[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-assuming-the-langya-surname":3,"chapter-assuming-the-langya-surname-assuming-the-langya-surname-chapter-16":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The False Clan of Langya",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2273812,4442,"Chapter 16: Who Insults My Mother Dies","assuming-the-langya-surname-chapter-16",16,"\u003Cp>The black-haired man felt the sky collapse and the earth crumble; he clutched Du San’s leg, sobbing, “Third Master! Third Master, I beg you! Don’t take my daughter! I’ll pay you back! I swear I will! Give me more time! I’ll pay you back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San struggled but couldn’t break free; he gave a signal to his men, and two of them rushed forward to drag the black-haired man away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let go of my father!” A-Wu charged out clutching her knife, but her strength was too weak to draw it from the scabbard; she could only point the scabbard’s tip at Du San.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San laughed loudly: “Oh! Now here’s a bold one! Take this little girl away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-haired man roared, broke free from their grip, and shielded his daughter behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little A-Wu cried, “Father, let’s report them to the authorities! Let the officials arrest them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San stroked his ring and smiled at little A-Wu: “Good! Go ahead and report them! Better yet, report it to the Jingzhou Prefectural Office! It’s been a long time since anyone dared sue me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-haired man knew reporting to the authorities would be useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San had powerful connections—he controlled both the legal and criminal worlds. Even if he hadn’t signed the contract and had the right on his side, he still couldn’t possibly defeat this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commotion inside the house drew the neighbors’ attention; the village head of Baying Village arrived with seven or eight villagers in haste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-haired man seized this lifeline and shouted, “Village Head! Save me! They’re trying to take A-Wu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head barked, “Who dares cause trouble in Baying Village?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s me,” Du San stood in the doorway, his face dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head was startled, then immediately switched to a smile: “Isn’t this Third Master? What wind blew you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San spat out one cold word: “Go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head bowed apologetically: “Third Master, it’s so late...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San roared: “Get out now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head and his men fled in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San glanced at the black-haired man and snapped impatiently: “Do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four big men closed in. Seeing the village head flee and no movement from the east room, the black-haired man was already hopeless; he reached for his waist knife to fight to the death—when a clear voice rang out: “Who dares?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yang stepped slowly out of the east room; the black-haired man’s tears burst forth as he begged, “Young Master Wang! Please save A-Wu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yang feigned indifference: “I don’t owe anyone favors. Your squad leader saved me, and you’ve served me well—I was planning to make you a squad leader as repayment. But since this happened, I’ll help you once. Whether you become a squad leader or not depends entirely on your own fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-haired man dropped to his knees and banged his head several times: “Thank you, Young Master Wang! Thank you, Young Master Wang! I don’t want to be a squad leader—I just want to protect A-Wu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San and his men had not noticed anyone in the east room; now that a slender, refined boy with such boldness suddenly appeared, they were all stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though a squad leader isn’t a high rank, it’s still a military post. This boy can’t be more than seventeen or eighteen, dressed so plainly—how could he casually promise someone the position of squad leader? How could this not shock them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you?” Du San’s hawk-like eyes locked onto Wang Yang; many people, under such a stare, would crumble before uttering a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life is all about performance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s go all in!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yang didn’t even glance at Du San; he calmly sat on the seat where he’d eaten dinner and said coolly: “Bring a seat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San and his men froze. The black-haired man, overwhelmed with emotion, didn’t react—but A-Wu ran into the room, fetched a worn straw mat, and neatly placed it opposite Wang Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit,” Wang Yang said, looking at Du San.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who the hell is this guy?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four big men exchanged bewildered glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Du San wasn’t fooled; he sneered: “No need to sit. State your lineage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yang knew his clothes and this setting clashed utterly with the image of the Langya Wang clan. But if he explained himself now, he’d seem too nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed a Qiji —a moment—to naturally reveal just enough information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need to say much; let them imagine, let them draw their own conclusions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People always trust explanations they invent themselves more than those handed to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile touched his lips as he murmured as if to himself: “This journey has been fascinating—I’ve met many people I never saw before, witnessed things I never imagined. Even stray cats and dogs come asking about my family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-haired man trembled at Wang Yang’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San’s face turned pale; his four men surged forward, cursing: “F*** you!”, “You little slave!”, “How dare you speak to Third Master like that!