C47 Wretched Bastard

Chu Yuexing's heart was seized with fear; Chu Yangxiang's rapid development was startling.

Within six months, he had reached the rank of Profound Warrior Five-star, and he was dispatching Profound Warrior Eight-stars as if they were mere dogs. Moreover, he had mastered the South Bear Fist to the Perfection Stage.

The pace of Chu Yangxiang's progress sent shivers down his spine.

The kid was formidable indeed. Luo Yufei from the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group had fallen at his hands. Bao Lie, too, had met his end by Chu Yangxiang's hand, as had Lian Ji and others. He had single-handedly dismantled the entire Black Panther Profound Warrior Group, a colossal force.

His growth had utterly blindsided Chu Yuexing.

If he couldn't eliminate this young upstart today, his own prospects of becoming the Patriarch might be dashed forever.

Chu Yangxiang offered a faint smile. Beneath Chu Yangxing's seemingly upright exterior lurked a heart as black as coal. The man who managed the Chu Family's finances was as treacherous as a snake.

He was curious to see how the Chu Family would handle the situation today.

If the Chu Family's judgment was just, all would be well. But if they were to deliver an unfair verdict, then he saw no reason to remain with the clan. He possessed the capability to take his parents, Xiaocheng, and Chunhong and leave, backed by his considerable martial and financial resources.

After some time, Chu Qingyong arrived with a man clad in a spotless white robe adorned with a silver Pill Cauldron and the words "Pill Cauldron Divine Sect" embroidered on it.

Following cordial exchanges, the young man said with a smile, "The Leader of the Chu Family, we are here to disclose a matter entrusted to us by others." He then produced the letters detailing Chu Yuexing's plot to murder Chu Yangxiang, penned by the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group—five letters in total.

Upon learning of Chu Yuexing's intent to assassinate Chu Yangxiang from the moment he joined the Chu Family, the onlookers' eyes blazed with fury.

It was no wonder Chu Yangxiang's actions today were so out of character; he had slain four servants upon his arrival, all loyal to Chu Yuexing. Yet, after stepping into the arena, he had also wounded Chu Yuexing's son.

There was so much more to the situation than I realized.

"I was puzzled by Chu Yangxiang's odd behavior, but now it's clear that the underlying reasons are quite complex."

"He was speaking so earnestly just a moment ago. Now it's apparent to everyone that he's the one who is dishonorable and disloyal."

"What could a child who has only recently joined the Chu Family possibly do? If he can't even show tolerance towards a child, how could he ever lead the Chu Family?"

"Indeed. It all started when his son hurt Chu Yangxiang. Then he conspired with Chu Guangxiang and Black Panther, and he even tried to slander Chu Yangxiang earlier. His heart is utterly dark."

Chu Qingyong looked at Chu Yuexing with a cold expression and asked, "What's your explanation for all this?"

"Speak up!"

"Is this the Chu Yangxiang you've been accusing? Is he truly dishonorable and disloyal? He's just a child! You managed to bribe the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group to assassinate him after just one outing. How could Chu Yangxiang not resent you? I know you aspire to be the Leader of the Chu Family, and I wanted to groom you for that role. After all, you are my son."

"A Patriarch must be tolerant in all things. What have you done lately? You spread rumors of Chu Yangxiang's death and colluded with the family elders to set a deadline to expel Chu Tianwen and the others. Do you think such actions qualify you to be the Patriarch of the Chu Family?"

"If the Chu Family were entrusted to you, I fear it wouldn't be long before it crumbled."

Chu Yuexing suddenly knelt down, weeping bitterly, "Father, I was wrong. I acted foolishly and I beg for your forgiveness."

Chu Qingyong shook his head with a smile and addressed the elders, "There's no need for concern. Based on our family's laws, how should we handle this situation?"

The Great Elder and the four Profound Warrior Group Leaders' faces changed. It was no wonder the rumors of Chu Yangxiang's death had spread so quickly; Chu Yuexing had paid the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group to assassinate him.

And it was no surprise that Chu Yuexing was so eager to oust Chu Tianwen and the others; there was more to the story than met the eye.

The Third Elder, with a stern expression, declared, "While the death penalty may be spared, the crime must still be punished. Perhaps we should allow Chu Yuexing to redeem himself through meritorious service."

Renowned for his persuasive speech, the Third Elder could seemingly breathe life into a dead horse. His words were all aimed at mitigating Chu Yuexing's sentence.

At that moment, the Tong Family arrived.

The Second Elder, Tong Min, led the delegation, accompanied by several other Elders and a contingent of Profound Warrior Nine-star experts, to the Training Hall.

Tong Min greeted Chu Qingyong with a respectful bow, "Master Chu, we have come to settle accounts."

