C24 Jiang Yuan's Achilles' Heel

"Qiao Wei!?"

Before Jiang Yuan even reached her room, he spotted the open door from afar.

His eyes blazed with fury. This time, his anger was real.

Qiao Wei was his only kin besides his father!

Bursting into the room, the first things he saw were the overturned chair, the smashed vase, and a stark smear of blood by the bed.

Clearly, something terrible had occurred.

"What happened here!?"

Jiang Yuan's voice was as cold as ancient ice, sending shivers down one's spine.

The maidservant, who had hurried over, was so terrified that she immediately knelt, trembling before his fiery gaze.

"Was it the Grand Elder?"

Jiang Yuan's face darkened, his fists clenched tight. It was only now that he realized the oversight in his plan.

Qiao Wei was his Achilles' heel!

"Yes..."

The maidservant, intimidated by Jiang Yuan's formidable presence, could only nod incessantly.

"Where is the Grand Elder now?"

Jiang Yuan's aura of vengeance was palpable.

"At the Jiang Family Training Ground."

"Good. I want to see what this is all about!"

… ….

At the Jiang Family Training Ground.

A crowd had already gathered around the stage, drawn by the commotion.

"Qiao Wei, are you aware of your crime?"

The Grand Elder stood on the Martial Stage, a smirk playing on his lips as he gazed down at the frail Qiao Wei, held down by the guards before him.

"Qiao Wei is at a loss for what the Grand Elder is implying. Although I am but an outer sect disciple, I have been raised within the Jiang Family since childhood. For over a decade, I have adhered to our family's rules without ever stepping out of line!"

Qiao Wei stood her ground, her pride unwavering. She would bow to no one but Jiang Yuan.

"Stealing from the Jiang Family warrants the severing of hands!"

The Grand Elder's voice was stern, his face twisted with revulsion, his anger towards Qiao Wei palpable.

Qiao Wei lifted her head, meeting the Grand Elder's gaze defiantly, "Stealing? I have been under the Eldest Young Master's care since my youth, living a life of plenty. Why would I stoop to theft?"

"How do you explain this?" asked the Great Clan Elder as he produced a Universe Bag and laid it before Qiao Wei. Without giving her a chance to respond, he pressed on, "This was found in your room, Qiao Wei! It originally belonged to Young Master Jiang Ming!"

"I've never seen this Universe Bag before. Please investigate thoroughly, Great Elder!"

"Ha! 'Never seen it before,' you say? My investigation points to you as the thief. Moreover, you've been seen fraternizing with Jiang Ming in the dead of night—and she can attest to it!" The Great Elder gestured to a maidservant standing below the stage.

"Li Qiu!? I thought of you as a dear sister. Why would you betray me?" Qiao Wei felt a chill in her heart as she recognized Li Qiu, someone she had been close to.

"It was her, Great Clan Elder! I personally witnessed her entering Young Master Jiang Ming's room and leaving in a state of disarray," Li Qiu declared, stepping onto the stage.

"Qiao Wei does have some beauty, doesn't she? Who would have thought..."

"Jiang Ming is indeed fortunate to attract such a beauty. This young lady is quite the looker!"

"She's Jiang Yuan's personal maidservant. Seems like Jiang Yuan might be wearing the green hat!" erupted laughter from the crowd.

The murmurs from the audience grew louder, cementing Qiao Wei's alleged guilt.

"Now, what do you have to say for yourself? With witnesses and evidence against you, not only have you stolen, but you've also used your charms to seduce Young Master Jiang Ming. You deserve to be executed right here and now!" The Great Clan Elder signaled to the guards at his sides.

Before Qiao Wei could even attempt to defend herself, the executioner's blade was already poised high in the air.