: Ning Zhuo Enters the Hall!

Ancestral Hall.

"Elder, we don't have enough seats," a subordinate reported.

The Ancestral Hall Elder's face was as dark as water. "Bring tables and chairs from the school. Fill both the front and central courtyards."

"Too many people are coming, and it seems like even more are on the way. This isn't right!"

The Ancestral Hall Elder smelled a conspiracy.

"Go, hurry Ning Zhuo along! Why is that boy moving so slowly? He's still not here yet, and many elders have already arrived. Is he putting on such a grand air?"

The Ancestral Hall Elder knew well: the longer this dragged on, the worse it was for the main lineage.

Just then, someone announced: "The Young Patriarch has arrived—!"

The Ancestral Hall Elder and others immediately stood up and left the main hall to greet him.

Ning Xiaoren had arrived at the ancestral hall a step early. Seeing the Ancestral Hall Elder, he quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in respect, his face calm and composed, but he secretly transmitted an urgent message: "Elder, for my father's sake, please save me!"

Hearing this, the Ancestral Hall Elder's pupils constricted sharply.

At that very moment, Ning Youfu, Ning Ze, and their group also arrived.

The Ancestral Hall Elder uttered a polite remark and hastily extricated himself from Ning Xiaoren to welcome Ning Youfu.

The Ancestral Hall Elder beamed with a smile. "Elder Fu, you've come! What a rare occasion, allowing the younger generation another chance to listen to your teachings."

Ning Youfu chuckled. "This old man doesn't have much time left. I originally wanted to live a quiet life, but this matter arose, forcing me to come. The one beside me is Ning Zhuo's uncle, Ning Ze."

The Ancestral Hall Elder made an understanding sound and proactively led the way, inviting Ning Youfu and Ning Ze into the ancestral hall.

During this time, Ning Xiaoren tried to transmit messages to him, but the elder feigned ignorance and did not respond at all.

Someone from the ancestral hall came to urge Ning Zhuo along, whispering to him, "Ning Zhuo, you've stirred up quite a storm. Many elders are already at the ancestral hall, but you haven't even covered half the distance."

Ning Zhuo quickly apologized, explaining that too many clansmen had questions, and answering them one by one had taken some time. He asked the messenger to return and say that Ning Zhuo would arrive soon.

After the ancestral hall messenger left, Ning Zhuo continued at his own pace, even slowing down a bit further.

Thanks to his constant explanations, more and more clansmen gathered around him.

His entourage swelled to over sixty people.

As they turned a street corner, an old man leaning on a cane, accompanied by three attendants, watched Ning Zhuo from a distance and waved him over slightly.

Someone in Ning Zhuo's group exclaimed, "Ah, it's Elder Ning Houjun!"

Ning Houjun had also once been an elder, specifically the War Hall Elder. However, over a decade ago, he voluntarily resigned and had been enjoying his retirement at home.

Like Ning Youfu, Ning Houjun was also a member of the branch lineage and held high prestige among the people.

Ning Zhuo quickly quickened his pace, approached Ning Houjun, and bowed deeply.

Ning Houjun looked Ning Zhuo up and down and praised, "Good. A young man with impressive bearing and high spirits, just how a young man should be."

"I've heard about your affairs."

"I'll accompany you on this trip to the ancestral hall."

Ning Zhuo expressed his thanks. The clansmen around him began to cheer, saying that with Elder Ning Houjun accompanying them, this endeavor was sure to succeed!

Ning Zhuo and Ning Houjun walked side by side, conversing aloud while also transmitting messages secretly.

Ning Houjun transmitted a question: "Young man, do you know who the most crucial person is in this action?"

Without hesitation, Ning Zhuo transmitted his reply: "The Patriarch."

He wasn't referring to the ancestral patriarch, but the Golden Core Patriarch.

Ning Houjun glanced at Ning Zhuo, his eyes showing appreciation, and continued transmitting: "Correct. You see things clearly."

"Our clan's Patriarch does not belong to the main lineage. The main lineage's Golden Core Patriarch showed him immense kindness. Therefore, the Patriarch has shown much favor to the main lineage. However, he himself has no direct bloodline descendants."

