Chapter 104: Don’t Say Such Things Recklessly! (Please Subscribe)

At this moment, Qin Gaozhi was utterly stunned. He stood frozen in place, his body rigid and unmoving. Like a lost little girl selling matches who had forgotten the way home, tears welled in his eyes as he looked helplessly at the young master of the Duke of Zhen’s estate, who lay on the ground, vomiting blood, his life hanging in the balance.

Though he didn’t know why he had been unable to suppress his emotions and lash out at the young master just now, he had pulled his strike back in time. With the force he had used, he shouldn’t have been able to kill a chicken, let alone inflict such grievous injuries on the young master. At first, Qin Gaozhi suspected that Cheng Guang might be putting on an act. But even if it were an act, he reasoned, a noble heir like Cheng Guang had no reason to injure himself just to make things difficult for him. Seeing Cheng Guang vomiting large amounts of blood and gasping for breath, clearly in a state of serious injury, Qin Gaozhi fell into a complete panic.

As the presence of powerful figures grew around them, and the figures of the Duke of Zhen, Cheng Shiyuan, and his own father, Qin Beifeng, appeared nearby, he could no longer sit still. He hurriedly pointed at the wailing Li Dabai beside him and roared in fury:

"Li Dabai, you beast! How dare you assassinate the young master! This is a crime for which you deserve to die ten thousand times over!"

Qin Gaozhi was already looking for a scapegoat. He firmly believed that his own strike could not have harmed the young master. Therefore, there was only one possibility: Li Dabai must have unintentionally wounded the young master while he himself was distracted. Aside from the young master and himself, Li Dabai was the only other person present. It must be this Li Dabai framing him! As these thoughts raced through his mind, his eyes turned bloodshot, and he glared at Li Dabai as if he could devour him alive.

Hearing this, Li Dabai was momentarily stunned before erupting in rage. The round, portly man jumped up, pointing at Qin Gaozhi’s nose and cursing:

"Good for you, Qin Gaozhi! You’re bold enough to do it but too cowardly to admit it. The young master’s body still bears the traces of your inner energy! Today you dare to wound the young master; who knows what other insane things you’ll do tomorrow!"

Hearing Li Dabai’s words, the corners of Qin Gaozhi’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. The presence of powerful cultivators around them was increasing. Even the Duke of Zhen, Cheng Shiyuan, and his own father, Qin Beifeng, had turned their gazes toward them. Under the scrutiny of so many influential figures, Qin Gaozhi felt unprecedented pressure. He desperately wanted to shed this accusation. He could not afford the grave responsibility of assassinating the young master. If it were confirmed that he was the culprit, the lightest punishment would be the stripping of his cultivation and being thrown into the North Expeditionary Army’s suicide squad as cannon fodder. Even if he were the adopted son of Qin Beifeng, he could not—and would not—bear that burden.

"No... it’s not like that... it’s not!"
"It’s not like that, what are you blathering about, you fat pig!"
"It was clearly you!"

Qin Gaozhi, already tense, felt triggered by Li Dabai and could no longer remain calm. He first muttered a weak rebuttal, then, as if to bolster his own courage, shrieked at Li Dabai:

"You dared to assassinate the young master! Today I shall have my revenge for him!"

With bloodshot eyes, unable to hide his panic and madness, Qin Gaozhi stepped on his inner energy and launched himself like an arrow straight at Li Dabai. Li Dabai, no longer feeling any fear, laughed in fury:

"Fine, fine, fine! You’ve got the heart of a thief but not the guts, eh? You, Qin Gaozhi, only know how to slander me! Let’s see if I don’t beat you to death today!"

Li Dabai, not wanting to be outdone, unleashed his martial arts and supernatural techniques. The light of his cultivation swirled around him, and the surrounding energy vibrated with immense power. Both men were at the sixth rank of the Martial Path, the Rebirth Realm, but at this moment, they erupted with the power of the seventh rank, the Divine Connection Realm. They had begun fighting with real intent to kill.

Qin Gaozhi wanted to kill Li Dabai before the Duke of Zhen and Qin Beifeng could react, hoping to settle the matter once and for all. Even though he wasn't sure if he could kill Li Dabai under the eyes of so many experts, it no longer mattered. Even if he couldn't, he had to put on a show to make the surrounding generals and his father believe that the young master’s collapse was not his doing.

As Qin Gaozhi pondered this, he was about to collide with Li Dabai’s round, portly body. At that very instant, two large hands appeared on either side of them, grabbing their collars and lifting them into the air like two little chicks. The energy fluctuations and power from their techniques dissipated like fleeting clouds before those hands. With a gentle wave, their momentum was completely neutralized.

