The surrounding Ning clansmen were stunned.

Ning Xiaoren glared at Ning Ze, “Stop this instant!?”

As he spoke, he ripped off his identity token hanging from his waist and hurled it violently.

The hard token struck Ning Ze squarely on the head, sending him staggering backward, nearly falling.

Ning Ze took a step back, steadied himself, and hurriedly bowed, “Greetings, Young Clan Lord!”

As he spoke, a torrent of blood flowed from his forehead.

He had been struck by Ning Xiaoren, causing his scalp to bleed once more.

Naturally, the Father-Son Bracelet’s activation ceased.

Ning Xiaoren glared fiercely at him, then hurried towards Ning Zhuo.

He kicked over one of the Ning clansmen restraining Ning Zhuo and shouted at the other, “Get lost!”

The two burly Ning clansmen retreated in a panic.

Ning Xiaoren quickly reached out to support Ning Zhuo, his eyes reddening, his face full of guilt and concern, “Nephew Ning Zhuo, Nephew Ning Zhuo, I am late, your uncle is late, to allow you to suffer such torment! To witness this sight, my heart aches with grief.”

With the Father-Son Bracelet no longer in use, Ning Zhuo felt no further discomfort.

Still, Ning Xiaoren retrieved a superior elixir, handing it to Ning Zhuo, “Nephew Ning Zhuo, your uncle’s magic power differs from yours, and I cannot personally heal your body. But take this elixir; its healing effects are exceptional!”

Ning Zhuo’s face was pale, and he gasped for breath. Weakly, he pushed away the elixir, feigning the apprehension and bewilderment of a youth, “Young Clan Lord, I… I… How could you…”

Ning Zhuo was on the verge of success.

The arrival of the Ning family’s investigation team was one of the scenarios he had foreseen.

Having shone brightly at the Three Families Joint Trial, he had long anticipated that he would be secretly investigated and followed by various powers.

This was of no consequence!

Even if they didn’t investigate, Fei Si and Zhu Xuanji certainly would. And even if they didn’t investigate now, they would eventually.

Being investigated now was actually more advantageous for Ning Zhuo.

It was an unconventional opportunity, and if Ning Zhuo played it well, he could “explain” himself to the outside world, which was, in reality, a further disguise. Moreover, it would help him showcase his value.

Ning Ze had been influenced by the Buddha-Heart Demon Seal. Of course, this was based on his own inherent fear and anxiety.

By this day, Ning Zhuo possessed the third layers of Qi Refining, Essence Refining, and Spirit Refining, making him much stronger than before. He could barely wield a trace of the treasure seal’s power. Though he still suffered a nosebleed, it occurred later than before.

Aided by the Father-Son Bracelet’s forceful thought absorption as a cover, the nosebleed would not seem out of place.

Ning Zhuo needed to explain the rapid progress of his cultivation to the outside world. Merely attributing it to a compatibility with a cultivation technique was insufficient. He also needed to demonstrate to the outside world that he possessed a vast fortune in spirit stones, which meant he had sufficient cultivation resources.

Right now, he had to “publicly spend” this fortune.

Because Fei Si, Chi Dun, and Zhu Xuanji all knew that he was the creator of the Mechanical Firecracker Monkey. He had gained a substantial sum of money from his business with the Mechanical Firecracker Monkeys.

From the perspective of a normal young cultivator, having such a large sum of money and not spending it, not purchasing a large amount of resources, not advancing one’s cultivation, was highly illogical!

Being a miser or a cheapskate was not a character trait he had displayed outwardly in the past sixteen years.

As long as he successfully explained himself, Ning Zhuo could openly use this money, openly go to various pill pavilions and pharmacies to purchase a large amount of cultivation resources, and fully advance his cultivation.

This would also be very beneficial for him.

Especially in the upcoming joint modification team of the Three Families, he needed to have a place!

When Ning Ze and the others arrived, Ning Zhuo had a performance ready. Magical artifacts like the Father-Son Bracelet had long been included in his information database.

In his Sea of Consciousness, he had prepared some thoughts. As long as he sent them up, Ning Ze would receive the “answers.”

