Ning Ze and the others were stunned.
Ning Xiaoren glared at Ning Ze: "Why haven't you stopped?"
Saying this, he tore off the identity badge hanging from his waist and threw it fiercely.
The hard badge hit Ning Ze's head directly, causing him to stagger backward, nearly falling to the ground.
Ning Ze stepped back and steadied himself, quickly bowing: "Greetings, Young Clan Leader!"
As he spoke, a large stream of blood flowed from his forehead.
He was once again hit by Ning Xiaoren, making his scalp bleed.
Immediately, the effects of the Father-Son Bracelet ceased.
Ning Xiaoren shot him a vicious look and quickly ran a few steps to Ning Zhuo's side.
He lifted a foot and kicked away a Ning family cultivator suppressing Ning Zhuo. Then he shouted at another: "Get lost!"
The two burly Ning family cultivators hurriedly retreated.
Ning Xiaoren quickly reached out to support Ning Zhuo, his eyes red with guilt and concern: "Ning Zhuo, dear nephew, Ning Zhuo. It's my fault for being late. It's your uncle's fault for being late, letting you suffer such torment! Witnessing this scene tortures my heart."
As long as the Father-Son Bracelet wasn't activated, Ning Zhuo wouldn't feel discomfort.
Yet Ning Xiaoren still took out a top-quality pill and handed it to Ning Zhuo: "Ning Zhuo, my nephew, my mana is different from yours, so I can't personally regulate your body. But take this pill. It has excellent healing effects!"
Ning Zhuo's face was pale as he breathed heavily. He weakly pushed away the pill, displaying a youth's fear and suspicion: "Young Clan Leader, I, I...how could you..."
Ning Zhuo saw that he was about to succeed.
The Ning Family's investigative team arriving was one of the scenarios he had predicted.
Appearing prominently at the joint test of the three families, he had long anticipated that various forces would secretly investigate and track him.
It didn't matter!
If they didn't investigate, Fei Si and Zhu Xuanji would definitely investigate. Even if Fei Si and Zhu Xuanji did not investigate now, they would in the future.
Being investigated now was more advantageous for Ning Zhuo.
This was a different kind of opportunity that, if used well, allowed Ning Zhuo to "explain" himself to the outside world, further disguising himself. Additionally, it enabled him to demonstrate his value.
Ning Ze was influenced by the Buddha Heart Demon Seal. Of course, this was based on his inherent fear and anxiety.
By now, Ning Zhuo had reached the third level of Qi Refinement, Essence Refinement, and Spirit Refinement, making him much stronger than before. Using a slight bit of power from the Treasure Seal still caused a nosebleed but delayed the onset time compared to before.
By leveraging the cover provided by the Father-Son Bracelet, the nosebleed was not conspicuous.
Ning Zhuo needed to explain to the outside world the reason for his rapid progress in cultivation. Simply relying on the compatibility of his techniques wasn't enough. He also needed to demonstrate that he possessed a large sum of Spirit Stones, implying he had ample cultivation resources.
At this moment, he had to "publicly use" this large sum of money.
Because Fei Si, Chi Dun, and Zhu Xuanji all knew that he was the creator of the Mechanical Explosive Flame Monkey. He had obtained a large amount of funds from his business with the Mechanical Explosive Flame Monkey.
From the perspective of a normal young cultivator, it would be very unreasonable to not spend or procure a large amount of resources to advance his cultivation with such a large sum of money.
Being a miser or stingy was not a character trait he had exhibited over the past sixteen years.
As long as he successfully explained this, Ning Zhuo could openly use this money, openly purchase a large amount of cultivation resources from various pill pavilions, and fully advance his cultivation level.
This would be very beneficial for him.
Especially since in the upcoming joint renovation team of the three families, he needed to have a position!
When Ning Ze and the others arrived, Ning Zhuo had a performance ready. The Father-Son Bracelet and similar magical artifacts had long been recorded in his intelligence library.
In his Divine Sea, he had already prepared some thoughts for this moment. As long as he sent them out, Ning Ze would obtain the "answers."
But just when he was about to succeed, Ning Xiaoren appeared.
Ning Zhuo really wanted to know why Ning Xiaoren had suddenly barged in.
Ning Xiaoren, on the other hand, was full of relief: "I made it just in time, fortunately."
It turned out that when the three clan leaders were negotiating, Zhu Xuanji came to ask for records. Before leaving, Zhu Xuanji voluntarily revealed the secret of Ning Zhuo and the Mechanical Flame Monkey.
All three clan leaders, being high-ranking, immediately believed Zhu Xuanji's words.
With Zhu Xuanji being part of the Royal Family and a Divine Hunter, his words carried high credibility and were unlikely to be wrong.
Recently, with the booming sales of the Mechanical Flame Monkey, the three clans had sent many Foundation Establishment cultivators to participate in the Fire Persimmon Festival, and the three clan leaders had learned much about the Mechanical Flame Monkey.
Combining Zhu Xuanji's truth, they quickly deduced the real story—Fei Si had presented the creation to get credit, and Chen Cha had secretly bought the identity of the inventor, thus pretending to be the creator. The actual creator was Ning Zhuo of the Ning Family!
Immediately, the Zhou Family and Zheng Family leaders congratulated the Ning Family Clan Leader.
Though the Ning Family Clan Leader was overjoyed inside, he maintained a humble and cautious outward demeanor, insisting that the matter needed thorough investigation before confirmation.
He immediately summoned a Ning family attendant to relay a message, instructing the attendant to return to the clan and ask the Young Clan Leader to conduct an investigation and then appropriately reward Ning Zhuo.
The attendant hurried back to the clan and met Ning Xiaoren.
