Hidden moth

Chapter 339 What I Do Today Should Match My Position
The establishment of the Supreme Council by the Xiaomeng Alliance was initially modeled after the Sect Law Hall of the Shumen. The structure of the Sect Law Hall of the Shumen has always been very stable, with the seven sect leaders of the Shumen serving as elders.

After the new sect leader takes over, the original elders retire and become Supreme Elders, either cultivating themselves in seclusion or living in seclusion, no longer concerning themselves with sect affairs.

The prerequisite for maintaining this structure is to have a sufficient reserve of talent, with each sect having sixth-level cultivators.

Throughout the thousand-year history since the establishment of the Clan Law Hall, although there have been brief periods of vacancy, the sect has been able to maintain a sufficient reserve of such talent for the vast majority of the time.

The Lingxi Sect is most prone to gaps in leadership. Sometimes, a fifth-level cultivator is needed to temporarily act as the sect leader and attend the sect council meetings. Such a person is also called a acting elder.

The presence of a "substitute elder" in the ancestral hall is rare, and even if it happens, it is usually very short-lived.

There is no distinction of rank among the elders of the Clan Court; they are all equal. Ordinary daily affairs can be decided by one elder, and the other elders do not express explicit opposition. However, major matters require the unanimous consent of all elders.

For example, the order prohibiting sorcerers of the third rank and above from setting foot in Qiyuan was given by Gu Chun. However, the acting elder does not have the authority to make decisions on daily affairs on his own, which is also a tradition of the sorcery sect.

The Supreme Council of the Free Alliance was initially modeled after the Clan Law Hall, but with some modified elements added. The members of the Supreme Council are called Elders, which sounds similar to the Senate of Gumaro.

Since the Free Alliance does not have the concept of seven major schools of techniques, it was originally represented by seven elders who each represented one of the seven lineages of techniques.

However, for the Free Alliance, it is impossible to guarantee that there will always be such a sufficient reserve of experts throughout history. Some fifth-tier sorcerers will be needed to temporarily take charge of affairs and serve as elders of the Supreme Council.

Sometimes, fifth-tier warlocks even make up the majority, for example, four out of seven. Over time, this led to the term "Grand Elders".

Sorcerers of the sixth rank or above are called Grand Elders, while the rest are ordinary Elders.

In modern times, the rules of procedure of the Supreme Council have been revised many times. Ordinary elders not only lost the power to make independent decisions on daily affairs, but also lost the power to veto major issues.

The Supreme Council was transformed into a voting system, with votes cast based on attendance and majority rule.

The senior elders still retain the power of veto; even if a proposal is passed by a majority, a senior elder can still veto it if he disagrees.

These reforms began approximately eighty years ago after Arthur's mentor, Walter, became a Grand Elder.

Thirty years ago, Arthur also broke through to the sixth level of cultivation and became a Grand Elder of the Supreme Council. Walter took the opportunity to announce his retirement and seclusion, seemingly emulating the Supreme Elders of the Sect's Law Hall.

Although Walter retired, he remained Arthur's biggest supporter, clearing obstacles for Arthur to continue pushing forward with reforms. It was under Arthur's leadership that the Supreme Council became what it is today.

Traditionally, the Supreme Council has only seven elders, some of whom are fifth-tier sorcerers. If a sixth-tier sorcerer emerges in the corresponding magical school, they will naturally replace these ordinary elders.

However, Arthur abolished this replacement system. Entering the Supreme Council meant becoming an elder, and even if a fellow cultivator broke through to the sixth level of cultivation, they would not automatically replace him.

The second change that followed was the expansion of the Supreme Council, from seven to nine, then from nine to eleven, and now it has been set at thirteen seats of elders, which happens to coincide with King Arthur and the twelve Knights of the Round Table.

The current First Elder of the Supreme Council happens to be named Arthur. Isn't that a coincidence? ...What a load of rubbish! Hu Weidong could guess with his own eyes that this name was probably given later. Who knows what Arthur was called when he was born.

What's the story behind Arthur's title of "First Elder"?

This was something he did by exploiting a loophole in the rules of procedure. According to the latest rules of procedure of the Supreme Council, major matters must be voted on collectively, and a bill can only be implemented if it is passed by a majority vote.

A total of thirteen elders were involved, and at least eight elders needed to be present to participate in the vote for it to be valid.

So what if there's a situation where eight people vote and the result is exactly four to four, and no elder statesman vetoes it? In this case, Arthur has the decision-making power.

Arthur gained the status of First Elder, but still retained the veto power of the other elders. It wasn't that he didn't want to abolish it, but the resistance he encountered was too great.

