Free Web NovelChapter 27: Chapter 27: We’re Back
Right now, Cheng Chuming was covered in whip marks, his hair a tangled mess.
He lifted his eyelids to stare at Bai Xin, then slowly closed them again without a word.
"Chuming, have you not given a single thought to Yunxiang?"
"That Cheng Yunsu is your daughter, but isn’t Yunxiang your son, too?"
"If you die, what will become of him?"
Cheng Chuming’s whole body shuddered. He forced his eyes open again, but his gaze held nothing but misery and despair.
Torn between his children, he finally rasped, "You know Yunsu is my daughter, yet you want to harm her. More than a decade ago, you abandoned her outside the Great Wu Imperial City."
Faced with Cheng Chuming’s accusation, Bai Xin’s expression twisted, and she shrieked...
"You... you... you actually believe her lies?"
"Those are all lies meant to hurt me! She just didn’t want you to take a second wife! She’s held a grudge against me since she was a child."
"I’ve been so good to her all these years! Are you blind?"
"It was me who rescued that Life-taking Bone Calamity Star from the dungeon for her sake, and how does she repay me? By stabbing me in the back!"
So now, the story was that *she* was the one who rescued Lu Chao from the dungeon.
Gazing at the hysterical Bai Xin, Cheng Chuming’s lips trembled. He was speechless for a moment, but then he managed, "You told your father and the others that it was *I* who released that man from the dungeon. Your mouth is full of lies."
For the past two days, both Bai Wenrong and Cheng Weishan had been right in Cheng Chuming’s face, cursing him for releasing the Life-taking Bone Calamity Star from the dungeon.
Of course, Cheng Chuming knew this was all a story fabricated by Bai Xin.
Caught in her lie, Bai Xin panicked for a second before declaring forcefully, "It was Yunxiang who said it, not me."
She threw her own son under the bus without hesitation, then quickly added, "Bai Lu was killed by the Life-taking Bone Calamity Star! Yunxiang was only afraid my father and brother would beat me, that’s why he said it! What’s wrong with him trying to protect his own mother?"
"He’s still so young, how could he have known it would lead to all this?"
Cheng Chuming’s gaze wavered wildly. He no longer knew what to believe.
Seeing Cheng Chuming’s resolve waver, Bai Xin immediately changed her tack...
"I don’t want anything to happen to Yunsu either. I’d even accept it if she repaid my kindness by stabbing me in the back. But she can’t just stand by and watch you die!" ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
"Look at this ’good’ daughter of yours! She knows you’re about to die, and she still won’t come back."
"She has a venomous heart, she’s absolutely vile! You really don’t have to keep holding out for her sake."
’In any case, Cheng Yunsu definitely won’t be back. Even if she wanted to, the Life-taking Bone Calamity Star would never allow it.’
And so, Bai Xin continued to spin her web of lies.
’Of course, she knew Cheng Weishan wouldn’t actually kill Cheng Chuming in a moment. But he would destroy his Destiny Bone! Bai Xin couldn’t have her husband become a cripple; if that happened, her own status in the Cheng Mansion would plummet.’
’If Cheng Chuming would just soften his stance, she could then plead on his behalf, and they could get through this crisis easily.’
’Her father, Bai Wenrong, was still furious over Bai Lu’s death, but as long as Cheng Chuming relented, he would also step in to stop Cheng Weishan.’
However, Cheng Chuming shook his head. "Yunsu... is not that kind of person."
At these words, Bai Xin’s face instantly twisted into a ferocious snarl, her anger burning white-hot.
"How is she not?!"
"Her mother abandoned her husband and daughter. Why wouldn’t she abandon her father?"
The words struck him like a physical blow, reopening an old wound. Cheng Chuming’s heart hammered in his chest.
Suddenly, Cheng Weishan’s voice boomed from within the Cheng Mansion’s main hall. "The hour has come!"
SHUFFLE, SHUFFLE...
The members of the Cheng Mansion filed out, followed by Bai Wenrong and Bai Heng from within. They strode forward, quickly surrounding Cheng Chuming.
"Unfilial son, do not blame your father."
"It is your ’good’ daughter who has damned you. If she will not return, then we must take your life to give Young Lady Wu Xin a proper explanation."
