Interlude: The Elders

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    Elder Dang, head of Internal Disputes, is not a physically imposing man. He is not uglysuch a thing is usually impossible for high-level cultivators. However, neither is he what one would call particularly striking. Elder Dang is average of height, slim in build, and has a face that is always a little too sly. His goatee is well-groomed, and his black hair is tied in a topknot.

    He is a man known for his calm temper and great discipline.

    Even if one would find that hard to believe from looking at him now.

    Outrageous!

    His normally calm face is now a mask of carefully crafted fury. His nostrils flare as he glares at Elder Xue, who meets his loathing with barely concealed amusement.

    Absolutely outrageous!

    Elder Dang slams his fist against the armrest of his seat. It is not the first time he has done so today. That his chair hasnt broken yet is either a testament to its quality or a sign of how badly he is overplaying his reaction.

    It is most definitely the latter, Elder Xue decides.

    Elder Dang is nowhere near as outraged as he pretends to be. He is simply using anger to overemphasize his point, a good strategy if he were dealing with easily cowed disciples. However, these are the Elders of the Eternal Flame Clan he is addressing.

    Elder Ju of Exploration.

    Elder Fa of External Relations.

    Elder Geng, Armmaster of the Armory.

    Elder Chang, Warden of the Punishment House.

    Elder Bi, Overseer of the Sparring Hall.

    All of them and more are in this room. Almost all the Elders of the Eternal Flame Clan have gathered in the main house. They all sit in a circular red room, their golden seats raised high above the floor. The higher the seat, the more important the person sitting there.

    No servants are allowed in the red room, for they would not be able to withstand being here.

    How is this not a vast overreach of authority by Elder Xue? Elder Dang shouts, waving his hand at her with all the disdain he can muster. Internal problems are to be handled by Internal Disputes! This is something even a new disciple would know! If there truly is any grain of truth to Elder Xues accusations, it should have been our duty to investigate them. Instead, Elder Xue took up duties that were not hers and acted without consulting with anyone!

    Internal problems are to be handled by Internal Disputes? Elder Xue echoes, a lovely smile on her face. Certainly, Elder Dang speaks true. A new disciple would say that. However, an old disciple will warn them against such optimistic notions, for by the time Internal Disputes has solved one problem, a hundred more will have taken its place.

    A few Elders chuckle at that. The anger on Elder Dangs face becomes a little more genuine.

    Do not misunderstand, Elder Xue continues. Calmly. Soothingly. I am, by no means, trying to insult Elder Dang, merely his insinuations. He says I should have gone to Internal Disputes, but that was a risk far too great for me to take. Had I done that, Elder Cheung could have caught wind of my findings and fled.

    Elder Dang scoffs. What a ridiculous claim!

    Ridiculous? Perhaps Elder Dang only thinks so because he has never had to deal with his own division, Elder Geng says. Unlike the slim Elder Dang, Elder Geng is a mountain of a man. The sleeves of his robes are ripped, showing off his powerful arms, as befitting of the one in charge of the Armory. He has no hair on his face, and the one on top of his head is white and short. He claims having too much hair is a hassle when forging.

    If Elder Dang wishes, we can spend the next several hours discussing all the occasions in which the slowness of Internal Disputes has caused the Armory to lose valuable time. Although Elder Gengs seat is lower, he has no issue glaring at Elder Dang.

    We are not here to discuss my Division, Elder Dang fires back, his voice colder now.

    An obvious lie. Elder Xue fights the urge to scoff. If anything, Lord Feng Gui is late. No doubt he was with Ling before coming here. A frown appears on Elder Xues face as she thinks of that woman. Shell need to meet with her later.

    Ling should not go around making threats to one of her disciples without first consulting with her.

    I had no idea Elder Fa was a man of such quick wit. Elder Feng Gui laughs. As soon as he stepped into the room, another golden seat rose from the floor, this one higher than all the others. An Elder has been accused of harvesting disciples. How could I possibly fail to show up?

    I-Of course, you are right. Elder Fa clears his throat. Will your honored father be joining us?

    As always, I appreciate your concern for my father, Lord Feng Gui says, taking his seat. However, banal matters such as these are beneath him. My honored father is someone who has chosen to focus on his cultivation above all. He did not deem it fit to cast his shadow over this meeting.

    In other words, unless Lord Feng Shang somehow manages to learn of this and returns in time, Lord Feng Gui will be the highest-ranked person in the room.

    Banal matters? echoes Elder Dang. With all due respect, we are speaking of heretical research.

    Oh? Elder Ju tilts his head to the side. I thought that had yet to be proven?

    Quite so, Lord Feng Gui says as Elder Dang glares daggers at Elder Ju. Make no mistake. I do not believe Elder Xue to be a liar. Rather, it is the seriousness of the accusation that dictates we prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt.

    And how does Lord Feng Gui suggest we do that? Elder Xue asks, for the first time feeling some slight apprehension. Lord Feng Guis words are not what she had been expecting.

    A good question, Lord Feng Gui says. One that has led me to much deliberation, hence my lateness, yet I believe I have arrived at an answer that will satisfy all. We shall hold a public trial in three days. Elder Cheung will be tried in front of everyone until the matter of his guilt has been fully satisfied.

    Elder Xue fights back a frown.

    By making the trial public, Lord Feng Gui is strengthening their cause. The more thoroughly they prove Elder Cheungs guilt in front of everyone, the more theyll be able to justify their actions and gain support. Best of all, with how things are in the capital, there is no way Lord Feng Shang can afford to leave the Crimson Cloud Tournament even if he does learn of this, which he surely will.

    However, a public trial also means shell have to present Qing Jin before the entire Eternal Flame Clan. She had planned on hiding him for a few years, but there is no way she can object to the idea of trial after everything she has done.

    It occurs to her this may be her punishment for making such a bold move without consulting with anyone.

    And who is to be the judge? asks Elder Dang. Elder Xue takes no small consolation in that he looks far more displeased with the prospect of a trial than her. Will it be you, Lord Feng Gui?

    To everyones surprise, Lord Feng Gui shakes his head in negative.

    I am flattered that Elder Dang considers me a choice, but I believe Elder Xun will be much better suited for this.

    Elder Xun.

    Among the Elders of the Eternal Flame Clan, he is the oldest and strongest. He is also one of the few Elders who did not show up for this meeting as he is completely neutral in the conflict between Lord Feng Gui and Lord Feng Shang. Rather, he prefers to spend most of his time guarding the Technique Hall.

    I trust there wont be any objections.

    Lord Feng Gui asks the question, but he already knows the answer. Everyone in the room knows there is not a single person in Lord Feng Shangs faction that can object to such a choice. To object to it is to deny Elder Xuns impartiality. By appointing him as judge, Lord Feng Gui is showing how confident he is in their cause.

    One by one, the Elders of the Eternal Flame Clan voice their agreement. Some with happy smiles. Others through gritted teeth.

    In three days, Elder Cheungs trial will begin.

    ~~~