Upon hearing Matthew York's words, Ethan York's face immediately showed an expression of excitement and exhilaration. Becoming the successor of the clan head was an immense honor for him. By obtaining the position of successor, he would also be the most qualified to marry Emily York in two years, and would have an even greater chance of becoming the clan head of The York Family in the future. By then, The York Estate would be under his command!

Henry York frowned slightly. Although he knew that Charles York's meridians had already recovered, it had only been a few days since the recovery, and he was in no condition to compete for the position of successor.

"The competition for the position of successor will be held three months from now," Henry York said after some thought.

"Why set it for three months later? That doesn't conform to the ancestral rules!" Matthew York argued vehemently.

"Big brother already said it will be held three months later. Elder York, aren't you being a bit too impatient? Can't you even wait three months?" David York said in a deep voice from the side.

"Seven days from now is the ancestral worship ceremony. Why not hold it during the ceremony? Why wait three months? If the clan head can give a convincing reason, we will naturally accept it!" Matthew York pressed on, thinking to himself that Henry York was stalling for time. The longer this drags on, the more likely things will change—he absolutely could not allow any delay.

"There is no reason. As the clan head, do I not even have the authority to make such a decision?" Henry York snorted coldly. He glanced around at the many clan members' eager faces, looked over at Charles York, and sighed inwardly. Once Charles York's strength improved, he would definitely help Charles York reclaim the position of successor. But to hand over the ancestral seal, which represented the family's authority, to Ethan York and Matthew York in just seven days left him unwilling.

"Is the clan head going to act arbitrarily again?" Matthew York sneered. "Three years ago, the clan head acted on his own, causing The York Family to fall into such a predicament. Tell me, where does The York Estate rank among the Eighteen Forts of Lianyun now? The ancestral rules cannot be broken. If the clan head insists, I will join the elders' council in impeaching the clan head!"

What Matthew York referred to three years ago was when Henry York ordered the entire clan to use all their resources to save Charles York. The rare medicinal herbs consumed at that time amounted to more than five years' income for The York Estate, and later Charles York used a large number of Qi Gathering Pills.

Hearing Matthew York's words, Charles York clenched his fists tightly. This statement revealed Matthew York's true intentions—Matthew York simply wanted Charles York dead!

Henry York snorted coldly and looked toward the council of elders. The five elders sat upright, all with their heads lowered, not daring to meet Henry York's gaze.

"I, Henry York, became the head of The York Estate at seventeen. At that time, The York Estate was on the verge of being expelled from the Eighteen Forts of Lianyun. In over twenty years, The York Estate's strength even once caught up with Yun Family Fort. If I say it will be three months later, then it will be three months later. There will be no change. If you want to impeach me, then go ahead." Henry York's tone was resolute, exuding a powerful aura.

Matthew York's face turned livid with anger. He understood that he could do nothing to Henry York. Henry York's prestige in The York Estate was unmatched. For the five elders to jointly impeach him, all clan members would have to vote, only then could Henry York be removed as clan head. He simply could not shake Henry York's position in the family. However, he was determined to push his son into the position of successor—this would never change!

"The clan head is so domineering, it's hard to win the people's support. When the old clan head returns, I will report everything to him and let him decide!"

Matthew York could only swallow his anger.

"Father, the selection of the successor is a major family event. Let's set it for the ancestral worship ceremony in seven days," Charles York suddenly stepped out from the crowd and bowed to Henry York. He did not want his own situation to affect his father's prestige within the family.

Charles York's sudden voice stunned the members of The York Family. They hadn't expected Charles York to step forward at this moment.

There were a few sighs from the crowd. Charles York was the clan head's son, and given their feelings for Henry York, they would be more than willing to let Charles York become the next clan head. But now, Charles York's meridians were completely severed—he was a cripple. In this world where strength was everything, a cripple could never lead the entire family.

Ethan York glanced at Charles York and snorted coldly. Did this cripple still harbor delusions of becoming the successor? The position of successor would still be decided by martial competition, as per the ancestral rules—this would never change!

Henry York looked at Charles York for a long moment, then sighed and said in a deep voice, "Then let it be set for the ancestral worship ceremony in seven days!" He also understood that if the selection of the successor was postponed for three months, it would draw much criticism. He had originally intended to withstand the pressure for Charles York's sake, but seeing Charles York say this, he relented.

Matthew York cast a gloomy glance at Charles York. He didn't quite understand why Charles York would step forward at this moment, but then he thought, Charles York was already a cripple, so whether it was set for seven days or three months later made no difference. Did this cripple still want to compete with his son for the position of clan head?

The clan meeting dispersed, and the clan members discussed the upcoming ancestral worship ceremony in seven days, full of emotion.

A messenger hawk flapped its wings and flew northward—it was meant to deliver a message to the old clan head.

The York Estate, Henry York's residence.