C15 Wang Tianhu's Loneliness

Three days later, representatives from the Zhao and Qian families arrived at the City Lord's Mansion with the compensation money in tow. After settling their debts, they left with dark clouds hanging over their faces.

Wang Tianlong watched their departure with great satisfaction. For years, he had been oppressed by their joint efforts, and now he had finally gotten his revenge. Turning to Sun Wei with a smile, he said, "Lord Sun Wei, I must take my leave now. There are urgent matters I need to attend to at home." Sun Wei responded with a nod, then turned and made his way back into the mansion, likely pondering the inevitable shake-up within the Wang family.

Over the past three days, Wang Tianlong had been vigilantly stationed at the City Lord's Mansion to prevent any disguised attempts by the Zhao and Qian families to stage a jailbreak. He couldn't expect Sun Wei to personally guard the prison's surroundings. Upon returning to his estate, Wang Tianlong immediately convened a meeting in the hall. The attendees noticed his stern demeanor as he took his place at the head of the room. Rumors had circulated that Wang Tianhu had betrayed his own kin, colluding with outsiders to undermine the younger members of the family in his bid for the role of Patriarch. Parents of the youths who had participated in the autumn hunt glared at Wang Tianhu with disdain.

Wang Tianlong addressed the assembly, "Now that we are all gathered, let's begin. Today's sole agenda is to address Wang Tianhu's betrayal and his attempt to usurp the position of Patriarch. I'm sure you're all aware of the circumstances. The City Lord's Mansion has informed me that it was you, Tianhu, who poisoned my son, preventing his advancement to the Martial Cultivator Realm. And the incident involving the harassment of the City Lord's daughter by my son was also your doing, wasn't it? I'd like to hear your thoughts on this matter."

No sooner had he finished speaking than an elder rose from his seat, exclaiming, "Wang Tianhu, because we didn't support you, you resorted to threatening our children and colluding with outsiders. I say we should cripple you and your son and cast you out of the Wang family. You do not deserve to be one of us." The speaker was a venerable member of the family, ranking even above Wang Tianlong and considered one of the top ten martial experts within the Wang family.

After hearing the proposal, everyone, whether previously neutral or adversarial, found themselves in agreement. Even those who had supported Wang Tianhu fell silent, recognizing that he had crossed a line this time. Despite the Wang family's internal strife, colluding with outsiders was a step too far, and it seemed Wang Tianhu's fate was sealed. Wang Tianlong, seated at the head of the room, gestured for silence, and the room fell quiet.

Wang Tianlong spoke up, "Wang Tianhu, do you have anything else to say?" Wang Tianhu and Wang Yan were bound, surrounded by onlookers.

Wang Tianhu declared, "To the victor go the spoils; to the vanquished, the blame. I've lost, and I'm ready for the consequences. Let's get on with it and spare the platitudes." With that, he closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.

Wang Yan, on his knees, cried out to Wang Tianlong, "Uncle, my father was momentarily misled. Please, have mercy on us. He is, after all, your own brother."

Before Wang Tianlong could respond, Wang Tianhu lashed out with a kick, berating him, "Are you even my son? Stand up! If you can't, you don't deserve to be my son. We've lost, and now we must pay the price. Stop begging."

Wang Tianlong then said, "Very well, Wang Tianhu. Since you have nothing further, I shall proceed. Elder, if you would." A middle-aged man rose from his seat.

The elder approached them, saying, "So be it. I'll begin. I urge you not to resist, or you'll forfeit your lives." As he lifted his hands, a thunderous voice interrupted.

"Stop!"

Two elders entered the conference hall, prompting Wang Tianlong to rise from his seat in respect. "Father, Uncle Zhong, what brings you here?" he asked.

"Father, he truly went too far this time, colluding with outsiders against our own kin. Not crippling him would fail to set an example," Wang Tianlong insisted.

The elder sighed and said, "I understand what you're saying, but he is still your younger brother and my own son. Let's do this: everyone here, please do me a favor and agree to cripple one of each of their arms. We have an old house in the southern part of the city. They can spend their remaining years there."

