Chapter 1086 - 908: Confession

Minister Nanshan, the head of the Gong family, has spoken personally, leaving Gong Shaoci with no room for resistance, and prompting him to obediently come over.

Though they were grandfather and grandson, an age gap of over a thousand years separated them.

Even his own grandfather was seldom seen outside of necessity, making it difficult for even a close grandson to meet this grandfather.

Upon their meeting, Gong Shaoci immediately kowtowed respectfully.

Sitting behind the desk, Gong Xuan scrutinized this grandson. He had to admit that the grandson's physique was quite satisfactory, yet he did not ask him to rise, and slowly inquired, "Why has Lei Ying gone missing? What exactly are you doing behind the family's back?"

Gong Shaoci looked up, not daring to stand up on his own, and said in trepidation, "Grandfather, I have been orderly and disciplined, adhering strictly to family teachings. I really haven't done anything, Grandfather. Please see clearly, I really don't know why Lei Ying went missing!"

His words weren't lies either. As of this time, he indeed hadn't done anything inappropriate, nor did he know why Lei Ying disappeared.

Gong Xuan: "You haven't done anything that would make the East Victory Royal Court, Beijulu Royal Court, West Bull King Court, and even our Nanshan Royal Court send people to watch you?"

"..." Gong Shaoci was utterly astonished, his eyes filled with disbelief. He truly couldn't understand, how could those four major forces possibly assign people to monitor him? He wasn't worth such attention. He was compelled to ask, "Grandfather, are you possibly mistaken? What virtue or ability do I, Shaoci, possess? How could those families possibly monitor me?"

With Gong Xuan's seasoned experience, observing the expression, he saw that this grandson's puzzled reaction didn't seem feigned, which made him doubt as well—was he genuinely unaware?

Yet, considering the status of those families, it seemed unlikely that they all misunderstood the same point.

But after a detailed investigation by his eldest son, Gong Yuanhao, in charge of family affairs, nothing suspicious regarding this grandson was found.

If anything was suspicious, it was only the large sum of money whose whereabouts were unknown six months ago. Thus he slowly asked, "Six months ago, three billion in funds went missing—what did you do with it?"

Upon hearing this, Gong Shaoci felt a pang of alarm—could it be that his hiring of assassins to kill a Heavenly Court Official was exposed?

Yet then he thought it over and felt it didn't make sense. That act indeed broke the rules, but it shouldn't warrant the attention of several major forces. Right?

Thinking of this, his heart settled slightly.

Moreover, he truly dared not lightly admit to assassinating a Heavenly Court Official. So he immediately kowtowed, saying, "It was I, your grandson, who was foolish and careless, tricked by someone."

Gong Xuan was puzzled, "Tricked? Explain in more detail."

Gong Shaoci: "I wanted to find a good gift for Miao Dingyi's daughter, and from a black market merchant I heard that he could acquire 'Heart-knowing Grass.' I didn't expect him to dare deceive even the Gong family, so I believed his lies and handed over the money first. He took the money and disappeared, and I only realized afterward that I had been tricked. Embarrassed, fearing ridicule, I didn't dare to make it public."

Gong Xuan stared at him, "Then why didn't you explain when your uncle was investigating?"

Gong Shaoci looked up, showing a face of grievance and said, "Uncle has always considered me useless. If I gave him an excuse, he would certainly take advantage to interfere with the affairs of the third house."

Gong Xuan stared at him for a while longer, then silently stood up and left.

Gong Yuanhao, who was listening outside the door, immediately followed his father. Gong Xuan glanced at him and instructed, "Verify it."

This pertained to the incident of Gong Shaoci being deceived, and verifying the details wasn't something he had time for—it was appropriate to leave it to his eldest son.

"Yes." Gong Yuanhao agreed and then asked, "Those people detained by several families refuse to speak—what should be done?"\\

He wasn't aware that those assigned to monitor by the families truly didn't know why they were assigned, it was purely following orders to watch, and higher-ups didn't disclose the reason. No matter how hard he pressured them, he wouldn't learn the truth.

Gong Xuan sneered coldly, "This matter really is peculiar. Not a single person can reveal the truth, all claiming it's for our Gong family's good. Even our own good grandson, who's involved, claims ignorance. Since that's the case, let's make it simple and direct. Since Yan Fu dared to assign people to spy on our family, the Saint King must be aware of it—I'll personally visit the Emperor to confront him, and we'll see just how significant this matter is and whether it's worthy enough for the Emperor to deceive me directly."

