Jing Song saw the Second Elder demeaning Xiao Man so much and was about to explain when Xiao Man grabbed him, stuffed a piece of pastry into his mouth, and stifled his words.
"When an elder speaks, we juniors should just listen and not talk too much," Xiao Man whispered to Jing Song. This Fourth Elder, upon entering, showed no regard for anyone and was clearly difficult to deal with. No matter how sharp his tongue, as long as he didn't attack her, she would pretend not to hear his taunts.
The Third Elder snorted, "Whether I pick up someone or not is none of your business, whether you're interested or not! I haven't taken a single bite of your food! Usually, when there's trouble, you hide like a timid turtle, but when there's nothing going on, you come out chattering like a gossip, incessantly. Those who know you think you're just sharp-tongued, but those who don't would think you're the family head."
"After a few days apart, Elder San's tongue has become exceptionally nimble," the Fourth Elder sneered. "The disciples of the Alchemy Hall have low cultivation and can't even go out to gather herbs alone. Instead of focusing on improving their cultivation and alchemy skills, you've turned your wooden tongue into a glib one. What, do you plan to defeat your opponents with your glib tongue?"
"You're talking about yourself, aren't you, Fourth Elder?"
Seeing the two clashing, the First Elder couldn't help but laugh. Unexpectedly, the Fourth Elder immediately turned his attention to the First Elder, "First Elder, you manage the Martial Arts Hall and are in charge of punishments. When Elder San and I argue, you don't try to mediate but instead gloat from the sidelines. How can such behavior be worthy of an elder responsible for rewards and punishments?"
The First Elder pursed his lips, not answering immediately. This was because the Fourth Elder was a troublemaker, picking on anyone. He wouldn't show deference even to the family head. Among all the elders, no one dared to confront him. Today, the Third Elder must have been provoked by something to argue with the Fourth Elder.
Seeing the First Elder not respond, the Fourth Elder's gaze shifted to Xiao Man, "What's your name?"
Xiao Man lowered her head, eating her food.
"Has the Jin family lacked anything for you to eat or drink? Or has Elder San mistreated you, not giving you food, that you're just burying your head and eating like a starving ghost?"
Xiao Man finally realized that the Fourth Elder had turned his attention to her again. She immediately replied, "Disciple Lan Xiao."
"Did Elder San starve you?"
"The elders would not starve me. However, there are many people in this hall who wish to starve me. Therefore, I always believe in eating as much as possible when there's an opportunity, lest I crave others' food when there's none, and fall into their traps!"
The Fourth Elder seemed taken aback by Xiao Man's direct answer, his gaze sweeping across the hall.
"Ambitious!" the Fourth Elder mocked. "Assassins can't be caught, murderers can't be caught, and you can't even keep track of one person. Yet, when it comes to troubling junior disciples, you all become formidable. The Jin family is truly in decline."
"Fourth Elder, speak with caution," the First Elder said displeasuredly.
"Caution?" the Fourth Elder scoffed. "I think it should be 'act with caution.' Ever since the eldest young master left, the Jin family has been declining day by day, and the atmosphere has become increasingly absurd, making it unbearable."
"Fourth Elder," the Jin family head walked in slowly, his expression unreadable. "Do not bring up past matters."
The Fourth Elder smiled, "Since the family head does not care, as an outsider, I have no need to. After all, the eldest young master is not my son."
"Fourth Elder," the Jin family head reprimanded sternly, "That's enough."
The Fourth Elder curled his lips mockingly and fell silent.
The Jin family head's expression improved slightly as he sat in the head seat. "Today's family banquet is called because many matters have occurred within the clan recently. Do the elders have any thoughts?"
The Jin family head waited for everyone to speak, but no one did. The elders unanimously chose silence.
"First Elder, do you have anything to say?"
"To the family head, I will apprehend the culprit as soon as possible."
The Jin family head nodded. The First Elder was indeed diligent, but the culprit was truly cunning, not only infiltrating his courtyard but also evading all the hidden guards and planting a large amount of explosives in his courtyard, not only destroying his courtyard but also everything in the secret prison, causing him heavy losses.
"I, however, believe that the First Elder holds too many positions, leading to oversights. The Martial Arts Hall's responsibility is originally to provide security. The family head might as well establish a separate Punishment Hall, so as not to burden the First Elder with too many tasks, resulting in him doing nothing well," the Fourth Elder said languidly.
"Fourth Elder, the Martial Arts Hall is responsible for security and justice, that is the rule..."
"Rules?" the Fourth Elder drawled. "If I remember correctly, the Punishment Hall was a separate hall before. It was only after the elder of the Punishment Hall committed a transgression that he was punished by the First Elder. After that, the Punishment Hall was absorbed by the Martial Arts Hall. How has this become a rule?"
"Family head, Fourth Elder is right. The First Elder's failure this time might indeed be due to too much pressure from you. The Punishment Hall should be established as a separate hall. After all, the disciples of the Martial Arts Hall, relying on their authority over punishments, have committed many offenses, only to have them lightly dismissed."
"This is slander..."
"Is it truly slander?" the Second Elder interjected. "Didn't the First Elder and the Fifth Elder beat people up and go to the Alchemy Hall? Isn't that a fact?"
The First Elder frowned and raised his voice, "That was a misunderstanding."
"If it were truly a misunderstanding, why would the family head punish the Martial Arts Hall and the Intelligence Hall?" the Second Elder continued to ask.
"Second Elder, are you dissatisfied with the family head's decision?"
"The First Elder misunderstands. After all, it wasn't the disciples of my Internal Affairs Hall who were bullied. If there's dissatisfaction, it should be Elder San who is dissatisfied. What do you think, Elder San?"
"The Punishment Hall should indeed be established separately and headed by a just and incorruptible person," the Third Elder chimed in, speaking unhurriedly.
"Elder San, are you dissatisfied with the family head's punishment?" The Fifth Elder slammed the table. If the Punishment Hall were established separately, the Intelligence Hall and the Martial Arts Hall would likely be the first to be punished.
"Fifth Elder, there's no need to sow discord. I merely believe that the Punishment Hall should be established separately. After all, the First Elder makes frequent mistakes, yet he is in charge of punishments, and the disciples of his hall break the law. This clearly indicates that the First Elder is not suitable to hold the position of Punishment Hall Master," the Third Elder spoke slowly and firmly. The First Elder's control over the Punishment Hall was indeed disadvantageous to them.
"Establishing a separate Punishment Hall, do you think your Alchemy Hall can do whatever it wants?"
"It's you who do whatever you want!"
The Jin family head looked at the bickering elders, his expression extremely grim. He rubbed his throbbing temples. He had intended to use the family banquet to sort out recent events, have the elders of each hall investigate their respective domains, and uncover the enemies hidden within the Jin family. Instead, these people were quarreling over power, making it truly unbearable to witness.