Chapter 3571 — Canvassing for Votes
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Wei Zhao’s heart stirred slightly. Given Kang Jingming’s vindictive nature, if he had latched onto a powerful patron, it was only natural that he would rush to take revenge. Back in the mortal realm they had signed the Peaceful Ascension Treaty, but now that everyone had joined the Welcome Pavilion, presumably the others no longer took that treaty seriously.
Wei Zhao betrayed nothing. Watching the group approach slowly, he could only improvise as each move came. The reception envoy from the Soaring Heaven Pavilion was indeed formidable, but Wei Zhao was already a capable early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator; even if it came to a real fight, he would not necessarily lose too badly. And if he could not win, could he not run? Besides, the Welcome Pavilion had its rules—surely it would not let these people freely attack new disciples.
"Young Master Xu, please wait a moment. Let me introduce these newcomers, lest they fail to recognize eminence and end up offending you." Meng Jueming, his face wreathed in fawning smiles, bowed and scraped to Xu Lingchong.
The other man was, after all, the eldest young master of the Soaring Heaven Pavilion, and strictly speaking had no dealings whatsoever with a mere steward of the Azure Cloud Pavilion like himself. Yet to show him any negligence would be foolish beyond all measure. One must not forget: the Welcome Pavilion’s master, Hu Yunfeng, had the backing of a Soaring Heaven Pavilion elder. A single casual word from this Young Master Xu could destroy Meng Jueming in the blink of an eye.
Xu Lingchong gave a slight nod, and only then did Meng Jueming turn to the crowd of new Azure Cloud Pavilion disciples, instantly switching to a stern expression as he announced in a ringing voice, "Listen carefully, all of you. This beside me is Young Master Xu Lingchong, direct grandson of the Soaring Heaven Pavilion’s Third Elder and an inner-court steward senior brother of the Soaring Heaven Pavilion. I need not elaborate on how exalted his station is—now hurry and pay your respects to Senior Brother Xu!"
"Greetings, Senior Brother Xu," the Azure Cloud Pavilion newcomers hastily chorused.
"Spare me." Xu Lingchong waved impatiently. For these worthless newcomers at the very bottom of the Azure Cloud Pavilion, he had not the slightest interest even in laying eyes on them. Turning to Meng Jueming, he ordered, "Get to the point. Don't waste my time."
"Yes, yes." Meng Jueming answered with alacrity, then turned to the crowd. "Young Master Xu has come specially today regarding the matter of the new disciples’ steward. Though this has little to do with you, each of you holds one vote, so it must still be explained to you."
"As you all know, our Welcome Pavilion has, besides the master and two deputy masters, two steward senior brothers in each of the three pavilions, responsible for your daily cultivation, allocation of resources, and assignment of missions—a tangled mass of duties beyond counting."
"And to better manage you newcomers and foster fraternal bonds among the new disciples, the Welcome Pavilion has, in addition to the six steward senior brothers, specially created the post of new disciples’ steward. Its duty is to centrally assign the lowly tasks of the new disciples across the three pavilions—cleaning, sweeping, kitchen duties, and the like. This new disciples’ steward is to be elected by the common vote of all you newcomers, and only one who wins more than two-thirds of the votes can take office. Do you all understand?"
The newcomers finally saw the light, and the sharper ones among them quickly grasped the trick of it.
The post of new disciples’ steward—nominally responsible only for assigning the lowliest tasks, involving no cultivation resources, and appearing to offer no profit whatsoever—was all mere appearance. In truth, for any newcomer, this position was pivotal.