Guan Ju (3)
To discuss the matter of succession for the next Sect Leader at this time was all too clearly an arrangement of final affairs.
Guan Wujue’s eyes instantly dimmed, yet he only pretended not to understand Yun Changliu’s meaning, shaking his head with a teasing smile and saying, “The Sect Leader is too hasty. To establish a Young Sect Leader, you must first take a wife.”
Yun Changliu knew this topic would be difficult to broach. He actually couldn’t bear to make Guan Wujue suffer either, but constantly avoiding it wasn’t a solution. He could only perfunctorily sigh, “Marry… would marrying you work?”
At this point, the Sect Leader suddenly felt this was an excellent excuse. He leaned forward, grasping the Protector’s hand, and said solemnly, “What a pity the Protector cannot bear a Young Sect Leader for this lord—”
The meaning was self-evident: this matter of succession, we still must discuss it.
Yun Changliu’s expressions and tone were usually indifferent and cold as ice. Even when fooling around, he looked exactly the same as when seriously and sternly giving orders, yet he had no self-awareness of this at all.
Guan Wujue had been feeling sad, but hearing these words he nearly pitched headfirst into the Sect Leader’s embrace, both amused and exasperated, “Sect Leader! How can you joke about such matters!”
Yun Changliu couldn’t help but reach out to ruffle Guan Wujue’s hair, inevitably regretting in his heart: If only he could live another ten years—no, even just twenty years… these words wouldn’t need to be treated as a joke.
Unfortunately now, he could only say to Wujue, “All men are mortal. Has the Protector still not come to terms with this?”
Guan Wujue leaned his back against the headboard, casually propping up one leg with his elbow resting on his knee, and said lightly, “I’m just unwilling to accept it. Wujue said he could ensure the Sect Leader lives to a hundred years, but you don’t believe me.”
“I believe you.” Yun Changliu’s tone was as soft as if coaxing someone. He sat closer to him and said, “Just consider it accompanying this lord in casual conversation. If in the future this lord wishes to abandon this position of Sect Leader and retreat to the mountains and rivers with you to wander the jianghu, there must be someone trustworthy to entrust things to.”
Guan Wujue laughed helplessly. “Fine… you’re always right no matter what. Who does the Sect Leader favor?”
Yun Changliu showed a hint of hesitation, “No decision yet.”
In truth, if Yun Danjing hadn’t died, it wouldn’t be so troublesome and worrying.
Young Master Danjing was different from the young lady. Yun Danjing was impetuous, rash, and arrogant, his temperament still lacking refinement—he truly couldn’t compare to his elder brother. However, speaking fairly, the young master was neither incompetent nor tyrannical. He had fighting spirit in his bones and wasn’t truly hopeless.
If not for that sudden rebellion a year ago, after Yun Changliu learned of his own poison onset, he surely would have devoted all his efforts to teaching his younger brother. Later, with the Four Directions Protectors, Left and Right Envoys, and others assisting him, the position of Zhuyin Sect Leader could have been stably handed over to Yun Danjing.
Heaven knows why Yun Danjing couldn’t restrain himself for even a moment and had to plot an uprising at that critical juncture.
Hearing Yun Changliu’s hesitant words, Guan Wujue shook his head. “If the Sect Leader truly had no idea, you wouldn’t have come to find Wujue to discuss this matter. Currently, the jianghu appears calm on the surface, but turmoil lurks beneath. Miss Chanjuan is innocent and… cough, naive, difficult to bear great responsibility…”
“Protector.” Yun Changliu interrupted him, frowning and rubbing his temples. “If you want to say incompetent, just say it directly.”
With such a reluctant tone—did he really think he couldn’t hear it?
“You’re the one who said it, not Wujue.”
Guan Wujue chuckled twice, his gaze bright and burning. He held up three fingers before the Sect Leader’s eyes. “If you truly want to pass over the young lady, the future Sect Leader must satisfy at least three conditions: first, familiarity with sect affairs to avoid internal chaos; second, sufficient prestige to command respect and prevent rebellion among the sect members; third, adequate ability—at least enough to intimidate Madam Lin and Yulin Hall.”
The Protector paused, then continued, “Elder Guan Muyan and Elder Xue Duxing are both reclusive by nature and have little interaction with the sect members, so they don’t satisfy the first condition.”
