Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?! - Chapter 286

286: 286- Divided we fall?

[1] 286: 286- Divided we fall?

[1] “Listen to me!” Fang Joshua roared, voice ringing through the courtyard.

“Fang Yuan cannot save all of you.

He is just one man and he can’t stand alone against two entire kingdoms, let alone protect us all!

If we continue to follow him, he’ll only lead us to annihilation!

Follow me and let us take the offer and join the Ember-Heart Monastery.

There, we can start anew, and we can even survive!” “Survive?” someone spat back.

Fang Chen stepped forward, face flushed with fury.

“You dare speak of survival, you coward?

You retreated from your post during the Feng Clan attack!

Do you know how many of our children died that day because you abandoned your duty?!” A ripple of anger surged through the Fang clan disciples.

But Joshua didn’t even flinch.

His expression was cold, too calm, too rehearsed.

“And yet,” he said slowly, almost with pity, “that massacre only proves my point, Fang Yuan cannot protect all of you.” He swept his gaze across the gathered clan members.

His voice dropped to a venomous whisper.

“Who knows… maybe the next to die will be your own child.” A shudder rippled through the crowd like a gust of winter wind.

Parents instinctively pulled their children close, shielding them while fear began to spread.

Fang Joshua watched it take root…with a smile hidden behind his calm eyes.

Fang Chen stepped forward again, face stern, voice sharp.

“That’s never going to happen!” he barked.

“Thr Clan Head will lead us, he will save us.

You must have faith in him!” But no one echoed him and shared his voice.

His voice fell into uneasy silence, swallowed by the restless crowd, and then, like cracks forming in ice, doubt began to whisper from every direction.

“Clan Head once said that the fang family barrier was absolute,” someone murmured, “but… our relatives child was killed inside it…” “I heard the Feng assassins appeared right in the cultivation caves,” another voice whispered shakily.

“No one even sensed them coming…” “My nephew, he was only twelve…” a trembling father muttered, clutching his son protectively, “Fang Yuan promised they would be safe… but he wasn’t there when it mattered…” Those quiet voices spread like poison.

Heads turned.

Eyes flickered with fear, uncertainty, and guilt.

Fang Chen clenched his fists.

He tried to speak again but this time, even his own words sounded small in his throat.

Faith was slowly slipping.

From the back of the crowd, a calm voice cut through the noise like a blade through silk.

“If anyone wishes to leave with Fang Joshua,” Fang Yuan said, “I nor anyone will try and stop you.” The entire courtyard froze.

Heads snapped around, disciples, elders, children every single one staring wide-eyed as Fang Yuan walked forward, his expression unreadable, his presence heavy.

Sunlight caught on the dark folds of his robe, his steps unhurried, composed.

“You will only lose your Fang family name,” he continued evenly.

“Nothing else.

Take every coin, every possession you own and go join the Ember-Heart Monastery.” “C–Clan Head…” Fang Chen turned, confusion wrinkling his face.

“What are you-?

Why would you-?” He stopped when he saw Fang Yuan’s eyes.

From the other side, Fang Joshua smirked, shoulders relaxing as if victory had just fallen into his hands.

He stepped out boldly and pointed at Fang Yuan.

“What did I tell you?!” he barked, voice loud and triumphant.

“He finally admits it, he can’t protect you all!” He turned, sweeping his gaze over the frightened clansmen.

“He provoked two whole kingdoms without a thought!

He dragged us into a war we never asked for!

He’s not fit to lead!” Murmurs rippled through the crowd and some looked shaken while some looked ashamed and others looked tempted.

But Fang Yuan didn’t react to his provocation.

He stood there watching and waiting… letting the weight of his words sink into every mind present.

Fang Joshua seized on Fang Yuan’s lack of reaction like a starving dog finding meat, latching, tearing, desperate to drag others down with him.

He stepped forward again, voice rising with false righteousness.

“Do you all see how he’s speechless now?” he shouted.

“And he’s not just reckless, let me tell you this, he’s also greedy!

He didn’t even share his method of refilling the clan’s Spirit Pond in the cultivation caves!” Murmurs spread, uncertain and uneasy.

“I was appointed to guard that place for months,” Joshua went on, jabbing a thumb at himself.

“I served this clan faithfully for years but did he trust me?

No!

Because of him, the cultivation grounds lose their power every time he leaves to cultivate.

He hoards everything, power, resources, secrets!

He have no intentions to share his methods, it’s as if he wants to be the only one with sole possession of it!” He swept his arm wide, rallying the crowd.

“Is that a leader?

Someone who trusts no one but himself?

Someone who treats the rest of you like tools?

Come with me!

The Azure Phoenix Kingdom has offered us a place, we can start anew!

Under a new banner, a proud one, one with respect, with protection and with REAL leadership-” “Enough!” Fang Chen snapped, unable to hold himself back anymore.

“You-!” But before he could finish, Fang Yuan silently lifted a hand.

Fang Chen’s jaw tightened.

He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood, shoulders trembling, not from fear, but from the weight of bitter helplessness.

He wanted to shout, to argue, to curse Fang Joshua and every coward standing behind him but Fang Yuan’s raised hand had already spoken louder than any words could.

So he swallowed his anger and lowered his eyes.

Fang Yuan finally turned to him.

“Uncle,” he said calmly, “make sure you take down the names properly.

Anyone who chooses to leave, let them go.

Don’t hinder them and let them take everything they own.” His tone was steady as he continued.

“For those who walk away,” Fang Yuan continued, “their Fang name ends today.

Nothing more.” Fang Chen clenched his fists but nodded with difficulty.

“…I understand.”