Chapter 621: Domineering and Canvassing
"Wu Xiu, Wu Yan, pay your respects to the Kunpeng Law Enforcement Elder."
Wu Xiu and Wu Yan looked at Lin Langtian with reluctance in their eyes as they bowed to him.
Previously, they had merely feared Lin Langtian's strength without caring too much about his influence. But once he revealed his identity as the Kunpeng Clan's Law Enforcement Elder, the two of them had no choice but to bow their heads.
Compared to the human world, the beast domain revered strength even more, and its hierarchies were correspondingly strict and rigid.
Without a doubt, the four hegemon clans were at the peak of the beast domain's pyramid: the Dragon Clan, the Kunpeng Clan, the Celestial Demon Marten Clan, and the Nine Phoenix Clan. These four were inviolable and unmatched.
As one of the eight royal clans, the Seven-Evil Black Gold Crow Clan was certainly not weak, but when faced with a hegemon clan, they could only lower their proud heads.
Therefore, now that Lin Langtian revealed his status as the Kunpeng Law Enforcement Elder, even if Wu Xiu and Wu Yan still found it difficult to believe in their hearts, they no longer dared to try and drive him out.
After all, it was the Kunpeng Clan that stood behind him. Even if they someday became patriarchs of the Seven-Evil Black Gold Crow Clan, they would not dare provoke such a high-ranking official of the Kunpeng Clan.
Seeing the two lower their heads, Lin Langtian smiled faintly and said, "In that case, will the two of you still be trying to throw me out?"
At this, Wu Xiu and Wu Yan's faces darkened. Wu Xiu's gaze flickered as he said, "Since Elder Lin is interested in taking part in our elders' council, it is our honor. As for what was said earlier—it was nothing more than jest between myself and Branch Head Wu Yan. Elder Lin need not take it to heart."
"Oh? If that's the case, then I'll gladly accept. Still, since I'm here already, shouldn't I also be entitled to a vote?"
The corners of Lin Langtian's mouth curved up as he looked at the two branch heads with a smile.
"What?"
The faces of Wu Xiu and Wu Yan instantly changed and they stared at Lin Langtian in shock.
Though they were compelled to accept his presence at the council, all thirteen seats were elders of the Seven-Evil Black Gold Crow Clan. No matter what, an outsider could not be allowed a vote.
Just as they were about to refuse his outrageous request, Lin Langtian spoke again. "My vote goes to Jinwu. I support Jinwu as the next patriarch of the Seven-Evil Black Gold Crow Clan."
The moment those words landed, Wu Xiu and Wu Yan's expressions became extremely ugly. They glared furiously at Lin Langtian—they had not expected him to pull such a move.
Taking a deep breath, the two realized that, given Lin Langtian's troublesome status, they likely would not be able to suppress him and so turned toward Great Elder Wu Qian.
As long as the Great Elder spoke, even as the Kunpeng Law Enforcement Elder, Lin Langtian could not do as he pleased in their clan.
Unfortunately for them, Wu Qian had quietly closed his eyes at some point, adopting the air of a man detached from worldly affairs. No matter how the two branch heads appealed to him, he remained unmoved.
Noticing Wu Qian's feigned slumber, Lin Langtian couldn't help but secretly curse the old fox, then smirked slightly and gained a deeper understanding of the weight of the Kunpeng Law Enforcement Elder's status.
In his previous life's ancient history, there was a chaotic period when many kingdoms coexisted, warring ceaselessly while small nations struggled to survive.
Heirs who failed in their succession struggles at home would often turn to outside powers, leveraging the might of great kingdoms to reclaim their thrones.
Lin Langtian's current situation closely resembled that: Jinwu had weak roots and little prestige within the clan, yet with Lin Langtian, the Kunpeng Law Enforcement Elder, supporting him, it was like having a hegemon clan behind him. Naturally, Jinwu's chances of becoming patriarch rose dramatically.
This was the power of influence. The Law Enforcement Elder post had originally been meant to bind Lin Langtian to the Kunpeng Clan, but wielded by him now, it was proving very useful.
