This is the first time Chen Jie has entered such a sacred place in the Miao Territory.
Walking in, the entire building appeared ancient and majestic.
The thick pillars have a Stone Age style, and in the middle is a grand palace. Chen Jie followed the group into the palace.
The palace was indeed magnificent, and Chen Jie looked around, witnessing the ancient style everywhere.
Following that, Chen Jie saw a gigantic statue in the center of the hall.
It had the head of a bull and the body of a man, sitting atop a giant... well, panda, wielding a giant axe, exuding a primitive and terrifying aura.
Chen Jie, looking at the colossal statue, felt an overwhelming sense of his own insignificance.
It was a feeling of awkwardness a mortal would have when facing an ancient deity.
He even felt a bit afraid to meet its gaze.
The massive ancient god, Chiyou, just sat there, its eyes gazing down at the ordinary mortals, observing everything in the mortal world as if nothing could escape its sight.
Chen Jie took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and stepped inside the room.
Then he saw a high platform in the center of the hall. On the platform sat a young man, and below it was a row of chairs with five people sitting on them.
These were the Five Elders of the Five Poison Sect.
When Chen Jie entered, he quickly greeted the young man on the platform, then the elders of the Five Poison Sect. He performed the etiquette thoroughly, as Elder Jin Chan had taught him in advance, and he understood it well.
His greetings were flawless.
No one around noticed anything unusual about this Coyote, but after the greetings, Chen Jie hesitated for a moment, unsure where he should stand. By rights, he belonged to Na Suâs retinue and shouldâve stood below the steps.
After all, the steps symbolized authority, and it was not a place he should meddle with.
However, as Na Suâs shadow, Chen Jie should be standing behind Na Su, leaving him momentarily undecided, glancing towards Elder Jin Chan.
Elder Jin Chan gave a barely noticeable nod, and Chen Jie instantly understood, hurrying up the steps.
He stood behind Na Su.
Seeing Coyote in position, Na Su spoke: "Today, I have gathered you all here to discuss the Gu God Valley tribute that will take place the day after tomorrow."
"According to the tribute procedure, you should first enter Gu God Valley, then find the treasure book sent to the Miao Village by divine light, and hand it over to Coyote, who will solemnly present it to me, thus crowning me as the temporary leader."
"Do you all understand?"
Upon hearing this, the people present exchanged glances and then collectively nodded, "Yes."
Na Su continued, "Also, let me inform you that there might be some unexpected changes in the Gu God Valley event the day after tomorrow. Two people from the Zoroastrian Sect will be coming, including Elder Quan."
"He will also represent the Zoroastrian Sect to seek this secret manual."
Upon hearing this, Granny She stood up and said, "Saint Heir, why should our Holy Land of the Five Poison Sect allow him to search for the treasure?"
As soon as she said this, everyone present immediately shouted, "Yes, why?"
Na Su gestured for calm, saying, "Everyone, nowâs not the time for resentment. The achievements of the Holy Sect today were not easily won, and the Zoroastrian Sect is powerful, not something we can afford to provoke. So, everyone, this matter requires patience."
Elder Jin Chan heard this, and with a thud, he drove his golden knife into the ground, saying, "Saint Heir, I respect the Zoroastrian Sect as the worldâs largest sect, but their intrusion into our Five Poison Sectâs Holy Land is blatantly disrespectful to us. We should not tolerate them. If Mother Gu was here, how dare they be so brazen."
"To come to the Five Poison Sect and dare to search Gu God Valley, thatâs disregarding our Five Poison Sect."
Upon hearing this, the elders sitting there fell silent, daring not to speak. After all, Elder Jin Chan had already invoked Mother Gu, and everyone was, despite Mother Guâs severe injuries and need for recovery, still under the control of Mother Gu. Her deterrence did not diminish.
If not, why would Na Su toil to bolster his prestige through this Heavenly Mandate?
Isnât it just an attempt to rid himself of Mother Guâs domination?
However, despite his efforts, itâs still challenging to earn the eldersâ support as devotedly as one would for a mother.
Especially with Elder Jin Chan.
At this point, Na Su said, "Alright, regarding the Zoroastrian Sectâs matter, letâs leave it at that for now. Regarding any feelings you may have, I hope you can bear with it, especially you, Elder Jin Chan; your temper is far too fiery."
