Chapter 1092: Chapter 1081: Searching for Ning Family’s Young Commander
“Speak truthfully.”
Upon hearing Ning Qingfeng’s words, Ning Qiankun seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, though his expression remained heavy, his voice had become much calmer.
This elder, who had steered the Ning Family for nearly six decades and was now old and decrepit, nearing death, still had eyes sharp as an eagle’s.
But when he heard Ning Qingfeng mention Ning Fan’s name, and that he had killed Ning Jianyang, his face displayed rare shock.
“Avoid taboos for the elders, avoid taboos for the deceased; this is what you once taught me, Father.”
Ning Qingfeng said softly, bowing again to the sandalwood box containing Ning Jianyang’s head, tearfully saying, “Since I couldn’t hide it from Father, I had no choice but to lay everything bare.”
“In fact, the reason the eldest brother didn’t tell Father about the third brother’s return to Dragon City was actually his own personal agenda.”
Ning Qingfeng’s words were startling as he looked at Ning Qiankun’s gradually furrowing brows and continued, “Eldest brother once invited me to discuss this matter. He believed that since the third brother was deeply loved by Father, if he returned to the Ning Family and appeared within Father’s sight, it could possibly jeopardize his candidacy for Family Head.”
“With this mindset, the eldest brother began mobilizing the family’s death warriors, plotting to eliminate the third brother.”
Ning Qingfeng gritted his teeth, his eyes slightly red, and whispered, “To my shame, though I didn’t agree with such a fratricidal act, under the pressure of the eldest brother, I chose silence and did not immediately report this to Father; this is my fault.”
After earnestly confessing, Ning Qingfeng continued, “The eldest brother sent family death warriors to assassinate the third brother, but unexpectedly, they failed. He underestimated the third brother’s strength, not only failing to kill him but also revealing his own whereabouts, which led to this catastrophe.”
Ning Qingfeng paused for a moment, bowed and said, “Although the third brother killed the eldest brother, there are reasons for this. I hope Father does not overly blame the third brother. After all, he has been away for a long time and had little affection with the eldest brother and was attacked by him, so his actions in agitation are understandable.”
“Understandable? You call this understandable?”
Ning Qiankun erupted in anger. Sitting cross-legged on the prayer mat, he could no longer bear it, struggling to his feet, his gaze like an eagle’s, he shouted sternly, “No matter what Jianyang did wrong, he was still Xiao Fan’s elder brother. How could Xiao Fan commit fratricide? I am so disappointed in him!”
“Father, take care of your health!”
Ning Qingfeng lowered his head, a trace of smugness flashing in his eyes, yet his face was full of grief as he urged, “Now that the eldest brother is dead, the third brother must have suffered terribly outside, which shaped his current personality. I hope Father is magnanimous and not too hard on the third brother.”
Saying this, Ning Qingfeng knelt down on the ground, rasping, “I failed to persuade the eldest brother not to send people to assassinate the third brother, and instead cooperated, causing this tragedy. If Father wants to blame, blame me. I am willing to be punished.”
“Does the Ning Family’s future truly have no hope?”
Unexpectedly, Ning Qiankun suddenly sighed, his once furious demeanor subsiding to calmness.
On his face appeared endless loss, waving his hand with melancholy, saying, “You leave first, stay in the inner residence, and do not go out these days.”
“I will obey Father’s orders.”
Ning Qingfeng bowed his head again in salute, not daring to say another word, walking softly out of the Quiet Thought Hall.
He knew that Ning Qiankun still harbored doubts about his statements earlier and hadn’t fully believed him.
But it was fine; by now, the private estate outside the suburbs was likely reduced to ashes. Though it’s a pity for that piece of prime land, finding evidence there would be impossible even for an Immortal.
As for Ning Fan…
Outside the Quiet Thought Hall, Ning Qingfeng lowered his head, a cold smile curling at his lips as he murmured, “With just a trace of doubt in Father’s heart, you will never be able to ascend to the position of Ning Family Head.”
“The Ning Family Head can only be me, Ning Qingfeng!”
A fanatic glint flashed in Ning Qingfeng’s eyes, and he quickly left the Quiet Thought Hall with his head lowered.
“Old Zhang, come in.”
Inside the Quiet Thought Hall, Ning Qiankun’s voice had become much lower.
Though he had just been sitting on the prayer mat inside the Quiet Thought Hall listening to Ning Qingfeng’s recounting, Ning Qiankun felt as if he had gone through a fierce battle, his entire being exuding deep exhaustion.
“Master, please accept my condolences and be sure to take care of your health.”
Butler Zhang bowed as he entered the Quiet Thought Hall.
Ning Qingfeng and Ning Qiankun hadn’t deliberately lowered their voices during their conversation, so he had heard every bit of it from outside the door.
“Heh, take care of my health? At my age, how many more years can I live taking care?”
Ning Qiankun shook his head somewhat desolately, whispering, “Though the Ning Family is currently affluent and unrivaled in Dragon City, how long can this power last once I’m gone?”
At this point, Ning Qiankun’s voice revealed deep disappointment as he sighed, “Of the Ning Family’s three words, the eldest is reckless and ignorant, the second is scheming, only Xiao Fan has some of the sharpness of my youth and is the successor I most favor.”
“But I never thought, through a twist of fate, he would return, with his life hanging by a thread; I had gradually given up the idea, planning to hand over the Family Head position to Jianyang next year, to rest for a few years, and end this residual life.”
Ning Qiankun sat on the Taishi Chair in the Quiet Thought Hall, dejectedly saying, “Who could have expected Xiao Fan to suddenly return to Dragon City at this moment, yet kill his eldest brother? How can I decide on this?”
“Master… the second young master is scheming and adept at sophistry. There might be another truth to this matter.”
Butler Zhang said expressionlessly.
Since Ning Fan left, Ning Jianyang and Ning Qingfeng had been vying for control over various aspects of the Ning Family. Although it hadn’t reached the surface, someone managing Ning Family’s old mansion couldn’t possibly be unaware.
But among the two sons of the Ning Family, he never took sides. Both Ning Jianyang and Ning Qingfeng had extended olive branches to recruit him, but he had resolutely refused.
His loyalty in life, was solely to the Ning Family and the aged Ning Qiankun before him.
“I have this suspicion as well, which is why I called you in.”
Ning Qiankun’s eyes flashed with a trace of sternness as he spoke in a deep voice, “Go investigate immediately, use all your power to clear this matter, and also regarding Xiao Fan…”
After pausing for a moment, Ning Qiankun continued, “Take some men and invite him back; regardless of the truth behind this, he is, after all, a member of the Ning Family and must return home.”