"Have Sect Leader Zhu's final arrangements been taken care of? Where was his mausoleum built?"
Xu Yi didn't answer Hong Jiantong right away. Instead, he asked about Sect Leader Zhu.
Hong Jiantong paused. "Everything's been taken care of. The late sect leader was a Daoist master, not one to follow worldly customs by building a tomb. In accordance with the tradition of past sect leaders, his remains were cremated, and a memorial tablet was placed in the ancestral mausoleum, where incense is offered to him year after year."
The two men spoke without avoiding Elder Bai, who stood nearby, but Elder Bai had no interest in paying attention to their conversation.
All his attention was fixed on the densely packed counting rods spread across the black ground.
"Junior Brother Wang, though the sect leader's passing was sudden, he left behind an edict. The affairs of Donghua will need your attention. If it were a minor matter, I wouldn't dare trouble you. But Passage Number Three concerns Donghua's very survival. We can't afford to be careless."
Hong Jiantong spoke gravely.
"Junior Brother? I wonder where Brother Hong got that from."
Xu Yi honestly didn't know how to untangle the question of seniority with Hong Jiantong and Elder Bai's lot.
Hong Jiantong replied, "The late sect leader left an edict appointing you Great Elder of the Guardian Sect. Naturally, that makes us peers."
Xu Yi said, "Since it was Sect Leader Zhu's wish, I'll accept the position of Great Elder of the Guardian Sect. Don't worry, Senior Brother Hong. I'll handle the Saint Clan matter myself. Whether you respond to them or answer them forcefully, either is fine."
Hong Jiantong's expression changed dramatically. "Junior Brother Wang, how can you be so careless when dealing with the Saint Clan? If you give them