TRWSB – Chapter 199 Jiang Family’s Reaction

Jiang Xingdong had only just returned to the Jiang family home when the gifts he and his son had sent to Elder Zuo Shanchi were returned.

“Father, what does Elder Zuo mean by this?” Jiang Yuan asked.

Jiang Xingdong took a deep breath and cursed angrily, “That old bastard! After taking so many benefits from me, now that something’s gone wrong, he hides as far away as he can!”

Jiang Yuan frowned. “He was still speaking nicely with us earlier. Why the sudden change? Did something happen?”

“Something did happen. After you left, Zuo Yunfei beat up Zuo Shanchi,” Jiang He said as he walked in.

Jiang Yuan looked at Jiang He, shocked. “Young Master, are you serious?”

Jiang He shot him an annoyed look. “Do you think I’d bother lying to you?”

Jiang Yuan sneered. “I never thought Jiang Jin was actually that good at seducing people. I used to think that skinny guy was useless, but I guess he had this kind of skill.”

Jiang He looked at Jiang Yuan and said, “What are you talking about?”

“What, he’s untouchable now? Can’t even talk about him?” Jiang Yuan replied impatiently.

Jiang He looked at him and said bluntly, “Let me be clear—Jiang Jin isn’t someone you can afford to offend now. In fact, no one in the Jiang family can. Qi Heng bribed all our suppliers and they’ve cut us off. If this continues, the entire Jiang family’s business will be affected.”

“What good does that do him?” Jiang Yuan asked, clearly confused.

Jiang He gave him a sidelong glance. “It doesn’t benefit him. But… he’s not short on money.”

Jiang Yuan muttered darkly, “That bastard.”

Jiang He rolled his eyes. “Instead of wasting time cursing people, why don’t you think of a solution?”

Jiang Yuan: “…”

Jiang He came and went quickly.

Jiang Yuan looked at his retreating figure, frustrated. “Father, the Jiang family treats us like the plague now. A bunch of spineless opportunists.”

“That Zuo Yunfei, he even beat up an elder from the Zuo family. No wonder people out there call him a madman,” Jiang Xingdong said.

“Father, what do we do now? The Jiang family isn’t reliable, and even that elder from the Zuo family doesn’t seem trustworthy,” Jiang Yuan said.

Night falls.

Qi Heng sat on a soft couch with his arms wrapped around his knees, his head buried against them.

“Young master…” Qi Heng murmured softly.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Things had taken a turn far beyond what he expected, and Qi Heng found himself at a loss.

“You guessed right—I’ve gone mad. You were right again—I like you. I really do.”

Qi Heng shook his head, but Zuo Yunfei’s words kept echoing in his ears. No matter what, he couldn’t shake them off.

He couldn’t help but wonder: Did Qi Shaorong see through everything from the start? Was that why he left him in Zuo Yunfei’s care? Does Zuo Yunfei really like me? What on earth does he even like about me?

Imperial Capital of Yuan Nation

Qi Shaorong, draped in a robe, stood in the courtyard.

Zhuang Hao walked over and looked at him. “What’s wrong?”

Qi Shaorong shook his head. “Nothing… I just feel like Qi Heng might be thinking of me.”

Zhuang Hao rolled his eyes. “You’re overthinking. It’s nighttime! He should be sleeping. How could he have time to think about you? If he’s thinking about anyone, it’s probably Zuo Yunfei!”

Qi Shaorong tilted his head. “Could Ah Heng be getting bullied by Zuo Yunfei?”

“How could he be? Zuo Yunfei looks like a pretty upright guy,” Zhuang Hao replied.

Qi Shaorong turned to him. “Zuo Yunfei looks upright to you?”

Zhuang Hao nodded. “Of course—he’s as straight as they come.”

Qi Shaorong muttered, “Why do I see him as sneakily devious?”

Zhuang Hao asked, baffled, “If you think he’s that shady, why’d you entrust Qi Heng to him?”

Qi Shaorong replied nonchalantly, “I don’t mind him being shady—as long as he treats Ah Heng well.”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

Jiang Family

“Patriarch, Qi Heng has contacted multiple merchants who do business with our Jiang family. It looks like he’s planning something big,” said Jiang Quan.

Jiang Dongming stroked his chin and said, “Indecision in crisis only leads to chaos. At this point, we must cut off the rot to save the limb.”

“You mean… we should eliminate Jiang Xingdong and his son?” Jiang Quan asked.

Jiang Dongming nodded. “Those two have thrown their weight around under the Jiang family’s name for far too long. It’s time they paid the price.”

“But if we do this, Elder Jiang Sizhong might object,” Jiang Quan warned.

Jiang Dongming replied coolly, “Things have come to this. I believe even Elder Jiang Sizhong will understand the family’s decision.”

“I suppose this is the only way. I heard that the Zuo family elder who was close to Jiang Xingdong was beaten up by Zuo Yunfei. That Zuo young master really is…” Jiang Quan shook his head.

