PFC Chapter 68 The 1nd Death
Chapter 68 The 1nd Death
Xie Yan paused in her tea-drinking, looking speechlessly at the indignant crowd.
"In that case, it is indeed very possible!"
Someone slammed their hand on the table and stood up excitedly. Then, as if seeking approval, they turned to look at the person sitting next to them.
"That Xie fellow is truly despicable! Don't you think so, Master Zixiao?"
The person being questioned was a middle-aged man with a beard, wearing a long robe, and dressed as a scholar.
At the same time, Zixiao Manor was one of the sects whose secret manuals were also stolen by Xie Yan.
However, the master of Zixiao Manor did not participate in the heated argument, nor did he echo the other person.
Instead, he slowly took a sip of tea, stroked his beard, and said, "This matter is still in doubt, and it may not actually be Xie Yan's doing."
Some people were puzzled and indignant, saying, "Why do you say that? What wouldn't a heartless and insane person like him do?"
Upon hearing this, the Master of Zixiao Manor sighed before explaining, "Have you all forgotten that this person was originally an assassin? If he wanted to kill someone, with his martial arts skills, he could have done it directly. Why bother with all this mystique? In my opinion, the person who committed all these acts must have some grudge against Elder Cheng."
Upon hearing this, everyone agreed that it made a lot of sense and nodded in agreement.
Xie Yan: ...What a bunch of opportunists.
But if Xie Yan is ruled out, then who would do such a thing?
Everyone was at a loss, and opinions varied. Some said it was Cheng Nanchun's enemy; others said it was because he had acted chivalrously in his youth and was thus resented by villains; still others suspected it was the work of some evil cult.
There was a great deal of discussion, with everyone holding their own opinions.
Seeing this, Cheng Nanchun rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.
Just then, a short, stout man with a large belly and a kind face walked in.
He walked up to Cheng Nanchun and said respectfully, "Master, the feast is ready."
Cheng Nanchun immediately breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, gestured to the crowd, and said after they quieted down, "This matter can be discussed later. I have ordered a feast to be prepared. Please move to the front hall for your meal."
The short, stout man waved his hand, his face beaming with smiles, and led everyone to the front hall.
Xie Yan and the others deliberately lagged behind, falling half a beat behind the crowd.
As the crowd arrived at the front hall, they saw that people were already seated at the two tables at the head of the table.
The group looked up and saw four women, including Cheng Ruonan, sitting at a table on their left.
Among them, a slightly older but still charming and beautiful woman was particularly eye-catching.
She was dressed in a gorgeous gown, her face beautiful but slightly haggard. In her arms, she gently cradled a child who looked no more than three years old.
On the right, however, only two men and one woman were seated at the table, including the young master Cheng who had been beaten and coughed up blood.
His face was still swollen, and a bluish-purple handprint had appeared, making him look particularly miserable.
Shen Yulin then quietly introduced to the two, "The table at the head of the table is for Madam Cheng and her children, and the other table is for the children born to her concubines."
No wonder they are so clearly divided.
As Cheng Nanchun stepped forward, his expression immediately softened upon seeing the child in the woman's arms.
He reached out and took the child, saying softly, "My dear Ci'er, let Daddy hold you."
Looking at the child's age, Xie Yan sighed silently, "Truly vigorous for his age."
Chu Ling also saw through the situation, and lazily curled his lips, saying, "It seems that this Senior Cheng really likes my son."
Moreover, he only liked the sons born to his legal wife.
Not to mention his children at the other table. Even after he sat down at the main table, his mind was entirely focused on his son, and he didn't even glance at his other daughters.
Shen Yulin didn't want to speak ill of his senior, so he could only smile awkwardly upon hearing this.
A moment later, after everyone was seated, Cheng Nanchun, holding the child, raised his wine glass and said loudly, "Thank you all for coming here today to help me with my troubles. I would like to offer you all a toast."
After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp with great enthusiasm.
Upon hearing this, everyone cheered and joined him in raising their glasses for a toast.
After several rounds of drinks, the night deepened. The martial arts figures were all flushed and talking loudly, and even Shen Yulin was pulled aside to drink with them.
Xie Yan and Chu Ling did not linger. Instead, they got up and left their seats, following the servants to their residence.
As I passed by the backyard, I suddenly heard a faint barking sound coming from not far away.
Although the sound was not loud, it was exceptionally clear in the quiet atmosphere.
Xie Yan raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Senior Cheng actually keeps dogs?"
Upon hearing this, the servant gave a slightly embarrassed dry laugh and quickly explained, "Replying to your question, young master, these dogs were not raised by the master, but by the madam. You two must have heard that thieves appeared in the house a few days ago. Since then, the madam has been afraid, so she has kept a few dogs to guard the house."
Xie Yan and Chu Ling exchanged a glance and said nothing more.
Even someone as skilled in martial arts as Cheng Nanchun couldn't discover the person behind the trouble, so what can a few dogs do?
That night--
Cheng Fang, the Cheng family's butler, was suddenly awakened from his sleep.
His obese body trembled as if he had been electrocuted, and a thin layer of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.
His cloudy eyes stared wide-eyed, filled with fear and panic. His once rosy face was now as pale as paper, devoid of any color.
He gasped for breath, mumbling incoherently, still shaken, "Impossible, impossible, that woman is long dead..."
While panting, Cheng Fang couldn't help but bite her nails.
The nightmare he had just experienced kept replaying in his mind, as if the screeching sound of fingernails still echoed in his ears, refusing to leave.
Extreme panic made him unable to stay in bed for another moment, and he immediately struggled to get out of bed.
The moment his feet touched the ground, a chill shot up from the soles of his feet and instantly spread throughout Cheng Fang's entire body.
He instinctively looked up, his heart almost stopping—
A white figure had appeared and was now quietly standing in the corner of the room.
Cheng Fang's eyes widened to their limit, and the white figure was clearly reflected in his terrified pupils.
He was about to cry out in surprise, but his throat felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and he couldn't utter a sound.
He could only watch helplessly as the white figure slowly walked towards him...
Xie Yan was awakened by a series of rapid footsteps.
He opened the door and was met by Chu Ling, who had also come out to check the situation.
Shen Yulin, looking anxious, appeared to have just returned from outside.
But for some reason, he was covered in sweat and was hurrying toward the two of them.
Before he could even get close, he said to the two of them, "The Cheng family's steward is dead."