From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

A series of footsteps sounded, slow and drawn out, as if deliberately making the people in the hall wait a little longer.

"The eldest son has arrived!"

Before the announcement had even finished, a figure strolled in from outside the door.

Jiang Feng stood in the main hall, his gaze sweeping around the room with a lazy air, as if he were strolling in his own backyard. When he saw Zhu Hong standing in the center, a faint hint of disdain flashed in his eyes. He had already heard that the person who had come to his door today was that minor constable whom Huo Qianshan had failed to deal with properly.

"A bunch of idiots."

He cursed Huo Qianshan and the others in his heart.

Then, his gaze fell on Zhao Gui, who was lying on the ground. His brows furrowed slightly, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. However, the fierce glint came and went quickly, disappearing in the blink of an eye, and his face returned to its nonchalant appearance.

"Second Uncle, what do you want?"

Jiang Cong's face was somber, and his tone revealed neither joy nor anger: "This is Lord Zhu from the yamen. He is the leader of the delegation that has come to your door today regarding the case of Zhao Lai's false accusation. There are also a few other matters that we need to clarify with you."

"Ask me?"

Jiang Feng turned around, leaned against a pillar, and then looked at Zhu Hong.

He curled his lips slightly, his eyes slowly scanning the object from top to bottom as if looking at something rare: "May I ask this... sir, what advice do you have?" The word "sir" rolled off his tongue, drawn out and lightly, full of mockery.

"Stop with that pointy-mouthed, monkey-like face."

Zhu Hong's expression remained unchanged, but he lowered his voice and said, word by word, "This is a public hall for deliberation, not a brothel for your Jiang family to indulge in pleasure."

Jiang Feng narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them.

In his more than twenty years of life, this was the first time he had ever seen a mere constable, who wasn't even a proper official, dare to overstep his bounds, speak to him in such a tone, and adopt such a condescending attitude. Was he really not afraid of being punished later?

"Another idiot."

He first gave a low, snickering laugh, as if he'd heard a very funny joke. Then he raised his head and spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of sarcasm: "Lord Zhu, that's a rather novel remark. When did the Jiang family's residence become a flower hall?"

"Does this mean I can't even ask a question?"

That's certainly domineering.

Zhu Hong ignored him, simply raising his gaze and asking, "Tell me, do you still remember Liu Wenyuan?"

Jiang Feng raised an eyebrow, his fingertips touching his chin.

He tilted his head, feigning deep thought, and after a long while, slowly spoke, his tone light and airy: "Young Master Liu? Of course I remember." As he spoke, he gently patted his forehead, as if recalling something:

"The Liu family of Jinyang City, who doesn't know them?"

"But we're just casual acquaintances, not really close friends." Jiang Feng leaned forward, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Why did you suddenly bring him up, sir?"

Zhu Hong remained completely calm, and simply delivered his words directly:

"The authorities have confirmed that on the last day of Liu Wenyuan's life, he had a public argument with you. The night after the argument, the entire Liu family was wiped out. Do you dare say you have nothing to do with this?"

Jiang Feng was taken aback.

immediately:

"Ha ha ha ha!"

He suddenly burst into loud laughter, a loud and clear laugh that echoed through the silent hall. He laughed for a while before finally stopping, his face darkening. "This has never happened before! From which ditch did you find this news, sir?"

As he finished speaking, he took half a step forward, staring directly at Zhu Hong:

The night the Liu family was wiped out.

I have been drinking with my brothers in the clan and haven't stepped outside the gate even once. To say I've been arguing with anyone is simply a huge joke!

"Who in Jinyang City doesn't know that the Liu family's affair was a revenge killing?"

"What enmity has the Jiang family ever had?"

"What does their extermination have to do with the Jiang family!"

"It's none of your business," Zhu Hong sneered, a chilling sarcasm in his smile. "Before Huo Qianshan died, did he confess everything, including the extermination of the Liu family?" He paused, his gaze piercing like a knife.

"It was Young Master Jiang Feng who gave the order."

Upon hearing the name Huo Qianshan, Jiang Feng's expression changed slightly.

But he quickly composed himself, and countless thoughts raced through his mind: "Huo Qianshan is already dead. He did everything cleanly that day, leaving no trace and no survivors. What could Zhu Hong possibly have? Just a dead man's confession."

This is a scam.

Jiang Feng's mind immediately settled, the slight fluctuation in his eyes vanished, and instead he sneered, saying in a stern voice, "Confessed? You say you confessed, so you confess? Where is Huo Qianshan? Dead! Since he's dead, his words are no proof."

"If you have solid evidence, sir, please produce it."

"If not..." He took a step forward, his gaze sharp as a knife, his words icy: "Then who exactly is this 'confession' you speak of, sir? It's nothing more than finding a dead person to use as a scapegoat to frame my Jiang family!"

As Jiang Feng shouted, Jiang Cong subtly gave him a wink.

The two Jiang family retainers standing below immediately understood, their bodies slightly lowered, and their hands subtly reached for the weapons at their waists. Their two pairs of eyes stared coldly at Zhu Hong, and the aura of a Martial Apprentice slowly emanated from their bodies, like two vicious wolves poised to pounce.

Wang Zhenshan slammed his palm down on the knife handle, his knuckles turning white.

His gaze swept coldly over the two men, his voice low but chilling: "Let's see who dares to make a move."

An aura far exceeding that of ordinary martial arts apprentices suddenly spread out.

The two retainers' expressions changed simultaneously, and they involuntarily stopped in their tracks, a hint of apprehension flashing in their eyes. They knew that Wang Zhenshan's cultivation was far superior to theirs, and if they were to fight, even if they joined forces, they might not be able to withstand a single blow from him.

"What are you doing?"

Jiang Cong then spoke, his voice deep and authoritative.

His original intention was merely to let these two people show their power and let the officials know that the Jiang family was not a pushover. Now that he had achieved his goal, he was unwilling to break off relations so easily.

"Get out of my way!"

Jiang Cong coldly swept his gaze over the two guest ministers and shouted sternly, "How can you be so rude in the hall?" After saying that, his expression had returned to calm, but a thin layer of coldness still lingered in his eyes: "Lord Zhu, today you came to our door with the oral decree of the Registrar, and my Jiang family has already given you more than enough face."

"If you continue to fabricate such lies and frame my eldest son of the Jiang family..."

He paused slightly, his voice lowering:

"Then don't blame the Jiang family for being ruthless."

Zhu Hong remained calm and composed, his expression as still as water.

He fixed his gaze firmly on Jiang Feng, no longer dwelling on Liu Wenyuan's matter, and instead directly brought up the third issue. His voice unconsciously deepened, each word deliberate, and deep within his eyes surged a long-suppressed killing intent:

"The third thing is Bai Xiuying."