The cultivators of the Ning Family filed in, their faces expressionless, pouring into Ning Zhuo's small courtyard one after another.
They positioned themselves on either side, subtly encircling Ning Zhuo in the center.
A few others scattered around the residence, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
Ning Ze and Ning Fan stood before Ning Zhuo.
Ning Ze concisely stated their purpose.
Ning Zhuo raised his eyebrows. “I do have a considerable amount of spirit stones, but that’s my business, isn’t it? What does it have to do with the family?”
“Is that really why you came here, Uncle?”
The young man's face, still tender and youthful, was filled with incomprehension and disbelief.
Ning Fan remained silent.
Ning Ze shook his head slightly, his face serious.
“Little Zhuo, you're still young. It's understandable if you don't fully grasp this matter. Just be honest and tell us the source of these funds.”
But Ning Zhuo shook his head, looking troubled. “I'm sorry, Uncle, but I can’t divulge that.”
Both Ning Ze and Ning Fan were momentarily taken aback.
Ning Ze lowered his voice, his expression growing graver.
“Why can’t you tell us? And at such a critical moment, you’re still withholding?”
Ning Zhuo shrugged, showing a bit of youthful stubbornness.
“What's the big deal? It's my money, so I'll spend it as I please.”
Ning Ze grew anxious. “You don’t understand your current situation, Little Zhuo!”
“You think you're the same as before?”
“You’re not!”
“You’re now a key figure in the family, the second-ranked in the reformation team, do you realize that?”
“Someone has reported that you’re squandering wealth lavishly, possessing a significant amount of unaccounted funds.”
“At this moment, when the family is grooming and supporting you heavily, this issue arises! Don’t you think you should explain yourself?”
“Little Zhuo, you’re seeing the world as too simple.”
“In the past, you were unnoticed and unremarkable; nobody paid attention."
"But now, at the peak of the third layer, all eyes are on you. Any minor flaw will be magnified by those with ulterior motives, who’ll exploit it and go all out to bring you down!”
“With such a major suspicion on you now, they’ll spread rumors saying you’re being secretly funded by another family, that you’ve been turned, that you’re an infiltrating spy."
"Don’t you think the family would need to conduct a thorough investigation to feel assured?”
Ning Ze spoke a long piece, his words earnest and sincere.
Ning Zhuo fell silent for a while before finally speaking.
“Uncle, there are indeed many hidden factors. But I assure you, I haven’t done anything immoral. This money is legitimately acquired, and I have a clear conscience!”
Ning Ze glared, nearly reaching out to tug Ning Zhuo's ear.
“What, did everything I just said go in one ear and out the other?”
“Did you listen carefully?”
“You have a clear conscience, but who can vouch for that? Who would believe it?”
“If you truly did nothing wrong, then say it plainly. Right now, you need to prove yourself to the family!”
Ning Zhuo remained silent.
“Are you even listening to me?” Ning Ze’s tone rose, his brows furrowing in thinly veiled anger.
Ning Zhuo sighed and finally disclosed a bit of truth. “Uncle, you’re the closest person I have. Please believe me, I truly haven’t done anything wrong.”
“But this matter, I really can’t reveal.”
“I’ve signed a contract with someone else; if I disclose anything, I’ll suffer the contract's backlash.”
Ning Ze froze, then his brow furrowed deeper.
“What kind of matter would compel you to sign such a contract?”
“Oh, you silly child, you’re driving me to worry myself sick!”
Ning Ze pointed a trembling finger at Ning Zhuo, so agitated that his finger shook uncontrollably.
Ning Zhuo only hung his head, keeping silent.
Ning Ze looked at him, then glanced over at Ning Fan, forcing a smile as he softly said, “Brother Ning Fan, could you allow me a moment alone with my nephew?”
Ning Fan hesitated, looking troubled. “You know I was sent here to oversee…”
At that moment, Ning Ze made a quick decision, transmitting his voice to promise certain benefits.
After a brief struggle, Ning Fan nodded. “You two have great futures ahead, and I don’t wish to offend either of you. I’ll give you half a cup of tea’s time.”
Ning Ze led Ning Zhuo into the room.
“Now, speak up. Whatever it is you’re hesitant to say, just tell me.”
“It’s just the two of us here,” Ning Ze said, his face as stern as still water.
Ning Zhuo replied, “Uncle, I’m telling the truth. I’m not deceiving you. I did sign a contract with someone, and I can’t disclose anything.”
Ning Ze, agitated, pointed his finger at Ning Zhuo's forehead, gritting his teeth. “Ning Zhuo, do you realize the severity of this matter?”
“The family values you highly—so highly that they sent an investigation team specifically.”
“To prevent any misunderstanding, they even assigned me to speak with you.”
“Now is your best opportunity to be honest. If you miss this, it could cause serious problems!”
Ning Ze took a deep breath. “Fine, even if you’re bound by contract, that’s okay.”
“Where there’s a lock, there’s a key.”
“Tell me what type of contract it is, and we can leverage the family’s resources. It might even be possible to break the contract.”
Ning Zhuo shook his head. “Uncle, from my perspective, it’s best not to interfere with this matter.”
“Sigh, if you must know, I can only tell you that this matter involves a golden core expert.”
