Capítulo 4: The Clan Meeting
On the day of the Ascension Conference, thousands
of people from Li Family Town gathered at the vast martial arts field in the eastern part of the town.** The place was packed with a sea of people, shoulder to shoulder, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Li Yang donned his new clothes and, along with Li Cailian, **made their way** to the conference site, both their faces beaming with joy.
**The martial arts field, where the town's men trained, measured 300 steps long from east to west and 200 steps wide from north to south.** At this moment, the enormous field was surrounded by a crowd, and a stone platform over ten feet high stood in the center, with stone steps on the east side for easy access.
On either side of the platform stood two towering stone pillars, each adorned with intricate dragon carvings, **so large that it would take a person with arms outstretched to encircle one. The atmosphere was solemn and imposing.**
**At this moment, Clan Leader Li Fojin and several leaders of the Li family stood on the stone platform.** These were the most authoritative figures in Li Family Town, including the town leader and the heads of the eight branches of the Li family, along with the influential Li Fushui, making a total of ten people.
Seeing this, Li Yang, standing below the platform, **frowned and asked, "Mother, why are we not allowed to join the discussion if our branch is part of the nine branches? Isn't the rule 'Nine Branches Deliberate Together'?"**
The rule of "Nine Branches Deliberate Together" had been a tradition in Li Family Town for over a century. For any major decisions, the clan leader had to gather the heads of all nine branches to discuss together, without acting arbitrarily. Although Li Yang's branch only had him as a male member, he still represented his branch and had the right to participate in the discussion.
Li Cailian sighed helplessly and whispered, "My child, with just the two of us left in our branch, who would take us seriously? **Don't speak now, the clan leader is about to announce the nominations."**
Li Yang felt indignant, thinking, **"They are bullying us because we are orphans and widows!"** To him, rules were meant to be followed.
**Meanwhile,** on the platform, the ten prominent figures of Li Family Town discussed in low voices. Then, Clan Leader Li Fojin raised his hand slightly, and the murmuring crowd immediately fell silent, a testament to his authority and respect among the townspeople.
Li Fojin cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Everyone, the ten-yearly Ascension Conference is about to begin. But before we start, we have an urgent matter to address." His gaze swept over the crowd as he asked, "Is anyone from the family of Li Fochen present?"
Li Fochen was Li Yang's late father. **Upon hearing the clan leader call out, Li Cailian's face lit up with joy, and she responded loudly, "We are here!"** Pulling Li Yang along, they made their way through the crowd and ascended the stone platform in a few steps.
**As soon as Li Yang and his mother stood on the platform, the crowd below began to murmur.**
"The entire branch is dead except for these two. **They get to join Taiyuan Sect by sheer luck," someone muttered.**
"What a waste! That sickly boy isn't fit for cultivation. They're squandering a slot!" another grumbled.
Despite the jealousy, most watched with cold indifference.
**Standing before the crowd for the first time, Li Yang felt a surge of nervousness, lowering his head and quietly standing behind his mother.**
The clan leader glanced disdainfully at Li Yang and his mother before nodding slightly. "Good, now that you're here, Huai Shui has something to discuss with you."
Li Yang's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Li Fushui.
**Could it be that his theft of the lamp had been discovered? Impossible! No one knew about it but him!**
Even though he was sure it wasn't exposed, Li Yang couldn't help but feel uneasy.
**Then,** Li Fushui stepped out of the crowd, holding a piece of paper. **He stared coldly at Li Yang before turning his gaze to Li Cailian. "Sister-in-law, I'm here today to collect a debt."**
The joy on Li Cailian's face vanished, replaced by confusion. **"Second brother, what are you talking about? What debt?"**
Li Fushui, with a stern expression, shook the paper in his hand before handing it to the clan leader. "Brother, please read it."
The clan leader, Li Fojin, Li Fushui's elder brother, took the paper and read it aloud with a sneer, "Today, I borrow one hundred taels of silver from my cousin Li Fushui. This note is evidence... The thirty-seventh year of Tianqi, April thirty-second. Signed, Li Fochen."
Hearing the contents of the note felt like a thunderclap over Li Yang and his mother. They stood stunned, not knowing what to do.
"Impossible! In the thirty-seventh year of Tianqi, my son wasn't even born yet... We were well-off... Why would my husband borrow so much money from you? You're lying! My husband didn't borrow any silver from you!" **Li Cailian's voice grew firm with conviction.**
Li Fushui laughed coldly, taking the note from the clan leader and waving it in the air. **"Lying? Look closely. The note is written in black and white, with Fochen's fingerprint as proof. How dare you deny it? Paying debts is a matter of course!"**
As he harshly rebuked them, Li Fushui turned to the crowd, "Everyone, tell me, should she repay the debt her husband owed me?"
**"Of course! Fochen's family is trying to dodge the debt!"**
**"There's nothing more poisonous than a widow's heart. She won't pay up!"**
**"She shouldn't have borrowed the silver in the first place!"**
The crowd erupted in harsh accusations, their voices cruel and judgmental.
Hearing the crowd's condemnation of his mother, **Li Yang felt a surge of anger, his face flushing red. He shouted, "Everyone, shut up!"**
No one expected the usually timid and weak boy to raise his voice and scold the crowd. The unexpected outburst silenced the audience. Even Li Cailian looked at her son in astonishment.
**Having inherited Zongmo Zhenren's memories, Li Yang also gained a wealth of life experience.** In an instant, he understood what was happening. This was a setup, a scheme by Clan Leader Li Fojin and Li Fushui to strip him of his chance to cultivate in the Taiyuan Sect!
**Thinking quickly, Li Yang's eyes locked onto the few who had been shouting the loudest. An idea sparked, and he said loudly, "Everyone, take a look at who these people are!"**
Pointing at one man, **Li Yang's face was filled with anger, "This man is Li Fushui's servant!"**
"And this one!" **Li Yang's gaze was sharp, "He's Li Fushui's accountant!"**
One by one, Li Yang identified seven or eight people, leaving the townspeople in shock.
On the platform, Li Fushui's face turned ashen. These people were indeed planted to support his claim. Enraged and humiliated, he shouted, **"Enough! You little brat, stop sowing discord. Today, I'm here to collect my debt!"**
Li Cailian, being a woman, was at a loss for what to do in such a situation. **But Li Yang grew calmer, quickly thinking of a strategy.**
Li Fushui had clearly forged the debt note, but Li Yang's concern wasn't about the note itself. **He was trying to understand the connection between repaying the debt and his nomination for the sect.**
Facing Li Fushui's aggression, **Li Yang took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts, and asked calmly, "Li Fushui, may I ask you a few questions?"**
Li Fushui sneered, **"You little brat! You're not qualified to speak to me."**
The insult ignited Li Yang's anger, but he suppressed it and said loudly, **"Li Fushui, I speak for my family! If my father did owe you a debt, let's clarify it in front of everyone with the townsfolk as our witnesses!"**
Li Fushui frowned. He had expected the mother and son to be overwhelmed by the accusation, making it easy to take what he wanted. **He didn't anticipate Li Yang being so difficult to deal with.**
His gaze turned cold, and he smiled wickedly, **"Fine! I'll give you a chance. Ask your questions."**
Li Yang felt a slight relief, thinking, **"If I don't clear this up today, my mother and I will be wronged, and I'll lose my place in the sect. I must stay calm, find a flaw in his story, and not let Li Fushui succeed!"**
This passage is clear and grammatically correct. The ideas are conveyed effectively, and the flow of the narrative is smooth. There are no major errors to correct. The passage has been well-written to match the style of a fantasy novel.
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