Capítulo 1117: Chapter 418: Spreading Rumors? No, This Is Justice Exposed_2
“We, the people of the Righteous Path, cannot stand by and watch such black sheep and scoundrels within the clan. The Ban Family has been tolerating Ban Ji for so many years, which shows their magnanimity. But for Ban Ji to don the guise of the Ban Family and commit so many offenses over the years has dragged the family down too much.”
“We need to kindly remind the Ban Family to be rational in making decisions and to set things right to preserve the merit and foundation of the ancestors.”
Chen San’s pupils slightly constricted, and his scalp tingled, his heart shaking violently.
He sincerely gave a thumbs-up: “Young Master! Your skill at releasing rumors is unparalleled… ”
Ning Zhuo immediately frowned: “Hmm?!”
Clap, clap.
Chen San awoke with a start and slapped himself twice: “Young Master, you are benevolent and magnanimous. Even though Ban Ji harmed you in such a way, you still think of the Ban Family with selflessness. Your vision is truly admirable!”
Ning Zhuo let out a light sigh: “You flatter me.”
Then he took out a small storage bag: “Here are some spirit stones, a token of my regard, as compensation for the tavern staff.”
“I, Ning Zhuo, have always conducted myself with integrity, never shortchanging any meritorious person. Do you understand?”
Chen San’s heart trembled, and he quickly replied: “I understand!”
Ning Zhuo tossed the storage bag to Chen San and advised: “I must use Ban Ji to establish my might, and the Ban Family will closely monitor my every move from now on. You should refrain from coming here temporarily.”
Though Chen San had only recently allied himself with Ning Zhuo, he handled both tasks commendably, demonstrating capability and a proper attitude. His flaw was a low cultivation level.
Chen San immediately cupped his hands in inquiry: “Then how should I report to you, Young Master?”
Ning Zhuo revealed a mysterious smile at this moment: “If I need to find you, I will find you.”
He waved his hand.
Chen San bowed and took his leave.
In Ning Zhuo’s sight, a thread was already hovering above Chen San’s head.
Life Hanging Thread!
It was placed on Chen San the moment he entered, allowing Ning Zhuo to assess his loyalty through the refinement of the Life Hanging Thread.
After this report, the Life Hanging Thread visibly condensed several times!
After careful consideration, Ning Zhuo decided not to revoke this divine skill.
Chen San was different from others. As a subordinate dealing with intelligence, he would be involved in many of Ning Zhuo’s secretive activities in the future.
Therefore, Ning Zhuo must observe him to confirm his loyalty.
Only after observing through the Life Hanging Thread for a period, confirming Chen San’s loyalty, would Ning Zhuo assign him more sensitive tasks.
Chen San quietly left the Bluestone Cave Mansion.
Along the way, he held the storage bag full of spirit stones to his chest, murmuring to himself: “So this is the Righteous Path?”
Only when Ning Zhuo handed him the storage bag did he finally confirm that Ning Zhuo did not intend to root out the tavern staff or send them to their deaths, but genuinely wanted to prevent the Ban Family from settling scores with them.
Chen San understood: Ning Zhuo’s actions were also a gesture to express his intentions to him.
Even though he was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with low-grade spirit roots, to someone like Ning Zhuo, he might as well be an ordinary mortal, right?
Clutching the heavy storage bag filled with spirit stones, Chen San felt at ease.
“The Young Master indeed hails from an influential family, and he is so skilled at spreading rumors.”
“He could do it himself, and better than me.”
“It’s truly my fortune to have aligned myself with him! If it wasn’t for the fact that the Young Master was new and had few subordinates, would I have had the chance to stand out?”
“By the way, what kind of force could be backing the Young Master? Seeing how he dealt with Ban Ji and his fearless attitude towards the Ban Family, I’ve surely found a great tree to rely on. I must cherish this opportunity, hold on tightly, and never let go!”
At this time, Ning Zhuo, observing Chen San from the shadows through the Life Hanging Thread, raised an eyebrow slightly: “The Life Hanging Thread is still being refined, this Chen San… not bad.”
Mechanical Cave Mansion.
Ban Ji strode over to Ban Jie, casually tossing a token to him, with an air of arrogance on his brow.
The token flew into mid-air, only to be halted by Ban Jie’s divine sense, revealing its true form—a stone token.
