Afterward, Ning Xiaoren secretly summoned Ning Ze.

Ning Ze, a bandage wrapped around his forehead, approached Ning Xiaoren with utmost respect.

Ning Xiaoren snorted inwardly, fully aware that Ning Ze was perfectly capable of healing his forehead wound completely. He was deliberately leaving it as a pathetic display, a subtle plea to acknowledge his contributions and hardships.

“Ning Ze, come, have a seat.” A gentle smile reappeared on Ning Xiaoren’s face.

Ning Ze readily sat down. “This subordinate is truly perplexed. It was clearly Young Clan Leader who personally instructed me, yet why did Young Clan Leader suddenly…”

Ning Xiaoren raised a hand, stopping Ning Ze from continuing. “I will explain only this: the inventor of the mechanical fire monkey is none other than Ning Zhuo!”

Hearing this, Ning Ze was utterly stunned, thinking he’d misheard. “Wha…what?”

Ning Xiaoren offered no further explanation, instead leaning back in his chair, picking up a teacup, and slowly savoring its aroma.

Ning Ze fully processed the information, startled to his feet, unable to remain seated. His eyes widened, and he gasped, “Zhuo… Zhuo is the creator of the mechanical fire monkey?!”

Ning Xiaoren merely glanced at him, remaining silent.

Ning Ze’s mouth hung open, his gaze unfocused, lost in thought for a moment before finally regaining his composure.

“No wonder, no wonder he possesses such a vast sum of money.”

“But… but according to him, this matter involves a Golden Core cultivator…”

Ning Xiaoren set down his cup, sighing softly. “It’s Fei Si. Fei Si sought to take credit, presenting the mechanical fire monkey to the City Lord. Chen Cha is his subordinate, not Ning Zhuo’s. Therefore, Chen Cha secretly coerced Ning Zhuo, seizing his recognition.”

“This matter is still under investigation, but it is almost certainly the truth.”

“So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is.” Ning Ze exhaled a breath of relief, a look of guilt spreading across his face. “I wrongly suspected him.”

“But in that situation, I had no choice.”

“I had to provide an explanation to the clan, especially to Young Clan Leader.”

Ning Xiaoren smiled. “I understand, I understand. Come, sit, sit down.”

Ning Ze sat down once more.

Ning Xiaoren continued, “I know you are loyal. You provided me with an explanation. But now, how do I give Ning Zhuo an explanation?”

“Ah?” Ning Ze asked, confused.

“Look, this is the situation,” Ning Xiaoren said, rising and slowly circling the desk, coming to stand in front of it.

“Ning Zhuo has a Qi Refinement cultivation base at the peak of the third layer. The Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art resonates with him exceptionally well. He can create mechanical fire monkeys. He will certainly be a major force in our clan’s exploration of the Lava Immortal Palace!”

“Our clan needs him, needs him greatly, needs him to be used to his full potential!”

“He is a rare mechanical arts prodigy for our clan.”

“But now, he harbors grievances, resentment. He’s estranged from our clan.”

“If you were him, how would you feel after what happened today?”

With that, Ning Xiaoren walked to stand before Ning Ze.

Ning Ze quickly stood up, a sense of unease growing within him. He said, “If I were Ning Zhuo, what do these investigations matter? This is nothing to be resentful about. On the contrary, having the opportunity to prove one’s innocence, I would be immensely grateful for the opportunity the clan has given me!”

“I am a member of the Ning Clan, loyal to the clan. It is my duty to contribute and sacrifice for the clan.”

“Hahaha.” Ning Xiaoren pointed at Ning Ze, nodding. “You are very aware, Ning Ze, you are quite good.”

“I was not mistaken about you!”

Ning Ze hurriedly expressed his modesty.

Ning Xiaoren changed his tone. “But Ning Zhuo is not you. He is only sixteen years old, what could he possibly understand? How much awareness could he have like you?”

Ning Ze: “Yes, this subordinate will certainly guide him well in the future, leading him onto the righteous path!”

Ning Xiaoren nodded. “That is for the future.”

“Now, Zhuo is wounded in his heart. As elders, we must care for him, smooth over the bumps in his heart, heal the wounds within, allowing him to grow up happily, cultivate cheerfully, isn’t that so?”

The more Ning Ze listened, the more uneasy he became.

Ning Xiaoren continued, “As elders, we should have a spirit of sacrifice. Ning Ze, do you have this level of awareness?”

Ning Xiaoren was pressuring Ning Ze directly, leaving him with no choice but to inquire.

Ning Xiaoren then transmitted his plan to him through spiritual sense.

