C5 Conspiracy

In the northern reaches of Tieling City, the Fang family resided over ten miles from the ancestral temple of the Su family. Faang Qingya had recently returned and was briefing her family on the details of their latest operation.

"The Su family is in disarray, with the patriarch and elders vying for power," she explained. "Our Fang family spies easily smuggled both the Second Palace Holy Son and me into Su Ze's courtyard undetected."

"Su Ze was still unconscious. After administering the soul-losing medicine, the Second Palace Holy Son extracted Su Ze's Root Bone and left without raising any suspicion among the Su family members."

Faang Ronghua, the Fang family patriarch and Qingya's father, listened as the elders nodded in approval. "Qingya has done well. With this, our Fang family has formally pledged our allegiance to the Holy Land, joining the ranks of the many families serving it from the outside."

One elder sighed, "For generations, the Fang family and the Su family have been close. We've wronged them this time."

Faang Ronghua responded icily, "In this world, there's no owing or being owed—it's the strong who command respect. Since the Su family lost their standing as Tieling City's preeminent family forty years ago, they've been no match for us. Now, with the Su brothers embroiled in their own power struggles, we've simply seized an opportunity to take a piece of Root Bone for the future prosperity of the Fang family through a blood sacrifice."

All members of the Fang family nodded in agreement.

Witnessing the scene, Qingya thought to herself: Su Ze's Earth Spirit Low Grade Root Bone has united the Fang family in allegiance to the Star Moon Holy Land. This was the final worth of Su Ze's existence.

An elder then inquired, "Why hasn't the Second Palace Holy Son visited the Fang family?"

With a knowing smile, Faang Ronghua replied, "Consider the stature of the Star Moon Holy Land and the status of the Second Palace Holy Son. Had Su Ze's Earth Spirit Low Grade Root Bone not been of particular use, would we have ever had such an opportunity?"

The elder laughed heartily, "Su Ze is indeed fortunate. To be born with an Earth Spirit Root Bone, a rarity in Tieling City for over a decade—if not for his good fortune, how could our Fang family have had the luck to find sanctuary with the Star Moon Holy Land?"

"Yes!"

"Not bad at all!"

Laughter erupted among the Fang family members.

Amidst the laughter, a flurry of urgent hoofbeats approached from outside. A subordinate swiftly dismounted and hurried in, announcing, "Patriarch, I bring news of the Su family!"

"Did they detect Qingya's visit?" Faang Ronghua inquired.

The subordinate hastened to reply, "Miss Qingya's presence went unnoticed by the Su family, due to a recent internal strife. The Su family's Grand Elder, Su Bocheng, falsely accused Su Ze of theft, seeking to expel him and strip him of his position as the eldest son."

"As long as the Fang family remains uninvolved." Faang Ronghua continued, "Poor Su Ze. First, he lost his Root Bone, and now he's been ousted from the Su family. We no longer need to devise a plan for revenge; they're self-destructing. I doubt anyone's concerned about Su Ze now."

"Patriarch, there's something amiss," the subordinate interjected, his expression troubled.

"What's amiss?" Faang Ronghua pressed. "You said the Su family was unaware of Qingya's visit, correct?"

"Su Ze has resurfaced, seemingly unharmed," the subordinate reported.

"Impossible!" Faang Qingya asserted. "I personally witnessed Su Ze's Root Bone being removed! Surely he was pale and needed support?"

The subordinate shook his head. "No, Su Ze appeared healthy, moving with ease. He even engaged Su Hee and Su Bocheng in combat, defeating Su Hee with a single move."

Faang Ronghua gasped, turning to Faang Qingya, as the rest of the Fang family looked on in astonishment.

Faang Qingya, utterly taken aback, exclaimed, "How can this be? The Earth Spirit Low Grade Root Bone was claimed by the Second Palace Holy Son. How could Su Ze have recovered?"

"I must investigate this matter myself!"

He made to depart, but Faang Ronghua interjected, "Hold on. Regardless of Su Ze's condition, whether he's feigning strength or there's some other mystery, the Fang family should focus solely on our own affairs."

The Second Palace Holy Son has recognized our Fang family. In three months, an emissary from the Star Moon Holy Land will escort Qingya to the Holy Land. All we need to do is wait these three months in peace."

"But this matter..." Faang Qingya hesitated, her heart still yearning to see for herself.

"After the Second Palace Holy Son's departure, our Fang family lacks a truly powerful ally. I'll refrain from provoking the Su family for now," Faang Ronghua explained. "Once you're in the Star Moon Holy Land, that's when the Fang family will have free rein in Tieling City. By then, the Su family will be inconsequential."

With that, Faang Qingya abandoned her thoughts of visiting the Su family to see Su Ze.

Indeed, in three months, the die would be cast.

Inside the Su family compound, a woman dabbed at her tears while Su Hee lay on the bed, writhing and spewing curses.

"Su Ze! I'll see him dead!"

"The pain is unbearable!"

Grand Elder Su Bocheng entered the room, his face darkening at the sight.

"Su Zhongwu, you stole the chieftainship that was rightfully mine, and I haven't forgotten it for twenty years! Now that Su Ze has injured Su Hee, do you really think I'll let this slide?"

"I'll make you experience the agony of losing a son, and then I'll reclaim my rightful place as chieftain!"

"Someone come here."

Su Bocheng's voice cut through the air.

Steward Liu Hsing hurried in, his face still marked by a slap. "Grand Elder, do you need me to fetch a doctor for Master Su Hee?"

"I want his life!" Su Bocheng barked.

Startled, Liu Hsing stammered, "Whose life?"

"Su Ze will be visiting the Fang family in a few days, trying to ingratiate himself with the Fang girls," Su Bocheng said icily. "Keep a close watch on Su Ze. The next time he heads to the Fang family, you inform me immediately."

Su Ze?

The prospect of vengeance lit up Liu Hsing's face. "Yes, Grand Elder. I'll have someone on Su Ze's tail right away!"

With a dismissive wave, Su Bocheng sent him away and turned his gaze back to Su Hee.

"Do you feel any better?"

"After Su Ze is out of the picture, we'll approach the Fang family for a marriage proposal. I want to marry Faang Qingya!" Su Hee declared, momentarily forgetting his own pain.

Su Bocheng's brow furrowed. "Faang Qingya? She seems overly cunning to me. Su Ze was completely outwitted by her. And you wish to marry this woman?"

"Yes, Father, that's exactly who I want to marry!" Su Hee affirmed eagerly.

Su Bocheng appeared reluctant, his decision wavering.

"Once Faang Qingya becomes my wife, her little schemes will be nothing to you," Su Hee reassured him with a flattering tone.

Su Bocheng chuckled. "You always have a way with words. Very well, once I've dealt with Su Ze, you shall have Faang Qingya's hand in marriage."

"Thank you, Father!" Su Hee beamed with gratitude, attempting to rise to express his thanks, but he collapsed back onto the bed, wincing in pain.

A shadow fell over Su Bocheng's expression once more. "Su Ze, your end is near!"