Chapter 554: Chapter 550: Stand Aside

“The New Faction is headed by the Great Elder Tang Siyuan, Clan Chief Tang Zhi, and Head of the Mountain Tang Kuan, while the Old Faction represents a coalition led by Second Elder Tang Hongjun, Chief of the Clan Tang Zu, and representatives of the branch clans,” Cui Dayou explained to Tang Luo. “Originally, most of the representatives of all the Tang Clan’s branches were in support of Clan Chief Tang Zhi. However, after that incident, many branch clan leaders felt the clan chief was not selfless, and would prefer to support Cunfu’s representative to replace him. Coupled with the support of the Clan Chief and a few elders, there is a strong call within the clan. Many people consider Cunfu’s representative to be the next in line – no, they even believe that he will complete the impeachment in a few years and take the clan chief’s place.”

It was only today that Tang Luo, who had always been focused on the pinnacle of martial arts and oblivious to external affairs, realized that the factional struggle within the Tang Clan had intensified to this extent. Originally, he thought that Tang Cunfu would lose his fight and retreat after the Order of the Five Mu Field. It appears now that not only has the opposition not given up their fight for the clan chief’s position, they have also garnered quite a bit of support.

No wonder, although Tang Luo was very close to Tang Hongtao, the former did not introduce him to the Second Elder Tang Hongjun. They were afraid that Luo would get involved in the factional disputes and lose the initiative.

From this staff distribution, Tang Luo also understood that the so-called New and Old factions arose due to recent actions.

The Tang Clan intended to wage a full-scale war against the Mi Clan. This was a decision that could hardly be approved by the Elder Council because the underlying strength of both clans was too large and there was no guarantee of determining the winner in one battle. However, clan chief Tang Zhi was determined to start the war, naturally causing a rift with the Clan Chief and representatives of the branch clans.

From the very beginning, the clan chief concealed his battle plans. Even though the situation is now this sensitive, no one can see the full picture of this battle, naturally causing a lot of people’s dissatisfaction.

In the past, all the critical decisions of the Tang Clan were deliberated by the Elder Council. However, this time, besides Head of the Mountain Tang Kuan and Great Elder Tang Siyuan, only Tang Sen, who was the First Head of the Martial Hall, knew the full picture of the battle plan.

This was almost unimaginable in the past. It’s no wonder that the branch clan leaders were so displeased with the people of the New Faction.

Seeing that Tang Luo understood the faction division, Cui Dayou continued, “Master, you are a favorite among the New Faction, heavily favored by the Clan Chief and the Mountain Head. At this time, if you get involved with Representative Cunfu, it may understandably unsettle them. Please, think it over three times before proceeding.”

Looking at the shopkeeper who solemnly handed over the wedding invitation with both hands, Tang Luo calmly accepted it and asked indifferently, “Who told you these things?”

A grain shopkeeper, but was very knowledgeable about the clan’s factions and was almost as shrewd as a strategist. He could even accurately guess Tang Luo’s tendencies. Moreover, this person was the accompany shopkeeper recommended by Head of the Mountain Tang Kuan, inevitably making Luo a bit suspicious.

Unexpectedly, this casual question caused Cui Dayou to panic. He knelt down in front of him, swearing to the heavens, “Master, please understand, due to my previous position, I had old ties with many branch clan chiefs. Most of what I know about the clan factions is from hearsay, and by no means instigated. Upon returning to Da Lin with your master, I have been devoted to serving you with no other intentions. If I have been reckless and spoke out of place, please, punish me.”

Almost everyone could be sure that, barring any surprises, Tang Luo would become a pillar of the Tang Clan in the future, just not sure if it would be as the successor to the First Head of the Martial Hall, the Master of the Secret Arts Pavilion, or filling the vacancy of the Young Clan Chief that had been open for several years.

Because of this understanding, when Tang Luo expressed his intention to recruit, Cui Dayou completely treated himself as the future top figure’s basis.

Merchants are usually good at calculating. Tang Luo is still young, so Dayou couldn’t help but worry about him and plan more for him. But suddenly hearing the suspicion, Dayou felt a shocking realization. He had forgotten that before his eyes was not only a fifteen-year-old boy but also the top transcendent of Xiling, revered as the first son of Xiling.

At that moment, Cui Dayou regretted his loquaciousness and meddling, fearing he had aroused his master’s suspicion. He was filled with remorse.

Watching his shopkeeper trembling before him, Tang Luo waved his hand in resignation, “Stand up, I don’t like people kneeling.”

I really don’t understand why, in a kingdom that doesn’t have an emperor, the common people like kneeling so much. It’s really baffling.

“Let me clarify the factional struggle within the Tang Clan to you. Cunfu, at best, is a puppet pushed forward by the Second Elder and the Clan Chief to express their dissatisfaction with the Clan Chief. With only the support of some branch clan leaders, trying to shake the clan chief’s position is just a pipe dream.”

Only those who have truly interacted with Tang Zhi will know what an impressive strategist he is. If I could see this, how could the Clan Chief Tang Zu and Second Elder Tang Hongjun not see it? Supporting Tang Cunfu is merely a way to express their dissatisfaction, nothing more.”

“Even if Tang Cunfu really replaces Tang Zhi to become the Tang family’s clan chief, it has nothing to do with us,” Tang Luo, looking at Cui Dayou who had gotten up, commented casually, “Just remember one thing, as the future head of the Marshal Star Pavilion, you don’t need to please anyone in the clan, whether they belong to the New Faction or Old Faction; we just need to do our job.”

You can’t write two Tang characters with one brush stroke. Over the past fifteen years, the most satisfying aspect of the family is that even the excessively murderous Ancestral Martial kept their patience when dealing with internal conflicts. In contrast, I have almost reproached everyone in the Tang clan’s upper echelon.

Whether it’s just verbal quarrels or actual power struggles, when faced with matters affecting the entire family, everyone will give their all to get things done first. Factional disputes are not something Tang Luo needs to worry about now. He knows that in less than a year, he will be in the Fierce Realm, and in most ten years, he will be the next strongest in Xiling.

Who is the clan chief may be important for a common branch clan leader, but for him, it’s not that significant.

Tang Luo, looking at the somewhat anxious looking Cui Dayou, casually commented, “I will attend this Star-Choosing Ceremony, but only because it’s the best decision for our Marshal Star Pavilion. As to whether it will affect my position in others’ minds, you don’t need to worry about it. Because only the weak need to choose sides, while the strong, no matter where they stand, are always in the middle.”

…

South Ridge Beast Valley, Wind Media Department.

The blood crows were buzzing around, causing the entire Wind Media Tower to become a disheveled mess. No one could have envisioned that Tang Sen, who should have retreated, would surface less than ten miles from South Ridge Beast Valley.

The sound of the explosion echoed in the sky, dressed in divine armor, the First Head of the Martial Hall charged into Mi’s defensive line at an astonishing speed.

Badly wounded, Mi Hai tried to resist. But then he heard the news of the war from the front.

The Clan Chief Mi Hu, along with a thousand Feather Guards and a dozen Martial Ancestors, tried to intercept him.

They initially thought that Tang Sen came here to avenge his son Tang Luo. They did not expect that he did not take any action but casually toured around the Mi Clan’s defense line at a horrifying speed and retreated upon contact.

Without Mi Yang, nobody could effectively stop Tang Sen, donned in divine armor, if he did not wish to fight.