Cheng Chuming stopped in his tracks, frozen on the spot.
He scanned his surroundings, seeing Cheng Yunxiang and Cheng Gai collapsed on the ground, and Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu holding hands.
Then he saw Bai Xin, weeping, her face nearly swollen into a pig's head.
He muttered, "Wh-what is going on here?"
Bai Xin immediately began to speak, sobbing anew…
"I helped Yunsu sneak that country bumpkin out of the dungeon."
"But then that country bumpkin attacked me for no reason, and Yunsu didn't even stop him! She just said I was only her stepmother, and that if I was hit, so be it."
"Chuming, you have to stand up for me and our precious son!"
After hearing this, Cheng Chuming subconsciously looked toward Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu…
Just then, Cheng Yunxiang crawled over and said, "Father, Mother was kind enough to help them, but they repaid her kindness with enmity."
Cheng Gai also struggled to get up, leaning on a chair as he said, "Uncle, they've gone too far."
Cheng Chuming didn't react, his gaze still fixed squarely on Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu.
At this moment, Lu Chao remained silent, his eyes cold. 'He wanted to see who his future father-in-law would believe.'
Cheng Yunsu stared fixedly at her father as well. Though she couldn't see him clearly, she too wanted to know if her father trusted her. The repeated betrayals from her own family had left Cheng Yunsu at a loss for how to face them anymore.
Finally, Cheng Chuming spoke, his voice trembling, "Yunsu, give your father an explanation."
Cheng Yunsu gently lowered her head…
"If I explained, would you believe me?"
"If I said that Bai Xin tried to trick me out of the bracelet my mother left me, would you believe me? If I said that over ten years ago, outside the Great Wu Imperial City, it was Bai Xin who abandoned me among the refugees, would you believe me?"
"If I said that all her kindness to me for the past decade and more has been a complete act, would you be able to believe that?"
Cheng Chuming stumbled back several steps, shaking his head frantically…
But Bai Xin shrieked, "Bullshit! That's all bullshit!"
"Cheng Yunsu, how could you frame me with such lies? How can you be so vicious?"
She was the vicious one, yet now she was turning it around, accusing Cheng Yunsu of framing her and making up lies…
"I get it now. You've always hated me for marrying your father. You hate me for taking your mother's place."
"But when I married him, your mother was already gone."
"Chuming, you mustn't believe a word she says! She's gone mad! She's like a rabid dog, biting anyone she sees."
Cheng Chuming was completely stunned. He truly didn't know who to believe.
With a bitter smile, Cheng Yunsu gave a miserable laugh. "Forget it, Father. Even if you did believe me, what then? Bai Xin is your wife, Cheng Yunxiang is your son, and you can't leave the Cheng Family."
"I don't want anything anymore. I only ask you, Father, to let Lu Chao leave."
The moment Cheng Yunsu's voice faded… SHUFFLE, CLATTER.
More and more Household Generals and Martial Artists from the Cheng Mansion rushed over. Upon seeing Lu Chao, they all moved to surround him and Cheng Yunsu.
They looked menacing, awaiting Cheng Chuming's command.
Bai Xin shrieked again, "You can't let him go! If that country bumpkin leaves, our Cheng Family will definitely suffer severe punishment from Miss Wu Xin!"
Instantly, Cheng Chuming's entire face contorted. He was in so much anguish he felt like he would explode.
On one hand was his daughter's plea; on the other was the future of the Cheng Mansion and the severe punishment the family would certainly inflict…
'What choice should he make? What should he do?'
"Chuming, what are you still hesitating for?"
"He's just some country bumpkin who appeared out of nowhere, a walking disaster with the Life-taking Bone! Letting him go will bring us misfortune!"
Bai Xin pressed her case again with those two sharp remarks.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man who looked like a Household General stepped forward coldly and said to Cheng Chuming, "Master, the Patriarch may not be home, but we cannot listen to you and release this country bumpkin… Attack!"
The middle-aged Household General gave the order and gestured firmly to everyone, completely ignoring Cheng Chuming.
Everyone in the Cheng Mansion knew that Cheng Chuming had already lost his original status after becoming a cripple because of Cheng Yunsu.
Just as all the Household Generals and household servants were about to make their move… BOOM.
Cheng Chuming suddenly grit his teeth hard, and True Qi erupted from his entire body.
He shielded Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu with his body and said hoarsely, "Take Yunsu and go. Go far, far away, and never come back."
Cheng Chuming had finally made his decision. For his daughter's sake, he would defy his father and his family this once.
"Chuming, are you insane?" Bai Xin shrieked again.
Fists clenched tightly, True Qi surged explosively…
Cheng Chuming ignored Bai Xin and said again to Cheng Yunsu, "Your grandfather and the others aren't home right now. Go!"
At that moment, Cheng Yunsu stared blankly at the father shielding them. "Father, I can't leave. Grandfather will cripple you."
Shaking his head, Cheng Chuming didn't answer.
He turned to look at Lu Chao and instructed him solemnly, "I hereby betroth Yunsu to you. Now take her and go!"
Gazing at Cheng Chuming's bloodshot eyes, a rare smile finally bloomed on Lu Chao's cold face.
At least for Xiao Su'er's sake, this closest of her relatives was still willing to fight for her.
Suddenly, Lu Chao released Cheng Yunsu's hand and took a step to Cheng Chuming's side.
He said gravely, "Thank you for your blessing, Father-in-law. But it's not appropriate for you to act. Allow me."
As his words fell… SHING!
In a flash, Lu Chao snatched the sword from Cheng Chuming's waist. The blade hummed as he pointed it at all the Cheng Mansion's Household Generals.
Lu Chao spoke coolly, "Nine Primordial Yang Swords—Kill!"