Sun Zhenwu’s expression was a bit cold, but he suddenly smiled and said excitedly, "Hang’Er, you’re better? So, you were saved after all. That’s wonderful, simply wonderful."
"What, you didn’t know he was still alive?"
Sun Zhenwu explained, "Although I had someone quickly sew his body back together, it was only to leave him with an intact corpse. I never expected him to open his eyes again. Sun Hang, you truly are the strongest young talent of the Sun Family. Your head was separated from your body for so long, yet your soul hadn’t dissipated. It’s so great that you’re still alive."
He stepped forward and helped Sun Hang down.
Gongsun Xin’s expression remained flat; he didn’t say much.
Sun Zhenwu’s words might have fooled the clueless onlookers, but fooling him was impossible. Sun Hang hadn’t been discovered at the Sun Family estate, but at the Pill Furnace Shop. At that time, Jing Zhiyuan had acted quickly, and Sun Hang had woken up shortly after. Instead of taking him away, Jing Zhiyuan chose to settle him at the Pill Furnace Shop. He was afraid that there would be too many prying eyes outside and someone would discover that Sun Hang was still alive.
In reality, this entire act had been directed and performed by Jing Zhiyuan and the Sun Family. When he was at the Sun Family estate, he initially claimed Sun Hang was dead to test their reaction. The angrier and more invested the Sun Family was, the better he could ally with them to extort a massive compensation from the Gongsun Family. However, before they took action, he had told Sun Zhenwu the truth.
"Before we go, there’s one more thing I need to tell you. Actually... Sun Hang is still alive. I managed to save him in time."
Jing Zhiyuan’s original plan was to demand the compensation they wanted, then intentionally release news claiming a miracle had occurred—that Sun Hang’s head was successfully reattached and he had come back to life after being dead for so long. By then, the Gongsun Family would be forced to swallow the bitter pill in silence. It would be impossible for them to ask for the compensated items back. But if the Gongsun Family had known from the beginning that Sun Hang wasn’t dead, even if they agreed to compensate, they wouldn’t offer anything of great value.
"Sun Hang, you scared me to death. It’s good that you’re alive. It’s good that you’re alive." The stern look on Jing Zhiyuan’s face finally relaxed. He pressed Sun Hang’s shoulders, tears faintly shimmering in his eyes, perfectly displaying their deep master-disciple bond.
Gongsun Xin quietly watched their performance. After a long while, he spoke. "Since Sun Hang isn’t dead, let’s discuss the compensation. Elder Jing, if you need any medicinal ingredients to consolidate his foundation and nourish his body, just ask. Let’s strive for Sun Hang’s speedy recovery. As for the Sun Family, I will compensate you with some resources, and we’ll leave the matter at that."
Jing Zhiyuan and Sun Zhenwu exchanged a glance, both of their expressions turning ugly. Could this even be considered compensation?
Sun Zhenwu took a step forward. "Although Sun Hang has miraculously come back to life, can this matter really just end like this? He almost died."
"I know. That’s why I’m giving you some resources as compensation."
"Is that really enough? Let alone making Ye Xuan kneel, an apology should at least be in order, right?"
Ye Xuan replied coldly, "Make me apologize? Keep dreaming. I did absolutely nothing wrong."
"You!"
Sun Zhenwu wanted to retort, but Gongsun Xin cut him off. "If Sun Hang were dead, I could have Ye Xuan apologize out of respect for the deceased. But he’s still alive. Since he’s alive, Ye Xuan has no need to apologize. I also happen to think that Ye Xuan did nothing wrong. As far as I know, he taught Sun Hang a lesson because Sun Hang insulted my little sister. Even I can’t bear to scold or hit her, so how dare he!"
Suddenly, a freezing aura erupted from Gongsun Xin’s body. This presence made everyone feel as though they had plunged into an icy cavern. Gongsun Xin was definitely at the Earth Spirit Realm. The implication behind his words was clear: he was going to protect Ye Xuan.
Sun Zhenwu’s expression shifted several times. Gongsun Xin’s attitude was unyielding, and his stance was obvious. If Sun Zhenwu didn’t know when to back down now, he wouldn’t be able to salvage his pride today. He glared at Sun Hang and asked, "Did this happen?"
"I..."
"Stuttering means it did. You bastard, you even dared to insult a member of the Gongsun Family? Are you trying to court death?" Having scolded him, Sun Zhenwu turned back to Gongsun Xin. "This whole matter is just a misunderstanding. Since Sun Hang is fine, we won’t intrude any longer. Let’s go."
He waved his hand and turned to leave.
"What, you don’t want the compensation anymore?" Gongsun Xin called out.
Sun Zhenwu didn’t answer, but his gaze was terrifyingly gloomy. Soon, the Sun Family disappeared from sight.
"Grandpa Zhenwu, are we just going to let this go? I almost died!" Sun Hang’s indignant voice finally rang out.
"What else can we do? By the way, how did you get here?"
Sun Hang said aggrievedly, "It’s not like I wanted to come! The Golden Armor Guards suddenly barged into the shop and carried me here by force."
Sun Zhenwu sighed. "Gongsun Xin’s mind is far too meticulous. He truly deserves to be the City Lord’s successor."
"Grandpa Zhenwu, I still can’t swallow this anger. I want to send a carrier pigeon and tell my grandfather about this."
"And what good will that do? If you were dead, we could have stirred up some trouble. But since you’re alive, what can we possibly do?"
"Grandpa Zhenwu, why does it feel like you actually wish I were dead?"
"You brat, stop talking nonsense out of spite. Rest assured, the Sun Family will absolutely not let this matter with the Gongsun Family slide. As long as we get the chance, we will definitely make them pay a heavy price."
Meanwhile, at the Gongsun Family estate.
Gongsun Xin looked at Jing Zhiyuan. "Elder Jing, are there any medicinal ingredients you require?"
Jing Zhiyuan waved his hand. "I still have some Elixirs on me to consolidate the foundation and nourish the body. There’s no need."
"That’s good. By the way, the Five-Colored Flower in my second brother’s courtyard has fully matured. I’ll have to trouble the Pill Master to refine this batch of ingredients into Demon Spirit Pills. I’ll have someone deliver the materials to you shortly. Sorry to trouble you, Pill Master."
"You’re too polite. This is what I ought to do. Since today’s matter is resolved, I’ll take my leave first." Saying this, Jing Zhiyuan headed deeper into the Gongsun Family estate.
After he left, Gongsun Xin addressed the members of the Gongsun Family, "Alright, everyone disperse. Ye Xuan, come with me to the main courtyard."
Ten minutes later, in the main courtyard’s hall, not only was Gongsun Xin present, but several Elders of the Gongsun Family were there as well.
"Uncle Xin, do you have something to ask me?"
Gongsun Xin nodded and got straight to the point. "Spit it out. Who is the expert guarding you? No one from the Gongsun Family is protecting you in secret."
"Uncle Xin, what expert? Jing Zhiyuan was just speaking nonsense." Ye Xuan still didn’t want to expose Blood Princess.
"He was speaking nonsense?" Gongsun Xin furrowed his brows.
Ye Xuan said with a straight face, "The person who cut off Sun Hang’s head was me. There is no expert."
"You mean Jing Zhiyuan is lying? But why would he lie?"
"How should I know? Maybe it’s because of his arrogance. He was right there, yet I still seized the opportunity to cut off Sun Hang’s head. He probably just doesn’t want to admit that fact."
As soon as Ye Xuan finished speaking, Gongsun Ancient Formula gave a cold shout. "Nonsense! Sun Hang’s cultivation is even stronger than Gongsun Po’s. How could you possibly kill him?"