Yun Changliu followed his words, saying casually, “Wen Feng has followed this lord since childhood and knows all sect affairs large and small by heart. His ability goes without saying. However, he’s always been guided by emotions. Though he appears gentle and modest, he’s actually quite stubborn. This lord isn’t entirely at ease.”
“Moreover, Wen Feng comes from a servant background. If you rashly elevate him to Sect Leader, the sect members would likely refuse to accept him.” Guan Wujue added, then asked, “What about the Left and Right Envoys?”
“Right Envoy Hua Wan’s thoughts are meticulous, but she lacks grand strategy and vision. Having her manage intelligence now is most suitable. The position of Sect Leader—she cannot bear it.”
Speaking to this point, Yun Changliu lowered his eyelids and said pensively, “Left Envoy Xiao Donghe has managed the Punishment Hall for six years. He has both roughness and refinement—he could indeed shoulder heavy responsibility.”
“You favor Donghe?”
Guan Wujue’s face showed little surprise. Instead, he seriously contemplated for a moment, then slowly nodded.
“The Sect Leader’s eye for talent has always been exceptional. As for Xiao Donghe… don’t be fooled by his usual loud and explosive temper—he’s actually very steady inside. He… is indeed not bad.”
Speaking of the current Left Envoy of Zhuyin Sect, Xiao Donghe, that too is quite a story. Xiao Donghe entered the sect as a youth and from that time was an executioner in the Punishment Hall. His ability was unquestionable, and he had some good fortune. Rising smoothly all the way, though not yet old, he was already the Punishment Hall Master of Xifeng City, overseeing all sect punishments and laws.
As for how Guan Wujue came to know Xiao Donghe, that connection was even more remarkable.
Years ago, when Guan Wujue first emerged from Ghost Gate to kill and establish authority for the newly appointed Sect Leader Yun Changliu, right there on the long steps outside Yangxin Hall, he crushed the Punishment Hall Master’s fine head beneath his foot in full view of everyone—
Thus, Xiao Donghe, who had just been promoted to Deputy Hall Master for one month, suddenly saved decades of toiling and happily took over the Hall Master position as a matter of course.
Of course, this was all old gossip from long ago.
What was rare was that Xiao Donghe, who grew up in the Punishment Hall, was not at heart a cruel and bloodthirsty person.
If one had to describe him, Left Envoy Xiao was more like some carefree and romantic handsome young lord, rather than a cold and merciless executioner, much less an imposing superior who commanded respect without anger, or even someone with the bearing of a martial arts master.
Neither achieving great merit nor making mistakes, never seeking the spotlight. A qualified subordinate who handled matters steadily and properly—this was perhaps how most people in the jianghu evaluated Zhuyin Sect’s Left Envoy.
If rumors spread in the marketplace that such a person had simultaneously earned the praise of both the Zhuyin Sect Leader and the Four Directions Protector, and that in just a few words they were preparing to hand over the position of next Sect Leader to him… it probably wouldn’t even suffice as after-meal gossip—hardly anyone would take it seriously.
Yet now, this matter had actually come true. Guan Wujue was even asking Yun Changliu, “If you promote Xiao Donghe to Sect Leader, what about the Punishment Hall?”
Yun Changliu said, “Transfer Xue Duxing over there, and promote Shan Yi to Ghost Gate Master.”
Guan Wujue was slightly startled. Xue Duxing had served as Ghost Gate Master for nearly twenty years, unchanged since the old Sect Leader’s time. And now the Sect Leader was simply pulling him out of Ghost Gate.
“You’re truly bold. Why not have Shan Yi manage the Punishment Hall instead?”
“When this lord abdicates, there will surely be turmoil within the sect, requiring someone to use strict laws for deterrence. Xue Duxing has always been fair and just with high prestige—having him in charge of punishments would be ideal. Shan Yi has followed Elder Xue for many years and is most familiar with all Ghost Gate rules. Promoting him to Gate Master is reasonable both emotionally and logically, and can prevent discontent among those under Ghost Gate.”
After Yun Changliu finished speaking calmly, Guan Wujue shook his head with a “heh” and smiled. “—Very well! So you’ve already arranged everything down to the smallest detail and just came to find Wujue to praise your wisdom. How boring.”
As the Protector pretended to be angry and stood up to leave the Sect Leader, Yun Changliu grabbed him and stared at Guan Wujue’s face, asking, “Doesn’t the Protector want to ask about himself?”