Elder Jin Chan said, "Yes, this old manâs temper is tough to change."
Na Su looked at Elder Jin Chan, "By the way, Elder Jin Chan, yesterday I heard from Elder She and Elder Centipede that you headed back to your residence halfway through your search?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Jin Chan glanced at Granny She, "Yes, this old man wasnât feeling well yesterday."
Na Su said, "Heh, then Elder Jin Chan should be mindful of taking care of your health!"
Elder Jin Chan said, "Thank you, Saint Heir, for the concern. This old manâs quite robust, at least strong enough to hold out until Mother Gu reappears."
"Heh, thatâs good then."
"However, Elder, yesterday I heard that Granny She mentioned there seemed to be unfamiliar faces mixed in with your Golden Toad Guards?"
Elder Jin Chan looked askance at Na Su and replied, "Saint Heir, you must have been misinformed. All my Golden Toad Guards are trusted personnel; there arenât any unfamiliar faces. Granny She, youâre probably deliberately framing this old man."
Granny She slammed the table and stood up, "You stinking toad, I didnât bother with what you said yesterday, but today you still refuse to admit it in front of the Saint Heir?"
"You must have hidden Linglong and Chen Jiusi, otherwise how could thousands of our people fail to find them?"
Granny She glared at Elder Jin Chan furiously, while recognizing the gravity of the accusation, Elder Jin Chan looked at her and replied, "Heh, Granny She, what does your failure to find them have to do with this old man? You claim this old man hid them, are you trying to cover up your incompetence?"
"You, stinking toad, who are you calling incompetent!"
Elder Jin Chan stood up, "So what if I say itâs you?"
"Donât like it, want to fight!"
"Fight? Iâm not afraid of you!"
Granny She glared furiously at Elder Jin Chan, ready to fight at any moment.
Seeing the two about to start a fight, at this point, Elder Centipede and Elder Xie hurriedly stepped in to mediate.
Yet Elder Jin Chan refused to back down, pointing at Granny She, "Granny She, if you donât trust me, come with me to Golden Toad Sect to search. If we find the Saintess Linglong and the thief Chen Jiusi, this old manâs head is yours; if not!"
Elder Jin Chan eyes widened, "Donât blame this old man for being impolite then."
Granny She said, "Who are you trying to scare, guilty conscience thief."
Elder Jin Chan proclaimed, "Then letâs try it!"
"Try it we shall!"
...
"Enough, enough, stop this, making such a ruckus in the Divine Temple, what kind of behavior is this! Elder She, step down first. Elder Jin Chan wouldnât hide the Saintess without handing her over, right, Elder Jin Chan."
Elder Jin Chan declared, "Naturally, I would never. I have the utmost respect for the Saintess; I would certainly never hide her."
Na Su said, "Good to hear."
"But Elder, I heard yesterday that Granny She said there seemed to be unfamiliar faces among your Golden Toad Guards?"
Elder Jin Chan grinned, "Saint Heir, you must be mistaken."
Na Su looked at him and continued, "Right then, enough about the Zoroastrian Sect. As for your thoughts, I urge you all to be patient, especially you, Elder Jin Chan; your temper is too hot-headed."
Upon hearing this, Elder Jin Chan replied, "It is true, my temper is hard to change."
Na Su said, "Elder Jin Chan, I heard from Elder She and Elder Centipede yesterday that you left halfway during your search and went back to your quarters?"
Elder Jin Chan glanced at Granny She upon hearing this, "Yes, this old man wasnât feeling well yesterday."
Na Su responded, "Haha, well, Elder Jin Chan, you must take care to protect your health!"
Elder Jin Chan replied, "Thank you, Saint Heir, for your concern. This old manâs health is quite robust; at least thereâs no problem holding out until Mother Gu reemerges."
"Haha, thatâs good to hear."
"Alright then, Elder Jin Chan, please wait for me in the side hall."
The Saint Heir said this and asked Elder Jin Chan to wait for him.
Elder Jin Chan hesitated for a moment, then still followed suit.
Nearby, Mr. Zhang clasped his fists and said, "Yes."
Chen Jie felt a bit strange, "You want me to investigate myself?"
After thinking for a moment, Chen Jie also cupped his fists, "Yes."