The Journey of Immortal Cultivation-Chapter 371 - 219: The Haircut

Chapter 219: Punishment

Qi the Second watched, gnashing his teeth with hatred. He had originally hoped that the family head would become so furious that he’d have an asthma attack and faint, in which case the punishment for him would be "taken away for trial on another day," allowing him some time to think of a way out. After all, he was a member of the Qi family; once the family head’s anger subsided, he would most likely be lenient with him.

Who could have known that Fatty Qi had anticipated even this? He wanted him dead today!

With renewed energy, the family head cursed Qi the Second viciously before he fell into deep thought. After a while, he said, "Such unfilial behavior from the second son, breaching family law, recover the embezzled funds, and send him to the manor in the countryside. I do not wish to see him again."

But then Qi Xuan trembled and hesitated to speak. The family head, irritated, said, "Speak plainly, what is this act for?" Seeing the servant glancing around, obviously afraid to speak out, the family head felt a sense of foreboding. Turning his head and seeing the sudden change in Qi the Second’s complexion, he realized there was more to the story and dismissed all other servants. Only then did he say weakly, "Speak."

What Qi Xuan revealed was a clap of thunder from the sky!

It turned out that two years ago, Qi the Second had misappropriated a sum of public funds of the family. As the deadline approached and he could not cover the shortfall, feeling anxious, he hid in the brothel of Wutuo City to drink and distract himself. Just then, a young and unfamiliar profligate made the grand gesture of spending a daughter’s worth on a smile, and the lad seemed to be quite loaded. This caught Qi the Second’s attention. He ordered Qi Xuan to keep an eye on this fella, and as soon as he left the brothel, in a less crowded corner, they captured and beat him severely, robbing him of nine thousand taels of silver.

Unfortunately, the young chap was a simpleton and cried out the name of Qi Mansion on the spot. Qi Xuan had no choice but to quickly order his two assistants to stone him to death and dump the body in the lake.

This incident should have passed without further issue, but a month later, Qi the Second received news that the unfortunate soul was very likely the illegitimate son of Wutuo City’s City Lord...

This news, along with the jade pendant of the unfortunate lad presented by Qi Xuan, almost brought down the entire Qi family. In Wutuo City, the city lord could decide the fate of their entire household. To think that this foolhardy simpleton had gone and killed the city lord’s illegitimate son and plundered his wealth! Was he devising a plan to exterminate his own family?

Ning Xiaoxian was drinking tea, and she choked on her sip, almost spraying it out. What a fool, was he invited by a monkey to be the buffoon? Miluo’s eyes flickered with a red light, barely concealing the smile.

Qiongqi from the God Demon Prison was already rolling on the ground laughing.

Thereupon, members of the Qi Family cursed him out loud: "Our Qi family has treated you well, how could you do something that drags the family’s name through the mud?"

"You truly deserve death; our Qi family will be ruined by you alone!"

The family head of Qi Mansion listened to the commotion without saying a word for a long time before asking Fatty Qi, "What’s your opinion on this matter?"

As he spoke, the surroundings immediately quieted down. The family head didn’t ask anyone else, but specifically Fatty Qi, clearly understanding his intentions and deciding to go along with them, which meant that Fatty Qi held significant power within the household. Of course, the primary reason was that Fatty Qi had two immortals standing behind him. Actually, there were several "immortals" all watching their great drama unfold.

Here it comes, the fatal blow. Qi the Second was ashen-faced, already slumped on the ground, speechless. Fatty Qi didn’t even glance at him, saying directly, "Since the second son has done such a thing, we cannot let him go to the manor; lest the word gets out someday, let’s confine him in the Jingting Courtyard first." The name of Jingting Courtyard sounded pleasant, but in reality, it was the private prison in Qi Mansion. Those of a higher status were detained in the rooms above, and those of a lower status, in the water jail below.

He hinted at Qi Xuan to disclose the murder committed by the second son, aimed at preventing Qi the Second from being sent to exile in the countryside, lest the family head soften and release him a year or two later. Having grown up in the family, he understood the complex personal sentiments and myriad rules within such a patriarchal clan; mere embezzlement was not enough to constitute a capital offense. Only by committing a grave error that none in the clan could forgive, could one be suppressed, never to rise again.

Although it would be easier to act in the countryside, he preferred to kill Qi the Second slowly right in the Qi Mansion! It was a prime opportunity for him to assert his authority.