A cold wind howled across the courtyard...
"WAAAAH..."
Bai Xin burst into tears, pleading desperately. ’It’s not like they’ll really kill him,’ she thought, ’so I just need to put on a good show.’
"Grandfather, no!" Cheng Yunxiang, of course, was also putting on a performance.
At this, Cheng Weishan seemed moved by the mother and son’s pleas. He lowered his voice. "Cheng Chuming, I will give you one last chance. If you tell me where Cheng Yunsu is, I will spare you."
All eyes turned to Cheng Chuming, awaiting his answer.
Cheng Chuming closed his eyes tightly and suddenly asked, "Father, can we truly not fight back?"
SLAP!
Cheng Weishan slapped Cheng Chuming across the face. "You want to resist the City Lord’s Mansion? For a worthless person? Are you out of your mind?"
Finished speaking, Cheng Weishan added, "Stubborn fool. Bring me the blade."
Hearing this, Cheng Chugong unhesitatingly handed a blade to Cheng Weishan.
At the same time, Bai Xin and Cheng Yunxiang were pulled away.
Bai Xin quickly ran to Bai Wenrong’s side. "Father, are they really going to cripple Chuming? If that happens, then I’ll be..."
Before she could finish, Bai Wenrong cut her off. "Of course he must be crippled. This is our explanation to Young Lady Wu Xin... But don’t worry, your position will not be shaken. Cheng Weishan has promised me that he will make Yunxiang the future Patriarch."
Instantly, Bai Xin’s eyes lit up. "Oh, wonderful! In that case, let him be crippled."
’As long as her and her son’s interests were guaranteed, she couldn’t care less what happened to Cheng Chuming.’
And so, Bai Xin and her son settled in to watch Cheng Weishan’s performance.
The script was simple: Cheng Weishan would plunge the blade toward Cheng Chuming’s Heavenly Destiny Bone, then, with the pained expression of a loving father, he would find himself unable to deliver the final blow. In doing so, he would earn the respect of all sides.
Cheng Weishan gripped the large blade, silently composing his expression into one of a grief-stricken father.
Finally, he thrust the blade toward Cheng Chuming’s Heavenly Destiny Bone.
Just as Cheng Chuming closed his eyes, as Cheng Chugong watched with undisguised excitement, and as Bai Xin prepared to burst into crocodile tears... VMMMM!
A sound of something slicing through the air shot in from outside the Cheng Mansion, followed by a loud CLANG.
The blade in Cheng Weishan’s hand was sent flying by a Sword...
Instantly, Cheng Chuming’s eyes flew open. At the same moment, everyone present jolted, their True Qi flaring.
They roared in near unison, "Who?!"
The next moment, two figures walked in, step by step, through the main gate of the Cheng Mansion. It was, of course, Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu.
Cheng Yunsu was once again wrapped tightly in her cloak, with only her eyes visible.
"Yunsu..."
Cheng Chuming’s voice was emotional and hoarse. After all of Bai Xin’s scheming, he had, in fact, begun to doubt his own daughter.
’But she came back! She came back for me!’
RUUUMBLE...
At the same time, torrents of True Qi surged wildly, surrounding Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu.
Bai Wenrong was naturally at the very front. He roared madly at Lu Chao, "It was you! You killed my grandson!"
Though he had never met the man, and no one had explicitly identified him as the Life-taking Bone Calamity Star, seeing him with the cloaked Cheng Yunsu was all the confirmation he needed. The murderous intent he had suppressed for over two days erupted instantly.
Thus, Bai Wenrong was far more impulsive than Cheng Weishan.
Lu Chao ignored his murderous aura. Still holding Cheng Yunsu’s hand, he asked in return, "I’ve killed many people. Which one was your grandson?"
Such arrogant words made Bai Wenrong completely snap. He screamed, "I’ll tear you to shreds!"
"Wenrong, don’t be rash!"
Cheng Weishan snapped back to his senses and rushed over to hold Bai Wenrong back.
But Lu Chao was already ignoring them. He and Cheng Yunsu turned their gazes to Cheng Chuming, who was still tied to the pillar.
Lu Chao was the first to speak. "Father-in-law, we have made you suffer. Xiao Su’er and I have returned."
