Chapter 82: Chapter 76: Zheng Clan’s Tiger Den, Storm of Succession

The Second Prince was pouring out his grievances. When he looked up, he saw Zheng Xiu had a strange expression, as if he were trying to suppress a laugh.

It looked like he was having a hard time holding it in.

"Your Highness, please wait a moment!"

Zheng Xiu held up a hand, stopping the Second Prince from saying more.

The Second Prince: "?"

"Let me... get this straight."

’So, the Second Prince is saying that ever since I made my fortune, my Zheng Family started mass-producing Miracle Masters?’

’And their numbers grew and grew, to the point where certain people started to get scared?’

’Over the years, people have been sneaking into the Zheng Family estate, wanting to string me up from a lamppost, but they were all taken care of in secret?’

’Is Qing Pi really this effective?’

Zheng Xiu’s expression was peculiar. For a moment, he found it hard to believe.

The world had changed in twists and turns, but unexpectedly, the more it changed, the more absurd his Zheng Family became.

He used to be the Richest Person.

Now, not only was he the Richest Person, but the Zheng Family estate had become a tiger’s den in the eyes of many.

But...

On second thought, it seemed to make sense.

The core of perceiving the Path was the acting method.

The more focused a person was in a certain field, the more they followed its rules, the easier it was for them to step onto the Path.

Of course, it was a matter of probability, but the more dedicated one was to playing a certain role, the higher that probability became.

Back when he was building his fortune, he had indeed spent a great deal of money to recruit many professional talents from all walks of life.

Zheng Xiu even held them to the standards of modernized production. Take his first successful venture, the Fragrant Pavilion, for example. From the very beginning, he demanded that his chefs cook scientifically, comparing the flavors produced by various combinations.

For instance: what did a quarter-spoon of salt taste like versus a half-spoon? What was the optimal stewing time for a dish? What was the best shape to cut the meat into? The names of the dishes had to be exquisite, the plating had to have an artistic conception and charm, and all this would be summarized into the most perfect recipes to crush the competition.

Another example was the Zheng Clan’s "professional beatdown" service. He would instruct them on which parts of the body to hit so the target would scream the most miserably and look the most swollen, but in the end, feel no pain. Both sides paid, and everyone was happy.

Or take the girls who sang and played instruments on the Painted Boats. He used to personally go and listen, advising them on the best spot to sing from for the best acoustics, the best reverberation.

The skills of the girls at Heaven on Earth were personally guided by Zheng Xiu, step-by-step. He would personally instruct the girls on what to wear, which colors to choose, and what tone of voice to use to best arouse mankind’s primal interests.

Year after year, his industries, under his guidance, had exceeded expectations and advanced towards becoming an entire industrial chain.

He was so meticulous about details that even the relief carvings on the Pillars in front of Heaven on Earth could make people click their tongues in admiration, their minds reeling with fantasies.

For his Thousand-Mile Eye and Sharp-Eared agents, Zheng Xiu demanded they remain hidden and communicate using whistles.

For the Brotherhood, Zheng Xiu required them to wear uniform clothing and accessories, and to shout a fixed slogan before taking action.

He used to always say: "In our Zheng Family, whatever we do, we must be the most professional. Otherwise, don’t do it at all."

Everyone knew that he, Zheng Xiu, was a man of high standards. But all the tradesmen who made a living under him respected him.

Because although Master Zheng’s demands were strict, the money he paid was at least double what other employers in the same line of work offered.

Who would argue with money?

Besides, everyone in the Zheng Clan’s industries knew that Master Zheng was usually kind and treated people well. If anyone’s family had a problem, he would be the first to show concern, displaying the full measure of a master’s grace.

They didn’t know this was just basic procedure for a capitalist.

Thus, before the butterfly effect, Zheng Xiu’s demands and recruitment had created a group of the most elite figures in their respective industries.

But after the butterfly effect, these same demands and standards had instead created a group of obscure Miracle Masters who had stepped onto the Path.

What Zheng Xiu didn’t know was that this was also why the Raven disturbance started by the Zheng Family had alarmed the entire city’s Night Guard and the Constellations.

Even the likes of Upper Three Feng Bei would knock politely when entering the Zheng Family estate.

So that’s how it was!

Path Cultivation hinged on a single principle: cultivation. The more one wanted to go down a Deep Path, the more one had to obey the rules and deeply cultivate their own trade.

They were getting paid while they cultivated, so naturally, they couldn’t be happier.

’And so, over time, a super-organization of Miracle Masters named the "Zheng Clan" was formed?’

Zheng Xiu pieced it all together. ’It’s absurd,’ he thought, ’but it’s the most likely reason.’

The myriad, tangled changes all traced back to one source—it was all a matter of timing! Everything had fallen into place so perfectly!

It was all because of Master Zheng!

Understanding the entanglement of causes and effects, Zheng Xiu had an epiphany.

He remembered Twenty-Eight Constellations Bi Shui and the practiced way they took the money after the Spirit Suppression.

This made Zheng Xiu wonder, ’Is it possible that for those Path-walkers under the Zheng Clan’s banner, even "getting paid for a job" has become a kind of "rule"?’

’They *have* to take my, Master Zheng’s, money?’

’What goes around, comes around!’

This was truly a case of accidentally planting a willow and getting a forest!

But.

Zheng Xiu still had one question: what did any of this have to do with his imprisonment?

’Has someone gotten antsy?’

After briefly sorting out the cause and effect, Zheng Xiu suppressed his surprise. He thought for a moment, then said calmly, "Then why did you deliberately frame me and have me thrown in prison?"

"Us?" the Second Prince exclaimed. "Do you truly believe it was ’us’?"