Wu Xiu and Wu Yan understood this as well and quickly said, "Our Forest Branch and Fire Branch oppose Lin Jinwu becoming the next patriarch!"
Even with Lin Langtian using influence to add a vote for the Wind Branch, as long as the Forest and Fire Branches stood united in opposition, his scheme would not work.
Though the Kunpeng Law Enforcement Elder's status and authority let him walk sideways through much of the beast domain, the Seven-Evil Black Gold Crow Clan was not made of clay. If Lin Langtian tried to force Jinwu onto the throne, it would only ignite the clan's collective fury.
Even if he succeeded in putting Jinwu in the patriarch's seat, a leader who had gained power through "collusion with outsiders" would never win true loyalty.
Relieved by this thought, the two branch heads calmed themselves. With the Forest and Fire Branches holding a combined seven seats, the outcome seemed secure despite Lin Langtian's interference.
"Our Wind Branch supports Jinwu as the next patriarch!"
At that moment, Wu Xuan stood up and spoke loudly.
He glanced at Lin Langtian, deep amazement flickering in his eyes.
Even he had never imagined that a single trip to the Kunpeng Clan would see Lin Langtian become the first outsider in history to be appointed as their Law Enforcement Elder.
That was a true high authority post in one of the four hegemon clans, second only to their clan leader.
Wu Xuan could not help but sigh inwardly. Though the crows and Kunpeng had their frictions, Lin Langtian was Jinwu's sworn brother, so he felt no guilt about "allying with an outsider."
And with Wu Ju stripped of his qualifications to become patriarch, Jinwu's ascent would benefit not only the Wind Branch but the entire clan. Thus, Wu Xuan naturally threw his full support behind him.
Then Wu Xuan looked toward a dark-skinned, broad-shouldered middle-aged man seated not far from Wu Xuan—this was Wu Yue, branch head of the Mountain Branch, one of the only two minor branches present.
The Wind Branch now needed the Mountain Branch's vote.
Noticing Wu Xuan's gaze, Wu Yue's eyes flickered in thought before he burst out laughing. "Haha! Brother Wu Xuan, Brother Wu Ju—since the day my Mountain Branch was founded, we have been your Wind Branch's vassal. Our ties run deep. Now that Nephew Jinwu is running for patriarch, of course I'll cast my vote for him!"
"Many thanks, Brother Wu Yue."
Wu Ju and Wu Xuan both exhaled in relief and expressed their gratitude.
When the Mountain Branch had first formed, it was weak and precarious; only with help from the Wind Branch had it gradually found footing in the clan. Hence, the Mountain Branch had always been a vassal of the Wind Branch.
Though the Wind Branch had since declined under suppression by the Forest and Fire branches and the ties between branches had waned, Wu Yue had not forgotten this kindness.
Counting votes now, the Wind Branch had four, the Mountain Branch one, plus Lin Langtian's extra vote—Jinwu now held six, only one behind Wu Xiu's seven.
Realizing this, Wu Xiu's calm mask cracked. A hint of urgency flashed in his eyes as he turned to a stunning woman in red.
This beautiful woman's delicate features and voluptuous figure exuded a mature, irresistible charm—just a glance was enough to stir restless thoughts. She was the Moon Branch's leader, Wu Chang, the second minor branch head.
"Branch Head Wu Chang, if I recall correctly, your Moon Branch is short on resources since its recent founding. In that case, if you support me as the next patriarch, I, Wu Xiu, will grant your Moon Branch ownership of the Forest Abyss Mountain."
Wu Sen, standing behind Wu Xiu, blanched at the words and nearly stepped forward to object before Wu Xiu stopped him.
The other Forest elders were equally distressed.
The Forest Abyss Mountain was the main source of the Forest Branch's wealth. The resources it produced had enabled the Forest Branch to surpass the Wind Branch and become the strongest branch in the clan.
Now Wu Xiu was offering it to the Moon Branch—that was essentially giving away their own lifeblood.
