Evening.
Azure Mountain Sword Sect, Inner Sect council hall.
Huang Helou, Bi Kongjing, Tian Jishu, the Three Elders, and seven or eight elders had gathered together.
Faint but considerable injuries could still be seen on every one of them. Clearly, the damage to their vitality from the Night Raid had yet to recover.
Standing in the hall were the younger disciples led by Chi Yuanqing. Zhuang Xiaojing, Gu Lingling, Li Weiyun, Mei Zisu, and the others were all present.
It could be said that the council hall now gathered the pillar figures of the entire Azure Mountain Sword Sect—old, middle-aged, and young alike—and the core of the whole sect.
Huang Helou sat in the seat of honor, his gaze somewhat complicated as he looked at Chi Yuanqing in the hall.
After a long while, he said heavily, "I have gathered everyone today to announce something. Yuanqing's strength after emerging from this seclusion is plain for all to see. He is already fully qualified to assume the position of our sect's Sect Leader. It is time to remove that acting title from before his name."
At those words, contemplative looks surfaced on everyone's faces, carrying a measure of complexity.
Chi Yuanqing frowned and stepped forward. "Old Huang, isn't this decision too abrupt? I only held this sword token on Sect Leader Lu's orders. I have never harbored the slightest covetous thought, much less wished to occupy this seat."
Tian Jishu persuaded him, "This was a decision reached after the three of us old fellows discussed it together. It has been carefully considered."
Gu Lingling said indignantly, "When Senior Brother Lu wrote before, saying he would resign to distance himself from the sect and avoid dragging us down, none of you agreed. Now that the sect has stabilized, you instead want to