Chapter 19. It's Fine Even If You Disappoint Me

Upon closer inspection, the root of all evil was this body, 'Fanhang.'

"Fumeng."

"Yes, Eldest Brother."

"If you leave here, immediately activate the Outer Wall Formation to seal off the warehouse. Don't let anyone, not even an ant, escape outside."

"What about Grandfather?"

"It won't be too late to inform him after the situation is under control."

"Yes."

Just as Yun was about to speak, Yun opened his mouth first.

"Brother, I will activate the Black Heaven Thunder Formation installed in the Xiao Yan Martial Hall and then identify the guards who participated in the rebellion."

When the Black Heaven Thunder Formation is activated, the Xiao Yan Martial Hall turns dark. The sky and earth become pitch black instantly, with thunder and lightning striking, making it impossible to see each other even if someone is right next to you. His intention was to take advantage of this to distinguish them.

It was a good plan, but Hou Gong shook his head.

"There are only eight guards involved, and the six defenders are scattered, so there's no need to cause a commotion. Just showing them that I can walk out unharmed will resolve the issue."

"Ah! That's a good idea."

Yun nodded with a grin, immediately understanding. However, when Eldest Brother stroked his chin and seemed to be thinking deeply, Yun quickly composed himself and waited for him to speak.

"Hmm, but there's one thing. We need to find someone among the traitors revealed by Tian Gui who has a weakness..."

"Do you mean someone who can betray again?"

"Yes."

Yun's eyes darted around as if he was thinking of someone.

"Zhong Wujue is a good choice. He has someone he needs to protect."

Hou Gong nodded and grabbed a floating winter book in the air. Instantly, they were back in the study.

***

While Captain Onso was holding the guards and stalling for time, something flew down from the sky.

Boom!

A figure fell among them, sending dust flying.

As the dust settled, the figure twitched.

None of the guards could identify what it was.

When they were still trying to figure out if it was even human, Yun's voice echoed from a distance.

"That twitching thing is the Captain of the Guards. He tried to kill Brother and got blown away!"

Everyone was confused and followed the voice.

The Second Master was walking towards the First Master.

"Ah!"

Among the 32 guards, the eight who participated in the rebellion, including the Captain, turned pale.

**

The situation at the Tianhua Library was resolved before evening.

It was almost seamless.

The guards and some of the defenders who were involved in the Chief's plot were subdued without any resistance.

It couldn't have been any other way.

What they were waiting for was the Captain of the Guards to come with a sad expression to announce the death of the First Master, not a crumpled and twitching Captain. Moreover, seeing the First Master, who should have committed suicide, walking calmly left them unable to do anything.

Mental breakdown.

None of the participants had considered the possibility of failure, so they were all stunned, their thoughts completely gone.

Not only the guards but also the scholars and managers who were involved in the plot were dragged out and immediately detained.

The detention sites were dispersed to five locations, and formations and seals were activated at each site.

Interrogations were conducted individually.

During this process, manipulated ledgers were discovered, revealing that the amount of money embezzled was about half of the Tianhua Library's total assets. It was also revealed that some books and treasures had been smuggled out.

All these measures were carried out under the First Master's command, with clear and straightforward instructions, leaving no room for confusion. Everyone moved in unison, and by the time the situation was resolved, it seemed as if nothing significant had happened despite the magnitude of the event.

As dusk approached, one of the participants was summoned to the First Master.

He was Zhong Wujue, in his early thirties, who was identified by Fan Yun as someone suitable for another betrayal.

"Do you have a beautiful wife and a cute little daughter who is just learning to walk?"

At the First Master's sudden words, the blood drained from Zhong Wujue's face, and his body trembled like a leaf.

Anyone with a brain would understand the implications of mentioning his family in this situation.

"First Master..."

Zhong Wujue, terrified, immediately knelt down and bowed, his body shaking.

"I have committed a capital offense. I betrayed the kindness I received and harbored evil intentions. Even if I say I couldn't resist the threats, it is still a capital offense. I am willing to die a hundred or a thousand times. If you order me to die here, I will comply immediately. But my wife and daughter are not involved in this. They have nothing to do with it. Please, have mercy on them."

"Hmm?"

The First Master's puzzled snort made Zhong Wujue look up with bloodshot eyes. The First Master was shaking his head.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand at all. Surely you don't think I would kill your wife and young daughter?"

"No, no. I spoke out of turn. I know you wouldn't do such a thing, First Master."

Despite his words, the fear for his family's safety was deeply rooted in his mind and wouldn't go away.

The First Master was no longer the weak scholar he used to be.

