All of us are one

Chapter 86 Opening the Council

Jiang Yanming looked around and saw that many disciples of the Great River Alliance dressed in black were standing on both sides of the road from the archway to the main gate of the hall, all of whom were bowing to him.

At this moment, the hall masters got off the other carriages and stood by the carriages to wait upon seeing this scene.

"It's time to go in," Jiang Zhi reminded him.

Jiang Yanming remained silent upon hearing this, raised his hand to return the greeting to the disciples on both sides, and then strode towards the open main gate with a calm expression on his face.

Jiang Zhi frowned slightly upon seeing this, but quickly recovered and caught up with Jiang Yanming.

Most of the other hall masters remained calm upon seeing this, while some even wore satisfied smiles, and they all followed Jiang Yanming and his companion into the hall.

"The Xuan Shui Hall is divided into inner and outer sections." After entering the mansion, Jiang Zhi explained, "The outer hall is where many disciples live and cultivate, while the inner hall is the most important part of the hall."

"The treasury, library, and armory of the hall are all located in the inner hall. When the hall's senior members are not on missions, they also live and cultivate in the inner hall to protect the various key locations within the inner hall," Jiang Zhi said solemnly.

Jiang Yanming nodded slightly, not surprised by this.

The various factions in the Divine Martial Kingdom are like warlords, controlling military, financial, and administrative power within their territories. The Inner Hall can be seen as the financial heart of the government, and no mistakes can be made.

Xuan Shui Tang occupies a large area, almost covering the entire southern part of Duan Shui City, with the outer hall being the largest.

Jiang Zhi explained along the way, while Jiang Yanming observed the surroundings and listened. It felt like they had walked for a long time before entering the inner hall of Xuan Shui Tang.

After entering the inner hall, Jiang Zhi turned to the hall masters behind him and said, "Yesterday, Hall Master Leng arrived in Duanshui City. Now, all the hall masters of the fifteen branches of our Great Jiang Alliance have arrived."

"Now that the young leader has returned to the country, why not take this opportunity to discuss matters? What do you all think?" Jiang Zhi asked.

"Okay," Ji Fan replied.

"The young leader's return to the country certainly warrants a more solemn ceremony," Chen Yao nodded.

The other hall masters nodded in agreement, no one voiced any objection, and wholeheartedly agreed with Jiang Zhi's suggestion.

As the leading power in the Yangtze River Basin, if the young leader of the Great River Alliance were to return without any discussion or announcement, it would surely be ridiculed by other powers.

"There's no time like the present, let's discuss it today." Seeing that no one objected, Jiang Zhi made the decision decisively. "I'll have someone inform the other hall masters right away."

"Young Alliance Leader, please proceed to the council hall," Jiang Zhi said, turning to Jiang Yanming.

"I'd like to trouble you, Master Jiang, to lead the way," Jiang Yanming replied naturally.

Led by Jiang Zhi, the group arrived at the entrance of a separate building with a plaque that read "Council Hall".

"Greetings, Chief Hall Master."

Two disciples dressed in black bowed respectfully in front of the council hall.

"With the young leader returning home, we hall masters have jointly requested the opening of the council hall," Jiang Zhi said solemnly.

"Greetings, Young Alliance Leader." Upon hearing this, the two black-clad disciples immediately bowed to Jiang Yanming, then turned and pushed open the heavy red wooden door.

Crunch!

The red wooden door opened, revealing seventeen large armchairs arranged with one in the middle and eight on each side.

"Young Alliance Leader, this is the council hall of our Great River Alliance." Jiang Zhi introduced, "The council hall was not here before. Later, Xuan Shui Hall moved to Duan Shui City, and the council hall was moved here as well. The layout inside has never changed."

"Since the leader of the alliance left the Four Nations Alliance, the council hall has never been opened again," Chen Yao said softly.

The other hall masters remained silent. The younger hall masters, in particular, were not deeply moved, as they had not been to this council hall since they took over as hall masters.

Ji Fan nodded, then turned and asked, "When is Hall Master Leng arriving?"

"Someone has already gone to invite them; they'll arrive in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn," Jiang Zhi replied.

"Let's go inside and take a seat," Chen Yao suggested. "We can't let the young leader just wait here."

So everyone entered the council chamber, looked at the seventeen chairs, and remained silent, wondering how to arrange the seating.

"Young Alliance Leader, please take a seat," Jiang Zhi suddenly said.

Qin, the leader of the Black Rock Hall, frowned upon hearing this. He had intended to say something, but he held back.

"The young leader can represent the leader and should rightfully take the main seat," Ji Fan agreed.

"That's how it should be."

"agree."

None of the hall masters objected.

"Heh..." Jiang Yanming chuckled inwardly, then, like a puppet on strings, he allowed himself to be seated in the main seat.

He knew perfectly well that he was able to sit in the top seat only because the other hall masters respected his father, and he represented his father.

"There are four top experts in the alliance, so these four positions should be occupied by the left, right and front seats," Jiang Zhi suggested.

Chen Yao nodded upon hearing this, and Ji Fan did not object.

The other hall masters remained silent. They were not as skilled as the top experts, so they did not intend to compete for the top four positions.

Jiang Zhi, Chen Yao, and Ji Fan then took their seats, one on the left, one on the second to the left, and one on the right, respectively, in the first chair to Jiang Yanming's left.

"The remaining seats should be allocated according to age," Jiang Zhi suggested again.

The other hall masters had no objection to this, as their strengths were all roughly equal, and it was most appropriate to assign seating according to age.

Not long after the hall masters took their seats, four figures were led into the council hall.

"Master Leng has arrived," Jiang Zhi said, standing up.

Jiang Yanming stood up and looked out the door. He was very curious about the Cold Hall Master who admired his father.

The four people who were led there were three men and one woman. The woman was dressed in a gorgeous red dress and had a beautiful and mature appearance, looking to be in her thirties.

"Master Leng." The other hall masters stood up and greeted him with clasped hands.

"Greetings, esteemed hall masters." Hall Master Leng returned the greeting with a cupped hand, then his gaze lingered on Jiang Yanming for a moment before he asked, "Is this the young alliance leader?"

"It is indeed the young leader." Ji Fan nodded.

"Greetings, Young Alliance Leader." Hall Master Leng bowed respectfully, followed by the three other hall masters behind him.

"You're too kind, everyone," Jiang Yanming returned the greeting. "Please take a seat."

Then, Hall Master Leng and the others took their seats, and all fifteen hall masters of the Great River Alliance were present.

"Since our leader left for the Four Nations Alliance, this is the first time that all the hall masters of our Great River Alliance have gathered in the council hall," Jiang Zhi said softly, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears.

Upon hearing this, all the hall masters involuntarily looked at Jiang Yanming, who was seated in the main seat.

Without a doubt, if it weren't for Jiang Yanming, the young leader of the alliance, returning to the country and acting as a link to bring together the hall masters, the council hall would not have been able to reopen.

When Jiang Yanming saw everyone looking at him, he simply gave a polite smile. He had a clear understanding of himself; as a mascot, he should just sit there obediently.

Hall Master Leng asked, "So what is the topic of this meeting? Is it merely to announce the young alliance leader's return?"

"That's one point," Jiang Zhi said solemnly. "Our young leader was assassinated in the territory of the Four Rivers Gang, and our Great Jiang Alliance suffered heavy casualties. We should demand an explanation."

"Wasn't it Blood Rain who assassinated the young leader? What kind of explanation does Hall Master Jiang want? Is he trying to use this opportunity to start a war with the Four Rivers Gang?" Hall Master Leng asked calmly.