Succession Dispute

The weather was cold and freezing, with frost unable to seal the flowing water, and the distant waterfall roared.

Under the stars and moon, a rider galloped forward, the fine horse exhaling hot air. The person on the horse was shrouded in a black cloak.

Reaching the shallow riverbank, they turned into the riverbed, waded through the shallow water, splashing water as they rushed to the opposite bank, and continued to gallop towards the distant mountain forest.

The mountain forest was deep and dark, with shadows flickering. As they entered the forest, the rider waved their hand, and a pinkish-white warm light flashed from within the black robe, illuminating the path ahead.

The pinkish-white warm light was a butterfly flying rapidly, named 'Little Moon,' meaning a small moon. It had a hard shell and bone spurs within its wings. In daylight, it showed no abnormalities when facing strong light, but it glowed in the darkness. The light it emitted was soft, and it could illuminate distances within two zhang. Its flight speed was both fast and slow, and it was domesticated by cultivators for illumination.

'Little Moon's' light source was on its wings. The back of its wings were without light, while the light came from the inner side of its wings. Therefore, when it flapped its wings, the light's radiation range would suddenly expand and contract, creating a flickering effect. When it landed and folded its wings, it could be used as a lamp for illumination.

'Little Moon' led the way, illuminating the path, with the knight following on horseback.

Suddenly, a stream of light darted out from the forest ahead, blocking their path. It was another glowing butterfly.

The knight stopped abruptly, and the guiding 'Little Moon' flashed back to their side. The knight, shrouded in the cloak, lifted their face, revealing an old man with a clear and refined complexion, three strands of graying long beard, and bright eyes. He casually threw out a token.

A figure lurking in the trees caught the token, examined it, and then threw it back. The obstructing glowing butterfly was quickly recalled and disappeared into the darkness.

The fine horse galloped forward again, disappearing into the depths of the mountain forest behind 'Little Moon.'

The bright moon shone, and the depths of the mountain forest were a place of spiritual beauty, with strange peaks and steep cliffs. On the cliffs stood palaces and halls, with bright lights visible. This place was the location of the Shangqing Sect in the cultivation world.

The black-robed knight dismounted at the foot of a cliff, lifted the hood of their cloak, revealing their true appearance: it was Tang Mu, the Sect Master of the Shangqing Sect.

A disciple immediately came forward to greet him: "Sect Master!"

Tang Mu casually threw the reins to the disciple and, without saying a word, strode away. He quickly ascended the 'Z'-shaped stone steps along the cliff face. With a few leaps and landings, he floated to the cliff top, arriving outside the majestic palaces on the mountain, and continued to walk briskly.

Beneath the eaves of the flying cornices, a woman with a coiled bun and a veil stood quietly.

Her eyebrows were like slender willow leaves, her phoenix eyes were like bright black jade gems, her nose was delicate and beautiful, her cherry lips were like blooming flower buds, her face was like a hibiscus, yet with a touch of dignified coldness. Her skin was fair and delicate like fine porcelain, her chest was full, her figure graceful, and she wore a gray gauze long dress, exuding an ethereal, immortal-like aura.

This was Tang Yi, Tang Mu's daughter. She looked up at the moon, standing alone and appreciating the moon on a lonely night.

The glowing butterfly attracted attention. Although it was recalled as soon as they reached the cliff top, Tang Yi still noticed it.

Tang Yi looked back, slightly surprised, and walked towards the steps to greet him. She looked behind her father and, not seeing anyone else, asked Tang Mu, who was ascending the steps, with some curiosity, "Dad, didn't Senior Brother and the others return with you?"

Unexpectedly, Tang Mu's body flickered, and his attention was distracted, causing him to stumble on the steps and fall. At the same time, he coughed out a mouthful of blood with a poof.

Tang Yi was greatly alarmed. How could her father be like this with his cultivation? She quickly flashed forward to help him.

As she got closer, she smelled a strong scent of blood on her father. Touching his sleeve, she found it wet and a little sticky. She raised her hand to look under the light of the eaves and discovered it was bloodstains. She exclaimed in shock, "Dad, are you injured?"

