Chapter 517: I Have Objections!
Huiye Commandery Prince's words immediately stirred waves within the Yun Clan. After a brief moment of surprise, most people suddenly felt their eyes light up. The core elders of the Elder Council exchanged glances, then, as if by tacit agreement, slowly began nodding their heads.
Even the three Supreme Elders, Yun He, Yun Jiang, and Yun Xi, fell into thought, but they did not show any signs of rejection.
"Hmm?" Yun Che rested his chin on his hand, watching the leisurely Huiye Commandery Prince with a contemplative look. Then he gave a faint smile and murmured, "Heh, so that's how it is... Earlier, I was only ninety percent certain, but now it's a solid ten out of ten."
Yun Che's soft words fell completely into Yun Qinghong's ears. Yun Qinghong turned his head and gave him a deep glance.
"If Father absolutely must abdicate... having Brother Xinyue become Clan Head wouldn't be bad either," Yun Xiao said quietly.
"Lord Huiye's proposal is truly excellent!!" Amid the brief commotion, a core elder clapped his hands and stood up, offering the first praise. "Our Yun Clan has always had clan heads who succeeded to the position at over a hundred years of age. It made us subconsciously overlook such a perfect candidate."
"Indeed!" Another elder also rose. "Xinyue is the finest among our Yun Clan's younger generation, flawless in every aspect. Though he is not the son of the Clan Head, he is the son of the Grand Elder. In terms of both talent and lineage, no one of the same generation can compare. As for age, Xinyue is still young, but is that not also an advantage? His lack of experience can be fully compensated with our utmost support."
"Xinyue is called the hope of our Yun Clan's resurgence by those outside the family—and that is no exaggeration. Having Xinyue succeed as Clan Head might truly mark a new beginning for our Yun Clan."
"Lord Huiye's proposal is truly brilliant!"
Within the greatly weakened Yun Clan, Yun Xinyue's halo was indeed dazzling. And within that halo gathered countless accolades and the greatest hope and expectation for the clan's revival. Under such a halo, the issue of age was easily overlooked. The elders' support for his succession felt surprisingly unobjectionable. As more and more elders voiced their agreement, they increasingly found it feasible—even an excellent choice.
As for the younger generation of the Yun Clan, their response was naturally even more fervent. Having Yun Xinyue become the master of the Yun Clan gave them, as fellow junior disciples, a strong sense of pride.
The cheers at the scene were even louder than when Yun Waitian had been proclaimed as the successor.
After some deliberation, the three Supreme Elders also slowly nodded. Yun Jiang said slowly, "Our Yun Clan has never had a precedent of letting a younger generation member succeed as Clan Head too early, but that doesn't mean we can't set such a precedent. Xinyue's character and talent are enough to cover his lack of experience. All things considered, given the current state of the Yun Clan, Xinyue seems more suitable than Waitian to succeed as Clan Head."
"I think so too," Yun He nodded.
"As expected of Lord Huiye. This proposal has given us a sudden sense of clarity," Yun Xi also nodded.
"To receive the approval of the three Supreme Elders is my fortune." Huiye Commandery Prince said with a smile, "I merely made an offhand remark, but I never expected such a passionate response from the entire clan. It seems the Yun Clan's recognition of Yun Xinyue is even higher than I anticipated. In that case, Grand Elder, having your son succeed as the master of the Yun Clan seems like a fairly perfect choice."
Huiye Commandery Prince's words undoubtedly turned Yun Waitian's mood from frustration to ecstasy in a short time. Having Yun Xinyue succeed as Clan Head was even more joyous to him than becoming the Clan Head himself. Suppressing his inner ecstasy, he said humbly, "Lord Huiye's great favor toward my son fills me with boundless gratitude. But... my son is still too young, truly... I fear he lacks the ability..."
Yun Xinyue stood up, a look of obvious fluster on his face. He said respectfully, "My father is right. Lord Huiye's favor leaves me deeply grateful, but I am not yet thirty years old. My strength, ability, and experience are all extremely meager and lacking. How could I be worthy of such a great responsibility as Clan Head? I am truly overwhelmed with fear."
