Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!-Chapter 110- Hidden Sect [1]

The meeting hall soon reached a conclusion.

The senior elders, Sun, Ra, Joshua, Chen, Jingyi, and Long showed full support, nodding with firm conviction.

The younger elders like Fang Mei, Fang Ruì, Fang Bo, and Fang Yang, all looked like confused kittens, blinking at one another before nodding along, clearly following the lead of their elders.

Fang Yuan smiled faintly as he observed their responses. Support was support.

"Very well," he said, rising to his feet. "Since everyone agrees, I’ll have to request you elders overwork yourselves... just for one more month."

A round of chuckles followed.

"What’s one more month," Elder Chen said with a shake of his head, "when we’ve been grinding our bones for years?"

Laughter rippled through the hall, warm and familiar.

Then, with a soft creak, the great doors opened.

In waddled a round, chubby man dressed in layers of silken robes that strained slightly at the seams.

He walked with the kind of confidence that came from deep pockets and no shame.

Trailing just behind Felicia, Xiao Pei was mid-wink, his hand halfway through offering her a suggestive peach blossom he’d conjured out of nowhere.

"Felicia, my dear, your smile—" he began.

Then he looked up.

And froze.

Twelve elders. One clan head. And every single gaze turned to him like blades drawn in silence.

The words slipped from his fingers.

"...Ah."

He straightened his back in an instant, tucking in his belly as best he could, hands folding solemnly as he gave a too-formal bow.

"Xiao Pei greets the esteemed elders and the ever-magnanimous Clan Head," he recited, face pale and lips trembling.

"Raise your head," Fang Yuan said warmly, stepping forward and helping Xiao Pei up with both hands.

"Oh, Xiao Pei—my clan elders wanted to personally thank you for all the resources you’ve provided us."

Xiao Pei blinked. "I... did?"

Fang Yuan smiled without missing a beat. "Of course you did. Brother Dapang, why so modest?"

He slung an arm around the confused man’s shoulders. "Come, come, let me introduce you to the elders."

The poor man was whisked away before he could protest.

"First, Elder Chen," Fang Yuan gestured with theatrical pride. "I’m sure you remember him, the older brother of my aunt, Jingyi."

At the mention of Jingyi, Xiao Pei flinched as goosebumps broke across his arms.

His gaze darted toward the shadows, as if expecting her to leap out with a broom.

Thankfully, Elder Chen only stepped forward, clasping Xiao Pei’s hands in both of his.

"Ah, Benefactor!" Elder Chen beamed. "You saved us a decade ago, and now, once more you help our clan rise to greatness. Truly, we owe you much."

"...I did?" Xiao Pei asked again, voice small.

Fang Yuan let out a boisterous laugh, slapping his back hard enough to make him stumble.

"Hahaha! Brother Dapang is far too humble and with such a sharp sense of humor! Let’s go, there’s more to meet!"

And so it continued.

Elder Sun called him a pillar of generosity.

Elder Long said he would write songs about his benevolence.

Even Elder Joshua wiped a tear and muttered something about "restoring hope in the younger generation."

Compliments poured like wine, and with each one, Xiao Pei’s face grew a shade paler.

He didn’t know what he had done or if he had done anything at all but it was clearly too late to deny it now.

He’s setting me up! his mind screamed. Shao ge, what are you doing?!

Finally, they reached the last elder.

Fang Yuan’s smile turned especially wicked.

"And now, for the final introduction, my dear aunt, Jingyi."

Xiao Pei froze.

His stomach dropped.

And, in the most pitiful tone imaginable, he clutched his belly and whispered, "Brother Fang... I think my stomach’s acting up again... real bad..."

Fang Yuan raised a brow, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Oh?" he said, feigning innocence. "Shall I have my aunt escort you to the outhouse? Might be a chance to get acquainted." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Xiao Pei quickly waved his hands. "No, no! I know where to go, I prefer alone!"

Fang Jingyi stepped forward, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Well, if it isn’t little Pei Pei! Finally stopped peeking at woman during baths?"

Xiao Pei’s face flushed crimson. Fang Yuan chuckled.

"My bad, my bad," Fang Yuan said, his mirth softening into a genuine, albeit still amused, smile.

He met Xiao Pei’s exasperated glare, a look that could indeed kill and held up a placating hand, his expression shifting to something more earnest. "Alright, alright. Peace, brother."

He took a breath, his posture straightening slightly as he turned to Fang Jingyi with deliberate respect.

"Elder Jingyi," Fang Yuan began, his voice now clear and formal. "Allow me to properly introduce my sworn brother, Xiao Pei. A man of integrity, courage, and a steadfast loyalty I value above most things."

He gestured towards Xiao Pei. "Brother, this is Fang Jingyi. She raised me for several crucial years, and I hold her in the highest regard, like a mother, even if circumstances later changed that arrangement."

Fang Chen chuckled softly at the qualification.

Fang Jingyi huffed, "Hey!"

Xiao Pei, still flushed but visibly steadied by Fang Yuan’s sincere introduction and clear respect, gave a deep, respectful bow towards Fang Jingyi.

"Elder Jingyi," Xiao Pei said, bowing low, his voice sincere, "I offer my deepest apologies for the foolishness of my youth."

Fang Jingyi let out a laugh, light and unbothered. "It’s fine, child. I forgive you. Just remember, I’m old enough to be your mother."

That remark made Xiao Pei freeze.

His blush deepened from crimson to near violet as he straightened, clearly unsure whether to apologize again or bury himself in the courtyard tiles.

Fang Yuan, grinning, placed a firm hand on Xiao Pei’s shoulder and gently pulled him upright and aside.

"Alright, alright," he said, chuckling. "Let’s not drown him in shame. Today is a day of celebration, after all."

He turned to the elders, expression sharpening with theatrical importance.

"And in the spirit of celebration, I would like to share a secret."

Elder Joshua, ever the polite and curious one, leaned forward with a small nod. "Oh? A secret, Clan Head Fang? You’ve piqued this old man’s interest."

Fang Yuan’s smirk widened. He clasped his hands behind his back, posture straight and commanding.

"I belong to a secluded sect," he said, voice calm but rich with undertone.

Beside him, Xiao Pei blinked. "You do?"

Fang Yuan completely ignored him.

Instead, he gave Xiao Pei a casual push forward, as though presenting a prized heirloom to the room.

"And this," he continued, voice booming just slightly, "this man here, my sworn brother, Xiao Pei is none other than the Grand Elder of that very sect."

Xiao Pei stumbled a step, as if the floor had tilted beneath him.

His eyes snapped to Fang Yuan, lips parted, caught between forming words and swallowing disbelief.

"I... am?" he breathed, the words barely audible, more a reflex than a statement.

His gaze darted, searching for clues, an escape, perhaps even divine intervention. None came.

The room around him buzzed, oblivious.

The elders leaned forward in their seats, eyes gleaming with shock, excitement and interest.

Their awe clung to Fang Yuan like incense smoke, thick and distracting.

None of them saw the bewilderment painting Xiao Pei’s face a deeper shade of regret.

Xiao Pei slowly turned his head toward Fang Yuan, expression tight with disbelief, betrayal and confusion.

Fang Yuan didn’t miss a beat. He leaned in, voice low, calm, conspiratorial.

"I’ll explain later," he murmured, his tone smooth as silk laced with mischief. "For now... just play along. Grand elder."