"Father, who is that young punk? Does he really deserve what you're doing for him?"

"Liu Qing may not be your biological daughter, but you can't use her in this manner."

"How could you just give her up to a complete stranger?"

An intense argument was taking place in Liu Chuandao's study.

Liu Chuandao simply sat there and sipped his tea calmly. He didn't seem bothered by what his two sons had said to him.

He knew that they weren't genuinely worried for Liu Qing. They were worried for themselves.

"Father, you can't hand Qingshan Sect over to an outsider!" his eldest son, Liu Zong, blurted out when Liu Chuandao kept silent. "What would the elders think? What would the rest of the disciples think?"

"That's right, Father. My brother is right. Qingshan Sect's been around for hundreds of years. We can't let a stranger destroy what we've built."

Liu Chuandao's two sons were wracked with anxiety and fury. But they had to control their emotions in Liu Chuandao's presence. They dared not challenge him openly.

Liu Chuandao didn't say a word. He merely looked up, gave his sons a look, then shook his head slightly.

His message was as clear as day. They weren't allowed to interfere in this matter. Nothing they said was going to change that.

"Father!"

The two young men exchanged a look with each other, then fell to their knees with a loud resounding thud.

"This is an important matter that requires careful deliberation. It concerns the future of the sect. Please reconsider your decision!" Luo Zong and Luo Heng shouted in unison.

"You believe that I made this decision without considering everything carefully, huh." Liu Chuandao placed his teacup down and stared at his sons. "Perhaps you believe that you know better. Maybe you should be the sect leader instead."

The tone of his voice grew frostier as he spoke. He slammed his fist onto the table suddenly, startling Liu Zong and Liu Heng. Their hearts skipped a beat.

"I know exactly what you're thinking!" Liu Chuandao hollered. "You're trying to protect your own interests. Do you really think that I don't know what you're up to? I'm glad that you stopped fighting each other and teamed up to speak to me on this matter. But I'd be a lot happier if you worked in unison to strengthen the sect!"

He seemed a little disappointed.

His sons had spent years pouring all their attention and energy into the fight for power.

They cared only for themselves and their future. They fought openly and privately, through both honest and underhanded means. They hardly resembled brothers at all.

In fact, they had been eyeing his position for a very long time. They were waiting for him to retire and appoint one of them as his successor.

They weren't qualified to be the sect leader right now.

The two brothers dared not say a word.

"I know what I'm doing. I don't need

I

you telling me what I should or

should not do," Liu Chuandao

scoffed. "I wouldn't have to resort this if you have the capability to shoulder the responsibilities of a

sect leader. Listen carefully

you

want something, you'll have to work

hard and fight for it. Do you

understand?"

"Yes!" The two brothers nodded in unison.

Liu Chuandao's outburst had driven them into a subdued silence. They dared not say another word.

It didn't matter how bitter or angry they felt. There was nothing they could do about it.

Liu Chuandao was still the sect leader while neither of them was.

Liu Zong and Liu Heng left the study. The look on their faces shifted instantly. The look they gave the other was a look that one gave to a stranger.

"I told you Our father's using that

guy. He's just a tool," Liu Heng said.

"I was right. This is a test. Let's have

a fai fight over the position of the sect leader. May the best man win."

Liu Zong narrowed his eyes, then walked away without saying anything.This belongs to - ©.

Liu Chuandao's attitude had been clear. One of them was going to be the next sect leader. They were his real sons, after all.

Jiang Ning was just going to be a son-in-law. Liu Qing wasn't even related to Liu Chuandao by blood. As her husband, Jiang Ning had neither power nor authority in the

sect.