Chapter 202 : Chapter 202
Chapter 202. Two Chapters Combined
Inside the retro-decorated residence.
A middle-aged man with graying hair slowly walked out of the bathroom, wearing patterned pajamas, cartoon shorts, and flip-flops.
“Ah, yesterday, when I was cooking, I mistook laxatives for salt. I nearly had diarrhea until I collapsed.”
The Zhou Family Patriarch, one of Huaxia’s Five Great Martial Gods, Zhou Qingcang, rubbed his stomach. His voice was very aged, as though he were a man already past seventy.
Seeing this, Zhou Mingyuan smiled helplessly.
After several years without seeing him, the Patriarch was still the same as ever. His memory was still as poor as usual.
“What did you say just now? Oh, what happened to Xiao Yu?” Zhou Qingcang sat down on a handmade Taishi chair, his eyes exceptionally bright.
Zhou Mingyuan froze for a while. So after he had spoken for so long, the Patriarch had forgotten everything?
He took a deep breath and had no choice but to repeat what he had just said.
“Ah! Xiao Yu was taken away by the Law Enforcement Bureau, and he may even be sentenced to death!”
Zhou Qingcang immediately rose from the Taishi chair and said angrily, “Have you gone senile? You let Xiao Yu unleash a Beast Tide against Huaxia? Do you know that Hong Wu has almost zero tolerance for this kind of behavior?”
“Patriarch, I was also schemed against by that bastard Jiang Dongnian. I lost my judgment for a moment,” Zhou Mingyuan said bitterly. “He was the one who came up with that rotten idea, using the military district internship to unleash a Beast Tide and get rid of Jiang Yichen.”
“In the end, not only did we fail to get rid of him, but Jiang Yichen even received the military’s highest honor.”
Zhou Qingcang’s brows knitted tightly. “While I was away, you people truly know how to... Hm? Wait. Who did you say you wanted to get rid of?”
“Jiang Yichen, the Jiang Family heir.” Zhou Mingyuan’s expression turned slightly strange. He did not understand why the Patriarch was not concerned about Xiao Yu, but had instead turned his attention to Jiang Yichen.
“Jiang Yichen...”
Zhou Qingcang narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly sat back down on the Taishi chair.
Not long ago, while he had been worrying every day over his inability to break through to the realm beyond the Martial God Realm, he had suddenly heard the call of fate in the unseen world.
It was the goddess who governed marriage and family, the wife of Odin, the God-King of Norse mythology, and a deity who possessed the power to glimpse fate: “Frigg.”
She told him that she could grant him the Laws, but he had to kill one person for her.
That person was “Jiang Yichen.”
Zhou Qingcang had once asked Frigg why, but she had not answered directly. She had merely said that fate had chosen Jiang Yichen.
He did not understand it, but in order to obtain the Laws and break through beyond the Martial God Realm, he had still signed a contract with Frigg and become a Divine Contract Holder.
He had also unlocked a resurrection mission to help one hundred couples form perfect marriages and families. As long as he completed it, he could help Frigg revive.
That was why he had begun preparing to come out of seclusion.
After pondering for a moment, Zhou Qingcang asked, “How strong is Jiang Zhentian now?”
If he wanted to kill Jiang Zhentian’s son, Jiang Zhentian was a troublesome problem.
Zhou Mingyuan’s expression froze. “Patriarch, Xiao Yu is still in the Law Enforcement Bureau right now. Why are you asking this?”
When Zhou Qingcang heard this, he suddenly slapped his forehead. “Look at this memory of mine. Hurry and prepare the car. I am going to speak with the Commander-in-Chief.”
He suddenly remembered that his own son was still in prison, and he immediately began searching around the room in a panic.
Zhou Qingcang opened the wardrobe, first took out a shirt and tucked it under his arm, then took out a pair of black trousers and put them on.
The next second, Zhou Qingcang looked around, scratched his graying hair, and muttered, “Hm? Where is the shirt I just took out?”
He turned to Zhou Mingyuan. “Mingyuan, did you see where I put my shirt just now?”
“...” Zhou Mingyuan stared at the shirt under his arm. The corner of his mouth twitched as he wordlessly raised a hand and pointed.