Tang Mu waved his hand slightly, signaling her not to make a sound.

Outside, the weather was cold and freezing, and the temperature on the mountain was even colder. However, inside, it was as warm as spring. A large copper furnace, similar to an alchemy furnace, was placed in the center of the hall. One had to look up to see it. It was filled with burning charcoal, and one could feel the intense heat when standing close. It heated the entire room until it was warm and cozy, with the heat reaching all the inner rooms. Even with the doors open, the warmth inside was barely diminished.

After helping her father to sit down inside, Tang Yi looked anxious and wanted to examine her father's injuries.

Tang Mu raised his hand to stop her and said in a deep voice, "Immediately notify the three Elders and the Inner Sect Disciples to come and see me. I have important matters to announce!"

Tang Yi anxiously said, "Dad, your injuries..."

Tang Mu interrupted with a shout, "Go quickly! Quickly!"

Tang Yi bit her lip, tears welling up in her bright eyes. She seemed to sense something but had no choice but to twirl her long skirt and quickly leave.

Not long after, several Inner Sect Disciples arrived running. They were all shocked to see Tang Mu's condition. Under the light, it was clear that Tang Mu was severely injured.

The disciples quickly stepped forward to check, especially Wei Duo, Tang Mu's personal disciple and eldest disciple. He was extremely anxious, "Mas... Master... you... how did you get... get so injured... Disciple will... heal... heal you!" He was a natural stutterer.

Tang Mu waved his hand, signaling them to step back, telling them not to bother. Wei Duo, with a look of simple honesty, knelt beside him anxiously.

Tang Mu closed his eyes, seemingly having no energy to say more to him.

After a short wait, the three Elders of the Shangqing Sect, who resided in the back mountain, flew to the door and entered together, two men and one woman.

Their names were Luo Yuangong, Su Po, and Tang Susu, respectively. All of them appeared elderly, their age exceeding that of Sect Master Tang Mu. They were all Martial Uncles to Tang Mu. After Tang Mu took over the Shangqing Sect, the three of them retreated to the position of Elder.

Although the three had some psychological preparation before arriving, they were still quite surprised to see Tang Mu's condition. The three stepped forward and began to examine him together.

Unlike the disciples below, Tang Mu could not refuse and had to allow it.

After the three examined him using their techniques, their faces all appeared extremely solemn. They understood why Tang Mu did not allow them to treat him: it was because he could not be saved. His injuries were too severe; his internal organs were almost destroyed, and he was only being held alive by a breath of True Qi.

The three also guessed what Tang Mu was urgently summoning everyone for.

"Who did this?" Tang Susu asked with some anger. She was Tang Mu's paternal aunt. She had personally recommended Tang Mu when he entered the Shangqing Sect, and she had also contributed significantly to Tang Mu becoming the Sect Master. Seeing her nephew in such a state, how could she not be angry?

Tang Mu slowly said, "Wait until everyone has arrived!"

Everyone could only wait.

By the time Tang Yi returned, she had summoned all the dozens of Inner Sect Disciples remaining at the Shangqing Sect. After they stood in several orderly rows in the hall according to their status, Tang Mu straightened himself, gripping the armrests with both hands, and said in a clear and strong voice, "Due to my physical condition, I can no longer lead the Shangqing Sect. Today, with all the Inner Sect Disciples present as witnesses, I officially pass on the position of Sect Master of the Shangqing Sect to my junior brother Dongguo Haoran. Those who obey my decree shall not deceive. There are sect rules above, and those who violate them will be severely punished!"

The disciples were fine, merely exchanging glances. However, the three Elders were greatly surprised. Passing the position to Dongguo Haoran?

According to the rules of the Shangqing Sect, the Sect Master could only be an Inner Sect Disciple, designated by the previous Sect Master. If the Sect Master met with an accident and could not designate a successor, one person would be chosen from among his disciples to inherit the position, and all Inner Sect Disciples would elect them. Only if the Sect Master had no disciples would a successor be chosen from collateral branches.