Whether the Captain of the Guards was blown away or not, the First Master's cold, unflinching gaze as he watched the crumpled and twitching figure was still vivid in everyone's mind.

A gaze that could do anything without hesitation or fear.

That gaze was now directed at him.

Even the First Master's calm and composed demeanor in handling today's situation was so serene that it seemed more experienced than any seasoned martial artist.

"First Master, give me an order. I will do anything. You will never be disappointed in me."

Zhong Wujue, not a fool, understood that being summoned separately was his only hope and prostrated himself.

"It's fine even if you disappoint me."

"Excuse me?"

"To be honest, it's just a bit troublesome, but I can handle it myself if I need to."

"No, I will do it. Just give me the order."

"Is that so? If you really want to, I can't stop you. Bring the Chief to me by tonight. Can you do it?"

"Don't worry. It's nothing."

"Good. I'll be expecting it. But listen."

Hou Gong paused, and Zhong Wujue swallowed hard.

Hou Gong stood up and slowly walked around the kneeling Zhong Wujue.

Thud, thud.

Hou Gong knew how loudly these footsteps would sound to Zhong Wujue.

"Zhong Wujue, here's the thing. Sometimes things don't go as planned. You might hesitate or change your mind."

"..."

"Hmm, that means my mind could change too. When you feel your resolve weakening, remember that I can change my mind. I might not do anything terrible, but I might."

Zhong Wujue shivered and his teeth chattered.

It was obvious what he was thinking about and who he was remembering.

"I will definitely bring the Chief to you."

"Alive."

"I will leave immediately."

***

The Chief's external residence was luxurious.

The pavilion in the center of the pond was picturesque under the moonlight, where the Chief received the news.

"The First Master is dead?"

The Chief's voice was dark and gloomy.

Zhong Wujue maintained a cold expression.

"Yes."

"Was it suicide, or did the Captain take action?"

"The First Master did it himself."

"Ah..."

The Chief sighed deeply.

"First Master, why did you make such a choice? How could you walk alone on a peaceful path while those who loved and cherished you were left to live the rest of their lives? How can I live with this sorrow? I was heartless. I was wrong."

The Chief finally shed tears.

As Zhong Wujue waited in silence, the Chief's gaze turned to him.

"How did I look just now?"

Zhong Wujue flinched.

"What do you mean?"

"I asked if I looked genuinely sad."

"Ah! Yes, even I felt solemn."

"Haha, right? The head of the family fainted, and the Second and Third Masters were deeply saddened. I should show at least this much sincerity."

"Of course."

"But..."

The Chief's eyes narrowed.

"It's strange that you came to report such an important matter."

"I was involved, so it's not strange."

Zhong Wujue's answer was immediate.

Still, the Chief was puzzled.

"I know you cherish your wife and young daughter and usually find it difficult to leave them in the evening. Yet, on a day like today, you came out of the library alone. Isn't that strange?"

The Chief's lips curled, and his eyes glinted coldly.

The black-clothed swordsman standing behind the Chief also glared at Zhong Wujue, his hand resting on the sword at his waist.

Zhong Wujue grinned.

"You're right, Chief. Normally, I would have refused even the Captain's order. My time is precious. But as you said, today is special. I need to step forward to get my share."

"Ah, you're a cunning one. But I like that. I find those who talk about justice and righteousness disgusting."

The Chief stood up.

The black-clothed swordsman was about to follow, but the Chief waved him off.

"Black Moon, stay here. This is an internal matter of the Tianhua Library. You can't come with me. It will take some time. I need to arrange the First Master's funeral, then the head of the family's funeral, and so on. Hahaha, just thinking about it makes me busy. But don't worry; all I need to do is shed tears with a sad look."

***

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The Chief followed his plan.

He shed tears endlessly with a sad look.

The only difference from the plan was that he was hanging upside down from the ceiling, and his tears were mixed with snot and blood.

In this state, with blood rushing to his head, the Chief saw the First Master, whom he thought was dead, sitting in a chair with a bored expression.

- You were supposed to be dead?

The Chief was shocked and blurted out these words as soon as he entered the Tianhua Library. The First Master greeted him at the entrance, and he was dragged and hung from the ceiling.

Naked.

The First Master's three guards beat him mercilessly, and he lost consciousness for a moment. When he regained consciousness, he could hear the head of the family's voice.

"Son, this is too much, even if you're angry. We're not a demonic sect or a bandit gang. Is it right to torture someone so brutally?"

The head of the family was trying to stop the First Master, asking why he was beaten naked.

'Damn... What is this?'