Chapter 89: The Forsaken Son

The Ning family cultivators filed into Ning Zhuo’s small courtyard one after another, their expressions impassive. They positioned themselves on both sides, subtly surrounding him. Several others fanned out around the perimeter of the residence, keeping a vigilant watch.

Ning Ze and Ning Fan stood before Ning Zhuo. Ning Ze stated the purpose of their visit in a concise and direct manner.

Ning Zhuo raised his eyebrows. "I do have a large sum of spirit stones, but that is my own business, is it not? It has nothing to do with the clan." He looked at his uncle, his youthful face filled with disbelief and incomprehension. "Did you really have to come here in person just for this, Uncle?"

Ning Fan remained silent.

Ning Ze shook his head slightly, his expression grave. "Zhuo, you are still young; it is no fault of yours that you do not understand these matters. You only need to tell us the truth—the source of this massive fortune."

But Ning Zhuo shook his head, looking troubled. "I am sorry, Uncle, but I cannot speak of this."

Ning Ze and Ning Fan were taken aback. Ning Ze lowered his voice, his face becoming even sterner. "Why can you not speak? At such a critical juncture, you still refuse to talk?!"

Ning Zhuo shrugged, his hands spread in a gesture of indifference that also betrayed a stubborn streak of adolescent defiance. "What does it matter? It is my money; I should be able to spend it however I please."

Ning Ze grew anxious. "You don't understand your current situation, Zhuo! Do you think things are the same as before? They are not! You are now a key prospect being cultivated by the family, the number two figure in the renovation team. Do you even realize that?"

"Someone has reported you for extravagant spending and possessing a fortune of suspicious origin. Just as the family is about to invest heavily in you, this happens! Do you not see that you have to explain yourself?"

"Zhuo, you think the world is too simple. Before, when you were obscure and unremarkable, no one cared. But now that you are at the peak of the third layer, everyone is watching you. Even the smallest flaw in you will be magnified, seized upon by those with ulterior motives who will use it to attack you and bring you down!"

"Now that you have such a glaring suspicion hanging over you, those people will spread rumors that you are secretly funded by another family, that you have been turned, and that you are a spy planted in our clan. Don't you see that the family must conduct a thorough investigation to set their minds at ease?"

Ning Ze spoke at length, his tone earnest and heavy with concern.

Ning Zhuo fell silent for a long time before finally saying, "Uncle, there are indeed many hidden circumstances here. But I can guarantee that I have not done anything wicked or harmful. This money was obtained through legitimate means; my conscience is clear!"

Ning Ze stared at him, itching to grab him by the ears. "No, did my words just now go in one ear and out the other? Did you listen at all? You say your conscience is clear, but who can prove it? Who will believe it?"

"Fine. Since you haven't done anything wicked, just tell us! You need to prove yourself to the clan!"

Ning Zhuo remained silent.

"Are you even listening to me?" Ning Ze’s voice rose, his brow furrowed in frustration and a flicker of anger.

Ning Zhuo sighed, finally revealing a sliver of the truth. "Uncle, you are the person closest to me. You must believe me—I really haven't done anything bad. But I truly cannot reveal this. I have entered into a contract with someone else. I cannot speak of it; if I do, I will suffer the backlash of the contract."

Ning Ze was stunned, his brow knitting even tighter. "What sort of matter would lead you to sign such a contract with someone else? Oh, you child, you are going to be the death of me!" Ning Ze pointed a trembling finger at Ning Zhuo, but the boy only lowered his head, maintaining his silence.

Ning Ze looked at him, then at Ning Fan nearby. He forced a smile and whispered to him, "Brother Ning Fan, could you grant us a favor? Let me speak with my nephew alone."

Ning Fan looked conflicted. "You know that I was sent here specifically to supervise..."

Ning Ze, past the point of caring, quickly sent a telepathic message promising him certain benefits. Ning Fan struggled with the decision for a moment before nodding. "You both have bright futures; I do not wish to offend you. I will give you half a cup of tea’s time."

Ning Ze led Ning Zhuo into the room. "Speak. Whatever is so hard to say, say it now. It is just the two of us." Ning Ze’s face was as dark as water.

Ning Zhuo replied, "Uncle, what I said earlier was the truth. I am not deceiving you. I have indeed signed a contract with another party and cannot reveal a single word."

Ning Ze was so angry he glared, pressing a finger to Ning Zhuo’s forehead. "Ning Zhuo, do you have any idea of the severity of this? The family values you highly, which is why a special investigation team was sent. To prevent any misunderstandings, I was sent specifically to talk to you. This is the best moment for you to confess; if you miss this, it will be a disaster!"

Ning Ze took a deep breath. "Fine, even if you are bound by a contract, it does not matter. Remember, for every lock in this world, there is a key. Tell me what kind of contract it is, and with the power of the family, it is not impossible to break it."

