Lineage Chief is just and wise, he should be clear of the situation and how it cannot be allowed to fester any longer! Thus, I would be so bold as to raise this topic once again. Please reconsider the situation of the Hall Master!"
Everyone looked at the determined Zhong Yushi. It seemed as though he was committed to seeing this issue come to an end.
A few elders glanced at each other and began to murmur amongst themselves. They had discussed the issue of the vacant Hall Master position before, and not having an actual Hall Master to make decisions on important matters had led to endless internal strife in the Green Nether Hall as everyone struggled to gain power.
This was the truth of the matter. The current Green Nether Hall was the most chaotic of the Twenty Halls as none of the Vice Hall Masters could agree to cooperate with one another, leading to a fractured organization.
"Lineage Chief, the issue in the Green Nether Hall should not drag on any further."
At this point in time, the Gold Light Hall's Zhao Xuanming spoke up sincerely. "We all know you miss the Third Master and don't want to remove the last position he had before he left. But you must understand that he has already been gone for over ten years. The previously strongest hall has now fallen into dire chaos. The Third Master spent much effort on it and was also the one who pulled it up to the peak. I don’t think that he would like to see the situation deteriorate any further."
Li Jinpan smiled coldly. "Hall Master Zhao, your honeyed words are nice to hear, but one of the key reasons for the hall's decline has to do with you. The Gold Light Hall has poached away the Green Nether Hall's resources. Do you think we aren't aware?"
Zhao Xuanming smirked. "Second Master, you must be joking. I am the Gold Light Hall’s Hall Master, and I must do everything to win resources and strengthen my hall! Is this not what I ought to do? Are you saying that our strength doesn't matter and we don't belong to the Dragon's Fang lineage?"
"Hmph! Twisting words to fit your needs. You damn outsiders-" Li Jinpan burst into a rage and was about to fly into a tirade.
However, he saw Li Jingzhe's expression turn dark, and a mysterious, suppressive power forced his mouth shut.
Li Jinpan could only obediently keep quiet.
"The Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li does not only belong to those who are born with the surname Li. Whether one is a direct descendant or someone who joined from the outside, once they are part of the clan, their previous status no longer matters. Only results do! These are the absolute teachings of the Ancestor," Li Jingzhe indifferently stated before sternly glaring at Li Jinpan.
"The next time I hear you say those words again, you will be heavily punished!"
When everyone heard these words, they bowed their heads and responded respectfully.
Li Jingzhe then turned towards Zhong Yushi. "The Green Nether Hall's Hall Master seat has been vacant for countless years, and the truth is that I have left the position open for Li Taixuan."
The group turned quiet, but no one expressed too much shock at this. They all knew of this. Why else would the position have been left empty for so long? However, what took them by surprise was how the Lineage Chief had openly confirmed their suspicions.
"However, keeping the position empty is also selfishness on my part. It is as I said, only results matter." Li Jingzhe spoke steadily, but a majestic aura flowed from him.
"The Green Nether Hall was brought up by Taixuan and was the result of his hard work. Thus, I was willing to leave the position vacant for him for the past ten years as I believed that the day he returned, he would easily take back what belonged to him."
Everyone fell into deep thought, including Zhong Yushi. No one refuted this statement despite the man himself having left numerous years ago. The indelible mark he had left upon the Green Nether Hall was something no one here could forget.
No one doubted his personal capabilities and charisma.
It was only in Li Taixuan's hands that the Green Nether Hall had become the leader of the twenty halls. Even the four halls under the Dragon's Blood Lineage were firmly suppressed despite having profound reserves and heritage.
If he ever returned, there would inevitably be a cleansing as the gloom would be blown away, replaced with iridescence radiance.
After a while, Zhao Xuanming then opened his mouth and said lightly, "The Third Master's merits are undeniable, but the hall has simply declined too much in his absence. I feel that no matter how outstanding his previous achievements were, there should be a time where we ought to call it quits. Additionally, we cannot let the hall continue to languish. It is still a hall of the Dragon's Fang Lineage."
Zhao Xuanming's words caused a flicker of rage to appear within Li Jinpan's eyes. However Li Jingzhe merely smiled and nodded. "Your words are logical. In fact, the grace that was provided for the exceptional results obtained by Taixuan has long been exhausted."
When Zhong Yushi heard these words, his heart burst into joy. Could it be that the Lineage Chief finally had a change of heart?
"I had originally planned to remove Taixuan from his position in two years. However, it looks like the situation has once again transformed." Li Jingzhe smiled slightly.
As he swept his gaze across the group, his eyes finally settled on Li Luo, and the smile became even more intense.
"Taixuan might not have returned, but his son has. If his results were not enough, then what if his son were to achieve more merits on his behalf?"