Upon hearing the news that Lin Zitong could not succeed as the sect leader of the Lu Shan Sect, Yan Shouyi was stunned for a moment.
His expression froze on his face for a full three seconds, as if he had put on a mask.
But after three seconds, he quickly composed himself and asked calmly, "Why?"
Despite Yan Shouyi's best efforts to restrain himself, he was still somewhat angry upon hearing the bad news.
Lin Zitong was very interested in becoming the sect leader and had been following Lu Jing for a long time, investing considerable effort.
Fortunately, she was still sleeping upstairs and had not heard the news. Yan Shouyi could hardly imagine Lin Zitong's reaction upon hearing it; it would likely be no different from a high school student failing the college entrance examination.
Lin Zitong was proud and had never lost before. She probably would not accept the sect leadership position slipping through her fingers.
Huang Dahai and Zhou Yuquan could obviously see Yan Shouyi's displeasure, and they were also very apprehensive.
Ye Chengfu advised at this moment, "Shouyi, you should listen to their reasons."
"Mm." Yan Shouyi took a sip of tea to calm his temper.
Zhou Yuquan coughed twice and said, "Let me tell you."
He said, "Junior Sister Zitong is the last disciple of Sect Leader Lu Jingsheng, and she is also intelligent and has considerable cultivation. Her succession to the sect leader position was originally legitimate. However, during the time you were away, the Lu Shan Sect underwent some changes."
"What changes?"
"We received an unwelcome guest," Zhou Yuquan said. "Her name is Lu Xin, and she is the biological granddaughter of Sect Leader Lu Jingsheng."
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but narrow his eyes upon hearing this.
Lu Jingsheng's biological granddaughter? This identity was indeed quite imposing.
Huang Dahai sighed, "Lu Xin is about the same age as us. She was also a prominent figure in the Lu Shan Sect back then. Later, she had a disagreement with Sect Leader Lu Jingsheng and ran away from home. She's been gone for twenty years. For twenty years, there was no news of Lu Xin, and her whereabouts were unknown. Even Sect Leader Lu Jingsheng couldn't contact her."
"Not long ago, Lu Xin suddenly appeared. She swept through the major cities south of Rongcheng with lightning speed, incorporating all the remaining forces of the Four Symbols Mountain, which was previously established by Tong Jingcheng. Then, before we could react, she visited the major sects in Jianzhou Province."
"As you know, the circle in Jianzhou is not large. Many of these sects are branches of the Lu Shan Sect. Their support or lack thereof can influence the candidates for the Lu Shan Sect leader. Lu Xin visited them one by one, and by some means, she managed to make all the sects that had decided to support Junior Sister Zitong's succession to change their allegiance and support Lu Xin instead."
"We senior brothers were furious upon receiving the news. Junior Sister Zitong contributed financially and physically to all the recent hardships of the Lu Shan Sect, and everyone saw her efforts. However, Lu Xin's identity is also appropriate, and she took advantage of the situation while you were at Longhu Mountain to reach agreements with the major sects. Now, even Sect Leader Lu Jing is no longer in control of his own affairs."
Yan Shouyi's expression grew more and more grim as he listened.
He had thought the cause of the matter was internal conflict within the Lu Shan Sect, but he hadn't expected this Lu Xin who appeared out of nowhere.
He asked in a deep voice, "What do you mean by Sect Leader Lu Jing being no longer in control of his own affairs?"
"Sect Leader Lu Jing only recently took over as sect leader and hasn't stabilized his position. Therefore, his influence within Jianzhou is limited. Now that major sects support Lu Xin's succession, Sect Leader Lu Jing's words no longer matter."
Huang Dahai said through gritted teeth, "Moreover, two days ago, Lu Xin, along with people from the Four Symbols Mountain, swaggered into Sanfang Qixiang and occupied our sect's base!"
"This happened?!" Yan Shouyi's face changed dramatically.
If Lu Xin's previous actions could be considered "malicious competition," then her current actions were no different from "usurping power."
Especially since this woman brought people from the Four Symbols Mountain!
The Four Symbols Mountain was a sect founded by Tong Jingcheng. Although its name was different from the Lu Shan Sect, the skills they learned were all taught by Tong Jingcheng, so they were naturally the same as the Lu Shan Sect.
In the past, they had no formal status, but now, by returning to the Lu Shan Sect with Lu Xin, they were acting like masters of the house.
It was clear how angry Huang Dahai and Zhou Yuquan were.
Zhou Yuquan said, "After the incident, Sect Leader Lu Jing remained at the sect to keep an eye on Lu Xin, and he sent us to quickly notify you to return to Rongcheng as soon as possible."
"Yes, there's no time to delay. You should pack your bags quickly, and we'll return to Rongcheng immediately!" Huang Dahai urged. "If we delay a few more days, that woman Lu Xin might forcefully ascend to power, and then it will be too late for everything..."
Huang Dahai and Zhou Yuquan, as two senior disciples of the Lu Shan Sect, of course did not wish to see their sect fall into Lu Xin's hands.
If Lu Xin had returned to the Lu Shan Sect openly and competed fairly with Lin Zitong, it would have been acceptable.
However, this woman was deeply cunning. She first gathered forces, then sought support through cooperation everywhere. By the time the people of the Lu Shan Sect reacted, they found themselves unable to resist her.
With the situation as it was, Yan Shouyi became even calmer upon learning the details.
He made a downward motion with his hand, signaling them to calm down.
"Where did Lu Xin go and what did she do during her twenty years of absence? Also, what changes has she undergone since her return? Or rather, why does she suddenly want the position of sect leader of the Lu Shan Sect?"
Yan Shouyi fired off several questions in succession, leaving both of them dumbfounded.
As the saying goes, "Know yourself and your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles." Yan Shouyi knew very little about this biological granddaughter of Lu Jingsheng who had suddenly appeared.
If he could understand her situation, Yan Shouyi might be able to achieve victory from a thousand miles away.
Unfortunately, facing his questions, they could only shake their heads in bewilderment.
These questions might be known to Lu Jing, but they certainly didn't know, and before they set out, they were only eager to invite Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong back, without considering too much.
While bewildered, they couldn't help but admire Yan Shouyi's steadfastness. Even when facing such difficulties, he could still think about the problem so calmly.
In comparison, they were a bit superficial, only knowing how to run errands and worry incessantly, unable to provide any substantial help in overcoming the difficulties.
Yan Shouyi was also a little disappointed at not being able to obtain information about Lu Xin.
However, he quickly processed it, stood up, and said, "Thank you for your hard work. Please rest here for a while, and I will go find Zitong."
"Okay." The two of them stood up and bowed.
Yan Shouyi then said to Ye Chengfu, "Grandpa Ye, please arrange a flight back to Rongcheng. This matter really cannot be delayed."
Although there were many unfinished matters in Chang'an, the Lu Shan Sect's affairs were a matter of extreme urgency, and he had to prioritize them.
Ye Chengfu nodded with a smile, directly called Lin Yu and Lin Yin, and began to give instructions.
Yan Shouyi, on the other hand, walked directly out of the suite.
"Preparing to return to Rongcheng..."
He murmured.