Yang Wudi stood at his seat, his lips moving several times. "I... I..."
He trembled for a long while. Finally, he glanced at Yang Wushuang's back as his brother knelt on the ground, then at the eager gazes of the clansmen around him. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I have no objections. Thank you... thank you for your gracious favor, Your Majesty..."
Yang Wudi sat down, utterly dispirited.
Beside him, Niu Gao, chief of the Defense Clan, leaned over and lowered his voice. "Old Goat, we agreed to stand together through thick and thin. You..."
Yang Wudi gave a bitter laugh. "I had no choice. Spirit Hall offered too much."
The leader of another small sect beside him offered his congratulations. "Brother Yang, your brother has a sharper eye than you! One of the Lower Five Sects! The Breaking Clan's fortunes are turning around!"
The corner of Yang Wudi's mouth twitched. "My brother... my brother Wushuang is indeed far-sighted, a man of extraordinary talent."
"Didn't you just say you were going to cut ties with him?"
Yang Wudi's weathered face reddened, and he pretended not to hear.
Meanwhile, in the spectator stands, the people from several other sects could no longer stay seated.
Someone shouted first, though no one knew who. "Long live Her Majesty Qian Renxue! Long live Spirit Hall!"
Once there was a first, there was a second.
Huyan Zhen of the Elephant Armor Sect stood up, cleared his throat, and declared in a booming voice, "The Elephant Armor Sect congratulates Her Majesty Qian Renxue on succeeding as Pope! The Elephant Armor Sect is willing to follow Spirit Hall's lead!"
Tuoba Xi of the Holy Dragon Sect also rose, his face wreathed in smiles. "Tuoba Xi of the Holy Dragon Sect offers his congratulations, Your Majesty! Your Majesty's