"From now on, I, Zhang Shao, live only for myself!"

’Wolf Fang Sect, Blessed One, the Mountain and Sea Empire... you are all just stepping stones on my path. To everyone who has ever humiliated me, I will one day repay you in full, with interest!’

Zhang Shao staged the scene, making it look as though Yan Hong and Wang Chen had been killed by the overwhelming power of a Precious Treasure.

After all, Wang Chen was the Zhao Family’s son-in-law. His mysterious death was bound to cause an uproar.

Therefore, making the Qian Family the scapegoat was the best option.

A few days later, Zhao Yuqi returned to find her residence in ruins and the body of Yan Hong.

She searched everywhere for any sign of Wang Chen, but found nothing until she discovered one of his severed fingers in an inconspicuous corner.

"Brother Chen!"

Zhao Yuqi cried out in grief and fury. She knew Wang Chen was almost certainly dead.

The depth of her feelings for Wang Chen was clear from the way she had decisively broken with the Zhao Family all those years ago.

She had only recently learned of her son’s death, and now something had happened to her husband. Zhao Yuqi could hardly bear the blow and nearly fainted.

’The Qian Family... you’ve gone too far!’

After her grief subsided, Zhao Yuqi sensed dozens of residual auras left behind by Treasures scattered around the area.

’Besides the Qian Family, who else could be so extravagant?’

Besides, the only ones who had a conflict with Wang Chen and a reason to kill him were the Qian Family.

Thus, Zhao Yuqi immediately concluded that the Qian Family were the culprits.

"Brother Chen, don’t you worry. I will avenge you!"

...

On the day Nangong An was scared off by Qian Juduo, he returned to the Nangong Family only to be greeted by the furious face of the Patriarch, Nangong Yi.

"Grand Elder, who gave you the authority to convene a family meeting and place Yan’er under house arrest without permission?"

Although Nangong Yan was not of the direct lineage, she was Nangong Yi’s most beloved daughter.

He had been following Li Shimu’s orders, going with Zhao Ruifeng to release Jin Quan. He never expected to return home to the news that Nangong Yan had been put under house arrest.

Facing the accusation, Nangong An remained calm and composed. "Patriarch," he said respectfully, "Nangong Yan took it upon herself to become betrothed to someone. This is a matter grave enough to bring ruin upon our Nangong Family. As you were away, I had no choice but to shoulder the responsibility and handle it."

At this, Nangong Yi gave a cold, angry laugh. "What business is it of yours if my Yan’er gets betrothed? I, her own father, have no objection. What gives you the right?"

Nangong An’s expression remained impassive. "Patriarch, you seem to forget. Eleven years ago, Nangong Yan was already claimed by that certain personage."

"Bullshit!" Nangong Yi roared. "You think I don’t know what happened back then? You threw away all your pride and dignity to be someone’s dog. I don’t care how much you grovel and kowtow—that’s your business. But what right do you have to use my daughter as a bargaining chip to offer up to your master?"

"And don’t you dare tell me it was just an accident that she caught his eye!"

Being called an old dog, Nangong An could no longer maintain his composure. Fighting back his rage, he said in a low voice, "Patriarch, please watch your words! I did this for the good of the Nangong Family, and at the time, all the clan elders agreed to it!"

"Don’t you dare use the clan elders to pressure me!" A cold glint flashed in Nangong Yi’s eyes. "Search your heart and tell me, was it for the Nangong Family, or for yourself? Ah, my mistake. I forgot you don’t even have one."

"Patriarch, I am still the Grand Elder. Do not go too far!" Nangong An retorted. "I have acted in accordance with the wishes of the clan elders in all matters. If you have a problem, you can take it up with them. Now, if you’ll excuse me!"

With that, Nangong An gave a cursory fist-and-palm salute and led his men around Nangong Yi.

Nangong Yi’s expression was grim.

Ordinarily, Nangong An would never have dared to speak to him this way.

But the matter concerning Nangong Yan truly had the unanimous approval of the clan elders. Even as Patriarch, he was powerless to change it.

"Sigh..."

After a long moment, Nangong Yi heaved a sigh filled with helplessness.

In truth, he feared neither Nangong An nor the clan elders. He didn’t even care about his position as Patriarch.

But the power wielded by the personage who had his eye on Nangong Yan was simply too terrifying. Not even Li Shimu, let alone Nangong Yi himself, could afford to provoke him.

’Yan’er, I have failed you.’

Nangong Yi arrived outside the door to the room where Nangong Yan was confined and apologized silently in his heart.

He could release her now, of course, but what good would that do?

Knowing Nangong Yan’s fiery temperament, she would likely do something rash. After careful consideration, Nangong Yi decided to wait, at least until she had calmed down.

"Father? Is that you, Father?"

Nangong Yan’s voice suddenly came from inside the room.

Such was the bond between father and daughter; although Nangong Yan’s Cultivation was sealed, she had still sensed something, as if by fate.

Nangong Yi said nothing.

"Father, I know you’re there. I want to ask you for one thing."

Nangong Yi sighed again. "Yan’er, you know that I’m powerless to change what’s happened."

"No, Father. I’m asking for something else."

At that moment, Nangong Yan was curled up in a corner of the room. In the palm of her hand lay a pale gold scale, the size of a fingernail.

Her expression was haggard, yet she wore a faint smile, her eyes fixed on the scale.

Liu Hui had given it to her when they parted. She treasured it as a token of their love, always keeping it on her person.

Looking at the scale was like looking at Liu Hui himself.

"Tell me. As long as it is within my power, I promise you!"

"I want you to protect someone. Don’t let him die at the Grand Elder’s hands."

Nangong Yi fell silent. Of course, he knew who "he" was.

If even Nangong An could find out about Liu Hui, how could it be difficult for him, the Patriarch?

"Alright. I promise you."

Nangong Yi couldn’t bring himself to refuse. Besides, the information he had on Liu Hui gave him a small sense of anticipation.

’Perhaps... just maybe... there might be a turn of events after all?’

...

Back in his own residence, Nangong An was sullen. The image of Liu Hui’s face kept flashing through his mind.

The more he thought about it, the more familiar the face seemed. And the look in Liu Hui’s eyes... it wasn’t the look one gives a stranger. It was the look one gives an enemy.

’Could it be that he recognizes me? But why would he hate me?’

Nangong An was completely baffled.

’Hmph. Whether he recognizes me or not, just like that little bastard from eleven years ago, he must die!’

Just then, a thought struck him.

’Wait!’

The image of Liu Hui slowly superimposed over the child from his memory. The resemblance was uncanny!

’Impossible! That little bastard back then had Innate Weaknesses. He was on the verge of death when he was thrown out of the Imperial City. He couldn’t have survived more than half a year!’

’Even if he got lucky and survived, he could never have set foot on the path of the Martial Dao, much less have been qualified to enter the Imperial Academy!’

’They can’t possibly be the same person!’

Although his subconscious desperately rejected the idea, the denial grew weaker with each passing moment.

How could there be such a coincidence in the world!

In the end, Nangong An was forced to accept the fact: Liu Hui and the child from eleven years ago were one and the same.

’No wonder that bitch Nangong Yan fell for him so suddenly. So it was that bastard. He actually dared to come back!’

’But how did he overcome his Innate Weaknesses?’

Nangong An was completely baffled.

’Something isn’t right. There’s definitely something more to this! I must get to the bottom of it!’

Nangong An was a very cautious man. With this thought, he immediately left his residence and sped toward the Zhu Family’s estate.

When it came to intelligence, who was more authoritative than the Zhu Family?