: Ning Ze’s Injustice

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2025-01-14

Afterward, Ning Xiaoren secretly summoned Ning Ze.

Ning Ze appeared before Ning Xiaoren with a bandage wrapped around his forehead, his attitude exceedingly respectful.

Ning Xiaoren snorted coldly in his heart, knowing full well that Ning Ze could have completely healed the wound on his forehead but had deliberately left it to play the victim. This was an expression of his grievance, a reminder that he had both merit and hardship to his name.

“Ning Ze, come, take a seat.” Ning Xiaoren’s face once again wore a gentle smile.

Ning Ze sat down without hesitation. “Subordinate is truly puzzled. It was clearly you, Young Clan Leader, who personally gave the order. So why did you suddenly…”

Ning Xiaoren raised his hand, cutting Ning Ze off. “I will explain only one thing. The true inventor of the Mechanical Blaze Monkey is none other than Ning Zhuo!”

Upon hearing this, Ning Ze was utterly stunned, thinking he had misheard. “Wh-what?”

Ning Xiaoren offered no further explanation. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, picked up a teacup, and began sipping slowly.

It took a moment for Ning Ze to fully process the words. Startled, he stood up, unable to remain seated. His eyes widened as he muttered in disbelief, “Xiao Zhuo… Xiao Zhuo is actually the creator of the Mechanical Blaze Monkey?!”

Ning Xiaoren merely glanced at him, saying nothing.

Ning Ze’s mouth hung open, his eyes vacant for a brief moment before refocusing.

“No wonder… no wonder he had such a large sum of money.”

“But… according to what he said, this matter involves a Golden Core cultivator…”

Ning Xiaoren set down his teacup and sighed. “It’s Fei Si. Fei Si wanted to claim credit and presented the Mechanical Blaze Monkey to the City Lord. Chen Cha is his subordinate, not Ning Zhuo. So, Chen Cha secretly forced Ning Zhuo to hand over the invention and stole his recognition.”

“The matter is still under investigation, but it’s almost certainly true.”

“So that’s how it is… so that’s how it is.” Ning Ze let out a long, relieved sigh, his expression turning guilty. “I wronged him.”

“But given the circumstances at the time, I had no choice.”

“I had to give the clan, especially you, Young Clan Leader, an explanation.”

Ning Xiaoren smiled. “I know, I know. Come, sit, sit down.”

Ning Ze sat back down.

Ning Xiaoren continued, “I know you are loyal. You gave me an explanation. But now, how do I give Ning Zhuo an explanation?”

“Huh?” Ning Ze looked confused.

“Look at the situation we’re in now.” Ning Xiaoren stood up and slowly walked around the desk to the front.

“Ning Zhuo has reached the peak of the third layer of Qi Refinement. The Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art suits him exceptionally well, and he was able to create the Mechanical Blaze Monkey. He is undoubtedly a key asset for our clan in exploring the Molten Rock Palace!”

“Our clan needs to use him, rely on him heavily, and prioritize him!”

“He is a rare talent in mechanisms among our clan.”

“But now, he feels wronged, he holds a grudge. He no longer feels close to our clan.”

“If you were in his shoes, after what happened today, what would you think?”

As he spoke, Ning Xiaoren stopped in front of Ning Ze.

Ning Ze quickly stood up, a sense of foreboding growing in his heart. “If I were Ning Zhuo, what does it matter if I underwent some investigation? This is no injustice at all. On the contrary, having the chance to prove my innocence, I would be deeply grateful to the clan for giving me such an opportunity!”

“As a member of the Ning Clan, loyalty to the clan and making contributions—even sacrifices—is only right and proper.”

“Hahaha.” Ning Xiaoren pointed at Ning Ze and nodded approvingly. “You have great awareness, Ning Ze. You are very good.”

“I did not misjudge you!”

Ning Ze hurriedly expressed humility.

Ning Xiaoren’s tone shifted. “But Ning Zhuo is not like you. He is only sixteen. What does he understand? How much awareness can he possibly have compared to you?”

Ning Ze replied, “Yes, subordinate will make sure to guide him properly in the future, lead him onto the right path!”

Ning Xiaoren nodded. “That is for the future.”

“For now, Xiao Zhuo’s heart is wounded. As elders, we should take care of him, soothe the hurdles in his heart, heal his emotional scars, and let him grow up happily, cultivate joyfully. Don’t you agree?”

The more Ning Ze listened, the more uneasy he felt.

Ning Xiaoren added, “As elders, we should have a spirit of sacrifice. Ning Ze, do you have that level of awareness?”

