Chapter 658: A Complete Defection, Baili Hong Appears!

Chapter 658: Chapter 356: A Complete Defection, Baili Hong Appears!

“I, Gongyang Jue, was orphaned at a young age, but fortunately, the Old Gang Leader took pity on me and brought me back to the Cyan Fish Gang. I joined the gang at the age of six and have been here for thirty-seven years. In my heart, the Cyan Fish Gang is my home, and I, Gongyang Jue, am willing to give my all for it!”

“In these thirty-seven years, thanks to the Old Gang Leader’s recognition and promotion, I have gradually reached the position of Vice Gang Leader. All I strive for is the greater glory of the Cyan Fish Gang. Now that our gang faces internal strife and external threats, Baili Gang Leader has been engrossed in cultivation for six years, neglecting all gang matters. For the sake of the Cyan Fish Gang and the trust of the Old Gang Leader, I, Gongyang Jue, must step forward and shoulder this heavy responsibility!”

In the grand hall of the Cyan Fish Gang, Gongyang Jue spoke passionately, his emotions high and infectious. Just a few words invoked the Old Gang Leader to endorse his actions today.

He subtly diminished the current gang leader Baili Hong as someone who relinquishes responsibility and portrayed himself as the righteous and unyielding figure needed to save the situation, showing that his actions were out of necessity and not ambition or usurpation.

“The foundation built by the Cyan Fish Gang over hundreds of years must not be destroyed in our hands. I am determined to inherit the grand vision of the Old Gang Leader and resolutely lead the Cyan Fish Gang to brave the winds and waves, standing tall in Donglai, and perhaps even further!”

Sentence after sentence, his passionate words rolled like a turbulent tide, infused with the protoform of Qi Blood and Gang Force, resonating from the inner hall to the skies above the Cyan Fish Grand Hall, clearly reaching the ears of the thousands of elite Cyan Fish Gang disciples waiting outside.

The words were sincere and immensely stirring, triggering doubt even among those disciples who, until today, chose to side with the current Gang Leader.

Indeed, the Old Gang Leader never secluded himself for six or seven years, completely ignoring gang affairs. Furthermore, Gongyang Jue’s leadership over the years sufficiently demonstrated his capability; he truly possesses the aptitude of a Gang Leader.

Moreover, the mere voice transmitted from the inner hall was enough to cause pain in the eardrums of many elite Cyan Fish Gang disciples, with their Qi Blood stirring wildly inside. Vice Gang Leader Gongyang Jue’s strength was undeniably formidable!

“I ask all the Elders and Hall Masters to trust me, Gongyang Jue, and give me a chance!”

Gongyang Jue concluded his speech, took a deep breath, and turned to bow towards all in the inner hall, his expression sincere and earnest. As he bowed, a flicker of excitement flashed uncontrollably in his downcast eyes.

This speech was exceedingly perfect. He had waited too long for this day. To Gongyang Jue, the upcoming events seemed merely a formality, and the remnants of the Baili faction couldn’t stir up too much trouble.

The only concern was Great Elder Qiu Mountain, who hadn’t arrived yet. Straightening his back, Gongyang Jue quickly concealed the ecstasy in his eyes, feeling a twinge of apprehension as he glanced at the seat meant for Great Elder Qiu Mountain.

Yet, it was merely apprehension. Behind him were those who needed the Cyan Fish Gang under strict control. A unified Cyan Fish Gang led by Gongyang Jue was far more valuable than a divided one. Once the gang severed and crumbled, the pie of Donglai County would have to be reallocated. If the Cyan Fish Gang fell, the White Whale Gang would have no restraints, and perhaps the public would accept them taking over the Cyan Fish Gang’s powers, potentially reviving the Donglai Cao Bang.

His backers had to weigh the pros and cons. Without a doubt, such an outcome would be handing the White Whale Gang a wedding dress. Supporting himself to ascend the position firmly and using the Cyan Fish Gang to devour resources was the only way to maximize benefits.

For this reason, his backers bestowed upon him the Black Flame Cauldron, a life-saving artifact. This cauldron was once a Third Grade Spiritual Artifact, later damaged beyond repair, but at this moment, once activated, it could still withstand two blows from a Third Grade Great Cultivator.

With two strikes worth of protection and buffer, his backers could naturally probe old Qiu Mountain’s depth. As long as Qiu Mountain was eliminated today, the Cyan Fish Gang would be Gongyang Jue’s domain alone!

Gongyang Jue, with a composed demeanor, glanced across the hall. Next was the voting for his succession as the Gang Leader. There were twenty-one voting seats, and with the absence of Great Elder Qiu Mountain and Miss Baili Hongtang, nineteen remained.

“So clever, knowing coming today would only bring humiliation and thus choosing not to attend, perhaps offering me some goodwill… However, if they think this will spare them, they are gravely mistaken.”

Noticing that Baili Feng, the Young Master and his only competitor, hadn’t appeared in the inner hall, Gongyang Jue naturally assumed the Baili faction had chosen to concede willingly.

Next was the procedural stage. According to gang rules, to depose the Gang Leader and appoint a new one, the first step required the consent of at least five out of the seven Hall Masters.

Additionally, the proposal needed approval from four-fifths of the high-ranking members of the Cyan Fish Gang in the inner hall to pass the election.

“The Vice Gang Leader is right. Currently, it is a tumultuous time. Previously, Wang Chan killed the two ancestors of the Tao Family, Tao Shengjiang. Recently, the Tao Family expanded under the pretext of revenge. Other major powers in Donglai County and the Sea Pirates are restless and showing signs of coveting our Cyan Fish Gang’s industries.”

“How can a group be without a leader? We need someone to steer the helm now. I agree with Vice Gang Leader Gongyang succeeding as the new Gang Leader!”

Soon, the first person stepped forward. It was a burly dark-skinned man, one of Gongyang Jue’s trusted associates, Hall Master Molin Zhao Cheng.

As Zhao Cheng stated, Donglai has indeed been unsettled lately. Whether the Tao, Li, Lin, Zhou Families, County Mansion, or the White Whale Gang have been acting covertly, sea pirates are eyeing us, and even the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau has been investigating cases. At this time, the Cyan Fish Gang indeed needs a core figure to lead!