Invincible Soul Emperor

The Patriarch of the Xue Family listened to Xue Feng’s accusations, a flash of coldness passing through his eyes. He asked icily, "Xue Feng, you say Xue Wei harmed his fellow clansmen, causing Xue Zhao to be injured and fall into a coma. Do you have any evidence?"

Pressed by the Family Head’s gaze, Xue Feng felt somewhat uneasy. He stammered, "Family Head, this matter... things were chaotic at the time, I don’t have direct evidence, but I saw with my own eyes Xue Zhao being... That vortex inside the Secret Realm was created by Xue Wei..."

Hearing this evasive answer, the Patriarch of the Xue Family’s face grew even darker. He suddenly slammed the desk, his voice like thunder: "Nonsense! Without evidence, on what basis do you slander your own fellow clansman like this?!"

Stunned by the Family Head’s fury, Xue Feng’s body trembled slightly, but he still forced himself to say, "Family Head, although I don’t have conclusive proof, Xue Wei’s actions are truly suspicious. You can’t just ignore these signs because he’s always behaved well. Besides, now Ye Qingchen has disappeared as well—that was Xue Wei’s doing..."

The Patriarch of the Xue Family’s anger grew more obvious, his brows tightly knitted, flames of rage burning in his eyes: "Xue Feng, you’re fabricating things out of nothing! Suspicious? You’d destroy the trust between fellow clansmen just because of suspicion? Do you realize what a disaster that would bring to the family?! And moreover, the Secret Realm is dangerous to begin with. Ye Qingchen is a foreigner—if he entered and never came out, that’s perfectly normal!"

He stood up, getting more and more worked up as he spoke.

The next second, he walked up to Xue Feng, his voice full of authority and indignation: "Xue Wei has always been loyal and reliable. He just reported the matters of the Secret Realm to me in detail and specifically mentioned the reason for Xue Zhao’s injury. If you come here spouting nonsense again without solid evidence, you’re being irresponsible to the family!"

Facing the Family Head’s rage, Xue Feng’s face went pale, his voice lowering: "Family Head, I..."

The Patriarch of the Xue Family let out a cold snort, his gaze like lightning pinning Xue Feng in place: "If you’re worried about Xue Zhao, then go take good care of her. Don’t stir up trouble here for no reason. Family affairs require reason and evidence, not baseless speculation! If there’s nothing else, then leave."

Xue Feng slunk out with his head hanging, and the study returned to silence.

The Patriarch of the Xue Family took a deep breath, a trace of anger still lingering in his eyes.

He sat down again, sighing inwardly: The trust within the family is so fragile; these matters must be handled even more cautiously, lest they be exploited by those with ulterior motives.

After leaving the study, Xue Wei did not go far. Instead, he concealed himself in a patch of shadow, quietly waiting.

Sure enough, shortly after, he saw Xue Feng storming out of the study.

A cold smile curled at Xue Wei’s lips as he silently followed.

When they reached a secluded spot, Xue Wei suddenly appeared, blocking Xue Feng’s path.

He folded his arms across his chest, a disdainful smile on his face: "Xue Feng, I advise you not to waste your efforts anymore. Xue Zhao is already in a coma. No matter how hard you try, the Saint Position can only ever be mine, Xue Wei’s."

Seeing Xue Wei, a surge of fury instantly rushed to Xue Feng’s heart. He clenched his fists, grinding his teeth as he said, "Xue Wei, you despicable coward! You actually hurt your own clansmen, causing Xue Zhao to fall into a coma! I will expose your scheme and make the Family Head see your true colors!"

Xue Wei sneered, a glint of viciousness flashing in his eyes: "Expose me? With your baseless accusations? I saw your performance before the Family Head today. You only made yourself look more useless. The Family Head trusts me not because I’m glib, but because I handle things cleanly and efficiently, always thinking of the Xue Family."

Xue Wei stepped closer, his tone full of smugness and threat: "Do you understand, Xue Feng? You people are no match for me at all. You’d be better off knowing your place, accepting reality, and stopping these pointless struggles."

Xue Feng’s face flushed red with anger, his eyes blazing as his chest heaved violently: "Xue Wei, don’t get cocky too soon! One day, you’ll regret everything you’ve done today."

Xue Wei shrugged, saying coldly, "Then just wait and see. But before that, you’d better think about how to face the Family Head’s anger. Judging from how you looked just now, the Family Head is probably already thoroughly disappointed in you."

Xue Feng was beside himself with rage, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white: "Xue Wei!"

Xue Wei gave a cold snort and turned to leave, not even looking back as he said, "Xue Feng, good luck. Remember, time is not on your side."

Xue Feng watched Xue Wei’s departing back, the fury in his chest almost devouring him.

Though Xue Feng was burning with anger, what he felt even more was helplessness and resentment. Step by step, he walked back to Xue Zhao’s residence.

By now it was deep into the night, the candlelight in the courtyard flickering in the breeze, making the place seem especially quiet.

Outside Xue Zhao’s quarters, Xiao Xiao was pacing anxiously.

As soon as she saw Xue Feng return, she hurried up to him, asking with deep concern on her face, "Xue Feng, how did it go? What did the Family Head say?"

Xue Feng’s expression was grim, a profound sense of powerlessness in his eyes.

He lowered his head, walked slowly to the stone table in the courtyard, and sat down heavily. After sighing, he said in a low voice, "I told the Family Head about what Xue Wei did, accused him of harming his fellow clansmen and causing Xue Zhao to fall into a coma. But..."

Xiao Xiao asked urgently, "But what did the Family Head say?"

Xue Feng drooped, his hands hanging weakly over his knees, his voice full of frustration: "The Family Head didn’t believe me at all. He’d already heard Xue Wei’s side first and said Xue Zhao was injured while protecting Xue Wei. The Family Head trusts Xue Wei immensely, thinks I’m slandering him without cause, and even flew into a rage at me."

Seeing him like this, Xiao Xiao’s heart sank as well, a trace of worry flashing across her eyes: "Xue Feng, has the Family Head really been completely deceived by Xue Wei?"

Xue Feng nodded, his tone full of helplessness and anger: "Yes. The Family Head has already been fooled by Xue Wei’s façade. He simply doesn’t believe me; without any evidence, I have no way to shake Xue Wei’s position in his heart. That crafty bastard Xue Wei always manages to appear flawless in front of the Family Head, making him trust Xue Wei completely."

Xue Feng lifted his head, his eyes full of gloom: "My words before the Family Head carry no weight at all. Every time Xue Wei comes up, the Family Head keeps praising how clever and capable he is, how decisive he is in handling matters, while I can only watch helplessly as Xue Wei continues to bask in his triumph."

Xiao Xiao gently took Xue Feng’s hand, comforting him, "Xue Feng, don’t lose heart. We’ll definitely think of a way."

Looking at Xiao Xiao like this, Xue Feng sighed, but his tone was very firm: "You’re right, I can’t give up now. I must seek justice for Xue Zhao! It’s just that, Xiao Xiao, regarding Ye Qingchen, I may not be able to help much in the short term."

After all, Xue Zhao was the one he cared about most.

Hearing his words, Xiao Xiao couldn’t help feeling somewhat disappointed.

"Xue Feng, it’s fine. I’ll personally go find my young master!"