Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Hai Lanlan didn't receive a response for some time, so she asked, "Your Highness?"

Qin Yu finally regained his composure. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Look up the current situation of the Ning Family."

"Yes." Hai Lanlan drew back several steps, a surprised look in her eyes. Was His Highness old friends with the Ning Family? Although she didn't have a favorable impression of the Fang Family, she suddenly felt some pity towards them.

Those who inflict themselves with sins cannot survive…the approximate meaning was like this.

The problems between the Ning and Fang Families weren't some great secret. After carefully asking some people, Hai Lanlan quickly found out what the Ning Family's current situation was. To say that they had been deserted by their friends and family wasn't going too far. Moreover, there were also some other noble families lurking on the edges that had had ill intentions towards them.

However, since this Ning Family was old friends with His Highness and it seemed that His Highness held them in considerably high regard, couldn't they simply ask His Highness for help, making all their problems vanish into thin air? Why make things so convoluted?

Hai Lanlan couldn't figure it out. She shook her head and suppressed these thoughts, recording all of this information onto a jade slip.

No matter what the reason was that the Ning Family hadn't asked for help before, from this day forth their perilous position would be easily solved and their entire family would welcome a bright and glorious future.

After probing the jade slip, Qin Yu's complexion didn't change, but the air around him seemed a little bit colder.

Due to the commotion at Four Seasons City, the Ning Family hastily returned to the Holy Land; this was likely because they were worried about any retaliation from the Immortal Sect. In other words, he was responsible for the Ning Family's current situation.

A bit of guilt appeared in Qin Yu's heart.

After experiencing so many tribulations and gaining his current cultivation and status, his mentality and willpower were formidable enough. There was little that could easily influence him. Still, there were always exceptions. Ning Ling was one of the soft points in his heart.

As he thought about how there was no news of her from within the Immortal Sect, he felt both anxiousness and resentment. If not for the fact that he was so small and weak, how could he continuously be unable to protect those he loved?

Although this thought was a bit unreasonable, it was actually what Qin Yu truly felt. In this sort of situation, he had even more regard towards the Ning Family.

This Fang Changling was simply courting death!

If he wanted to shelter the Ning Family and give them the turning point to improve their situation, today was the best time to do so. As long as he clearly expressed his stance then there wouldn't be anyone in the future that would easily dare to have thoughts about the Ning Family.

But it wasn't easy to do that right now. After all, the Fang Family was the first noble family to pledge themselves to him. If he were to handle them without a good reason, he feared he would scare away the other influences that wanted to join his side.

Qin Yu's thoughts raced. His eyes brightened; he knew what to do!

After carefully deliberating over it several times and determining that there wasn't a problem, Qin Yu suddenly said, "Pause for a moment." His eyes swept over the hall. "I just heard about a matter. It seems that West Prosperity City's Fang Family is in conflict with Herald City's Ning Family."

Fang Changling's heart skipped a beat. He was unable to calm himself down. Why had His Highness suddenly mentioned this matter? As he was secretly disturbed, he quickly hurried out and said, "This is nothing but a minor matter. It is something unworthy of Your Highness wasting effort on. Today is a ceremony of great joy; I have no wish of ruining Your Highness' moment."

Qin Yu said, "The Fang Family is willing to loyally devote themselves to me. Now that they have been wronged, how can I sit back idly and do nothing?" He leaned forward and said, "Patriarch Fang, explain so that everyone here knows of the situation. I will surely uphold justice for you today!"

Fang Changling relaxed. Then, he quickly complained in his heart. Some things were doomed to remain hidden in the darkness; they weren't truths that he could speak in public. But as he looked at Qin Yu's solemn expression and how he looked as if he was about to lower thunderous retribution at any moment, he realized that the Holy Son probably wanted to use the Fang Family as an example to win over the hearts of the people. If he refused to cooperate, the favorable impression in His Highness' heart would likely disappear. He might even think that they were disobedient towards him.

Clenching his teeth, Fang Changling steadied his heart. What did it matter if he were to lose face? As long as he managed to flatter His Highness, the Fang Family would still be able to freely walk through the Demonic Path with their heads held up high.

As he came to a decision, he immediately revealed a saddened look and said, "I didn't want to cause such a commotion to begin with. To speak of it is such a disgrace…"

A wonderful and fresh story poured out from his lips. Compared to what Hai Lanlan had heard, it was much more exaggerated. There were climaxes and ditches, a full range of emotions involved. Those that heard this story would feel sad, and those who saw it would burst into tears!

