Chapter 162: Are You Satisfied?

The Ma Family Compound.

Inside Ma Youxiang's study.

Ma Yishan, his left arm in a cast and hanging from his neck, kept his head bowed low and knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.

Ma Youxiang sat behind the desk, his gaze like a torch, silently watching Ma Yishan; he said nothing, yet his presence was imposing without anger.

Not only Ma Yishan, but even Ma Zijun felt an invisible majesty enveloping him.

Ma Yiren stood beside the desk, glaring at Ma Yishan with a face full of rage; that look in his eyes seemed to wish he could tear him to pieces.

"Grandfather, Dad, that is how it happened."

Ma Zijun gave a simple account of the sequence of events, naturally concealing the part about Huang Zhu.

Ma Youxiang still said nothing.

Ma Yiren, however, could no longer hold back and scolded sharply: "You beast! Ma Yishan, that is your own niece, how could you bring yourself to do it!?"

"Big... Big Brother, I had my reasons!"

Ma Yishan's expression was panicked; he glanced at Ma Zijun and said: "From childhood to adulthood, I have never been as good as you! Later, you pursued a political career while I went into business. I believe I have done very well, but our family is, after all, a powerful and noble clan; this destined that no matter how well I did, I could never gain Father's approval.

But I have already let it go; I have accepted my fate! You are the hope of our family, and that wild... girl is your daughter, my niece, yes, but she is also your stain! Once her existence is known, your political career will be finished!

Not only your career, but it is very likely that Father's reputation in the political arena will also be affected, and our family will be affected too!"

"Then should I thank you for your good intentions?!"

Ma Yiren grabbed Ma Yishan by the collar and shouted: "The mistakes I have made, I own! Even if one day I am ruined, I will accept my fate, but Menghan is a person, not a pig or a dog! You actually went to kill her! To kill my child! To kill your own blood relative, do you still have any humanity left?!"

"Smack!"

Ma Yiren slapped Ma Yishan across the face; Ma Yishan collapsed to the ground, his face swelling instantly, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"Enough."

The elder of the Ma Family, Ma Youxiang, spoke.

Ma Zijun stopped Ma Yiren and waited quietly for Ma Youxiang's instructions.

"Second son, your reasons seem reasonable and logical, but there is still a flaw."

Ma Youxiang's tone was flat, yet it made both Ma Zijun and Ma Yishan tremble in their hearts.

"According to you, you went to assassinate that child for your big brother's sake, for the Ma Family's sake, but why didn't you do it before? Why did you have to rush to do it at this particular time?"

Ma Youxiang's gaze was like a torch, staring at Ma Yishan, as if he wanted to see through to his heart.

Hearing this, Ma Yiren also frowned, staring at Ma Yishan without blinking.

This was indeed a suspicious point; if Ma Yishan wanted to kill someone, it would have been easier to strike when Ma Menghan was in Shanghai, and it would have been easy to distance himself from the matter; there was no need to wait until now to act.

"I... I..."

Ma Yishan stammered, glanced quietly at Ma Zijun, and said: "I did think about it before, but at that time the girl hadn't come to Jinling, and Big Brother hadn't gone to see her. I thought they would never meet in this lifetime. Besides, Zijun had been in contact with the girl, and I was afraid that if I acted, I wouldn't be able to clean it up, and instead leave behind a flaw.

The reason I chose to act now is because the girl came to the Ma Family to ask for her mother's mementos and had a very unpleasant conflict with Sister-in-law, so I thought I could take the opportunity to shift the suspicion onto Sister-in-law. I just didn't expect that the junior brother of that Divine Doctor Li, Chen Che, would have such formidable Martial Dao Cultivation, and that he was on good terms with Zijun, which is why it failed!"

Before arriving at the Ma Family Compound, Ma Zijun had taken the initiative to find Ma Yishan and proposed protecting Huang Zhu; Ma Yishan agreed without a second thought.

His scandalous affair with Huang Zhu would be ruined if exposed; even if Ma Zijun hadn't said anything, he would have deliberately hidden Huang Zhu and taken all the blame himself.

It was just that, if he did that, it would inevitably arouse the suspicion of Ma Zijun, who knew the truth.

Now that Ma Zijun had taken the initiative to propose clearing Huang Zhu and had even provided the script.

The content of the script was logical and showed no flaws, which made Ma Yishan too happy to refuse, so how could he possibly say no!?

Ma Yishan said the words he had rehearsed with Ma Zijun in one breath, disguising Huang Zhu from the instigator into a victim.

After hearing Ma Yishan finish, Ma Youxiang did not give an immediate response, but silently watched Ma Yishan with an expressionless face, not knowing whether he believed it or not.

Ma Yiren also didn't express an opinion; instead, he calmed down, not knowing what he was thinking.

The brief silence made both Ma Yishan and Ma Zijun feel uneasy.

Finally, just as Ma Yishan was about to reach his breaking point, Ma Youxiang spoke.

"You certainly thought of a good strategy. Framing your sister-in-law is logical and reasonable."

