Facing these minor sect leaders who had betrayed her, Lin Zitong had already decided not to trust them again.
However, her foundation was unstable, and she had not yet officially obtained the position of sect leader. It was too early to deal with them now.
So, she nodded at the few individuals with a blank expression, accepting their surrender.
Yet, her attitude was too cold, completely different from how she treated Sun Tangzhi and others, leaving the minor sect leaders feeling chilled to the bone.
But they could do nothing about it. If they wanted Lin Zitong's attitude towards them, the betrayers, to be the same as her attitude towards steadfast supporters like Sun Tangzhi, it was impossible; it would be unfair to Sun Tangzhi and the others.
Now, they could only hope that after Lin Zitong succeeded as the sect leader of Lushan Sect, she would not retaliate against them, and their conflict could be slowly resolved.
This was already the best outcome. If they had continued to blindly support Lu Xin, they would only face retribution after Lin Zitong took power.
The minor sect leaders silently stood behind Lin Zitong, at the very end of the line, heads bowed and saying nothing, content to be invisible.
With that, besides a few confidantes and the remnants of the Four Symbols Mountain that she had brought, no one else remained by Lu Xin's side.
Lu Xin coldly asked, "Does anyone else want to leave?"
No one moved this time.
Those who were meant to leave, had already left.
If anything, it was the dignitaries and nobles Lu Xin had invited.
They didn't know whether they should leave or not, but it seemed that their departure or presence didn't matter, as their support or lack thereof would not affect the future of the Lushan Sect at all.
Seeing Lu Xin gradually become isolated, Lin Zitong did not mock her but said,
"Lu Xin, your grandfather was my master. Although you are older than me, in terms of seniority, you still have to call me Aunt-Master. But none of that matters anymore. The Lushan Sect is not something you can arbitrarily control. With the hearts of the people with you, you dare not covet the position of sect leader, nor should you imprison those who do not support you."
"For my master's sake, I will give you a chance. Release Sect Leader Lu Jing and the others immediately, and I can let bygones be bygones and let you leave!"
"But if you continue to be stubborn, even if you are my master's own granddaughter, I will have to uphold my master's teachings and purge you today!"
Lin Zitong did not dwell on the matters with those minor sect leaders, but that did not mean she would let Lu Xin off the hook.
Lu Xin had imprisoned all those in the Lushan Sect who opposed her, cut off one of Lu Jing's fingers to threaten Lin Zitong, and even dispatched the Ghost King to attack the fetus in Lin Zitong's womb!
Any one of these three incidents was enough to cause Lin Zitong and Lu Xin to fall out completely.
The reason they had not yet taken action was that Lu Jing was still in Lu Xin's hands, and Lin Zitong could not guarantee Lu Jing's safety, fearing that Lu Xin would lash out in desperation and attack Lu Jing and the others.
Facing Lin Zitong's offer, Lu Xin surprisingly sneered with disdain.
This sneer made Yan Shouyi unable to help but frown.
At this point, what other trump cards did Lu Xin have?
Did she think she still had a chance to turn the tables?
Lin Zitong also showed a hint of seriousness.
"Even if you have exceptional talent and extensive connections, so what? I possess something that outweighs all your cards."
Lu Xin said, slowly taking out a crumpled piece of paper from her sleeve.
She unfolded the paper, held it in one hand, and presented it for everyone to see: "I have my grandfather's personal handwritten letter, appointing me as the sect leader of the Lushan Sect!"
"What?!"
At this declaration, even Lin Zitong could not control her emotions.
Master Lu Jingsheng had been missing for a long time, and no one knew his whereabouts.
How could the long-lost Lu Jingsheng have written a letter to Lu Xin?
This was impossible; it was illogical!
Yan Shouyi's mind raced, and he also felt that the matter was very peculiar.
Setting aside Lu Jingsheng's disappearance, even if he had secretly contacted Lu Xin, given Lu Jingsheng's regard for Lin Zitong, he would never have appointed Lu Xin as the sect leader.
Was it simply because Lu Xin was Lu Jingsheng's granddaughter?
But even if Lu Jingsheng wanted to protect his own kin, he would absolutely not tolerate Lu Xin imprisoning Lu Jing to become sect leader.
Not to mention cutting off Lu Jing's finger.
Apart from their blood relation to Lu Jingsheng, Lu Xin's conduct and personality were completely different from Lu Jingsheng's.
"Is it, is it really Sect Leader Lu Jingsheng's personal handwritten letter?" the minor sect leader who had betrayed them earlier asked with wide eyes.
Yu Lumen frowned. If Lu Xin had such a document, even as a Celestial Master, he had no right to interfere in the affairs of other sects.
After all, who succeeded as sect leader was a matter within the Lushan Sect itself. His appearance was merely to increase Lin Zitong's leverage.
He couldn't possibly help Lin Zitong "usurp power," could he?
"Let me see the letter," Lin Zitong said, taking a deep breath and extending her hand.
Lu Xin showed no reservation, directly tossing the letter up. With a gentle blow, the wind carried the letter to Lin Zitong.
Lin Zitong held the letter, read it several times carefully, her brow furrowed, and she remained silent.
"How is it? Is it Sect Leader Lu Jingsheng's handwriting?" Yan Shouyi asked concernedly.
Lin Zitong said in a low voice, "It is indeed Master's handwriting."
"This..."
Yan Shouyi was momentarily speechless.
Although his mind was filled with a million questions, and he couldn't understand why Lu Jingsheng would do this, the proof was right before their eyes.
Lu Xin coldly said, "Lin Zitong, even if you have ten thousand reasons, so what? As I said, who gets the position of sect leader is an internal matter of the Lushan Sect. No matter how many outsiders you call, they cannot change the outcome."
The minor sect leaders who had just betrayed her showed a flicker of hesitation in their eyes.
They hadn't expected the reversal to come so quickly. They thought Lin Zitong had it in the bag, but unexpectedly, Lu Xin threw out this bombshell at the last moment.
Personally appointed by Lu Jingsheng, who could say anything more?
Lin Zitong quietly folded the letter and asked in a deep voice, "Where is my Master? I want to see him."
"You can't," Lu Xin refused Lin Zitong's request directly.
"I can't see him, but can you?" Lin Zitong said. "I have something to say to him."
Lu Xin hesitated for a moment and said, "I can't see him either, for now."
Han San instantly seized upon the weakness in Lu Xin's words and struck, saying, "It's understandable that we can't see the former sect leader. But since you are the successor appointed by the former sect leader, how come even you can't see him? I suspect this letter is forged by you, or you threatened the former sect leader to write it!"
Han San's suspicion was not without reason, as Lu Xin was currently holding the current sect leader of Lushan Sect, Lu Jing, captive.
Han San's words, however, gave Lin Zitong some confidence.
She threw the letter back and said coldly, "If I can't see Master, I will not acknowledge this letter."
If Lu Xin wanted to legitimize herself, she needed to produce more convincing evidence. Otherwise, Lin Zitong could also forge a letter!