Chapter - 340 Domestic Troubles And Foreign Invasion (11)

"The Sect Leader now is you, not Uncle Master Qiu!" Zhao Zhijing shouted disrespectfully.

"Junior's talent is ordinary. I do not dare to violate our Masters' teaching. Moreover, I have committed a great sin, deserving of harsh punishment." After saying this Zhen Zhibing hung his head. Nobody but Zhao Zhijing knew what he was talking about. They thought he was simply being modest. But 'a great sin, deserving harsh punishment' was a little bit too hard, unclear, and had nothing to do with the matter at hand.

Zhao Zhijing snorted; standing up he asked, "So, you have made the decision to refuse, hmm?"

"My insignificant life is worthless," Zhen Zhibing mournfully said. "But I can't disgrace the Quanzhen name." He started talking in low voice, but as he spoke the later sentence his voice was actually getting ardent. "Presently the heroes of our country have united themselves to fight the invaders. The Quanzhen Sect is known as an orthodox school of the central plains. How would we face the heroes of this world if we fall under Mongolian feet?"

His speech was applauded by loud cheers from Li Zhichang, Song Defang, Wang Zhitan, Qi Zhicheng and many others. "The Martial Brother Sect Leader's words are true," they enthusiastically said.

Zhao Zhijing flicked his sleeve and furiously walked out of the room. He paused at the doorway, sneered and coldly said, "Martial Brother Sect Leader, your words were pleasant to the ear. Heh, heh … I am sure you know the consequences you can expect." Then he turned around and walked briskly out.

As soon as he left many Taoists spoke at once. They agreed that Zhen Zhibing had made a wise decision and praised him accordingly but about four or five Zhao Zhijing supporters also left the room without saying anything.

Zhen Zhibing's agony was unspeakable. He retreated to his own chamber. He knew that Zhao Zhijing would not take this setback lightly; Zhao would certainly reveal his secret to the public. He realized that he had condemned himself to die by declaring his intention to refuse the decree. He had suffered great anxiety and fear for several months, and now that he knew he was going to die, his mind became clear and his spirit calmed. With a steady hand he bolted the door of his chamber from inside. With a wry smile on his face he unsheathed his long sword and lifted it toward his throat …

Just before the sword touched his skin, someone suddenly leaped from behind a book shelf and a hand reached toward the sword. Zhen Zhibing did not expect this, he was caught off guard. The long sword suddenly flew from his hand. Startled he quickly turned his head only to see Zhao Zhijing with the long sword in his hand.

As Zhao Zhijing flaunted the sword in his hand he smirked and said "You have ruined the Sect Leader's reputation and now you think you can easily settle the score by dying? Not that easy! Miss Long is standing guard outside the Chongyang Palace. You tell me how we should answer her if she decides to come."

"Good!" Zhen Zhibing answered, "Then I will come outside and slit my own throat in her presence to apologize."

"Even if you killed yourself, this matter is not over," Zhao Zhijing said. "After they finish their meditation, the Five Masters would certainly decide to investigate. You have ruined Quanzhen Sect's reputation. Surely you will be condemned forever!"

Zhen Zhibing's spirit was crushed. Suddenly a cold sweat poured down his face. He fell into a chair, holding his head with both hands and desperately muttered, "What do you want? Tell me, what do you want me to do? If death is inadequate, then what …?"

He had spoken to his fellow disciples with confidence, but now that he was alone with Zhao Zhijing, he unexpectedly lost his will to fight.

"Very well," Zhao Zhijing smiled. "If you leave this matter to me, I guarantee I will help you take care of the Miss Long problem, while at the same time preserving the Sect's and your own reputation. Definitely you will not have any trouble in the future."

"Do you want me to accept the Imperial Decree?" asked Zhen Zhibing anxiously.

"No! No! I don't want you to accept the Imperial Decree," Zhao Zhijing answered.

Zhen Zhibing was relieved. "What then? Tell me quickly! I will certainly listen to you," he anxiously asked.

After an hour, the bell in the hall sounded and everyone assembled there. Li Zhichang instructed all of Qiu Chuji's disciples to conceal weapons under their gowns in case Zhen Zhibing was coerced into submission by Zhao Zhijing and his supporters. The Taoists filled the hall; their faces grim and filled with anxiety.

Zhen Zhibing stepped out slowly from the inner hall and his face was very pale. He stopped in the centre and said, "My fellow Taoist brothers, I have been commanded by Head Priest Qiu to assume the Sect Leader's position, but unfortunately I have contracted a terminal illness which cannot be cured…" This came like a bolt from the blue and many Taoists involuntarily exclaimed, "Ah!" Zhen Zhibing continued, "I cannot undertake such a heavy responsibility, and I hereby appoint Elder Wang's most senior disciple Zhao Zhijing to assume the Sect Leader position!"

When he said this, the hall was filled with an unnatural silence which only lasted for a moment. Then Li Zhichang, Wang Zhitan, Song Defang and company opposed loudly, "Priest Qiu wanted Brother Zhen Zhibing to become the Sect Leader, how can you pass it on to others?" "You're supposed to be fine, how did you contract a terminal illness?" "There must be some huge conspiracy behind this; you must have fallen into a trap." The Fourth Generation disciples did not dare speak loudly but they were all debating among themselves. The hall was thrown into confusion. Li Zhichang and company glared at Zhao Zhijing but he looked indifferent to the matter and just folded his arms silently.

Zhen Zhibing raised his hands and waited for everyone to become silent. He then said, "This is indeed very sudden, you're not at fault for your reactions. Our sect is facing a great disaster and I have committed a great sin – so great that even death cannot atone for it." When he said this, he grimaced and continued, "I have thought carefully and I found that only Brother Zhao Zhijing is capable enough to lead our sect through this crisis. Everyone must not look upon him with prejudice but assist him in bringing glory to our sect."

Li Zhichang said clearly, "It's human to err. As for your sin, just await the five elders return from their meditation and then report the matter to them. We really cannot acknowledge your abdication."

Zhen Zhibing sighed, "Brother Li Zhichang, we've been friends for many years and are as close as brothers. Please just cooperate and don't make things difficult for me."

Li Zhichang was full of suspicions and saw that Zhen Zhibing looked like he was seriously troubled and his speech had little conviction so he gave up arguing and hung his head in silence. Wang Zhitan said, "If you really wish to abdicate, you should still wait for the five elders to return and investigate carefully to prevent any foolish decisions."

Zhen Zhibing sadly said, "This is too urgent to postpone."

Wang Zhitan said, "Even so, among our generation of brothers, there are many who surpass Brother Zhao in character and leadership abilities. Brother Li Zhichang is well-versed in the Tao while Brother Song Defang is able at handling other matters. Why, then, do you choose the unpopular Brother Zhao?"

Zhao Zhijing had a hot-tempered character and he tried very hard to restrain himself. Now he could not control himself and he laughed coldly, "Then what about the brave Brother Wang Zhitan?"

Wang Zhitan angrily said, "I'm not very capable and I cannot be compared to our fellow brothers. But compared to Brother Zhao, I'm superior." He laughed and stared at the ceiling; his manner was extremely arrogant. Wang Zhitan said loudly, "My martial arts and sword skills may not be superior to Brother Zhao's but at least I wouldn't be a traitor."