Qin Gaozhi felt the familiar aura behind him and knew that the one holding him was none other than Qin Beifeng. He looked toward Li Dabai and saw that he was in the same state, dangling in mid-air by the neck. Behind Li Dabai stood his grandfather, Li Bojun, a man of status second only to the Duke of Zhen and no less powerful than Qin Beifeng.

Qin Beifeng looked at Qin Gaozhi in his hand, then at Li Dabai, his expression darkening without a word. After sweeping his gaze over them, he slowly turned his eyes toward the fallen Cheng Guang. He looked for only a moment, but felt a sharp pain in his eyes. The noble young master of the Duke of Zhen lay lifelessly on the ground, a large pool of blood staining the snowflakes red, contrasting with his crimson ceremonial robes. The scene was beautiful, yet agonizingly painful.

Qin Beifeng felt as if the sky had collapsed. The young master of the Duke of Zhen had been assassinated in Northern Border City? Who did it? Was it this boy, Qin Gaozhi? Impossible. Where would he find the courage? As he watched the young master lying in a pool of blood, his life unknown, a thousand thoughts flashed through his mind. Whoever had attacked the young master didn't matter right now. What mattered was confirming whether the young master was still alive. If he were dead, it would be a true despair. Qin Beifeng could not imagine how the Duke would rage or how much turmoil would erupt in the city.

He hesitated no longer, tossing Qin Gaozhi aside like trash, and hurried toward Cheng Guang. Reaching his side, he gently lifted Cheng Guang’s head. With limp limbs and a drooping head, his long hair covering his face, he looked like a dead man. The moment he touched Cheng Guang’s body, Qin Beifeng felt a jolt of shock. He instantly felt that the noble young master’s body was abnormally cold; his heart seemed to be beating, yet it felt as though it weren't. A heart beating so slowly was a grave sign.

Qin Beifeng carefully channeled his inner energy into Cheng Guang’s body to investigate. After a brief probe, his usually calm and composed face paled. This injury... it was too severe! His meridians were shattered, and his internal organs were damaged to varying degrees. The perpetrator had clearly intended to kill. Even if the young master still held a faint trace of life, he was neither truly alive nor truly dead—more like a living corpse. Even if he could heal from these injuries, he might be left with permanent damage, forever unable to cultivate!

The consequences were too grave! Who had the audacity to do this?! Who?! Could it really be this child, Gaozhi?! Qin Beifeng felt his eyes nearly burst with rage as he looked at the injuries. He scrutinized the lingering aura on Cheng Guang’s body, narrowing his eyes, hoping to find traces of someone else. But he was disappointed. There was only Qin Gaozhi’s aura on Cheng Guang. No one else’s.

Li Bojun, still looking furious, dropped Li Dabai and walked quickly to Cheng Guang’s side. "How is he?" he asked. Qin Beifeng shook his head helplessly. "The young master’s injuries are too severe. His life might be preserved, but his cultivation..." Qin Beifeng sighed, slowly using his inner energy to mend Cheng Guang’s body.

The surrounding generals had gathered, their gazes fixed on Cheng Guang. Just one look at him lying in the pool of blood was enough to ignite their rage. Cheng Guang was not only a top aristocrat of the Great Zhou Dynasty but also a major figure who would control their North Expeditionary Army in the future. What kind of madman would dare to assassinate the young master inside the Duke of Zhen’s estate? Did they not fear death?

The soldiers’ hearts were filled with rage as they examined the surroundings. There were no obvious signs of a struggle, suggesting the attack had been so sudden that the young master hadn't even had time to react. Otherwise, there would have been traces of combat. As they pondered and sensed the lingering aura on Cheng Guang, many were surprised, their mouths twitching slightly.

"Is that the aura of Qin Beifeng’s adopted son, Qin Gaozhi, on the young master?"
"Did Qin Gaozhi assassinate the young master??"
"How could he dare?"
"General Qin truly had the worst luck to end up with such an adopted son."

The soldiers whispered, not bothering to lower their voices. In their eyes, even if Qin Gaozhi were Qin Beifeng’s adopted son, the crime of assassinating the young master was a capital offense. Dying ten thousand times wouldn't be enough to atone for it! The only reason Qin Gaozhi was still unscathed was out of respect for his father. If they were to act, it should be Qin Beifeng who cleaned up his own house. If they intervened, even if Qin Gaozhi were guilty, they would inevitably be remembered by Qin Beifeng. Though they were just martial men, they understood the complexities of human relationships.

Just then, the Duke of Zhen, Cheng Shiyuan, walked over slowly, an invisible force beneath his feet lifting him into the air. With every step, he walked from the heights down to Cheng Guang’s side. Qin Beifeng and Li Bojun felt a sense of panic in the face of the expressionless Duke. Now that the young master had become like this, they could imagine how furious the Duke must be. As he reached Cheng Guang, they both respectfully lowered their heads. The surrounding soldiers fell silent, watching in silence.