Pressed face-to-face by Ning Xiaoren, Ning Ze had no choice but to brace himself and ask for guidance.

Ning Xiaoren then transmitted his voice, outlining his plan.

Ning Ze was horrified and quickly waved his hands. “M-my lord, how can we do this? What would become of me?!”

It turned out Ning Xiaoren’s plan was to investigate Ning Ze next. Under pressure, Ning Ze would confess the “truth”—over the years, Ning Xiaoren had been secretly funding Ning Zhuo, providing him with many spirit stones and resources for his cultivation. However, Ning Ze had embezzled from these funds and mistreated Ning Zhuo.

When Ning Zhuo recently gained attention, Ning Ze, upon hearing about his wealth, could not resist jealousy and greed. Under the guise of investigation, he attempted to extort Ning Zhuo.

Fortunately, the broad-minded and benevolent Ning Xiaoren, who always had the clan’s interests at heart, intervened in time. A subsequent investigation uncovered the truth that had been hidden for over a decade.

Ning Ze wanted no part of bearing such a blame!

It was clearly Ning Xiaoren who had been ungrateful, forgotten favors, and neglected Ning Zhuo for over a decade without a second thought. Yet now, he was shifting the blame onto Ning Ze.

It was utterly despicable and petty!

“Will you do it or not? Are you still my subordinate?” Ning Xiaoren glared, threatening him outright.

“Do you dare refuse? Think of the consequences!”

“Think of your son, Ning Ji, isn’t it? He’s doing quite well in the clan’s business right now.”

A bone-chilling cold enveloped Ning Ze’s heart.

Looking at Ning Xiaoren’s stern expression, he suddenly understood: his appointment as the head of the investigation team was not because Ning Xiaoren valued his relationship with Ning Zhuo or genuinely wanted to investigate the source of the funds.

“No, this damned Ning Xiaoren wants to covet Xiao Zhuo’s money, frame me, step over me to win over Xiao Zhuo, to gain his favor and pull him to his side!”

Realizing the truth, Ning Ze flushed with anger, clenched his fists, and breathed heavily.

Seeing his reaction, Ning Xiaoren let out a contemptuous sneer.

That soft, cold laugh was like polar ice water, extinguishing the flames of rage and hatred in Ning Ze’s heart.

Ning Xiaoren was the Young Clan Leader, after all, and his direct superior. What could he do?

It was Ning Ze who had raised Ning Zhuo over the past decade. Even if he hadn’t put his heart into it, Ning Zhuo had indeed grown up under his care.

But now, to win Ning Zhuo over and reap the benefits, Ning Xiaoren was framing Ning Ze to cover up his own mistakes.

How sinister! How卑鄙!

There was no way out.

Ning Ze had no choice.

He could only swallow his anger and bear the blame and responsibility that were not his.

Because he was a subordinate, making a living under Ning Xiaoren’s command. Ning Xiaoren was the Young Clan Leader, second only to the Clan Leader himself. Even if Ning Ze resisted to the death, he would be forced to comply.

At this moment, Ning Ze suddenly thought of Ning Zhuo, whom he had pressured not long ago.

“So this is what it feels like to be forced by others, unable to resist—such unbearable pain.” His heart filled with bitterness and despair.

Thinking this, he suddenly felt he deserved it.

“Young Clan Leader, it is true that I embezzled your secret funds. It is all my fault!” Ning Ze’s voice became hoarse, his expression extremely gloomy.

Only then did Ning Xiaoren pat his shoulder. “I will not treat you unfairly.”

“You will first stay in the clan’s dungeon.”

“I will notify your wife to visit.”

Ning Ze was stunned. He hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. He couldn’t help but look up at Ning Xiaoren.

Ning Xiaoren smiled, but his eyes were cold and sharp.

Ning Ze had no choice but to lower his head, his tone heavy. “Yes, subordinate obeys.”

—

The Ning Clan Leader returned to his residence with a smile.

This negotiation had secured substantial benefits for the Ning Clan, far exceeding initial expectations.

Ning Xiaoren came to report, fully disclosing his plan to frame Ning Ze and win over Ning Zhuo.

The Clan Leader stroked his beard, pondering. “You handled it fairly well.”

“Remember, Ning Zhuo is different now. At the very least, the clan must rely on his abilities for the time being. You need to rein in your nature.” The Clan Leader was well aware of his son’s greedy disposition.

A mere glance from him made Ning Xiaoren break into a cold sweat, and he quickly nodded, promising he would not act this way again.

“Father, these are the results of my urgent investigation.” Ning Xiaoren then presented several intelligence reports.

The common thread among them was Ning Zhuo—all were closely related to him.

(End of )