Chapter 219: Beast!

No one could understand the bleakness in Shao Pingbo's heart at that moment. He had thought he was digging a pit to bury Niu Youdao. Who could have imagined that he himself had jumped into the great pit Niu Youdao had dug and spent all this time digging away inside it? Niu Youdao had probably been standing above the pit in a fine mood, watching the fool below busy himself. Who could understand what that felt like? Especially for a man as proud and ambitious as Shao Pingbo.

Losing was one thing. Only now did he realize that rage had attacked his heart so violently that he had actually been angered into coughing up blood. That was another defeat.

He refused to leave, but whether he could survive this calamity was still unknown. Even if he did survive, once the crimes of killing his stepmother and his own brothers were laid at his feet, the stain would follow him for the rest of his life and could never be washed clean. Another defeat.

All along, he had regarded himself as one of the outstanding men of his age. Who could have imagined that someone would toy with him like a fool for so long, nearly costing him his life before he finally realized what was happening? To lose so miserably—how was a man like him supposed to endure it?

After that bitter laugh, the fire in his heart still would not subside. Another fit of coughing seized him, one cough following the next without end.

He hurriedly rose and grabbed a teacup from the desk, intending to pour tea down his throat and quench the heat. Instead, the moment the tea entered his mouth, he coughed up another mouthful of dark-red blood, choking it into the tea...

At the Provincial Inspector's Residence in Beizhou, Zhong Yangxu sat cross-legged inside a spacious, quiet room, reading a decoded secret letter over and over.

“Ah!”

He could not help sighing. Another decoded letter lay beside him. He had only just finished reading the first when a second arrived, both concerning the same affair.

The first was a message from Dachan Mountain. Rumors were spreading everywhere at the Ice and Snow Pavilion, and Dachan Mountain suspected Shao Pingbo might be behind them. Zhong Yangxu was ordered to verify the matter with Shao Pingbo so Dachan Mountain would know where things stood.

The second arrived immediately afterward. Dachan Mountain said Niu Youdao had already obtained evidence proving Shao Pingbo was responsible. He had even captured people who spread the rumors and thrown one of them into Dachan Mountain's shop, leaving Dachan Mountain to decide for itself what to do.

Niu Youdao's meaning was obvious. If Shao Pingbo died, Niu Youdao would let the matter go. If Shao Pingbo did not die, then the Ice and Snow Pavilion would probably have to step in and handle it.

Dachan Mountain had yielded. It ordered Zhong Yangxu, who was responsible for affairs on this side, to clean the matter up completely. How else could it be cleaned up?

Zhong Yangxu shook his head helplessly and muttered to himself, “Clever people are often undone by their own cleverness.”

Truthfully, he had thought highly of Shao Pingbo. The man was capable and knew how to preserve Dachan Mountain's interests. Everyone up and down Dachan Mountain had also favored Shao Pingbo as the man to inherit Beizhou. Who could have imagined that he would create such a disaster over a woman and ruin such a promising future? A beauty could indeed bring calamity.

Zhong Yangxu made up his mind. Once this affair was over, the Shangqing Sect absolutely could not be allowed to remain in Beizhou. That woman Tang Yi had to be driven out.

He rose with the letter in hand and told the men beside him, “Go first and place him under control. I will speak with Shao Dengyun. We have known each other for many years. I should at least give him some warning first.”

The words had barely left his mouth when someone outside reported, “Martial Uncle, the Third Young Master requests an audience!”

Zhong Yangxu frowned, wondering what Shao Fubo was doing here at a time like this.

He waved the men he had just instructed onward, signaling them not to delay and to handle their task first. Then he told the messenger, “Let him in.”

Before long, Shao Fubo entered respectfully and cupped his hands in an exceedingly polite salute.

“Shao Fubo pays his respects, Cultivator.”

Zhong Yangxu sighed.

“What is it?”

“This junior has come to beg forgiveness for my elder brother.”

As Shao Fubo spoke, he dropped to his knees with a thud and began lamenting mournfully.

“My elder brother did not know the immensity of Heaven and Earth. Because of his private grudge with Niu Youdao, he actually tried to make use of the Ice and Snow Pavilion...”

He poured out the whole story in a torrent. As he spoke, he even began to cry, wiping away tears. And this was supposed to be begging forgiveness for his elder brother? It was plainly an attempt to send his elder brother straight to his death.

