Ibaraki-doji hadn't expected his daughter to still be able to laugh while he was angry. Where had the cautious girl who used to tread on thin ice gone?
"What are you laughing at?"
"I'm laughing at how senile you've become, Father."
Ibaraki-doji's eyes widened slightly, his expression turning to one of surprise. He almost thought he'd misheard her.
Oni Yunjie took a deep breath. Now that she'd said it, there was no reason to stop.
"You only see me constantly relying on Fang Cheng's strength, but you don't see how many times he's helped Iron-Cast Palace through a crisis. If it weren't for him, the foundation you care so much about would have been destroyed long ago."
Ibaraki-doji had been Ghost Lord for many years, after all, and he was very good at keeping his composure.
He didn't fly into another rage. Instead, he calmed down and accused her, "If you have to rely on an outsider just to get through a crisis, then you're an unfit leader."
Oni Yunjie remained calm. "I am unfit, which is why I've been learning and working hard. You can't expect someone who took office in a hurry to have polished skills and experience."
Ibaraki-doji said gravely, "If you knew you were unfit, you shouldn't have fought for the position in the first place. You should have given it to someone qualified!"
"Then tell me, who should I have given it to?"
Oni Yunjie's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Should I have given it to Oni Rakshasa? He couldn't even beat me, so he's even less qualified. Or should I have given it to Oni Takizawa? Oh, you should know he's Shuten-doji's reincarnation. Wouldn't giving him the position be like handing over a century-old foundation?"
Ibaraki-doji's face darkened. He hadn't expected Oni Yunjie