Chapter 1779 - 1774: Boiling a Frog in Warm Water

This barrage of questions made the expression of the Third Elder quite ugly.

"He’s really bold, daring to speak to me like this!"

In his heart, he was furiously roaring.

Yet on the surface, he did not show much anger!

Because he knew the current situation was indeed not in his favor, so if he shouted now, it would only make the scene more awkward.

"What’s wrong? You don’t know what to say?"

Seeing him silent, Cao Meng coldly laughed and spoke again.

Cao Meng knew him quite well, so he was aware that this guy was surely cursing him in his heart.

Cao Meng didn’t mind this.

Because even if he cursed furiously for an hour, Cao Meng wouldn’t be hurt in the slightest!

So he felt free to let him curse if he wanted.

Upon hearing Cao Meng question him again, he knew he couldn’t escape, took a deep breath, and quickly said, "Family Head, I was indeed wrong before, please give me a chance!"

Cao Meng knew he had to lower his head now, so without hesitation, he frankly admitted his mistake...

...

"His scheming is really deep!"

"Yes indeed!"

The other elders present couldn’t help but secretly admire him when they heard his humble words.

Previously, they knew he had deep scheming...

So when interacting with him, they were always particularly cautious.

They thought as long as they were a bit careful, he wouldn’t have any chance to harm them.

Now, they realized they had underestimated his depth.

Exchanging a glance, their sense of vigilance towards him increased substantially.

Seeing the other elders’ vigilance, Cao Meng smiled.

After this, Cao Meng looked at him and spoke meaningfully, "Third Elder, you have watched me grow up since childhood! You should understand me well! I’m truly disappointed by today’s matter. Many have said before that you’re too old to continue in the Elder Council, but I always felt you were still vigorous. However, now I think it’s time to reconsider."

"Family Head, what do you mean?"

Originally submissive and obedient, his expression suddenly changed.

His expression was really ugly at this moment because he realized Cao Meng was truly going to act against him...

Previously, he thought even if Cao Meng was dissatisfied with him, he wouldn’t dare really take action against him.

Now, he realized he might have thought too much, Cao Meng was far bolder than he imagined.

Seeing his ugly expression, Cao Meng calmly spoke again, "I don’t mean anything, just want the Third Elder to step aside and have a good rest. You’ve fought nearly a lifetime for our family, now you’re old, and should have a proper rest."

Deeply looking at Cao Meng, he hoarsely growled, "You want to impeach me in person now? Isn’t this too much?"

"Third Elder, by saying this, I feel wronged! I am in no way impeaching you, I just want you to rest well! After all, your age is indeed old!"

"I admit I’m old, but I can still continue! Let me make the best use of my twilight years, I feel good about it!"

Upon hearing his persistence, Cao Meng spoke again, "Third Elder, you are truly old, so still take a rest!"

Feeling Cao Meng’s resolve, he paused for a second, then asked again, "You still want to impeach me?"

"As said, I just want you to rest well! So, let’s ask for others’ opinions."

After shifting the topic, Cao Meng looked at the surrounding elders and spoke calmly, "Elders, do any of you share my thoughts?"

Upon hearing Cao Meng’s query, they all fell silent.

They knew Cao Meng wanted them to stand by his side.

Regarding this, they hesitated.

Because they knew impetuously standing by Cao Meng was not good.

Seeing their hesitant looks, Cao Meng squinted his eyes, dissatisfied, and questioned again, "Why? You have opinions about expressing your thoughts?"

Upon hearing such agitated questioning, they knew Cao Meng was genuinely starting to be unhappy with them.

"Can’t make him unhappy, or things will really become troublesome later."

They knew Cao Meng was considered petty, so they truly didn’t want a fallout with him.

Having made this decision, they exchanged glances again, then looked at the Third Elder whose expression was ugly once more.

They realized it was time to abandon a pawn to protect the king...

Honestly, because they had a good relationship with him, they always intended to protect him.

But now, they found they couldn’t protect him at all, so they could only give him up.

Seeing them look at him, the Third Elder’s heart skipped a beat.

He knew his current situation was truly dire...

Before, he was always composed because he believed those elders would surely protect him, and now, he realized they didn’t seem to have that intention.

Trying to say something, he hadn’t opened his mouth yet when he first heard their low voices.

"Old Three, the Family Head is right, you’re indeed quite old now, so you better have a good rest!"

"Indeed! We all know you’re responsible and don’t want to step aside, but sometimes, age really won’t spare you!"

"Exactly!"

Upon hearing these urging words, his expression grew increasingly twisted, glaring at those elders, he hysterically roared, "You’re really all fence-sitters, swaying whichever way the wind blows!"

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly!"

"We are doing this for your good!"

Upon hearing such hysterical shouting, they spoke in dissatisfaction.

Before, to protect themselves, they sacrificed the Third Elder and still felt a bit guilty.

But now, the guilt in their hearts quickly dissipated.

"You’re doing this for my good? Saying it sounds better than singing, I..."

"Enough!"

Cao Meng interrupted him directly...

Cao Meng knew letting them continue biting each other could uncover more problems, but Cao Meng didn’t plan to do so because he knew meals are eaten bite by bite.

If he directly abolished the Elder Council today, it would cause great backlash.

So, he intended to cook them like frogs in warm water, letting them gradually despair unnoticed...

By the time they realized he was dealing with them, it would be too late...

Upon hearing Cao Meng’s words, those elders sighed in relief, knowing the Third Elder was now speaking recklessly, so letting him continue would truly mess things up.

Thinking this, they exchanged a glance, swiftly looked at the people maintaining order around them, and said, "What are you still doing standing there? Hurry and escort the Third Elder back for a good rest!"