Cultivators Are So Weak in This World-Chapter 275 - 251 Dormancy Part 1

In the backyard.

Zhang Rongfang’s expression was calm.

Looking at Sun Chaoyue, as beautiful as a blooming flower, now so shockingly poignant and pitiful.

He had to admit, Sun Qinghong, the former governor, truly understood a man’s heart thoroughly.

Making a once exalted young lady fall so low, to the point of being within easy reach, even doing the most humble tasks for oneself.

The mere thought was extremely stimulating.

The key point was.

This kind of method, if based on the premise that he and Sun Chaoyue were strangers, naturally wouldn’t be an issue.

He could completely accept it calmly.

But it was precisely because they knew each other and shared a circle of acquaintances.

This meant that Zhang Ying still had to maintain his dignity, and it was impossible to truly accept such a matter.

This was a case of retreating to advance.

Sun Qinghong had long been certain he wouldn’t comply with this request.

Yet, the Sun family’s low posture could perfectly arouse a man’s sympathy and lust.

With such a low attitude, it showed just how dire the Sun family’s situation is now.

And using the pitiful charm of a beautiful daughter to evoke a man’s desire and compassion.

Like this... for someone who cannot see through it, they might be completely deceived.

Might choose to take Sun Chaoyue into his house, turning her into a captive. Then the Sun family would rise through this....

This calculation....

Zhang Rongfang shook his head internally.

Actually, if Sun Qinghong hadn’t been so calculating, he might have helped out of goodwill.

But now...

"I will investigate the Sun family’s matter later." He slowly opened his mouth.

"As for you two...." His gaze fell on Sun Chaoyue at this moment.

It could be seen that they had come well-prepared and dressed this time.

Sun Chaoyue was wearing an off-shoulder red dress, with peony and Citong flower patterns embroidered on the bright red long dress. Inside was a white corset, barely covering most of her chest.

Her face was fiery red lips, her skin as smooth as cream, almond eyes, sword-like eyebrows, exuding both heroic spirit and deadly tenderness.

Coupled with her habitually developed nobility and pride over the years.

At this moment, this pride was completely shattered, that lost, bewildered, desperate and at a loss feeling.

Enough to arouse anyone’s sympathy.

Unfortunately....

"Sir, we are all sincere!!" Sun Qinghong said with heartfelt sincerity.

But Zhang Rongfang’s expression didn’t change, truly accepting Sun Chaoyue would prevent anyone from having her father do those lowly tasks again.

So what he said was just rhetoric and determination.

"For the sake of old times, if you wish, both of you can work under my Guardian Church Mansion’s industry.

As for anything else, there’s no need to mention it again."

He raised his hand, signaling to Sun Qinghong not to speak. Then his gaze fell on Sun Chaoyue.

"Whether the Sun family is colluding with the secret sect, this matter awaits investigation, and I will make a judgment afterward. But I believe Sun Chaoyue should be unaware of this. So... if she is willing, she can stay now.

The responsibility of the parents should not be borne by the next generation, if you truly love your daughter, you should know what choice to make?" He smiled.

Good fellow.... is he handing the right to choose back to me again!?

Sun Qinghong’s mind was racing with ideas.

The previous analysis and judgment about Zhang Ying were all overturned at this moment.

The meaning of that paragraph just now, clearly told him.

’I can protect Sun Chaoyue alone, as for you, you’re of no value, you return from where you came. When the time comes, I will act justly, putting all the family’s charges on you and solve them entirely. It will no longer affect future generations.

So, are you willing?’

This was the underlying meaning in Zhang Rongfang’s words.

Sun Qinghong knew he was facing two choices at the moment.

One: Agree to take on all the charges alone, then let his daughter wait for an opportunity to rise again later.

Two: Do not agree, continue to plead. Or take them back and find another way.

But at this moment, he had been pushed to a dead end. His daughter Sun Chaoyue was his greatest bargaining chip. If he lost her, he would have no chance to turn the tables again.

And such a choice would undoubtedly mean asking his daughter to give up this easy way out.

So Zhang Rongfang’s words, placed him on a roasting fire.

’If I agree, it means I die alone, and my daughter lives. She may try to save me, but the success rate is extremely low.’

’If I don’t agree, there is a high chance my daughter will have thoughts about it, causing a rift in our relationship...’

Sun Qinghong’s heart was in turmoil, he had always maintained the role of a good father, always thinking for his daughter.

But now....

The two of them, one kneeling and one standing, their thoughts were racing rapidly.

And Sun Chaoyue, on the side, still in a state of shame, embarrassment, and extreme awkwardness, failed to regain her composure.

She felt like a commodity waiting for sale, standing aside, quietly waiting for both sides to bid.

"The sinner... is willing to let Chaoyue stay." Sun Qinghong eventually sighed.... and uttered this heartfelt sentence.

He actually wanted to take them and leave. But.... thinking of Chaoyue from childhood, from innocent and adorable, to gradually blossoming, and now steadfast and beautiful.

Again and again, transforming.

He ultimately couldn’t bear to....

Zhang Rongfang originally assumed he would take them and leave.... but didn’t expect him to be willing to admit all the crimes himself...

"Since it’s your choice." He waved his hand.

Next, two officers came over to help Sun Qinghong up and left the backyard.

"Chaoyue!" Just before leaving.

Sun Qinghong suddenly shouted loudly.

"Live well!"

This sentence, like a bolt, directly struck Sun Chaoyue’s heart.

