Ji Tianxing had been guarding his father's room from noon to the next morning, and he hadn't left.
When the first ray of sunlight shone through the window and into the room, Ji Changkong finally woke up.
Ji Tianxing immediately let out a sigh of relief and said with concern, "Father, you're finally awake. How do you feel?"
Ji Changkong weakly opened his eyes and looked around with hazy eyes before his gaze landed on Ji Tianxing.
"Tianxing … Don't worry, Father can still hold on."
"These injuries and setbacks are far inferior to the battle ten years ago. How can it be a problem for me?"
Ji Tianxing silently nodded, but his heart was a little sour.
His once high-spirited, majestic, and domineering father was now pale and weak as he lay on the bed. Yet, he still had to endure his injuries and comfort him.
Ji Changkong tilted his head to look at him and asked in a weak voice, "Tianxing, Father might have to go into seclusion to heal for a few months. Even if I recover in the future, I'm afraid that my strength will fall greatly."
"Although Father has been waiting for you to grow up and pass on the position of Patriarch to you, Father can't wait any longer. But I can't wait any longer, so I can only give you this important task in advance. "
"Father knows that the Ji Family is in a difficult situation right now. This burden is too heavy. However, Father believes that you will definitely overcome this crisis and protect the Ji Family's hundred years of foundation … "
Ji Tianxing naturally knew the Ji Family's predicament and also felt the heavy pressure.
However, at this point, he could only grit his teeth and bear this heavy responsibility.
"Father, don't worry. No matter how difficult it is, I will endure it and won't let you down."
"In a moment, I will arrange for you to enter a secret room. You can focus on healing your injuries."
Ji Changkong nodded slightly and squeezed out a smile on his pale face. "Tianxing, the Shadow Sword Hall only listens to the Patriarch's orders. You can trust them. Apart from that, you have to be careful of the others. With the Ji Family's internal strife, many people might become disloyal. "
"No matter what, you have to remember that your own safety is the most important thing. Only by surviving will there be hope!"
"Father, I will remember." Ji Tianxing nodded solemnly.
Then, he arranged for two guards who were absolutely loyal to his father to send his father to the secret underground room so that his father could recuperate peacefully.
Ji Tianxing had just finished dealing with this matter when a guard outside the door respectfully reported, "Eldest Young Master, Second Elder has summoned you to the main hall to discuss important matters with the elders and deacons."
Hearing this news, Ji Tianxing's expression suddenly changed, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.
"Hmph! Second Uncle is so anxious to gather everyone for a meeting. It must be because of the Family Head Command Tablet. Could it be that he is already impatient? "
He coldly snorted in his heart. He straightened his clothes and left his father's residence, rushing to the main hall of the Ji Mansion.
When he arrived at the Ji Mansion's main hall, he saw a group of Ji Clan's disciples gathered at the entrance, whispering to each other.
Seeing that Ji Tianxing had arrived, the group of Ji Clan disciples quickly shut their mouths and pretended to look around.
Ji Tianxing ignored the youths of the same generation and calmly stepped into the main hall.
There were already twelve people sitting in the main hall. Apart from two old men, the other ten were middle-aged men with dignified auras.
Ji Tianxing was no stranger to these twelve people.
Three of them were Ji Tianxing's Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, and Third Uncle.
The other nine were the Ji Clan's managers, each in charge of a province's workshop business. They could be said to be the Ji Clan's nine pillars.
Sitting at the head of the table on the left was a stout middle-aged man with a fat head and big ears.
His name was Ji Dajiang, Ji Changkong's eldest brother and Ji Tianxing's Eldest Uncle.
However, Ji Dajiang was the most cowardly and incompetent among the four brothers of the Ji Clan.
He had no business acumen or talent for forging. He was best at eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, and enjoying life.
In the past, his father treated this Eldest Uncle well and gave him enough money every month to support him. Therefore, he did not participate in the Ji Clan's internal strife and maintained a neutral attitude.
Sitting next to Ji Dajiang was Second Uncle, Ji Rufeng. He wore a purple robe and had a dignified aura. His eyes contained an ominous glint.
As for the third seat on the left, there was a skinny middle-aged man with a dark face. He was Ji Tianxing's Third Uncle.
Third Uncle was called Ji Changhe. He was a man who took advantage of the situation and was adept at currying favor.
Although Ji Changhe was not as ambitious as Second Uncle Ji Rufeng, he was still a restless fellow.
He had secretly engaged in many petty schemes and was in cahoots with Ji Rufeng. In recent years, he had frequently disobeyed his father's orders.
The four brothers of the Ji Clan had different talents and dispositions, but in terms of martial arts and business talent, the Fourth Brother, Ji Changkong, was undoubtedly more outstanding.
Therefore, Ji Changkong succeeded to the position of Clan Head fifteen years ago.
Apart from the three elders, Ji Tianxing did not have a deep understanding of the nine managers.
He only knew that among the nine managers, five of them were from the Ji Clan's branch families and four were outsiders.
The five collateral descendants of the Ji Family seemed to be closer to Ji Rufeng. On the other hand, the four outsiders had always been loyal to Ji Changkong.
At this moment, everyone turned to look at Ji Tianxing when they saw him walk into the hall.
Ji Rufeng, Ji Changhe, and the managers' eyes were clearly scrutinizing and harboring ill intentions.
Ji Tianxing expressionlessly walked through the hall and headed straight for the Clan Head's seat.
Now that he held the Clan Head Medallion and temporarily replaced his father as Clan Head, it was only right for him to sit in that seat.
However, just as he walked to the Clan Head's seat and was about to sit down, Ji Changhe suddenly spoke.
"Tianxing! Everyone present is your elder. It's fine if you don't pay your respects, but you actually want to sit in the main seat. "
"It's not that Third Uncle is lecturing you, but aren't you a bit too arrogant?"
Ji Changhe looked at Ji Tianxing with a smile as if he was a senior lecturing a junior.
Ji Tianxing frowned and said expressionlessly, "Father handed the Clan Head Medallion to me. Now that I'm the Clan Head, what's wrong with sitting in the main seat?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Rufeng sneered and retorted, "The Ji Clan does not belong to Ji Changkong alone. He privately handed the Clan Head Medallion to you. Did he get the approval of the elders and managers?"
"Moreover, our Ji Clan's power is monstrous. Our businesses are spread across half of the Imperial Qing Dynasty. For such a large clan, only a strong person with both ability and integrity is qualified to be the Clan Head."
"You're just a young boy in his teens. How can we let you control the Ji Clan? Isn't this child's play?"
"If something goes wrong and affects the Ji Clan's foundation and safety, can you bear the responsibility?"
Ji Rufeng did not try to hide anything. It was obvious that he did not recognize Ji Tianxing as the acting Clan Head.
Ji Tianxing's heart was filled with hatred. With a cold expression, he asked Ji Rufeng, "Second Uncle, what do you mean? Don't tell me you want to seize the Clan Head Medallion and control the Ji Clan's power? "
Ji Rufeng glanced at him and said with a smile, "I've discussed with the elders and managers. We all feel that you are not qualified to be the Clan Head."
"So, you have to hand over the Clan Head Medallion today. I will temporarily keep it for you."
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