Volume 10, Chapter 660 – Interrogation (Part 2)

“You ignorant fools! A bunch of mere prisoners, and you dare act so presumptuously!”

One of the Wenren family’s old servants quickly reacted. Like a dog whose tail had been stepped on, he jumped up in rage. His Divine Sense, at the early stage of the Divine Realm, surged forward and crushed toward Qi Huang and the others.

Cheng Hongling calmly released her own Divine Sense shield, blocking the servant’s pressure a full ten feet away, unmoving like a mountain.

The old servant grew furious and humiliated, straining desperately to strengthen his Divine Sense. His features twisted, veins bulging on his forehead, but no matter how much effort he exerted, it was useless.

The reason was simple: though both were at the third level of the Divine Realm, Cheng Hongling had used the Tongming Comb since childhood, refining her Divine Sense far beyond her cultivation base. How could someone of the same realm possibly compete with her?

Qi Huang, meanwhile, ignored the entire confrontation. She casually took out a small table and set it up in front of her. Placing an assortment of fruits and pastries on top, she waved to a few senior martial sisters.

“Come, come, come, eat, eat, eat! Don’t be shy. We’ll eat until they feel like talking; we’ve got all day.”

The Wenren family members instinctively looked over, only to see that among the “fruits and pastries” were numerous precious spiritual fruits and rare medicinal herbs. Their eyes widened in disbelief. Who would have thought this country girl would casually take out such treasures… and use them as snacks? Even the Wenren family, renowned for their wealth, wasn’t this extravagant.

“Alright, once we’re full, we’ll slowly wear those old men down. I really want to see whose life lasts longer!”

“Wow, this blue fruit… I’ve never seen it before! Not only does it smell incredible, but one bite makes your mouth water instantly! The taste is divine!”

“Of course! This fruit is an essential spiritual herb for water-element cultivators attempting to break through to the Divine Realm.”

“What? Then isn’t it a waste to eat it like this? Should we… ask if they want some? Judging by their clothes, they seem quite wealthy.”

The senior sisters ignored the Wenren family completely, chatting and laughing as they savored the rare treats. What was supposed to be a solemn interrogation had now become a lively gourmet tasting event.

“These women are outrageous! Who do they think we are? Is this place a tavern? They even set up a dining table right in front of us!”

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“Can’t anyone rein them in? If word of this spreads, the dignity of our Wenren family, the foremost cultivation clan of the Changming Kingdom, will be ruined!”

“Who’s interrogating whom now? They’re feasting on delicacies, while we’re just sitting here like fools!”

Humiliated beyond measure, the Wenren family members gritted their teeth, their pride stung deeply.

“Hmph!”

At that moment, a tall, broad-shouldered young man finally acted, the same one who had fought against Cheng Hongling during the Honghua Sect incident. Without holding back, he unleashed his mid-stage Divine Realm Divine Sense like a tidal wave.

This was Wenren Yun, son of Wenren Qing!

Cheng Hongling’s expression hardened as she fully released her Divine Sense, meeting his head-on. The two forces clashed violently, compressing the surrounding air until it twisted and warped. Even a passing insect would be instantly pulverized.

The two locked horns, neither yielding, locked in a fierce struggle for dominance.

Wenren Yun’s expression gradually shifted from arrogance to shock. He could clearly sense her cultivation was slightly lower than his, so why couldn’t he suppress her? Why had he failed twice now to gain the upper hand? It was as if he had seen a ghost.

Qi Huang did not intervene. She knew her true body’s temperament well. Unless the opponent’s strength was overwhelmingly greater, she would never accept outside help.

From his grandmaster’s chair, Wenren Jun’s eyes glinted sharply. He raised a hand and commanded, “Yun, stand down.”

Though Wenren Yun’s face showed clear reluctance, he obediently withdrew.

“I truly did not expect that someone like you would emerge from a place like the Western Radiance Dynasty,” Wenren Jun remarked, his tone heavy with admiration. “No wonder that Lü Yi insisted on lowering himself to marry you.”

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“It wasn’t lowering himself,” Ruan Lingyu interjected coldly. “It was that toad dreaming of eating swan meat! With his abilities, he isn’t even worthy to carry Junior Sister’s shoes.”

Several senior sisters immediately chimed in with agreement.

“I admit, you’re a genius,” Wenren Jun continued evenly, “but that’s all it amounts to. You’ve already reached your limit just now, haven’t you?”