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yang’s heart pounded with fear as they charged—but his face showed only contempt, his gaze dismissive, as if they were ants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grasping the sun and moon, plucking the stars—no one in this world compares to me!” he silently chanted in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black-haired man, come and block them, you bastard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-haired man was still stunned—but Wang Yang wasn’t beaten. It was Du San who stepped forward to stop them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The older the martial world veteran, the more cautious he becomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more experienced, the more careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They won’t dare hit me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yang smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then don’t blame me for pushing further!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yang’s face darkened: “Black-haired man, kill the one who just cursed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kill?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-haired man stared, unable to believe what Wang Yang had just said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My mother is of the Chen Commandery Xie clan. Whoever insults my mother dies! Kill him—this is on me. Don’t fear—even if it reaches the Emperor, nothing will happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Commandery Xie clan? Your mother is from the Chen Commandery Xie clan?! Then you’re...” Du San’s expression cracked—he never imagined encountering a noble of such stature in this godforsaken place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xie and Wang clans were the two foremost aristocratic houses of the Southern Dynasties, collectively known as “Wang-Xie.” Marriage demanded equal status; if his mother was Xie, his father could not be a low-born commoner. Wang Yang had subtly laid the groundwork for his identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yang ignored Du San’s question entirely; he turned to the black-haired man and gave a sharp glance: “Do it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, little A-Wu jabbed her father with her elbow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-haired man’s wits snapped back; he drew his knife with a sharp hiss and shouted: “Yes!” as he advanced toward the man who had cursed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t mean it! I didn’t know! I swear!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man never imagined cursing once would cost him his life; he was paralyzed with terror, forgetting even to flee, only whimpering: “Third Master! Save me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others feared getting involved and, lacking Du San’s order, dared not move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du San knew this boy was bluffing—even if he were a true aristocrat, a scion of the highest lineage, no one would kill over a single curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing someone under these circumstances—even a noble—might not let him escape unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t risk it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if this boy was a reckless fool, used to acting without restraint?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if bloodshed triggered the black-haired man’s rage and he went on a rampage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if this brat truly held immense power and claimed self-defense or silenced witnesses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These scenarios were unlikely—but not impossible. Losing a subordinate meant little, but this affair must not draw attention—it was explicitly ordered to stay hidden. If a blood conflict erupted with this noble, the matter might explode beyond control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To prevent escalation, Du San slapped his man hard: “Apologize to the Young Master immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——————————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note: ① Wang Yang ordering a killing over a curse seems absurd by modern standards—baseless provocation. But in medieval times, the custom of vengeance, especially concerning parents, still lingered. For example, Yang Qiu of the Later Han: “When a local official insulted his mother, Yang Qiu gathered dozens of youths, killed the official, and exterminated his family, gaining fame.” (Book of the Later Han, Biographies of Cruel Officials.) Northern Zhou’s laws forbade private vengeance: “Those who retaliate shall be punished as murderers.” Emperor Wu of Liang decreed: “No one may use personal grudges to seek revenge. Violators shall be severely punished.” Both north and south officially banned vengeance, targeting lingering customs. Thus even shrewd Du San couldn’t be certain Wang Yang wouldn’t kill—he truly might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>② Online, a misconception persists that aristocrats held life-and-death power over commoners—but this is false. Even one’s own servants couldn’t be killed at will. For example, the Nan Qi Shu records: “The concubine Lu of Wang Yi, governor of Guangzhou, brutally murdered maidservants. Wang Yi’s son, Fa Lang, reported her; Jing Ze had her executed in Shanyin prison.” A noblewoman killed, so she paid with her life. Another example: Shen Wenshou, magistrate of Jiankang, “was dismissed and flogged a hundred strokes for having a private slave beaten to death by the Prince of Xunyang.” (Book of Song, Biography of Shen Wenshou.) Even a noble serving as official was punished for killing a slave. The Northern Dynasties were similar: “Wen Lue killed a horse and a maidservant, placing the maid’s head and horse meat in two silver vessels and sending them as gifts. Prince Qin accused him to Emperor Wenxuan, who imprisoned him in the capital’s jail.” (Book of Northern Qi, Biographies of Imperial Relatives.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even beating was restricted. The famed scholar Zhang Rong was dismissed for whipping a servant fifty times: “While on leave to attend his uncle’s funeral, he punished Qian Jingdao with fifty lashes and imprisoned him in Yanling jail. The Da Ming Fifth Year decree forbade two-class officials from flogging servants more than ten times. He was impeached by Left Chancellor Sun Mian and dismissed.” (Book of Nan Qi, Biography of Zhang Rong.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, if a killing was exposed, punishment followed. But discipline was lax; some killings escaped justice. Yet if exposed, trouble was inevitable—this is why Du San believed Wang Yang couldn’t escape consequences if he killed here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The online myth that aristocrats could kill freely likely stems from the anecdote in Shishuo Xinyu of a noble beheading a beauty for refusing wine. But Shishuo Xinyu collects gossip, not history. Moreover, the Jin dynasty was the peak of aristocratic power—Yuqing Tian argues “aristocratic politics” applies only to Eastern Jin; by the Southern Dynasties, imperial authority rose and aristocrats lost their former glory. True, noble killings occurred—but often under special circumstances, or went unreported. They cannot be generalized.\u003C\u002Fp>",1795,"2026-06-19T23:36:03.373Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e0c4d4f840f83b565d79d74b1dfc3f2cbf9ed71dbe4e95221f2201b2f6964b27","assuming-the-langya-surname-chapter-17","assuming-the-langya-surname-chapter-15",62,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-false-clan-of-langya-cover.jpg"]