Chapter 41: Everyone Has Their Weakness

After Jiang Wang's departure, a hidden door in the wall behind Fang Zehou slid open, revealing Fang Heling. Bound to a chair, he was pushed forth in a posture of utter humiliation.

Wangyue Tower, being an establishment owned by the Fang family, was Fang Pengju's chosen venue for his machinations against Jiang Wang.

Fang Zehou raised a hand, and the Fang family retainer who had pushed Fang Heling released the magical restriction on his speech and unbound his ropes.

Yet Fang Heling remained motionless, slumped in the chair like a pile of mud. It became clear that all this while, under the watchful eyes of the retainer, he had been a silent, helpless observer of the conversation within the private room.

"As you have witnessed," Fang Zehou's voice was cold, "he vanquished you through sheer skill, without recourse to any trick or stratagem. The gulf between you and Jiang Wang is a stark reality you have failed to perceive."

Fang Heling remained silent, but the look in his father's eyes was a silent plea – a desperate wish for him to cease speaking.

"As you have witnessed, your father, on account of your actions, has lost all semblance of face," Fang Zehou continued, relentless.

Fang Heling's gaze fell, his expression hollow.

Fang Zehou approached him, reaching out to pinch his face, forcing him to meet his eyes.

"As you have witnessed, our Fang family, because of you, is held in contempt!" Fang Zehou's voice was laced with accusation.

Tears streamed down Fang Heling's face. He reached out, attempting to staunch the flow, even wishing he could somehow force the tears back. But this resistance was futile, a testament to his powerlessness, as weak and helpless as a dog.

Fang Zehou's voice continued its relentless assault: "For your sake, I suppressed the resources of your cousin. For your sake, I relinquished numerous benefits, solely to secure your chance to enter the inner sect of the Daoist Academy. For your sake, I could endure any slight. And you?! You have become the laughingstock of the entire Maple Forest City, exposed for all to see, and now you are a broken, useless wretch. You have made me, Fang Zehou, a complete and utter joke!"

"I don't want to, I don't want to..." Fang Heling stammered, shaking his head, tears flowing freely. Finally, he cried out, "I don't want to be like this!"

"Then prove it to me!" Fang Zehou roared!

The middle-aged man, the one who held the reins of power within the Fang family, his grip on Fang Heling's face softened. He then held his son's face in both hands and said in a low voice, "Then prove it to me... my son."

...

After leaving Wangyue Tower, Jiang Wang's steps were not heavy. To be honest, having entered the inner sect, he no longer harbored deep anxieties about potential actions by the Fang family. The so-called Fang family of Maple Forest City, while possessing wealth and influence, paled in comparison to the Daoist Academy.

He, Jiang Wang, so long as he diligently pursued his cultivation, was destined to hold an official position within Zhuang State sooner or later, perhaps even serving in Xinan City, the capital. As for the gentry and affluent families of this Maple Forest City, there was no need for undue concern.

However, today, Fang Zehou's mention of Jiang An'an had truly ignited a murderous intent within Jiang Wang. Even if the Fang family refrained from direct confrontation, merely instructing some of their clan's younger generation to bully An'an at school was something Jiang Wang could not tolerate.

Some grievances, he could bear, but An'an could not. Her father was gone, her aunt had remarried; Jiang An'an had only him.

"Are you full... hey! Don't wipe that on my clothes!" Jiang Wang reached out, gently pulling away Jiang An'an's head. She was being held in his arms, stealthily wiping the remnants of grease all over his shoulders.

Jiang An'an blinked her large eyes, her small mouth already clean, but she maintained a look of utter innocence and pouted, "You won't let me wipe my hands..."

Jiang Wang instantly capitulated, his voice tinged with helplessness, "Look at my clothes... where is it still clean... do as you please."

It was an act of self-resignation.

Jiang An'an's busy little hands continued their wiping, then suddenly, something clicked in her mind. "What did you just say?"

"I asked you... sigh!" Jiang Wang sighed again and said directly, "Cai's Lamb Meat Shop?"

"Mmm." Jiang An'an nodded enthusiastically. She stretched out her small hand, cupped her brother's face, and turned it to the left. "Go this way!"

Jiang Wang turned his head back, feigning disgust, "I know the way!"