"Because of this, over a decade ago, when our branch lineage gathered its strength to challenge the main lineage, although we failed, throughout the entire process, the Patriarch never showed himself or expressed any opinion."

Ning Zhuo nodded. "If that's the case, then my victory is assured this time."

"Exactly." Ning Houjun chuckled and continued transmitting. "This old man has always liked winning battles. Otherwise, why would I join your side? This time, it's only a question of how much we win by."

Ancestral Hall.

The Ning Family Patriarch had arrived.

The Patriarch's face was expressionless. "Is that Ning Zhuo still not here?"

Immediately, he sent someone to hurry him along.

The messenger saw Ning Zhuo and initially acted arrogantly, but was scolded by Ning Houjun: "This old man is advanced in years, what's wrong with walking slowly?"

"Go back and tell the Patriarch, if he's in such a hurry, is it because he needs to piss or has the runs? Is he rushing to take a shit?"

The messenger retreated with his tail between his legs, naturally not daring to report the exact words, only saying that Ning Houjun was present.

The Patriarch took a deep breath and swallowed his anger.

The War Hall Elder laughed. "After all these years, Elder Ning Houjun's temper is still so fiery."

"I wonder how his son has been faring since he was expelled from the family?"

"Has he been in contact with Elder Ning Houjun via letters in recent years?"

It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky, nearing noon, that Ning Zhuo's group finally arrived at the ancestral hall.

The group's size had already exceeded a hundred people.

However, there were even more people inside the ancestral hall.

The vast majority of people around Ning Zhuo could only stand outside the ancestral hall walls and listen in.

Even so, there weren't any good spots left.

The entire ancestral hall was surrounded by clansmen, packed tightly inside and out.

Ning Zhuo, Ning Houjun, and Wang Lan were ushered into the ancestral hall.

All available higher-ups of the Ning Family had come.

Ning Zhuo saw Ning Ze, saw Ning Ji, saw the Ning Family Patriarch, and of course, he saw Ning Xiaoren.

Ning Xiaoren's face was ashen, staring fixedly at Ning Zhuo. His neck was stretched out, arched, his fierce demeanor like a vulture ready to fight to the death.

As soon as Ning Zhuo cupped his hands, about to speak, Wang Lan suddenly burst into loud wails: "Husband, you've finally been saved! That Ning Xiaoren didn't lay a hand on you again, did he?"

Ning Ze stepped out from the crowd, embraced Wang Lan, and said solemnly, "It was Elder Fu himself who saved me! He rescued me from Ning Xiaoren's clutches!"

Along the way, Ning Ze had learned the whole story.

Despite Ning Xiaoren's continuous threats and inducements, Ning Ze's decision was firm!

What a joke.

"Did he really think I enjoyed getting hit on the head every time?!"

"Did he really think I have no temper?!"

The humiliation Ning Ze had suffered and the resentment he had accumulated all made him choose Ning Zhuo's side without hesitation.

Hearing Ning Ze's words, Ning Xiaoren's heart sank to the bottom, his entire body turning icy cold.

His only chance for a turnaround had lain with Ning Ze.

At this moment, it vanished like a leaf in the autumn wind.

With both witnesses and material evidence present, Ning Xiaoren had no room for refutation.

Initially, he had framed Ning Ze on a spur-of-the-moment decision, all because Ning Zhuo had suddenly risen to prominence. The entire incident had too many flaws. If Ning Ze had cooperated, it might have been manageable, but once he turned, it became a flood of evidence.

For other clansmen to verify the facts would be轻而易举 (extremely easy).

The ironclad evidence was overwhelming!

"Ning Xiaoren!" the Ning Family Patriarch roared, tearing the cord of his waist token and hurling it directly at Ning Xiaoren.

The waist token hit Ning Xiaoren's head, immediately drawing blood.

Knowing that defeat was certain and there was no hope of reprieve, Ning Xiaoren, in his final moments, displayed enough fortitude.

