Dragon Raja: Lu Ming insists on ruling for all eternity

Chapter 83 Who's in favor and who's opposed?

The blade flashed, carrying severed limbs and pieces of flesh, sweeping across the scene and creating waves of blood wherever it went.

As the young master of the family, Genjiro boasted that he had some knowledge of swords. Although he could not be called a sword saint or grandmaster, he had never suffered a defeat in swordsmanship.

But upon seeing the flash of the blade, a hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes. He had never seen such dazzling swordsmanship in his life.

While the moves may not be particularly ingenious or flashy, each and every one of them is extremely skillful.

Every strike was so precise that it made one wonder if each move had been meticulously calculated and controlled.

Genji suddenly felt a deep sense of defeat. If his swordsmanship was currently at the level of the medieval Renaissance, then his opponent had already reached the modern era, which pursued a minimalist style.

How could a knight clad in plate armor and wielding a long spear possibly defeat a modern tank?

Genjiro gripped the Spider Cutter, feeling ashamed to wield the sword for the first time in his life.

So he stood there dumbfounded, watching as Lu Mingfei, wielding a strangely shaped black knife, swiftly dispatched the Deadpools who had surrounded him. The whole process was smooth and effortless, as simple as chopping vegetables.

Even though exposing himself might lead to others recognizing his true identity, Lu Mingfei no longer cares about that.

He was now very interested in why something like a Deadpool would appear at the headquarters of the Snake Clan.

He sensed a secret in it.

At this moment, Genjiro had just come to his senses. Before he could thank Lu Mingfei, he gripped the hilt of the Spider Cutter and dragged the sword into the wooden pavilion.

However, the brutal and bloody scene he had imagined did not appear. On the contrary, the wooden pavilion was well-organized, just like when he came before.

Genjiro's gaze swept across the wooden pavilion, and his heart sank. He didn't see the patriarch, Tachibana Masamune. However, since there was no blood, it meant that the other party might not have been here when the Dead Servants appeared.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief, but then a letter on the desk in the wooden pavilion caught his attention.

I would like to invite all the elders to a chat.

The Fierce Ghosts.

The handwriting on this letter is very neat, suggesting that it was written by a woman.

But what kind of woman would appear here?

Yuan Zhisheng gripped the letter tightly.

His mind was in complete disarray. The news that the Oni Clan had kidnapped Tachibana Masamune was undoubtedly a bombshell.

The capture of the commander-in-chief is, in any era, something that can severely damage the morale of the entire army.

Moreover, this is just before the family is preparing to go to war with the Ghost Clan.

There's a traitor!

Genji quickly realized this. After all, if there wasn't a traitor, how could a large number of assassins appear in the very heart of the clan? Even the patriarch was kidnapped.

There are many things involved here, and it's probably not something that can be sorted out in a short time.

Lu Mingfei followed him into the wooden pavilion. He glanced at the letter and took in all its contents.

"What are the Demon Clan?" he asked. Genjiro instinctively began to explain.

After all, setting aside the conflict between the academy and the family, Lu Mingfei is now the most trustworthy person.

After all, there was absolutely no way he could have any connection with the Ghost Clan.

"So that's how it is." Lu Mingfei's eyes narrowed slightly after hearing what Yuan Zhisheng said.

Therefore, the current situation is analogous to that in cultivation novels, where it seems that members of the demonic sect have kidnapped the sect leader.

In general, this kind of situation is probably the work of the so-called elder who is the most likely successor to the sect leader.

"Do you know who has the best chance of succeeding the patriarch?" Lu Mingfei asked.

"Why are you asking this?" Genji's expression turned somewhat strange.

"I find this person extremely suspicious." Lu Mingfei stretched his muscles and bones, each bone in his body shifting, colliding, and then returning to its original position, making a crackling sound.

Now that the goal is set, things become much simpler.

Once he could pry the address of the so-called headquarters of the Fierce Ghosts from this man, Lu Mingfei would be interested in testing the level of his own strength.

Moreover, for some reason, he vaguely sensed that the mixed-race people of Japan were different from the mixed-race people he had seen before, and a strange feeling lingered in his perception.

Perhaps this is an opportunity.

When dealing with the demonic cultivators, namely the Ghost Clan, Lu Mingfei didn't need to adhere to any code of honor or worry about the aftermath.

