Afterward, Ning Xiaoren secretly summoned Ning Ze.
With his forehead wrapped in bandages, Ning Ze came respectfully to see Ning Xiaoren.
Ning Xiaoren sneered internally, knowing full well that Ning Ze could have easily healed his forehead injury completely.
He’d kept it to play the pitiful victim, silently reminding Ning Xiaoren of his efforts and sacrifices.
“Ning Ze, come, sit,” Ning Xiaoren said with a gentle smile once more.
Ning Ze sat down promptly, his voice full of puzzlement. “Young Clan Leader, it was you who personally instructed me. But why did you suddenly…”
Ning Xiaoren raised his hand to stop him. “I’ll say this just once. The creator of the Mechanical Fire Explosive Monkey is actually Ning Zhuo!”
Hearing this, Ning Ze’s face froze in shock, thinking he must have misheard. “W-What?”
Ning Xiaoren said nothing more, leaning back in his chair and lifting his teacup to sip slowly.
Ning Ze finally understood, standing up abruptly as he processed the revelation. His eyes widened as he muttered, “Little Zhuo… Little Zhuo is the creator of the Mechanical Fire Explosive Monkey?!”
Ning Xiaoren merely glanced at him, remaining silent.
With his mouth agape and his gaze unfocused, Ning Ze stood there, dazed for a moment before snapping back.
“No wonder, no wonder he has such a large fortune.”
“But, but according to what he said, this matter involved a golden core stage cultivator…”
Ning Xiaoren put down his cup with a sigh.
“It’s Fei Si. Fei Si wanted to claim the credit, presenting the Mechanical Fire Explosive Monkey to the City Lord. Chen Cha is his subordinate, not Ning Zhuo’s."
"Thus, Chen Cha coerced Ning Zhuo into handing over his achievement in secret.”
“This matter is still under investigation, but it’s almost certainly the case.”
“I see, I see,” Ning Ze sighed in relief, a look of guilt appearing on his face. “I wronged him.”
“But given the circumstances, it was the only course of action I could take.”
“I had to give the family, especially you, Young Clan Leader, a satisfactory explanation.”
Ning Xiaoren smiled. “I understand. Come, sit down again.”
Once Ning Ze had resumed his seat, Ning Xiaoren continued, “I know you’re loyal. You provided me with an explanation. But now, how am I to give Ning Zhuo an explanation?”
“Huh?” Ning Ze looked confused.
“You see, here’s the current situation.” Ning Xiaoren stood up, slowly circling the desk to the front.
“Ning Zhuo is at the peak of the third layer in qi refining, with a strong compatibility with the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique."
"Since he also created the Mechanical Fire Explosive Monkey, he’s bound to become a key player in our clan’s exploration of the Lava Immortal Palace!”
“Our clan must rely on him, make use of him, and prioritize him.”
“He’s a rare mechanical talent for our family.”
“But now, he harbors grievances and resentment and has grown distant from us.”
“If you were in his place, having gone through what he did today, what would you think?”
With that, Ning Xiaoren stopped right in front of Ning Ze.
Ning Ze stood up immediately, feeling increasingly uneasy.
“If I were Ning Zhuo, subjected to these investigations, it wouldn’t bother me!"
"That’s hardly an injustice. On the contrary, I’d be grateful to the family for giving me the opportunity to prove my innocence!”
“I am a member of the Ning family, and it is my duty to be loyal and contribute to the family, even if sacrifices are required.”
“Hahaha.” Ning Xiaoren pointed at him with a nod. “You’re highly aware, Ning Ze. Very good.”
“I haven’t misjudged you!”
Ning Ze quickly offered a humble response.
But then Ning Xiaoren’s tone shifted.
“But Ning Zhuo is not like you. He’s only sixteen—what could he understand? How could he have the same awareness?”
Ning Ze replied, “Yes, sir. I’ll be sure to guide him properly, leading him onto the right path!”
Ning Xiaoren nodded. “That’s for the future.”
“For now, Ning Zhuo has been hurt. As elders, we naturally need to care for him, soothe his troubles, heal his wounds, and let him grow happily and cultivate peacefully, don’t you agree?”
Ning Ze grew more apprehensive with each word he heard.
Ning Xiaoren continued, “As elders, we must embody a spirit of sacrifice. Ning Ze, do you have that level of understanding?”
Under Ning Xiaoren’s gaze, Ning Ze had no choice but to grit his teeth and ask for guidance.
