They were still talking when Third Young Master Ji emerged from the back, striding forward with long steps, his voice carrying ahead of him: "Elder Yuan Chi, this matter is indeed a tragedy for our family. However, the family has its own rules—merit is rewarded, and faults are punished. You fought the enemy to the death and escorted the patriarch back safely. That is a great merit. If we don't reward you, the family rules themselves would not allow it."
"Indeed, indeed—Elder Yuan Chi, please don't refuse."
"The Young Patriarch makes a very good point. These are the family rules. If you refuse, it would seem like you're showing disrespect toward them."
Everyone knew that Third Young Master Ji held Elder Yuan Chi in high regard, and it was quite possible that Yuan Chi would become one of the Young Patriarch's inner circle in the future. It never hurt to curry a little favor.
Something like this—offering kind words at no cost—required nothing of them, and nobody was stingy about it. One after another, they voiced their support for Elder Yuan Chi.
Elder Yuan Chi still wanted to decline, but Third Young Master Ji's expression hardened: "If Elder Yuan Chi refuses to accept this humble position, then I, Ji, will have no choice but to hand over the role of patriarch to someone else."
Everyone knew this was bluster from Third Young Master Ji, and they continued to urge Yuan Chi on.
Only then did Elder Yuan Chi reply with proper deference: "Since the Young Patriarch values me so highly, Yuan Chi cannot in good conscience refuse. I can only thicken my face and accept."
Third Young Master Ji's displeasure turned to a smile: "Now that's more like it! With the old patriarch on his sickbed and the weight of the family falling on my shoulders, I didn't even have time to prepare. To speak honestly without fear of laughter—I truly feel uncertain about what lies ahead. So in the future, when it comes to the family's major affairs, I'll need all of your support and guidance."
"The Young Patriarch is far too modest."
"Indeed—the old patriarch certainly had the advantage of experience and age, but the Young Patriarch has surpassed him in every way. Everyone knows the Young Patriarch shares a close bond with Young Master
"That's right. Under the Young Patriarch's leadership, the Coiling Dragon lineage will surely see a new era."
A new emperor meant new courtiers. With the Coiling Dragon Great Emperor unconscious and incapacitated, the new patriarch had already taken the reins.
Perhaps some of the venerable elders present did not truly accept Third Young Master Ji, feeling that he was still too young and lacked the seniority to serve as patriarch.
But everyone knew that however little they might agree, staging any kind of power grab was simply not an option.
As long as the old Coiling Dragon patriarch was absent, this position belonged to Third Young Master Ji. The possibility of someone else claiming it was nonexistent.
Setting everything else aside, the mere fact that he was sworn brothers with Young Master
Who would dare to covet this seat?
Since it couldn't be coveted and couldn't be opposed, the wisest course of action was to support Third Young Master Ji and help him cement his hold on the patriarch's position.
What they could do was grow closer to Third Young Master Ji and ensure they didn't fall out of favor. Everyone could read the writing on the wall—following Third Young Master Ji in the future was likely to bring considerable benefits.
Third Young Master Ji was so well-regarded by Young Master
To speak the unvarnished truth, Third Young Master Ji might actually be a better fit for the role of patriarch than even the old one.
After all, though young, his cultivation had already surpassed the old patriarch's. And when it came to connections, he enjoyed advantages that were simply unmatched.
If not him, then who?