Chapter 395: Hanging Sword Over the Head

He could never have imagined that Wang Mingjiang and Wang Changfeng would dare to ambush and kill disciples of the Taiyi Immortal Sect. If the Taiyi Immortal Sect traced this back to the Wang family, wouldn't the entire family be annihilated? This matter felt like a ten-thousand-jin boulder pressing on Wang Changsheng's chest, leaving him breathless.

Wang Mingjiang choked out, "It's all my fault. I was blinded by folly. Before we acted, we were prepared to commit suicide immediately if we failed. No one saw my true face. Taiyuan Market is bustling with people, and during a large auction, everyone's focus is on Tier 3 spiritual items and magic treasures. No one should have noticed us. If they were going to trace it back to our Wang family, they would have already done so. If members of the Taiyi Immortal Sect come looking, hand me over and say it was my personal decision, completely unrelated to the family."

Wang Changsheng sighed deeply and said, "Uncle Twenty-One, you're being foolish! Do you really think the Taiyi Immortal Sect would believe that excuse? I just hope the person you killed wasn't an important figure from their sect. For the sake of the family, Uncle Twenty-One, you'll have to endure some hardship and go into hiding for a while. Don't return to the family for now. I'll take good care of Changyang for you."

His emergence from seclusion should have been a joyous occasion. However, Wang Mingjiang's foolish act of ambushing and killing a Taiyi Immortal Sect disciple was like a sharp sword hanging over the Wang family's head, ready to fall at any moment.

With such a grave matter, Wang Changsheng had no other choice. If it were other forces, it might be manageable, but the Taiyi Immortal Sect was one of the Seven Great Immortal Sects of the Eastern Barren, possessing immense power. Even the Five Sects of Wei Country obeyed their commands.

Taking Wang Mingjiang to the Taiyi Immortal Sect to humbly admit guilt was unrealistic. The Taiyi Immortal Sect likely hadn't traced it back to the Wang family yet. Surrendering now would be tantamount to seeking death, and it might even implicate Wang Mingren.

The best course of action was to have Wang Mingjiang go into hiding. Only Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang knew about this matter.

This incident weighed heavily on Wang Changsheng's mind. He had to achieve Core Formation as soon as possible. If he did, and the Taiyi Immortal Sect traced the incident back to the Wang family, the family would still have a chance to sacrifice a pawn to save the king.

Wang Mingjiang's mouth was filled with bitterness. He glanced at Wang Changfeng's corpse, his heart filled with immense grief.

That day, after he used his earth evasion technique to escape, he feared being caught by the Taiyi Immortal Sect. He took Wang Changfeng and constantly moved from place to place, not daring to visit any market. Wang Changfeng missed the optimal treatment time and died from the poison.

"Oh, right, Changsheng, these are the items from those three women," Wang Mingjiang said. "They're supposedly 'Inheritance Jade,' which can only be opened if one's spiritual sense is strong enough. Perhaps you can open it."

Wang Mingjiang took out a palm-sized white jade stone and two jade slips, handing them to Wang Changsheng.

The white jade stone looked quite ordinary; Wang Changsheng wouldn't have paid it any attention if Wang Mingjiang hadn't mentioned it.

He tried to immerse his spiritual sense into it, but a faint, translucent barrier blocked him. He could vaguely discern a few characters, which quickly vanished.

He frowned slightly and examined the two jade slips.

A moment later, a thoughtful expression appeared on Wang Changsheng's face.

According to the content of the jade slips, the Inheritance Jade originated from ancient times. Mighty cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage and above, feeling unable to advance further, would engrave their life's knowledge using secret techniques into the Inheritance Jade before their demise, leaving it for those destined to find it. The conditions for unlocking the seal varied depending on the type of prohibition.

This particular Inheritance Jade required a sufficiently strong spiritual sense to view its contents. Even though Wang Changsheng's spiritual sense was considerably stronger than that of cultivators at the same level, he still couldn't access the information within the Inheritance Jade.

"Besides these items, did you keep anything else from the Taiyi Immortal Sect disciples?" Wang Changsheng asked.

Wang Changsheng worried that the Taiyi Immortal Sect might use the disciples' relics to trace the incident back to the Wang family.

"I only kept the Inheritance Jade and the Spirit-Strengthening Liquid," Wang Mingjiang replied. "The content of the two jade slips was copied, and everything else was burned. I didn't even dare to keep the spirit stones."

Wang Mingjiang knew the gravity of the situation and spoke truthfully, not daring to conceal anything.

"Uncle Twenty-One, please stay in the main hall for now. Don't meet anyone during this time. This is for the family's benefit, and I hope you understand. I'll find a suitable place to settle you."

