Chapter 902: Chapter 902: Strength Is Supreme

Xiu Jie Ming also realized there was no turning back now, and he sighed inwardly, "Qi Tianxin managing to sit in the Chief Judge’s position for over eight hundred years indeed signifies extraordinary talents. It’s not surprising that the Xia Family switched allegiance to him, but I never expected he could convince the King of Du to vote for him."

Xiu Jie Ming secured the Dushan Sect’s vote through a personal meeting with the King of Du.

To persuade a Celestial King to change his promise, especially when Xiu Jie Ming was highly confident in his own offered terms, leaves Xiu Jie Ming bewildered about what Qi Tianxin offered to make the King of Du change his mind.

When Qi Tianxin met Xiu Jie Ming’s gaze, he didn’t appear overly triumphant or arrogant but simply smiled.

Feng Wuci also wore a smile, knowing that the title of Chief Judge’s wife would remain hers, a position no one could take away.

When it was the Ji Family’s turn to take the stage, all eyes turned to Ji Liuying. Since she had come in person, the one to vote for the Ji Family should be her.

Hardly anyone thought Ji Liuying would vote, given the Ji Family’s current situation and their previously expressed intentions. Ji Liuying was expected to abstain on behalf of the Ji Family.

Ji Liuying stood up, and all eyes followed her.

Originally, everyone thought Ji Liuying would simply stand up and abstain, but who knew that Ji Liuying didn’t declare her intention to abstain and instead left her seat?

However, she did not approach the voting stage, nor did she move towards the voting booth; instead, she walked in a different direction.

Everyone felt a bit puzzled, unsure what the new Ji Family Sect Leader intended to do.

Both Chief Judge Qi Tianxin and Feng Wuci felt a sense of unease, realizing a change might be imminent.

Many from the other families whispered among themselves, uncertain of Ji Liuying’s intentions.

Under everyone’s gaze, Ji Liuying headed towards the area where the Xiu Family members were seated, seemingly intending to say something to them.

But when Ji Liuying stopped, she didn’t stop in front of Xiu Jie Ming; she stood before Chen Guan, who was seated next to him.

Ji Liuying gracefully bowed to Chen Guan, her bright eyes looking at him as she said, "Teacher, are you supporting Xiu Jie Ming?"

The words left everyone in the room astounded.

Who was Ji Liuying? The newly appointed Sect Leader of the Ji Family, now hailed as the closest to becoming a Celestial King, a peerless powerhouse who single-handedly kept the Ji Family within the Ten Great Families.

Such a person addressing Chen Guan as teacher was unimaginable, rendering everyone as if they had experienced a magnitude twelve earthquake, their pupils dilated.

Qi Tianxin and Feng Wuci’s faces were ashen, utterly taken aback by this revelation.

Qi Tianxin felt a mix of emotions he couldn’t describe.

He never would have imagined the emergence of someone like Chen Guan.

If it weren’t for Ji Nanhong, Chen Guan would still be part of the Celestial Court Army, rightfully Qi Tianxin’s ally.

"Yes." Chen Guan earnestly nodded to Ji Liuying.

Chen Guan understood what Ji Liuying approaching to acknowledge him signified. Ji Liuying intended to bring the Ji Family onto his ship, sharing both fortune and misfortune, together in glory and ruin, leaving the Ji Family no room to retreat.

"Alright, please wait a moment, Teacher." After saying this, Ji Liuying turned and headed toward the stage. Under the complex gazes of those present, she cast her vote for Xiu Jie Ming.

Xiu Yingmei’s expression was a mix of surprise and joy, thrilled that Xiu Jie Ming found a way out from his downfall, rescued from hell, back on an equal footing with Qi Tianxin.

The shock, however, was due to Ji Liuying’s unexpected connection to Chen Guan and her addressing him as teacher—she was increasingly unable to fathom this man.

Reflecting on the past years of Chen Guan, she had never expected him to come this far.

"When did you take on such a disciple?" Ji Nanhong asked Chen Guan with a smile.

Chen Guan, noticing a hint of murderous intent, quickly replied without looking away, "I only guided her once by chance; I didn’t expect she would be someone who values gratitude and reciprocation."

Duan Shulin, beside them, enviably remarked, "Becoming the teacher of the new Ji Family Sect Leader, and such a brilliant and beautiful talent—truly enviable to death."

Chen Guan shot him a sidelong glance. If looks could kill, Duan Shulin’s head would have parted from his shoulders.

Fortunately, Xiu Jie Ming saved Chen Guan, with his eyes sharply fixed on Qi Tianxin across the room, he softly said, "Thanks to you, our chance has come again."

The vote was tied five to five. Under normal circumstances, when elders voted five to five, it would be the moment for the Chief Judge to exercise their power.

However, as this was a Chief Judge election, it was naturally impossible for the Chief Judge to cast their vote.

Such a situation hadn’t arisen in the past eight hundred elections, leaving most people bewildered, unsure of what to do now. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Nonetheless, this isn’t a problem, as a response for such a scenario was designed into the system when the Chief Judge system was first established, all written into the laws.

If a five-to-five vote emerges, there won’t be a re-election; instead, it will lead to a duel between the candidates.

With no clear winner from voting, it indicates that the competitors are evenly matched, thus their personal martial prowess will determine the victor.

If other factors are equal, the one with stronger martial prowess and harder fists will become the Chief Judge.

In this martial world, ultimate respect is given to strength.

When the officiating officials declared these regulations on stage, those unaware of the rules, after a brief reflection, all felt that such rules were extremely disadvantageous to Xiu Jie Ming.

How long has Xiu Jie Ming been cultivating compared to Qi Tianxin? The accumulation and realms of the two are likely not on the same level at all.

"It seems a tie won’t save Xiu Jie Ming." This was the thought of most people.

The election moved from the hall to the arena, with everyone keenly aware that this would probably be a death match. Neither Xiu Jie Ming nor Qi Tianxin had the option to retreat.

As long as there was a chance of victory, neither would give up.

Even if they wanted to surrender, those supporting them wouldn’t allow it.

While everyone’s attention was on Xiu Jie Ming and Qi Tianxin in the arena, Chen Guan altered his Secret Law, reducing his presence to near non-existence, then quietly left the arena for the plaza where the Monument of the Hundred Families stood.

Whether Xiu Jie Ming wins or not depends solely on himself; Chen Guan couldn’t help anyway, and watching wouldn’t make a difference.

Chen Guan was more interested in discovering what his father hid here.

Standing before the Monument of the Hundred Families, Chen Guan’s gaze focused on the character Chen inscribed on the plaque.

Suddenly, a realization struck Chen Guan, intriguing him: "That’s odd; when dad broke into the Ancestral Court, he was still the Great Demon Qing Bai. He couldn’t have predicted his injury or meeting mom and changing his surname. So why would he hide something behind the character Chen?"