Sage was pleasantly surprised. The Great Elder rose to her feet and then swept her gaze over the other Elders and they all realized what she was signaling. Though by the amount of ti it took for them to comply, Sage figured there was so secret ssaging going on before they ca to an agreent. Once the Elders were all standing, minus those of the Jinxi Faction who had already left, the Great Elder finally made an announcent.
The Jinxi have lost the challenge. Xie shall now hold the lead position among the council of Elders. I promise I shall right the wrongs done to our clansn that have been overlooked in the past.
Given the chaos and upheaval caused by a challenge for leadership, this was not the sort of announcent that had to be unanimously agreed to. Nor was it the ti for the winner to show their humble and upright nature. With a change in regi ca sudden and drastic changes, so the winner would gain unconditional authority for so ti until the Clan was stabilized. This was a rule of the clan and sothing they were all very aware of.
In the past, the factions of the Chong Clan had never imagined that the Jinxi Patriarch would be overthrown in such a way. The Elders were all preparing for such a thing to be hundreds of years into the future. They foresaw a change in leadership coming, due to the fading age of the patriarch, but they were completely taken off guard at this ti. They each had many long term plans in place to form alliances with each other as they wondered whether the Jinxi Patriarch or the Great Elder of the Xie would fall first and just how they would deal with either case. Most of them had already planned out how they were going to make use of this situation. With the Xie losing their right of challenge for a decade as well as losing most of their resources, they would be greatly weakened. It would make them a perfect target to pick on, or to offer a helping hand.
Yet they now found that all their plans and plotting lead to naught. Those who had already sided with the Xie Clan were suddenly ecstatic!
The initial promise that the Great Elder made to the clan was sowhat vague, but Sage felt it was aid not only towards himself, but also to so of the others in the Clan that suddenly had aggrieved looks on their faces that imdiately shifted to looks of hope. Sage had the feeling that he wasnt the only person that was randomly bullied or overlooked. It really is rare to find caring and kindness from these big Sects and Clans.
Sage tried to rember to treat his own people better, which prompted the Soul Clone to head off and conduct a purge upon the populace of the Inner World, investigating and killing the most foul and wicked to act as an example to the rest.
With the Great Elder of the Xie announcing things so straightforwardly, Sage was relieved, but he didnt relax. He still had to wait to see how he would be treated. Would he be wiped out while he was all alone and surrounded by the whole of the Chong Clan? Did the Great Elder think of him as a threat, or would she honor their alliance?
She didnt co out and publicly announce the glory of his victory, but Sage also didnt feel any malice from her gaze. Instead, she ordered everyone to leave the Dueling Arena and they all reluctantly filed out. The younger clan mbers were all eager to see more of the branch head that won the challenge, but they were still forced to head out, grumbling all the while. The older mbers were not so reserved, leaving that place quickly so they could look after their own interests and prepare to weather the storm of change that was now sweeping over the clan.
By the ti Sage was completely alone on the stage, only Xiezi had been left behind to accompany him. She was no longer as friendly as shed been in the past. Their friendship was now tinged by sadness in her eyes. Every ti she saw him, she was reminded of the loss of her Uncle Zhuo.
Sage could only guess about her behavior. He felt bad about what Hei Bai had done to her, but he had never been considered to be great with social relations so the subtleties of the situation seed to escape him at this ti.
He waited a few more minutes before releasing his Spiritual Sense to sweep through the area surrounding the dueling arena. Even if it put him in a vulnerable position he took the risk to see whether or not there was a trap waiting for him outside. There were only a few extrely dedicated youngsters hiding in wait and he wondered if it was so sort of elite young team. At least until he better sensed their strength and realized they were just overly excited fans. He finally took a deep breath and pulled the energy back out of the Sacred Banyans. He couldnt store it all, but there also wasnt enough ambient energy here to constantly support the one tree forest that hed grown. Not to ntion the Chong Clan would be quite upset at having no input in a permanent remodeling plan for the stage.
Xiezi escorted him back to the house he was staying at for the last few days. It had been granted by the Xie for him to train and prepare in peace so he was quite familiar with the route, but Xiezi was likely there to help him feel at ease. He stayed on guard the rest of the night and the next day as well, but he was pleasantly surprised to find that the Xie did not bother with him at all. They spent all their ti dealing with the transfer of power from the Jinxi and also engaging in many secret talks with the Elders of the other factions.
Sage had no idea how many extrely valuable resources and lucrative contracts and agreents were ford in those few days. The balance of power had been upset and the new leaders had to appease the other factions to stabilize their position and prevent further infighting.
You can relax. We wont be doing anything against you like the Jinxi would. We scorpions do not use our venom unless it is necessary. In fact, we consider you our second closest ally after the Wa. Not only did we have an agreent in the past, but we also admire your unusual abilities. I owe you a debt, not a knife in the back.
The Great Elder of Xie had co to speak to him a week after the challenge. She seed exhausted, but extrely excited nevertheless. After taking a mont to let her words sink in, she smiled brightly, In fact, Ive already planned a great venture to recover morale and establish my authority. Im quite sure youll approve. It is ti for the Fu Clan to pay for all the tis theyve slighted us in the past.
Sage suddenly laughed and nodded to the Great Elder, glad that this ti it hadnt blown up in his face again. At least until he heard her next words.
It will take so ti to gather supplies and plan a proper assault. Especially since we cant ntion this to anyone until it's ti to act. We dont wish to tip off the Fu Clan too early. Well march upon them within the next decade, I promise you.
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