I Want a Seat Among the Ten Elders. Who's in Favor, and Who's Against It?

Lu Linglong led the way, and the group headed to the Old Celestial Master's place.

Along the way, Xu San, Xu Si, and Zhang Chulan discussed whether to send Feng Baobao back, but in the end, they reached no conclusion.

When they arrived, the Old Celestial Master was a little surprised to see Wang Chuan, but he didn't say much.

After that, Wang Chuan remained silent, watching Zhang Chulan's "shameless" antics. He even had the urge to take out his phone and record them.

Later, Hu Jie was brought in just the same. Even though Wang Chuan had subdued Xia He and brought her to Mount Longhu, the unlucky fellow had still been controlled by Quanxing and used to scout the way.

"Wang Chuan, what do you make of the situation with Hu Jie?"

"What else is there to make of it? I called so many martial uncles, senior brothers, and junior brothers over from Wudang Mountain. If we don't pull off something big, we won't be earning our appearance fee."

"Oh, and let's be clear up front: I'm not paying for anything that gets broken."

The Old Celestial Master, Lu Jin, and Xu Si were somewhat surprised that Wang Chuan had made arrangements in advance, but none of them objected to his involvement.

"It's fine. Old Lu has money, and the company is a state-owned enterprise."

Xu Si immediately spoke up. "Old Celestial Master, don't go making things up. We're not a state-owned enterprise, hehe."

"No wonder Zhang Chulan fit into the company so quickly."

"Hahaha."

For a moment, the room was filled with a cheerful air.

"All right, that's settled, then."

"Then we'll see you at the tournament."

Xu San, Xu Si, and Feng Baobao prepared to leave, while Zhang Chulan knelt on the floor, begging the Old Celestial Master to shed light on what had happened to his grandfather back then.

The Old Celestial Master and Tian Jinzhong were at a loss.

Lu Jin spoke up. "Look how you've pushed the boy. It's just those old matters from back then. If you won't tell him, I will."

"You little brats, get out first."

Without waiting to see what the Old Celestial Master had to say, he shooed the younger generation out. Feng Baobao and the other two stayed behind at Zhang Chulan's request, though.

Wang Chuan didn't leave either. He stayed where he was and added, "Xiao Yuzi, don't go yet. Someone needs to stay here and look after Elder Tian."

"All right."

Lu Jin glanced at him, and Wang Chuan returned a sunny smile, but showed no inclination to leave.

Zhang Zhiwei said nothing, silently allowing him to stay, and Lu Jin said no more about it either.

"Your grandfather Zhang Huaiyi really did have ties to Quanxing. He swore brotherhood with one of Quanxing's fiends."

"!"

Lu Jin was about to continue when he heard noises outside. He drew a talisman and gave the eavesdroppers a taste of suffering.

"The Heaven-Reaching Talisman. So that's how it works?"

Wang Chuan gained some insight, yet still felt as though he were looking at flowers through a fog, unable to make them out clearly.

Setting it aside for the moment, he waved his hand too, surrounding the room with a current of Taiji Force.

"All right, the sounds in this room can't be heard outside now."

"The Taiji Perfect Harmony Realm can actually do that? It deflects the sound as it travels, making it circle around inside the room until it dissipates and is almost inaudible outside."

"You flatter me, Elder Lu. It's just a little trick. Please continue; let's not delay the important matter."

Lu Jin didn't dwell on the subject. He was growing more and more interested in the young man who was about to inherit the Threefold Reversal.

When Wang Chuan had visited him before, he hadn't shown this skill.

The three elders then revealed to Zhang Chulan what had happened back then.

When they finished, silence settled over the room for a moment.

"Old Celestial Master, Elder Tian, Elder Lu, now that Zhang Chulan's matter is settled, I have three things I'd like to discuss."

"Can't you read the room, kid?"

"After such a sad story, why not lighten the mood with some serious business?"

"You always have some crooked reasoning. I don't know how Zhou Meng puts up with a disciple like you. Go on, what is it?"

Wang Chuan didn't answer immediately. He took a few steps forward and walked over to Tian Jinzhong before speaking, and as he spoke, he made his move.

"The first thing, naturally, is..."

