Chapter 431: Fierce Election.
Inside a private courtyard sat a beautiful lady under a pavilion. Her flowing golden hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her golden eyes shimmered slightly as she became lost in deep thought.
Her focus was on the ongoing election in the human kingdom.
Since this was the first-ever election to take place on the Magma Plain, it piqued everyone's interest.
"Huh! The Wu Clan patriarch is taking the lead by a wide margin," she mused aloud.
Since becoming a guest of the store, she had spent her time learning about all the candidates vying for a seat in the cabinet.
In the Clear Wind City, the Wu Clan was the most powerful clan, boasting the largest number of supporters.
This dominance was evident in the ongoing election. As for the other clans in the city, their results were lackluster.
Apart from the Wu Clan patriarch catching everyone's attention in the Soaring Cloud Region, a seemingly unknown young master from the Tang Clan was gaining momentum.
Experience tales with empire
The Tang Clan hailed from Jadefall City. Before the election, few had noticed the clan.
They came from a strong lineage of blacksmiths. In Jadefall City, they were unrivaled in their craft, making their influence significant.
However, as the clan had hidden their strength, only a handful of people knew about them—until now.
"This is getting interesting," she muttered with a light smile on her lips.
In the Wu Clan manor, the situation was tense as all the elders stood in the main hall with pensive expressions.
The Wu Clan patriarch paced back and forth, his unease evident.
Wu Xia, his daughter, watched her father with a deep frown.
She had done her best during the campaign, urging people to vote for her father and leveraging the influence of the merchant caravans.
She had believed their clan would emerge victorious in the Soaring Cloud Region—until now.
Now, she wasn't so sure. The Tang clan's young master was gaining momentum at an alarming rate.
"Clan leader…" an elder called out in panic.
"What?!" the clan leader snapped, breaking out of his thoughts.
"C-Check the votes…" the elder stammered with a trembling voice.
'Hmm!' The patriarch frowned and sent his consciousness to his Spirit Comms.
It wasn't just him. Many others were checking the current election results as well.
In the Soaring Cloud Region, the Wu Clan was leading by only one thousand votes, and the margin was narrowing quickly.
"What is happening?!" an old elder demanded with a deep frown.
He was one of the Supreme Elders of the clan and had come out of seclusion specifically to vote.
"Oh no! There are only five hundred votes left!" Wu Xia exclaimed in panic.
Instantly, the atmosphere in the hall grew even more tense.
"We need to do something," the clan leader said in a solemn tone.
He had worked tirelessly for this opportunity, and missing it would be a lifelong regret.
"Why don't we find out what the Tang Clan is doing to make people vote for them?" a young elder suggested hesitantly.
"Right, the Tang Clan must be doing something! Quick, find out!" the clan leader shouted.
Though he tried to hide his nervousness, it was clear to everyone.
Meanwhile, on You Connect, the Tang Clan's young master was using the power of social media to campaign aggressively.
He wasn't campaigning blindly; he had made a detailed list of promises aimed at improving the lives of ordinary people in the Soaring Cloud Region.
How could ordinary people resist voting for someone who understood their plight?
While the Wu Clan enjoyed popularity in big cities, they couldn't compare to the countless towns and villages across the region.
This was where the Tang Clan was securing its votes.
While the Soaring Cloud Region's election was nerve-racking, the situation in the Imperial Capital was even more intense.
Three clans were desperately competing for the cabinet seat:
The Shin Clan, to which the former queen belonged. The Li Clan was the family of the late Prime Minister. The Du Clan was a lineage of generational military generals.
These three clans formed the strongest factions in the Imperial Capital.
On the streets, soldiers paraded solemnly, carrying the banner of the Du Clan's young master.
Not to be outdone, the Li Clan paraded influential court officials through the streets.
As for the Shin Clan, they mobilized their control over gangs and brothels to organize an extravagant parade.
Girls from the brothels promised young men free services if they voted for the Shin Clan's young miss.
Enticed by the alluring and seductive women, many young men who couldn't control their desires voted for the Shin Clan.
Instantly, the Shin Clan young miss saw a surge in votes, quickly rising in the polls.
Inside the Du Clan mansion, the old Du patriarch was furious when he saw the Shin Clan taking the lead.
"That wretched harlot!" he bellowed, slamming the table. Veins protruded from his forehead in anger.
His clan had served the kingdom for generations without asking for anything in return.
Now, when they needed just one cabinet seat, others resorted to underhanded tactics.
Standing a few feet from the table was a young man with a strong, valiant aura.
He was the Du Clan's young master, born and raised on the battlefield.
When he had first learned of the destruction of the imperial army, he had been furious and ready to charge into the Clear Wind City to challenge the Celestial Heavenly Store but was held back by the old patriarch.
Now that the store had taken over the kingdom and he realized how insignificant he was compared to its power, he was grateful for his grandfather's wisdom.
"Grandfather, what are we going to do?" his voice was filled with panic.
"Boy, relax. Do you think our clan has meant nothing all these years?" the old patriarch scoffed, a ruthless smile creeping onto his lips.
Since others were showing their fangs, how could an old general like him not have a hidden card and right now, it was time to show his hidden card.