The old man who stepped forward had wrinkles etched into his face like knife cuts, deeply sunken into his skin. His eyes were exceptionally bright, as if they held extraordinary wisdom, though they now carried a trace of anger.
His name was Moses. He was currently the oldest member of the Ancestral Spirit Society. Like Yi Deng, the old man who had just died, he wore no Tooth Necklace around his neck.
"Moses, is that you?" Seeing the gaunt old man step forward, Noan spoke in slight surprise, his brow furrowing even deeper.
The old man called Moses was thoroughly impolite toward Noan. He said bluntly, "Noan, boy, you should call me Uncle Moses. Have you forgotten your manners?"
Noan's face darkened as he said stiffly, "That was then. Now, I am the leader of the Ancestral Spirit Society."
"So what if you're the leader?" Moses remained just as blunt. "I am still a director of the Ancestral Spirit Society, and the longest-serving one at that. You should know very well that the Ancestral Spirit Society's highest authority lies with the board of directors. As leader, you are merely the person responsible for organizing its daily operations when the board is not in session.
"Do you think that being the leader puts you entirely above the board? Or do you simply have no intention of following the system the Ancestral Spirit Society has upheld for centuries? Then tell me, are you maintaining the order of the Ancestral Spirit Society, or destroying it?"
"I..." Noan looked at Moses, momentarily speechless.
Moses said in a deep voice, "Then I'll ask you again. Should you continue calling me Uncle Moses or not?"
"I..." Noan hesitated for several seconds before finally lowering his head slightly. "Uncle Moses."
"Very good!" Moses said.
"As long as