Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1616 - 1609: Inauguration as Patriarch

Chapter 1616: Chapter 1609: Inauguration as Patriarch

"Thank you for your appreciation, Superior Lord!" Huayu Ting bowed deeply three times in succession.

On the last bow, as he lowered his body, an uncontrollable sneer briefly appeared on his face as it faced the floor, vanishing as quickly as it came.

Huayu Ting had calculated his moves precisely; he knew his own worth, understood what he meant to the family, and was aware of the elders’ dissatisfaction with the old Patriarch.

It was precisely because of this that he dared to commit such an outrageous act, unafraid of any repercussions.

When he took action, he was furious, but after the deed, he appeared calmer than anyone else.

"Has your cultivation made any progress?" one of the elders even asked with concern.

"In response to the Superior Lord’s question, the shackles have loosened somewhat. Given time, I should be able to make a breakthrough soon," Huayu Ting answered earnestly.

"Good, very good," the elders were immediately invigorated upon hearing his reply. The previously oppressive atmosphere became lively in an instant.

"Hmm," seeing this, one of the elders cleared his throat in a seemingly serious manner, then said, "It seems the misunderstanding has been resolved. The old Patriarch, Huayu Tong, passed away from hanging himself in a fit of anger. Huayu Ting is at fault, but his crime is not deserving of death. According to the family laws, he is sentenced to face the wall in penance for seven days."

After a pause, he continued, "During the vacancy of the Patriarch, the Council of Elders will manage the daily affairs of the Huayu Family, including the funeral arrangements for Huayu Tong. After the punishment has been served, following family rules, the position of Patriarch will be assumed by Huayu Ting."

As these words were spoken, there was an uproar on the scene. Faced with authority, even a few hesitant voices emerged from the crowd.

"Huayu Ting caused the death of the Patriarch and still gets to succeed the position? That’s not fair."

"Who says it is not fair?" asked another hot-tempered elder angrily.

The crowd fell silent.

"While the old Patriarch was alive, he had already decreed that the position of Patriarch would pass on to Huayu Ting. We are simply following the rules. What is wrong with that?" the elder asked confidently.

"If anyone disagrees, they may stand forth," another elder said.

It was clear that the elders were determined to protect Huayu Ting. Thus, for a moment, silence reigned at the scene.

"This matter is indeed an embarrassment to the Huayu Family," the most authoritative elder stepped forward and cleared his throat before saying, "Therefore, I suggest we handle this matter discreetly and hasten the funeral proceedings. After Ating has finished facing the wall, remember to come and keep vigil for your father, as you are also to blame."

"I accept the order," Huayu Ting bowed deeply, speaking respectfully.

"You may leave now. The Council of Elders and I will discuss further about your father’s funeral arrangements," said an elder with a sigh, waving his hand.

For Huayu Ting, this outcome was more than welcome. He had no desire to keep vigil for the man who killed his son, so facing the wall in contemplation was the best option for him.

Though he was pleased with the outcome, Huayu Ting was not surprised. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say, he had predicted all of this even before he arrived.

Without absolute confidence, Huayu Ting would never have taken such a seemingly suicidal action.

No one in the family could compare with Huayu Ting, so he was well aware that even if he erred, the elders would find ways to absolve him.

Everyone found the death of Huayu Tong suspicious; an autopsy should yield more clues.

However, the elders, fearing complications might arise over time, had no intention of delving deeper into the investigation, hastily making arrangements for Huayu Tong’s funeral instead.

Facing the cold and damp walls deep inside the stone chamber, the corners of Huayu Ting’s mouth couldn’t stop curling upwards. But at the thought of his son’s death, his heart would ache, and his expression would darken.

"Shadow Guard!" He paused, then called out softly.

All being master cultivators, Huayu Ting’s strength was no less than that of the Shadow Guard; he had no trouble pinpointing his location.

"Your subordinate is here." A wisp of smoke swirled, and the figure of the Shadow Guard suddenly appeared.

"Go protect Fei Yu and her child. I don’t want to see them harmed again," Huayu Ting said calmly.

"But, my lord..." the Shadow Guard hesitated.

"Do you think, with my strength, I need your protection, Senior?" Huayu Ting asked coldly.