Yet despite the pain in his subordinates' eyes, Wu Xiu ignored their protests, staring fixedly at Wu Chang, a trace of sly coldness deep in his eyes.
Once he became patriarch, whatever he lost now he would eventually reclaim a hundredfold.
Wu Xuan and Wu Ju were also unsettled. They had no special ties to the Moon Branch, and Wu Xiu had just named a price they could barely match. Would that vote now go to Wu Xiu?
If so, the tally would become eight to six—meaning Wu Xiu would almost certainly become the new clan leader.
Meanwhile, under everyone's gaze, Wu Chang pressed her lips together slightly. Hearing the promise of the Forest Abyss Mountain, her expression shifted.
As a newly risen branch, the Moon Branch lacked deep foundations and was starved for resources. As branch head, the constant scarcity gave her daily headaches.
If she acquired the Forest Abyss Mountain, those troubles would vanish overnight. With such a rich source of resources, the Moon Branch might one day grow strong enough to shed the status of minor branch and become a main branch.
Thinking of this, Wu Chang's heart stirred, and she was just about to agree when a quiet cough sounded.
Cough, cough…
All eyes turned toward the source—the calmly seated Lin Langtian.
"Branch Head Wu Chang, there's something I'd like to say. I'm not sure if I should," Lin Langtian said with a gentle smile.
Seeing him interrupt, Wu Xiu's face darkened. This boy's machinations were truly endless.
Still, he sneered inside. The Kunpeng Law Enforcement Elder's status and rank were high, but even he could not conjure resources out of thin air. There was no way he could offer better than the Forest Abyss Mountain, so that vote was as good as his.
"Hehe, Elder Lin is the Kunpeng Clan's Law Enforcement Elder. Please, say whatever you wish," Wu Chang said, her charming eyes turning toward him and her sweet, almost girlish voice dripping with seductive charm.
Her appearance and voice clashed in a startling way that even made Lin Langtian glance twice at her.
A ripened enchantress indeed.
He quickly cleared his thoughts, then smiled faintly at her. "I imagine Branch Head Wu Chang is presently considering giving your vote to Branch Head Wu Xiu, yes?"
Wu Chang blinked in surprise, then nodded slightly after a moment's thought.
Though Lin Langtian supported Jinwu, Wu Xiu's offer of the Forest Abyss Mountain had been hard to refuse; she had indeed been planning to vote for him.
Inwardly, she also hoped that if this Kunpeng Elder could offer something better, there might be room to bargain.
Lin Langtian's reaction betrayed no surprise. He simply smiled. "I see. That Forest Abyss Mountain is indeed tempting—quite the bold move on Branch Head Wu Xiu's part."
He chuckled and shook his head, then suddenly shifted tone.
"But Branch Head Wu Chang, do you truly believe that once you vote for Wu Xiu, the Moon Branch will peacefully and securely hold the Forest Abyss Mountain?"
"What do you mean by that, Elder Lin?" Wu Chang frowned lightly.
No offer, only an attempt to sow discord—she found that somewhat disappointing.
Lin Langtian's tone remained calm. "Exactly what I said. Branch Head Wu Chang, you know Wu Xiu's character well. Under his leadership, the Forest Branch has been heavy-handed in suppressing others and hoarding clan resources for itself. That's not what a true clan leader should be.
"Even if he does keep his promise and hand over the mountain, do you really believe the Moon Branch can flourish beneath the Forest Branch's continued oppression?
"Once he becomes patriarch, do you think he will truly honor that promise, or that he'll let the Moon Branch grow unchecked under his thumb?"
"Elder Lin, you may be the Kunpeng Law Enforcement Elder, but watch your words and stop slandering me!" Wu Xiu burst out, his rage barely contained.
"Hehe, if you don't want people to know, don't do it in the first place. Everyone here knows well what you and your branch have been up to—not slander, just facts," Lin Langtian said, shaking his head with a smile. He then turned his gaze back to Wu Chang.
"From here on out, Branch Head Wu Chang, you should consider your vote very carefully…"
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1