Lani was surprised for a moment. As the First Elderâs assistant, she naturally knew some things about the clan. She clearly understood the situation with the Buda clan and hadnât thought that this time the Buda clan would suddenly break off the engagement.
Lani knew that this matter was important, therefore she didnât say anything more about it to Stern and instead said, âAlright, Iâll immediately inform the First Elder.â Then she turned around and entered the doors opposite the sofa.
Soon, Lani came back out. She smiled while saying, âStern elder, the First Elder asks for you to go in.â Stern stood up, adjusted his clothes, and expressed gratitude to Lani. He then pushed past the doors and entered the room.
The room was magnificent. Inside stood two bronze incense burners with lit incense sticks. The carpet on the floor was thick and a map hung on the wall. Under the map was a fragrant red-wooden table, upon which a thick stack of documents were placed.
Behind the desk was a seated old man that looked to be around seventy years of age with neatly combed hair. Right now, he held up a brush, poised to write on a document. This person was precisely the First Elder of the Purcell clan, Kaiser Purcell2.
Stern didnât dare to disturb the elder. He carefully walked to the front of the table and positioned himself on the left side.
A moment later, Kaiser placed the brush in his hands down and looked up at Stern, saying, âWell, sit down Stern. I heard that a Buda clan member wanted to break off the engagement?â
Stern bowed and answered, âStern has seen the First Elder. Yes, Green came earlier. He had come to break off the engagement.â
Kaiser nodded and said, âHow do you see it?â
âThe people we sent over to the Black Waste are dead, killed by Green,â stated Stern. âWith Green and Meirinâs skill, they possibly hid Adam, escaping unharmed into the mountains when a magic beast tide occurred. There shouldnât be much remaining of the slaves and commodities they brought. When Green came earlier, he was on foot, not on a horse or carriage. Later on, he went to a cheap hotel. It seems like he doesnât have much money in his hands. Also, this time, Meirin didnât appear, probably to protect Adam3 in the Black Waste. Green probably knew that this time, if they didnât break off the engagement, then we wouldnât be polite. Thus they came to break off the engagement and looked for me in order to ask to withdraw it.â
Kaiser sat in the chair with his eyes closed, quietly listening to Stern. After Stern finished, Kaiser looked uneasy, not knowing how to react.
Stern clearly knew the First Elderâs temperament. He was greedy, lustful, prideful, sinister, and cold. When all these words were used to describe him, it was obvious that he wasnât a good person.
But this person had dominated the Purcell clan for fifty years. His henchmen could be found in every corner of the clan. Because of this, the Elderâs Assembly now had more power than the Clan Lord. In the face of such a person, Stern dared not overstep even a little.
Kaiser kept quiet for a moment before asking, âHow was Greenâs attitude?â
Stern truthfully replied, âHis attitude is very bad. He taunted this subordinate again and again. It didnât look like he came to break off the engagement, but to demonstrate this attitude.â
Kaiser nodded his head and said, âI will keep you posted on our decision. But we have to teach him a lesson; he must know that the Purcell clan can kill whomever they want to kill. When mocking a Purcell clan person, there will be a price to pay.â
Stern listened to the words of Kaiser and with a low voice, he said, âYes, but First Elder, I found out that Greenâs rank seems to have increased. Now, he seems to have reached the peak of Rank Eight. I fear that it wouldnât be good to offend him.â
As soon as Kaiser heard Sternâs words, his eyes shoved open and gleamed as he said, âReally? Green has really reached the peak of Rank Eight?â
Stern was shocked from Kaiserâs look, but he still respectfully replied, âYes, this subordinate didnât feel wrong. He is indeed at the peak of Rank Eight.â
Kaiserâs eyes looked more cold. He spoke with a soft voice, âIt seems that this time, not dealing with them wonât be good. Stern, go back to the Grand Dukeâs Mansion and stall him. I will go to the Clanâs Consecration Hall4 and request the enshrined deity to act.â
Stern held his breath. He was very clear that the clanâs worship was divided into many types, but that the enshrined deity he referred to was the Guardian Deity5. This personâs rank was truly representative of a godly character as they were the Rank Nine experts of the Purcell clan, an actual Pseudo-God existence.
