God of Pets

Chapter 877 No happy ending
Although Xiu Jieming's reputation is not as high as that of the geniuses of those big families, all the big families know that there is such a person, and they also know that this person's talent is excellent.

After entering the Great Cave Heaven, Xiu Jieming cultivated in the Qin family's Great Cave Heaven. The Xiu family and the ancestral court gradually drifted apart, and the Xiu family became less and less favored by the ancestral court and Qi Tianxin. On the contrary, the Xiu family became closer and closer to the Qin family.

Xiu Jieming's decision to run for office this time is definitely the decision of the Xiu family, but it's hard to say that the Qin family isn't behind it.

What appears to be a simple election for presiding judge may actually be a power struggle among ten major families.

This event will not only affect Chen Guan, but will also have a great impact on the future situation and direction of the entire country.

A light drizzle was falling from the sky. Chen Guan, holding an umbrella, walked across the rain-soaked stone path and arrived at a stone pavilion built over a small river.

A beautiful woman with a slender and tall figure was already standing in the stone pavilion, gazing at the small river where raindrops were stirring up countless bubbles.

"Lord Chen, it's been a long time." The woman turned around, her smile exceptionally bright, as if the sky itself had cleared up in her smile.

"How should I address you? Should I call you Judge's sister from now on?" Chen Guan said with a smile.

Xiu Yingmei chuckled: "If you want to be addressed that way, I'd be happy to accept it, but whether it can become a reality depends on whether you're willing to lend me a hand."

"Is it to help you or to help the family?" Chen Guan asked.

"Isn't it the same?" Xiu Yingmei asked.

“Of course they’re different. Helping you is a favor you do for me, but helping the Xiu family is a favor the Xiu family does for me,” Chen Guan said.

Xiu Yingmei understood what Chen Guan meant: he was saying that he had no connection with the Xiu family, so there was no reason for him to show any favoritism.

"What if it's to help my older brother, Xiu Jieming?" Xiu Yingmei's smile faded, and she asked seriously.

"For your sake, of course I'll help." Chen Guan then closed his umbrella, shook off the rain, and set it aside. He sat down on a chair in the stone pavilion and looked at Xiu Yingmei, asking, "What does Xiu Jieming want me to do?"

“My brother has already secured the support of the Qin, Chu, Zhang, and Xia families, but to be elected, he needs more than half of the elder seats, which is the Heavenly King’s vote. My brother said that you have a good relationship with the Jiang family and hopes that you can step forward to persuade the Jiang family to support him,” Xiu Yingmei said.

"I'm afraid I don't have that much influence. I can only try my best, but even if I can persuade the Jiang family, that's only half. We're still short one seat," Chen Guan said.

Xiu Yingmei said, "My elder brother said that as long as you go to the Jiang family as an intermediary, this matter will definitely be resolved. As for the remaining seat, my elder brother will go and talk to the Dushan Sect."

"Are there no other options?" Chen Guan was somewhat surprised, not expecting that Xiu Jieming's target would be Du Tianwang.

"The Feng family has always supported Chief Qi. Feng Tianwang's most beloved daughter is Chief Qi's wife. This family is irresistible."

"The Ji family dares not offend anyone now, so they are most likely to abstain from the vote."

"The Gong family thrives on chaos; they can only fish in troubled waters. Otherwise, they'll never have a chance to get back the resources they've lost. Keeping Chief Qi in his position is the best option for them, one that aligns with the interests of Tianxu Palace."

"As for the merchants, they are businessmen who can make money in times of chaos. They don't want our Xiu family to take the position of judge and bring China back on track."

Xiu Yingmei sighed and said, "So we don't have many options. We're working hard in all aspects, but having an exclusive platform is the most likely to succeed. But it's only a possibility. The Heavenly King's mind is hard to fathom, and whether we can persuade him is still an unknown."

Xiu Yingmei looked into Chen Guan's eyes and continued, "It's fortunate that you're here. As long as you can persuade the Jiang family to support my elder brother, the Ji family is very likely to abstain from voting. Even if we can't defeat the Dushan Sect, we can still win. The key to this battle lies with you." "I can only give it a try. Such a major event is not child's play or trivial. Although I have some friendship with the young people of the Jiang family, whether I can persuade them to support Xiu Jieming is still unknown. Don't place all your hopes on me," Chen Guan said.

"Big brother said that you just need to do your best. It doesn't matter if you fail. Big brother has his own plans. But he also said that as long as you go, the Jiang family will most likely agree," Xiu Yingmei said.

"He seems even more confident than I am," Chen Guan said with a smile. "If I succeed in this, what benefits will Xiu Jieming give me?"

"You just said you were doing me a favor, but you actually want something in return?" Xiu Yingmei rolled her eyes at him, but then continued, "You and Judge Qi are mortal enemies. Wouldn't it be the greatest benefit for you if Judge Qi fell?"

“That makes sense,” Chen Guan said calmly.

Xiu Yingmei burst out laughing at him, unable to stop laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Chen Guan asked.

“Big brother was right after all. You can’t be swayed without some benefits.” Xiu Yingmei stopped laughing and said, “If you succeed, I’ll marry you and make you the brother-in-law of the Chief Judge. Wouldn’t that count as a benefit?”

Chen Guan was slightly taken aback, then smiled wryly and said, "I've already been fooled once. Do you think I'd fall into the same trap twice?"

"You won't even have a chance to fall, and I don't agree to it either." Xiu Yingmei pouted and said, "Big brother said that as long as he can take over, he can let you reorganize the Heavenly Court Army. Moreover, the Heavenly Court Army will be independent of the Ancestral Court system and will be under your full management. No one in the Ancestral Court, including him, can interfere in any affairs of the Heavenly Court Army. Everything in the Heavenly Court Army will be up to you."

"Are you treating me like the second Commander-in-Chief?" Chen Guan laughed.

“No, you are Chen Guan, not anyone else. These are my elder brother’s exact words,” Xiu Yingmei said solemnly.

"Okay, then I wish us a pleasant cooperation." Chen Guan was very satisfied with this promise.

Rebuilding the Heavenly Army is something Ji Nanhong really wants to do, and Chen Guan also needs a legion that can act legitimately.

"It's a pleasure to work with you." Xiu Yingmei extended her hand to Chen Guan.

Chen Guan paused for a moment before reaching out and shaking hands with Xiu Yingmei.

The light rain outside the pavilion had stopped sometime ago, and the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, casting a beautiful rainbow on the misty, damp river.

The rainbow was right behind Xiu Yingmei, making it look as if she was bathed in a seven-colored halo, an indescribably strange and beautiful sight.

"That's settled then. I'll be going now. I'll go to the Jiang family tomorrow." Chen Guan let go of Xiu Yingmei's hand, picked up his umbrella, and headed out of the stone pavilion.

The sun, which had just peeked out, was then covered by dark clouds again, and drizzle began to fall from the sky.

Chen Guan opened his umbrella, took two steps, then stopped. Without turning back, he simply said, "I'm afraid my life is destined to end badly. Getting too close to me won't do you any good."

These words seemed to be spoken to Xiu Yingmei, yet also to himself, without beginning or end. After speaking, Chen Guan continued walking forward and soon disappeared into the rain.

Xiu Yingmei looked in the direction Chen Guan had left, sighed, and muttered to herself, "The meaning of life is never the day it ends."

(End of this chapter)