The power distribution in the Mu Household is as follows;
Patriarch: This was the highest position of authority in the Mu Household and the leader of the entire organization. The Patriarch had the final say and rule in all matters, and his words held absolute sway. In the current generation, the Golden Sovereign Mu Wudi was the Patriarch of the Mu Household.
Grand Elder: This position was just below the Patriarch and possessed complete governing authority over each of the individual 'Halls.' The Mu Household possessed eighteen (18) such Halls, and therefore by extension, there were eighteen Grand Elders in the Mu Household.
Hall Elders: Each 'Hall' possessed a directory board of overseers called the 'Hall Elders.' These Hall Elders formed a council, the size of which ranged from a minimum of three members and a maximum of twelve members, and were tasked with overseeing and maintaining the operations of their assigned Halls. They possessed the power of vote in the operation and direction of their halls and were the decision-makers for most day-to-day operations.
Hall Heads: The Hall Head was a managerial position and held a position that was similar to the Hall Elders. Unlike the latter, however, this position was more involved with the operations of their respective Halls. They also held the power to vote and direct but had to defer to the instructions of the Hall Elders should the former be in agreement.
Hall Vice-Heads: A position just below the Hall Head, the Hall Vice-Head(s) was also a managerial position. Their authority and influence were limited to the various departments and sub-halls within the greater entity, and are akin to 'Captains' in an army.
Foreman: They were the leaders of a small group of ground-level workers. The formers were, basically, glorified assistants for the management as they took care of all annoying and minor errands. They held little to no meaningful authority. In most cases, the foremen were simply bullies who liked to use their strength and nonexistent position to push around the weaker workers.
Workers: The lowest ground-level position. Their only job was to arrive every day at their respective halls and work. They possessed some rights and benefits but were still targets of heavy oppression and bullying. They earned very meagre wages and daily toed the line of poverty.
Servants: The 'Servant Class' possessed a detailed and intricate class system and distribution of power. From the broader perspective, however, they were no better than glorified slaves. Servants, no matter the class, did not possess the autonomy of life and had to defer to every whim of their masters. They were indentured labourers with a 'life-debt' to the Mu Household.
Slavery had been abolished by the Heavenly Spirit Tower before the advent of the New Calendar Era. Hence, there were no 'slaves' in the Mu Household, only indentured servants.
Such was the administration network of the Mu Household; a bloated bureaucratic mess with rampant corruption, and where each Hall engaged in a war of intrigue with the others to secure greater wealth and benefits.
Such was the reality of one of the world's strongest organizations.
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Cloud Crane Pavilion.
The Cloud Crane Pavilion was famed within the Mu Household for two reasons; first, its picturesque scenery and elegant construction made it appear as if it was an immortal cloud floating above the heavens. Faint, cloud-like white mist suffused everywhere while the roads and buildings were constructed out of white jade. Avian species of a splendid variety called this place their home and could be found singing and playing throughout the pavilion. One could feel themselves being cleansed from simply entering this area.
The second reason why the Cloud Crane Pavilion was famed throughout the Mu Household was because of its proximity to the Peach Blossoms Palace; the residence of the Golden Sovereign's immortal fairy-like wives.
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It was a popular rumour among the workers of the Household that by simply entering this pavilion there was a chance to catch a glimpse at the otherworldly countenances of the immortal fairies.
Usually, Cloud Crane Pavilion was serene and scarcely occupied. Today, however, the pavilion buzzed with grand celebration as the Mu Family welcomed their newest member into their fold
The twenty-one-year-old youth, Mu Wuzhi, was now pronounced as the Mu Household's 'Second Son.'
Cloud Crane Pavilion was abounding with excited chatter as news of Wuzhi's strength and exploits –those that had occurred within the Mu Household grounds— had already spread and reached the ears of everyone present. Most elders and seniors of the family were beyond ecstatic as the youth's ability appeared second-only to Yuelong, and that was only because Yuelong was the heaven-blessed 'Star!'
