Chapter 77, Heir and Humiliation

Translator: Raznick

 

Leaving Zhou Chun behind in the clan to assist with his own investigation of potential traitors seemed to have a special purpose according to Zhou Daoyi.

 

At least from Zhou Daoquan’s perspective, he appeared to be intentionally grooming Zhou Chun to develop his ability to manage the clan members.

 

Therefore, once Zhou Chun and Zhou Jiahe had left and only the two of them remained in the hall, Zhou Daoquan openly asked Zhou Daoyi: “Clan Leader, by having Zhengchun stay within the clan to investigate the traitors, are you planning to train him as your successor?”

 

In response to his straightforward question, Zhou Daoyi nodded without hesitation and replied, “Yes, there are indeed some such intentions.”

 

“But isn’t this a bit too early? I’m not saying the kid isn’t capable, but he’s just too young and his cultivation is low. Isn’t it too soon to push him like this? Is that really in his best interest?”

 

Zhou Daoquan fixed his gaze upon Zhou Daoyi, voicing his concerns without sugarcoating it.

 

Zhou Daoyi merely shook his head, replying, “There are advantages to acting early. We’ll find out sooner whether he’s cut out for this or not.”

 

With that, he waved his hand dismissively. “I’ve got my reasons. Just trust me on this.”

 

Zhou Daoquan hesitated for a moment but didn’t press the issue further. Instead, he nodded in acquiescence. “Alright, if you’re certain about it, I won’t mention it again.”

 

The news of Zhou Jiahui’s disappearance was tightly secured and hadn’t stirred any significant waves within the clan.

 

Her Dao companion Shen Xin and their children had all been comforted and instructed by Zhou Daoyi. Though their grief was immense, they held themselves together outwardly for the sake of finding the culprit. At home, they could only mourn in silent tears.

 

Meanwhile, Zhou Chun, designated as the support figure tasked with finding the traitors, quickly obtained from Zhou Daoyi detailed records of the clan’s core members and some elite members’ movements over the past three months, along with information on their immediate family members within three generations.

 

Based on the information, he began to analyze and investigate them one by one.

 

He suspected that Zhou Jiahui’s disappearance was likely connected to Spirit Beast Manor. It was more probable that there was a traitor within the clan.

 

The Zhou Clan had only been settled in Jing Kingdom for a few years. Their true enemies were limited to the dissolved United Cloud Alliance and a few rogue cultivators.

 

Not to mention those rogue cultivators who still harbored hatred against the Zhou Clan, seeking revenge, it was already difficult enough just to obtain information about Zhou Jiahui’s departure from the clan.

 

Even if they managed to acquire that information, quietly eliminating Zhou Jiahui would not be an easy task.

 

Moreover, if those rogue cultivators truly wanted to exact revenge on the Zhou Clan, there was no need for them to target Spirit Beast Manor. The Zhou Clan would never dare to retaliate against a place like Spirit Beast Manor, which was protected by a Golden Core Stage cultivator.

 

Therefore, from the very beginning, Zhou Chun firmly believed that Zhou Jiahui’s disappearance was orchestrated by those at Spirit Beast Manor.

 

Only the Spirit Beast Manor, which had intricate connections with the Zhou Clan, could  easily ascertain the existence of the Heart-tied Cricket and recruit a Zhou Clan cultivator to provide information on their behalf.

 

Therefore, when Zhou Chun conducted his investigation, he made it his priority to examine whether any listed clan members had senior relatives at the Spirit Beast Manor. He did not rely solely on written records; he also carried out both open and covert inquiries into certain clan members, monitoring whether they experienced significant increases in their cultivation or sudden improvements in their financial status following unexplained absences.

 

After investigating within the clan for more than ten days, Zhou Chun had come into contact with the majority of the individuals on the list. Only a few specially designated clan members remained, deliberately left for last.

 

As he looked at the names towards the bottom of the list, his gaze eventually settled on that of a fellow-generation cultivator. It was none other than Zhou Zhengkang, the Foundation Establishment seed of the Zhou Clan.

 

Zhou Zhengkang had ended up on the list because he had applied for leave on the very same day that Zhou Jiahui left the clan.

 

Though his status was special, Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi was known for his impartial and strict approach to matters. He would not cover for Zhou Zhengkang’s absence.

 

As Zhou Chun gazed at Zhou Zhengkang’s name on the list, he muttered to himself softly, “This guy sure is lucky. With all the commotion caused by Nineteenth Aunt’s incident, I’ve forgotten to bring along the complaint against him from Sixteenth Uncle. I hope this time he will at least show a bit of restraint!”

 

Would Zhou Zhengkang be tactful? Zhou Chun harbored serious doubts.

