Chapter 247: As Expected
Chapter 247: As Expected
“What?”
Young Master Bai Huaiyu’s single sentence instantly caused a huge stir within the hall.
Even many experienced and shrewd figures, who had already guessed some reasons behind the events, still felt immense shock after hearing it from Bai Huaiyu himself. Divine Eye Young Master Lu Xiao had clearly deduced the Ghost Official’s motive for killing, even setting a trap based on it. Yet why did he stubbornly refuse to state the reason publicly? Why was he so determined to remain silent until the situation seemed dire, insisting that only after seeing the Fang Family’s ancestor would he speak?
At first, everyone thought the Ghost Official killed out of revenge. But why then did this retribution suddenly fall upon Elder Xue Wu – who had just left his family and not long ago arrived at Lingwu Sect – and Shang Yue – a son-in-law of the Mo Family, yet who shared no blood relation? It didn’t quite fit.
So that was it! It made complete sense.
Now the Seven Clans, the Six Sects, and indeed the whole of Qingjiang cursed the Ghost Official, accusing him of disturbing the order and senseless murder throughout their region. Yet, in truth, this time the Ghost Official wasn’t killing randomly. His victims were all those responsible for dealings with the South within the Seven Clans. In a way, he was indeed eliminating a public menace. Thinking deeper, perhaps the original, true Ghost Official had also acted for the greater good…
Thus, Second Young Master Fang’s demand to investigate the dead among the Seven Clans, and Divine Eye Young Master’s push to research the demonic texts, became understandable. Divine Eye Young Master dared not allow an investigation into the Seven Clans’ dead precisely because uncovering the truth would make it extremely difficult for the Seven Clans to hide their transgressions…
And now? It looked like an investigation was unavoidable, whether they liked it or not!
This Young Master Bai… Had the Ghost Official truly terrified him out of his wits? Had fear caused such a lapse in judgment that he confessed this matter publicly?
“Whoosh!” “Whoosh!” “Whoosh!”
Suddenly, countless gazes in the hall converged on Old Master Fan.
Honestly, at their level, everyone knew the Seven Clans’ business had some shady corners. Such vast wealth couldn’t be amassed purely through clean means. None dared speak of it openly, however. Even the Seven Clans themselves, when they dealt with Crow Mountain, were painstakingly careful. Any slip-up meant silencing witnesses… not to mention something ten or a hundred times worse: dealings with the Great Southern Demon Sovereign?
The memories of the Demon Lord’s northern invasion were still vivid in their minds. Yet now, there were people secretly trading with that demon…
At this point, the Qi Refiners were no longer preoccupied with wondering how Young Master Bai Huaiyu could have committed such a colossal blunder. They were busy thinking: How could such a matter be publicly confessed? Especially before Old Master Fan – famously upright, equally famous for hating evil and cherishing his good name like precious feathers? Confronted with this unforgivable evil, what would Old Master Fan do? Demand a thorough investigation? Or order arrests on the spot?
Under countless focused gazes, Old Master Fan’s face became extremely grim.
The expressions of others in the hall grew increasingly complex, some perhaps even gloating.
Fang Cun was smiling slightly. He sat by a table, sipping tea, holding a handful of sunflower seeds.
Divine Eye Young Master Lu Xiao wore an expression layered with complexity and urgency, but it gradually eased, becoming strangely calm.
Meng Zhixue looked stunned.
She had only known about the Ghost Official wreaking havoc and killing indiscriminately. She hadn’t realized such monstrous deeds by the Seven Clans lay hidden beneath it. All at once, the Seven Clans’ brazen avarice and their betrayal of moral principles, the reason behind the Ghost Official’s killings, and speculation about the complex situation swirled through her mind. Her face hardened with intense anger and shock.
…
…
“SLAM!”
Old Master Fan clenched his teeth for a long time, then suddenly slammed his palm heavily on the table, shouting angrily, “IS THIS TRUE?”
The sharp sound made countless people in the hall jump, startled.
Especially those from the Seven Clans; they desperately wanted to rush forward and clamp a hand over Young Master Bai’s mouth. But under all those watchful eyes, who dared act?
“Y-yes… it’s true…”
Young Master Bai Huaiyu seemed to accept that the secret was out. He had nothing left to lose, or perhaps he was truly terrified beyond reason. He only wanted to confess everything he knew, hoping someone else would catch the Ghost Official. His voice trembled, “The p-people the Ghost Official killed… Second Master Hu… the old shopkeeper of Wan Tong Trading House… Elder Xue Wu… and Shang… Shang Yue… They were all the people representing the Seven Clans… managing those… deals. I… I’ve met them all. Now… the only ones left… the ones he hasn’t killed yet… are me… and the Young Lady of the Nanli Family…”
“Hurry! Someone catch him! Go and investigate! Find out who knows our identities… If you find out how he knew we were in charge of the business… then… then you can definitely discover who the Ghost Official is… Hurry! Capture him quickly!”
Hearing Bai Huaiyu’s frantic pleas, the Qi Refiners from the Seven Clans looked utterly hopeless.
Some younger people among the crowd felt both shock and a vindictive thrill. Secretly colluding with the South, trafficking in forbidden goods – what a monstrous crime! Especially now, publicly confessed before everyone, confessed before the renowned righteous pillar that was Old Master Fan! No matter how powerful the Seven Clans were, how much influence they wielded behind the scenes, how could they possibly talk their way out of this? How could they obscure this truth now, exposed so nakedly?
Divine Eye Young Master Lu Xiao, however, now looked strangely calm.
He suddenly turned and glanced at Fang Cun, a hint of understanding seeming to dawn instantly.