“Me?” Guan Wujue blinked, dashingly curving his lips. He suddenly turned back and leaned close to Yun Changliu, grasping the Sect Leader’s hand in return, his voice low, husky, and alluring. “Didn’t you say you wanted to marry Wujue as the Sect Leader’s wife?”
Yun Changliu’s eyes darkened. “That was just a joke.”
Guan Wujue said with a smile, “Wujue won’t be a widow. You can consider it.”
“Truly?” Yun Changliu lightly kissed Guan Wujue’s finger still hooked with his, and said in a low voice, “Then this lord will think it over more carefully.”
Actually, this matter was quite strange. If truly choosing an outsider for abdication, in terms of wisdom and martial skill, jianghu reputation, position and prestige within the sect, and the affection of both the current and former Sect Leaders… no one could compare to the current Four Directions Protector.
Yet somehow, Yun Changliu and Guan Wujue seemed to share an unspoken understanding, very tacitly glossing over this matter with a few improper jokes.
Just then it was time for the midday meal. Outside, Wen Feng knocked and entered, followed by maidservants carrying food boxes.
The conversation was thus interrupted. Yun Changliu pulled Guan Wujue to sit beside him.
Jin Lin and Yin Lang skillfully arranged the dishes and withdrew. The attendant Wen Feng, unsure whether the Sect Leader and Protector had finished their private conversation, hesitated slightly but still chose to stand nearby, awaiting Yun Changliu’s instructions.
Paying no mind to Wen Feng’s presence, Guan Wujue turned his head with some anticipation and said quietly to Yun Changliu, “Since you’ve finished what you wanted to say and Wujue has heard it all, about this subordinate leaving the sect…”
Before he could finish, Yun Changliu furrowed his brow, his heart sinking heavily. A flash of cold, harsh light passed through his eyes. “This lord’s answer is: absolutely not.”
Yet the icy anger was collected cleanly by Yun Changliu in the blink of an eye. The Sect Leader unhurriedly placed jade chopsticks into the Protector’s hand, saying, “Eat.”
These past few days, Guan Wujue had been living a lazy life of “eating,” “sleeping,” and “taking medicine.” He felt if this continued, even his bones would go soft. Looking at the dazzling array of dishes before him, he had no appetite whatsoever and said with a bitter smile, “How much longer will the Sect Leader confine this subordinate?”
Yun Changliu said patiently, “I’m not confining you. Once your injuries are healed, you may go wherever you wish.”
The meaning was that before the injuries healed, confinement would continue.
The problem was Guan Wujue’s old injuries… he knew best himself that at this stage, without a solid year or half recovering, there would be no obvious improvement.
But how could he actually stay in Yangxin Hall for a year and a half!
Guan Wujue lowered his eyelids, his spirits seeming to deflate in an instant. He gently placed the jade chopsticks on the table, silently expressing his resistance.
Yun Changliu felt a sharp pain in his heart. Gathering his dragon-patterned wide sleeves, he picked up a bite of refreshing vegetables and brought it to the man’s lips, sighing, “Be good. Eat something first, and this lord will accompany you outside for a walk.”
Guan Wujue silently stood up and knelt before Yun Changliu. His expression was somewhat dim, his voice so low it was almost inaudible. “Wujue knows you have some suspicions about this subordinate, but… I beg you.”
Yun Changliu couldn’t bear to see Guan Wujue like this—his mind instantly became chaotic.
The Sect Leader couldn’t help but waver, thinking to himself: Had he truly gone too far?
He naturally trusted that Wujue wouldn’t harm him, and the Intelligence Hall had also uncovered some things. If the Protector truly had some unspeakable difficulty… keeping him confined so strictly was no different from house arrest and surveillance. With Wujue’s temperament, discomfort was certain.
“Fine.”
After a moment, Yun Changliu sighed helplessly, ultimately taking a step back. “Go out and clear your mind—that’s good too. Just remember to return within half a shichen to eat.”
Within Xifeng City, nothing could possibly go wrong.
Even if trouble did arise, he, the Sect Leader, would shoulder it.
“From now on, Yangxin Hall won’t confine you anymore. If you truly wish to return to Qingjue Residence, that’s up to you as well. Only the matter of leaving the sect… absolutely not!”