"Subordinate understands." The Shadow Guard nodded heavily.

"You don’t need to come back. When the time comes, I will find you. We still have many troubles to resolve, Senior. Don’t let me down." Huayu Ting said.

In fact, based on today’s events, it was quite clear that the Shadow Guard was undoubtedly standing on Huayu Ting’s side.

Otherwise, he could have simply exposed Huayu Ting’s lie on the spot, which would have put him in a situation of no return.

But the Shadow Guard knew very well that if he really did so, it would not only result in Huayu Ting’s utter downfall, but the entire Huayu Family could potentially fall apart because of it.

As a loyal Shadow Guard, this was the last outcome he wanted to see.

"Go, let me be alone for a while." Huayu Ting sighed again, speaking mournfully.

"Subordinate understands. May the lord grieve in moderation." Saying this, the Shadow Guard’s body dissolved into a puff of blue smoke once more.

"Yun Er..." Now that there was no one else around, Huayu Ting also began to mutter in sorrow, revealing his true feelings, "If it were possible, Dad would rather exchange the position of Patriarch for your life, it’s just a pity..."

"But rest assured," after the sorrow, Huayu Ting’s eyes revealed a determined and icy look, "Dad will protect your mother and your younger brothers and sisters. No one will be able to harm our family anymore."

The news of Huayu Tong’s suicide quickly spread throughout Kyushu, but thanks to the elder’s control of the situation, and the intimidating presence of the soon-to-be Patriarch Huayu Ting, the incident didn’t stir up much reaction.

Although the surrounding families of various sizes were itching to act, they all knew that Huayu Ting was not to be trifled with. As a late-stage Jiedan Realm cultivator on the verge of breaking through to the Golden Core Realm, he was not someone who could be overcome by sheer numbers.

It could be said that breaking through to the Golden Core Realm, in Hua State, essentially meant invincibility.

After spending seven days in seclusion, the elders hurriedly began to prepare for the succession ceremony, and had Huayu Ting guard his father’s spirit.

Every day Huayu Ting wept bitterly, appearing to be in mourning, but not a single tear he shed was for his father.

Whenever he saw his father’s spirit tablet, he felt genuine disgust, and each time he had to suppress the urge to smash the spirit tablet with his palm.

For Huayu Ting, his father died too easily. Hanging to death, although it sounded painful, was far from satisfying Huayu Ting’s wishes.

He watched with his own eyes as his son was tortured to death, so no matter how many chances he is given, he would never forgive his father. Even if it meant ruin and disgrace, he was determined to kill this cruel father.

Huayu Ting might not be a good son, but he is definitely a good father.

After the vigil, Huayu Tong was laid to rest in the Huayu Family’s ancestral cemetery. Meanwhile, Huayu Ting, accompanied by many, donned lavish ceremonial attire and confidently stepped forward to embrace the ceremony of inheriting the position of Patriarch.

This signified that, in Hua State, the era of Huayu Tong had ended, and the era of Huayu Ting had begun.

During the halfway point of the ceremony, many elders of the Huayu Family came before Huayu Ting, bending at the waist and respectfully addressing him with: "Our respects to the Patriarch."

This was the rule within the noble house; once someone became Patriarch, whether it be servants or the high and mighty elders, they all had to affectionately address him as Patriarch. Servants’ forms of address also changed from Young Master or Young Lord to My Lord.

"The junior thanks you all." Huayu Ting replied politely.

"Being so young and yet becoming the Patriarch is truly a sign of your remarkable abilities. We believe that under your leadership, the Huayu Family will prosper once again." An elder said jubilantly.

"You flatter me, I am but mediocre, and dare not boast so boldly." Huayu Ting said.

"Ah, no need to be so modest, you are far more capable than your father," an elder blurted out.

"Superior Lord, you’ve had too much to drink." Huayu Ting said courteously.

It was a subtle reminder; even if Huayu Ting disliked his father, he wouldn’t show his dissatisfaction openly. Realizing his faux pas, the elder’s face turned red, and he quickly shut his mouth.

"Ating, do well. The future of Hua State is relying on you." The leading elder said affectionately, patting his shoulder and nodding with satisfaction.