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Back in the Shuǐ Enlightenment hall, a vote was being taken, and it was almost unanimous.
Most of them believed Xuè Shèngrén should be executed.
Wang FeiYang protested each time the death sentence was mentioned... "Shouldn't we further look into what made him act this way? I suggest temporary imprisonment!"
But it was discarded as too light a punishment.
"Clan Leader Wang, you're too soft! This person killed your family!"
"We know you became Clan Leader just a while ago, but you still need to learn when to make tough decisions, or other clans might look down on your Clan!"
"Besides, you're a clan leader now. You keep defending Xuè Shèngrén. People might assume you are in cohorts with him!"
He wanted to correct them and point out that Clan Leader Wang LiKang had never accepted him as family, and that Wang LiKang and Zhao MinXue were likely the evil ones.
But the last two statements were cleverly disguised threats, especially since those that had uttered them, were Clan Leaders from the Southern region... They were prominent Clan Leaders who were beneath him in rank, but were far stronger than he was.
Their hidden meaning was clear...
Since Wang FeiYang had no power, he was ruling the Southern Dragon Clan simply because he was the only surviving blood heir. Any Southern prominent clan might challenge him in the future, defeat him, and then claim the Southern Dragon seat, while he and the Wang Clan, would be kicked out as a minor clan.
According to Xin Dao's laws, no prominent clan could directly attack a weakened Ruling Clan for five years, unless they were provoked first. This was under the 'Clan Courtesy Laws', and would give the ruling clan some time to regrow their strength and defend their place as rulers.
But through history, with the excuse of provocation, prominent clans would often find underhanded ways of trying to overthrow ruling clans before that time.
The two clan leaders were essentially warning Wang FeiYang not to cause any 'provocations' before his five years were over.
Added to that, it was likely that a few other Clan Leaders present, were against Zhao LanFeng, and if Wang FeiYang acted up, they wouldn't hesitate to connive with a Southern prominent clan to overthrow him.
He may not have minded any danger to himself, but he suddenly found himself with the weight of an entire whole clan on his shoulders.
So he kept quiet after that.
Meanwhile, Shuǐ ChangSheng watched the back and forth exchanges, with rising worry...
A few suggested life imprisonment, with constant seals and qi blockers.
Zhou ZhuFeng suggested permanent damage to his dantian, but it was dismissed...
Most of them saw no difference between that and death!
Besides, if Zhao LanFeng was born without cultivation talent, and had somehow built such a strong dantian in just five years, he might be able to do it again...
After all, he was just nineteen.
"If I may speak, as the eldest ruling clan Head." Kong JuLong bagan. Though Clan Leader Wei Zhu Qing was the eldest Clan Leader present, she was merely Clan Leader of prominent Clan, so Kong JuLong outranked her.
"The Wulin has its rules..." Kong JuLong continued. "The boy lacks any form of remorse, so I say he sealed his own fate.
"If we don't sentence such a dangerous, unrepentant fellow to death, the High Grandmaster might step in himself, kill the boy, and one or two of us to send a clear message!" he finished, and most of the other clan leaders nodded in agreement.
Lu FengHo, who had returned, looked like he was about to say something, but Shuǐ ChénLín shook his head so slightly, that no one else noticed.
It was not the place of anyone but the Clan Leaders to vote, or even comment, during the hearing. Even if they said anything, it would be useless, and would just reflect badly on the Shuǐ Clan.
He glanced at his father, noting the furrow on his face.
Kong JuLong continued. "Besides, the High Grandmaster might likely kill the messenger in annoyance, and as the eldest Ruling Clan Head, it will be my duty to deliver the detailed report to him...
"I might be old, but I'm not planning to die at the hands of someone that scary! And certainly not because of a criminal like Xuè Shèngrén.
"The young man is indeed someone that some of us would like to investigate and study more closely, but he has admitted to his crimes and remains unrepentant. So a death sentence is the only way forward. Let us begin to vote!"
And they did.
Shuǐ ChangSheng frowned. "It appears we have come to an agreement." And it was the worst case.
The Death Sentence.
Zhao LanFeng himself hadn't even tried to seem the least bit repentant, before these people.
The result of the votes were eleven to five, in favour of the death penalty. Even if he and Wang FeiYang pulled their ranks as Ruling Family Heads, they could only offset two votes at most, which would still bring the result to nine votes to seven, against them.
It would be useless, and then most of the other clans would view them as enemies.
Shuǐ ChangSheng continued. "Tomorrow at dawn, Xuè shèngrén will be execut-." But there was a crash, and they all glanced up to see the doors flung open.