It was clear that in this story, the Fang Family was a genuine victim.

The hall was silent. Countless eyes fell on Fang Changling. As they saw his reddened eyes, his trembling finger, his grief and indignation, his shame and helplessness, they couldn't help but give him a great thumbs up in their hearts.

Those in the hall more or less knew the approximate situation between the Fang Family and Ning Family. What kind of story was this with so many twists and turns? The Fang Family had simply noticed that the Ning Family was in decline and wanted to swallow them up whole.

It was already difficult enough to lie so blatantly with eyes wide open, much less embellish it into a touching story and cry tears while doing so. This Fang Changling was truly a genius. His complete lack of concern about his face and reputation was something that the average person couldn't hope to compete with.

No wonder the Fang Family was able to stand out and occupy a small space in the Holy Son's heart. There was a reason for all of this!

Qin Yu's face darkened. He coldly said, "Patriarch Fang, are you speaking the truth?"

Fang Changling was stunned. Of course he was speaking lies, but his expression remained firm and steadfast. "I have not spoken a single lie. I ask Your Highness to uphold justice for my Fang Family!"

The road is more or less done being paved, so please hurry and deal with the Ning Family! Although his face was sufficiently thick, he didn't like the stares of everyone in the hall upon him.

"How bold!" Qin Yu slapped his armrest. "This is as clear as the heavens and earth! Within the Demonic Path's small world, someone actually has the gall and bravado to stain the name of the noble families! This is truly infuriating!

"Men, send out my order. Summon the Ning Family into the hall. I want them to face the Fang Family and explain themselves!"

Fang Changling was stunned. This script didn't seem right. Why was the Ning Family being summoned in here?

His heart fl.u.s.tered, he quickly said, "Your Highness, there is no need…"

Qin Yu dismissively waved his hand, interrupting him. "Patriarch Fang, rest assured that I will uphold justice for you in front of all these gusts today. I will have the Ning Family Patriarch bow his head and admit guilt!"

This is wrong, this is wrong! Your Highness, please don't make a fuss over all this! Fang Changling's eyes widened but before he could utter a single word, he heard someone announce, "Your Highness, the Ning Family is waiting outside."

Qin Yu sat up straight. "Bring them in!"

The Holy Nether Guard turned and shouted. As his armor reflected the light, it filled the air with a faint blood red shine. "By His Highness' order, escort Herald City's Ning Family in for an audience!"

Ning Rufeng lowered his head as he entered the hall. Sensing the strangely quiet peace within the hall, he grew increasingly restless. Without knowing what was happening, he didn't dare to look up as he bowed deeply.

"Herald City's Ning Family, Ning Rufeng, greets Your Highness!"

Ning Yuntao and Ning Liang bowed behind him. The three of them had pale complexions.

How could Qin Yu receive their bow? He lightly coughed and said, "Rise." He pointed a finger, "The patriarch of West Prosperity City's Fang Family has accused your Ning Family of bullying them. Patriarch Ning, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Ning Rufeng's face flushed red and he was immediately angered. "Your Highness, you cannot believe the word of such villains! The Fang Family is mixing up black and white, there is not a single speck of truth to what they say!"

Qin Yu frowned. "Patriarch Ning, you are saying that the Fang Family is falsely accusing you? Do you have any evidence?"

Ning Rufeng took a deep breath. "Your Highness, the Ning Family has been in decline for many years. We returned to our manor not too long ago, so how can we possibly have the strength to provoke the ill.u.s.trious and mighty Fang Family? The truth is that some evildoers have noticed that the Ning Family has lost power and wish to loot all of my family's industries and land. I came here today to pay my respects to Your Highness in hopes that Your Highness can uphold justice for my family. I never imagined that this villain would already have blasphemed my family's reputation ahead of time!"

He fell to his knees. "Your Highness, the specifics of this aren't a secret. It is easy to search up what is truth and what are lies. I beg Your Highness to uphold justice for my Ning Family!"

Within the hall, as everyone saw Fang Changling suddenly look angry and ashamed, they all felt pleased. This surname Fang, he wanted to show off and now he finally suffered a stroke of bad luck. However, they simply couldn't figure out what the intention of His Highness was. Since he had accepted the Fang Family, why continue to embarrass them and make things hard for them? Could it be that His Highness wanted to inform them all that as long as they pledged to him and became his subordinates, he would shelter them no matter what?

This…although everyone came here for that reason, this sort of thing wasn't to be done so blatantly and openly. For His Highness the Holy Son to carry out such a performance was a little hard to watch.