"Oh?" Huiye Commandery Prince's smile faded, and his expression turned displeased. He gave a cold snort and said, "Hmph, it seems the rumors are just rumors after all. I thought you, Yun Xinyue, were a genius bestowed by heaven upon the Yun Clan, but it appears you're nothing special. The Yun Clan is at a critical moment of life and death. The entire clan is willing to entrust such a heavy responsibility to you, and even the three Supreme Elders approve, yet you lack even the courage to take it on. Heh, it seems the so-called 'hope of the Yun Clan's revival' is nothing but a joke. This 'hope' is just a contemptible fool."
Huiye Commandery Prince's words made Yun Xinyue's face turn bright red. He clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, "I do not agree with Lord Huiye's words. Revitalizing the Yun Clan is the greatest wish of my life. If I can achieve that wish, I would pay any price without hesitation..."
"I have never cared to listen to useless nonsense." Huiye Commandery Prince smiled faintly. "I only want to know—do you dare to accept the position of Yun Clan Head?"
"Dare? Why wouldn't I dare!!" Seemingly provoked by Huiye Commandery Prince's words, Yun Xinyue shed his previous hesitation and answered with utmost decisiveness. With a stern brow and solemn eyes, he said, "As long as the seniors and fellow brothers and sisters of the Yun Clan think highly of me, Yun Xinyue, and are willing to let a junior like me be the Clan Head, then I will devote my entire life to making the Yun Clan rise again!!"
As soon as Yun Xinyue made this bold declaration, the Yun Clan responded passionately, with shouts filling the air. Several core elders stood up one after another, nodding with smiles, and said in unison, "Who would have thought that today's matter of the Clan Head would turn out like this? Though unexpected, it is a perfect result. We will also spare no effort to assist the new Clan Head!"
Yun Waitian took a deep breath and said with immense excitement, "Since that's the case, further refusal from my son would seem affected and cowardly. If this heavy responsibility now falls on my son, then I, as his father, will also work ten times harder than before, only hoping not to let my son and I become the sinners responsible for the Yun Clan's continued decline."
Those within the Yun Clan knew that the true purpose of this clan competition was to replace the Clan Head. Before this, everyone thought the new Clan Head would be Yun Waitian. Unexpectedly, under the impetus of Huiye Commandery Prince, they had ultimately reached a result that seemed even more perfect.
Huiye Commandery Prince laughed heartily and said, "Changing the head of a clan is a major event for any clan. I never expected that some shallow suggestions from an outsider like me would receive such recognition from the Yun Clan's members. I am truly honored. Since I facilitated this matter, I am also extremely eager to see a complete outcome. Since you all agree that Yun Xinyue is the most suitable candidate to be the next Clan Head of the Yun Clan, and with the entire Yun Clan assembled, the Supreme Elders and core elders all present, and distinguished guests to bear witness—all conditions are ripe—why not complete the Clan Head succession ceremony today, at this very moment? Does anyone have any objections?"
Throughout the entire process, the current Clan Head, Yun Qinghong, received the least attention. No one asked for his opinion, no one considered his feelings... because although he was the Clan Head, he was also a useless cripple, someone even a beggar could disdain—at least a beggar could walk normally.
The proposal for Yun Xinyue to succeed as Clan Head met with an enthusiastic response from the entire Yun Clan, without a single word of opposition. This proposal, which had brought about this outcome, was also made by Huiye Commandery Prince. Even if anyone truly felt it was inappropriate, under such circumstances, they wouldn't dare to voice it, or even show the slightest hint of objection.
Just as the clan competition meeting was about to open with the current Clan Head's abdication and the new Clan Head's succession, a person with "no tact" stepped forward.
"I have objections!"
These four plain words, carried by profound force, possessed strong penetrating power. Amid the clamorous atmosphere, they reached everyone's ears with perfect clarity, instantly silencing the surrounding noise. All eyes turned to the source of the voice.
Yun Che stood up, unhurriedly walked five steps forward, faced Huiye Commandery Prince and Yun Waitian with a smile, and simultaneously exposed himself to everyone's gaze.
