Chapter 32: Battle Against Tu Mian (Part I)

Inside the ancestral hall, Zuo Tu and the Main House stood on opposite sides, with Zhao Chun and Tu Cunshan being the last to arrive.

"For matters of great importance to the clan, the Clan Head should dismiss outsiders," Tu Cunzhi said. He was already seated, and though his voice still carried a hint of weakness, his large, copper-gong-like eyes were wide and staring.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao is a disciple of the Main House and thus cannot be considered an outsider. Furthermore, I informed the Main House yesterday that I intended to invite him as a guest elder to oversee clan affairs together. Since Zuo Tu is merely a branch division, it is only natural that they would be unaware."

These words left Tu Cunzhi frowning in frustration. He spoke with biting sarcasm, "I wonder when the Clan Head became so arbitrary. Does the Main House have no one to advise against such an absurd decision?"

"Whether it is absurd or not, it has already been decided and cannot be changed," Tu Cunshan said firmly. He cast a cold glance at the Zuo Tu clansmen before walking toward the central grand seat.

He naturally took the seat of honor, and Zhao Chun was also invited to sit at the head of the right side, just below him.

With everyone present, Tu Cunshan did not wish to beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "The purpose of convening this clan meeting was communicated in advance. Since Congwen was raised by my side from a young age, in terms of talent, character, and ability, there is hardly anyone in the Main House who can rival him. Now that I no longer have the strength to manage clan affairs, I intend to pass the position of Clan Head to him..."

"Clan Head, you are mistaken!" Even when he heard the claim that there was no rival, Tu Cunzhi had already raised an eyebrow. Before Tu Cunshan could finish, he interrupted sharply, "The Main House may not have one, but that does not mean Zuo Tu does not!"

"In terms of kinship, although Tu Mian is only a grand-nephew and not as direct a descendant as Tu Congwen, in terms of ability, who is stronger between Tu Mian and Tu Congwen is something everyone present can see with their own eyes..."

Before the clan meeting, Tu Cunshan knew that Tu Cunzhi would make a move on this matter, but hearing the words spoken aloud still left him momentarily speechless with rage.

After composing himself for a moment, he shouted angrily, "You know there is a difference between close and distant kin! Back when Zuo Tu split from the family, your branch was expelled from the clan. It was only in recent years, under the pretext of your father erecting a memorial tablet, that your direct line was barely re-entered into the genealogy."

"To commit the crime of splitting a clan and yet still dare to covet the position of Clan Head!"

"Clan Head! Please hear Tu Mian out!"

The youth stepping out from the Zuo Tu side with a smiling countenance was the other person at the center of the storm: the Young Master of Zuo Tu, Tu Mian.

He first faced Chang Ji and performed his formalities thoroughly before speaking with resonant strength: "The matter of Zuo Tu's relocation in the past indeed brought loss to the Tu family. It is precisely because of this that we, Zuo Tu, have now established a clan memorial tablet and increased our clan assets, using these small actions to make amends for our past great mistake."

"Currently, the Tu family faces enemies from without and instability from within. We need a Clan Head capable of repelling external threats and stabilizing internal affairs to restore the prestige of the Tu clan. I, Mian, am unworthy and dare not guarantee that I can eliminate all external enemies, but regarding internal matters, I can promise this: if I succeed the Clan Headship, Zuo Tu will merge into the Main House immediately. All assets seized in the past and all profits from the last century will be handed over entirely to the clan. From then on, there will be no more Zuo Tu! Only the Main House branch of the Tu clan shall remain!"

The atmosphere in the ancestral hall shifted instantly, and many in the Main House began to stir with excitement.

Tu Mian did not stop there, adding: "I am the same age as my cousin Congwen, and yesterday I broke through to the third level of Qi Refinement! I must ask the Clan Head: will this position of successor be decided by your personal sense of kinship, or by the ability of the younger generation!"

Every word was a direct strike to the heart, forcing Tu Cunshan's face to flush deep red.

Zhao Chun truly began to look at Tu Mian with new eyes. With such a figure in Zuo Tu, the clan's resurgence would not be difficult. It was a pity, however, that they were entangled with the Renyang Sect...

The struggle for the Clan Headship today was originally intended to let Tu Congwen and Tu Mian fight it out to determine a winner.

Upon learning that Tu Mian had already reached the third level of Qi Refinement, Tu Cunshan no longer intended to pursue the matter.

Although the difference in strength at the early stages was limited, Tu Congwen's chances of winning were already slim. To force him to fight would risk a humiliating defeat on the spot, completely destroying any possibility of him inheriting the position.

As Tu Cunshan's mind raced, trying to figure out how to turn the situation around, he was surprised when Tu Congwen stood up and said sternly, "Clan Head, Congwen is willing to engage in a martial duel with Tu Mian. The winner takes the position, without question!"

Before Tu Cunshan could veto it, Tu Mian spoke up: "I am willing to fight!"

A duel between the third level of Qi Refinement and the second level was almost a one-sided affair. This caused Tu Cunshan to slump into his large chair, losing his composure entirely.

Outside the ancestral hall was a martial duel platform cast from bluestone; in the Hengyun World, the pursuit of strength was evident everywhere.

Tu Cunshan was led out, his face pale, filled with both grief and rage.

Zhao Chun followed beside him, appearing remarkably calm, which aroused his suspicion: "Fellow Daoist, you are so composed. Do you have a way?"

"It is not a great way; I only have a fifty percent chance."

Tu Cunshan became even more suspicious: "This..."

Zhao Chun brushed the stray hair from his forehead and looked at him steadily: "Regardless of what hidden tricks you have, Clan Head Tu, bring them all out. If my guess is correct, your brother's courage is much greater than you think..."