Chapter 193: A Strategy to Pierce the Heart
After confronting Zheng Jia Lao Tai Po for a while, the Refined Elder ultimately chose to retreat—for now.
First, they were both within the city walls. If the two Xian Tian Jing clashed here, the resulting chaos would inevitably endanger nearby civilians. Should that happen, they would both face accountability from Sheng Shan Jin Ling—possibly even arrest and imprisonment. Though he had justification, the Old Woman had not yet actually performed Living Human Sacrifice. In the end, it would likely be a case of "both sides at fault," with neither spared blame.
Second, the Refined Elder had seen madness and unwavering resolve in Zheng Jia Lao Tai Po’s eyes. He could sense that if he truly tried to stop her, she would fight back with reckless abandon. She had but a few years left to live—she had nothing left to lose. But the Elder wasn’t willing to throw his life away for her fanaticism.
So he stepped back.
Before leaving, he offered one last warning:
"Zheng Elder, Living Human Sacrifice is too cruel. It defies Heaven’s will and erodes one’s virtue. You are dragging the Zheng Family toward eternal ruin. I urge you to reconsider."
"Hmph! You cowardly old fool, if you’re too afraid, then scram—don’t stand here blocking my view! And which of your eyes saw me performing a Living Human Sacrifice? I’m merely dealing with a few disobedient servants. Even if Sheng Shan sends envoys, they can’t interfere with Zheng Jia affairs!"
The Old Woman’s voice was cold, dismissive.
The Refined Elder sighed. He knew then that she was beyond reason—completely consumed by her obsession.
He turned and walked away.
Watching his retreating back, the Old Woman’s gaze flickered with contempt.
These so-called elders in the city—back when her eldest son had been murdered by that foreign Xian Tian Jing, she had come to them, pleading for their help, begging them to join her in vengeance. But each had made excuses, refused to act.
If they had only helped back then, she wouldn’t have been left so grievously wounded, her lifespan so severely diminished.
Now? She was simply punishing a few unruly servants—and they all came rushing out like moral guardians.
A pack of hypocrites. Pah.
The Refined Elder walked home with a heavy heart. Suddenly, his expression shifted. He turned toward a distant tower.
On its peak stood an old man with silver hair and a youthful face, and beside him, a middle-aged man with skin as pale as jade, both smiling serenely.
“You’ve come too,” the Refined Elder said, his body flickering forward in a few agile leaps, landing beside them on the rooftop.
“With your Xian Tian Pressure spreading across nearly half of Fu Cheng, how could we not?” the silver-haired elder said with a sigh. “Lin Brother, why must you provoke her? You know her temper—she’s not the woman we once knew.”
“But she’s planning Living Human Sacrifice,” the Refined Elder replied. “Such a method is inhumane, disrupts the balance of Heaven and Earth. Sheng Shan will not overlook this. If it comes to light, the entire Zheng Family will be dragged down.”
“Then let her do it,” the pale-faced man shrugged. “If she wants to drag Zheng Jia to its doom, can you really stop her?”
The Refined Elder shook his head, silent.
But the silver-haired elder understood his inner turmoil. He and Zheng Jia Lao Tai Po, along with the late Zheng Jia Lao Zu, had once been close friends in their youth. Bonds forged in shared ideals. Yet over time, ideological differences and life’s hardships had driven them apart. Still, the Refined Elder carried that old friendship in his heart.
The pale-faced man, being younger, didn’t grasp such nuances.
“Lin Brother,” the elder said gently, “I know you still hold onto our old promise. But you must see—she’s changed. She’s no longer the noble, righteous maiden we once knew. Now she’s cruel, fanatical, merciless. She’s a different person entirely.”
The Refined Elder remained silent. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly.
“I know that. But even if I do nothing for her, I must stop this. You didn’t see the victims—there were infants less than a year old. How can I live with myself if I stand by?”
“You’re overthinking it,” the pale-faced man said. “Don’t forget Cheng Zhu Fu is still in charge. Our city lord isn’t weak. If she truly attempts Living Human Sacrifice, he won’t sit idly by. Otherwise, how can he command respect across Cang Zhou?”
The Refined Elder paused. His eyes flickered with sudden clarity.
Though the clash between Zheng Jia Lao Tai Po and the Refined Elder had not erupted into violence, their words had already reached many ears.
And so, the rumor began to spread through Fu Cheng—whispered in alleyways and taverns:
Zheng Jia Lao Zu Zong is preparing to perform Living Human Sacrifice, to honor her recently deceased grandson.
“Yuan Hao,” Zheng Fu said coldly, turning to her son, “did you find anything on the man who killed Yu Er?”
“Mother,” Zheng Jia Zhu hesitated. “I’ve mobilized every resource in the household, but there’s not even a trace. All we know is that the killer was a Black-Clothed Warrior—skilled in hidden weapons and martial arts, a Wu Dao Zong Shi. But his identity… nothing. He seems to have appeared out of nowhere. There’s no record of him anywhere in Cang Zhou.”
“No leads? So Yu Er died in vain?”
“Not at all, Mother. It’s just… he’s too elusive. Even our best efforts can’t uncover anything.”
“Your household can’t find him? Then why not seek help elsewhere? Qi Sha Lou lost one of its outposts. Didn’t that spark any reaction? Why not go to Qi Sha Lou and investigate?”
Zheng Jia Zhu froze. He hadn’t thought of that.
Seeing his son’s blank expression, the Old Woman’s disappointment deepened.
If my eldest were still alive, he wouldn’t have missed such a simple idea.
“You’re right, Mother,” Zheng Jia Zhu snapped back into focus. “I’ll send someone to Qi Sha Lou at once.”
“Hmph.” She gave a curt nod.
Silence fell once more.
After a long pause, Zheng Jia Zhu recalled another report from a spy. He hesitated, then spoke.
“Mother… there’s a rumor spreading through the city. People say Zheng Jia plans to perform Living Human Sacrifice. If this grows too loud, it could seriously harm our family’s reputation.”
“Is that so?” The Old Woman’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Perfect. Exactly what I want.”
She wasn’t surprised—she was pleased.
“I want this rumor to spread. Everywhere. I want it to reach every corner of Cang Zhou. The man who killed Yu Er claimed he was fighting for justice—for the fallen entertainers of the district. If he’s such a righteous hero, then let him watch as countless others suffer for his cause. I’ll see if he still dares to step forward.”
“Mother… you…” Zheng Jia Zhu was stunned. He never expected her plan to be so calculated.
“Don’t worry,” she said, her voice icy. “I still have my wits. I’m not so senile as to actually carry out such a sacrilege. Just follow my orders. Prepare everything as I said.”
“Yes, Mother. I’ll see to it at once!” Zheng Jia Zhu bowed and left, relieved.
He didn’t see the cold, venomous gaze that suddenly flashed in his mother’s eyes—sharp, unforgiving, and utterly devoid of mercy.
(End of Chapter)
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