Meng Zhixue noticed his look and immediately followed his gaze toward Fang Cun. Her thoughts raced: The Seven Clans are powerful with deep roots. Investigating them would likely go nowhere. But now, with Young Master Bai’s public confession, the matter is settled! They’ve exposed their own rot to the world, hitting their own exposed core decisively. Such a masterstroke, ending the game in one move… Could… could this too be Second Young Master Fang’s doing? Is it him…?
…
…
“Outrageous! Utterly outrageous!”
Hearing Bai Huaiyu’s words, and particularly feeling the stares of countless people directed his way, rage surged within Old Master Fan. He slammed the table again with such force the entire structure shattered. He shouted harshly, “All these years I, Old Master Fan, treated your Seven Clans well! Considering you usually understood some measure of honor and righteousness, I ensured Qingjiang Prefecture’s merchant routes favored you. Who could have imagined you harbored such viperous hearts?! Was that not enough?! You actually dared commit such heinous acts? Conspiring with demons? Betraying Yuan Nation? Betraying Great Xia?! You… You Seven Clans… Are you tired of living?!”
“Whoosh!”
The faces around the hall went pale. People lowered their heads nervously.
How many years had it been since Old Master Fan had publicly lost his temper like this?
“Guards!”
Old Master Fan roared. Immediately, Chief Wardens, Secretaries, and Divine Generals stepped forward awaiting orders. He pointed a furious finger at Bai Huaiyu. “Seize this vermin immediately! Question him thoroughly! Find out the truth of this matter! Ascertain exactly which members of the Seven Clans are involved! Once I have that damned Ghost Official caught, I will surely demand a full accounting from the Seven Clans!”
“Yes, sir!”
Magistrate Xue, the secretaries, and the Divine Generals obeyed instantly. They rushed forward and pinned down Bai Huaiyu.
“You must protect me… Don’t let the Ghost Official near me…”
Bai Huaiyu struggled frantically, shouting with a mix of terror and fury.
He seemed, instinctively, about to glance toward Fang Cun, but forcibly resisted and stiffened his neck.
“Old Master Fan, truly…”
Seeing this, many Qi Refiners present, especially the younger generation, couldn’t help but feel a surge of delight. It seemed the Seven Clans were finally in deep trouble. Old Master Fan’s words, spoken publicly, had essentially condemned them.
However, over on the other side, Fang Cun put down his sunflower seeds. A cold sneer escaped him.
“As expected…”
In that moment, disappointment surged within him, laced with sheer disgust!
If Old Master Fan truly intended to investigate both the Seven Clans and the Ghost Official, it would be simple. With Bai Huaiyu’s public confession twisting their arm, they could easily follow his words, uncover details of the illicit dealings, lay everything bare, and then capture the Ghost Official. The path was obvious. Yet, Old Master Fan had chosen only to seize Bai Huaiyu – demanding testimony solely to verify the confession’s truthfulness and involvement within the Seven Clans. The capture of the Ghost Official? That was another matter entirely. Even the supposed ‘demand for reckoning’ from the Seven Clans… vaguely placed after dealing with the Ghost Official. To happen sometime later?
Was this the Old Master Fan of Qingjiang?
Nearby, Divine Eye Young Master Lu Xiao sighed softly and gave Meng Zhixue a meaningful look.
Meng Zhixue might be nicknamed “Dummy,” but she wasn’t dull. Pondering Old Master Fan’s commands now, her expression darkened considerably. Lu Xiao, however, looked as if he had foreseen this outcome. He regarded Meng Zhixue with only resignation in his eyes… realizing her realization.
The hall descended into utter chaos. Countless thoughts raced through everyone’s minds.
“This is chaos! Utter chaos!”
Amidst the turmoil, Old Master Fan’s voice cut through, low yet filled with stern regret and anguish. “I have always prioritized benevolence and moral teaching in governing! How did it lead you all to act so recklessly? To commit such grave transgressions? This time, I will show no leniency! Lu Xiao’s son!” He turned sharply. “You, personally, investigate the Ghost Official matter! Whatever necessities you require, the County Mansion will provide them! Xue Nian!” He pointed at Magistrate Xue. “Take Young Master Bai here into custody! Watch him carefully…”
“All other Sects and Clans!” His voice became commanding, sweeping the room. “You are to fully cooperate in apprehending the Ghost Official! Any delay will be met with my utmost severity!”
Seeing the old master’s visible anger flare publicly, everyone quickly bowed and accepted their orders.
As people began moving to leave, already preparing for the flurry of activity, Old Master Fan suddenly spoke again: “Young Fang, second son of the Fang Family! You stay.”
“Oh?”
Under the countless still-present gazes, Fang Cun turned back to look at the old master, a faint smile returning to his face. “As you command.”
The others wondered why Fang Cun was being singled out, but could only take their leave first. Following the Old Master’s explicit instruction that only Fang Cun remain, even He Zhenzhang, Meng Qing’er… and even Little Fox had no choice but to withdraw from the hall along with everyone else.
“Such rank smoke, such infernal wailing… utterly distasteful…”
The vast hall, suddenly empty save for Old Master Fan and Fang Cun. The old master sighed in deep distress and irritation, his face troubled. After a moment, his gaze settled seriously upon Fang Cun. He spoke with heavy undertones: “Young friend of the Fang Family… How do you feel Old Master Fan has treated you?”
“Hmm…”
Fang Cun hadn’t anticipated this question. He chuckled softly. “Exceedingly well!”
“It is good that you recognize that…”
Old Master Fan seemed to deliberate, his expression serious and lowering. A weariness crept into his voice. “Then… would you be willing to do this old man a favor?”