**Ning Family Dungeon.**

Ning Xiaoren sat on the straw, leaning against the wall, his expression blank.

Ever since being押送(yāsòng – escorted/taken into custody) to this place, he had been in a daze, his eyes unfocused, like a statue.

The faint sound of footsteps echoed.

Ning Xiaoren’s ears twitched slightly, immediately discerning that a guard had left his post.

Then, the door opened, and a footstep he was all too familiar with grew closer and closer.

Ning Xiaoren seemed to suddenly awaken. He regained his vivid expression, rose, and strode to the bars of the prison cell.

“Father.”

As expected, the next moment, he saw a familiar figure emerge from the shadows at the entrance of the prison, into the torchlit section.

The visitor was none other than the Ning family patriarch.

At this moment, the Ning family patriarch finally revealed his true emotions, his face clouded with gloom: “Xiaoren, I’ve come to see you!”

Ning Xiaoren’s Adam’s apple bobbed a few times, his voice tinged with a choked sob: “Father, I have disappointed you!”

The Ning family patriarch nodded, his tone carrying a hint of disappointed exasperation: “You have indeed disappointed me!”

“This time, do you know where you lost?”

Ning Xiaoren nodded: “I know.”

“First, I had long lost the hearts of the people. Over the years as the young patriarch, I offended too many of the branch families. This time, with everyone pushing me when I was down, I was unable to resist!”

“Second, I was not thorough enough. To frame Ning Zexi, I should have been more decisive. Even taking his life after framing him would not have been out of the question. That way, even if Wang Lan and the others accused me today, without Ning Zexi’s反水(fǎnshuǐ – defection/betrayal), I would not be so passive.”

“Third, I was too 麻痹大意(mábìdàyì – careless/negligent). I have been the young patriarch for many years. Accustomed to the branch families’ anger they dared not voice, accustomed to them enduring my ways while holding their noses, I underestimated them, and I underestimated Ning Zexi. I indulged him because he was my subordinate for many years!”

“Fourth, and most crucial, I underestimated Ning Zhuo too much.”

“This young man is not simple. He exploited the hearts of our family, and he exploited the situation with the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.”

“He only has the third level of Qi Refining cultivation, seemingly weak, but his tactics are very experienced.”

“I never imagined that such mature methods would appear on a sixteen-year-old youth…”

The Ning family patriarch nodded, sighing: “Your analysis is very logical, not bad. It seems your fighting spirit has not been lost.”

“However, although Ning Zhuo is a key figure, today’s situation may not be entirely of his doing.”

“Ning Zhuo has some fame, but not enough to command such universal support.”

“Ning Youfu, Ning Houjun, and the others appeared almost simultaneously; someone must have secretly contacted and communicated with them beforehand.”

“The clansmen were mobilized too quickly; among these people, some were probably prepared long ago, waiting for things to blow up.”

“The ancestral hall elder must have sensed the heavy scent of conspiracy, so he did not defend you!”

Ning Xiaoren’s face was grim, and he nodded heavily: “I no longer hate him. The ancestral hall elder made a rational choice. At that time, I could not face the various irrefutable pieces of evidence. If he had stepped in to defend me, his position as elder would probably have been lost as well.”

Ning family patriarch: “It’s good that you understand.”

Ning Xiaoren: “Father, what should I do next? You must have a way, right?”

“Of course.” The Ning family patriarch nodded: “According to my plan, you will be imprisoned for three years.”

“This is actually your opportunity.”

“In the dungeon, you must diligently cultivate符箓 (fúlù – talismans/magical diagrams), research excellent frost talismans, and contribute them to the family without compensation, to atone for your crimes.”

“I have already prepared the relevant talismans for you, from the遗藏 (yízàng – inheritance/remains) of a cultivator from the Northern Wind Kingdom!”

“About a year from now, after the uproar has completely subsided, you can slightly modify the talismans and present them.”

“And in the days to come, you will diligently cultivate in this dungeon.”

Ning Xiaoren nodded: “I understand, Father. I will treat this as closed-door cultivation.”

Ning family patriarch: “Mm, I am very pleased that you have such a mindset. Such a setback is an opportunity for you to grow.”

“In life, there are bound to be mistakes and failures. To fight repeatedly after defeat is what makes a hero.”

Ning Xiaoren sighed: “Your teachings, child will surely remember.”

Ning family patriarch: “When you present the talismans, I will, in accordance with family rules, reduce your punishment.”

“At that time, you can still remain in the family, instead of being expelled.”

“This Ning family is ruled by my main lineage. As long as you stay in the family, there will be opportunities to perform meritorious deeds and climb back up step by step.”

Ning Xiaoren frowned: “Do the others in the main lineage have any objections?”

The Ning family patriarch snorted coldly: “I have already discussed it with them.”

“The branch families displayed great prowess this time, making us in the main lineage vigilant.”

“They are also aware of your past contributions in suppressing the branch families. Therefore, they all unanimously believe that we should show the branch families a thing or two, to let them know who is really in charge of the Ning family.”

“In the future, I will discuss it with them further, and perhaps I can even get some more meritorious deeds from them for you, to reduce your punishment even further.”

“What you need to do now is to obediently stay in the dungeon, waiting for the storm to subside!”

“Father, I understand!”

Ning Xiaoren’s emotions completely settled down.

“Next, how should we clean up the残局 (cánjú – mess/aftermath)?”