Dongguo Haoran was Tang Mu's junior brother, so he was naturally considered an Inner Sect Disciple and met the criteria for a successor designated by the Sect Master. However, from Tang Mu's lineage, he had chosen someone from a collateral branch. Coupled with some other factors, Dongguo Haoran was not a suitable candidate from a certain perspective.

Tang Susu was the first to break her composure and said sternly, "I implore the Sect Master to reconsider. Dongguo Haoran and Prince Ning, Shang Jianbo, have been colluding for a long time. Shang Jianbo has been harboring wild ambitions and has caused dissatisfaction among cultivators throughout the land. It was precisely because of this that my senior brother was stopped by our Martial Uncles and Martial Aunts when he intended to pass the position to Dongguo Haoran, and it was passed to you. Now you are going back to that path. Don't you know that Dongguo Haoran's ascension to power will bring about the destruction of the Shangqing Sect? How can such a major event be treated so casually!"

Tang Mu calmly replied, "On the way here, I heard the news that Shang Jianbo was assassinated. Therefore, Shang Jianbo's matter is already in the past."

Shang Jianbo is dead? Prince Ning, Shang Jianbo, was the current emperor of the Yan Kingdom's own brother, one of the Three Excellencies, the Grand Marshal, who commanded the military power of the Yan Kingdom. He was skilled in warfare and held great power and prestige. To think that he was assassinated! How could such a major event have not reached them here?

Tang Susu, her posture aged but her head held high, spoke out: "I object!"

Tang Mu glanced at her and asked, "Why do you object? Have I violated any sect rules?"

Tang Susu replied, "No rules have been violated, but since the founding of the Shangqing Sect, the position of Sect Master has customarily been passed down to a personal disciple. There's no precedent for passing it to someone from a collateral line. There are disciples under the Sect Master who are not from a collateral line, so why pass it to one? You must have a reason!"

Tang Mu closed his eyes and sighed, "The disciples who accompanied me on my recent outing have all perished."

The crowd fell silent for a moment. Seeing Tang Mu return in such a state and noticing the absence of the other accompanying disciples, they had already begun to guess what happened. Now that it was confirmed, they couldn't help but wonder what exactly had occurred.

Tang Susu then pointed at Wei Duo, "Wei Duo is your eldest disciple. How can the Sect Master ignore him?"

Tang Mu remained unmoved. "Wei Duo is loyal and honest, suitable as a wise advisor, but not as a leader. He cannot bear the heavy responsibility of Sect Master."

No one objected to this reasoning. Besides, with Wei Duo's stutter, him being Sect Master would indeed damage the Shangqing Sect's image. Even Wei Duo himself lowered his head upon hearing this.

Tang Susu then pointed at Tang Yi, "What about Tang Yi? The Shangqing Sect has no rule stating a woman cannot be Sect Master."

Tang Mu responded, "Tang Yi is my daughter. The Shangqing Sect is not my private property. As the Sect Master of the Shangqing Sect, how can I be so selfish as to pass it down through my own family for generations?"

Tang Susu loudly declared, "Promote the worthy regardless of kinship! Who dares to disobey?"

Tang Mu calmly stated, "It is not appropriate!"

Tang Susu became enraged. "In the end, the Sect Master just wants to pass the position of Sect Master to Dongguo Haoran. What is the reason for this? Do you have some unspeakable motive?"

Tang Mu suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over her. His tone carried a hint of sternness, "Tang Elder, are the Shangqing Sect's rules merely suggestions to you?"

"..." Tang Susu was speechless. Her fists clenched, and she trembled with anger, never expecting her own close nephew to speak to her like this in public. This was the first time he had been so firm with her, causing her to lose all face in front of the disciples.

"My decision is made!" Tang Mu took out the Sect Master Token and handed it to Luo Yuangong, who was nearby. "Disciple Dongguo Haoran is not present. According to sect rules, the Sect Master Token shall be jointly kept in safekeeping by the Elders. Upon Disciple's return, the position of Sect Master will be officially transferred to Dongguo Haoran. All disciples of the Shangqing Sect shall bear witness, and there shall be no mistakes!"

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