The air seemed to freeze. Even the falling snowflakes seemed to tremble with caution. Li Dabai was doing alright; knowing that Qin Gaozhi had wounded Cheng Guang, he continued to glare at him. Qin Gaozhi, however, was in a terrible state. When the Duke of Zhen appeared, feeling the terrifying, corpse-filled, blood-soaked pressure emanating from him, his nerves snapped. His legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground.

The Duke of Zhen did not pay attention to Qin Gaozhi, his entire focus fixed on Cheng Guang. When he saw his grandson lying in a pool of blood, his body lifeless as if swept away by a violent storm, his heart shattered.

Tears of immense grief welled in his aged eyes. The Duke felt a sourness in his nose, and countless tears seemed ready to fall. Yet, amidst the overwhelming grief, the Duke found he couldn't cry; his emotions were calmer than he expected. It was as if his body had entered a protective state. In this state, even without raging or saying a word, the Duke still projected a suffocating sense of pressure.

The young master had been assassinated on his wedding day! And no one had reacted in time! They could imagine the fury inside the Duke. The current calm was likely just the brief silence before a storm. In the stillness, the Duke walked toward Cheng Guang. His formerly upright frame appeared incredibly aged and hunched. The closer he got, the more lost he felt. He was filled with self-reproach; had he not insisted on keeping Cheng Guang in the estate for the wedding, this would never have happened. Had he not been busy with other matters, he would have reacted immediately.

He couldn't bear to look at Cheng Guang any longer. Turning his gaze to Qin Beifeng, he asked coldly, "Who did this?"

Qin Beifeng felt a bone-chilling coldness at the question. His face tightened, and after a moment of hesitation, he replied firmly, "My Lord, the young master’s body bears the aura of my son, Qin Gaozhi. However, this cannot confirm it was his doing. Li Dabai was also present."

Qin Beifeng was still instinctively protecting Qin Gaozhi. After all, he was his adopted son. He knew Qin Gaozhi’s character well and firmly believed he would never dare to lay a hand on the young master. Li Bojun frowned, his hand pausing as he stroked his goat beard. "Qin Beifeng, that’s not a kind thing to say. Are you implying my grandson, Li Dabai, did it?"

Qin Beifeng shook his head. "I didn't say that. I am simply stating facts. Aside from the young master, only Qin Gaozhi and Li Dabai were present. It could not have been anyone else."

Hearing this, Qin Gaozhi grabbed at the lifeline. "Father, it really wasn't me! Even if I had a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand guts, I wouldn't dare strike the young master! It must have been Li Dabai who struck in the dark and then pinned the blame on me!"

Qin Beifeng looked at Qin Gaozhi, then at Li Dabai, remaining silent. Li Dabai, already furious, thought: *You, Qin Gaozhi, wounded the young master and dare not admit it, and now you want to push it onto me?* This was absurd! He hadn't intended to speak, but Qin Gaozhi’s lack of martial integrity made it impossible to stay silent.

"You dog! You dare to do it but not admit it! I saw you with my own eyes—you struck the young master with your palm and turned him into this state! You must have been spying on the young master’s bridal chamber, were caught red-handed, and then, out of resentment, lashed out at him!"

Qin Gaozhi panicked but quickly repressed it. "Don't talk nonsense! I didn't!"

Li Dabai stepped forward, hands on his hips, his face trembling with indignation. "Do you dare say you had no resentment toward the young master?!"

"I..." Qin Gaozhi started.

"Did you or didn't you?!" Li Dabai roared.

Qin Gaozhi felt his scalp tingle. He realized that in an argument, he was no match for this Li Dabai. "I... I had some feelings about the young master, but I would never lay a hand on him!"

Li Dabai just sneered. The surrounding crowd now understood the situation. It was very likely Qin Gaozhi’s doing. *How could he have been bold enough to spy on the bridal chamber? Was he really relying on his father being Qin Beifeng to do as he pleased?* Many soldiers looked at him with strange expressions.

Hearing this, Qin Beifeng’s face darkened with rage. He kicked Qin Gaozhi in the rear. "How could you spy on the young master’s bridal chamber?!"

Qin Gaozhi was kicked sprawling, but he scrambled up and grabbed his father’s leg, crying. "Father, I only spied because I was worried about my sister! It wasn't intentional, and I didn't see anything! I didn't offend the young master! Father, you must believe me, I would never dare to strike him!"

Qin Beifeng listened to his cries and wanted to believe him. But the evidence and the motive were all there. If it was indeed Qin Gaozhi, he would have to clean up his own house. But if it wasn't, the Duke of Zhen would not let him off lightly. Qin Beifeng felt a headache coming on.

"My Lord..." Qin Beifeng looked at the Duke, his voice dry. The Duke paid him no mind. Whether Qin Gaozhi did it or not no longer mattered. As long as his aura was on Cheng Guang, he was involved in the attack, and that alone meant he had to die.