Then his gaze turned sharp, his tone growing cold. “You consumed the Golden Fate Blossom seed of my Wenren family. If you cannot give this old man a satisfactory explanation today… I’m afraid none of you will be leaving.”

“Old Master, didn’t you invite us here to investigate the truth?” Qi Huang replied calmly, unperturbed. “And now you want to decide the outcome before even investigating? Even the government office requires evidence before passing judgment.”

“Judging by the mark between your brows, you must be Cheng Hongling’s doppelgänger, aren’t you?” Wenren Jun’s gaze grew solemn. “Since that’s the case, I’ll make sure you’re convinced.”

He turned to an old steward. “Pi Lao, the Golden Fate Blossom seed I planted in the rear courtyard, was it you who stole it?”

‘So that Golden Fate Blossom seed was originally planted by Wenren Jun himself,’ Qi Huang thought, her expression turning contemplative. ‘Seems this old man, like Qin Quan, was gambling on chance. But why plant it for twenty years and only now discover it missing?’

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Pi Lao, worn down from prolonged torment, hurried to confess.

“When did you steal it?” Wenren Jun demanded icily.

“Twenty years ago, Old Master. Right after you planted it.”

“Why? And where did the seed go?”

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Wenren Jun took a deep breath, forcing down his rising fury.

“At that time, I was desperate for money,” Pi Lao’er explained cautiously. “The Sect Master of the Honghua Sect happened to come to Central Continent to acquire Golden Fate Blossom seeds. I… I took advantage of my position and secretly rented it to him.”

“Rented it?” Wenren Jun’s voice trembled with suppressed rage. “For how long? Do you have proof?”

“For twenty years, Old Master. As for the contract, I already handed it over.”

At that, Wenren Qing presented the document. “Father, here’s the contract.”

Wenren Jun snatched the contract and examined it, his hands shaking from anger. Grinding his teeth, he spat, “You… you dared to lease it out for twenty years?! Weren’t you afraid I’d discover it?”

“You said yourself back then, Old Master, that the seed needed to remain buried for twenty-one years without disturbance,” Pi Lao said, face full of regret. “I thought if I returned it before the final year, no one would ever know. How could I have guessed you’d check the soil six months early…”

“Now it all makes sense.”

Qi Huang finally had her doubts resolved. Wenren Jun had planned to bury the seed for twenty-one years to increase its chances of survival. Pi Lao, believing he had ample time, dared to lease it to Qin Quan for twenty years. That was why the theft was only discovered recently.

“So Pi Lao wasn’t being greedy, he didn’t dare sell it outright,” Cheng Hongling’s mental voice sounded in Qi Huang’s mind.

“Exactly,” Qi Huang replied telepathically. “Now the only thing left to confirm is whether the Wenren family really intends to gather more Golden Fate Blossom seeds from the Kapok Valley Treasure Land, like Pi Lao claimed.”

“Pi Lao! Do you know how much I trusted you to guard that seed?” Wenren Jun roared, his chest heaving. “You’ve gravely disappointed me!”

“Spare me, Old Master! Please spare me!” Pi Lao fell to his knees, kowtowing desperately. “I was blinded by greed! If you let me live, I’ll serve you faithfully for the rest of my life!”

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Wenren Jun ignored his pleas and handed the contract to Wenren Yun. “Yun, show this to the Honghua Sect representatives.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Wenren Yun brought the contract to Qi Huang and her group.

“As you can see,” Wenren Jun declared loudly, “this document bears your Sect Master Qin Quan’s handprint. With both witness and evidence secured, what excuse do you have now?”

“In that case, there’s nothing to argue,” Qi Huang admitted straightforwardly. “My main body consumed the Golden Fate Blossom seed. It has nothing to do with my senior sisters. Don’t trouble them.”

“Good,” Wenren Jun said with a satisfied smile. “Then, how do you plan to compensate my Wenren family?”

“What do you want? Money? Or should I procure another Golden Fate Blossom seed for you?” Qi Huang asked evenly.

“Compensate? Hah! Do you think you can afford it?”

Wenren Jun sneered with disdain.

“It’s just one Golden Fate Blossom seed,” Qi Huang countered coolly. “How little do you think of me? Does this table full of spiritual delicacies not prove my capabilities?”

She gestured casually at the table laden with rare fruits and pastries.

“You have some means, I’ll grant you that,” Wenren Jun admitted, his gaze deepening. “If it were a cooked Golden Fate Blossom seed distributed by the Immortal Alliance, I’d believe you could afford to repay it. But my seed was raw. Tell me, how exactly do you plan to compensate me for that?”