Yun Che had only been in the Yun Clan for two months. Although most Yun Clan members had never seen him, they had all heard that Yun Qinghong had taken in an adopted son... however, the adopted son of a crippled Clan Head wasn't enough to attract too much attention from the Yun Clan. His sudden appearance now, coupled with the earth-shattering words "I have objections," left everyone stunned. Then, the surprise in their eyes gradually gave way to increasing mockery and schadenfreude.
"What the hell is this kid?"
"He has objections? Hey, what does he mean? Who does he think he is? Who does he think he's facing?"
"Oh, that's the Clan Head's adopted son. Is this guy an idiot?"
"Tsk, maybe he wants to show off? Heh, it's easy to pop out, but let's see how he gets out of this... Let's watch the show!"
As for Huiye Commandery Prince, the royal branch he belonged to was widely acknowledged to be no less powerful than the forces controlled by Little Demon Empress. Even the dignified Grand Elder of the Yun Clan had to be respectful and deferential before this young commandery prince, not daring to show the slightest negligence. Even those who had never heard of Huiye Commandery Prince should understand what kind of family background he had. But when he asked, "Does anyone have any objections?", no one expected someone to actually step forward. This was undoubtedly a blatant affront to Huiye Commandery Prince's dignity.
"B-Big Brother!" Yun Xiao was greatly startled and wanted to pull Yun Che back, but Yun Qinghong reached out and stopped him, shaking his head silently.
"Oh?" Huiye Commandery Prince naturally wouldn't have expected someone to oppose him to his face, especially when the entire Yun Clan fully agreed with his proposal. He turned around, casually glanced at Yun Che, and without getting angry, said with interest, "You are?"
Yun Waitian glared at Yun Che, his brow deeply furrowed. Then he said, "Lord Huiye, this person is not a member of our Yun Clan. He's an adopted son that Yun Qinghong took in two months ago. I have no idea why this fellow has popped up. Lord Huiye need not pay him any attention."
At this point, Yun Waitian no longer even addressed Yun Qinghong as "Clan Head," but called him "Yun Qinghong" directly.
"Adopted son?" Huiye Commandery Prince narrowed his eyes. "How strange. I've never heard of anyone in the Yun Clan adopting a son. For Clan Head Yun to make such an exception, it seems his adopted son must possess extraordinary qualities."
"I wouldn't dare claim that." Yun Che said with a genial smile. Facing the imposing Huiye Commandery Prince, he remained perfectly at ease, as if the person before him wasn't a figure standing at the very pinnacle of the entire Illusionary Demon Realm, but an ordinary peer. "I am but a small figure; of course Lord Huiye wouldn't know me. Although I am not of the Yun Clan by blood, my surname is also Yun, with the single given name Che."
"Yun Che!" Yun Waitian said in a low voice. "Today is a major event for our Yun Clan. Whether your surname is Yun or not, you are still an outsider, with no right to meddle in our Yun Clan's affairs. Apologize to Lord Huiye for your offense at once, and then get back down... Otherwise, not even that adopted father of yours can protect you!"
The Grand Elder's wrathful rebuke would be enough to make any junior tremble in fear and break out in a cold sweat. But Yun Che only gave him a faint glance, his expression unchanged, and said, "I, Yun Che, am not only not a member of the Yun Clan, I am also not from the Demon Emperor City. I arrived in the Demon Emperor City only two months ago, just in time to save Yun Xiao, who was ambushed outside the city. Yun Xiao and I hit it off and became sworn brothers. Clan Head Yun, in recognition of my saving his son, took me as his adopted son... Since I've become the adopted son of the Clan Head, that should count as half a member of the Yun Clan. As for outsiders, it seems Lord Huiye here is a complete outsider, isn't he? Even an outsider can decide the next Clan Head of the Yun Clan with just a few words, so why don't I, as half an 'insider,' have the right to speak?"
The moment Yun Che finished these words, Yun Xiao broke out in a cold sweat all over his back. The elders, who were hundreds of years old, were all left dumbfounded, their mouths agape.