One of Zhong Yangxu's eyebrows climbed high as he watched the performance. When Shao Fubo finally finished, Zhong Yangxu sneered repeatedly.

“Ruthless indeed. He means to kill the Eldest Young Master and will not stop until the man is dead!”

Then Zhong Yangxu shook his head. It made sense, really. The murder of one's parents, the hatred of a stolen wife, the severing of one's livelihood—any one of those could make a man fight for his life. Shao Pingbo had set his sights on another man's wife. How could that man possibly let the matter rest? Zhong Yangxu was talking about Niu Youdao.

Niu Youdao had made the Shao family thrust in the knife themselves, forcing Shao Pingbo's own brother to sacrifice kin for righteousness. It was plainly meant to place pressure on Dachan Mountain, cut off Dachan Mountain's retreat, and make certain Shao Pingbo died. Shao Fubo, however, jumped in fright, thinking Zhong Yangxu was talking about him. He immediately raised a hand and swore, “Cultivator, every word this junior has spoken is true. If there is a single falsehood, may I suffer death by a thousand cuts!”

He had no idea that Zhong Yangxu had already received messages from Dachan Mountain. Nor did he know Niu Youdao had moved against both sides at once, determined to put Shao Pingbo to death without leaving him any chance to turn the situation around. Zhong Yangxu gave a cold chuckle. How could he not know about the open and hidden struggle among the brothers? They had finally seized a chance to strike for the kill.

Still, at a time like this, he had no intention of judging the rights and wrongs of their family struggle. This development also made it easier for him to explain matters to Shao Dengyun. He nodded faintly.

“I understand what you mean. Do you dare come with me and state all this to your father's face?”

Shao Fubo hesitated. A trace of fear appeared. But matters had already reached the point where he was riding a tiger and unable to dismount. He could only harden himself and say, “I am doing this for the good of the Shao family. I also hope Father can save Eldest Brother in time, before matters become irretrievable.”

“Good. I understand your good intentions.”

Zhong Yangxu nodded with a chuckle and waved one hand.

“Then I must trouble the Third Young Master to come with me.”

“Yes!”

Shao Fubo climbed to his feet, wiped his tears, and followed. The group arrived outside the office where Shao Dengyun handled official business. After word was sent inside, Zhong Yangxu told Shao Fubo to wait beneath the eaves while he entered first.

Inside, Madam Ruan was accompanying Shao Dengyun. Whatever she had been saying seemed to have put Shao Dengyun in a good mood. Seeing Zhong Yangxu enter, the two came forward. Shao Dengyun smiled.

“What matter has actually disturbed Brother Zhong's secluded cultivation?”

He cupped his hands. Madam Ruan dipped into a half-curtsy, feeling somewhat guilty. She did not dare meet Zhong Yangxu's eyes. She guessed his arrival was probably connected to her sons.

Zhong Yangxu said calmly, “I have some rather unpleasant news. I fear speaking of it may spoil the good mood of you and your wife.”

Shao Dengyun gave a questioning sound.

“There is no need for courtesy between us. Brother Zhong, speak plainly.”

The two had known each other for many years and genuinely had a good relationship. At most, it lacked only a little of the intimacy between Li Wuhua and Hai Ruyue.

In truth, as the person responsible for Dachan Mountain's affairs in Beizhou, Zhong Yangxu was someone Shao Dengyun needed to maintain a good relationship with. If they could be as close as brothers, so much the better. The matter had to be faced sooner or later. Zhong Yangxu did not beat around the bush. He directly took out the first secret letter Dachan Mountain had sent and offered it over.

“Brother Shao, take a look at this first.”

Shao Dengyun accepted it and read. The smile on his face gradually stiffened. The letter described the rumors spreading throughout the Ice and Snow Pavilion and said Dachan Mountain suspected Shao Pingbo had targeted Niu Youdao by spreading them. Zhong Yangxu had been ordered to verify the matter. After reading, Shao Dengyun fell briefly silent.

No one knew a son better than his father. He too faintly suspected his own son might have done it, but he could not admit as much. He sighed.

“However bold Pingbo may be, he would not go so far as to disregard the Ice and Snow Pavilion. Brother Zhong may investigate freely. I will not object.”

