Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Not Much Time Left

Zheng Qingqing had already lost her influence.

If she made another mistake and disheartened the family’s disciples, she would almost certainly find it difficult to regain power.

At this thought, the many Elders in her faction began sending her Sound Transmissions.

“Qingqing, where did you get this information?”

“Could someone be deliberately misleading you?”

“Qingqing, I suspect this is a setup by Zheng Lingfeng and Zheng Yang. The person who gave you the information might be one of their agents…”

They were all growing anxious.

They wanted to know where exactly Zheng Qingqing had gotten her information.

If Zheng Qingqing would just tell them, they could shift the blame to that person and pull her out of this mess.

But Zheng Qingqing remained tight-lipped and refused to reveal Li Chang’an’s identity.

Seeing this, Zheng Yang grew even more confident.

He forced a few tears into his eyes.

“Ancestor, you have to believe me! I’m not that kind of person! If I’ve done a single thing to betray the family, may I die a horrible death!”

His voice turned mournful, as if he were suffering from immense grief.

Hearing this, Zheng Lingfeng spoke up again to accuse Zheng Qingqing.

The Elders in his faction also voiced their support.

It looked as though this confrontation was about to turn into a unified denunciation of Zheng Qingqing.

Just then, a powerful Foundation Establishment aura permeated the air, and the entire hall instantly fell silent.

Everyone understood.

Ancestor Zheng Yuandao was about to speak.

“Enough. There’s no need to argue further.”

His tone was indifferent, showing no trace of favoritism.

Zheng Lingfeng and his supporters were secretly hopeful that Zheng Yuandao would punish Zheng Qingqing.

After all, Ancestor Zheng Yuandao was known throughout the family for his fairness; he wouldn’t even show favoritism to his own direct descendants.

However, Zheng Yuandao spoke again. “As it happens, I obtained a Heart-Questioning Stone in a Secret Realm. It is an ancient Treasure that can question a Cultivator’s true heart and determine if they are lying.”

Hearing this, everyone was stunned.

A trace of disbelief flashed across Zheng Lingfeng’s face.

Zheng Yang, however, trembled. It felt as if he’d been plunged into an icy cavern. His confidence vanished, instantly replaced by terror.

Because he really had betrayed the family!

The reason no issues were found with the Array was just as Zheng Qingqing had suspected.

He hadn’t had a chance to tamper with it before Zheng Qingqing had him apprehended!

Originally, he had been secretly delighted, thinking he could bluff his way through.

But the appearance of the Heart-Questioning Stone shattered any hope of getting away with it.

“Zheng Yang, I will now ask you a few questions. Don’t overthink them; simply answer from your heart.”

Zheng Yuandao said slowly.

Then, a fist-sized, rainbow-colored stone flew out of his Storage Pouch and hovered in front of Zheng Yang.

Along with it came a terrifying, oppressive pressure.

Zheng Yang’s breath caught in his throat.

It felt as though a great mountain was crushing him.

’What do I do…?’

A sense of despair rose within him.

Before the Heart-Questioning Stone, his betrayal of the family would surely be exposed.

When that happened, his death was certain.

But he really didn’t want to die!

“Ancestor, you must believe me! Everything I said before was the absolute truth, without a single lie!”

Zheng Yang cried, tears streaming down his face as he shouted, putting every ounce of his effort into his performance.

At the same time, he carefully scanned his surroundings.

’I can’t just wait here to die!’ he thought frantically.

’I only have one chance!’

“We’ll know whether it’s true or false as soon as I ask.”

Zheng Yuandao’s tone remained calm.

He was just about to begin his questioning.

But…

At that very moment,

A savage look flashed across Zheng Yang’s face. His Qi suddenly surged, and he instantly broke free of his bonds, lunging toward the nearest family Elder.

If he could take this man hostage, he would have a chance to survive.

“Look out!”

The Elder’s face fell.

Just moments before, he had been speaking in Zheng Yang’s defense.

He never imagined…

…that Zheng Yang would suddenly lash out and attack him!

“Hmph!”

Zheng Yuandao’s eyes turned to ice as he snorted coldly.

Without any visible movement from him,

Zheng Yang was sent flying backward as if struck by a heavy blow. He crashed hard against the far wall before collapsing to the floor.

Only then did many of the people present react.

“Zheng Yang, you…”

They all stared, wide-eyed.

This was especially true for the many Elders who had previously spoken in his support.

Now, they were all in disbelief, too shocked to speak.

After a long moment,

one of them pointed a trembling finger at him and roared, “You animal! Did you really betray the family and collude with the Cao Family? What did they give you?”

“Heh…”

Zheng Yang’s expression was bleak. He knew he wasn’t going to make it out of this alive.

With his mouth full of blood, he gave a miserable laugh. “From the time we were children, all the honor and praise went to Zheng Qingqing! I was like a stray dog on the street, never once valued by any of you! Am I only fit to be a nobody?”

“You animal! The family put you in charge of the Array! Is that not valuing you?”

“Not enough!”

Zheng Yang roared, his face contorted as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

He tried to say more,

but with a casual wave of his hand, Zheng Yuandao knocked him unconscious.

“Alright. Take him to the dungeons. We will interrogate him at length later.”

“Yes, Ancestor.”

The family guards obeyed, grabbing the unconscious Zheng Yang and dragging him out.

It was only then that the numerous Elders from the opposing faction began to apologize to Zheng Qingqing.

Though they were from a different faction, they had to admit that Zheng Qingqing was indeed very capable.

Even Zheng Lingfeng bowed his head.

He glanced out of the corner of his eye in the direction Zheng Yang had been taken, his expression uneasy.

After a moment,

the matter was officially concluded.

The others departed one by one.

Soon, only Zheng Yuandao and Zheng Qingqing were left in the great hall.

“Qingqing, is there anything else?”

Zheng Yuandao asked with a gentle smile, his tone amiable.

Zheng Qingqing, looking thoughtful, voiced the doubt in her mind. “Ancestor, that stone… was it really a Heart-Questioning Stone?”

Hearing this,

Zheng Yuandao fell silent for a moment.

He sighed and shook his head slightly.

“You are a clever child. There is no Heart-Questioning Stone. That was merely a Confusing Stone.”

“A Confusing Stone?”

“Correct.”

Zheng Yuandao did not hide the truth from her.

The Confusing Stone.

It’s a type of Treasure used to muddle a Cultivator’s mind.

“I used this Treasure to muddle Zheng Yang’s mind and control him.”

Zheng Yuandao explained his original plan.

“Even if Zheng Yang had been innocent, I would have made him confess that he was guilty, thereby cementing his crime of betraying the family!”

“Ancestor, you…”

Zheng Qingqing was stunned.

Her lips parted slightly, but for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

Zheng Yuandao just smiled without further explanation and turned to leave.

“Good child, reach Foundation Establishment soon. My time is running out.”

…

「That night.」

Qinghe Marketplace was peaceful.

Li Chang’an waited anxiously until dawn, finally letting out a slow sigh of relief.

’It seems Zheng Qingqing succeeded.’

Sure enough,

not long after,

Zheng Qingqing arrived in the courtyard to express her gratitude to Li Chang’an.

“Daoist Li, you have done my Zheng Family a great service. How can I possibly thank you?”

“It was nothing.”

Li Chang’an said with a smile, pouring a cup of tea for Zheng Qingqing.

“Young Miss, I have a small favor to ask.”