Chapter 786: Multifaceted Human Nature
Many among the Zhang family were gnashing their teeth in anger, wishing they could pull Zhang Yuelu down and replace her themselves.
It was bad enough that Zhang Yuelu received such treatment, but even that outsider was elevated merely by association with her. This was a tremendous honor, and they had no grounds to oppose it.
When Zhang Yuelu was not yet a formidable figure, the Heavenly Preceptor had treated her coldly, not because he feared the main branch of the Zhang family, but because he was protecting her, ensuring fair treatment across the board.
Since the Heavenly Preceptor had shown no partiality, the main branch of the Zhang family had no excuse to complain. They could not publicly raise the issue of minor branches overtaking them without violating Daoist ideals of equality. So they resorted to covert methods, like sending Zhang Yuelu to Beichen Hall, which was led by their long-time rival.
But now, Zhang Yuelu had proven herself and grown powerful, becoming the youngest third-rank Youyi Daoist master and the Deputy Tiangang Hall Master. She had also made significant contributions in the recent Wuxing Mountain mission.
While Qi Xuansu was directly promoted to a third-rank Deputy Hall Master, Zhang Yuelu’s ranking in Tiangang Hall rose from the Eighth Deputy to the Sixth Deputy, with seven superintendents under her command.
However, due to the Heavenly Preceptor and Earthly Preceptor’s handover, the Fenglin war, and the upcoming Shangyuan Festival, her responsibilities had not yet been fully assigned, just like Qi Xuansu.
To the Zhang family, such a position might not seem impressive. But the key point was Zhang Yuelu’s age. How could a Deputy Hall Master in her twenties be compared to one in their seventies?
The former had the potential to contend for the position of Grand Master, while the latter might as well prepare for retirement.
Under such circumstances, the Heavenly Preceptor could rightfully show his favor toward Zhang Yuelu. After all, she was his grandniece.
If someone in the main branch of the Zhang family had been on par with Zhang Yuelu, even just slightly inferior like Qi Xuansu, then there would have been grounds for argument.