According to the rules of procedure of the Xiaomeng, if he proposes to cancel, it will be rejected by the other elders.

Hu Weidong was already a sixth-level alchemist practicing alchemy, and after entering the Supreme Council, he naturally became a senior elder with veto power. This was one of the most important concerns of the Xiaomeng leadership regarding whether to admit him into the Supreme Council.

However, the Supreme Council cannot refuse to admit Hu Weidong, because they have recently lost three elders.

Besides the illusionist who was killed in Qiyuan and the Danqiu Master who was killed in Xianhu Cave, there was another fifth-order cultivator who was also an elder of the Supreme Council.

Since the Supreme Council has thirteen seats for elders, three more need to be added.

The other two slots were filled by fifth-tier sorcerers. It would be unreasonable not to recruit Hu Weidong, a clearly sixth-tier alchemist.

The Supreme Council of the Free Alliance originally had seven Grand Elders, including the First Elder Arthur, who were—

Arthur, a sixth-level master who cultivates the art of observing qi.

Merlin, a sixth-level physician who has mastered the art of observing the body.

Grossi, a sixth-tier illusionist who practiced the Divine Art (was killed by Mei Guyu at Qiyuan).

Dan Dun, a sixth-level alchemist who cultivated alchemy (who called himself Master Danqiu and was beheaded in the Immortal Pot Cave Heaven).

Vard, a sixth-tier weapon master who has cultivated the art of microscopic manipulation.

Madara, a sixth-level geomancer who cultivates the Mind Plate Technique.

Fabre, a sixth-level physician who cultivated the art of observing the body.

At that time, the Supreme Council, with these seven Grand Elders, reached the peak of strength in the history of the Free Alliance. However, it was slightly unbalanced, lacking a sixth-level calculator who cultivated the Spirit Rhinoceros Technique, but possessing two physicians.

But not long ago, both the sixth-order alchemist Dan Dun and the sixth-order illusionist Grossi were gone.

With Hu Weidong's addition, the number of senior elders in the Supreme Council has increased to six.

Besides Arthur, Merlin should be the second most important person in the High Council. She is a nun, and it is estimated that she changed her name later. She possesses a magic mirror.

This is a private estate, and the conference hall is located inside a castle-like building within the estate. Just before entering the castle gate, Hu Weidong suddenly felt as if he were being watched, as if his entire being could be seen through.

Just as he was about to react, he received a divine thought from Merlin in his primordial spirit. Merlin told him that this was a necessary check to prevent anyone from disguising themselves or carrying contraband. She was using a divine artifact, an ancient magic mirror.

This magic mirror can see through anyone who enters the manor, making all disguises impossible to hide, and can also detect any contraband carried by individuals.

Hu Weidong had vaguely heard before that Merlin possessed a magical mirror, but he didn't know the specifics. Today, he finally confirmed that the rumors were true.

Merlin's actions were ostensibly a necessary check to prevent anyone from posing as a senior member and sneaking into the meeting. However, for a senior member to conduct such surveillance and scrutiny of other senior members was undoubtedly a display of his superior status.

Hu Weidong did not see the magic mirror with his own eyes; Merlin had already put it away when he entered the conference hall.

As Hu Weidong sat at the round table and his gaze swept over Merlin, he couldn't help but think of a famous fairy tale... The Magic Mirror? Did Merlin ever look in the mirror every day and ask—who is the fairest of them all?

Today marks the first plenary session of the Supreme Council since the seats were replenished. There are two main agenda items: first, to formally announce the addition of three new elders; and second, to discuss a recent serious leak of classified information.

Arthur has just formally introduced the three new members to the other elders.

Actually, there's no need for introductions. Whether we're familiar with each other or not, we've known each other for a long time. Besides, this matter has been discussed for many days, but it was only recently finalized.

After the introductions, there was a brief exchange of pleasantries. The big, dark-skinned guy diagonally across from me turned his head and said, "Tony, I never expected you to be sitting here!"

Hu Weidong showed no reaction whatsoever, his expression and gaze remained unchanged, and he didn't even look at the big black man, as if he hadn't heard anything at all.

Hu Weidong, who was the Mr. Mi whom He Kao had met, gave himself the English name Anthony when he first came to the United States. His full name was Anthony Hu.

The big, dark-skinned man was named Johnson, a fifth-level Zhu You practitioner who cultivated the Body Observation Technique. His level of skill indicated that he must have possessed exceptional talent.

But Hu Weidong's relationship with Johnson was not good, in fact, it was quite bad. This guy thought he was very charming, and he would try to seduce any pretty female he saw, even flirting with his daughter.