But just as he was about to succeed, Ning Xiaoren appeared.

Ning Zhuo wanted to know why Ning Xiaoren had suddenly barged in.

Ning Xiaoren’s heart was filled with relief. “I made it, thankfully, I made it!”

It turned out that during the negotiations between the three Clan Lords, Zhu Xuanji had come to retrieve the records. Before leaving, Zhu Xuanji had proactively revealed the secrets of Ning Zhuo and the Mechanical Firecracker Monkey.

The three Clan Lords were all high-ranking figures, and they immediately believed Zhu Xuanji’s words.

Zhu Xuanji, being a member of the royal family and a divine constable, had high credibility, and his words were basically unassailable.

In recent times, the Mechanical Firecracker Monkey had been selling like wildfire. All three families had dispatched a large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators to participate in the Fire Persimmon Festival. The three Clan Lords had a good understanding of the Mechanical Firecracker Monkey.

Combining it with Zhu Xuanji’s revelation, they reasoned it out in a few words and deduced the truth: Fei Si had presented the treasure to claim credit, and Chen Cha had secretly bought the identity of the inventor, impersonating him. The real creator was actually Ning Zhuo of the Ning family!

Immediately, the Zhou and Zheng Clan Lords congratulated the Ning Clan Lord.

The Ning Clan Lord was overjoyed in his heart, but on the surface, he remained humble and cautious, saying that the matter still needed to be investigated to confirm it.

He immediately summoned a Ning family servant and instructed him to return to the family and tell the Young Clan Lord to first investigate and then generously reward Ning Zhuo.

The servant rushed back to the family and met Ning Xiaoren.

When Ning Xiaoren heard this, he was so shocked that he almost jumped. He immediately understood the origin of Ning Zhuo’s vast wealth and, thinking of the investigation team he had ordered to be dispatched, how could he dare linger in the family residence?

Despite the late hour, he sprinted out of the mansion with all his might, running madly toward Ning Zhuo’s residence.

Thus, the scene that just unfolded occurred.

Ning Xiaoren’s eyes were red, and he sighed bitterly, “Nephew Ning Zhuo, you have suffered, suffered! Your uncle knows you have grievances in your heart, hardships to bear.”

“Do you know? In your sixteen years of growth, your uncle has been secretly watching you.”

“I know your character, I know you are not a bad child. You won’t do anything seriously wrong.”

“I will investigate the matter of the investigation team and give you an explanation!”

“But through this matter, I believe you have also seen that your current situation is complex and full of hidden dangers.”

“Blame it on you being too excellent.”

“Alas, a tree that stands out in the forest will be felled by the wind; a pile that is higher than the bank will be battered by the current! There are many who are jealous of you.”
“Nephew, I am truly worried about you,” Ning Xiaoren said, his voice dripping with concern.

“Look, this investigation team arrived so inexplicably, even your own grand-uncle has been implicated!”

Ning Ze watched Ning Xiaoren’s performance, utterly bewildered. “Wasn’t it you who personally summoned me, asking me to handle this matter?” he thought, incredulously.

*Now* you’re trying to distance yourself from it!

Despite Ning Ze’s vehement inner complaints, he knew he absolutely could not expose his direct superior at this juncture.

Bearing the burden for one’s superior – wasn’t that precisely what a subordinate should do?

Therefore, Ning Ze remained silent, discreetly healing the injury on his forehead.

Ning Zhuo glanced at Ning Xiaoren, then at the bowing Ning Ze, and then at Ning Fan and the others. His young face displayed a mixture of panic, unease, and bewilderment.

“Then… what should I do?” He turned his gaze towards Ning Xiaoren, seeking guidance.

At this moment, Ning Xiaoren exerted every ounce of his being to display a warm smile, using the most amiable and sincere voice he could muster, “It’s simple, nephew Ning Zhuo, come and stay at your uncle’s residence. Your uncle is the Young Clan Leader; I will personally protect you.”

Ning Zhuo hesitated, lowering his head slightly.