While some people were still hesitant and doubtful about his rumoured wits and ability, a short conversation with the youth himself made them realize just how mistaken they were in their perception!
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"Indeed. The son of a dragon is also a dragon!"
Such comments and praises were heard en masse.
The world of high nobility was one of carefully crafted traps of sophistry and schadenfreude. While a newcomer would most definitely fall prey to such traps and irreversibly embarrass themselves before the eyes of society, Wuzhi was forged in the fires of subtlety and sarcasm. His quick wits and gift of gab earned him the respect of most, and the ire of some.
Indeed, as impossible as it sounded, there existed some who were irked by the very existence of the young scholar. Throughout this event, these people repeatedly tried to cast nets to snare and trap Wuzhi to humiliate him. Their efforts, however, fell short as the young scholar masterfully evaded these with his ability.
As Wuzhi's image continued to grow better and better in the eyes of the family, the haters, who were irked by him, finally spoke that which should not have been spoken.
"The ancients have said that it is the environment and company that one keeps that makes that person. This guy, even though he possesses the blood of the noble Mu Family in his veins, at the end of the day, isn't he simply a filthy vagrant who has crawled in the mud with the pigs for all these years?"
The one who spoke these words was a youth named Mu Junhao, the second son of the Mu Family before Wuzhi's arrival, born to the Golden Sovereign from his eleventh wife.
Mu Junhao, cheeks flushed with redness, stared at the Wuzhi as if he were staring at some disgusting insect. He then continued to speak in a voice loud enough to resound across the entirety of Cloud Crane Pavilion.
"And you people want to hand over the title of 'Second Son' to such a person? Have any one of you spared a thought to what the outside world would think of us? Let me tell you what they will think; they will think that any bastard with the slightest trace of the noble Mu bloodline will be admitted into the family and be bestowed with honours undeserving of such pigs!"
"All of you are parading him as if he is some messiah but have any of you considered whether he's telling the truth at all? He tells us that he is Lord Father's son, but how come I don't see any resemblance at all?"
"Silver-coloured eyes, indigo-coloured hair; let us forget for a second that he doesn't share any of the Mu Family's distinguishing features but just look at him," he gestured at Wuzhi, "did any of you ever confirm whether he is a man at all and not some wh*re dressed up like a man?"
"Second Young Master! You are going too far!!!" Someone roared from somewhere.
Hearing that, a twisted smile appeared on Mu Junhao's face. "Oh? So now you remember that I am the SECOND young master. Thank you for reminding me. For a moment, I had forgotten this; what with all of you pandering to this bastard with your disgusting flattery."
The atmosphere within the pavilion reached a complete freezing point. Most gazed at Mu Junhao to see whether he had lost his mind. They then turned to check Wuzhi's expression, only to be inevitably reminded of the Second Young Master's words. While his words were degrading and crass, some truth did exist within.
A person born into a commoner household was called a commoner. A person born into a princely household was called a prince. The blood that flowed within the veins of both these individuals was red; however, their statuses were as far apart as heaven and earth.
The crux of this distinction stemmed from the 'environment' that they were born in. A pig, no matter how elegantly dressed, was still a pig at the end of the day.
Most seniors and elders of the Mu Household held an antiquated and backward mindset, and it was precisely this aspect that Mu Junhao took into consideration while attacking Wuzhi with his words. It went without saying that by speaking such words in public, he had forever tarnished his image and reputation. That said, by doing so, he had also tarnished Wuzhi's reputation.
Now, whenever someone looked at Wuzhi, they would inevitably be reminded of his words, resulting in the formation of a bias.
'Bastard! Heaven knows what hole you crawled out from to steal my position, but don't think for a single second that I will go away without a fight! Fight! Let's fight! So what if you are stronger than me!? If I can't punch you then I can still smear you with shit!!' Mu Junhao cursed within his mind.