Zhou Qingcang followed his gaze and immediately blushed with embarrassment. He coughed twice and put the shirt on.
“I am old. My memory is poor,” he said, finding himself an excuse.
One hour later, at Huaxia Headquarters, inside the Commander-in-Chief’s office.
“Patriarch, this is the Commander-in-Chief’s office. I will wait here. Please go in.”
“All right.” Zhou Qingcang had just taken two steps when his feet suddenly paused. He touched his forehead. “Hm? What was I here for?”
Zhou Mingyuan: “...”
“Oh, right. I came to ask for Xiao Yu’s sentence to be reduced. I remember now.”
Zhou Qingcang suddenly realized it, knocked on the door, and after hearing a “Come in” from inside the office, strode in.
Zhou Mingyuan looked anxious. With the Patriarch’s memory, would he forget what he had to say in a moment?
Inside the office.
“Qingcang, why have you come out of seclusion?” Hong Wu asked in surprise, though he was knowingly pretending not to understand.
Zhou Yu had just been arrested, and Zhou Qingcang had already come to his door. What else could it be for? He had definitely come to plead for mercy.
Zhou Qingcang sighed. “Commander, you are pretending not to understand while knowing everything clearly. For the sake of the Zhou Family’s contributions to Huaxia during the Great Cataclysm...”
“I am not asking you to absolve Xiao Yu of his crimes, but please do not sentence him to death. As his father, I truly do not wish to watch my son go to the gallows.”
“He is my only son. I do not wish to see the old bury the young.”
He knew Hong Wu’s character. Toward those who harmed Huaxia’s interests, Hong Wu remained iron-faced and impartial no matter what achievements they had made.
Now, Zhou Qingcang could only say this. Otherwise, he would not be able to protect his son at all.
As for later, he could privately bribe the right people and reduce Xiao Yu’s sentence.
“That is not up to me. Huaxia’s laws are written clearly. It is useless to talk to me about how the Law Enforcement Bureau will sentence him.”
Hong Wu lowered his head and continued flipping through the documents, giving Zhou Qingcang no face at all.
Zhou Yu had unleashed an SS-Rank Beast Tide. If Jiang Yichen had not stopped it with ninth-rank talismans, it would have dealt a devastating blow to the entire East China region.
For such a serious matter, Zhou Qingcang still wanted to play the sentiment card? He was dreaming!
“Are you truly not going to show even the slightest consideration?” Zhou Qingcang’s tone turned stern.
Hong Wu slowly raised his head and said impartially, “Huaxia’s laws do not speak of personal consideration!”
Zhou Qingcang clenched his fists slightly and stared at Hong Wu for a long while before slowly rising. “Hong Wu, I hope you do not regret this.”
“Zhou Qingcang, watch your attitude. I remember the Zhou Family’s contributions to Huaxia, but that is not a reason for Zhou Yu to casually unleash a Beast Tide and endanger Huaxia.”
Hong Wu said coldly, “You may leave. Pleading with me will not work.”
A chill flashed through Zhou Qingcang’s eyes. If Hong Wu had been willing to show mercy, he naturally would have told him about Frigg of Norse mythology.
After all, anything a Foreign God asked him to do absolutely could not be a good thing.
Jiang Yichen might be especially critical to Huaxia.
What a pity, Hong Wu.
A hundred years ago, Demonic Beasts had thrown the world into chaos and triggered the Great Cataclysm. For the sake of Huaxia, the Zhou Family had taken the lead, and countless clan members had died.
Yet now, after a hundred years had passed and Huaxia had stabilized, Hong Wu, you had truly forgotten the contributions the Zhou Family made to Huaxia back then!
Even if you sentenced Xiao Yu to life imprisonment, I could accept it!
Even in ancient times, merits and faults could offset each other. Yet in your hands, Hong Wu, things have truly become wonderful.
A ruthless look flickered in Zhou Qingcang’s eyes as he walked out the door.
“Patriarch, how did it go? Can Xiao Yu...”
“There is no need to say anything.” Zhou Qingcang snorted coldly and left Huaxia Headquarters.
Seeing this, Zhou Mingyuan’s heart sank. It was over. There was probably no room for Xiao Yu’s matter to be softened.