“What?” Ning Ze was taken aback, involuntarily stepping back. “You—you’re not deceiving me?”
The Ning Family’s highest combat strength was their ancestor, a golden core cultivator.
Ning Zhuo sighed. “Why would I deceive you, Uncle?”
“That’s why I believe it’s best to drop the investigation here.”
“If the family doesn’t trust me, then I’ll withdraw from the reformation team and forgo the exploration of the Lava Immortal Palace.”
Hearing this, Ning Ze stomped his foot in anger.
“Little Zhuo, how can you speak such nonsense?”
“Your place in the reformation team—I pulled strings for that.”
“Do you think you can quit just because you want to?”
“Even if you quit, the family will still thoroughly investigate this matter.”
“Oh, you… How did you let it come to this?”
“Tell me, just who is this golden core expert? Could it be that Shadow Demon Cultivator?”
At that, Ning Ze’s pupils constricted with fear, and he couldn’t help but take another step back.
The next moment, he transmitted his voice to Ning Zhuo, his tone harsh.
“Quickly, tell me—is it connected to the Shadow Demon Cultivator?”
Ning Zhuo frowned. “Uncle, don’t force me. I can’t say.”
“What are you thinking, signing such a contract? You—you’re going to drag the whole family into this mess.”
Ning Ze slapped his thigh in frustration.
Ning Zhuo sighed. “Uncle, I had no choice.”
Hearing this, Ning Ze’s thoughts leaned even more toward the Shadow Demon Cultivator.
He clasped his hands behind his back, pacing back and forth.
Suddenly, he stopped and stared intently at Ning Zhuo. “Little Zhuo, this matter is very serious. It’s not something you can simply evade.”
“Today, we must get to the bottom of it.”
“Don’t blame me, but you brought this upon yourself!”
Ning Zhuo paused, hurriedly saying, “Uncle, it’s not as serious as you think…”
But Ning Ze shook his head, eager to distance himself and prove his own innocence.
He strode out of the room and said to Ning Fan, “My nephew has indeed signed a contract. What’s the next step?”
“Does the family have means to break the contract? Most importantly, this involves a golden core cultivator.”
Ning Fan was stunned.
After a moment’s pause, his face grew solemn.
“This is a grave matter. However, unless the contract was set personally by the golden core expert, we can attempt to break it.”
“But are you certain?”
“Ning Zhuo cannot disclose any details of the contract, so we will have to experiment. This might inevitably harm him.”
Ning Ze hesitated before nodding firmly. “We’ve been entrusted with this investigation; the whole family is watching. If we don’t go this far, how can we report back? Proceed!”
Ning Fan’s gaze flickered. “As Ning Zhuo’s uncle and the leader of this investigation, the decision is yours.”
“However, it would be best if Ning Zhuo cooperated willingly, as that would yield optimal results.”
Ning Fan had barely finished speaking when Ning Zhuo replied, “I refuse!”
Ning Ze turned back, glaring. “Ingrate, you have no choice in this.”
Ning Ze glanced around and shouted, “Well? Aren’t you going to act?”
Ning Fan sighed, motioning discreetly.
Two burly men from the investigation team stepped forward, gripping Ning Zhuo on either side.
They channeled spiritual power, easily subduing him.
Ning Fan took out an artifact and handed it to Ning Ze.
“This is the Father-Son Thought Bracelet. Put the father bracelet on yourself and the son bracelet on Ning Zhuo’s wrist to capture his thoughts.”
“It’s said that no one knows a son better than his father.”
“Though Ning Zhuo is bound by contract and can’t disclose the truth, it doesn’t prevent him from thinking it.”
“By forcefully capturing his relevant thoughts from his Divine Sea, we can obtain the information.”
“However, this might trigger a backlash from the contract. Our investigation team will suppress it as best as we can.”
“Moreover, forcibly extracting thoughts could damage his Divine Sea. To avoid that, it’s best if Young Ning cooperates willingly.”
Bound as he was, Ning Zhuo could only struggle in his seat. “I won’t cooperate! Not even a little!”
Ning Ze scoffed, fastening the bracelets on himself and Ning Zhuo.
“Little Zhuo, you’re incorrigible. As your elder, the closest person you have in this world, I won’t let you keep making mistakes!”
“Cooperate, and you’ll suffer less.”
Ning Zhuo remained unyielding.
Ning Ze’s face turned icy, and he activated the Father-Son Thought Bracelet.
The pair of bracelets on their wrists emitted a blue-white radiance.
A powerful force stretched into Ning Zhuo’s Divine Sea, ready to wreak havoc, only to clash against the Buddha Heart Demon Seal.
The absorbing force was like a storm, while the seal stood firm as a mountain, providing perfect defense.
Ning Zhuo’s eyes rolled back, his body convulsing in his seat as twin streams of blood trickled from his nose.
Ning Ze’s expression was icy, proceeding regardless.
Ning Zhuo’s pre-prepared thoughts surfaced, ready to be captured by Ning Ze.
Boom.
A loud crash sounded as the door was flung open.
Young Clan Leader Ning Xiaoren saw the scene in the hall, his face twisting in rage as he bellowed, “Stop!”