"Sorry I'm so late!" A wheezy but loud voice bellowed from the doorway. "I'm Zhao ChaoYun, representing the Zhao Family and the Eastern Dragon Clan!"
There was dead silence, and then instant muttering erupted around the room.
A few of the clan leaders cast furtive glances at each other... These were the ones that wanted Xuè Shèngrén, or Zhao LanFeng, dead by all means.
They had come so close to ensuring his death, but they knew Zhao ChaoYun would never be on their side.
He didn't know who they were, but they could sense his anger...
After all, they had imprisoned him for nineteen years!
In contrast, Shuǐ ChangSheng'eyes widened for a different reason, and his face brightened.
'Elder Zhao is alive!'
"Elder Zhao!" Shuǐ ChangSheng shot to his feet. "A Zhao representative! We assumed you had been dead for many years, and we heard no member of the Zhao Family was left alive!"
Shuǐ ChangSheng couldn't quite keep the smile off his face, nor the relief out of his voice, and he cupped his hands, bowing in greeting. "Please forgive us! You're welcome!"
Like blades of grass that flew in by chance, had the winds of fate blown Elder Zhao in? It would be another matter, if he hated Zhao LanFeng, but Shuǐ ChangSheng could only hope that wasn't the case.
Several of the Clan leaders, who remembered Zhao ChaoYun, also bowed in greeting as well, as he walked in.
He was an old man with completely gray hair that flowed to his waist. He had a limp and he used a walking stick, which clacked against the floor with every odd step he took.
Zhao ChaoYun was wearing the red and gold robes of the Eastern Dragon Clan, and atop his head, holding the front half of his long gray hair in place, was a hair ornament, which bore an intricate flame insignia.
Dressed in less magnificent robes of the same red and gold colours, were two of the Zhao Clan Cultivators, and they marched in behind him.
As he walked, Zhao ChaoYun addressed the room, stroking his well-groomed goatee.
"Clan Leader Shuǐ. It has indeed been ages. These old eyes have not fallen on you for almost twenty years." There was a mild hint of accusation in his tone, as if he expected Shuǐ ChangSheng, of all people, to have done something about Zhao LanFeng through the years.
Zhao ChaoYun continued. "I'm indeed a relic that most people have forgotten, but as we all can see, I'm alive and well, and the last surviving blood member of the Zhao family.
"This means I'm an acceptable representative, and there are quite a lot of things you have to consider, before deciding to execute my grand nephew, Zhao LanFeng."
Wong FuHeng was indignant. "Are you speaking up for that fellow right now?!" He demanded, and Zhou ZhuFeng used that as an opportunity to say,
"Elder Zhao, didn't Zhao LanFeng betray your clan and kill all your top cultivators?! Death is too good for him!"
But Zhao ChaoYun just turned cold eyes on him. "I don't want to hear such a thing from the likes of you!" He walked boldly over to the empty seat, meant for the Zhao representative, then he fished out a solid, square golden pendant.
It was a flame insignia, with a golden dragon weaving through the flames.
"This is -!" Kong JuLong, the Northern Dragon Clan Leader exclaimed.
"This hasn't been seen since the Late Eastern Dragon *fell!" Wei Zhu Qing, the eldest Clan Leader, had gotten to her feet.
*Fell - died
"Exactly! That is because it was secretly passed down to Zhao LanFeng by his father, who realized his half-brother, Min Xue, had betrayed the Clan!" Zhao ChaoYun held up the pendant.
"For those who do not remember, I am *Zhao ZhuYong's uncle, and Zhao LanFeng's Grand uncle... And I was there nineteen years ago. The day the Eastern Dragon fell. After everything that has happened, I won't let anyone kill his only child!"
*Zhao ZhuYong was the former Eastern Dragon (Clan Leader), LanFen's father.
The whole hall was now staring at Zhao ChaoYun with apt silence.
The events surrounding the death of the Eastern Dragon, had always been shrouded in mystery. The events leading up to it were suspicious...
But still, Zhao ChaoYun was known as someone who had absolutely no spirit power. Who did he think he was, that he was daring to defend a criminal who had killed so many?!
Shuǐ ChangSheng noticed the change in their expressions...
The Clan Leaders were made up of mostly proud individuals, so though they would respect Zhao Chaoyun's age, and especially his new rank as Zhao Clan Leader, they would not allow disrespect from someone who had no power.
Shuǐ ChangSheng quickly spoke before any of the rest could react. "Then please, tell us what you know, Elder Zhao..."
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