Chapter 107: Remnants of the Demon Cult

The Zheng family’s birthday banquet ended.

The household was still immersed in joy, yet the atmosphere in the hall was unnaturally heavy; Zheng Youqing stood there like a child who had done something wrong, head bowed, not daring to breathe loudly.

“Damn it!”

Zheng Ci, who had just celebrated his seventieth birthday, roared after hearing Zheng Youqing’s account.

Zheng Bao shot Zheng Youqing a furious glare before leaning close to the old man and whispering, “Father, it’s already come to this—blaming him won’t help. What do we do now?”

He knew Zheng Youqing had poisoned the Gao family.

He had been certain of crushing the Gaos, never imagining it would turn out like this—and that they’d been caught with evidence.

If the Gaos truly used the recording talisman to accuse Zheng Youqing, the entire Zheng family could be dragged down.

Zheng Ci sighed and turned to the attendant Ruan, “Can you confirm what realm the person the Gaos hired belongs to?”

Ruan shook his head, “I didn’t even sense where the hidden expert was—let alone their realm. But I can say with certainty he’s powerful, at least a Sixth Rank, Third Stage cultivator.”

Zheng Youqing nodded vigorously,

“Grandfather, given the Gaos’ resources, the person they hired is probably no stronger than Sixth Rank, Third Stage. I don’t believe they could afford anyone higher—you yourself just broke through to Fifth Rank, didn’t you?”

Zheng Bao chimed in, “Father, we can’t let the Gaos go running around filing complaints. Our family can’t withstand an investigation from above.”

Zheng Ci snorted, fell silent for a moment, then said, “Take men immediately and surround the Gao residence. Claim you’ve discovered traces of the Demon Cult within their home—take the moral high ground first.”

“Yes!”

Zheng Bao responded and hurried out.

…

The Gao residence.

Gao the Squire let out a deep breath upon seeing Gao Youyao and Wu Feng return safely. “This is reckless! How could you not inform me first about something this serious?”

Gao Youyao smiled, unconcerned, “Father, how are you feeling? You look much better.”

Wu Feng chuckled, “Congratulations, Brother Gao, on entering the Eighth Rank of Confucian cultivation—no doubt thanks to that Righteous Qi Elixir. Earlier, Youyao was worried you hadn’t fully recovered, so she didn’t tell you.”

Gao Youyao’s eyes lit up, “Father, you’ve truly entered the Eighth Rank of Confucian cultivation?”

Gao the Squire beamed, “Indeed. I owe it all to that scholar Fang Lu. By the way, why didn’t he return with you?”

“He said he had some business to attend to—he’ll be back soon,” Gao Youyao replied casually, smiling. “Father, I recorded everything with the talisman. Zheng Youqing confessed in his own voice that he poisoned you. I’m going to see him brought to justice.”

Gao the Squire shook his head, “Unless absolutely necessary, don’t go this far—it’ll provoke the Zheng family’s retaliation.”

Gao Youyao insisted, “Father, we can’t keep being afraid. Zheng Youqing poisoned you—how do we know what he’ll do next?”

“You don’t know—tonight, if not for my Master, Zheng Youqing might have done something worse.”

“I support accusing Zheng Youqing,” Lu Fang said, walking over with a smile. “We have the truth—why fear them? We have proof. I don’t believe an official’s son can act with impunity.”

Gao the Squire frowned, “You’re all still too young. Things aren’t simply black or white. I heard the Zheng family has recently allied with the Xiao family in the capital—how do you plan to bring down Zheng Youqing?”

“Even if you did succeed,”

“how would the Gao family withstand the Zheng family’s revenge?”

“I’ve come to understand these past two days: if we can’t fight them, can’t we just run? Pack your bags—we leave Beicheng tonight.”

Gao Youyao frowned, “So we just let Zheng Youqing off after poisoning you?”

Gao the Squire shook his head, “We’ll deal with this later. Do as I say—pack your bags. Fang Young Master, come with us. The Gao family’s future rests on you and my daughter.”

Lu Fang nodded, saying nothing more.

This was better.

With the Gaos gone, he could slowly bring the Zheng family to justice.

Just as Gao the Squire and the others finished packing and gathered in the hall, the steward Sun rushed in, panting, “Master, disaster! Zheng Bao has surrounded the estate with soldiers—no one can get in or out!”

Gao Youyao snapped, “Why are they surrounding our home?”

Sun’s face twisted in distress, “They claim a demon cultist has infiltrated our residence.”

“We’re done for!”

Gao the Squire stamped his foot, “The Zhengs have invented an excuse to wipe us out completely—this ‘demon cult’ nonsense is just a pretext!”

Wu Feng’s face darkened with fury, “The Zheng family is truly unbearable!”

At that moment, a gatekeeper ran up, gasping, “Master! The county magistrate Zheng has stormed in with a squad of soldiers!”

Before he’d even finished speaking,

Zheng Bao burst into the hall with soldiers, seizing control of all the Gao servants. Behind him, a man in a black robe pulled back his hood, revealing an aged face—it was Zheng Ci.

Zheng Youqing was also there. Seeing Gao the Squire, now firmly in the Eighth Rank, he frowned, “How are you not poisoned?”

Gao the Squire ignored him, bowing to Zheng Ci, “Master Zheng, what is the meaning of this?”

Zheng Ci sat down without ceremony, coldly, “Gao the Squire, do you really not know what we’re doing? Hand over the demon cult remnants.”

Gao Youyao snapped, “What demon cult remnants? You’re fabricating charges! You simply want to seize our family’s wealth—and I have proof!”

Zheng Ci sneered, “Where’s your proof? Show it to me.”

Gao Youyao snorted, “I won’t give you proof.”

Gao the Squire offered a bitter smile, “Master Zheng, let’s just call it quits. We’ll leave Beicheng, and I’ll destroy the evidence. How’s that?”

“No!”

Zheng Youqing shouted, “You’ve consorted with the demon cult and now dare to bargain? None of you will leave this house alive tonight!”

Wu Feng stepped forward, “Are you truly going this far? I have friends in the capital. The evidence is in my hands—even if your grandfather is a high-rank cultivator, I can still escape. You won’t stop me.”

Zheng Ci glanced at Wu Feng, utterly dismissive,

“You overestimate yourself. Enough talk. Gao the Squire, call out the expert you hired.”

“Expert?”

Gao the Squire looked at Gao Youyao and Wu Feng.

Gao Youyao’s eyes brightened, “Master, are you saying someone else came with you?”

Wu Feng shook his head honestly, “Had I known this would happen, I’d have brought others. But I came alone.”