Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Serpent (1)

Serpent Palace, one of Sky Demon Order's greatest and grandest pavilions. Built by the Emerald Serpent Clan with their endless wealth.

Currently at the Serpent Palace hundreds and thousands of Cultists gathered around for a celebration.

"It seems that Elder Mujin will finally inherit the Emerald Serpent Clan." One of the cultists said as he conversed with his friend.

"With his powerful martial prowess and his position as the First Elder, I'm sure he would succeed the position of our Lord." His friend replied.

"I think we are jumping to conclusions too quickly."

"I mean there's still four candidates left right? Excluding Elder Mujin. There's still a lot of years before the succession happens, there's no saying what's going on." Said a third party who joined their conversation.

"And I'm sure the Six Clan won't accept it. They will not accept someone outside the lineage of the Six Clan as Lord." He said which made a lot of sense.

But unbeknownst to him, the Six Clan is already being slowly swallowed up by Cheon Mujin.

"Then who would succeed the throne? I think there's no one as qualified as Elder Mujin for the succession among the remaining Candidates." He said, the other was about to reply when suddenly a loud horn resounded throughout the entire Pavilion.

"The Clan Leader of the Sound Clan is entering!" The man at the gate shouted as he escorted Hang Soyu alongside Cheon Won Ryuh.

"What!? The sound clan? Why are they here!?" The audience were shocked when they saw the Sound Clan enter the Pavilion.

Usually they don't attend these kinds of things as they view themselves much higher than everyone and going there would waste their time and prestige.

Soon after many Clan leaders started to arrive one by one.

In total there were about one hundred thirty clan that attended, and mind you each of those clans are under the Emerald Serpent Clan.

In the cult there are about three hundred clans or so meaning Cheon Mujin got one hundred thirty clans out of three hundred, that's 43.33% of the entire cult.

This just shows how much power the current Emerald Serpent Clan has. It's much, much, more powerful than any of the Six Clans.

After everyone had arrived and taken their seat, a loud blasting horn resounded throughout the entire pavilion.

Accompanied by that sound was Musong Ryo wearing a ceremonial robe and holding a green emerald tablet with a word 'Snake' inscribed to it.

"Musong Ryo, the 17th Clan Leader of the Emerald Serpent Clan is entering! All rise up!" The guard accompanying Musong Ryo shouted and all the guests stood up. They all bowed slightly and cupped their hands.

"I have been the Clan Leader of this clan since I was but a young man. I saw this clan rise through from a small ranking clan into a financial powerhouse due to one young man. My grandson, First Elder Cheon Mujin." Musong Ryo said and from the opposite door of where he came from, a young man with string-like eyes wearing a regal ceremonial robe entered with undaunting and confident steps.

"And today, I relinquish my position as Clan Leader and hand it over to the rightful one. Cheon Mujin, receive the Emerald Tablet and pledge your service to the Cult in the name of the Holy Fire."

The Holy Fire is the representation of the Sky Demon Order. It is believed that the Holy Fire is the medium to communicate with the first Cheon Ma. Thus it was a holy item inside the clan.

"I, Cheon Mujin, in the name of the Holy Fire pledges my allegiance to the cause of the Sky Demon Order. May my body burn by the Holy Fire, may Cheon Ma witness my plea, may the people acknowledge my rights!" Cheon Mujin nodded at the direction of the Holy Fire. Though the Holy Fire cannot be brought out since it's very holy, Cheon Mujin just bowed to the direction of where it was placed.

"I, Musong Ryo, the 17th Clan Leader of the Emerald Serpent Clan hands over the Emerald Tablet to Cheon Mujin, effectively making him the 18th Clan Leader of the Emerald Serpent Clan." Musong Ryo handed the jade emerald tablet over to Cheon Mujin to which the latter recieved.

"Welcome the new Clan Leader of Emerald Serpent Clan!!" Musong Ryo handed and everyone bowed and cupped their hands.

"Glory to the new Leader!!"

********

Drastic changes happened within the cult after Cheon Mujin's coronation as Clan Head of Emerald Serpent Clan.

Not only did they start aggressively expanding their business, they have started gathering clans under their roof as subsidiaries. Over one hundred thirty clans came under their rule in just three months, but what's more shocking was that the Sound Clan, one of the Six Clan have also come under them and became their subsidiary.

The monthly meeting:

On the Demonic Council, leaders of all Clans alongside the Six Clans or should I say Five Clans gathered for the monthly meeting.

"My Lord! I suggest that the Emerald Serpent Clan cease their aggressive behavior. The dynamic of our Cult is being disturbed." Ja Jinkeng, the 4th Elder of the Spring Clan, protested as he pointed at Cheon Mujin.

"I mean no offense First Elder but your recent actions have been shaking the foundation and dynamic of our Cult." He said with contained anger.

Due to Cheon Mujin's rapid rise, the Five Clans have been getting their authority undermined and their grip on their current power have slowly been slipping out of their hands which made him furious.

"That is right, how can such a clan have so much power, it will be a threat to the Lord's authority. Such things should not be left alone." Another interjection was Kyung Bon-gi, the Clan Leader of the Sword Clan and the 2nd Elder, who said that.

"Then what do you say about the Six Clan then? If such a Clan cannot have so much power on their hand then what about you Six Clans?" Called out Cheon Mujin as he said calmly.

"This is a different matter First Elder! The Six Clan is the tradition of our Cult, we were made so by the 8th Lord Cheon Mu Hwa!" Kyung Bon-gi said as he stood up from his seat and protested agains Cheon Mujin's words.

"Tradition! Ha! What sophistry."

"It's intriguing how your Six Clan managed to maneuver historical negotiations, convincing the 8th Lord to relinquish a substantial share of power. The concept of tradition here seems to serve as a convenient gloss-over for what essentially boils down to a strategic play by your forebears." Cheon Mujin said calmly but what he truly said was this.' Tradition! Ha! What a bunch of bullshit you are saying! You got that power because your ancestors forced the 8th Lord to hand over a substantial amount of power to your Six Clan. Don'y give me that bullshit!'

"I disagree with the 2nd Elder's word. The Emerald Serpent Clan isn't shaking the foundation of our Cult instead it's nurturing it."

"I agree with him."

"So do I."

"In the name of my clan I agree too." One by one, Clan Leader's from Cheon Mujin's side started protesting against the Six Clan's accusation.

"Don't utter things you do not know, 2nd Elder or else I would not hesitate to come after your Clan next." Cheon Mujin threatened.

Everyone went silent because of Cheon Mujin's threat. The 2nd Elder sweated. There was no one who could retaliate against Mujin since as of now he is one of the three major factions within the cult.

Even though the Sky Demon Order looks so united it actually isn't. In the cult there are three factions that govern it right now.

The most powerful is of course the Lord's faction. A faction of traditionalists and loyalists, loyal to the Lord. Then there's the Six Clan where those who are under the Six Clans belong to then of course there's the Serpentine Faction, Cheon Mujin's faction.

"I see no reason to relinquish the Emerald Serpent Clan's achievement. Let this be the end of this meeting." Cheon Yujong said on the background, which resulted once again a loss from the Six Clan.

*****

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