The Duke gently lifted Cheng Guang, his inner energy flowing into his body to mend his wounds, his heart aching with every discovery. He looked at Qin Beifeng. "Handle this yourself." With that, the Duke of Zhen vanished with Cheng Guang.

The air in the cold pavilion remained silent. All the generals turned their eyes to Qin Beifeng, waiting to see how he would handle Qin Gaozhi. Qin Gaozhi, realizing what was coming, turned pale and wailed, "Father, it wasn't me! I only wanted to, but I didn't actually strike him! The young master just collapsed on his own!"

Qin Beifeng sighed, feeling a profound weariness. He kicked Qin Gaozhi, this time with real force. Qin Gaozhi’s ribs shattered, and he vomited blood, collapsing in a heap.

"The young master bears your aura! You say you didn't touch him?! Even if I believe you lacked the guts, how do you explain the aura?!"

"I don't know! I don't know! I only thought about it, but I didn't strike!" Qin Gaozhi pleaded, but his words only confirmed his motive: spying on the bridal chamber, being caught, and then lashing out in a fit of rage. The young master’s frail body was no match for Qin Gaozhi. It all made perfect sense.

Qin Beifeng sighed and waved his hand for his men to take Qin Gaozhi away. As two armored soldiers dragged him off, Qin Gaozhi screamed, "Father! It was that dog Li Dabai! It was him!"

Soon, a "crack" echoed, and the crying stopped. Qin Beifeng trembled, his eyes filled with grief. Even though Qin Gaozhi was an adopted son, he had treated him as his own. He had hoped he would inherit his position. But who could have foreseen this?

Qin Beifeng walked away, feeling soul-lost, toward the main hall. The Duke had given him the chance to handle this himself, which was the greatest face he could be shown. If he didn't execute Qin Gaozhi, he couldn't face the Duke, nor could he face the young master.

Li Bojun watched Qin Gaozhi being dragged away, then looked at the slightly happy Li Dabai. He patted his grandson’s head. "You, we'll talk about this later. Don't think you're off the hook. If any further investigation reveals your shadow on the young master's injuries, you'll lose your head too."

Li Dabai’s smile vanished. "Grandfather, that's impossible. I didn't touch the young master."

Li Bojun waved him away and hurried to the main hall. He needed to see the Duke, soothe his emotions, and check on the young master. The young master’s condition was strange—life was present, yet his breathing had almost ceased, and his pulse was nearly gone. It was very strange! If the young master were truly crippled, the Duke’s estate would be finished, and the entire North Expeditionary Army and the Great Zhou Dynasty would face a change in power.

***

Deep inside a secret chamber in the Duke’s estate, built of black iron and lightless, the Duke of Zhen laid Cheng Guang on a bed. His grief vanished. He observed his grandson.

"Grandson, your methods are strange. You are severely injured, yet your bones are untouched, and the injuries are superficial. Simultaneously, a force is mending your body. If you weren't deliberately suppressing it, you would have recovered by now. If I weren't at the Celestial Realm, I might have been truly terrified."

The Duke felt a lingering fear. He had been shocked at first, but after careful sensing, he realized the abnormality. It was as if time itself had slowed down for Cheng Guang. He hadn't exposed Cheng Guang’s ruse, deciding to play along.

"Qin Gaozhi is dead. Your goal should be achieved, right?"

As the Duke spoke, Cheng Guang’s previously limp hand moved. He gasped for air, and his bloodline abilities, inherited from the Great Zhou Divine Emperor, began to circulate. Golden light covered his body, and his injuries healed at a visible speed. His shattered meridians were mending, becoming even stronger than before.

The Duke was stunned. He recognized the aura. "The Great Zhou Royal Bloodline Ability?!"

He was shocked. His grandson, who had supposedly been drained of all royal blood, had awakened the ability anyway? He almost wanted to jump for joy. It was like getting a treasure for free! He couldn't figure out how, but he didn't care.

"Are you alright?" the Duke asked, smiling.

Cheng Guang nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed that he hadn't fully deceived his grandfather. The Celestial Realm was indeed formidable.

"This farce caused quite a stir," the Duke said. "Qin Beifeng killed his son, so you'll have to keep pretending for a few days."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

"Don't thank me. It’s just a pity for that girl, Yanqiu. You two haven't even had a wedding night. You truly are more troublesome than your father." The Duke suddenly clapped his hands. "Wait! We can bring Yanqiu here. You can have your wedding night in this secret chamber! Try hard, grandson, and give me a great-grandson soon. Once you do, you can do whatever you want."

Cheng Guang’s smile stiffened. *Is he in that much of a hurry?* But he had to admit, bringing Qin Yanqiu to the secret chamber was a brilliant idea. He gave his grandfather a mental thumbs-up.