“That Ning Zhuo…”

The Ning family patriarch interrupted him: “The main lineage will not immediately cause trouble for Ning Zhuo, nor will there be any suppression whatsoever.”

“He is riding high right now, and all the people in the branch families are watching him!”

“If there is even a hint of unfair treatment, the branch families will sympathize with him even more, and support him, bolstering his momentum.”

“In fact, we will give him a lot of resources in the near future, to缓和 (huǎnhé – ease/mitigate) the conflict between the main and branch lineages.”

Ning Xiaoren’s eyes flashed with cold light, and he gritted his teeth: “Give it to him, give him more, the more the better.”

“This小子 (xiǎozi – brat/kid) is extremely greedy, not much different from me.”

“I don’t believe he won’t fall for the trick!”

“Let him receive the family’s favor and偏帮 (piānbāng – favoritism/partiality), I don’t believe the people in the branch families won’t envy him, won’t be jealous.”

“Use this tactic to divide his connection with the branch families.”

“The reason we are忌器 (jìqì – restrained by fear/wary) of him is because he has become a symbol for the branch families, right?”

The Ning family patriarch chuckled, revealing a satisfied expression: “Xiaoren, it was not in vain that I raised you from a young age.”
“We have already conceived such a plan!”

“However, success is not assured.”

“According to our discussions, most believe that Ning Zhuo has a master guiding him from behind.”

“Today, the speed at which the branch family members gathered was too swift. Ning Youfu, Ning Houjun, and the others seemed to have planned and communicated in advance, acting in unison.”

Ning Xiaoren nodded, gritting his teeth, his gaze turning icy, “If we could only seize evidence of him colluding with outsiders, that would be ideal.”

“Ning Zhuo…”

“To think I would be defeated by you, a mere callow youth. It is a most humiliating disgrace.”

“One day, I will repay the shame I have suffered today, tenfold!”

Ning Xiaoren swore an oath, ultimately unable to suppress the immense hatred for Ning Zhuo that churned within the depths of his heart.

The Ning Clan Patriarch nodded, quite pleased with Ning Xiaoren’s state of mind. “My son, nurture this resentment, and cultivate diligently.”

The father and son exchanged a few more words before the Ning Clan Patriarch turned to leave.

“Father.”

Watching the Ning Clan Patriarch about to disappear into the shadows, Ning Xiaoren called out from behind, “Be careful of Ning Zhuo.”

“Now that I reflect upon it, I feel this boy is not simple, not simple at all.”

The Ning Clan Patriarch paused, turned back to look at Ning Xiaoren, and nodded slightly, “Your father will keep a close watch on him.”

“If today’s events were not the machinations of someone behind him, but rather planned solely by him, then that would be truly terrifying!”

“Let us observe his actions in the days to come!”

“Today, he returned in triumph, his fame soaring. This is an extremely rare opportunity.”

“Let us see if he can discern this opportunity, seize it, and truly cultivate his own momentum.”

The Ning Zhai Residence.

Inside the master bedroom, Ning Zhuo’s uncle and aunt were seated by the bed.

His aunt, Wang Lan, was examining Ning Zhuo’s uncle’s body, employing arcane arts to heal his wounds.

Her eyes reddened, and she choked with emotion, “My dear, you have suffered greatly this time.”

Ning Zhai sighed, “This time, we owe it all to you. How did you bring yourself to reveal the truth to Ning Zhuo?”

Wang Lan replied, “Alas, I had never considered such a thing.”

“After the prison visit, I was prepared to execute our plan—to publicly kneel before Ning Zhuo the next day, forcing him to return to the re-cultivation team!”

“Who knew that that very evening, I pushed open the door and was startled by Ning Zhuo.”

“Ning Zhuo had already entered the room, waiting specifically for me!”

Ning Zhai’s brow immediately furrowed slightly, “Oh? Elaborate.”

Wang Lan said, “I don’t know where Ning Zhuo obtained the information, but as soon as he spoke, he revealed that he knew about my prison visit and Ning Xiaoren’s plot to use me and you to force him to submit.”

“I was very flustered at the time!”

“Ning Zhuo then told me that after you were framed for embezzling his cultivation resources, he had secretly investigated and discovered many flaws, giving rise to many suspicions.”

“He then voiced his conjecture, that he had guessed the truth.”

“Then he asked me, could I still trust Ning Xiaoren’s character? Would I continue to be exploited by Ning Xiaoren?”

“To truly rescue you, Ning Xiaoren could not be relied upon. We had to rely on ourselves.”

Wang Lan sighed as she said this, “My dear, I was swayed by his words.”

“What he said made too much sense.”

“Then, he told me that Ning Xiaoren had made a fatal mistake, with too many loopholes. He had already contacted key figures in the branch families and was going to stir up a storm and target Ning Xiaoren the next day.”

“I was shocked when I heard his plan. I desperately wanted to participate, but I was very worried about failure ultimately harming you!”

“Ning Zhuo forced me!”

“He threatened me! If I didn’t cooperate, he would stand by and watch Ning Xiaoren carry out the charges against you, causing you to lose face, ruin your reputation, and be unable to hold your head up in the clan for the rest of your life.”

“My dear, I know you too well. If that little bastard Ning Zhuo were to really do such a thing, you would surely be in unbearable pain.”

“In the end, I had no choice but to follow his arrangement!”

End of Chapter.