"I support Master Mathuno."
"I support Master Mathuno."
"I vote for Sisi."
"I support Deacon Wang."
…
Soon it was Su Yuntao's turn. Without hesitation, he declared, "I support Sisi."
In the end, only Mathuno and Sisi remained.
Sisi smiled and said, "I vote for myself."
There were fifteen votes in total. Mathuno had already secured seven, Sisi had four, and Deacon Wang trailed with just three.
Mathuno had promised her that once he was elected, he would willingly step aside and recommend her as the new Hall Master.
What she didn't know was that nearly all the deacons had been instructed by Mathuno. Even Deacon Wang's candidacy was orchestrated by Mathuno, just to make things look less staged.
At that moment, Mathuno stood up with a smile and said, "I am deeply grateful for everyone's trust and your unwavering support over the years. So, I'll shamelessly continue to shine and contribute to the Nottingham Branch Hall for a few more years. I vote for myself."
Warm applause erupted. At that moment, Sisi was stunned.
Wasn't Mathuno supposed to recommend her? Why was he voting for himself?
An angry flash crossed Su Yuntao's face as he immediately stood up. "I disagree."
"Oh? What's your objection?" asked Deacon Zhou, her melodious voice drawing attention. She had taken a liking to this young man who had escorted her here and was curious to hear his opinion.
"I…" Su Yuntao opened his mouth but found no words.
Indeed, was he about to expose the embarrassing secrets between Sisi and Mathuno? If that happened, Sisi might never have any face left to stay in the Martial Soul Hall.
Sisi turned pale and reached out to gently tug at Su Yuntao, her eyes pleading.
"It's nothing," Su Yuntao said darkly, sitting back down.
Deacon Zhou nodded, sensing there was more to the story but lacking the time to deal with such trivialities.
She looked at Mathuno and asked, "Master Mathuno, you currently have the highest number of votes, but you are not young. Are you sure you still want to serve as Hall Master?"
Mathuno immediately straightened his back and declared passionately, "Deacon Zhou, I am still in good health. Serving the Martial Soul Hall for another ten-plus years is absolutely no problem."
Deacon Zhou nodded and said no more. She was only here to witness the election.
Without delay, she personally presented Mathuno with the Hall Master's emblem, officially announcing him as the new Hall Master.
Deacon Zhou was pressed for time and quickly took her leave.
After seeing Deacon Zhou off, Mathuno looked triumphant, his old face seeming to shed a decade of age.
He didn't return to the council hall but instead addressed everyone directly: "Thank you all for your support. I am honored to become Hall Master. From now on, just call me Hall Master — no need for formalities."
"Also, with one senior deacon position now open, I plan to appoint Sisi. Does anyone have objections?"
The crowd looked surprised. Mathuno had never mentioned this before. Deacon Wang's face darkened.
Mathuno had promised him the senior deacon seat, but now it was given to that blonde-haired girl, Sisi.
Still, he dared not speak up. Mathuno was now the Hall Master. If he dared to object, he would surely regret it.
"No objections."
"No objections."
Everyone agreed, but Sisi's expression was grim. She said nothing.
"Mathuno, you old turtle, you rotten dog, how can you have such thick skin!" Su Yuntao could no longer hold back and angrily shouted.
Mathuno's smiling face immediately turned cold. He had planned to handle Su Yuntao later, but now Su Yuntao had beaten him to it.
"Su Yuntao insults the Hall Master in public. How should he be dealt with?" Mathuno thundered.
Someone fawningly replied, "He should be stripped of his deacon status and expelled from the Martial Soul Hall — never to set foot here again."
Mathuno sneered and nodded, "Good. Execute it."
Su Yuntao roared as he transformed, ready to attack Mathuno and seek justice for Sisi.
"Yuntao, no!" Sisi screamed.
Mathuno panicked and quickly stepped back, frantically waving his arms as he shouted, "Throw him out—now!"
Before long, Su Yuntao, bruised and battered, was tossed out of the hall. Sisi rushed to him at once.
"Yuntao! Are you alright?"
Just then, Mathuno stepped out, frowning. "Sisi, you're a senior deacon now. How can you associate with someone who just insulted me in front of everyone?"
"Mathuno, I don't care about that senior deacon position!" Sisi snapped back. "Yuntao, let's go!"
She shouted angrily, then helped Su Yuntao away without looking back.
By now, a large crowd had already gathered at the gates of the Martial Soul Hall, eager to witness the commotion.
Mathuno watched the two of them leave, his expression dark, fury blazing in his heart.
He never imagined that Sisi, who had always craved power, would actually choose Su Yuntao.
The only young and beautiful female spirit master was now gone. Mathuno was filled with unwillingness—and even a hint of murderous intent...
Meanwhile, at Nuoding Primary Spirit Master Academy, Jiang Chen wore a faint smile.
Seeing this, Jing Wuming beside him asked, "Young Master, that old fox Mathuno… he's been elected Hall Master, hasn't he?"
Jiang Chen nodded. "Everything went pretty much as expected. Mathuno has taken the position. What did surprise me, though, was Sisi giving up her deacon title for Su Yuntao."
He then recounted the entire situation to Jing Wuming.
Jing Wuming had never cared much about right or wrong—but he had always held a soft spot for Sisi. Upon hearing what happened, he growled, "That old bastard deserves to die!"
Jiang Chen chuckled. "No rush. Dying isn't going to be that easy for him. Remember the things I asked you to prepare? Find a chance to get Sisi alone…"
Jing Wuming's eyes lit up. After hearing Jiang Chen's full plan, he clapped enthusiastically.
"Young Master, this move of yours is brilliant. Mathuno will wish he were dead when this is over!"
Suddenly, Jiang Chen's ears twitched. He smiled. "Sounds like a fight. Let's go take a look."
The noise was coming from the back gate of the academy—not far from where they stood.
Outside the back gate, there was a small hill and a patch of forest.
As soon as Jiang Chen and Jing Wuming stepped through, a loud voice rang out:
"If you've got the guts, wait right there! I'll go get my boss!"
Immediately after came Xiao Wu's scornful reply:
"Go ahead. You think we work-study students are afraid of you?"
"Huh? Isn't Boss Xiao the strongest at our academy? He has a boss too? Could someone actually be stronger than him?" someone exclaimed in shock.
Sneering voices followed:
"You work-study kids are finished! Once our real boss shows up, even a hundred of you won't be enough!"
Suddenly, Wang Sheng—one of the work-study students—seemed to remember something. His face went pale, and he gasped.
"Tang San, Sister Xiao Wu, we need to leave. Now. If we wait any longer, we're doomed!"
Xiao Wu frowned. "Why are you such a coward? Xiao San and I aren't scared—what are you afraid of?"
Wang Sheng grew more anxious. "Sister Xiao Wu, they're right. If that guy really shows up, none of us are getting out of here."
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