Zhong Yangxu took the letter back and handed it to the attendant behind him. Then he drew the second letter from his sleeve and presented it.

“Brother Shao, the first message had only just arrived when Dachan Mountain immediately sent another. You should read this one as well.”

Shao Dengyun accepted the second letter. After seeing its contents, his cheeks tightened. His expression darkened. For a long while, he said nothing. Madam Ruan, standing beside him, found it strange.

She wanted to sneak a look at the letter in her husband's hand but could not do so conveniently. Her thoughts churned. Was this not connected to her sons after all? Or had her sons arranged something else without telling her? Outside, Shao Fubo waited anxiously beneath the eaves. He could imagine his father's fury. A servant came over carrying a tray with a cup of tea.

“Third Young Master, have some tea.”

Shao Fubo's mouth was dry and his heart was pounding. He grabbed the cup and drained it in one gulp. After placing it back on the tray, he waved impatiently for the servant to get lost. The servant bowed and withdrew.

Inside, Zhong Yangxu waited a long while without seeing any response from Shao Dengyun. At last he had no choice but to speak.

“Niu Youdao appears to have firm evidence in his hands. He is plainly threatening this side... Brother Shao, I too am in a difficult position.”

“If I dispose of the Eldest Young Master, Brother Shao will grieve. If I do not, I fear the matter will grow until it implicates the entire Shao family. It may even drag Dachan Mountain down with you.”

“Brother Shao, tell me. What should be done?”

Shao Dengyun shook the secret letter in his hand and said heavily, “This is plainly a scheme to frame him.”

“I will not make things difficult for Brother Zhong, nor will I place Dachan Mountain in a difficult position. But at the very least, shouldn't the facts be investigated first?”

He intended to delay matters and see whether he could find some solution, while also giving his son a chance to breathe.

“Brother Shao speaks reasonably.”

Zhong Yangxu nodded, then turned his head.

“Invite the Third Young Master in.”

Shao Dengyun froze. What did this have to do with his third son? Madam Ruan's heart immediately began to pound. Both hands nervously twisted the handkerchief between her fingers.

She had never once gained an advantage against Shao Pingbo. Every time she dared make a move, he taught mother and sons a savage lesson. By now she had developed a genuine psychological shadow toward him. Shao Fubo entered with his head lowered and cautiously saluted his parents.

Shao Dengyun barked, “What are you doing here?”

Zhong Yangxu said calmly, “Third Young Master, repeat to your father what you told me.”

Thud!

Shao Fubo dropped straight to his knees. He actually began choking back sobs.

“Father, because of his private grudge with Niu Youdao, Eldest Brother used the Ice and Snow Pavilion to plot murder...”

He poured out the entire matter again. Shao Dengyun's face gradually darkened to the color of a pig's liver. At last he could listen no longer.

“Shut up!”

He roared suddenly.

“Unfilial wretch, shut your mouth!”

Shao Fubo, however, continued crying out his accusations. There was no road back for him anymore. He could only grit his teeth and force his way forward. If he allowed the eldest son time to recover, he did not dare imagine the consequences.

“Beast!”

Shao Dengyun's beard and hair bristled. Utterly enraged, he charged forward and kicked savagely. Zhong Yangxu swept his sleeve and sent out a wave of spiritual power, knocking the kick aside. Then he grabbed Shao Dengyun and restrained him.

“Men! Drag him out! Drag him out and behead him! Behead him!”

Shao Dengyun roared in grief and fury. The sorrow and despair on his face defied description. His heart seemed almost to bleed. The thing he had feared most had still happened.

He had forced his eldest son to guarantee a road of survival for this mother and her two sons, yet the three of them refused to leave his eldest son a road of survival! In the end, brother had still turned against brother. And it was happening alive before his very eyes. Men immediately rushed in from outside. When they realized they were being ordered to kill the Third Young Master, they exchanged uncertain looks. What were they supposed to do?

The Provincial Inspector was obviously in the middle of a fit of rage. At that moment, Madam Ruan rushed forward as well. She dropped to her knees, embraced her son, and began weeping.

“My lord, if anything is wrong, then it is because I, his mother, failed to teach him properly.”

“If someone must die, then kill me together with him!”

Mother and son clung to one another and wept.

[End of Chapter 219]