Jiang An'an was already bouncing with excitement, "Gallop~!"

Jiang Wang then cradled Jiang An'an and turned towards the direction of the lamb meat restaurant.

"Oh, by the way, the teacher told you to come to the private school tomorrow," Jiang An'an remembered this time.

Jiang Wang frowned. "Did your teacher say anything else?"

Little An'an thought for a moment, then buried her head in Jiang Wang's chest and said in a muffled voice, "I don't know."

Jiang Wang immediately felt a surge of worry.

...

At the same time, within the City Lord's manor, a conversation was unfolding between Dong A and Wei Quji, a discussion known only to them.

"...If it is truly as I suspect, with this bait, I have no fear that they will not bite. When those demons reveal themselves, we shall ensnare them all in one fell swoop and utterly destroy them!" Wei Quji clenched his fist and punched the air. "This is the entirety of the plan."

"The plan is sound," Dong A nodded, his expression remaining impassive. "But I don't find it particularly meaningful."

"Why?"

"You think..." Dong A regarded him with a sneer, "Do the individuals responsible for the massacre in Xiaolin Town truly need to manifest themselves in Maple Forest City?"

"What do you mean?"

"I possess no knowledge of this 'White Bone Dao' you speak of, nor do I understand the allure of this object you went to such lengths to acquire. However, considering an event as significant as the Three City Debate, with Maple Forest City under such stringent security, is that object truly worth the risk they would undertake? We are not to be trifled with by fools, to have Xiaolin Town sacrificed under our very noses! Furthermore, you are not certain that they are indeed the White Bone Dao, are you?"

"Then this is the only course of action we can take, Dong A! The Xiaolin Town incident has dragged on for far too long; the government cannot fail to provide an explanation!"

"But how much confidence do you possess? Are you willing to gamble the safety of the entire populace of Maple Forest City on your conviction?"

"Maple Forest City belongs to this official, and this official has made up his mind!"

Dong A slapped the table and rose to his feet. "Maple Forest City is the Maple Forest City of Zhuang State!"

"Dong A, consider this," Wei Quji was forced to soften his stance. "In Qin State, in Jing State, and even in our neighboring Yong State! Could such a deed be committed there? The sacrifice of an entire town! Thousands of souls, generations who should have rested in peace!"

"When the Qinghe Water Mansion stirred, the entire army of Qinghe County was mobilized. When a Heart-devouring Demon appeared, the entirety of the Qinghe County Criminal Enforcement Division descended upon it. The other side knows us intimately, yet we are utterly ignorant of them!"

"Do you truly wish to witness such events again? The time has come, we must uncover the truth!"

Wei Quji sank back into his chair, dejected. "Yes, we all bear a responsibility. Those who died unjustly, their final breaths filled with hatred and curses, they call out to you, and they call out to me."

His voice was weary. "Just proceed with your plan, Dong A. If those demons truly reappear, let me see... whether good will be rewarded with good, and evil with evil!"

"If those individuals are indeed from the White Bone Dao, the Ming Candle should be of great significance to them. After all, it is from that place... something that was taken."

"In any case, I shall fully cooperate with you this time. I hope that this Three City Debate does not become the laughingstock of Qinghe County."

"They may come, or they may not. But this official can only make this attempt," Wei Quji murmured, then asked, "That Zhu Weiwu, can he truly not return? Will nothing untoward occur?"

"His battlefield lies elsewhere," Dong A turned his head slightly, as if looking through the window towards a distant point in the sky. "He is destined to be a figure of brilliance in the National Daoist Academy; to keep him here would be a waste of potential. The place in the Three City Debate, I hope Zhang Linchuan can secure it."

"In this manner, Maple Forest City will boast two talents from the National Daoist Academy. Your considerations are impeccable."

"I shall guide them with all my might. Even if it is but a small part of me, a humble redemption."

In the darkened room, a sigh escaped, its source unclear.

The chair stood empty.

...

(Thanks to book friends Shen Ayao, Lu Dan Yimi Jiu, and Huang Azhan for their generous rewards! Also, let me reiterate, regarding rewards, please only contribute what you can comfortably afford; do not feel obligated. All your recommendation tickets are welcome! If you have the time, please help spread the word about this book. Thank you all! Let us strive together!)