The subtle changes on the scene soon became apparent. Those who had initially supported the Grand Elder suddenly moved to Xiu Nu's side, casting their votes for her.
The Grand Elder, who had expected a sure win, watched this unfold with a darkening complexion.
"Traitors, these traitors! I am the Pavilion Master of Hong Xiu Pavilion..." she cursed inwardly in anger.
However, compared to these two, Ning Beichen had only a meager dozen votes and was long out of the running.
Yet, Ning Beichen remained unhurried, content to watch the spectacle.
"Alright, the voting has concluded. Xiu Nu has garnered the most votes. I now announce Xiu Nu as the interim Pavilion Master of Hong Xiu Pavilion," the host declared loudly.
The Grand Elder felt a sharp pain in her chest, as she had been the most promising candidate for the position.
Just as everyone was about to pay homage to the new Pavilion Master, Ning Beichen stood up and declared in a clear voice.
"Hong Xiu Pavilion belongs to my Shiniang. No one else can claim it unless my Shiniang herself does."
His words were met with a chorus of insults.
"Who do you think you are? You only get to stand here because we allow it. Otherwise, you wouldn't even have the right to be here."
"Exactly! You're not even from Hong Xiu Pavilion. What right do you have to be the Pavilion Master? You have the audacity to run for it. If I were you, I'd find a hole and hide."
"Kick him out! This is Hong Xiu Pavilion, and we won't tolerate his disruption."
"Get out, get out! You're not welcome here."
"Get out..."
The hall erupted in a torrent of curses, everyone demanding Ning Beichen's expulsion.
Even those close to Ning Beichen, like Yaoyao, felt a sense of despair. They had never anticipated such a turn of events.
Ning Beichen let out a cold laugh. The ancient bronze sword behind him unsheathed instantly. The individuals who had been shouting the loudest moments before were now decapitated.
Ning Beichen's silent act of killing, the bloody scene that followed, immediately struck fear into many.
"I don't care who becomes the Pavilion Master. The premise is that my Shiniang is no longer here, that she is dead. Otherwise, today, no one will be the Pavilion Master."
The ancient bronze sword hovered beside Ning Beichen, its tip still dripping blood, exuding an aura of menace.
However, not everyone was intimidated. Some individuals with powerful cultivation remained unfazed.
A woman adorned with a red flower launched herself through the air, sword aimed at Ning Beichen.
"Die!"
Seeing this, Yaoyao and the others cried out in alarm, desperately trying to intervene.
But the woman attacked with sudden ferocity, leaving Yaoyao and her companions no time to react.
Clearly, they had gravely underestimated Ning Beichen's strength.
Before the woman could even reach Ning Beichen, the ancient bronze sword struck her across the face, sending her flying back, her mouth bloody and her teeth gone.
Ning Beichen did not kill her, not out of mercy, but for interrogation.
With a flick of his palm, Ning Beichen pulled the woman towards him. Grasping her by the neck, he questioned her.
"Do any of you recognize her?"
Strangely, everyone from Hong Xiu Pavilion shook their heads. Not a single person recognized the woman.
Ning Beichen's suspicions were confirmed.
"Xiu Nu, aren't you going to explain?"
Ning Beichen released his grip on the woman's neck and turned to Xiu Nu, who stood nearby.
"I don't know what you're talking about. She's a new recruit I brought in; she hasn't even been registered yet. On the other hand, you killed several disciples of Hong Xiu Pavilion without a word. I'd like to ask who gave you the authority!" Xiu Nu retorted sharply to Ning Beichen's questioning.
"The Pavilion Master is right! Quickly arrest him! Don't let him escape," the members of Hong Xiu Pavilion clamored.
"Now, as the Pavilion Master, I order you to arrest Ning Beichen!" Xiu Nu pointed at Ning Beichen and declared sternly.
"Why the rush? Are you feeling guilty or flustered?" Ning Beichen released his grip and flicked a finger at the woman's abdomen. He then gave Abu a look. Instantly, the woman's eyes became dazed.
"Now, answer me. What is your name? Where are you from? Who sent you here?" Ning Beichen ignored Xiu Nu and began interrogating the captured woman.
"I... I am Tang Feng, an assassin from Lie Yu Lou. Someone hired me to support Xiu Nu in becoming the Pavilion Master and to help her deal with any trouble." The woman's soul was ensnared by the Black Flood Dragon, her mind no longer her own. Whatever Ning Beichen asked, she would instinctively answer truthfully.
"Nonsense! You must have done something to her," Xiu Nu exclaimed, seeing her own panic begin to show.
"Fine, let's say I did something to her. Then what about these individuals?" Ning Beichen asked, pointing at the people he had killed earlier with a cold smile.
"They were all disciples of Hong Xiu Pavilion, but now they are dead at your hands!" Xiu Nu stated.
"Are you sure they were truly disciples of Hong Xiu Pavilion?" Ning Beichen inquired with a smile.
"Of course, I'm sure! Who here doesn't recognize them?" Xiu Nu confidently replied.
"Exactly, Pavilion Master! Why waste words with him? He's just targeting you because he couldn't become the Pavilion Master," others chimed in.
"Pavilion Master, there's no need to be polite with such a despicable person."
"Ning Beichen, you've caused trouble repeatedly. What are your true intentions!"
"All of you, shut up!" Ning Beichen's roar silenced their clamor. He then spoke.
"With your intelligence, what can you do besides be manipulated like puppets? Open your dog-like eyes and look properly." Ning Beichen flicked his arms, revealing the true faces of those he had killed, and showing several human skin masks on the ground.
"Do you still think the same now?" Ning Beichen asked, pointing at the unfamiliar faces revealed after removing the masks.
"What's going on?"
"How is this possible?"
"Who are they? Why were they impersonating our Hong Xiu Pavilion disciples?" The members of Hong Xiu Pavilion erupted in confusion, disbelief etched on their faces as they stared at the strangers beneath the removed masks.
"If your memories haven't failed you, you should recognize them. These are the very people who supported and enthusiastically voted for Xiu Nu. Isn't that right, Xiu Nu?" Ning Beichen addressed Xiu Nu.
"Xiu Nu, so it was you all along!" The first to react was the Grand Elder, who had been puzzled as to why so many who had promised her support had suddenly turned traitor.
"This is just your one-sided story. What evidence do you have to prove these individuals are connected to me?" Xiu Nu naturally refused to admit anything.