He then produced a stack of invoices, "Here is the bill for the Thousand Effect Poison that Chu Yuexing purchased from our family over two years ago. This is the invoice for the Yellow Rank Profound Qi Pill he bought from us, as well as the bill for the Wisdom Pill. These purchases were secured against the Cloud-iron Ore and the Forgemaster located north of Zhenhai City, belonging to the Chu Family. Now, we would like Master Chu to review these and transfer the Cloud-iron Ore and the Forgemaster to us."

Upon hearing these words, the faces of the Chu Family members turned grim.

Chu Qingyong's countenance grew particularly dark, as if it could drip with gloom. The Thousand Effect Poison — the name alone indicated that this toxin would take a thousand days to be lethal.

This meant that the poison afflicting Chu Qingyong was indeed the Thousand Effect Poison.

It was no wonder Chu Qingyong couldn't identify his poisoner. Even when he harbored suspicions, he dared not entertain them. Who could have imagined that Chu Yuexing, his own son, was the culprit? The treacherous act of plotting against his own father revealed a complete lack of conscience.

Chu Yuexing, in his quest to hasten his child's advancement, had covertly exploited the Chu Family's resources to acquire Yellow Rank medicines like the Profound Qi Pill and the Wisdom Pill for his son's progression.

Chu Yuexing's selfish pursuits threatened to plunge the entire family into an abyss.

The Cloud-iron Ore represented a significant portion of the Chu Family's wealth, as it supplied the ore for forging weapons for the imperial court and Xuanwu County. Yet, for the sake of his son, Chu Yuexing had sold off this vital asset.

"Seize this scoundrel," came the order.

The Fourth Elder and the Fifth Elder swiftly apprehended Chu Yuexing.

Chu Qingyong coughed up a mouthful of dark blood, his hand shaking as he signed the contract. With that signature, the Cloud-iron Ore was no longer the property of the Chu Family. From that moment forward, half of the Chu Family's income would go to the Tong Family.

Holding the signed document, Tong Min smirked, "Since you're preoccupied, we'll take our leave. Farewell."

As the Tong Family retreated, the members of the Chu Family glared at Chu Yuexing with rage.

This was their family's treasurer, the one who had always been so authoritative in their presence, the one nearly chosen as The Leader Of Chu Family.

Chu Yuexing had poisoned his own father to become the family leader. His father, the man who cherished him most, with whom he shared blood. It was unfathomable how he could commit such an act, how he had endured all these years.

To protect his child, Chu Yuexing had sold the family's Cloud-iron Ore, which accounted for half of the Chu Family's annual revenue. In doing so, he had betrayed his entire family.

"I can't believe Chu Yuexing could stoop to such vile treachery."

"Indeed, Chu Yuexing plotted against his own father, compromising the entire family's welfare."

"Chu Yuexing's actions are unforgivable."

Chu Yangxiang leaped down from the stage and approached his parents, whispering, "Dad, Mom, let's leave."

Chu Tianwen glanced at his son and gave a solemn nod. The Training Hall was seething with moral outrage. No one could have foreseen that Chu Yuexing, who always appeared so upright, was in truth a contemptible villain.

Bound by the Fourth Elder and the Fifth Elder, Chu Yuexing offered a wry smile, "History has always favored the victor as the king and branded the vanquished as the villain. I have lost, and there's nothing left to say. Do with me as you will."

"Fate cannot be defied."

Chu Qingyong's darkened face was a mask of sorrow, his heart aching. He could never have imagined his second son capable of such ruthless deeds. How could his son, who would stop at nothing for the title of Patriarch, be so heartless?

His entire body was trembling uncontrollably.

The five elders and the four leaders of the Profound Warrior Groups were all utterly stunned. No one could have foreseen Chu Yuexing's descent into such madness. The entire Chu Family was nearly brought to ruin by his actions.

Tears streamed down Chu Xiaoxiang's face as he stared into Chu Yuexing's eyes. In a heartbeat, the image of his father crumbled within him. "Father, tell me why? Why did you do this?"

"Even if you desired the position of family patriarch, there was no need to poison Grandfather, nor was there any need to sell off the family's Cloud-iron Ore. Father, I've always taken pride in being your son. But from today forward, how am I to face the Chu Family?"

"Dad, why have you done this?"

With tears in his eyes, Chu Tixiang said, "Dad, I understand what's in your heart, but we truly cannot condone your actions. There's no longer a place for us in the Chu Family."

Chu Yuexing gave them a wan smile. "I can't protect you anymore."

Chu Qingyong declared, "Let him die with his body intact, without implicating his family."

Chu Yuexing was dead, hanged within the family's estate. After conducting their father's funeral, Chu Xiaoxiang and Chu Tixiang quietly departed from the Chu Family.

A somber pall hung over the Chu Family; nobody wished to speak of Chu Yuexing again.

This time, the competition's rewards were not formally presented. They were simply delivered by messengers.