blueteamnovel Chapter 500 - 358: Talisman Array Practice, Reversal of the Situation! (Double - ) (2)
Chapter 500 - 358: Talisman Array Practice, Reversal of the Situation! (Double - ) (2)
The important members of the Wang Family present were unable to contain themselves, preparing to rise and question.
Just then, another elderly voice rang out, suppressing everyone’s impulses.
"Continue speaking."
A similarly elderly man, alongside the white-haired elderly woman, sat to the left and right of the head seat.
Even the current patriarch of the Wang Family dared not interrupt in front of these two elders.
"Has the family investigated the matter by now, and deduced the cause of Zhao Zun and Zhao Liang’s deaths?" Wang Tianshuang asked.
"According to the Zhao Family’s account, it was your generals colluding with demons, setting a trap to kill them," the patriarch, Wang Hao, pointed at Wang Tianshuang, his tone correspondingly more severe.
"They also suspect you, asserting that our Wang Family orchestrated this behind the scenes. Tianshuang, truthfully, is there any truth to this?"
Wang Tianshuang, upon hearing this, was not surprised.
The Zhao Family wanted to exonerate the Zhao Family, Zhao Liang, and father, so they wouldn’t admit to collusion with the Demon Race.
They simply accused Song Changming and others directly.
This is merely the usual trick of turning black into white used by noble families; Wang Tianshuang, being part of a noble family, was long accustomed to such tricks.
He understood clearly himself that this was pure nonsense.
"The fact is that it was those two from the Zhao Family who had colluded with demons, and it was a trap set by my generals carrying out missions outside; I did not orchestrate this." Wang Tianshuang said, pausing, then continued.
"The only correct statement they made is that those two from the Zhao Family indeed died by the blades of my generals."
Upon hearing this, Wang Hao directly furrowed his brow, "Are you saying your generals, without aid from demonic powers, killed Zhao Liang and Zhao Zun?"
"Yes." Wang Tianshuang nodded.
"Impossible!" A member of the Wang Family suddenly stood up.
"Let alone Zhao Zun, Zhao Liang... Not just your generals, even you, Tianshuang, might not be able to take down that elder of the Zhao Family!"
The other members of the Wang Family also doubted Wang Tianshuang’s words.
It wasn’t Wang Tianshuang’s fault; rather, the matter sounded too ridiculous, making it hard for them to believe.
In fact, the version told by the Zhao Family seemed more reasonable.
Zhao Liang’s death seemed more plausibly caused by being plotted against by the Demon Race and Yang Zhen and others, otherwise the vast difference in strength couldn’t be explained.
Facing suspicion, Wang Tianshuang remained composed, as if unsurprised by his clan members’ reactions.
"Regarding this matter, I’ve personally verified it; it’s not mere empty talk. This person’s Qi Refining Cultivation is not high, but his whole body is horizontally trained, enough to contend with me!"
Having previously tested Song Changming’s strength slightly like Meng Yuan, Wang Tianshuang was resolute, proving Song Changming possessed the martial skill to contest against a strong practitioner in the Innate Perfection Realm.
The patriarch Wang Hao stared at Wang Tianshuang for a moment, ultimately judging that Wang Tianshuang wasn’t joking.
"This is one reason I intervened to save him; without a noble family background, his identity is simple and untainted; by opening up four Martial Veins, he already possesses the power to contend with an Innate Perfection Realm martial artist; what do all of you think of his future potential?"
Wang Tianshuang didn’t need to explain much.
Those present were all schemers lived through decades to centuries, a few words would suffice to make them ponder deeply.
"If this is the truth, this person has boundless prospects, indeed worth aligning with." The eldest elder at the seat of honor tapped his cane, speaking.
Upon hearing this, the other Wang Family members did not argue further.
Indeed, the potential displayed by Song Changming was astonishing.
Even at the worst, he would be a formidable strength in the Innate Perfection Realm.
Their lower limit is extremely high, with an incalculable upper limit!
They weren’t foolish, knowing full well such a person’s value.
And now, it was an ideal opportunity to offer timely support.
With this in mind, Wang Tianshuang’s actions became quite reasonable.