Upon hearing the news, Ning Xiaoren was so shocked that he almost jumped. He instantly understood the origin of Ning Zhuo's large sum of money and recalled the investigative team he had ordered; he could no longer stay at the clan grounds.
Despite the late hour, he exerted all his strength to run out of the mansion and dashed madly towards Ning Zhuo's residence.
Thus, the previous scene occurred.
Ning Xiaoren's eyes were red as he sighed: "Ning Zhuo, nephew, you've suffered, you've suffered! Uncle knows you feel wronged and have grievances."
"Do you know? Throughout your sixteen years of growth, Uncle has always secretly watched over you."
"I know your nature; I know you are not a bad child. You wouldn't do anything terribly wrong."
"I will get to the bottom of the investigation team's actions and give you an explanation!"
"But after this incident, you must see that your current situation is very complex and fraught with hidden dangers."
"Sadly, it is because you are too outstanding."
"Ah, a tree standing out in the forest will surely be destroyed by the wind. A high mound on the shore will surely be eroded by the currents. Many envy you."
"Uncle truly worries about you."
"Look, the investigative team came unnecessarily, even involving your own uncle."
Ning Ze watched Ning Xiaoren's performance, full of astonishment: "Isn't it you who summoned me to do this?"
Now you're washing your hands of it!
Even though Ning Ze felt intense frustration, he knew he couldn't expose his superior at this moment.
Shouldering responsibility for his superior was the duty of a subordinate, after all.
So, Ning Ze remained silent, quietly treating his forehead wound.
Ning Zhuo looked at Ning Xiaoren, then at Ning Ze with his head bowed, and finally glanced at Ning Fan and the others. His youthful face showed fear, confusion, and helpless bewilderment.
"Then, what should I do?" he looked to Ning Xiaoren for help.
At this moment, Ning Xiaoren put on his most gentle smile and said with the kindest, most sincere voice: "There is a way, Ning Zhuo, nephew. Come stay at Uncle's residence. Uncle is the Young Clan Leader and will personally protect you."
Ning Zhuo hesitated and lowered his head slightly.
Ning Xiaoren offered the pill to Ning Zhuo again, speaking with utmost gentleness: "Take it."
Ning Zhuo shook his head: "My injuries are not severe. It would be a waste to use such a precious pill."
"Heh heh." Ning Xiaoren patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder. "Good child, still, take it as a meeting gift from Uncle. Come, let's go back to the mansion with Uncle. You may not know, but your father saved my life."
"In the past, I had my reasons and many concerns, so I couldn't help you directly. But now, seeing you in such danger, I must personally step in and ensure your safety!"
Ning Zhuo slowly raised his head, his face showing emotional gratitude: "Thank you very much, Young Clan Lea..."
"Ah, don't call me Young Clan Leader, just call me Uncle Ning." Ning Xiaoren extended his hand, offering the pill once more.
Ning Zhuo reluctantly accepted the pill with a hint of embarrassment.
"Come, Uncle will take you home!" Ning Xiaoren put an arm around Ning Zhuo's shoulders, helping him up to leave.
Ning Zhuo took a few steps, then paused: "What about the investigation into these Spirit Stones...?"
Ning Xiaoren said: "Uncle swears to you that I won't treat you in such a cruel manner. We will figure out a way together, see if we can bypass the contract. If not, Uncle will guarantee your safety with his position as the Young Clan Leader, ensuring you can cultivate in peace."
Upon hearing this, Ning Zhuo's suspicions were almost confirmed: "It seems Ning Xiaoren found out the secret of the Mechanical Explosive Flame Monkey through other channels, either Chi Dun or Zhu Xuanji."
Chi Dun and Fei Si did not get along, and Zhu Xuanji had the backing of the Royal Family, both were possibilities.
Ning Zhuo was pleased to see this happen.
He had planned to introduce the Mechanical Explosive Flame Monkey partly to obscure the truth about the Immortal Palace explosion and partly to showcase his proficiency in mechanical techniques.
With this understanding, Ning Zhuo no longer resisted.
Ning Xiaoren concealing the fact that he knew the truth, trying to show sincerity to win over Ning Zhuo, aligned with Ning Zhuo's own desire to get closer to Ning Xiaoren.
In the coming period, having the Young Clan Leader's protection would help him remain hidden.
Ning Xiaoren spoke many gentle and comforting words along the way.
Once at home, he loudly instructed the servants in Ning Zhuo's presence: "Vacate my bedroom for my dear nephew to stay in!"
Ning Zhuo quickly tried to stop him, but Ning Xiaoren's eyes turned red with emotion, begging Ning Zhuo to stay to make up for his inadequacies as an elder in caring for his benefactor's son.
Ultimately, Ning Zhuo, also with reddened eyes and a face full of gratitude, had no choice but to agree.
As Ning Zhuo was about to sleep, Ning Xiaoren took out a talisman for him: "You recently reached the peak of the third layer. Have you not yet been drawn into the Magma Fairy Palace?"
Ning Zhuo nodded, expressing his curiosity about the Magma Immortal Palace.
Ning Xiaoren explained gently: "Entering the Magma Immortal Palace requires teamwork with others to pass. It's not urgent right now; rashly entering the palace would harm your soul and delay your cultivation."
"Attaching this rune will slightly damage your soul, making it fall short of the threshold needed to be drawn into the palace. There are many benefits and no harm to you."
"Thank you, Uncle Ning!" Ning Zhuo thanked him gratefully.
Ning Xiaoren laughed heartily, patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder, urged him to rest well, and then left.
Alone in his study, Ning Xiaoren's face lost its warm expression. With a cold demeanor, he summoned a trusted servant: "Take a group of our men and search Ning Zhuo's residence. Remember, don't leave any signs of disturbance; gather all the information you can."
"Yes, my lord!"