Ning Zhuo shook his head. "Uncle, in my opinion, it is best not to touch this. If you must have me speak, I can only tell you that this matter involves a Golden Core master!"

"What?" Ning Ze was shocked, stepping back involuntarily. "You... you are not lying to me?" The highest combat power in the Ning family was the clan patriarch, a single Golden Core cultivator.

Ning Zhuo sighed. "How could I lie to you, Uncle? That is why I believe we should stop the investigation here. If the family does not trust me, I will withdraw from the renovation team and forgo the exploration of the Molten Immortal Palace."

Ning Ze stomped his foot in frustration. "Zhuo, how can you say such foolish things? I spent money to get you into that team! Do you think you can just quit if you want to? Even if you quit, the family will still investigate your affairs. You, oh you... how did you end up in this mess?!"

"Tell me, who is that Golden Core master? It... it couldn't be that Shadow Demon cultivator, could it?" At this, Ning Ze’s pupils contracted, and he stepped back in horror. He immediately sent a telepathic message to Ning Zhuo, demanding sharply, "Quick, tell me, does this have anything to do with the Shadow Demon cultivator?"

Ning Zhuo frowned. "Uncle, do not force me. I cannot say."

"How could you sign such a contract? Oh, heavens! My... the whole clan will be implicated because of you!" Ning Ze slapped his thigh in agitation.

Ning Zhuo sighed. "Uncle, I was forced into this."

Hearing this, Ning Ze leaned even further toward the conclusion that it was the Shadow Demon. He paced back and forth, then stopped abruptly and stared at Ning Zhuo. "Zhuo, this is extremely serious. It is not something you can just hide from. We must get to the bottom of this today. Do not blame your uncle—you are the one who has done wrong!"

Ning Zhuo was stunned. "Uncle, it is not as serious as you think..."

But Ning Ze, desperate to distance himself from Ning Zhuo and prove his own loyalty, stepped out of the house. He said to Ning Fan, "My nephew has indeed signed a contract. What should we do next? Does the family have a way to break it? The crucial point is that this involves a Golden Core master."

Ning Fan was stunned. After a long pause, his expression darkened. "This is a grave matter. If the contract was not set by the Golden Core master themselves, we can attempt to break it. But are you certain? Since Ning Zhuo cannot disclose the details, we will have to test it repeatedly. In the process, he may suffer unavoidable harm."

Ning Ze struggled for a moment before nodding fiercely. "Our investigation is mandated by the higher-ups, and the whole clan is watching. If we do not go through with this, how can we report back? Proceed!"

Ning Fan’s eyes flickered. "You are Ning Zhuo’s uncle and the chief officer of this investigation team; you have the final say. However, it would be best if Ning Zhuo cooperated voluntarily; it would yield the best results."

No sooner had Ning Fan finished speaking than Ning Zhuo said, "I will not!"

Ning Ze turned and glared. "Unfilial boy, this is not up to you." He glanced left and right and barked, "Why haven't you started yet?"

Ning Fan sighed and gave a silent signal. Two burly investigation team members stepped forward, grabbed Ning Zhuo from either side, and channeled their mana to easily suppress him.

Ning Fan took out a magical artifact and handed it to Ning Ze. "This is the Father-Son Mind-Capturing Bracelet. Put the father bracelet on yourself and the son bracelet on Ning Zhuo’s wrist, and you can capture his thoughts. As the saying goes, no one knows a son like his father. Even though Ning Zhuo is bound by the contract, it does not restrict his thoughts. If we forcibly extract the relevant memories from his soul sea, we will obtain the information."

"However, this may trigger a backlash from the contract. Our investigation team will do its best to suppress it. Furthermore, the act of forced extraction itself can damage the soul sea. To avoid this, it is best if young Ning Zhuo cooperates voluntarily."

Pinned down, Ning Zhuo struggled in his seat. "I won't! I absolutely will not!"

Ning Ze snorted coldly and fastened the bracelets onto himself and Ning Zhuo. "Zhuo, you are being stubborn. As your elder, the person closest to you in this world, how can I let you continue to make mistakes? Cooperate with me obediently, and you will suffer less pain."

Ning Zhuo refused.

Ning Ze’s expression turned icy, and he channeled the bracelets. A pair of bracelets on their wrists emitted a blue-white glow. A powerful suction force probed into Ning Zhuo’s soul sea. Just as it was about to wreak havoc, it collided with the Buddha-Heart Demon Seal. The suction was like a gale, but the seal was like a mountain—immovable, providing perfect defense.

Ning Zhuo’s eyes rolled back, his body twitching continuously in the chair, and two streams of blood flowed from his nostrils. Ning Ze’s face remained grim, proceeding with his plan.

The thoughts Ning Zhuo had long prepared were presented forward, about to be captured by Ning Ze.

*Bang.*

With a loud crash, the door to the house was pushed open. Young Clan Head Ning Xiaoren took in the scene in the hall, his eyes splitting with rage as he let out a roar: "Stop!"