No one objected to his suggestion, and as Qi the Second was dragged away, he must have known that death was inevitable. Suddenly lunging forward, he punched him in the face and spat on him, shouting, "Don’t be so proud, Qi the Third, the immortals behind you won’t protect you for long. One day you too will die a horrible death!"

"You have been away from home for three years; I’ve had my fill playing with all your concubines and maidservants, I’ve lost nothing!"

"Gag his mouth, don’t let the whole family hear his shouts and screams," Fatty Qi ordered, and a servant stuffed Qi the Second’s mouth with a walnut and dragged him away.

The Fatty took out a white silk handkerchief to wipe the saliva off his face, appearing very calm, but when he turned his head to look at Second Mrs. Qi, a hint of killing aura still showed in his eyes, scaring the woman into collapsing on the spot.

Ning Xiaoxian murmured softly, "Mortal strategies should not be underestimated."

Miluo was moved by this and glanced at her, but saw she was still intently watching the drama, as if the remark was just an aside.

While Qi the Second’s life hung by a thread, Qi Xuan was undoubtedly doomed to die. A wicked servant who would bite back at his master was the most taboo amongst the residents of the grand mansion. Before being dragged away, the man crawled and kneeled in front of Fatty Qi, clutching his feet and spoke hurriedly in a volume that only the two of them could hear: "Third Master, please make sure you fulfill the promise you made to me!"

Fatty Qi sighed, "I know. Go on."

Of course, those non-humans who were watching the drama heard these words loud and clear. Thus, Ning Xiaoxian knew that Fatty Qi had something on Qi Xuan, which he used to make him implicate Qi the Second. This leverage must be significant; otherwise, why would Qi Xuan protect it at the cost of his life?

The Qi Family were naturally aware that the issue with Qi Er had not exploded sooner or later, but just when the Fatty returned, clearly orchestrated by his hands. However, with someone backing the Fatty and his own fierce disposition, they could only temporarily yield.

But this matter naturally was no longer within her concern. She sighed and dispelled the Water Mirror Technique. Knowing that this was reality, not a prime-time soap opera made of gold, her heart felt considerably heavy.

Mortals, truly have a hard life.

The following day passed peacefully without incident.

Since the wound needed ventilation, the fox’s soft couch where he lay was placed by the window, where the cool May breeze fluttered his white fur, making him feel exceedingly comfortable. Speaking of which, it had been a very long time since he had taken such a lengthy vacation. With the busy affairs in Fengtian Prefecture and the Black Armor Demon Army needing his management, he wouldn’t have harbored the thought of stealing some leisure time when he first met Ning Xiaoxian.

He didn’t want to think about the situation of the Black Armored Army after he was attacked. There were capable people both in his Prefecture and the army; without him, operations would still go on, albeit with greater losses. And since he must disappear for at least a month, there would be some turmoil in the Prefecture.

But that didn’t matter. Once he recovered from his injury, he could go back and settle the scores. As long as he didn’t die this time, he would let them understand the consequences of not finishing off a snake—a never-ending threat!

Miluo couldn’t help but lift his head to look upstairs, where there was no sign of activity. He knew that Ning Xiaoxian hadn’t left the house. Even her lightest footsteps couldn’t fool him, a Great Demon; she must have been still for a long time. What was she doing lying in bed in the middle of the day?

Anyway, it was none of his business. He snorted and curled up into a small ball.

At this moment, Ning Xiaoxian had just climbed out of the Demon Transformation Spring, a pool so cold it could freeze even the soul.

"Not bad, you managed to endure for nearly fifteen minutes longer," even by his standards, her progress was astonishing. In the few days since resting at Qi Mansion, she had been working hard on her training, advancing by leaps and bounds daily. Now, she was approaching the Late-stage Transformation cultivation level. If she were to fight the Bat King Wo Tou now, she had a 70% chance of finishing him off with her Tusk. In just half a year, she had made such tremendous progress, which was praiseworthy.

With his affirmation, Ning Xiaoxian looked up and gave him a radiant smile that seemed to illuminate the gloomy bottom layer.

He cleared his throat, then brought up a topic: "Right, what should we do about Miluo?"

Changtian swatted her on the head, causing her to cry out in pain, before speaking slowly, "It doesn’t really matter whether you recruit him into the God Demon Prison or not. In a couple of days, you should make your case clear to him. It’d be best to resolve this peacefully. The power of Fengtian Prefecture is formidable. Gaining even a fraction of their assistance could greatly benefit your westward journey." (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)