Chapter 423

Zhang Chengze coldly watched Zhang Guilian, under Du Guan's instigation, suddenly kneel before him, without stopping her, without speaking, though the sorrow in his eyes could not be concealed.

He was not sad for himself, nor for Zhang Guilian; he was sad for his father, for the many years his father had devoted to Zhang Guilian.

His second aunt might not know that the Du father and son had stolen the Mountain God Token, nor that the token's theft meant what situation for his father.

Once the Mountain God Token is refined by the Du father and son or by someone else, his father cannot continue as the Lion Ridge Mountain God; he might not even have a chance at reincarnation.

Soul and spirit scattered!

Initially.

Zhang Guilian might not have known, but after being reminded, it was impossible for her not to know this matter; yet she repeatedly pleaded for Du Guan, not hesitating to kneel before him.

One must know that when the Du father and son stole the Mountain God Token and fled their home, they did not take Zhang Guilian with them.

He didn't care at all; his family, indeed the entire Zhang Family Village, because the Mountain God Token was stolen, would deal with Zhang Guilian however they liked—even if she were beaten to death, that was possible.

Who in the entire Zhang Family Village doesn't know what benefits would come to the whole Zhang family once his father becomes the Lion Ridge Mountain God?

How could one not be angry about the Du father and son stealing the Mountain God Token?

Moreover, I'm afraid there isn't a single person in the entire Zhang Family Village who doesn't know what kind of people the Du father and son are.

If they let the Du father and son become the Lion Ridge Mountain God, perhaps the entire Zhang Family Village would have no good days.

Even if their family wanted to protect Zhang Guilian and keep her from being taken out on by the angry Zhang Family Village people, it would almost be very difficult.

At this moment.

Zhang Guilian actually still begged for mercy for Du Guan!

"Second Aunt, don't speak—I know what you want to say……"

Zhang Chengze suppressed his words, seeing Zhang Guilian open her mouth, about to interrupt, but before he could finish speaking, he heard Zhang Guilian say:

"Chengze, no matter what, he is your second aunt's husband……"

"I told you not to speak—didn't you hear me?"

Zhang Chengze's face was ferocious, his whole person like a tiger picking its prey, he glared at Zhang Guilian, frightening her so that the words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back, and he shouted angrily:

"Second Aunt, you really are my second aunt—your husband does these beastly things, and you still have the nerve to come beg me?"

"You should know, he didn't harm me—he harmed your elder brother, your own elder brother, the one who raised you; doing this, is your conscience eaten by dogs?"

Zhang Guilian lowered her head and said nothing.

Zhang Chengze gave a self-mocking smile, because he saw no trace of remorse on Zhang Guilian's face or in her eyes.

Obviously.

She had no regret; even if he spoke up and asked County Magistrate Wei to let those two beastly Du father and son off, Zhang Guilian probably wouldn't thank him.

Perhaps under the Du father and son's deceit, he—and even his whole family—would harbor deep resentment.

"Trash!"

Seeing Zhang Guilian frightened by Zhang Chengze into silence, Du Guan couldn't help cursing inwardly, his heart anxious; if they kept delaying, he was as good as dead, so he hurriedly shouted:

"Chengze, Chengze, I know, second aunt's husband knows, second aunt's husband did a huge thing, second aunt's husband doesn't dare ask you and your whole family to forgive second aunt."

"But if second aunt's husband truly knows his mistake, just give him one chance—rest assured, second aunt's husband will definitely let you see his change!"

"Knows his mistake?" Zhang Chengze's face full of mockery; he and Du Guan weren't strangers—he knew exactly what kind of person Du Guan was.

Back then.

They relied on his family to rise, then later turned against them and denied knowing them; now they only say this because of the threat of death—once that threat is gone, this dog and even his whole family will likely turn on them again.

"Right, right, right!"

Du Guan nodded frantically, saying: "Second aunt's husband knows his mistake; even if you don't forgive him, you must give him a chance to change!"

"Fine, I'll give you one chance to change!"

As soon as Zhang Chengze finished speaking, he saw Du Guan's face full of barely concealed joy; he cursed inwardly, yet his face broke into a bright smile as he pleaded:

"County Magistrate Wei, no matter what, although they did something beastly, their family is, after all, relatives of ours……"

Wei Yuan interrupted: "Zhang Hunter—no, Zhang Brother, since you've spoken, I'll spare them this once!"

Given his personality, not to mention Zhang Chengze—even if it were Zhang Deben asking him to do something, one would have to pay the appropriate price.

Zhang Chengze?

He doesn't even have the right to speak in front of him, let alone ask him to handle affairs.

This novel you have arrived at

But now he clearly knows that the Zhang family has deep ties with a mysterious person, a mysterious person capable of brutally killing Tang Anzhi, and he cannot afford to offend Zhang Chengze's dignity.

This isn't giving Zhang Chengze face—it's giving the mysterious person face.

He isn't Tang Anzhi, who has superb skills and a life-saving treasure—a substitute straw man; once the mysterious person moves against him, he wouldn't even know how he died—Zhang Chengze wouldn't even need to ask him to handle affairs, even just to order him; as long as Zhang Chengze is willing to speak a few kind words for him before the mysterious person.

He would be a hundred times willing!

He's seen powerful experts before, but someone like the mysterious person who completely ignores his imperial court official status and doesn't fear court retaliation—he can't say he's never seen such, but it's rare.

Each one is someone he can't afford to provoke.

"Thank you, thank you, Chengze, second aunt's husband thanks you for your great mercy!"

Du Guan suppressed his inner excitement, his face full of the joy of surviving a disaster, and exclaimed ecstatically: "Chengze, just watch—second aunt's husband will show you how he changes, guaranteeing not to disappoint you and your whole family!"

Zhang Chengze smiled and said nothing; he knew Du Guan would certainly change, but not because he saved Du Guan's life—rather because he could profit from the Zhang family, just as before, when the Du family had not yet risen, back then he, though not yet grown and sensible, had heard the village talk about them.

Knowing what kind of person Du Guan is!

Wei Yuan saw Zhang Chengze's dislike for the Du family and couldn't wait to say: "Alright, no more nonsense—hurry up and hand over the Mountain God Token!"

"The Mountain God Token?"

Du Guan's face changed; he was about to explain that his Mountain God Token had been snatched, when out of the corner of his eye he noticed Tang Anzhi sitting cross-legged in the distance, and he hastily said: "Sir, my Mountain God Token was taken by that person!"

"Hmph!"

Wei Yuan gave a cold snort, also suddenly realizing that Tang Anzhi's encounter with the mysterious person's attack was precisely for rushing into the ghost wall to seize the Mountain God Token; he was about to rise and leave, to retrieve the token from Tang Anzhi's hand.

Zhang Chengze spoke again: "County Magistrate, I still need to ask you for a favor!"

"Brother Zhang, you say, for the sake of our friendship, not just one thing— even a hundred, I, your elder brother, will agree!"

Wei Yuan smiled and said.

(End of chapter)