His own daughter didn't like him, and Hu Weidong had privately warned him, so he didn't continue to pester her.

The Supreme Council already has two sixth-tier physicians, Merlin and Fabre. Johnson, the fifth-tier healer, is purely a mascot who is just there to fill a spot, and this mascot always thinks he is special and remarkable.

Some time ago, the Supreme Council discussed the list of new elders, and Hu Weidong's name was one of those that had to be added. But it was Johnson who jumped out and expressed the most vehement opposition.

Johnson also casually remarked at the time that the Supreme Council already had enough Grand Elder Fabre.

What does that mean? Perhaps sitting here and looking around will make it clear.

Johnson's ancestral home is the Black Wasteland. Among the thirteen elders of the Supreme Council, he is the only one with a pure black face, while Fabre was originally the only one with an Eastern face.

After Hu Weidong joined the Supreme Council, there were now two people of East Asian descent there, both of whom were senior elders with veto power, which made Johnson very unhappy.

His crooked thoughts were written all over his face... In Hu Weidong's opinion, although Johnson's cultivation was decent, he would never be able to advance any further in this lifetime.

Seeing that Hu Weidong had no reaction, Johnson raised his voice again: "Tony, are you deaf?"

Hu Weidong still ignored him, but frowned. The nickname "Tony" sounded harsh; although it sounded like a nickname for Anthony, it was clearly inappropriate for this occasion.

Such abbreviated nicknames are only used between parents and children, or between very close friends, in private. In formal meetings of the Supreme Court, Johnson should address him as—Elder Hu.

Hu Weidong knew very well that Johnson was doing it on purpose.

Because Johnson deliberately used an accent when he called "Tony," making it sound like "Tony," as if he were greeting a stylist in a hair salon in the East.

Don't think Johnson doesn't understand this joke. This guy went to Dongguo a few years ago and when he came back, he called him "Teacher Tony" in Dongguo language in a nonchalant and joking tone.

Seeing that Hu Weidong still ignored him and even frowned, Johnson became very annoyed. He slammed his hand on the table and pointed at Hu Weidong, saying, "Tony, I'm talking to you! You're new here, you need to show enough respect to the senior veterans!"

By this time, everyone else had quieted down, watching the two with amusement. Arthur, who should have stepped in to stop Johnson and maintain order, also remained silent, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

Hu Weidong neither turned his head nor spoke, but simply waved his hand in the direction Johnson pointed, as if brushing away a fly.

Johnson instantly pulled his raised arms back, drawing them behind his back and pressing them tightly against his body. He also straightened up from a relaxed posture, as if bound by an invisible force.

His eyes were bloodshot, and when he opened his mouth to say something, he felt like he couldn't catch his breath, and he couldn't move his body or make any sound.

With a flick of his finger, Hu Weidong sent Johnson flying off his chair... The conference room door opened a crack, and Johnson flew right out of it before the heavy door slammed shut again.

The soundproofing of the meeting room doors was excellent; even when Johnson fell down in the corridor and screamed like a pig being slaughtered, no sound from outside could get in. Finally, it was quiet.

Fabre's face darkened, and he asked sternly, "Anthony, how could you do this? To attack another elder in a formal meeting of the Supreme Council is unacceptable, and you must provide an explanation that satisfies everyone!"

Hu Weidong raised his eyelids and glanced at Fabre as if he were an idiot, then said in a nonchalant tone, mimicking a line from a movie, "He wouldn't even call me Elder Hu."

He behaved rudely and improperly in the formal proceedings of the Supreme Council. What would be the point of joining the Supreme Council if I didn't behave the same way?

Merlin spoke again, "We're here to discuss business today. What's the point of getting him out of here?"

Hu Weidong: "According to the rules of procedure of the Supreme Council, all twelve people can still vote." Seeing that everyone was still looking at him, Hu Weidong looked at Arthur and said, "First Elder, may we continue the meeting?"

Arthur paused for two seconds before speaking, "Let's move on to the next topic, which is the recent large-scale leak..."

Hu Weidong interrupted again, saying, "Your Excellency First Elder, according to the rules of procedure of the Supreme Council, as a Grand Elder, I have the right to propose temporary motions in order to deal with emergencies."

Merlin asked unhappily, "What emergency? What proposal do you have?"

Hu Weidong: "Before discussing the leak, I have a simple, temporary proposal to submit to the Supreme Council for a vote. It concerns what just happened, and I propose that Johnson be stripped of his elder status!"

**
(End of this chapter)