"The capture of Quanxing's acting sect leader—Gong Qing."

As he spoke, he restrained "Xiao Yuzi."

"Kid, what do you mean by this?"

The Old Celestial Master was somewhat annoyed, while Lu Jin's expression grew grave. Tian Jinzhong was angry, but he couldn't move.

"Will you speak for yourself, or shall I make you speak, acting sect leader?"

"How did you find me out?"

"Take a guess."

Gong Qing was so choked by that bit of wicked humor that he couldn't speak.

Although nothing had been stated outright, those few lines had revealed plenty.

"Just like that, we've caught Quanxing's acting sect leader?"

Xu Si could hardly believe it. Xu San and Zhang Chulan were also somewhat dumbfounded, while Feng Baobao showed little reaction.

Wang Chuan sent Taiji Force into Gong Qing's body, immobilizing him and locking down his Qi.

"Elders, don't ask me how I found him out. I can't say."

"All right, we won't ask."

Lu Jin was the first to speak. There were too many extraordinary people in the world, with strange abilities, or perhaps Wang Chuan had come across some information by chance, or even become involved in something disreputable.

As long as the result was good, that was enough. Catching Quanxing's acting sect leader before they made their move was a good thing.

"Tell us your other two matters."

"The second thing: I want to become one of the Ten Elders."

"???"

"You're too young. Wait another thirty years."

"Since when were the Ten Elders chosen purely by age? In terms of strength, I'd say I have enough. In terms of backing, I'm Wudang Mountain's current representative. If I become one of the Ten Elders, who has an objection? Who dares object?"

"Kid, that's not how things are done. Have your grandmaster or your master take the seat."

"I only want the title. Let them negotiate the actual business. I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself from throwing punches during meetings."

If he only wanted the title and wouldn't interfere in the actual business, there was some room to maneuver, but it would still be difficult. So...

"All the seats among the Ten Elders are filled right now. Wait a couple of years."

"There's no need. Wouldn't it be enough if one or two of them didn't deserve their positions? Someone like Wang Ai, or Lü Ci."

"Are you trying to turn the world upside down? If you really intend to do that, I'll make you sit quietly for a few years, even if Zhou Meng raises a fuss."

He didn't know whether Wang Chuan really intended to get rid of some people, but this was clearly a bad sign. Besides, the kid was very strong; those two old fellows might not be able to stop him.

"Daoist Wang Chuan, the Ten Elders represent standing and prestige in the Outsider world. Nothing can be allowed to happen to them lightly."

"Wang Ai is treacherous, and Wang Bing is ruthless. Even if I don't make a move, they're going to be finished. They might as well be finished sooner and let me take the seat."

"Well..."

"Kid, are you planning to use Quanxing as a pretext to get rid of Wang Ai?"

"You saw through me?"

Wang Chuan gave a sunny smile, but somehow it sent a chill through everyone.

Zhang Zhiwei's beard trembled with anger.

The others were startled as well. Leaving aside whether Wang Chuan was strong enough, the plan really did sound plausible on the face of it.

For a moment, everyone was speechless, but they had no good solution. If the rumors were true, there were few people on all of Mount Longhu who could stop him.

Xu Si wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Daoist Wang Chuan, the Ten Elders aren't a group anyone can join just because they want to. There has to be an assessment."

"Is that so? Then who objects to me?"

"Ah, well..."

"That's enough. We'll set the matter of the Ten Elders aside for now. You have a brain, kid, so don't do anything foolish over this."

"Then, Old Celestial Master, if a seat really does open up, you have to help me."

"All right, all right. Tell us your third matter."

Wang Chuan's behavior had given him quite a scare. Rather than refuse, it was better to agree. At least that way he could keep track of Wang Chuan's intentions and prevent him from quietly doing something big.

Besides, Zhang Zhiwei suspected that Wang Chuan had said those shocking things precisely to get him to take Wang Chuan's side when the time was right.

"The third matter is naturally Elder Lu's Threefold Reversal."

"You're still thinking about that, kid?"

"I asked the Old Celestial Master to speak on my behalf. That should work pretty well."

"Your promise is very tempting."

"So?"

"Let's find a place in a little while."

"Thank you, Elder Lu."