"Disciple Liu Zhiwei (Shi Jian...) pays respects to Martial Uncle Pang."
Everyone was stunned for only an instant before rising one after another to bow to Pang Shichong. Even Bái Xī Wén, usually the most lax and unrestrained, did the same.
"Enough, there is no need for such ceremony. I came this time to preside over Dōng Liú's wedding, yet I never expected to witness such a fine spectacle.
The dignified deputy heads and elders of our Golden Cauldron Sect were actually forcing the sect master from his throne. If word of this got out, wouldn't the people of the martial world laugh their teeth out?"
Pang Shichong walked to the center of the hall and, at Qū Dōng Liú's respectful invitation, sat directly in the seat of honor.
The moment he spoke, his deep, resonant voice spread through the entire hall, yet not a single thread of it leaked outside. Few within the hall could match such cultivation and control of true qi.
As the one who had personally pushed Qū Dōng Liú into the position of sect master, Pang Shichong's support for Qū Dōng Liú was only to be expected. Thus, no one answered.
They neither wished to offend him nor wanted to bow their heads before him.
Times had changed. Back then, the older generation of masters held all authority and had the final say; there had been no room for resistance.
But the wheel of fortune turned. Now they were the ones in power. Showing due respect was fine, but where fundamental interests were concerned, they could not yield.
Seeing the reactions below, Pang Shichong immediately understood that he had been away from the mountain gate for too long. His former prestige was gone; he could no longer hold them down. Anger rose in his heart,