Wang Mingjiang's face was filled with bitterness as he nodded. "No problem, I understand the gravity of the situation, Changsheng. There's still a third of the Spirit-Strengthening Liquid left; please take it! Perhaps you'll be able to view the contents of the Inheritance Jade, which would mean Changfeng didn't die in vain."

He took out a white porcelain bottle and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changfeng's death had brought them the Inheritance Jade and the Spirit-Strengthening Liquid. Wang Mingjiang was consumed by guilt and couldn't bear to keep the Spirit-Strengthening Liquid for himself.

Wang Changsheng didn't decline and accepted the white porcelain bottle.

Leaving the main hall, Wang Changsheng found Wang Qingkai and asked him about the family's situation.

Wang Qingkai had now firmly established himself as the acting family head, managing family affairs in an orderly manner.

Wang Changsheng was delighted to learn that Wang Qingshan and Wang Changhao had hunted demon beasts and brought back a Foundation Establishment Pill. However, it pained him that twelve Qi Condensation cultivators from the family had died.

"Qingkai," Wang Changsheng said solemnly, "the news of Uncle Mingjiang's return must not be spread, and you must not tell anyone else, including Changtai. This matter is of utmost importance; apart from us, no one must know that Uncle Mingjiang has returned."

Wang Qingkai nodded and replied, "Understood, Uncle Nine."

Wang Changsheng gave a few more instructions, then walked towards his residence.

Wang Qingyuan was reporting something to Wang Ruyan, who had also emerged from seclusion, still at Foundation Establishment Stage Five.

As soon as she came out of seclusion, she immediately had Wang Qingzhi fetch Wang Qingyuan to inquire about Wang Ping'an's situation.

Wang Ping'an had no spiritual roots, but he was still her flesh and blood, and she had always worried about him.

"Aunt Nine, I've checked," Wang Qingyuan reported. "None of Ping'an's three children have spiritual roots."

Wang Ruyan's expression dimmed slightly. She nodded and asked, "It's alright, you've done well, Qingyuan. Please keep a close eye on Ping'an's side."

"Understood, Aunt Nine, I will keep an eye on him," Wang Qingyuan replied. "I've already suggested that Ping'an take two concubines whose parents are cultivators, as this increases the chances of having cultivator children."

"It would be best if they could produce cultivators, but it's okay if not. I just wish for the child to be safe and sound and live a long life," Wang Ruyan said. "Speaking of which, Qingyuan, you're not getting any younger, are you? It's time for you to marry. Have you set your sights on any young lady? Aunt Nine will arrange it for you."

Wang Qingyuan had always helped look after Wang Ping'an, so Wang Ruyan intended to help him find a good marriage.

Wang Qingyuan was a steady person who had made many contributions to the family, but without a major achievement, it would be difficult for him to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill. Managing the family's finances made it truly hard for him to achieve significant merit.

He was already over fifty, and given the current circumstances of the family, it would be very difficult to give him a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Wang Qingyuan also understood this. Over the years, while looking after Wang Ping'an, his ambition for cultivation had waned considerably, and he now wished to settle down and start a family.

"Your nephew also wishes to marry," Wang Qingyuan admitted, "but I'm getting old, and I fear no one would be interested in me."

Wang Ruyan chuckled softly, "What are you talking about, getting old? Leave your marriage to Aunt Nine. I'll definitely pick a satisfactory match for you."

Wang Qingyuan had helped her look after Wang Ping'an for many years; naturally, she felt compelled to reciprocate by finding him a good marriage.

"Qingyuan is indeed not young anymore; he should get married."

Wang Changsheng's voice suddenly rang out as he walked in.

Upon seeing Wang Changsheng, Wang Qingyuan quickly bowed and said with a smile, "Your nephew congratulates Uncle Nine on emerging from seclusion."

"Dispense with the formalities," Wang Changsheng said. "Your marriage is now in the hands of your Uncle Nine and Aunt Nine. Qingyuan, you've made many contributions to the family, but you also understand the current situation. It's truly difficult for you to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill, but finding you a good marriage is no problem at all."

"Your nephew understands his situation. I entrust my marriage to Uncle Nine and Aunt Nine. I won't disturb you two any further," Wang Qingyuan said sincerely.

Wang Qingyuan bowed respectfully to Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

He had accumulated many contribution points and naturally didn't want to take them to his grave.

After Wang Qingyuan left, Wang Changsheng hesitated repeatedly before releasing a soundproofing barrier and informing Wang Ruyan about Wang Mingjiang's ambush and killing of the Taiyi Immortal Sect disciples.