Jiang Dongming took a deep breath. No matter how reckless or outrageous Zuo Yunfei was, his strength was undeniable—he couldn’t afford to offend him.

“Bring in Jiang Xingdong and his son,” Jiang Dongming ordered, eyes flashing with deadly intent.

Zuo Residence

“Heading out again?” Zuo Yunfei looked Qi Heng up and down.

Qi Heng nodded. “That’s right.”

“You in such a rush to wrap things up so you can hurry back to Qi Shaorong?” Zuo Yunfei leaned in and asked.

Qi Heng stared at him. “Are you jealous?”

“I…” Zuo Yunfei turned his head, annoyed. “Even if I am jealous, so what?”

“Nothing. Just a little dumb. The young master and Zhuang Shao are a couple—it’s got nothing to do with me,” Qi Heng said.

“Even so… you like him, don’t you?” Zuo Yunfei asked.

“I am grateful to the young master, but I don’t have those feelings for him,” Qi Heng said.

Zuo Yunfei tilted his head. “Then what kind of feelings do you have?”

“Why are you asking so much?” Qi Heng asked, annoyed.

Zuo Yunfei grumbled, “You already started saying it—what’s the point of stopping halfway?”

Qi Heng rolled his eyes. “I feel about the young master like you probably feel about your ancestors.”

Zuo Yunfei: “…You see Qi Shaorong as your ancestor?”

Qi Heng took a deep breath. “That’s one way to put it.”

“It’s about time—I have to go,” Qi Heng said.

Zuo Yunfei stood up. “I’ll go with you.”

Qi Heng turned to him. “Zuo Yunfei, yesterday you said you liked me. Were you serious, or just joking?”

Zuo Yunfei replied in a low voice, “Of course I was serious.”

Qi Heng took a deep breath. “Then why can’t I see it?”

“You…” Zuo Yunfei blurted, frustrated.

“I’ve never been liked before, but even I know this isn’t how it’s supposed to feel,” Qi Heng said.

Zuo Yunfei stared at him, face flushed with anger. “Is it because I haven’t dragged you into bed yet that you think I don’t like you enough?!”

Qi Heng looked at him, exasperated. “I’ve got other things to do—I’m not arguing with you.”

Qi Heng walked into the agreed-upon restaurant, only to be unexpectedly stopped by the Jiang family patriarch.

Qi Heng frowned at Jiang Dongming’s imposing stance.

“Lord Heng, may we talk?” Jiang Dongming asked.

Qi Heng gave him a cold glance, then nodded. “Alright.”

They found a private room and sat down.

“I heard you were once of the Jiang family,” Jiang Dongming said with a rueful smile. “To expel someone like you—a cultivator with a pure golden body—was a grave mistake on our elders’ part. We never imagined you’d grow this powerful.”

Qi Heng smiled faintly. “You flatter me, Patriarch Jiang.”

His smile was bitter—he felt like everything had changed.

Back then, Jiang Heng looked up to Jiang Dongming like an idol. Every time he saw him, he would be excited for days. As a child, Jiang Heng always said that if he could become as strong as Jiang Dongming, he wouldn’t be bullied anymore—and he could protect his older brother.

“What’s on your mind, Lord Heng? You’ve been staring at me,” Jiang Dongming asked.

“Nothing. Just thinking of my brother. He used to admire you so much. He always dreamed of being as strong as you. But… he died young,” Qi Heng said, somewhat lost in thought.

Jiang Dongming forced a smile. “I regret what happened to your brother. There were indeed issues with how our Jiang family was managed.”

Qi Heng closed his eyes. “He’s dead now. What’s the point in saying this?”

“You’re right. But even though it’s in the past, those responsible must still face consequences,” Jiang Dongming said seriously. “Bring them in.”

At his command, Jiang Xingdong and Jiang Yuan were dragged in.

Qi Heng’s eyes narrowed sharply—they were both missing an arm, and their cultivation had been destroyed.

He looked at the disheveled father and son, overwhelmed by complex emotions.

He still remembered how arrogant Jiang Xingdong used to be. Now, he looked like a stray dog, collapsed on the floor with all vitality gone—practically at death’s door. Strangely, Qi Heng felt no satisfaction.

Jiang Yuan glared at him with rage. Probably to prevent him from talking, his tongue had been cut out.

“What is this supposed to mean, Patriarch Jiang?” Qi Heng asked.

Jiang Dongming smiled faintly. “Back then, the family didn’t investigate properly. It’s too late for redemption now, but I hope this gesture eases your anger. The dead are gone—no matter what you do, your brother won’t return. At least the perpetrators have been punished. I hope Lord Heng can let this go.”

Qi Heng looked at him for a long time, then smiled. “Since Patriarch Jiang has said so, I won’t go too far.”

Jiang Dongming smiled. “Whenever you wish to return, the gates of the Jiang family are always open to you.”

Qi Heng smiled again. “Thank you, Patriarch Jiang. But the past is past. Since I was cast out long ago, I will never return—no matter what.”