Ning Xiaoren once again offered the medicinal pill to Ning Zhuo, his voice exceedingly gentle, “Accept it.”

Ning Zhuo shook his head. “My injuries aren’t severe; using such a precious pill would be wasteful.”

“Hehehe,” Ning Xiaoren patted Ning Zhuo’s shoulder. “Good child. Still, accept it. Consider it a greeting gift from your uncle. Come, return to the manor with your uncle. You may not be aware, but your father saved my life.”

“In the past, I had difficulties and worries, preventing me from directly caring for you. But now that you’re in danger, I can only personally step forward. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe!”

Ning Zhuo slowly raised his head, saying with a face full of gratitude, “Thank you, Young Clan Leader…”

“Ah, don’t call me Young Clan Leader; just call me Uncle Ning,” Ning Xiaoren said, extending his hand once more, offering the pill.

Ning Zhuo, now feeling somewhat obliged, accepted the pill.

“Come, your uncle will take you home!” Ning Xiaoren wrapped his arm around Ning Zhuo’s shoulders, helping him up, ready to depart.

Ning Zhuo took a few steps, then paused slightly. “What about the investigation regarding the spirit stones…”

Ning Xiaoren said, “Your uncle vows to you that I will never treat you in such a cruel manner. Let’s carefully consider a solution, see if we can circumvent the contract. If not, your uncle will use his position as Young Clan Leader to vouch for you, guaranteeing your safety and allowing you to cultivate in peace.”

Hearing this, Ning Zhuo’s suspicions were nearly confirmed. *It seems Ning Xiaoren has gleaned the secret of the Clockwork Fire Apes from other sources. Either Chi Dun, or Zhu Xuanji.*

*Chi Dun and Fei Si are at odds, and Zhu Xuanji has royal backing. Both are possibilities.*

Ning Zhuo was pleased to see this development.

His plan to introduce the Clockwork Fire Ape served a dual purpose. Firstly, to obscure the truth about the Celestial Palace explosion, and secondly, to showcase his skills in automaton arts.

Thinking to himself, Ning Zhuo no longer resisted.

Ning Xiaoren was deliberately concealing the fact that he knew the truth, hoping to show his sincerity and fully win over Ning Zhuo. Ning Zhuo, for his part, also wanted to get closer to Ning Xiaoren.

For the near future, he could use the protection of the Young Clan Leader to better conceal himself.

Ning Xiaoren accompanied him throughout the journey, speaking many kind and comforting words.

Upon arriving at the house, Ning Xiaoren loudly instructed the servants in front of Ning Zhuo, “Empty my bedroom! It’s for my good nephew to live in!”

Ning Zhuo hurriedly tried to stop him, but Ning Xiaoren’s eyes turned red again, pleading with Ning Zhuo to stay, so that he, as the elder, could make amends for his past neglect of the son of his benefactor.

In the end, Ning Zhuo’s own eyes turned red, and with a look of gratitude, he had no choice but to agree.

As Ning Zhuo was about to retire for the night, Ning Xiaoren took out a talisman for him. “You’ve only just reached the peak of the third layer, haven’t you been soul-drafted to the Palace yet?”

Ning Zhuo nodded, while also expressing his curiosity about the Magma Celestial Palace.

Ning Xiaoren explained gently, “Regarding the matters of the Magma Celestial Palace, it is necessary to act in conjunction with others in order to have a chance of success. There is no need to rush at this moment. Entering the Palace rashly will only damage your soul and delay your cultivation.”

“Applying this talisman will slightly weaken your soul, falling short of the standard for soul-drafting to the Palace. It is entirely beneficial for you.”

“Thank you, Uncle Ning!” Ning Zhuo said hastily.

Ning Xiaoren laughed heartily, patting Ning Zhuo on the shoulder, telling him to rest well, before taking the initiative to leave.

Alone in his study, the warmth on Ning Xiaoren’s face vanished, replaced by a frigid expression. He summoned a trusted attendant, “Take a group of our own men, and search Ning Zhuo’s residence. Remember, leave no trace of disturbance. Gather all the information you can.”

“Yes, Master!”