Upon hearing this, the room erupted in murmurs, but out of respect for the former patriarch, no one spoke out. The noise in the meeting hall grew louder. Wang Tianlong, feeling the unrest, projected his aura and shouted, "Enough! Am I not your patriarch?" His gaze swept across the room, and everyone fell silent.

Wang Tianlong then turned to his father and declared, "If that's the case, I'll give them a chance. Swear an oath now that you will never again involve yourselves with the Wang family's affairs. Should you encounter any member of our family, you must avoid them, or suffer death by your own meridians sealing shut."

On the Skyborn Continent, the Heavenly Dao looms over all, particularly for martial cultivators. The higher their cultivation, the less likely they are to make oaths lightly, for an unfulfilled oath can have dire consequences. Thus, oaths are a matter of great significance.

Wang Tianhu glanced at his father and agreed, "Fine, I'll make the oath, but I want my son to be allowed to enter the selection trials."

Wang Tianlong, thinking of his own son, responded, "No problem, if he's capable." Despite some lingering dissatisfaction, the assembly acquiesced, respecting both the current and former patriarchs.

After Wang Tianhu and Wang Yan had taken their oaths, the Disciplinary Elder acted swiftly, severing both arms with his hand as if it were a blade. "With that settled, this meeting is adjourned. Wang Tianhu, you have until tomorrow morning to pack your belongings and leave the estate. Otherwise, I'll have to remove you myself."

Wang Tianhu, clutching his wound, responded gravely, "Understood." With that, he left with his son.

Now, with few remaining in the hall, a supporter of Wang Tianlong expressed concern, "Patriarch, why allow his son to compete in the selection? If he gets into Aetherwind Academy, it could spell trouble for us later on." Wang Tianlong replied with composure, "Your worries are unfounded. Wang Yan's spirit is broken, and even if he were to be admitted to the academy, he's no match for my son. There's no need for concern; they won't stir up any trouble." With a dismissive wave of his hand, Wang Tianlong indicated the conversation was over.

"Then, Patriarch, we shall excuse ourselves," he said, bowing slightly before departing. Now, only Wang Tianlong, the former patriarch, and Uncle Zhong remained. Wang Tianlong, puzzled, inquired, "Father, Uncle Zhong, is there something you wish to discuss?"

Uncle Zhong and Wang Tianlong's father exchanged a glance, their expressions brimming with excitement. "Patriarch, please have a look at this," Uncle Zhong urged, pulling out two books from behind him and placing them in Wang Tianlong's hands.

Wang Tianlong recognized them immediately as 'The Guardian's Decision' and 'Seven Sound Fist,' two familiar texts from his home. Perplexed, he asked, "What's the matter? Uncle Zhong, is there an issue with these?"

With a reassuring smile, Uncle Zhong suggested, "Patriarch, just open them and see for yourself." Wang Tianlong turned to the first page, and his face transformed with shock. "What's happened here? Who altered these texts?"

Still smiling, Uncle Zhong advised, "Patriarch, please read on before you react. There's no rush to anger."

Suppressing his frustration, Wang Tianlong continued to review the techniques. His expression shifted from outrage to elation. After half an hour, he looked up, his face a mixture of astonishment and delight. "What's going on here? The flaws in the technique have been corrected. I've just tested it, and the flow of spiritual energy is much faster. It seems that 'The Guardian's Decision' has been elevated to the top grade of the yellow class, and 'Seven Sound Fist' has evolved into 'Nine Sound Fist.'"

Uncle Zhong confessed, "I'm not sure who made the changes. During a routine inspection today, I was stunned to discover the alterations. To my surprise, when I channeled the spiritual energy as revised, it flowed more swiftly. I immediately sought out the former patriarch, thinking he had made the modifications, but it turned out not to be the case."

Wang Tianlong's father added, "The discovery left me equally astounded. Moreover, I have a strong sense that with diligent practice of this enhanced 'Guardian's Decision,' I could soon advance to the Martial Marquis realm."

After a moment of contemplation, Wang Tianlong decided, "Let's keep this matter within our circle for now. Once you've achieved the Martial Marquis rank, Father, we can share the news with the rest of the Wang family." Both Wang Pingfan's father and Uncle Zhong nodded in agreement.

At this moment, far off in the distant back mountains, Wang Pingfan was on the verge of encountering a fierce battle.