He threw down these words and left the house directly.

Just as he said, he entered the Nanshan Royal Palace to meet the Saint King.

With his status and position, the straightforward confrontation left the Nanshan Saint King with no room for ambiguity. Given the current situation, it's not just their side who knows, and when it checks out, and this side remains silent, how would their allies think?

After some consideration, the Nanshan Saint King relayed the reason to him…

In the mist-veiled pavilion of cloud and rain, the black-dressed Red-clothed Woman sipped tea alone as Dao Zhen came to the edge of the pavilion and conveyed, "It seems Gong Shaoci didn't tell the truth. Gong Xuan has entered the palace to see the Saint King, likely to inquire face to face."

The Red-clothed Woman oh-ed, and then chuckled softly, her laughter ambiguous as she replied, "Interesting. I'm truly afraid that the Gong family kid will be beaten to death by Gong Xuan; if he dies, it won't be fun anymore. The generous gifts prepared for the Gong family kid are timely—they can be delivered now."

Dao Zhen bowed slightly and turned away…

Returning from the Royal Palace, Gong Xuan appeared unperturbed. Outsiders couldn't discern anything amiss. When he got home, he calmly said, "Bring Gong Shaoci here."

Soon, Gong Shaoci was brought back in. With a thud, he knelt again. This was the first time in his life that he's seen his grandfather so frequently.

After he kowtowed and paid his respects, Gong Xuan slowly said, "I'll give you one more chance. Where did the missing three billion go?"

Gong Shaoci, feeling guilty, hastily said, "I've already explained the details to Uncle."

Standing nearby, Gong Yuanhao nodded and said, "Father, the details have already been arranged to be verified."

Gong Xuan ignored their remarks, his gaze still fixed on his grandson, "Shaoci, your father is gone, which is why I am lenient with you. Are you sure you do not want this last chance?"

These words made Gong Shaoci's heart race with fear, vaguely sensing something, and he hurriedly kowtowed, "Grandfather, please enlighten me."

Gong Xuan, with a profound gaze, looked down and softly uttered three words, "Blood Shadow Pavilion!"

At the mention of this name, Gong Shaoci involuntarily shuddered, astonished that Grandfather had uncovered even this. In that moment, he deeply realized he had underestimated Grandfather. He dared not raise his head off the ground, completely losing composure this time.

His reaction led Gong Xuan to believe it was the truth.

Actually, the Nanshan Saint King isn't sure whether it's true or not, only saying that someone secretly sent a letter to inform them that Gong Shaoci's trusted subordinate, Lei Ying, hired a Blood Shadow Pavilion assassin to kill Shi Chun. Coincidentally, there's a rumor saying Shi Chun's mount can locate Sandalwood Gold veins, which gives the Royal Court reason to suspect that the rumor might have been spread by Gong Shaoci.

Before, the Nanshan Saint King thought that the secret was only known to the Royal Court, but as Gong Xuan overturned the table and captured everyone, they realized that someone had simultaneously sent secret letters to multiple families.

Gong Yuanhao was a bit surprised, "Blood Shadow Pavilion?"

He didn't know how it got linked to the Blood Shadow Pavilion, but he also realized Gong Shaoci's weak spot was hit.

Gong Xuan calmly said, "Speak, why did you hire an assassin to kill Shi Chun?"

"..." Gong Yuanhao was suddenly shocked, looked at his father, then the trembling nephew kneeling on the ground, finally understanding what pulling out the 'Blood Shadow Pavilion' meant.

Gong Shaoci was extremely scared, didn't dare to lift his head, and sobbed, "Miao Dingyi has been delaying his agreement for my marriage with his daughter, while Shi Chun even presented a gift to Miao Dingyi's daughter in front of me. Seeing Miao Dingyi's attitude towards Shi Chun, I really couldn't swallow this, acted foolishly, I beg grandfather for forgiveness, whimpering... " He cried his heart out and kept kowtowing.

His confession stunned the father and son present, they really didn't expect this matter originated from a romantic rivalry.

Gong Xuan didn't expect that during his previous interrogation, this grandson actually dared to deceive him.