Ning Ze was aghast, waving his hands frantically. “L-Lord, how can you do this? What will become of me!”

It turned out, Ning Xiaoren’s plan was to investigate Ning Ze next. Ning Ze, unable to bear the pressure, would reveal the “truth” – that over the years, Ning Xiaoren had been secretly funding Ning Zhuo, providing him with many spirit stones and resources for his cultivation. But Ning Ze had embezzled from these funds, treating Ning Zhuo poorly.

When Ning Zhuo finally revealed his talent, Ning Ze was overwhelmed by jealousy and greed upon learning of Ning Zhuo’s wealth. Under the guise of investigation, he sought to extort Ning Zhuo.

The kind and benevolent Ning Xiaoren, concerned for the clan, intervened in time to prevent this, and after the fact, discovered the truth that had been concealed for over a decade.

Ning Ze absolutely did not want to shoulder such a burden!

It was clearly Ning Xiaoren who was unrighteous, who did not remember kindness, who neglected Ning Zhuo. He had been indifferent for over a decade, and yet in the end, he was being falsely accused.

This was too despicable, too petty!

“Will you do it or not? Are you still my subordinate?” Ning Xiaoren glared, directly threatening him.

“You dare refuse? Think of the consequences!”

“Think of your son, Ning Ji, is it? He’s living quite well in the clan’s business currently.”

An icy chill enveloped Ning Ze’s heart.

Looking at the stern Ning Xiaoren, he suddenly understood: his appointment as the leader of the investigation team was not because Ning Xiaoren wanted to rely on his relationship with Ning Zhuo, to investigate the source of the wealth.

“No, Ning Xiaoren, that damned bastard, wants to covet Zhuo’s money, and wants to frame me, step on my body, deceive Zhuo, and ingratiate himself to win Zhuo over!”

Realizing the truth, Ning Ze’s face flushed red with anger, his fists clenched, breathing heavily.

Seeing his reaction, Ning Xiaoren sneered disdainfully.
That soft, derisive chuckle was like arctic ice water, dousing the flames of rage and resentment in Ning Ze’s heart.

Ning Xiaoren was the Young Clan Leader, and his direct superior! What could he possibly do?

For the past decade and more, Ning Ze had been the one to raise Ning Zhuo, albeit without much care, but Ning Zhuo had undoubtedly benefited from his patronage.

Yet now, Ning Xiaoren wanted to win Ning Zhuo over, to pluck the fruit of his labor. He was framing Ning Ze, fabricating a false narrative to cover up his own shortcomings.

How treacherous, how vile!

There was nothing he could do.

Ning Ze was powerless.

He could only swallow his grievances, bear the blame for a fault that was not his.

Because he was a subordinate, he relied on Ning Xiaoren for his livelihood. Ning Xiaoren was the Young Clan Leader, second only to the Clan Head. Even if Ning Ze resisted to the death, he would be forced to comply.

In that moment, Ning Ze suddenly thought of Ning Zhuo, whom he had recently coerced.

“So, this is the unbearable pain of being forced by others, unable to resist.” His heart was filled with bitterness and despair.

Thinking of it that way, he suddenly felt he deserved his fate.

“Young Clan Leader, it is true that I embezzled, I pocketed the secret assistance you provided. It is all my fault!” Ning Ze’s voice became extremely hoarse, his expression utterly gloomy.

Only then did Ning Xiaoren pat his shoulder. “I won’t mistreat you.”

“First, you will reside in the clan’s dungeon.”

“I will inform your wife to visit you there.”

Ning Ze was stunned; he hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. He couldn’t help but raise his eyes to look at Ning Xiaoren.

Ning Xiaoren wore a broad smile, but his eyes were full of chilling light.

Ning Ze had no choice but to lower his head, his tone incredibly heavy. “Yes, this subordinate obeys.”

The Ning Clan Head returned to his residence, a smile on his face.

This negotiation had secured many substantial benefits for the Ning family, exceeding all previous expectations.

Ning Xiaoren came to report, laying bare his scheme to frame Ning Ze and win over Ning Zhuo.

The Ning Clan Head stroked his beard and pondered, “You handled it reasonably well, I suppose.”

“You must remember, Ning Zhuo is different now. At least for now, the clan relies on his strength. You should temper your nature.” The Ning Clan Head was well aware of his son’s greedy disposition.

Just one glance from him was enough to make Ning Xiaoren break out in a cold sweat. He hastily nodded, indicating that he would never do such a thing again.

“Father, this is the result of my urgent investigation,” Ning Xiaoren continued, handing over a wealth of information.

The biggest commonality among the vast amount of intelligence was Ning Zhuo.

This information was all closely related to him.