Ning Xiaoren leaned in to whisper his plan.
Ning Ze turned pale with shock, quickly shaking his head. “M-My lord, how can you do this? Where does that leave me?!”
It turned out that Ning Xiaoren’s plan was to conduct an investigation that would overwhelm Ning Ze, eventually leading him to “confess the truth”—that Ning Xiaoren had been supporting Ning Zhuo in secret for years, supplying him with spirit stones and resources for cultivation.
But Ning Ze, out of greed, had embezzled those funds, thereby neglecting Ning Zhuo.
With Ning Zhuo’s recent accomplishments, Ning Ze, overcome by jealousy and greed upon learning of Ning Zhuo’s wealth, had tried to extort him under the pretense of investigation.
But thanks to Ning Xiaoren’s timely intervention, the truth of a decade-long injustice came to light.
Ning Ze had no desire to bear such blame!
It was Ning Xiaoren who had been ungrateful, neglecting Ning Zhuo for over a decade.
Yet now, he intended to turn it all on Ning Ze.
Despicable! What a wretched trick!
“Will you do it? Are you not my subordinate?” Ning Xiaoren’s gaze turned sharp, his voice filled with menace.
“Dare you refuse? Think of the consequences!”
“Think of your son, Ning Ji. He’s currently doing well in the family’s industry, isn’t he?”
A bone-chilling fear settled over Ning Ze.
Looking at Ning Xiaoren’s harsh gaze, he suddenly realized: he hadn’t been appointed head of the investigation team to utilize his connection with Ning Zhuo to trace the source of the wealth.
No, this damned Ning Xiaoren had been aiming for Ning Zhuo’s money all along, seeking to trap Ning Ze, then step over him to ingratiate himself with Ning Zhuo!
Having grasped the truth, Ning Ze’s face flushed with anger, his fists clenched and his breathing heavy.
Ning Xiaoren scoffed at his response.
That light scoff was like ice-cold water, quenching the flames of Ning Ze’s fury.
After all, Ning Xiaoren was the Young Clan Leader, his superior. What could he do?
He’d raised Ning Zhuo for over a decade, and though his care hadn’t been wholehearted, Ning Zhuo had indeed benefited from his support.
But now, Ning Xiaoren wanted to bring Ning Zhuo close, to take the credit, by slandering and framing Ning Ze to cover up his own neglect.
Such sinister, despicable tactics!
But there was no escape.
Ning Ze had no way out.
He had no choice but to swallow this unwarranted blame and responsibility.
For he was a subordinate, earning his livelihood under Ning Xiaoren’s command.
Ning Xiaoren was the Young Clan Leader, second only to the Ning Family Clan Leader.
Even if Ning Ze resisted to the death, he would be forced into submission.
At that moment, Ning Ze suddenly thought of how he’d recently pressured Ning Zhuo.
“So this is how it feels to be forced into submission, with no hope of resistance,” he thought, his heart filled with bitterness and despair.
In that moment, he realized he truly deserved this punishment.
“Young Clan Leader, indeed, I embezzled your secret funds. All of this is my fault!”
Ning Ze’s voice turned hoarse, his expression utterly bleak.
Only then did Ning Xiaoren pat him on the shoulder. “I won’t leave you empty-handed.”
“You’ll be staying in the family’s dungeon for now.”
“I’ll notify your wife to come visit you.”
Ning Ze was stunned.
He hadn’t expected it to happen so soon and raised his gaze in shock toward Ning Xiaoren.
Ning Xiaoren’s face remained smiling, but his eyes gleamed with icy malice.
Lowering his head, Ning Ze replied heavily, “Yes, your subordinate accepts.”
…
The Ning Family Clan Leader returned to his estate, smiling.
This recent negotiation had gained substantial benefits for the Ning Family, far exceeding expectations.
Ning Xiaoren came to report, openly detailing his scheme to frame Ning Ze and win over Ning Zhuo.
Stroking his beard, the Ning Family Clan Leader mused, “You handled it reasonably well.”
“But remember, Ning Zhuo is different now. For now, the family must rely on him. You’ll need to restrain yourself.”
The Ning Family Clan Leader was fully aware of his son’s greedy nature.
With just a calm glance, he made Ning Xiaoren break into a cold sweat, who quickly assured that he would not act in such a way again.
“Father, here are the urgent investigation results,” Ning Xiaoren said, presenting numerous intelligence reports.
These reports had one common link: Ning Zhuo.
Each piece of information was closely connected to him.