"Who else?"

The Second Prince gave another bitter smile. "Of course! This truly is a masterstroke, killing three birds with one stone!"

Whenever the Second Prince wore this expression, Zheng Xiu couldn’t help but recall the time the Prince, face dark with anger, had asked him, "Do you know how to write the word ’death’?"

’It’s so strange.’

’I’m not quite used to this.’

"Your Highness, please elaborate."

The Second Prince gave Zheng Xiu a strange look, wondering inwardly if he was truly ignorant or just playing dumb. But he still said, "First, it sows suspicion among the three of us brothers. Second, it provokes your Zheng Clan family members into making a move. And third, once your family acts, my Father Emperor will no longer have any reason to ignore the Zheng Clan!"

Zheng Xiu secretly shook his head. ’No, that’s not right.’

A strange question occurred to him.

’If my Zheng Clan has really become as powerful as the Second Prince claims, how could someone with Old Wei’s personality just sit back and watch?’

’Why did I go to prison so obediently in the first place?’

’And why have Qing Shisan and the others been so slow to break me out?’

’From Old Wei’s Three Questions of the Emperor during the first playthrough, I know he’s extremely cunning. How could he possibly sit by and watch the Zheng Clan grow bigger and stronger?’

’Wait a minute.’

’Could it be... Zheng Shan?’

’The legend Zheng Shan left behind?’

Zheng Xiu’s heart leaped at this possibility, but his face remained impassive.

’That’s right! Besides Feng Bei, Wei Chen also survived back then!’

Zheng Xiu had long suspected that the birth of Ye Weiyang was related to either Wei Chen or Feng Bei. Now that Feng Bei was merely Upper Three within Ye Weiyang, could it be that the person who founded Ye Weiyang was Wei Chen?

’If Wei Chen is the Leader behind Ye Weiyang, then it all makes sense. Like Feng Bei, he would know that I, Zheng Xiu, have an uncle who was absurdly powerful twenty years ago. Is that why he doesn’t dare to move rashly against the Zheng Family?’

’But how can I get the Second Prince to let something slip about this?’

’Should I just ask Feng Bei later?’

The moment he thought of the way Feng Bei stared at him, Zheng Xiu felt a headache coming on. He had no idea how to explain everything that had happened at the Immortal Maiden Temple.

His story was good enough to fool Yue Yan and Dou Xie, but Feng Bei had personally seen Zheng Shan twenty years ago in Baili Village. The simple explanation of being an Innate Mystic would hardly be enough to explain the ferocious appearance of Zheng Er, which was almost identical to Zheng Shan’s.

While Zheng Xiu was thinking, the Second Prince suddenly lowered his voice. "I know you, Marquis, still have your doubts, but believe me, putting you in prison brings the three of us brothers no benefit whatsoever! Since you are suspicious, our enemy’s goal has been achieved! Even my Father Emperor believes that one of us three brothers made a move against you! To test your intentions!"

Zheng Xiu listened in silence.

"But!" The Second Prince’s breathing grew ragged, his expression twisted. He paused for a long moment before revealing his true purpose for coming tonight. "Even if you don’t believe me, Marquis, I must tell you! Tonight, someone instructed that man named Chen to flog you. But before he could act, a letter explaining the whole situation was delivered to the desk in my bedchamber! It forced me to come here and stop it!"

"If you were to suffer such a great injustice, or if you were beaten to death, the Imperial City would surely descend into chaos!"

"Even my Father Emperor would suspect the three of us!"

"None of the three of us want to see anything happen to you, Marquis! So much so that even knowing we were being used as pawns, we had no choice but to come to Heaven-Gazing Prison and prevent this!"

"Right now, in the Imperial Capital, there are only two groups that can move freely in and out of the Imperial City and treat the Imperial Guard within the palace as if they’re nothing. The first is your Brotherhood, Marquis! As for the second... I’m sure you have a good idea who it is!"

Zheng Xiu was taken aback, his expression one of slight shock. "Are you talking about... Ye Weiyang?"

When Zheng Xiu said the name "Ye Weiyang," the Second Prince’s face twisted into a "so you really were playing dumb with me, you bastard" expression. He continued, "Yes! The Marquis’s mind is as clear as day after all, able to distinguish right from wrong!"

Zheng Xiu frowned. "But you came..."

"There isn’t much time! Marquis, have you forgotten what you and my Father Emperor discussed during your long talk that night?"

Zheng Xiu faltered. He originally knew, but now he wasn’t sure what he and Old Wei had actually talked about that night.

’Since Old Wei is in good health, he naturally wouldn’t have asked about any Immortality Secret Technique.’

Seeing Zheng Xiu play dumb again, the Second Prince gritted his teeth. "Did my Father Emperor ask you which of us three brothers is fit to ascend the Emperor’s throne?"

Zheng Xiu remained silent.

The Second Prince’s face was grim. He stared fixedly into Zheng Xiu’s eyes and lowered his voice. "Did you, or did you not, answer that all three of us have the bearing of a Great Emperor?"

Zheng Xiu’s eyes widened.

The Second Prince clenched his teeth so hard they drew blood. "But you don’t know, Marquis, that your thoughtless answer is going to get all three of us killed! It’s forcing us to fight to the death!"

"Ah?" The more the Second Prince spoke, the more plausible it sounded. And it was true that he had answered about them having the bearing of a Great Emperor. However, Zheng Xiu wasn’t sure if the context was the same as before, so he asked tentatively, "How so?"

"My Father Emperor has already decided that at next year’s Ancestor Worship Ceremony on the third day of the third month,"

The Second Prince took several deep breaths before finally speaking the two words that carried the most weight tonight.

"Appoint Heir!"