"I heard the Jin family has a new patriarch. Why wasn't such a significant event communicated to us?" Elder Ping's opening was accusatory, as if the Jin family were a subordinate branch of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
"The succession of the Jin family patriarch is a domestic affair. It doesn't require informing outsiders, does it?" The Second Elder sat down beside the main seat. "Young Sect Master Yue, what do you say?"
"Where is Jin Yao, and where is my Uncle-Master?" Yue Ran got straight to the point.
"Young Sect Master Yue, your question is rather strange. Madam Jin took the Second Young Master to attend the Heavenly Sword Sect's Heroes Gathering. They haven't returned yet."
"Nonsense!" Elder Ping immediately reprimanded. "Elder Chang has not returned to the Heavenly Sword Sect!"
"That's odd," the Second Elder said, feigning confusion. "But Madam Jin did indeed take the Second Young Master to the Heavenly Sword Sect for the Heroes Gathering. The former patriarch himself saw them off."
"I ask you, why was the Jin family's patriarch election held while my Uncle-Master and Jin Yao were absent?"
"Young Sect Master Yue, when you eventually succeed as the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, will you need to wait for your siblings, and your father's thirty-six concubines, to be present?"
"Insolence!" Elder Ping immediately made a move, using his oppressive aura to force the Second Elder to his knees.
Half-kneeling on the ground, the Second Elder glared hatefully at Elder Ping. This elder from the Heavenly Sword Sect was far too presumptuous, daring to attack him within the Jin family's residence. Did he truly consider the Jin family to be part of the Heavenly Sword Sect?
At that moment, a gentle force neutralized Elder Ping's oppressive aura. The First Elder walked in slowly. "Young Sect Master Yue, Elder Ping, this is the Jin family."
"What, does the Jin family intend to oppose the Heavenly Sword Sect?" Elder Ping asked coldly. "Don't forget, the Jin family's matriarch comes from our Heavenly Sword Sect."
"The current patriarch of the Jin family is the Eldest Young Master, Jin Ling. Our Eldest Young Master is not yet married, so there is naturally no matriarch," the First Elder said with a blank expression.
"Didn't the Jin family's Eldest Young Master die?" Yue Ran exclaimed in surprise.
"Young Sect Master Yue, speak cautiously. Our family's patriarch merely went out for training. He has now returned, but he is severely ill. Under the recommendation of the elders, the Eldest Young Master has succeeded to the position of patriarch."
"Succeeded to the position of patriarch without the matriarch and the Second Young Master being present?" Yue Ran was puzzled, sensing something was amiss.
"Young Sect Master Yue, the Eldest Young Master is the young lord of the Jin family. It is only natural for the young lord to succeed to the patriarch's position. Furthermore, this decision was made through a vote by the Elder Council, not a private arrangement. If Young Sect Master Yue has come to offer congratulations, we are most welcome."
Yue Ran narrowed his eyes. Was the Jin family attempting to sever ties with the Heavenly Sword Sect?
"Second Elder, all we want to know now is the whereabouts of Elder Chang and Young Master Jin the Second."
"That is precisely what I wish to ask. Young Sect Master Yue, Elder Ping, my household's Old Madam Jin and the Second Young Master went to attend the Heavenly Sword Sect's Heroes Gathering and have not returned. May I ask, where are they?"
"Turning the tables, how interesting." Yue Ran sneered. "So, it seems the Jin family intends to be an enemy of our Heavenly Sword Sect."
"Young Sect Master Yue, you have detained our former patriarch's wife and Second Young Master, and now you come to our Jin family to demand explanations. Do you think our Jin family is easy to bully?"
"You Jin family know best what is going on. Call your patriarch out." Yue Ran slammed his palm on the table. The table, made of fine sandalwood, instantly turned to dust. "Otherwise, we will make your Jin family..."
"Make our Jin family what?"
Chongsheng walked in slowly from outside.
"Young Sect Master Yue, what do you intend to do to my Jin family?" Chongsheng asked with a smile. "Do you intend to destroy my Jin family?"
"You are Jin Ling?" Yue Ran looked at Chongsheng, asking in confusion.
"I used to go by Jin Ling. I have changed my name to Chongsheng. Young Sect Master Yue is a guest from afar. As a rule, we should entertain you warmly. However, my Jin family has many matters to attend to, so we will not be hosting Young Sect Master Yue."
Yue Ran narrowed his eyes. Elder Ping, standing beside him, moved instantly, striking directly at Chongsheng's vital points. The First Elder and Second Elder immediately moved to shield Chongsheng.
"Young Sect Master Yue, this is the Jin family. You have only brought one Nascent Soul Elder. Are you sure you wish to act so recklessly here?" Chongsheng asked coolly.
"There is no place I dare not act recklessly!" Yue Ran sneered, a fiery red light emanating from his body. He instantly broke through the defenses of the First and Second Elders and appeared beside Chongsheng, gripping his throat.
"Patriarch!"
Chongsheng signaled his people not to panic and cast a glance at Yue Ran. "It seems the rumors outside are true. The Heavenly Sword Sect intends to destroy the noble families."
Yue Ran frowned. "Stop spewing nonsense here. We are only here to find out the whereabouts of my Uncle-Master and Junior Brother."
"Jin Changshi and Jin Yao have not returned since they left the Jin family to attend the Heavenly Sword Sect's Heroes Gathering. I too wish to ask Young Sect Master Yue, where have you hidden Jin Changshi and Jin Yao?" Chongsheng stated with certainty.
Yue Ran's brows furrowed into a deep '川' shape. He had indeed seen Jin Changshi and Jin Yao in the town at the foot of the Heavenly Sword Sect. They had gone to attend the gathering. However, the Heavenly Sword Sect had reported that their group had not entered the sect, but had disappeared after entering the town.
Coupled with the Jin family's sudden change of patriarch at this time, they suspected the Jin family was behind it. But looking at Chongsheng, he seemed to be unaware of Jin Changshi and Jin Yao's whereabouts.
"The Jin family's guard force escorted Madam Jin and Young Master Jin the Second. Now, the Jin family's guard force, Madam Jin, and everyone else have disappeared. Is it not the Jin family's doing?"
"This implies that someone caused trouble on the Heavenly Sword Sect's territory, and the Heavenly Sword Sect detected nothing?" Chongsheng asked with a cold laugh. "Isn't the Heavenly Sword Sect too incompetent?"
"You court death!" Yue Ran was enraged. The Heavenly Sword Sect was his home. He would not allow anyone to slander it.
"Ah Ran." A familiar voice echoed. Yue Ran's body stiffened. He immediately looked towards the entrance and saw a familiar figure appear. Yue Ran's heart leaped with joy. Before Elder Ping could react, Yue Ran released Chongsheng and went to Xiao Man's side.
"Second Brother, why are you here?"
"That's what I should be asking you, why are you here?" Xiao Man asked with a smile.
"My father sent me a message, asking me to come and inquire about the whereabouts of my Uncle-Master and Junior Brother. Since I was nearby, I came to take a look. What about you, Second Brother?"
"Chongsheng is my friend. I was invited by him to stay at the Jin family for a period of time." Xiao Man reached out to ruffle Yue Ran's hair, but in this short time, Yue Ran had grown taller, and she could no longer reach him.