Only after Zhou Qingcang got into the car did he speak. “Mingyuan, hire the best lawyer in Huaxia for Xiao Yu and see whether we can fight for a life sentence.”
“Also, give me all of Jiang Yichen’s information.”
Zhou Mingyuan was stunned. “Patriarch, what do you need his information for?”
A cold smile appeared at the corner of Zhou Qingcang’s mouth. “He caused Xiao Yu to end up like this, so of course I will...”
Hm?
“What was I saying? Forget it. I cannot remember. In any case, just do as I said.”
For a moment, he had once again forgotten why he wanted Jiang Yichen’s information.
“Patriarch, do you want to take revenge on him?” Zhou Mingyuan asked tentatively.
“Oh, right. I remember now.”
“...” Zhou Mingyuan sighed and advised, “Patriarch, why not forget it? The current Jiang Family is no longer something we can deal with.”
He told Zhou Qingcang about what had happened recently in the Jiang Family, especially Jiang Zhentian’s breakthrough beyond the Martial God Realm.
As Zhou Qingcang listened, surprise gradually appeared on his face. He fell silent for quite a while.
“No matter. Is he not still at the Sacrificial Heaven Ruins? Right, Jiang Yichen should still be doing his military district internship now, should he not?”
“Yes. The new recruit assessment is still half a month away. However, the Zhou Family’s clan members among Huaxia’s higher-ups sent word that the Guankou Divine Ruins will soon open. It is possible that exceptionally talented people will be selected from this batch of new recruits to enter the ruins and become Divine Contract Holders.”
Zhou Mingyuan guessed, “Jiang Yichen is very likely among them.”
When Zhou Qingcang heard this, the corners of his mouth slowly curled up. “Very good. It seems I do not need to make a move myself.”
The opening of the Divine Ruins meant that foreign forces would also infiltrate Huaxia to fight for the Divine Contract eligibility within the ruins.
Decades ago, when the Kunlun Ruins opened, a large number of powerful foreign martial artists had appeared, and there had even been Divine Contract Holders who could use the Laws.
However, the Kunlun Ruins were located in the heartland of Huaxia, so those foreigners had been intercepted at the border.
This time was different. The Guankou Ruins were on the East China border, so the outcome was uncertain.
Zhou Qingcang had witnessed the strength of those foreigners before. Jiang Yichen was only a new recruit and simply could not deal with them.
Even if someone was protecting him, judging by the fact that the Norse goddess “Frigg” had been willing to contract with Zhou Qingcang, the Foreign Gods desperately wanted Jiang Yichen dead. Naturally, they would send people there.
Once a god formed a Divine Contract with a human, it meant entrusting the possibility of their own revival to that person. Therefore, gods were extremely cautious when choosing Divine Contract Holders.
The fact that Frigg had chosen to contract with Zhou Qingcang, a Huaxia person, was enough to prove that Jiang Yichen had already become a threat to the Foreign Gods.
If this had been in the past, he would have been very happy. Huaxia had finally produced someone who could threaten the Foreign Gods.
But now...
Zhou Qingcang looked up at the tall buildings of Huaxia Headquarters. Once, he had also devoted most of his life to helping Huaxia establish itself amid the rampant Demonic Beasts. Yet now, his heart felt somewhat chilled.
Xiao Yu had done wrong, but he was my only son. Hong Wu, are you truly ruthless enough to watch my bloodline end?
Then I, Zhou Qingcang, will no longer protect Huaxia either.
...
At Jiang Group, during the family meeting.
At the meeting, a virtual projection played a scrolling recording. It contained the audio of Jiang Dongnian and Zhou Mingyuan conspiring to get rid of Jiang Yichen and let Jiang Feng take his place.
Sitting in the main seat, Shen Qingyue watched it with eyes full of fury. If she had not been in front of all the clan elders, the Sichuan-Chongqing Tyrannosaur in her might have erupted on the spot.
The major clan elders of the Jiang Family below also looked toward Jiang Dongnian in the front row, their gazes cold.
“Jiang Dongnian, this was sent to me by someone from the Zhou Family. How do you explain it?”