Stern hadnât expected for Kaiser to even ask for the presence of a Rank Nine deity, thus he stammered and said, âTh, this. First Elder, do we really need to request Sir Guardian Deity just to deal with the puny Buda clan?â
Kaiser stared at Stern and said, âFool, Green is now a Peak Rank Eight and most likely would be a Rank Nine deity expert soon. Right now, we shouldnât have to give face to the Buda clan. You said he will leave us alone after this? What is easier, dealing with a Peak Rank Eight expert or pleasing a Rank Nine deity? This time, we must ask the Guardian Deity to move. Attack and kill Green who is in our sights, then deal with Meirin and Adam within the Black Waste to completely remove the threat.â
Stern felt cold as he understood what Kaiser meant. He couldnât help but feel ashamed and bowed his head. âFirst Elderâs vision is really great, your subordinate is really unknowledgable. This subordinate will immediately look for Green.â After bowing, he withdrew from the First Elderâs room.
The First Elder stood up, fixing his clothes as he murmured, âAh, a really big trouble. So many problems happening at the same time.â Then he walked out.
Lani stood outside, looking at Stern as he left, then turned back to the First Elder and quickly greeted him with a bow. âFirst Elder, what are your orders?â
Grand Elder looked at Lani and said, âImmediately convene a meeting with all the elders. Arrange the carriage now, Iâll be going to the Consecration yard.â Lani stared, then immediately complied. She went on the desk and pulled on a rope.
After pulling the rope, a burst of bell sounds came immediately. Soon, the entirety of the building heard the sound of the bells. Lani then followed the First Elder who walked out.
What Lani pulled was the Purcell clan emergency convening bell. Upon hearing the sound, even the Clan Lord should arrive in the conference room of the Elders Court along with the other hundred elders. This bell was what the Purcell clan Elders Court used and was handed down from generation to generation. Unless there was a very big problem, one couldnât use this bell.
Lani dared to use this bell because of the First Elderâs words. Afterwards, she prepared the carriage that would leave for the Consecration yard. He had only spoken a simple sentence, but Lani had been the assistant of the First Elder for a long time; she understood what the First Elder had meant.
The Purcell clan gave a lot of dedications. They did so for anyone with at least a strength of Rank Eight without exception. Their status wasnât low, but rather high. The Greater Elders and the Elders were the ones who can give them a task if something happened. If the order was good, they could follow it. Otherwise, they donât even have to dedicate themselves to the Elders Court.
There was only one who could make the First Elder personally come out and leave to pay homage directly from the Elders Court. This was the Guardian Deity of the Purcell clan, a Rank Nine deity.
To make the First Elder ask and please a Rank Nine deity to resolve a matter wouldnât be a small thing, right? Using the bell at this time wouldnât be wrong at all.
The two went to a conference room on the fourth floor which was the biggest conference room of the Purcell clan. This conference room was divided into several steps, wherein the highest seat was reserved for the Clan Lord. The next level of seats were for the three greater elders, while all the other elders sat around the conference room. The entire conference room had only one place for passing in and out of, which was a five meter square space placed in the middle. There was a table placed that allowed an elder to preside over the people in the area.
The First Elder arrived at the conference room early, as the other elders had not arrived yet. He walked silently towards his seat and closed his eyes.
Soon, bursts of footsteps could be heard, a sign that the other elders of the Purcell clan had arrived. These elders looked at the Grand Elderâs seat and saw him waiting for them there. They were afraid to speak out of turn and immediately went to find their seats quietly.
Kaiser didnât seem to hear these sounds as he still sat with his eyes closed. Then a heavy pair of footsteps could be heard. All the elders in the room stood up and saluted the man in the door, saying, âClan Lord Wananâ
Kaiser then opened his eyes and looked towards the door of the conference room. Standing there was a tall man, about two meters. He had a body like a mountain, a face with a full beard, and a look similar to an ordinary male lion that radiated fierce power.
He wore a navy blue nobleâs suit and held a scepter about a meter long. Walking slowly, this man was the Grand Duke of the Purcell clan, Evan Purcell6.
The First Elderâs big eyes flashed. Standing up and facing Evan, he bowed slightly and greeted, âClan Lord Wanan.â
Evan returned the courtesy and said, âThe First Elders is too polite. I donât know why the great bell was used by the elder to convene everyone. What has happened?â
The First Elder said with a low voice, âPlease sit, Clan Lord.â
Evan nodded. He went to his seat and sat down, the other elders following after.
The greater elders were seated on the left and the right side of the First Elder. They were the clanâs Second and Third elders. Both of them looked to be sixty years old. One was fat and the other was thin. One wore black while the other was in white, both wore elderâs attire as they sat there looking at the First Elder.
The First Elder looked into their eyes, sneering in his heart as he knew that these two were looking for trouble. If he made a single mistake, they would surely catch it. But the First Elder wasnât worried. He believed that he had made the right decision and wouldnât be at fault.
Notes:
- This chapter was MTL'ed. Please leave a comment for constructive criticisms and advice. Thanks.
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- Please check out the Editor's footnotes, thanks.