Of course, currently, Gong Xuan is more concerned with other things, he asked again: "Did you also spread the rumor about Shi Chun's mount being able to see Sandalwood Gold veins?"

This was the task given to him by the Nanshan Saint King to confirm after leaving the Royal Palace.

Gong Yuanhao was again astonished, his gaze jumping repeatedly between his father and nephew.

Gong Shaoci cried, "After the assassin failed, I couldn't openly act, so I spread the rumor, hoping to use Shi Chun's enemies against him. I didn't expect none of Shi Chun's enemies could enter, the five major forces joined hands to seal the Yanfu Continent's entrances preventing others from entering."

The father and son duo was again shocked, truly didn't expect the mastermind behind such a big commotion was someone from their own family, the person who they couldn't hold in high regard.

Gong Xuan couldn't help but take a deep breath, and pursued once more: "How did you know Shi Chun's mount could find Sandalwood Gold veins?"

This is what he wants to know.

Gong Shaoci suddenly lifted his head, showing a face full of tears and snot, hurriedly waving his hands: "I don't know, really don't know, I purely fabricated the rumor, trying to remove him, didn't expect Shi Chun's mount could indeed see Sandalwood Gold veins, when the news spread, I was also shocked..."

After listening to his explanation, the father and son stared at each other in disbelief, feeling it was simply absurd.

Coming to his senses, Gong Xuan got up and said to his eldest son: "Take him away for further questioning."

He had many matters to deal with, as long as his doubts were cleared, he couldn't attend to everything personally, since the issue is known, further investigation naturally wouldn't be difficult.

Gong Yuanhao ran out, asked after chasing out the door, "Father, what about the personnel locked up in the prison?"

Gong Xuan indifferently said: "Involved the Gong family, do you think everyone can escape unharmed? Some will die, some will be hurt, and some will end up maimed."

Gong Yuanhao, understanding, nodded, then sighed, "Shaoci has blocked Shi Chun's chance to accumulate great wealth, if Shi Chun knows the truth, I'm afraid he'll hold a grudge against Shaoci."

Gong Xuan sneered: "Is he worthy?"

Turning, he paused and asked: "Who captured Lei Ying? Who sent secret letters to four families simultaneously to expose this matter, and for what purpose?"

This is what he is concerned about.

Gong Yuanhao pondered, then tentatively asked: "Shaoci, how do you plan to deal with him?"

Gong Xuan replied: "Deceived me, this family is getting more unruly, he can escape death but not punishment!"

Just then, a steward from the Gong family quickly stepped forward and reported respectfully: "Prime Minister, the Supreme Elder Yue Shan of 'Yue Family Long Pavilion' seeks an audience."

The 'Yue Family Long Pavilion' is considered a prominent self-established sect in the Cultivation World, akin to Han Jia Bu, Water Mansion, and Qingqiu, while Supreme Elder Yue Shan is the teacher of the current Pavilion Master of 'Yue Family Long Pavilion', holding a significant position.

There wasn't much interaction before, suddenly coming to visit, the father and son were surprised.

Gong Yuanhao asked, "Did they mention the reason?"

The steward said: "They said they're here for a marriage proposal, will discuss further after meeting the Prime Minister."

"A marriage proposal?" The father and son spoke in unison, faced with each other, surprised, realizing today's strange events seem to have all come together.

Identity and status are always the best introduction, Gong Xuan waved his hand and said: "Invite them in."

Within the Nanshan Royal City, a deep canyon, two cloaked figures flew down into it, a tall man guarding the cave entrance immediately waved at them.

The visitors were Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, the tall one was Yu Xuanbing.

Yu Xuanbing led them into a cave at the canyon floor, walked deep inside, and saw a person unconscious on the ground, in a condition not fit for direct viewing, as he was stripped bare.

This unconscious person Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang both recognized as Lei Ying who disappeared from the Gong family.

Seeing their enemy in distress, Wu Jinliang chuckled, glanced at Yu Xuanbing with a slightly odd gaze, meaningfully tested: "Elder Yu, why did you strip him like this?"

Yu Xuanbing calmly replied: "Afraid he might have tracking devices on him."

Wu Jinliang laughed foolishly.

Shi Chun asked: "Won't we be tracked?"

Yu Xuanbing: "Don't worry, waited for two days, confirmed no one tracked or approached, then brought him here."