She suddenly raised her head and looked toward her father.

But the person was already out of sight, having reached the end of the corridor of the Daoist temple.

She rushed forward in a few steps, wanting to pursue.

But she was suddenly blocked by a figure.

Chen Han held out one hand to stop her.

"You should understand your father’s intention. The charges against the Sun family must be concluded." His tone carried a hint of nostalgia, as if recalling past events.

Zhang Rongfang was slightly surprised; Chen Han actually took the initiative to intervene.

This was the first time he had seen Chen Han show such obvious emotional fluctuation.

Sun Chaoyue was stiff all over, comprehending Chen He’s words.

She stood in place, suddenly turning her head to look at Zhang Rongfang, her beautiful eyes filled with pleading.

Zhang Rongfang shook his head slightly.

The Sun family held little value for him.

The matter of the secret teaching was strictly enforced by Great Spirit’s laws, and although he had the ability to help exonerate them, it wasn’t as easy as ordinary people imagined.

If discovered, it would be a leverage against him.

Thus, saving Sun Chaoyue alone could be excused as lust for beauty.

Saving the entire Sun family would be a futile effort.

Ultimately, in the Sun family, there was only one person of decent talent, still of Spirit People descent—Sun Chaoyue, who had some value.

The rest weren’t worth him paying a price to save.

"Take her down to rest." Zhang Rongfang casually instructed and turned to stroll away.

Public matters should be treated as such, and private matters kept private; Sun Chaoyue was now mingled with the public aspect.

So, he wouldn’t treat her the way he had before.

Watching Zhang Rongfang’s departing figure.

Sun Chaoyue’s eyes reddened, a trace of tears shimmering within.

’Alas....’ Chen Han sighed in his heart beside her.

"Do you still not understand? The master actually has the ability to save your father, but you are not of sufficient value for him to be willing to help. Saving you alone is the utmost benevolence."

"Value!?" Sun Chaoyue’s hands gradually clenched.

She stood in place, like a taut willow leaf.

"Indeed, the charge of colluding with the secret teaching is very difficult to handle. Even for the master, a price must be paid.

He cannot, without good reason, pay too much for your Sun family," Chen Han explained.

Having been with Zhang Rongfang for so long, he had a rough understanding of Zhang Rongfang’s basic thoughts.

"Indeed...without good reason, he truly has no need to sacrifice too much for us..." Sun Chaoyue understood...

"Actually, reaching this point has already been quite good for you." Chen Han said one last thing, instructing another servant girl to step forward and lead Sun Chaoyue away for grooming.

As long as Sun Chaoyue remained here, others would somewhat consider the Guardian Church Mansion, not overly troubling Sun Qinghong.

Value... Sun Chaoyue wandered in a daze, with only the last sentence flashing through her mind.

On the other side, after receiving her, Zhang Rongfang quickly put the matter behind.

Returning to his study, he personally ground ink and spread out paper brushes.

He carefully wrote about his recent status on the paper.

This letter was meant for his sister.

The general content was that he was transferred to Citong for duty, everything was well, with good salary and treatment. He urged his sister and her husband not to worry.

Additionally, he inquired about the situation of several people in Wushan Prefecture.

He further mentioned he would remain in Citong for a long time.

He finally included some small gifts, to be sent with the letter courier to ease their minds.

After finishing the letter, he changed to another sheet of paper to write to the subordinates in Wushan Prefecture.

Such as the adept Dangshanhu Ding Yu and Qingsu, certainly needed to be reassured.

Now in Wushan Prefecture, the previous Golden Wing Pavilion had been rebranded under the Great Dao Teaching’s banner, still entrusted to his charge under Zhang Ying.

This would ultimately belong completely to his personal forces in the future.

After finishing the letter again, Zhang Rongfang sealed both letters and had them sent out through the courier station.

And then there was Sun Chaoyue, whom he had just received.

Sun Chaoyue had decent foundations, coupled with her Spirit People identity, and her relation to the Sun family in Great Capital.

In the future, she might have utility value.

Whether to take her into his household, he wouldn’t force.

Unless Sun Chaoyue willingly and completely agreed, otherwise he would never wish someone who could share his bed to harbor too many designs within.

"With this, everything has been arranged, next comes dedicating himself to practicing Hard Skill, enhancing vitality."

He stood up, gazed out the window; outside, trees swayed, the room filled with the scent of spring, and for a moment, his heart brimmed with hope.

*

*

*

Time flies, years pass swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, half a year had elapsed.

In Great Spirit Huo Province, Dingyuan Road, Cheng’an Prefecture.

Bang!

In a narrow gray stone alley.

Cracked pavement bricks sprouted moss and weeds, walls covered with traces of writing scrawled in charcoal.

In the alley, beneath a window, a black wooden bucket was placed, filled with a viscous unknown liquid crawling with flies, emitting a vile stench.

Suddenly, the flies were startled into flight.

Several robust figures dressed in black, wearing pitch-black masks, swiftly arrived, blocking the alley from both ends.

Among them, a figure with a golden vertical line drawn on the forehead of their mask quickly moved to the middle of the alley, stopping before a closed wooden door.

He scanned the surroundings.

On the floor tiles to the right of the doorstep, there were faint traces of water that hadn’t dried completely.

From this angle, it seemed the person inside had poured out basin water for daily use.

"There’s someone inside, investigate!" the golden line figure commanded coldly.