 

When he went to pay a visit, he made sure to prepare himself for any outcome.

 

As the Foundation Establishment seed of the Zhou Clan, Zhou Zhengkang’s residence was located at the base of Pagoda Peak. It was a place where he typically stayed while cultivating.

 

When Zhou Chun arrived outside his residence, activating the protective array at the entrance, he was surprised to find that the person who answered the door was none other than Zhou Zhengkang. The recent inquiries Zhou Chun had made regarding their clan members were no secret, and word of them had reached Zhou Zhengkang as well. Thus, upon seeing Zhou Chun standing there, Zhou Zhengkang’s expression immediately shifted in a way that betrayed his unease.

 

Consequently, his tone carried an uncharacteristic harshness as he addressed Zhou Chun.

 

“Why are you here? Do you think this is a place you can just come to?”

 

His nostrils almost seemed to be pointed straight up, and his eyes were filled with disdain as he looked at Zhou Chun, acting as if an owner surveying a servant.

 

Even though Zhou Chun was ready for anything, he still felt deeply offended by this attitude.

 

Clenching his jaw, he coldly looked at Zhou Zhengkang and said, “I am here on behalf of the Clan Leader, to inquire and investigate the matter of your departure from the clan twenty-two days ago. Please cooperate.”

 

However, Zhou Zhengkang became even more enraged upon hearing this. His face flushed with emotion as he pointed his finger at Zhou Chun and barked angrily, “What is the meaning of this? Do you think you can threaten me by using Clan Leader’s name? Don’t you know who I am? What’s my status?”

 

But given their previous encounter, Zhou Chun was no longer surprised by such words. He stood his ground, staring coldly back at Zhou Zhengkang and said, “My meaning is obvious. I need your cooperation to fulfill the task assigned by the Clan Leader.”

 

After finishing his statement, he didn’t wait for Zhou Zhengkang to respond and continued, “If you continue being uncooperative, I will take it that you have something to hide and inform the Clan Leader.”

 

“You…”  Zhou Zhengkang glared at Zhou Chun, speechless.

 

He indeed had guilty feelings, which made him so defiant to Zhou Chun’s investigation and try to force Zhou Chun to back down with bluster. But he wasn’t completely without reason; he knew this was something that couldn’t be disclosed openly.

 

Now that Zhou Chun had spoken his mind, if Zhou Zhengkang were to keep acting tough, the investigation might very well come from the Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi.

 

Compared to Zhou Chun, he felt much more respect and fear towards Zhou Daoyi.

 

“Fine, have it your way! I won’t forget this!”

 

With a hostile look, he pointed at Zhou Chun and threatened, “If you’ve got something to say, spit it out or get lost!” His tone was clearly annoyed as he waved his hand dismissively. But Zhou Chun immediately took advantage of this leniency.

 

Zhou Chun’s eyes flashed coldly as he stared at him. “I suspect that you have betrayed the clan and conspired with outsiders to sell our secrets. I also suspect that your residence may contain items given to you by outsiders as bribes. Therefore, we need to search your quarters.”

 

Of course, Zhou Chun was fabricating these charges as a means of retaliating against Zhou Zhengkang. Even Zhou Zhengkang could tell that these accusations were baseless.

 

Outraged, Zhou Zhengkang bellowed, “You son of a bitch! Where’s your proof? Who gave you the nerve to slander me? How dare you accuse a Foundation Establishment seed of such crimes!”

 

“Whether these suspicions are true or not will be revealed once I conduct the search. Unless you’re hiding something, why would you refuse entry?”

 

With an impassive expression, Zhou Chun coldly observed Zhou Zhengkang and then turned to leave.

 

As he walked, he said: “If not, let us go up the mountain to meet Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi and inform him of everything that has transpired, so that Clan Leader may judge the matter fairly.”

 

Hardly had he taken a few steps when Zhou Zhengkang’s expression shifted, and he cried out: “Hold on!”

 

“What now? Have you changed your mind?”

 

Zhou Chun paused in his stride, turned around, and looked at Zhou Zhengchun with a faint smile.

 

He had gauged from Zhou Zhengkang’s accommodating attitude earlier that the Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi was still someone he held in great reverence.

 

[If it worked once, it’ll work again.]

 

That was why he chose to humiliate him in this manner to exact his revenge for the countless times he had been insulted.

 

Now, Zhou Chun understood the stance of Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi towards himself, and knew that he, too, was no longer someone without a backing.

 

Therefore, regarding Zhou Zhengkang, he did not feel much fear.

 

His personality was such that he was not one to endure in silence.

 

His tolerance would only on the surface in situations where there was no hope of winning.

