Chapter 125: Zhou Hexuan

"Enough!"

Jiangnan let out a cold shout, interrupting the two's argument.

"Zhou Hexuan, you think this can wash away the suspicion?"

He looked at Zhou Hexuan, his gaze icy.

"I didn't kill anyone; why the suspicion?"

Zhou Hexuan sneered, "As for you, an outsider, shouting here and injuring my Zhou Family's people, what are your motives?"

"I'm only seeking the truth."

Jiangnan spoke coldly, then his gaze turned to Zhou Hexuan, full of amusement.

"Seeking the truth?"

Zhou Hexuan let out a cold snort, a mocking smile curling at his mouth.

"Zhou, acting righteously and sitting properly, why need to prove anything to you, an outsider?"

He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the servants who were silent as cold cicadas.

"This is a Zhou Family matter, none of your business."

Zhou Hexuan's tone was hard, pressing forward step by step.

"If you have any sense, leave here quickly."

He pointed at the main gate, his eyes cold.

"Otherwise, don't blame my Zhou Family for showing no mercy!"

As the words fell, a group of black‑clad bodyguards surged from the crowd, encircling Jiangnan and Xia Yurou.

Each of them was burly, muscles knotted, eyes fierce, wielding gleaming cleavers that flashed coldly in the candlelight.

The atmosphere suddenly tightened, ready to snap.

Xia Yurou clutched Jiangnan's arm tightly, cold sweat seeping from her palm.

She could feel the surrounding hostility, like an invisible net binding them tightly.

"Mr. Jiang, perhaps we should just drop this matter."

Her voice trembled, carrying a hint of fear.

Jiangnan reversed his grip on Xia Yurou's hand, gave a gentle pat, indicating she should be at ease.

"Just now Zhou Laoyezi told us the information about the Five-colored Spirit Stone; I don't like owing anyone a favor. So this time, I will administer justice for Zhou Laoyezi."

After saying that, he turned his head toward Zhou Hexuan, his eyes calm as water, without any ripple.

"Zhou Hexuan, are you feeling guilty like a thief?"

Jiangnan's voice was low, yet carried an undeniable authority.

"Do you dare, in front of everyone, to prove your innocence?"

His gaze burned like a torch, staring directly into Zhou Hexuan's eyes, as if to pierce his soul.

"Prove your innocence?"

Zhou Hexuan laughed loudly, his laughter full of mockery and contempt.

"What does Zhou Hexuan need to prove to you?"

He pointed at his own nose, tone arrogant.

"I am the Second Master of the Zhou Family, the master of this Zhou Mansion!"

"What are you, that you even dare to question me?"

Zhou Hexuan's gaze was contemptuous, he paid no heed to Jiangnan.

"I'll say it again, this is a Zhou Family matter, none of your business."

Zhou Hexuan reiterated, his tone carrying a hint of threat.

"If you don't want to die, get out quickly!"

He waved his hand, and the bodyguards immediately pressed in, tightening the circle around Jiangnan and Xia Yurou.

Jiangnan looked around, his gaze sweeping over each of the bodyguards.

"Zhou Hexuan, you think these people can scare me?"

His voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Today, I want to see who dares to block me!"

He lunged forward a step, a powerful aura bursting from him.

The bodyguards were stunned by the aura, unintentionally stepping back.

"You… what are you trying to do?"

Zhou Hexuan's complexion slightly changed; he hadn't expected Jiangnan to be so forceful.

"What?"

Jiangnan sneered.

"Of course it's to uncover the truth and give Zhou Laoyezi his justice!"

He stepped toward Zhou Hexuan, his gaze growing colder.

"Zhou Hexuan, you'd better pray this matter has nothing to do with you."

Jiangnan's voice was icy, like a demonic sound from hell.

"Otherwise, I'll make your life worse than death!"

With each step he took, his aura grew stronger.

The bodyguards were pressed by the aura, gasping for breath, retreating, daring not to block.

Zhou Hexuan's face turned iron‑blue; he hadn't expected Jiangnan to be so hard to deal with.

You... you don't mess around!

He shouted, stern on the outside but weak inside.

I'm the Second Master of the Zhou Family—if you dare touch me, the Zhou Family won't let you get away with it!

The Zhou Family?

Jiangnan gave a cold sneer, dismissive.

In my eyes, the Zhou Family are nothing but a bunch of worthless chickens and dogs.

He continued forward, quickly arriving before Zhou Hexuan.

Now, tell me, how did Old Master Zhou die?

Jiangnan looked down at Zhou Hexuan, his gaze like that of a lamb awaiting slaughter.

I... I don't know...

Zhou Hexuan's eyes flickered; he dared not meet Jiangnan's gaze.

You don't know?

Jiangnan gave a cold sneer, suddenly struck out, grabbing Zhou Hexuan's neck and lifting him up.

Say it again!

Jiangnan's voice ice-cold, he kept applying force with his hand.

Zhou Hexuan, choked, couldn't breathe, his face flushed red, his legs kicking wildly in the air.

I... I really... don't know...

He spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse.

Is that so?

A flash of cold light passed through Jiangnan's eyes, he applied force again.

Cough cough...

Zhou Hexuan began coughing violently, feeling as if he were about to suffocate.

I... I say... I say...

Zhou Hexuan's voice hoarse, like a broken bellows, intermittent.

Jiangnan slightly loosened his grip.

Zhou Hexuan drew a deep breath, as if a drowning person had been revived.

It... it was someone... who bribed me...

His eyes wandered, his tone weak.

Let me... kill the elder brother...

As soon as he said that, an uproar erupted all around.

Everyone stared in shock at Zhou Hexuan, discussing loudly.

What? The Second Master actually killed the Old Master?

How is that possible? They're blood brothers!

You can know a person's face but not their heart—truly terrifying!

Xia Yurou tightly grasped Jiangnan's hand, her palm already full of sweat.

She looked at Jiangnan, her eyes full of worry.

Jiangnan, however, remained calm, as if he had long anticipated this outcome.

He fixed his gaze on Zhou Hexuan, sharp and piercing.

Who ordered you?

Zhou Hexuan opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something, but then hesitated.

I... I can't say...

His eyes flickered, showing fear.

You can't say?

Jiangnan let out a cold snort.

Or you dare not say?

I...

Zhou Hexuan wanted to speak but stopped, his face growing uglier.

Zhou Hexuan, do you think that if you don't speak, I won't find out?

Jiangnan's voice low, carrying an undeniable authority.

I advise you to come clean, otherwise...

His eyes turned cold, killing intent bursting forth.

Zhou Hexuan trembled all over, as if doused with a bucket of cold water, instantly sobering up.

He looked at Jiangnan, fear greater than before.

I... I say...

His voice trembled, like a candle in the wind, about to go out at any moment.

It... it's someone called... called...

Before Zhou Hexuan could finish speaking, his face suddenly changed.

His eyes rolled back, his body convulsing violently.

Ah...

He let out a piercing shriek, a large amount of white foam spilling from his mouth.

"Not good!"

Jiangnan's face sank, he quickly loosened his grip.

Zhou Hexuan lost support and collapsed to the ground.

His limbs twitched, he foamed at the mouth, and he was about to die.

"Second Master!"

"Someone, come quickly!"

The surrounding bodyguards exclaimed in alarm, falling into chaos.

"Everyone, move aside!"

Jiangnan let out a fierce shout, his voice shaking the wilderness.

Those bodyguards were cowed by this aura and all retreated.