Ma Youxiang paused and continued: "But you forgot, your sister-in-law is from the Huang Family. If your scheme had succeeded, it would have affected not only your big brother's and sister-in-law's marriage, but also the relationship between the Ma Family and the Huang Family."

"Fortunately, it didn't succeed, and the person is unharmed. That Chen Che can be considered loyal; he didn't blow the matter open but informed Zijun instead."

Ma Youxiang's voice sank, finally revealing a sense of anger, "You really did a very stupid thing!"

"Dad, Big Brother, I know I was wrong! I am willing to accept punishment!"

Ma Yishan prostrated himself on the ground, feeling a sense of relief instead.

Seeing that his grandfather Ma Youxiang did not ask further, Ma Zijun also felt relieved; he bowed slightly and pleaded guilty: "Grandfather, Menghan was brought here by me; I am also at fault."

"Dad, the root of this matter lies with me. Please rest assured, I will handle it well and ensure no flaws are left behind."

Ma Yiren also promised solemnly.

"Zijun bringing people here without authorization is indeed a mistake. But considering you handled it appropriately, I will not punish you."

Ma Youxiang said: "Yiren, you have been in the political arena for some years; you understand some things, so I will not say more. I only hope you will not let me down again."

"As for Yishan..."

Ma Youxiang paused and said: "You disregarded the Ma Family's reputation and the relationship between the Ma Family and the Huang Family to do such a stupid thing. From today on, you are relieved of all your positions in the company; go to the Ancestral Hall to reflect on your mistakes. You may come out only when you have thought it through."

Ma Yishan's body shuddered; although it was within his expectations, he still felt unwilling when he heard Ma Youxiang's punishment for him.

Being relieved of his duties to guard the Ancestral Hall without a set time limit—how was this any different from being in prison?!

A sense of regret rose in his heart, regretting that he had been bewitched by Huang Zhu and done such a stupid thing!

He also hated Chen Che even more; if it weren't for Chen Che intervening halfway, Ma Menghan would be dead, his own arm wouldn't be broken, and he wouldn't be "under house arrest" by Ma Youxiang!

But even if he was unwilling and regretful in his heart, he dared not show the slightest bit of it at this moment and could only obey!

Ma Yishan was taken away, leaving Ma Yiren and his son Ma Zijun in the study, waiting quietly to see if Ma Youxiang had any other instructions.

Ma Youxiang rubbed his eyes with some fatigue, pondered for a moment, and asked: "Zijun, how did you get to know that Chen Che?"

Ma Zijun replied, "This is a bit complicated to explain..."

Ma Zijun concisely recounted the events in Shanghai, and Ma Youxiang's originally weary expression gradually became spirited as he listened to Ma Zijun's words!

"Is everything you said true?!"

Ma Youxiang found it hard to believe and asked again.

"Grandfather, it is true; I saw it with my own eyes. Furthermore, this incident—whether it be the deaths of the master and disciple Long Jiang, or the fact that Second Uncle was schemed against—is already enough to prove Chen Che's ability."

Ma Zijun said slowly.

"You are not wrong about that."

Ma Youxiang took a few deep breaths, yet he still could not fully calm his emotions.

For this old man who had spent decades in the court and the field, emotional management was long ago his most practiced basic skill, but upon hearing of Chen Che's deeds, he still could not help but be shocked.

The main thing was that the things Chen Che had done were completely unlike what a twenty-five-year-old young man could achieve!

"A twenty-five-year-old Martial Arts Grandmaster, turning Shanghai upside down all by himself... It is no injustice for the second one to have fallen into Chen Che's hands."

Ma Yiren also sighed with heartfelt emotion.

"The most critical part is the Martial Arts Alliance; this organization is not only in the pugilistic world, but it is also registered in the court and the field. It is too mysterious, and the forces behind it may be immense. Since Chen Che's enemy is such an organization, it is hard to imagine just how mysterious he himself might be."

Ma Youxiang marveled in his heart, then cast an appreciative look at Ma Zijun, "Zijun, building a good relationship with such a person is very wise; you did not disappoint me. In this regard, you are stronger than your father and your second uncle."

"But such a person is also a minefield."

Ma Yiren's expression showed worry as he asked, "Father, have you really decided that the Ma Family should be involved with Chen Che?"

"Risk and benefit coexist."

Ma Youxiang said, "After learning of the Ma Family's scandal, Chen Che did not take the opportunity to make unreasonable demands, but instead informed Zijun. This point is enough to show that he values loyalty and righteousness. Interacting with someone who values loyalty and righteousness, even if it is a minefield, is worth a gamble!"

Ma Zijun nodded in agreement, while his heart bloomed with joy.

"Alright, you two may go now."

Ma Youxiang said finally, "Zijun, go to the hospital. If I am not mistaken, Chen Che should still be waiting for the outcome of this matter.

Go and ask him if he is satisfied with this result; if he has any further requests, as long as they are reasonable, satisfy them with all your might."

"Understood, Grandfather."

Ma Zijun replied.