 

Otherwise, it was impossible for him to stand by and being lashed at without a reply.

 

A cultivator must have backbone!

 

If a cultivator tolerated oppression, their spirit would diminish, and when faced with critical challenges or failures in the future, they might lose the courage to advance further.

 

At this moment, facing Zhou Chun’s taunts, Zhou Zhengkang couldn’t help but turn pale and clench his teeth tightly.

 

But recalling his earlier humiliation, he forcibly restrained his anger and did not engage in a verbal spat with Zhou Chun.

 

Only gritting his teeth and glaring at Zhou Chun, he said, “Fine, search all you want. Let’s see what you can find!”

 

After saying this, he opened the courtyard gate and strode in.

 

Zhou Chun, seeing this, didn’t bother with courtesy. He followed, walking briskly into the courtyard. He proceeded to search room by room.

 

Compared to Zhou Chun’s modesty simple yard, Zhou Zhengkang’s residence was undoubtedly more luxurious. Every item inside was crafted from top-tier materials. In the bedroom, a type of spiritual incense with insect-repellent and soothing effects burned year-round.

 

After searching every room one by one, Zhou Chun entered Zhou Zhengkang’s study under his murderous gaze and sat comfortably at the desk chair. He took out paper and ink, placing them on the table.

 

He looked at him as if interrogating a prisoner and said, “Alright, Seven Brother, I want you to tell me in detail about your recent trip outside the clan.”

 

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhengkang’s facial muscles twitched involuntarily, and he glared at him furiously: “You’re even more presumptuous than I am! I’ll make sure you pay for this insult!”

 

Zhou Chun responded indifferently: “I ask and you answer. I will also write that down!”

 

This made Zhou Zhengkang furious again.

 

However, since they had already reached a compromise, if he were to completely break off relations now, wouldn’t all his previous efforts be in vain?

 

He had no choice but to stew in his anger and recite the flawless explanation he had prepared.

 

But Zhou Chun deliberately emphasized every word, nitpicking at details, making him repeat explanations for even the slightest errors. This left Zhou Zhengkang on the verge of slamming the table!

 

“Alright, it’s almost done—except…”

 

As Zhou Chun wrote on the paper, he reached for the teapot beside him, feeling thirsty and intending to pour himself a cup of tea.

 

But when he lifted the lid, he found it empty.

 

“Your teapot clearly has the aroma of tea, yet there’s no tea inside. Are you deliberately hiding the good tea? That doesn’t seem right. After all, you’re a member of the Zhou Clan, a Foundation Establishment seed. It wouldn’t make sense to be so petty!”

 

Shaking his head, Zhou Chun lightly teased Zhou Zhengkang while putting the teapot back in its place.

 

Unbeknownst to Zhou Chun, Zhou Zhengkang’s tense expression relaxed slightly upon seeing him return the teapot. Usually quick to react to such mockery, Zhou Zhengkang made no indication of irritation this time.

 

At that moment, Zhou Zhengkang felt a mix of relief and regret. He was relieved Zhou Chun hadn’t detected the scent of Honey Flower Tea. Yet, he regretted forgetting to hide the teapot before Zhou Chun entered his quarters.

 

Fortunately, Zhou Chun had finished his inquiry. Seeing no response, Zhou Chun seemed to lose interest and rose to leave.

 

Only after Zhou Chun had departed did Zhou Zhengkang’s suppressed anger explode in a bestial roar.

 

“Argh! Damn cur, I’ll kill you! Before I depart the Zhou Clan, I’ll tear you limb from limb and feed your pieces to the dogs!”

 

He had never endured such humiliation in his life!

 

Since he could remember, no peer had ever treated him this way—not once!

 

Were it not for his own guilt and the impending distribution of the Foundation Establishment Pill, as well as his desire to avoid any objection or suspicion from Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi at this critical juncture, he would never tolerate such insults!

 

His heart was filled with but one thought: Once he reached Foundation Establishment, he would immediately reduce Zhou Chun to a pile of mush!

 

As for Zhou Chun, recalling how he had manipulated Zhou Zhengkang today, he couldn’t help but smile as he walked, his spirits lifted.

 

However, after leaving Zhou Zhengkang’s residence, he did not hand over the interrogation record from Zhou Zhengkang’s place to Zhou Daoyi as instructed.

 

Had he done so, even if he were in the right, Zhou Daoyi would undoubtedly harshly reprimand him.

 

Thus, he first prepared a standard report based on the key points of the investigation, keeping the original record as evidence in case things unraveled in the future, enabling him to shift blame accordingly.

 

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Silavin: Hey guys, the Patreon is up. I did not publish the page. Sorry about that.