Chapter 58: Hidden Agendas, the Vote Begins

Things had reached the point where both sides had shown their hands. Each was confident.

“Since that is the case, do the other Elders have any objections?”

Since the Great Elder had agreed to vote, Lin Tiancheng looked to the other elders.

Everyone indicated they had no objections; after all, this was not yet the moment for them to speak.

“One more thing. Qin Xiao is the person concerned. Even as Peak Master of Seven Stars Peak, he cannot vote.”

Yao Tiansheng excluded Qin Xiao first to be sure of winning.

“That is only natural. As the Sect Leader, I hold two votes, and each of you nine Elders holds one, making a total of eleven votes. A draw will not be possible, which is certainly for the best.”

Lin Tiancheng was confident even without Qin Xiao’s vote, so he conceded the point to the Great Elder.

“Then I have no objection.”

Seeing that Lin Tiancheng had agreed, Yao Tiansheng found no remaining grounds to stir up trouble and sat back down.

“Since there are no objections, the vote begins. I vote in favor of Qin Xiao, and the Great Elder votes against. That makes it two to one. What is the Second Elder’s decision?”

Once the Great Elder had sat down, Lin Tiancheng asked Second Elder Yao Yongzhi.

“Sect Leader, I also feel that Qin Xiao is unworthy of such a great responsibility. I vote against.”

Yao Yongzhi stood firmly behind the Great Elder. They were brothers, after all, and had to stand together against others.

“Very well. That makes it two to two. It is the Third Elder’s turn. How does the Third Elder vote?”

Lin Tiancheng had expected the Second Elder’s choice. He turned to Third Elder Kang Zhengye.

“Qin Xiao certainly has his merits, but I don’t think he is fit to be one of the three disciples representing us in the contest for secret realm places. I vote against.”

Third Elder Kang Zhengye had never liked Qin Xiao and had long had designs on Seven Stars Peak. He took the Great Elder’s side.

“The elders seem to agree that Qin Xiao is not fit for this place. Sect Leader, there is no need to insist.”

With two more votes behind him, the Great Elder was sure of victory and spoke to Lin Tiancheng.

“Great Elder, there is no need to rush. The votes are not yet finished.”

Lin Tiancheng replied unhurriedly.

“The count is now three to two. What is your stance, Fourth Elder?” This chapter is updated first at novelping(.)com.

Lin Tiancheng said no more and turned to Fourth Elder Du Jiancong.

“Sect Leader, I have nothing against anyone, but Qin Xiao cannot cultivate. That is a fact. Making him one of our three representatives would be rather inappropriate. I side with the Great Elder and vote against.”

Though Du Jiancong leaned toward the Great Elder, he genuinely believed Qin Xiao was unsuited for the role.

“It seems the Great Elder was right. The first four elders all agree. But since we have started, let us continue. It is four to two. Fifth Elder, what do you think?”

Lin Tiancheng seemed to accept that, but the real contest was only beginning. He turned to Fifth Elder Wan Rongyang.

“I think there is something remarkable about Qin Xiao. We could give him a chance. I vote in favor.”

Wan Rongyang voted in favor.

The day before, Wan Rongyang had learned from his disciple Chu Sheng that Li Cheng of Immortal Sword Peak had deliberately made trouble for Chu Sheng, and even Yao Kaidong had joined in. That was going too far. The Sect Leader had also spoken at length with Wan Rongyang yesterday. Wan himself thought Seven Stars Peak was on the rise and wanted to be on good terms with it.

“Fifth Elder, what is the meaning of this? We have always aided one another; how could you stab me in the back?”

Yao Tiansheng had not expected the Fifth Elder to vote in favor. He demanded an explanation angrily.

“Watch your words, Great Elder. We all belong to the same sect. You should not say things that suggest you are trying to divide it.”

Wan Rongyang gave him a sharp reply.

“Very well, very well, very well. You’re right, Brother Wan. I misspoke.”

After repeating his assent three times, Yao Tiansheng could only swallow his anger. Dividing the sect was no small offense.

“The Fifth Elder is a man of reason. The score is now four to three. Sixth Elder, how do you vote?”

Lin Tiancheng was confident. Otherwise, he would not have proposed a vote.

“Of course I support my senior brother.”

Wen Yuanying did not even pretend anymore. She openly took Lin Tiancheng’s side. As his junior martial sister, she had no need to pretend.

“Great Elder, you see? I told you there was no need to rush.”

With the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Elders hailing from the Main Peak, Lin Tiancheng considered victory all but secured.

“The tally is now four to four, and Qin Xiao’s Seven Stars Peak holds no vote. That brings us to the Eighth Elder. Does the Eighth Elder vote in favor or against?”

Lin Tiancheng continued the roll call. Read the latest chapters at novelping . com.

“Since this is the Sect Leader’s decision, I naturally support it.”

Eighth Elder Zuo Hongcai declared his backing outright.

This looked like a simple vote, but it tested where every elder stood. Zuo Hongcai might rank eighth, but he handled the sect’s rewards and punishments. His authority was no less than a Peak Master’s, and he had no fear of Yao Tiansheng.

Even the most powerful Peak Master was bound by the sect. Within the sect, the Sect Leader held the highest authority. Zuo Hongcai had no reason to hesitate over whom to support. His own authority came from the sect, so he would not oppose its leader for the sake of a Peak Master.

He also thought Seven Stars Peak was on the rise. Both Qin Xiao’s strange Body Refinement technique and Yun Man’s exceptional talent deserved serious consideration. Other Peak Masters might vote against Qin Xiao to protect their own peaks’ interests. He only had to consider the sect’s interests.

“Great Elder, the score is now five to four. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Lin Tiancheng had been sure of the Eighth Elder’s vote. They too had talked at length, and he knew what sort of man Zuo Hongcai was.

“Hmph. There are still two Elders who have not voted. The Sect Leader should not rejoice too soon.”

Apart from the unexpected loss of the Fifth Elder, Yao Tiansheng had made other arrangements.

He knew the Eighth Elder’s nature and knew he could not be persuaded. He had therefore spoken privately at length with the Ninth and Tenth Elders and agreed to certain terms. There was still hope.

Both factions had quietly lobbied the Elders in preparation for this contest.

Lin Tiancheng wanted Qin Xiao chosen to represent the sect in battle. Yao Tiansheng wanted to use the suspicion against him as a pretext to suspend his position and lock him in the dungeon until the facts were clear.

Lin Tiancheng had simply made the first move, turning it into this vote. The elders were choosing sides at the same time.

If the Great Elder lost this vote, his plan to strip Qin Xiao of his position would fall through. If he won, sending Qin Xiao to the dungeon would be all but certain. This single vote would decide between those two outcomes.

“Since the Great Elder wishes to proceed, let us continue. Ninth Elder, what is your decision?”

Seeing that the Great Elder refused to yield, Lin Tiancheng turned to the Ninth Elder.

Ninth Elder Yu Tianlu headed the Immortal Treasure Hall and managed the sect’s finances and treasures. He was one of the elders with real authority.

“Sect Leader, I am sorry, but I agree with the Great Elder. Qin Xiao is remarkable, but he is still not fit to represent the Tianyuan Sect in battle. I vote against.”

Yu Tianlu voted against.

He had little choice; the benefits promised by the Great Elder were simply too substantial to refuse.

“Sect Leader, it is five to five now. A tie. How do you feel about that?”

The Ninth Elder had voted against Qin Xiao as agreed. The Great Elder spoke as though victory was guaranteed.