Just as he was deep in thought, a voice rang out.

"I'm the one who will succeed the patriarch," Genji said helplessly.

In an instant, a black blade was placed against his neck.

The speed was so fast that he couldn't even see the trajectory of the sword swing.

In an instant, a golden light flashed from Yuan Zhisheng's eyes, igniting his ancient, solemn, and imposing golden pupils.

This was more dazzling than any golden eyes of a mixed-race person that Lu Mingfei had ever seen before, and it was even no weaker than those of Norton and Fenrir, two of the Four Kings whom he had fought before.

However, this resulted in Lu Mingfei's black blade getting even closer to Yuan Zhisheng's neck.

"Convince me," Lu Mingfei said calmly.

Although he had a good impression of the executive director of the Japanese branch, it was not enough for him to let the man go.

Yuan Zhisheng stared at the black blade, feeling a little numb.

He could only explain his relationship with Tachibana Masamune.

Lu Mingfei pondered the truth or falsehood of every word he uttered.

However, he eventually gave up on thinking about it. Aside from Director Yuan, he really didn't know anyone else in the Japanese branch.

He sheathed his black blade. At least for now, Director Yuan was still trustworthy.

Yuan Zhisheng watched as the black blade was removed from his shoulder, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief, the golden light in his eyes gradually dimming.

He took out his phone from his pocket and dialed a number: "This is Yuan Zhisheng. Convene a family head meeting immediately in my name."

"Yes! Immediately!"

······

The news of the patriarch's abduction could not be shared with more people, and he was not the only one who had gone missing. The man named Lao Tang who came with Lu Mingfei, along with his big black dog, had also disappeared.

It is said that the same letter was left at the scene. Given the uncertainty of the Demon Clan's movements, Genjiro and other family heads could only prepare for the worst.

But the family business, a massive ship, cannot remain without a navigator forever.

During Tachibana Masamune's absence, the family must choose one person to temporarily assume the position of patriarch.

Logically speaking, as the young master, Genjiro should have no choice but to take on this responsibility.

After all, he is the only one among the three upper families who is capable of taking on the role of patriarch, not to mention that he is Amaterasu no Mikoto.

Even Genjiro himself thought that he was unlikely to escape the position of acting patriarch, but things did not turn out as he had imagined.

Although all the family heads agreed that they must choose someone to temporarily take over as the head of the family, none of them were willing to recommend Yuan Zhisheng.

An eerie silence fell over the room, as if a strange emotion was spreading through the room.

Yuan Zhisheng coldly observed the reactions of each family head.

He was well aware that some of these people were dissatisfied with his past close association with the academy and believed that he was not qualified enough.

These issues might have been insignificant when Tachibana Masamune was still alive, but things are different now.

Whether out of personal or public interest, it seems that families nowadays need a capable and energetic leader, rather than a young and inexperienced executive director who only knows how to shout and fight.

His gaze swept across the faces of each family head, finally settling on the head of the Inuyama family, whose face was wrinkled but still full of energy, and who had suffered the most from the shutdown of the sex industry.

Inuyama He, the head of the Inuyama family, was the first branch manager of the Japanese branch and had a close relationship with Principal Angers.

This is why the other party supported Lu Mingfei's decision to shut down the sex industry.

As a family elder, he has a high chance of taking over.

As for the next candidate, Genjiro glanced past the head of the Miyamoto family, who was completely bewildered and shocked.

The other party, with their technical background, simply couldn't get involved in the messy family business.

The head of the Fuuma family, dressed in a black kimono, finally appeared in Genji's eyes.

As the head of the family, he should take on the main responsibility when the head of the family is not around, not to mention that the ninjas of the Fuma clan are a force to be reckoned with.

However, the other party has not spoken yet, so Genjiro does not understand what the current Fuma Kotaro is up to.

Besides these two, there is another strong candidate who is also a member of the family.

Ryoma, the head of the Ryoma family and the current branch manager of the Japanese branch. As a reserve officer in the Self-Defense Forces, he is responsible for liaising with the military and police. It can be said that if you want to find Tachibana Masamune now, you will need his help to coordinate resources.

Currently, only these three can rival Genjiro for the position of acting head of the family. As for the others, they were simply not qualified until these four were still alive.

"I am withdrawing from the election for acting head of the family."

Suddenly, the head of the Inuyama family coldly uttered these three words, then closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, seemingly lost in thought.

Yuan Zhisheng's heart skipped a beat. Now that the other party had withdrawn, only...

The head of the Ryoma family was a kind-hearted middle-aged man who looked more like an office worker. Due to the suddenness of the incident, he was even wearing a reserve uniform from the Self-Defense Forces.

Seeing that the gazes of the other family heads were more or less fixed on him, the head of the Ryoma family smiled and pointed to his clothes: "I won't participate, but I will coordinate with the Metropolitan Police Department. If necessary, we can also mobilize the nearby garrison."

"Then I'll have to trouble Clan Head Ryoma." Clan Head Fuma nodded.

"Gentlemen, since it was the Oni Clan who sent people to kidnap the patriarch, they probably wouldn't dare to lay a hand on him." The head of the Fuma Clan looked at Genjiro. "As the young leader, it's time for me to step up and take charge."

Yuan Zhisheng's expression hardened. Although the actions of the Fuma family head seemed to be a power grab, for some reason, he felt a sense of relief. Regardless, finding his father and rescuing him was the most important thing now.

Moreover, he had always looked down on the position of the head of the family.

If the other party really uses this opportunity to rise to power, it would truly fulfill his wish. Genji could already imagine himself on a French beach, sunbathing, watching a constant stream of bikini-clad beauties selling sunscreen.

"But I'm getting old, and my thinking and reaction speed can't keep up with the younger generation. So..." Fuma Kotaro's voice paused, and at this moment Genjiro finally came back to his senses from his reverie, "I recommend Executive Bureau Chief Genjiro as the acting head of the family."

"What?" Genjiro's eyes widened, not quite understanding. He had originally intended to wait for orders from his officer as a soldier, but now it seemed he had become the officer who should be giving the orders.

On the battlefield, an officer's words can determine the life or death of his soldiers. Similarly, now, a single word from Genjiro will determine the future of his entire family.

After Kotaro Fuuma uttered those words, unsurprisingly, all the family heads nodded in agreement. After all, both logically and emotionally, with several influential family heads clearly stating their non-participation, it was appropriate for Genjiro, perhaps the sole heir of the Upper Three Families, to temporarily assume the position of family head.

Genjiro was thus unwittingly thrust into the head seat of the conference table. Looking at the assembled eyes, his throat tightened, but the habits he had cultivated over many years in the Executive Bureau allowed him to issue orders methodically.

"Everyone, since I will be temporarily assuming the role of patriarch, I hope that everyone can work together and make rescuing Mr. Masamune the top priority."

After saying this, Genji bowed deeply, and then, after standing up, his eyes sharpened: "The Demon Clan has declared war on the clan. Since that's the case, then we have no choice but to pay with blood. As the acting patriarch, I hereby declare that the clan is officially at war with the Demon Clan."

Who's in favor? Who's against?

His gaze swept over the assembled family heads, but no one raised any objections.

"Very good, then this is approved." Genji said crisply. He then took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "Next is the question of how to rescue Mr. Tachibana Masamune."

"Does anyone have any good ideas?"

As the acting patriarch, he can make decisive decisions on some matters. However, other matters require collective wisdom and effort.

"The Fuma clan's ninjas will be spread throughout Tokyo; they will serve as your eyes and ears, your hands and feet," Fuma Kotaro declared.

"The Origin Research Institute will utilize Princess Kaguya," the head of the Miyamoto family said. "Throughout Japan, we will lock onto Mr. Masamune the moment he shows his face."

"I will persuade the Metropolitan Police Department to fully cooperate with our operation..."

The heads of the families were talking amongst themselves, as if Tachibana Masamune could be saved at any moment.

Seeing this, Yuan Zhisheng felt that the burden on his shoulders had been lightened.

However, at that moment, the meeting room door was suddenly pushed open.

All eyes were on the family executive who had barged in so recklessly. After all, no one should disturb such a top-secret meeting before a decision was reached.

"What are you doing here?" the head of the Fengmo family asked, frowning, because he recognized that this was someone from his family.

The person who arrived was panting heavily, as if he had rushed here without stopping.

He strained his lungs, which felt like broken bellows, and managed to utter a few words:

"Principal Lu... Principal Lu..."

"Principal Lu has disappeared!"