Ban Jie did not raise his head, continuing to focus on the intelligence report in his hands: “The Blind Fool’s trial ended so quickly?”
Ban Ji chuckled: “It’s all thanks to you, dealing with the Blind Fool’s children and catching his weak spot. Since Ning Zhuo’s invitation was rejected, and I advanced boldly, surpassing the others, the Yu Family naturally didn’t delay and directly awarded me the first place.”
“It was a wise choice on their part.”
“What are you looking at?”
Ban Jie handed the intelligence report to Ban Ji, who scanned it with his divine sense—it was information about a duel involving Zhu Fenxiang and Situ Xing.
Ban Jie said: “We incited Yan Linglong to offer advice, aiming to facilitate a battle between Situ Xing and Ning Zhuo. However, Zhu Fenxiang suddenly appeared and disrupted our plans.”
“I suspect there’s more to this situation.”
“If it’s indeed Ning Zhuo’s doing, then I must raise my evaluation of him and reconsider this duel.”
If it indeed was Ning Zhuo who incited Zhu Fenxiang, then this battle between the Ban and Ning families would be considered a draw.
Ning Zhuo preemptively blocked his vulnerabilities regarding Situ Xing, while Ban Jie had defended the Blind Fool’s line in advance.
Ban Ji commented: “This Ning Zhuo, coming from the Righteous Path, might have such capabilities.”
Ban Jie sighed: “If that’s the case, we may find ourselves at a disadvantage going forward.”
Ban Ji frowned, showing a hint of confusion.
Ban Jie sighed again: “Ning Zhuo’s background is difficult to probe, and we can’t find any dirt on him. Also, since his arrival at the Myriad Images Sect, his conduct has been righteous. Winning the first place in both Confucian cultivator trials is almost like having their endorsement.”
“More importantly, in the Evil Slaying Hall, when faced with the Heart Inquiry three times, he answered with such righteousness and honor.”
“Now news of Ning Zhuo’s conduct has already spread widely within the Wanxiang Sect’s Main Mountain Gate.”
In the game of the Righteous Path, the first step is to occupy the moral high ground.
But now, Ning Zhuo’s reputation is too good, making it difficult for Ban Jie’s side to act.
Ban Ji snorted: “How hard could it be to tarnish his good name? Confucian cultivators can be deceived, and there has been a precedent of a Demon Cultivator cheating during the Evil Slaying Hall’s Xingyun Trial. We can certainly slander Ning Zhuo, accusing him of cheating…”
At this point, Ban Ji voluntarily stopped talking.
His expression changed slightly as he realized.
Ban Jie remained expressionless: “It seems you’ve realized. It’s not that we don’t have ways to frame and slander him, but doing so would mean affronting the Confucian cultivators and the Evil Slaying Hall, wouldn’t it?”
“Though the Confucian cultivators here at the Wanxiang Sect’s Main Mountain Gate are few, do not underestimate their influence. They occupy the middle levels of various peaks and halls and are quite cohesive and formidable.”
“And the current Hall Master of the Evil Slaying Hall, Zhong Dao, is notorious for pursuing justice and acting with quite a dominant style.”
“If you were him, whom would you favor, Ning Zhuo or Ban Ji?”
Ban Ji’s expression turned grim.
The Ban Family had been right to send Ban Jie.
Ban Jie and Ban Ji had a deep friendship since childhood, enabling open and honest collaboration. Additionally, while Ban Jie was only a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, she excelled in this kind of strategic game.
She had a deeper understanding of the situation than Ban Ji.
Ban Ji furrowed his brows tightly: “As it stands, we can’t slander or frame Ning Zhuo. Attempting an assassination at the Feiyun Conference of the Myriad Images Sect is also out of the question!”
“What should we do?”
“Ning Zhuo, Ning Zhuo… truly my Human Tribulation.”
“Such a hassle!”
“Maybe I’ll have to face him personally and settle this in the Martial Arts Hall!”
“But it’s a shame.”
“I sent the challenge letter, yet Ning Zhuo has not accepted the duel. He won’t yield so easily.”
Upon hearing this, Ban Jie was immediately alarmed: “Wait, a challenge letter? You didn’t inform me of this. Ning Zhuo has your challenge letter in hand?!”