My cultivation level increases by one year every day!

"Patriarch Wang, what is the meaning of this?"

Fang Zhongwu looked at Wang Jingtang kneeling on the ground and accepted it calmly, without showing much emotion on his face.

A Golden Core True Monarch can roam freely throughout a country, and it is perfectly normal for even princes, nobles, and royal relatives to kneel on the ground.

"A few days ago, I was bewitched and made some decisions that were detrimental to your family and your son."

Wang Jingtang sighed deeply, his former high spirits gone. His back was hunched, and his hair was gray, making him look decades older.

After careful consideration, in order to protect his family and preserve his ancestral legacy, he had no choice but to sacrifice himself.

Only his blood could be of this weight.

Fang Zhongwu narrowed his eyes and asked, "Please elaborate."

"Does Lord Zhenyuan still remember the banditry at Qinggang Village outside the county seat a few days ago?"

Fang Zhongwu's eyes flickered, and he nodded.

"I was instrumental in the emergence of Qinggang Village," Wang Jingtang said without any hesitation.

"Including that Mad Blood Taoist, he was originally a guest of a noble family in the capital, but he committed a crime, and I took him in by chance."

Upon hearing this, the elders of the council were all in uproar, staring wide-eyed at Wang Jingtang, wishing they could tear him apart.

The appearance of Qinggang Village resulted in the deaths of many disciples and stewards of the Fang family, as well as the destruction of a large number of innocent civilians.

All of this was actually orchestrated and planned by the Wang family behind the scenes.

Fang Yuan, who had already guessed this, did not show much surprise, but just looked coldly at Wang Jingtang.

"Furthermore, the ambush and assassination plot was also my doing, all for the purpose of killing Fang Yuan."

The Ninth Elder's face was cold, and his aura was somewhat out of control, rippling in the air as he uttered a low shout, his killing intent palpable.

"You really deserve to die!"

Wang Jingtang came with the intention of dying, so naturally he had no fear of anything and was very open-minded.

"What is your purpose in helping the Mad Blood Taoist and supporting Qinggang Village?" Fang Zhongwu asked.

"The Sun family in the capital has a weapons order that I'm determined to win, but your Fang family will be an obstacle."

The Sun family of Wangdu, also a noble family, held a prestige in the army second only to the Ye family, and was mainly responsible for logistics and transportation.

"How do you know that the Sun family of Wangdu will definitely hand over this business to a family in Liuyun County?" an elder asked doubtfully.

"It definitely will, but I can't go into details, though you can find out more."

Wang Jingtang didn't want to say much about matters involving the military, for fear of causing further trouble.

"So, you allowed Qinggang Village to provoke the Fang family repeatedly and even destroyed the pig iron mine?" the eleventh elder shouted.

Wang Jingtang nodded slightly.

"Those assassins hired by Tingxuelou, weren't they also done by your Wang family?" the First Elder said at the opportune moment.

Upon hearing this, Wang Jingtang's expression changed drastically, and he immediately denied it, saying, "I admit to everything I said earlier."

"But ever since your Fang family received the reward, I have not done anything to harm you."

Such a huge hat was put on top of him.

Not only was Wang Jingtang unable to withstand the rage, but even his family could no longer be protected.

This is, after all, the Great Zhou Dynasty. The dukes and marquises conferred by Emperor Hongtai have, to some extent, the backing of the imperial family.

Openly provoking war and carrying out assassinations is tantamount to opposing the royal family.

The anger from both sides was enough to completely engulf the Wang family.

Moreover, Fang Yuan has a martial arts holy land behind him, Qingyun Academy!

"All decisions were made by me alone and have nothing to do with my family. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"

Once a prodigy, a renowned powerhouse, he now kneels on the ground, his head touching the earth, his posture utterly humble.

"How spirited and ambitious Wang Jingtang was back then!"

Some elders were once of the same generation as Wang Jingtang, and had even fought against him in previous county-level competitions, which inevitably made them sigh.

"Do you think that your death alone can completely sever your ties with the Wang family?" Fang Zhongwu said coldly.

"I am willing to hand over 30% of the Wang family's resources to the Fang family!" Wang Jingtang said through gritted teeth.

"Thirty percent of the resources?" Fang Zhongwu scoffed, speaking calmly, "Hand over ninety percent of the resources, and we'll spare the Wang family."

Wang Jingtang stood frozen in place, as if a thorn was stuck in his throat, unable to utter a single word for a long time, his body trembling like a leaf.

Ninety percent of the resources!

What's the difference between this and completely dissolving the Wang family? They can't even keep things running smoothly.

A sense of humiliation settled over Wang Jingtang's heart, and he gritted his teeth. But he was determined to win, and it was no longer the time to care about saving face.

"All the evil deeds committed by your family and your son were done by me on my own initiative. I beg Your Majesty for mercy!"

Wang Jingtang kowtowed heavily to the ground, his voice trembling with exhaustion, his attitude extremely respectful, begging only for forgiveness.

This moved some of the elders.

How many people would go to such lengths for their family?

Especially for someone of Wang Jingtang's status, kneeling and begging for mercy is more painful than killing him.

"Yuan'er, this matter is also related to you. What are your thoughts?" Fang Zhongwu turned to Fang Yuan and asked.

Fang Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Let Father decide!"

Killing Wang Jingtang would be a simple matter of a word, especially since he came prepared to die and was not afraid of death.

The key is to carefully consider how to maximize profits.

Fang Zhongwu's gaze fell on Wang Jingtang, who seemed to sense it and was on edge.

What happens next will determine his fate and the fate of his family!

"I only want 70% of the Wang family's resources."

Fang Zhongwu said calmly, "I could even spare your life."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jingtang looked up abruptly, his expression filled with emotion. "Many thanks to the True Lord for his great kindness! The Wang family will forever remember this!"

No one is immune to the allure of worldly pleasures and the desire to live a good life.

This instantly pulled Wang Jingtang back from hell to heaven.

"Don't rush."

Fang Zhongwu continued, "However, from this day forward, the Wang family must submit to the Fang family and serve as their servants for eternity, without any chance of disobeying."

"What?!"

Wang Jingtang looked stunned, and in an instant, he fell from heaven back to hell.

The royal family's submission was only slightly better than the extermination of their clan.

"My Lord, I can die, and the Wang family can offer half of their resources, but I will submit..."

Fang Zhongwu interrupted impatiently, saying, "I'm not discussing this with you."

"You only have two paths before you: either your entire clan is wiped out, including you."

"Either submit and become a vassal of the Fang family."

His voice, though not loud, carried an air of authority, echoing throughout the meeting hall and creating a tense, frozen atmosphere.

At this moment.

Only then did the elders of the Fang family realize this.

Just how much power does a Golden Core True Monarch possess?

A single word or action can determine the fate of a family that has been passed down for thousands of years, and the confidence to destroy it with a flick of the wrist.

"I...agree..."

Wang Jingtang slowly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot. Saying those words seemed to have drained all his strength, and his tone was dejected.