Chapter 61: Yu Yuanzhen, Furious, Slaps Yu Xiaogang
Ning Fengzhi had always been a man of profound emotions and equally ruthless methods. Though those feelings seemed contradictory, they coexisted within him with no conflict at all. The original capital accumulation of a merchant is forever steeped in darkness; if he were not as merciless, how could his Ning family have built the richest sect in all the land? Toward his own people, he was loyal and warm, otherwise so many would not have been willing to stand behind him to protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
As for how he treated Bibi Dong, Ning Fengzhi felt not the slightest guilt. He believed he had given her countless opportunities, and she had squandered them, choosing to be an ingrate—an enemy of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Therefore, he saw no issue in being ruthless to her. He knew all too well the darkness of this world—like auctions in Heaven Dou selling slave girls for the wealthy to enjoy—so cruelty did not faze him.
Without a cold, iron hand, one cannot protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Without ruthlessness, one cannot stand strong.
Returning to the Seven Treasure Hall, dawn was breaking. Sword Douluo had not rested, sitting in his chair awaiting the outcome.
"Fengzhi, what happened to Dong'er?"
In private voice transmission, Ning Fengzhi relayed the turn of events. Sword Douluo had no doubt he spoke truthfully—Ning Fengzhi would not lie about such a matter. Sword Douluo let out another sigh, likely the greatest emotional surge he'd felt since the death of his father. "Fengzhi, I don't understand at all. We gave Dong'er everything we could, treating her as kindly as possible—how did she end up this way?"
"I don't know either," Ning Fengzhi replied tiredly. Then he turned toward the exit of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. "Uncle Sword, let's not bother with Bibi Dong anymore. One parasite is dealt with; now we must handle the other. Let Yu Yuanzhen see what kind of 'splendid' son he's raised."
Outside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan
Yu Xiaogang gathered his clothes and the theoretical manuscripts he'd been studying these past months. Taking off the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan uniform, he prepared to leave.
Strictly speaking, the rules on the Douluo Continent dictate that once you join a clan, you must serve it for life, not allowed to defect or depart. But those rules can be broken for those with enough strength or backing.
Yu Xiaogang certainly belonged to that category. His own power was weak, but he had a powerful backer: the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, specifically his father Yu Yuanzhen.
He paced outside the clan gate. Several patrolling sect disciples spotted him and approached with blatant hostility.
"Yu Xiaogang, what are you doing here? If you're leaving, then get going!"
"Sorry, I'm waiting for someone."
"Waiting for who? Like there's anyone here who'd be close to you!" The disciples spoke more rudely, thoroughly contemptuous, for Yu Xiaogang—generally seen as "trash"—had seemed quite close to Bibi Dong, the clan's goddess. They envied him but could not publicly insult him, fearing Bibi Dong's anger, so they bottled up their rage.
"Bibi Dong," Yu Xiaogang said calmly.
Those words infuriated them further. "As if Her Highness would leave with you, you worthless toad lusting after a swan! Keep dreaming!"
Recalling the warmth Bibi Dong had shown him in the clan, Yu Xiaogang steeled his voice. "You'll see soon enough."
"You won't be seeing anything," came a cold voice.
They looked up to see the clan's main gate swing open, revealing Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, faces cold.
"Pay respects to the Sect Master and Sword Elder!"
The patrolling disciples bowed hastily.
Yu Xiaogang tensed, suspecting ill intent.
"Yu Xiaogang," Sword Douluo snapped, "someone like you can never be worthy of Dong'er."
Yu Xiaogang clenched his teeth at the humiliation, feeling the mocking stares of the clan disciples. Though anger burned inside, he dared not retort. Instead he swore silently that these cruel, unkind people in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would pay a hundredfold for today's shame.
Then Sword Douluo's hand shot out. A surge of soul power yanked Yu Xiaogang within a foot of his reach, and in one leap, he and Ning Fengzhi soared into the sky, heading toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Sword Douluo, Ning Fengzhi, what are you doing? Where are you taking me?!"
"To the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, to see your father, Yu Yuanzhen."
Relief flickered over Yu Xiaogang's face. In his father's domain, maybe he would get justice. "Justice," he mused. They accused him of some "theory theft," but he had taken nothing. Then, what "debt" could he owe?
Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Great Hall
A brooding silence pervaded.
"Ning Sect Master," Yu Yuanzhen said icily, "my son claims you've publicly humiliated him, yet you arrive at my clan's doors. Are you not going to explain?"
Lightning flickered in his eyes. Yu Xiaogang knelt at his feet, tearfully relaying his supposed grievances, "Father, you must avenge me!"
Ning Fengzhi spoke evenly. "It's a long story. But if you examine your son's storage soul tool, you'll see what you need."
Yu Yuanzhen frowned and extended a hand. "Xiaogang, hand me your storage tool. If you're truly the victim, your father will see you avenged."
Yu Xiaogang complied without hesitation. Inside were his clothes, some gold coins, and his manuscripts on so-called "theory," but no "incriminating" items.
Yu Yuanzhen scanned the contents mentally. He was about to speak, but Ning Fengzhi continued, "Take a careful look at the manuscripts your son claims to have 'researched.'"
As Yu Yuanzhen read them, his expression grew dark. Those theories were riddled with holes—nonsense like a maximum year-limit for soul rings, a potential recipe for calamity.
"How does this prove anything, Ning Sect Master? Are you claiming my son used these ramblings to harm your clan's disciples?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "No. With me watching, he had no chance. But, Master Yu, aren't you curious how he came up with these theories? He used references from our clan's library, passing them off as his own. Then after helping himself, he simply left. Some integrity your son has, Master Yu."
"You bastard!"
Smack!
Yu Yuanzhen bellowed, hurling an invisible blow across ten feet, causing Yu Xiaogang's face to balloon on the right side. He collapsed with a wail.
"I, Yu Yuanzhen, despise evil! How did I father such a shameless, vile wretch?!"
Shocked and confused, Yu Xiaogang felt tears well up. His father sided with these outsiders. "Father, those are truly my own theories!"
"You dare lie again?! With your meager rank, you conjured these scribbles? And that fool talk about an absolute limit on soul rings?!"
Yu Yuanzhen struck again, even harder. Yu Xiaogang soared through the air and tumbled across the ground. Both cheeks swelled like a pig's head. His pride was crushed; the pain robbed him of breath, and he sank into unconsciousness.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen