"Hah!? Become the honorary grand elder of the Jiang family? Did I hear that right?"
I stared at Tianluo, who had reappeared after disappearing for who knows how long.
"Yeah. One of the main points in Elder Jiang's letter was naming you as her direct successor, inheriting all the positions he held during her life," Tianluo explained.
I sighed. Of course she would write something like this. No explanation. No warning. Just a command that could upend an entire family tree.
Was I her disciple or her blade?
The memories of Ryu Ryeon still throbbed at the edge of my consciousness, and now… this. An appointment to become some kind of political time bomb.
"Sensei… you really never cared what I wanted, did you?"
"B-But… isn't this exactly the kind of thing that causes conflict between family elders?" I asked Tianluo.
Having the memories of someone who novels otaku, I knew this kind of plot twist was classic manhua material.
"Ah… about that, I don't think you need to worry," he said, handing me a sheet of paper.
Still confused, I took it and began reading. It turned out to be a letter from Sensei, addressed directly to the Jiang family patriarch. The message was crystal clear, I had been chosen as her full successor, including the title of grand elder. And if anyone objected… I was to eliminate them, even if it meant destroying the Jiang family entirely.
I wasn't surprised. That was just like Sensei radical and uncompromising when it came to people violating her rules.
*
Somewhere in the Jiang Family Patriarchal Hall…
"Patriarch, is it true that Elder Jiang Bailou left behind a successor?" one elder asked the man seated at the head of the room.
The man, with gray-white hair and a dignified air, looked like an older version of Tianluo.
"Yes. According to Tianluo's report, Grand Elder Jiang did raise a successor. She even left a letter personally marked with her qi," the patriarch replied.
The elders murmured in surprise.
"Then we should begin preparations for the inauguration before the successor arrives," one elder said.
"But do we really have to accept him? A total stranger suddenly becoming a grand elder? Even if grand elder Jiang raised him, I can't support this. And besides… she's already dead," said a younger elder, his tone sharp and dismissive.
The older elders exchanged glances but said nothing. Then one of the senior members spoke up.
"I suppose only those who never dealt with Grand Elder Jiang would think like that."
The patriarch nodded. "Many of us here were trained by her. We know the kind of person she was."
He then shared the contents of the letter, revealing that the successor had full permission to eliminate any opposition regardless of the cost. And if this successor was truly raised by Jiang Bailou, his strength was likely that of a general or top-ranker.
The room fell silent.
Although the Jiang family was powerful, they still couldn't compare to military generals or S-rankers. Currently, the only person in the family with such status was Jiang Tianluo.
"And if the successor was raised by her from childhood, he might share her temperament too," the patriarch added grimly.
After a long pause, he offered a solution.
"Let's follow the letter. We'll appoint two figures, the honorary grand elder is Jiang Bailou's successor and the official grand elder, which will be Elder Sanhyuk, the next most senior elder, currently in seclusion."
*
While the Jiang family prepared to welcome a new elder, shadows began to stir elsewhere.
Those who had waited for Jiang Bailou's fall were finally making their move.
"Patriarch, the rumors about Jiang Bailou's death appear to be true. And according to our sources, the Jiang family will hold a ceremony in three days to appoint a new grand elder," reported a man in black.
The patriarch, a sly-looking, long-haired man in navy-blue smirked.
"For 500 years, we dared not challenge the Jiang family because of Bailou. Even when she was missing, her shadow kept us in check. But now, she's truly gone… and our path to becoming one of Yinzhou's four ruling families has reopened."
His son-in-law and advisor nodded. "But a direct assault might provoke the military or other families."
"Who is the new grand elder?" the patriarch asked.
"Elder Sanhyuk is expected to take the role. But there's also another, an honorary grand elder, Jiang Bailou's disciple."
"!?"
The patriarch and his advisor froze.
"Jiang Bailou's disciple!? Are you sure?"
"Our sources confirmed it."
A wicked smile spread across the patriarch's face.
"Killing a brat is easier than taking down Sanghyuk. Capture the disciple and use him as leverage, toppling the Jiang family will be child's play."
"Understood. I'll assemble a special squad from our elite forces. We'll use a Stone of Transformation to mask our presence," said Qinsheng, the patriarch's son-in-law.
*
Meanwhile, in the Cao Family Mansion…
"The disciple of Jiang Bailou!?" roared a burly old man as he stood up, his green hanfu rippling with his movement.
Though massive, he wasn't fat, just solid muscle. His black-and-white hair was tied in a bun, giving him the look of an old warlord.
Cao Buorang's laugh boomed through the hall. "A thousand years ago, our name was nearly erased over a petty insult. Now the old dog is dead… it's time we returned the favor."
He jabbed a thick finger toward the gathered elders. "Assemble the elites. I want that successor gone before his feet touch our land, And don't forget the Stones of Transformation we can't let this trace back to us"
"Yes, Patriarch!" the elders responded in unison.
*
Back in the city...
"Huh. I didn't expect that… but it's not bad," Tianluo commented as I stepped out of the changing room.
He had insisted my casual clothes weren't fit for meeting the Jiang patriarch and dragged me out shopping.
Now I wore black combat pants, a white shirt with black patterns, and a long black coat.I wasn't normally a fan of long coats, but this one was an artifact temperature-regulating and shock-resistant.
Also, the Jiang family was footing the bill, so why not?
What caught me off guard was Tianluo being the one complimenting me. Usually, this kind of scene involves a female character gushing over the protagonist's new look. But here we were.
Even worse, he didn't hide his admiration at all.
I edged away slightly.
Just to be safe, I cleared the air. "Just so you know… I like women."
"Hah? What are you talking about? I like women too," Tianluo replied casually.
Phew. Crisis averted.