Published at 14th of July 2024 7:25 am

Chapter 2197 Confrontation (2)

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In the past, Yun Lintian, though prideful, lacked the eloquence he displayed now. This newfound confidence even allowed him to confront Yun Qinghong and Yun Long without flinching.

Yun Long's face flushed with anger. He rose to his feet, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword. But before he could speak, Yun Wuhan slammed his hand on the table, the sound echoing through the hall like a thunderclap.

"Enough!" he roared, his voice filled with barely suppressed rage. "This is a council meeting, not a playground for childish squabbles."

He glared at Yun Long, his eyes blazing with fury. "Sit down. Your insolence will not be tolerated."

Yun Long, cowed by the patriarch's wrath, reluctantly sank back into his chair. But the venomous glare he directed at Yun Lintian spoke volumes.

Yun Wuhan turned to Yun Qinghong, his voice still laced with anger. "First Elder, your proposal is out of line. My son may have lost his memories, but he is still the rightful successor. We will not abandon him in his time of need."

Yun Qinghong's face remained impassive, but a flicker of triumph danced in his eyes. He had expected Yun Wuhan's resistance. It was, after all, part of his plan.

"Patriarch," he said smoothly, "your loyalty to your son is admirable. However, we must prioritize the clan's interests above all else. Yun Lintian's amnesia is a weakness that our enemies will not hesitate to exploit. We cannot afford to gamble with the clan's future."

He paused, allowing his words to hang heavy in the air. Then, with a calculated smile, he added, "Besides, there are other capable candidates within the clan. Yun Long, for instance, has proven himself to be a skilled cultivator and a shrewd strategist. Perhaps it is time for a change in leadership."

The tension in the hall thickened. The other elders exchanged nervous glances, their loyalties divided. Some sided with Yun Wuhan, their sense of honor and tradition compelling them to support the rightful heir. Others, swayed by Yun Qinghong's promises of power and influence, saw an opportunity to advance their own agendas.

Yun Wuhan's heart sank. He knew he was fighting a losing battle. The tide of opinion was turning against him, and his son's amnesia had given his enemies the perfect weapon to use against him.

He looked at Yun Lintian, a wave of helplessness washing over him. He wanted to protect his son, to shield him from the harsh realities of clan politics. But he was powerless to stop the machinations of those who sought to undermine him.

Yun Lintian, however, seemed unperturbed. He met his father's gaze with a reassuring smile.

"Father," he said softly, "do not worry. I understand the situation. I will not allow my amnesia to become a burden on the clan. I will prove my worth, even without the memories of the past."

His words, though quiet, resonated with a steely determination. A spark of hope ignited within Yun Wuhan's heart. Perhaps, just perhaps, his son was not as lost as he had feared.

The elders leaned forward, intrigued by Yun Lintian's unexpected declaration.

Yun Qinghong, though momentarily surprised, quickly regained his composure, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"Prove your worth, you say?" Yun Qinghong's voice dripped with condescension. "How do you intend to do that, Yun Lintian? With your fragmented memories?"

Yun Lintian's eyes gleamed with a newfound resolve. "Through a competition," he declared, his voice ringing with confidence. "A contest of skill and determination. Whoever emerges victorious will represent the Yun Clan at the Azure Cloud Convention."

The hall erupted in a chorus of gasps and murmurs. The audacity of Yun Lintian's proposal was breathtaking. To challenge the established order, to demand a chance to prove himself despite his amnesia, was unheard of.

Yun Qinghong's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. "A competition? Interesting. But what kind of competition do you propose? Surely you don't expect us to indulge in childish games."

Yun Lintian's smile was enigmatic. "Not games, First Elder. A true test of a cultivator's mettle. A trial by combat."

A hush fell over the hall. The very air seemed to thicken with anticipation. A trial by combat was a sacred tradition within the Yun Clan, a way to settle disputes and prove one's worth in the eyes of the heavens.

Yun Wuhan's heart pounded with a mixture of pride and apprehension. He knew his son was a natural-born fighter, but could he truly overcome the odds stacked against him?

Yun Qinghong's grin turned predatory. "A trial by combat? Very well, Yun Lintian. I accept your challenge. But be warned, the consequences of defeat will be severe."

Yun Lintian's eyes met Yun Qinghong's, a silent challenge passing between them. "I understand the risks, First Elder. But I am not afraid. I will fight for my honor, for my family, and for the future of the Yun Clan."

A wave of energy surged through the hall as the two locked gazes. The elders could feel the raw power emanating from both men, a clash of wills that transcended words.

Yun Wuhan, unable to contain his emotions any longer, rose to his feet. "Enough!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the hall. "This matter will be decided in the ancestral arena. Three days from now, Yun Lintian and Yun Long will face each other in a trial by combat. The victor will represent the Yun Clan at the Azure Cloud Convention."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the assembly. "This decision is final. Let the heavens bear witness to the outcome."

With that, the council meeting was adjourned. The elders dispersed, their minds abuzz with speculation and anticipation.

The fate of the Yun Clan hung in the balance, and the upcoming trial by combat would determine the course of its future.

Yun Lintian and Yun Ling left the main hall, a sense of purpose filling their steps. The challenge had been issued, and the clock was ticking.

"Young Master," Yun Ling said, her voice laced with concern, "are you sure about this? Yun Long is a formidable opponent. He has been training relentlessly for the Azure Cloud Convention."

Yun Lintian smiled reassuringly. "I know, Little Ling. But I am not without my own strengths. I may not remember my past, but I can feel the power surging within me. I will not back down from this challenge."

He paused, his gaze turning towards the setting sun. "Besides," he added with a hint of mischief in his eyes, "it's time to remind everyone who the true heir to the Yun Clan is."

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