novelraw Chapter 932: Joining Hands
Chapter 932: Joining Hands
From the perspective of outsiders, Ju Fan looked exactly like an ambitious Legacy Disciple preparing himself for the future throne.
Only Han Yu himself knew the truth.
He had never wanted the position of Patriarch.
Not even once.
He only wanted one thing.
To leave this cursed continent alive.
And to bring his companions home with him.
That was all.
Everything else had merely been preparation.
Influence meant survival.
Wealth meant leverage.
Power meant safety.
Control over Jiangshi meant insurance.
All of it had been built toward escape.
Nothing more.
Yet ironically...
Those same actions had now made him appear like one of the strongest candidates for the future leadership of the sect. Han Yu inwardly found the situation almost absurd. Still, despite the humor he felt internally, he remained extremely cautious outwardly.
Because he knew very clearly that this moment was dangerous.
His answer mattered.
A great deal.
The people around this table were not ordinary cultivators.
Every single one of them possessed influence capable of shaking entire regions.
And among them sat Lady Rot Rose herself.
A woman whose background traced back to a former Patriarch that had ascended into immortality.
Han Yu was absolutely certain that if things turned hostile here...
He would not leave this place alive.
Even if he used every hidden card in his possession.
Even if he revealed powers he had never shown before.
At best he might survive briefly against one or two individuals.
Escaping this isolated realm was another matter entirely.
This spatial realm belonged to Lady Rot Rose.
Within this place...
She was effectively the ruler of a small world.
Han Yu had no idea what kind of formations surrounded them.
How many hidden killing arrays existed.
What restrictions controlled movement.
Whether space itself could be sealed instantly.
Trying to escape here would be suicide.
Which was why...
Han Yu had already made his decision long ago.
And internally...
He was almost laughing.
’This works.’
The thought echoed within his mind.
’This actually works perfectly.’
Han Yu truly had not expected this development.
Until today, he genuinely believed every Legacy Disciple competed directly against one another endlessly. He had never considered the possibility that supporting another Legacy Disciple could itself become a political path.
Yet now that he knew...
The answer became simple.
Supporting Lady Rot Rose benefited him enormously.
First, it removed pressure from himself.
If he openly stood within her faction, many people who viewed him as a future rival would relax.
Second, it granted him access to an even greater political network. Han Yu was absolutely certain the people present tonight were merely a fraction of Lady Rot Rose’s true forces. There were undoubtedly elders behind her.
Peak factions.
Hidden disciples.
Influential clans.
Possibly even some High Elders.
After all, she was the granddaughter of a former Patriarch.
And not merely any Patriarch.
One of the greatest in their sect’s history.
The old factions loyal to her grandfather likely still existed deep within the sect even after all these years. Han Yu suspected that Lady Rot Rose already possessed terrifying influence long before she formally announced anything.
Perhaps half the sect already leaned toward her side quietly.
And that...
Was extremely useful for Han Yu.
Because while everyone else here viewed faction building as preparation for political dominance...
Han Yu viewed it differently.
Every new connection meant another possible path toward freedom later.
Every ally meant another possibility.
Every favor meant leverage.
And if things ever truly went wrong...
Perhaps he could even negotiate with Lady Rot Rose eventually.
He did not want things to reach that stage.
He still preferred escaping secretly with everyone.
But even a one percent chance was better than none.
Supporting her increased those odds.
Which meant the decision became easy.
Han Yu slowly smiled.
Then finally broke the silence.
"I will support Lady Rot Rose as well."
The atmosphere around the table shifted subtly.
Mistress Love Wine brightened instantly.
Daoist Blood Pool grinned.
Master Swamp Leech visibly relaxed.
Even Daoist Snake Face’s eyes narrowed slightly with interest.
As for Lady Rot Rose...
She simply watched him calmly.
Observing carefully.
Measuring his sincerity.
Han Yu’s glib tongue smoothly began moving now.
"If I had known this was even an option," he said with a faint laugh, "I would have done so long ago."
Mistress Love Wine giggled.
"I knew you had good taste."
Han Yu ignored her expertly once again and continued.
"To speak honestly, I do not particularly desire the position of Patriarch either."
That statement clearly surprised some of them.
Especially Daoist Blood Pool.
Han Yu calmly continued speaking while swirling the wine within his cup.
"I already feel exhausted handling my current responsibilities."
He sighed dramatically now.
"The mines alone are troublesome enough. Then there are the puppets, the Jiangshi, maintenance requests, workshops, faction disputes, trade agreements, endless reports, disciples demanding meetings..."
The more he listed things, the more genuine exhaustion entered his voice.
And amusingly enough...
This part was not even an act.
Han Yu truly was tired.
Mistress Love Wine laughed softly.
"You really sound miserable."
"I am miserable," Han Yu replied immediately.
That caused several people to laugh lightly.
Han Yu shook his head.
"I finally understand why Peak Heads always look like they have not slept properly in years."
Daoist Blood Pool barked out a loud laugh.
"Exactly!"
Han Yu nodded firmly.
"Being Patriarch would only multiply that burden several times over."
Then his smile became slightly helpless.
"I would rather gather wealth peacefully and enjoy occasional free time while still alive."
"That," Mistress Love Wine declared proudly, "is the correct way to live."
Han Yu pointed toward her.
"See? Someone here understands me."
Mistress Love Wine looked deeply touched.
"We truly are soulmates."
Han Yu immediately regretted speaking.
Lady Rot Rose chuckled lightly while observing the interaction.
Yet despite the humor...
She continued watching Han Yu very carefully.
Because words alone meant little.
Everyone here understood that.
Han Yu noticed her gaze and understood what she truly wanted.
Not empty flattery.
Commitment.
So Han Yu finally became more serious.
"I understand something clearly," he said calmly. "The sect’s future will eventually descend into conflict one way or another."
The pavilion quieted slightly again.
Han Yu continued.
"And among the current Legacy Disciples..."
His eyes settled upon Lady Rot Rose.
"You are indeed the most suitable candidate I have seen so far."
This time he meant it genuinely.
Because after everything tonight...
Han Yu truly believed it.
Lady Rot Rose possessed strength, influence, patience, intelligence, political ability, and long term planning.
Most importantly... She understood people.
That alone already made her terrifying.
Lady Rot Rose finally smiled slightly wider than before.
A genuinely pleased smile.
Then she slowly lifted her wine cup.
"To future cooperation then."
Han Yu raised his own cup calmly.
"To future cooperation."
The others followed shortly after.
Wine cups lightly collided together above the elegant pavilion while crimson smoke drifted lazily through the air.
And at that moment...
Han Yu officially stepped into one of the most dangerous political circles within the entire Slaughtered Moon Divine Blood Sect.