Chapter 962 - 928: The Four Great Elders

Xiahou Mulan smiled indifferently, "You two were the first to arrive."

Although the agreed time had not yet arrived, Meng Huaiyi said somewhat displeasedly, "What a grand entrance."

Just as Meng Huaiyi finished speaking, a loud voice sounded from the door, "Old Meng, you still can’t change your bad habit of speaking ill of others behind their backs."

They all looked towards the voice, only to see a spirited old man walk in from outside. He is the former head of Huiren Hall and is now a prominent figure in the collecting world, Huang Wanglin.

At this time, Xu Chunliang was in the west wing looking at the people entering the courtyard. Seeing the appearance of Huang Wanglin surprised him a little, but after a bit of thought, it made sense. The intricate connections between the medical sects were difficult to unravel; the sects themselves were divided into the Medical and Medicine Sects. Huang Wanglin probably belonged to the Medical Sect.

The last to arrive was also the youngest. Xu Chunliang looked out through the window and recognized this elder, having met Cha Youliang once before in Chacun Ancient Town. This guy is an expert, and it turns out he’s also a member of the medical sects.

All four elders arrived on time. After greeting Xiahou Mulan, everyone had a question in mind: why was Xiahou Mulan in such a hurry to summon them all here?

The last time all four had been present was four years ago when Sect Leader Xiahou Zun announced he would be entering closed-door training and temporarily entrusted the affairs of the sect to his daughter, Xiahou Mulan. Anything requiring attention was to be reported through Xiahou Mulan to him, and he also entrusted the four of them with providing substantial support.

Fortunately, the past few years have been calm, and as Mulan Group gradually grew stronger, no major events occurred within the sect.

This relates to the internal fragmentation of the sect, which has essentially become a scattered entity. Most prioritize making money over developing and strengthening the organization. However, the disciples of the sects heavily support each other’s businesses, which is why Wu Yuanyi, who has caused such trouble, can still go scot-free.

Recently, Xiahou Zun expelled Wu Yuanyi from the sect, effectively cutting off his financial avenues. The four elders estimated that the gathering today was probably to explain this matter.

What Xiahou Mulan said next greatly surprised everyone: "My father is coming in person."

Meng Huaiyi said, "The Sect Leader is actually coming in person. Why didn’t he inform us beforehand?"

Xiahou Mulan calmly said, "The Sect Leader wants to see if his words still hold weight after all these years of seclusion."

All four elders fell silent. Xiahou Mulan’s statement was clearly a warning to them. Each of them had their own endeavors, with the most successful being Zhai Pingqing, who reportedly has a fortune of over ten billion, rivaling even the Mulan Group.

Huang Wanglin’s strength should not be underestimated either. Huiren Hall is famous in the Capital City. He has handed Huiren Hall over to his son, Huang Gongxian, and dedicated his efforts to collecting, establishing Linzheng Hall, and becoming a leading figure in the collecting world with the Capital City’s most famous private museum.

Meng Huaiyi is the oldest, but his success does not compare to the others. He started with fake medicine and was even arrested. After his release, he reportedly retired. However, people in the sects are well aware that old habits die hard. While he may have stopped, his disciples and descendants continue engaging in illegal activities, and over half of the expired medicines purchased in the market are attributed to his people.

On the contrary, the youngest, Cha Youliang, remains the most mysterious. This elder position was inherited. His father, Cha Enxuan, was once one of the four great elders, but he voluntarily resigned due to blindness, with the condition that his son inherit his position. Cha Enxuan had a special status among the four elders; he was the Law Enforcement Elder responsible for implementing the sect’s laws.

Huang Wanglin and Zhai Pingqing thought this arrangement was quite ludicrous, but Xiahou Zun agreed, and with Meng Huaiyi’s strong support, they went along with it, acknowledging Cha Youliang as the succeeding elder. He now carries on his father’s duty of enforcing the sect’s laws.

In their own view, the sect is merely a nominal organization, and the Sect Leader lacks much cohesion, making the current sect akin to the annual Spring Festival Gala: tasteless yet regrettable to discard.

The Sect Leader, naturally, had his own style. Xu Chunliang knew Xiahou Zun was fond of such displays, so he remained in the room.

Xiahou Mulan invited the four elders to be seated in the living room and smiled slightly, "Please wait a moment, Elders. I will fetch my father."

The four elders sat there for more than ten minutes, but Xiahou Zun did not appear. No one spoke, aware of Xiahou Zun’s penchant for creating an aura, but surely he couldn’t just leave them hanging forever?

Xiahou Mulan looked at the lifelike Xiahou Zun and whispered, "It’s about time."

Xu Chunliang glared at her a bit dissatisfied, "So rude, calling him Daddy?"

Xiahou Mulan really felt like pinching his ear. This shameless man was taking advantage of her at the right moment again.

Xiahou Mulan said, "Your sense of immersion is really strong."

Xu Chunliang said with some pride, "That’s right! Call him, or I won’t go over."

Xiahou Mulan rolled her eyes at him and whispered, "Daddy!"

Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but straighten up and readily agreed with a cheerful voice. He stood up, pinching Xiahou Mulan’s pretty cheek with a smile, "I’m helping you get into character, not taking advantage of you."

Xiahou Mulan added two words with a snort, "Says who!"

Xu Chunliang walked into the living room at a steady pace, Xiahou Mulan following by his side.

The moment Xu Chunliang entered the living room, the four elders stood up simultaneously, all sensing the imposing aura emanating from the Sect Leader.

Among them, Cha Youliang was a practitioner. Upon seeing the Sect Leader’s eyes filled with refined vigor and his expression exuding authority naturally, he sighed inwardly. Xiahou Zun’s transformation after years of seclusion was remarkable. Such a presence couldn’t be achieved without decades of cultivation. Little did he know, Xu Chunliang had already reached the Innate Realm, where even the most formidable of the Acquired Realm were insignificant.

"Greetings, Sect Leader!" The four said in unison.

Xu Chunliang’s gaze swept across their faces one by one; half of them were familiar faces. He did not know Meng Huaiyi, but had heard of Zhai Pingqing, whom he once considered inviting his grandpa to oversee the National Medical Hall. He had met Cha Youliang, who was not a match for him in martial arts. The most unexpected was Huang Wanglin, Master Huang San—unable to imagine that you, a great collector embodying righteousness, was also a man of Jianghu, with such a rarely known side.

Xu Chunliang’s gaze was too intimidating, and the four dared not meet his eyes, partly out of respect, partly due to being overwhelmed by him.

Xu Chunliang sat with authority and said to Xiahou Mulan, "Mulan, serve tea to the uncles."

Xiahou Mulan hurried to fill their teas.

Meng Huaiyi was the first to speak, "Congratulations on coming out of seclusion, Sect Leader. May I ask why you summoned us this time?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "Can’t I call on you without a reason?"

Meng Huaiyi, embarrassed by his retort, said with an awkward smile, "Of course not. I’ve often thought about visiting you over the years but worried about disturbing your practice."

Xiahou Mulan handed a cup of tea to Xu Chunliang, "Dad, have some tea."

Xu Chunliang looked at her with satisfaction; hearing her call him "Dad" felt pleasant. Am I a bit wicked? The side effects of the Innate Realm are quite substantial; I wasn’t like this before.

After Meng Huaiyi finished, seeing that the Sect Leader ignored him, he quietly signaled Zhai Pingqing.

Zhai Pingqing said, "Sect Leader, I’ve been visiting the Mulan Base often these past few years. I’ve met Miss Mulan a few times and inquired about your whereabouts, and Miss Mulan said you did not wish to see anyone."

Xu Chunliang replied, "Mulan has told me everything, and I appreciate it."

Zhai Pingqing thought to himself, I haven’t offended you. Over the years, our Kangjian Group has taken good care of your business.

Huang Wanglin asked, "Sect Leader, how is your health?"

Xu Chunliang furrowed his brow, displaying some impatience, causing Huang Wanglin to cease speaking immediately.

Xu Chunliang said, "Today, I’ve called you here to discuss a few important matters. The first concerns Wu Yuanyi—this person has lost his reason, repeatedly breaking laws. Recently, he also created a vendetta with the Orchid Sect. I’ve decided to expel him from the sect; I don’t want his affairs to affect everyone."

Zhai Pingqing remarked, "Sect Leader is wise; I wholeheartedly agree with this decision. In the past, I proposed that Wu Yuanyi was impulsive and unscrupulous. Keeping him in the sect might lead to great trouble."

Huang Wanglin nodded, "Times have changed; today is a society ruled by law. We need to adapt our strategies and methods. Going against the times is like an ant trying to stop a chariot, digging one’s own grave."

Their shared trait was their vast families and legitimate businesses; they valued their reputation highly and wanted to distance themselves from someone like Wu Yuanyi, lest they get splattered with dirt when trouble arises.

Cha Youliang had the shortest tenure as an elder and hadn’t even interacted with Wu Yuanyi, so he had no authority to speak. Since the two elders both agreed, he opted to abstain from commenting.

Meng Huaiyi said, "Despite that, Wu Yuanyi has done considerable work for the sect and is a founding member. I recall he even saved the Sect Leader’s life once."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, this old thing doesn’t seem very virtuous. He coldly stared at Meng Huaiyi, "Are you implying I owe Wu Yuanyi a favor?"

Meng Huaiyi softly replied, "Not at all. I’m just worried others might misunderstand the Sect Leader."

Xu Chunliang said, "With all the troubles Wu Yuanyi has caused, haven’t I cleaned up after him every time? This time, his actions have been too severe. He’s already been targeted by the police, and he attempted to assassinate the Protector of the Orchid Sect. If it were merely a conflict within Jianghu, it might be overlooked. But he sent people to Dongzhou to assassinate someone called Xu Chunliang."

Huang Wanglin emitted a surprised sound, prompting the others to look at him.

Xu Chunliang intentionally asked, "Old Huang, do you know Xu Chunliang?"