With considerable effort, coaxing the inquisitive Weng Ling back to its slumber, Night Three More inspected the money pouch in his hand.
He presently possessed almost two thousand golden coins, with over seventy pieces of timber and more than five hundred goblin skeletons. However, the construction of buildings necessitated fresh, fleshy corpses, making it impossible to upgrade the desolate bone cemetery to a mausoleum.
Unless, of course, he were to procure some fresh bodies.
"Let's leave that for later. There should be news coming soon from Baiyan Village."
Shaking his head, Night Three More glanced at Bed.
Bed was undeniably dedicated; not even the arrival of Weng Ling could interrupt her work. She squatted in front of the rodent cage, continuously experimenting with various colors and quantities of mist. Observing her concentrated expression, Night Three More felt that interrupting her at this moment would likely lead to a scolding.
Meanwhile, Old Gu, accompanied by Dong Chen holding two bowls, was tending to the pregnant cow. To the west, Lao Jiu was directing the skeletal workers in dismantling buildings. Observing the goblin skeletons diligently working in the fields, Night Three More felt the need to keep himself occupied and began practicing swordplay.
However, this time, he practiced with his left-hand sword.
...
Yang Family Estate, secret chamber beneath Qu Ding City.
"Look at the turmoil you've caused!"
A middle-aged man in a silver robe berated Yang Tian, who knelt before him anxiously.
"It was merely pursuing an undead, and yet your brother lost his life! And that cat! Do you realize how much I've suffered at the hands of the other high priests? I might even be removed from my position! Do you understand?!"
"And that so-called artifact you brought back, heh... Do you think I've grown senile with age? Daring to use a goblin tooth to deceive me? Am I the foolish one or are you?!"
"Moreover, yesterday, someone even delivered the armor to our doorstep. If I hadn't been present, the sanctified silver armor with the Yang family emblem engraved on it might have ended up in another church. Where would I hide my face then? Would I even be able to leave my home?!"
"Tell me! Huh?!"
Yang Tian stared fixedly at the floor, gritting his teeth in silence, fists clenched tightly.
Seemingly having vented his frustrations after the scolding, the middle-aged man paced back and forth several times. Although he raised his hand a few times, he eventually retracted it, letting out a long sigh.
"Do you know that Chen Yue is a deeply hidden enchantress skilled in manipulating the minds of others?" he asked.
"Yes!"
Yang Tian lowered his head and coldly stated, "She can also spread a large area of black mist, probably a kind of boundary spell. However, after her death, the black fog dispersed."
The middle-aged man frowned tightly.
Chen Yue was not a member of the Yang family but a paladin who had voluntarily transferred from another place because of her admiration for Yang Tian. This could be used to shift the blame.
But why did Chen Yue act at that particular moment? What was her motive?
"Alright, I understand this matter."
"The issue with the black cat has been resolved, and I've more or less settled matters with the Disciplinary Committee. However, you still need to go through the process. Just remember, you must shift all the blame onto Chen Yue. Do you understand what I mean?"
"But the traces on Yang Wei's body..." Yang Tian grimly spoke.
What happened that day was not just a matter of assaulting his brother. Otherwise, why would he have resorted to such violence against Yang Wei?
This cursed Chen Yue, if it weren't for her ability to use Holy Light, he would have thought she was a succubus! Making him...
But these things were not important now. There were too many traces left at the scene, and even more unfortunate was the arrival of two passing Judgment Knights who immediately investigated and reported it to the Disciplinary Committee.
Wouldn't he be ruined for life?!
"I said I've handled everything, didn't you hear me?" the middle-aged man coldly stated.
Yang Tian widened his eyes, looking up at his father. After feeling the piercing chill, he quickly lowered his head again.
"Listen, listen carefully!"
Even a family like theirs could manipulate the Disciplinary Committee and the Judgment Knights?
This...
However, after the initial fear, Yang Tian's heart began to fill with secret joy. If his family's power was so overwhelming, then he...
"Don't think too much. I've only dealt with minor issues. If you continue to act recklessly, even if you're my son, I won't spare you! Understand?"
Seemingly seeing through Yang Tian's inner thoughts, the middle-aged man sternly warned.
Yang Tian's heart gave a thump, and he once again lowered his head:
"Understood, understood."
"Also, wear this honestly. This way, even if it's the True Words Holy Light Art from the Disciplinary Committee, they won't be able to do anything to you." The middle-aged man tossed a black jade pendant to Yang Tian, saying indifferently.
The True Words Holy Light Art of the Disciplinary Committee could discern the truth of spoken words. However, with this jade pendant, Yang Tian would no longer need to worry.
Yang Tian joyfully accepted the jade pendant and tucked it into his chest. He nodded, saying, "Shall I leave now?"
The middle-aged man suddenly sighed, "There's one more thing you need to know."
"Regardless of the outcome of your visit to the Disciplinary Committee, your path of advancement has been obstructed by half. Do you understand?"
Yang Tian's gaze darkened, and he whispered, "Understood."
Being scrutinized by the Disciplinary Committee was a considerable stain. Even if he was a rare genius of the century, he would still need to spend more time and merits to eliminate this negative impact—three to five years at least. For Yang Tian, who considered himself a young genius, this was more unbearable than death.
He was about to achieve the honor of becoming the youngest Cathedral Knight in history!
By then, he would be eligible to settle in Tianwei City and break free from his father's control!
"So, after the investigation, head straight to the nearby battlefield..."
"Father means?" Yang Tian's eyes lit up, looking at the man.
"Yes, the battlefield is where a man can earn merits most quickly," the man stated, hands behind his back.
"Alright, I'll leave immediately!"
After saying that, Yang Tian stood up, bowed to the middle-aged man, and quickly left the secret chamber.
At this moment, a blurry figure suddenly appeared behind the middle-aged man. Upon closer inspection, it resembled an elderly figure in a red robe, leaning on a golden staff. However, his figure rippled like a reflection on the surface of water, occasionally swaying.
"Tianming..."
"Ah, Father!"
The previously arrogant middle-aged man, Yang Tianming, turned around in shock, lowering his head to bow to the figure behind him.
"Why did you appear? This is damaging to your strength..."
"It's okay."
The phantom waved his hand, rubbing the staff in his hand absentmindedly.
"You did well just
now. Tian'er's spirit is not stable enough. It's good for him to go out and temper himself. Without Wei'er and with my deteriorating condition, your preparations will soon come in handy."
Hearing this, Yang Tianming's back was soaked in cold sweat.
"Please give Tianming more time. I will definitely..."
"No! It's too late..."
With a heavy tap of the staff, the phantom closed his eyes and sighed.
"Even if you appear, it won't change anything. Tian'er is too stubborn. However, without Wei'er and with my deteriorating condition, your preparations should come into play soon."
Hearing the phantom's words, Yang Tianming felt a chilling shiver down his spine.
"Please father give Tianming some more time, I, I will definitely do it for you..."
"No! It's too late..." The old man knocked the scepter hard, closed his eyes and sighed.