82 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

"What!?" Zhao Liangde was immediately furious. He glared intensely at the steward, gritting his teeth and said in a low voice, "Say that again... and I'll teach you the meaning of 'death'." The steward dared not offend him and hastily apologized. He fetched a cloth scroll from his robe, which listed many guest names, and bowed with a smile, "I wouldn't dare decide on my own. You see, this is how it was arranged—personally reviewed and stamped by the Patriarch himself..." Zhao Liangde took it, indeed seeing his name glaringly at the bottom seat. Wei Tong’s red personal seal was unmistakably clear. Finding no recourse, and with the surrounding cultivators noticing, he realized that continuing would bring more disgrace and disrupt Wei Tong’s occasion. He threw the cloth back at the steward, muttering defiantly, "The Patriarch must have overlooked this. I'll personally discuss it with him later," yet he obediently went to the last seat. Qi Xiu and the others, who had already seated themselves behind him, felt even more awkward and had no choice but to stand and follow him to the rear. The great hall buzzed with murmurs. Those unfamiliar whispered inquiries about Zhao Liangde’s background, while those who knew speculated on his fall from grace. Zhao Liangde felt like a thorn was pricking his back, restless and intent on questioning Wei Tong once he arrived. Guests continued to pour in, with an array of exquisite spiritual delicacies being served. When the hall was about seventy percent full, Wei Tong finally arrived. In high spirits from the occasion, he seemed much more amiable than during battle. Grinning, he bowed to everyone and announced that socializing was unrestricted and encouraged mingling, then led by sipping from his wine cup. With his arrival, the hall's atmosphere grew even livelier. Guests approached to toast and congratulate him. Wei Tong accepted their reverence with a smile, seating himself at the main host's position. Beside him sat three cultivators. One, a middle-aged man without the Beast Master Sect attire, wore a dark red robe and took a seat next to Wei Tong, styled as if he was the host, and many unfamiliar guests went to pay respects, also calling him Patriarch Wei. Another was a Golden Core cultivator, looking in his early thirties, wearing a black-and-white Taoist robe. His appearance was unremarkable, yet his manner exuded the grace of a Daoist master. He took the top of the guest seats, unknown to everyone, only referred to by Wei Tong as Yuhe. He seemed uncomfortable in this situation, speaking little and avoiding excessive interaction. The third was the infamous Huo Hu, who easily killed Si Wenguang with a single blow in the late Foundation Establishment stage. His fame preceded him so much that even those unfamiliar with Wei Tong knew of Huo Hu. Everyone approached him with flattery, constantly toasting him. Huo Hu was straightforward and naive; a few compliments made him giddy, and he laughed loudly, drinking without hesitation, wearing a smug expression. Zhao Liangde, seizing the opportunity, approached his master with a cup of wine, offering congratulations before subtly expressing his dissatisfaction with the seating arrangements. "Hmm..." Wei Tong was unusually polite, smiling as he replied, "Brother Zhao, with so many guests today, it's challenging to rearrange the seating. For this occasion, please make do." Hearing him address him as "Brother," Zhao Liangde's face darkened immediately. He put down his cup and knelt, saying, "Teacher, how could you say such a thing? Once a teacher, always a father. I, Liangde, shall always stand by you, my master. This 'Brother' is a title I cannot bear. Please refer to me as before, or I won’t know where I stand." "Hahaha..." Although Wei Tong laughed, his expression turned cold. The others in the hall sensed the tension and quieted, watching the proceedings unfold. "Brother Zhao... I treated you as one of my own when we shared the Beast Master Sect. Now that I’m independent, you and I are from different factions. There's no need for such intimacy." The hall was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard, with only Wei Tong's severe and authoritative voice echoing. Zhao Liangde knelt, his body trembling uncontrollably, losing all his usual dignity. His unwavering loyalty to Wei Tong, with Zhao’s entire family sacrificing over dozens of lives, was now dismissed without explanation. If he remained at the Beast Master Sect, he would undoubtedly face harsh suppression from the new head's faction, making survival difficult. "I..." The more Zhao Liangde thought, the more confused he became, unable to grasp the reason. The silence in the hall suggested everyone was mocking his plight, but he couldn't care anymore. Crawling a bit closer, he pleaded at Wei Tong’s feet, "Master, why treat Liangde so distantly? I thought my years of service would mean something. Please, if there’s anything I’ve done wrong, make it clear..." "Hmph!" With a cold snort, Wei Tong replied, "Over the years under my tutelage, did you think I’m unaware of your misdeeds? Using my name, you sought fame and fortune, pocketing benefits. It was tolerable when you were undermining the Beast Master Sect. I didn't want to confront you. But my small, independent outfit can’t support a leech like you. Just stay put at the Beast Master Sect and don’t meddle in my affairs… Begone!" With that, he kicked Zhao Liangde, making him roll across the floor, uninterested in further engagement, turning to converse with the Golden Core cultivator nearby. The hall erupted with chatter as guests discussed Zhao Liangde's situation. Unable to muster energy to resist, Zhao Liangde stood up slowly, blood oozing from a split lip, humiliated. With no face left to linger, he resolutely endured the mocking stares and exited with his head bowed. Upon reaching the door, he saw Qi Xiu and others stand awkwardly, uncertain whether to follow or remain. Turning towards Patriarch Wei, he loudly proclaimed, "Wei Tong!" Using his direct name, the cultivators in the hall knew that a complete break had occurred, anticipating more drama as they focused on Wei Tong at the main seat. Wei Tong, caught off guard by Zhao Liangde’s challenge, was enraged, glaring fiercely as if he would devour him. "Wei Tong! Despite my unwavering loyalty, my Zhao family bled dozens of lives for you, yet you discard me without mercy or principle. In my lifetime, I vow never to make peace with you!" Undeterred, Zhao Liangde continued with harsh words, his tone softening afterward, "But I brought some friends for your cause. Though unrelated to you, they, like many here, risked their lives for the Wei family. They aren't to be tossed aside as you've done with me. Please, at the least, fulfill the promises made to them!" Qi Xiu, surprised by Zhao Liangde’s loyalty even now, was moved. Though he had always looked down on Zhao's greed and lust, at this moment, he couldn't deny that Zhao Liangde was a man of his word, holding his ground. Wei Tong, constrained by Zhao Liangde’s words, was reluctant, as many had indeed come to aid against the Mountain Capital Gate attack. He coldly replied, "Of course, those uninvolved who helped me won’t be forgotten. As for your vendetta against me, I welcome it." Zhao Liangde said no more, striding away.