Letting his head bleed freely, he bowed to his father, the Patriarch, and said, "Patriarch, I have done wrong and have no face to confront the entire family. I accept any and all punishments!"

And this was Ning Xiaoren's final performance.

The Ning Family Patriarch immediately announced the removal of Ning Xiaoren from the position of Young Patriarch, sentencing him to three years imprisonment in the dungeon. After three years, he would be exiled from the family, banished abroad. For the rest of his life, he would only be allowed to return to the family for the grand ancestral ceremonies.

"The Patriarch is wise, upholding justice at the expense of his own kin!"

Once the judgment was announced, countless branch lineage clansmen inside and outside the ancestral hall cheered in unison, their voices shaking the wilderness.

The main lineage elders, however, watched Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo had won too beautifully, crushing the Young Patriarch Ning Xiaoren underfoot. After today, he would undoubtedly be famous throughout the clan, his prestige skyrocketing.

Even with only "third-level Qi Refining cultivation," with such temperament and actions, who would dare look down on him?

That night.

A small banquet was held at Ning Ze's residence.

Ning Zhuo and Ning Ze hosted former elders Ning Youfu and Ning Houjun, as well as several family stewards like Ning Xiangguo.

Ning Zhuo frequently toasted to express gratitude, behaving humbly and courteously, while sincerely seeking advice.

Ning Youfu advised, "After this incident, Ning Zhuo, you are directly opposing the main lineage. Especially the Patriarch—don't hold any hope of reconciling."

Ning Houjun sighed. "It's a pity. The Patriarch today cut his losses and sacrificed a pawn to save the king. We couldn't drag him down with this. Only taking down a Young Patriarch is a limited victory."

Ning Xiangguo, however, said, "Even so, this is our only victory in over a decade. A branch lineage member convicting the main lineage's Young Patriarch—what an inspiring event!"

Ning Zhuo looked at everyone at the table, but in his heart, he was speculating: Among them, who was the Ning family traitor who had secretly pledged allegiance to Fei Si?

Ning Zhuo proactively asked how the main lineage would deal with him.

Ning Youfu smiled. "Ning Zhuo, you are now part of the modification team and quite skilled at exploring the Immortal Palace. Plus, you're currently in the spotlight. The main lineage won't move against you, lest you suffer unjust treatment again and take it to the ancestral hall."

He looked at Ning Xiangguo and said to him, "The main lineage's counterattack will come soon. You all will be the ones to suffer."

Ning Xiangguo smiled slightly. "I'm mentally prepared. It's no big deal! Even if I'm dismissed, so what? The main lineage wouldn't dare dismiss too many people. After all, they have too few members themselves, haha."

Ning Houjun sighed. "To this day, not a single branch lineage member holds an elder position in the clan. This puts us at a great disadvantage, leaving us without any foundation. Although there are many stewards, we can only be at their mercy."

"Fortunately, Ning Zhuo, you have talent. With steady development in the future, you will surely become an elder."

"Our branch lineage hasn't produced a talent for a long time. To be honest, for over a decade, this old man has been waiting for someone capable of standing firm."

"Your cultivation may be weak now, but you are good—you have spirit and skill."

"Most importantly, you have talent, making you worth the investment."

"Rest assured, as long as this old man lives, I will support you with all my strength!"

"You are now the banner of our branch lineage. You must not fall."

Ning Zhuo laughed. "Having reached this point, on one hand, it's indeed due to the main lineage's pressure, but on the other hand, isn't it also because I personally want to advance?"

"I have innate talent, I excel at exploring the Immortal Palace, and I have your strong support. Why worry about not achieving great things?"

Everyone laughed heartily.

Amid the laughter, they raised their glasses and clinked them together.

Ning Ze downed the fine wine in his cup in one gulp. As he set the cup down, he looked at Ning Zhuo, his gaze exceptionally complex.

"Xiao Zhuo, oh Xiao Zhuo, so this is the real you."

"I misjudged you. I truly misjudged you."

"Such skill, temperament, and magnanimity..."

Ning Ze felt that for the first time in his life, he truly recognized Ning Zhuo.

(End of )