"Further, my intention goes beyond this." Wang Tianshuang’s eyes were profound, sweeping across everyone present, including the patriarch Wang Hao, finally fixing on the two highest-ranking elders.
Confronting them directly, with a sharp gaze.
"I want to take this opportunity to see if that one from the Zhao Family is well..."
As soon as this was said, the whole atmosphere turned more solemn.
Though Wang Tianshuang’s words were incomplete, they seemed to understand, realizing Wang Tianshuang’s true intentions, moving them deeply.
"Tianshuang, this causes more than minor disturbances..." Wang Hao subconsciously picked up a string of beads in his hand, taking a deep breath.
"I know." Wang Tianshuang nodded, his eyes flashing brightly.
...
The next day, Song Changming ended his leave.
The Military Department summoned him, together with Yang Zhen and Xing Tiexin, for interrogation about the incident.
This wasn’t led by the Zhao Family apprehending them, but rather Wang Tianshuang voluntarily reporting the matter.
As the party involved, Song Changming was naturally questioned.
This led to the exposure of Zhao Zun and Zhao Liang’s crimes; it wasn’t a trivial affair, likely reported up through military channels to reach Prince Cui.
Naturally, this was detrimental to the Zhao Family.
In fact, behind the scenes, Wang Tianshuang and the Zhao Family had already clashed multiple times.
Yet, in the Military Department, Wang Tianshuang still held the advantage and initiative. This time, neutral officers from the department were in charge of the questioning, rather than Zhao Family members.
This was a result of strategic maneuvering.
And, as expected, the questioning officers didn’t trouble Song Changming and the others.
Once the questioning ended, the three were released.
Following this came evidence gathering; related generals within the military concerning Zhao Zun and Zhao Liang, and even the Zhao Family members, were brought in for interrogation.
As unseen powers secretly stirred, the situation fermented, gradually making numerous influential families aware of the matter.
The Zhao Family suddenly found themselves at the center of attention.
Core District, Zhao Family.
"Damn it!" Zhao Family patriarch Zhao Boqi angrily slammed his valuable desk.
Evidently upset with the Zhao Family’s current predicament.
"A mere Wang Tianshuang couldn’t have such influence to cause so many to defect in such a short time!"
"He must have the support of the Wang Family behind him!"
"Damn the Wang Family! They really dare to risk opposing us for a few outsiders!"
"..."
Many Zhao Family higher-ups were furious, even finding it somewhat unbelievable.
The current situation exceeded their expectations.
Originally thinking everything was under control, connections with the Military Department, government, other noble families, they had already handled everything well.
Others were glad to give Zhao Family face, at most just promising some benefits.
The entire main city could belong to the Zhao Family, entering the city was entering a trap, capturing Song Changming and the others would be so easy.
But now, the situation evolved too rapidly, even beyond their control.
"Even if the Wang Family is helping those people, it shouldn’t have..." A Zhao Family member frowned deeply.
He wanted to say, even with the Wang Family taking a confrontational stance, it shouldn’t cause most people to defect.
Are they afraid of the Wang Family, and not of the Zhao Family?
Things behind the scenes were too bizarre!
"Hmph! Damn fools, don’t you see, it’s not just the Wang Family causing trouble!" Elder Zhao Lie snorted heavily, cursing.
"Most likely the Meng Family." Patriarch Zhao Boqi rubbed his brow, feeling an acute headache.
From the gathered intelligence clues, this was not hard to deduce.
Some officials close to the Meng Family were already silent, completely severing ties with the Zhao Family, even refusing to remain neutral, granting Wang Tianshuang unimpeded passage.
Meanwhile, facing the Zhao Family members’ requests, they obstruct and evade.
Eight out of ten, the Meng Family and Wang Family were standing behind Song Changming and the others, fundamentally causing the Zhao Family such misfortune recently.
Their confrontation wasn’t just against a few Military Department generals, but against the joint force of two top-tier noble families!
"What do they want to accomplish?" Elder Zhao Xinlei vaguely sensed something amiss, softly murmuring.
Past experiences told him, under the alliance of two families, such major upheaval wasn’t for minor matters.
It couldn’t be merely to protect Song Changming and the others.
There must be other objectives.
...