Chief Clan Elder Jiang Qisheng stared at Jiang Dongnian and questioned him sternly.
Jiang Dongnian trembled all over, his eyes shaking as he stared at the projection.
How could this be? How did Zhou Mingyuan dare send Jiang Qisheng the video of himself conspiring with him to use the Beast Tide to get rid of Jiang Yichen?
Was he not afraid that Zhou Yu would be investigated by the Law Enforcement Bureau?
“I... I do not know. This must have been fabricated,” Jiang Dongnian denied in panic.
“You do not know? What a fine ‘I do not know.’” Jiang Qisheng pressed the remote control in his hand and turned off the video.
“This video has already appeared in the hands of the Director of the Law Enforcement Bureau. Director He explicitly told me that the video has not been fabricated in any way.”
“Your son, Jiang Feng, has already turned himself in and confessed the truth about Zhou Yu unleashing the Beast Tide to eliminate the Jiang Family heir. What else do you have to say?”
CLATTER!
Jiang Dongnian’s chair suddenly slid backward, making a sharp scraping sound.
Feng’er turned himself in!?
He abruptly recalled that his son had suddenly come home the night before last, and his lips could not help trembling.
The crime of helping to unleash a Beast Tide was not light!
No wonder Zhou Mingyuan had made these handles public. Feng’er, you have simply gone mad!
Do you want to watch your biological father go to prison?!
“How is that possible? How could this happen?” Jiang Dongnian’s voice trembled. He could not understand why his son had turned himself in.
The major clan elders in the meeting room all revealed furious expressions.
“Jiang Dongnian, you truly played a fine scheme. Yichen is still your nephew, yet for the sake of your son fighting over the position of heir, you actually wanted to kill him!”
“Not only that, but you also colluded with the Zhou Family. Jiang Dongnian! You are a member of the Jiang Family. Did you run over there to work for the Zhou Family?”
“Law Enforcement Clan Elder, according to the family rules, how should Jiang Dongnian be dealt with?”
The Law Enforcement Clan Elder stood up and pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. “Jiang Dongnian’s behavior can no longer be resolved through family rules. After discussing it with the Chief Clan Elder, we have decided to hand him over to the Law Enforcement Bureau as well.”
Jiang Qisheng nodded slightly and looked toward Shen Qingyue, who sat in the main seat, seeking her opinion.
Shen Qingyue’s eyes were filled with anger as she glared at Jiang Dongnian.
“Jiang Dongnian, I used to think you were merely betraying your own family for outsiders. Now, you will not even spare your own nephew. How vicious is your heart?”
Jiang Dongnian clenched his fists tightly. Knowing that he could no longer hide it, he began to laugh.
“So what? With how useless Jiang Yichen used to be, he never should have become the Jiang Family’s heir in the first place. Meanwhile, Xiao Feng worked so hard and was so outstanding, yet you and Jiang Zhentian never saw any of it!”
“Just because Jiang Yichen is your son, he naturally became the heir. Is that fair to Xiao Feng?”
When Shen Qingyue heard this, she could no longer suppress the anger in her heart. She stood up, raised her hand, and slapped Jiang Dongnian across the face.
Jiang Dongnian was directly slapped to the floor, his eyes filled with resentment!
“Unrepentant. Chief Clan Elder, deal with him however he should be dealt with. No mercy is allowed!” Shen Qingyue said angrily.
Jiang Qisheng nodded and waved toward the door.
Two Law Enforcers immediately entered the meeting room, handcuffed Jiang Dongnian, and hauled him up.
Jiang Dongnian wanted to struggle, but the handcuffs had locked down the Blood Qi throughout his body. He had no ability to resist at all.
“You wretched woman, just you wait!” Before being taken away, Jiang Dongnian fixed his bloodshot eyes fiercely on Shen Qingyue.
Shen Qingyue folded her arms across her chest and showed no weakness. “I’ll be waiting. If you dared to bully my son and still get to live comfortably, then I will take your surname.”
Her sudden burst of Sichuan-Chongqing dialect made the major clan elders shake their heads.
And just like that, under everyone’s gaze, Jiang Dongnian was taken away by the Law Enforcers.
What awaited him was the judgment of Huaxia’s laws!