"Speak quickly." Zheng Li commanded sharply. Because his daughter was assassinated, his mood was very low, but beneath the sadness was anger; anger at the murderer’s actions. The Zheng Family had never suffered such humiliation, especially without clear reason. However, now they had found the source of this badge, which ant they could trace it back to the murderer. Everyone leaned closer to the table upon hearing there was a clue.
"It’s from foreign Underworld forces, the badge of the Moon God Temple." The elder, intimidated by Zheng Li’s imposing presence, said tremblingly, and then imdiately withdrew.
"It’s true, Family Head. This is indeed the symbol of the Moon God Temple." An elder sitting on the left said. The badge had a curved crescent moon; no family within the country had a crest like this.
"In addition, we’ve analyzed the Eldest Young Miss’s wound and simulated the appearance of the murder weapon. It resembles the weaponry of the Moon Guards closely. They must be the ones." As everyone spoke over one another, Zheng Li suddenly shouted, demanding silence from the crowd.
"Family Head, the leader of the Moon God Temple, the Moon God, is Ji Qian, the Eldest Young Miss of the Ji Family in Yanjing. She only recently returned to the Ji Family."
"Does she know Ruo’er?" Zheng Li questioned coldly.
"Family Head, openly they may not know each other, but it is hard to say secretly. Foreign underground forces have long penetrated into Huaxia, with people in every city. Perhaps Ji Qian and the Eldest Young Miss had a falling out in the past, and she held a grudge, waiting until the Eldest Young Miss was off-guard to assassinate her."
"Family Head, the Eldest Young Miss’s death must be connected to the Moon God Temple and that woman Ji Qian."
"Family Head, I request permission to forcefully enter the Ji Family and deliver justice for the Eldest Young Miss." The crowd exclaid one after another, with so even suggesting to "wash with blood" the Ji Family.
"No matter what, I must go to the Ji Family in Yanjing for justice." Zheng Li’s expression was icy cold. "If this vendetta does not get avenged, I swear I won’t consider myself human."
"Father, please wait a mont." A man walked in from outside, looking like a young man of about twenty-five years old.
"Ji’er, why have you co?" Zheng Li was sowhat surprised. The man was nad Zheng Ji, the only son of Zheng Li, and Zheng Ruo’s brother.
"Greetings, Eldest Young Master." The elders slightly bowed to the man.
"Father, elders, I have heard all about the situation." Zheng Ji’s face showed so anxiety; it seed he had hurriedly co over.
"The Eldest Young Miss was tragically assassinated. Since you have heard about it, you must have co to ’request battle,’ correct?" An elder asked.
"No, I have not co to ’request battle.’" Zheng Ji resolutely refused, surprising everyone with his words.
"Ji’er, your sister was assassinated. Are you not sad?" Zheng Li’s tone was sowhat cold; he seed a bit displeased. A family mber was murdered, one would expect to be angry enough to wish to tear the murderer apart, and yet Zheng Ji was not here to ’request battle for revenge,’ which displeased the crowd.
"Of course I’m sad, but if we rashly make decisions, we might not find the real murderer nor get revenge for my sister. Instead, we may fall into soone else’s trap." Zheng Ji picked up the badge from the table.
"I had my trusted aide investigate this, and indeed it is the badge of the Moon God Temple. However, this does not an the murderer is the Moon Guards." Zheng Ji addressed the crowd, and to make his point more convincing, he deliberately raised his volu and emphasized key words.
"What do you an?" Zheng Li’s expression slightly changed as he continued speaking.
"Father, elders, if you were an assassin planning to escape the Zheng Family successfully and undetected, why would you leave behind a badge that directly proves your identity?" Zheng Ji’s words were firm and powerful. The previously arguntative crowd fell silent.
"There are signs of a fight at the scene, and the badge was tightly clenched in the Eldest Young Miss’s hand, likely pulled off the murderer during the struggle." An elder countered.
"Yes, Elder Lu is right, Family Head. This badge was gripped tightly in the Eldest Young Miss’s hand and was intended as intelligence for us." Another elder agreed.
"This..." Zheng Li suddenly felt conflicted. Both sides had valid points, and Zheng Li, already engulfed by the pain of his daughter’s loss, struggled to think calmly. With both sides adamantly defending their views, he found it hard to judge.
"Father, Ji Qian is now the Eldest Young Miss of the Ji Family and is in Yanjing, a place of great power. If we act rashly, it will be fruitless revenge. Moreover, if the murderer isn’t Ji Qian, the Ji Family won’t take the bla." Zheng Ji continued.
"Eldest Young Master, the Ji Family is certainly linked to the assassination of the Eldest Young Miss. She was inherently peaceful, charitable, without enemies, and offended no one; there was no motive to kill her."
"Yes, I’ve heard the Eldest Young Miss traveled to Europe several tis, possibly clashing with the Moon God Temple there."
The elders countered, sparking another round of debates.
"Enough, all of you, be quiet." Zheng Li shouted again, bringing silence to the group as they apprehensively settled back into the central wooden chair. Zheng Li sat up, resting his arm against his head, feeling sowhat powerless as he glanced at the elders on both sides. His forrly proud and imposing presence disappeared, now resembling more a weary old man.
"In a few weeks, there will be an auction eting, where all Huaxia families will be present. The Ji Family will certainly attend, and at that ti, I will personally negotiate with Ji Tao." Zheng Li finally made a decision. He wasn’t a foolish person, nor was he rash like a reckless man. If such an event happened to an ordinary father, he might rush to the Ji Family angrily, but Zheng Li still maintained a "baseline of rationality." Zheng Ji’s words indeed swayed him. Could such a coincidence truly occur in this world? This felt more like a fra-up.
"Family Head, even if you go, you should take family Death Soldiers with you. Once we confirm it was the Ji Family, we will imdiately execute them for revenge for the Eldest Young Miss." The middle-aged man called Elder Lu added.
"Alright, that’s the plan." Zheng Li waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to withdraw. Just as Zheng Ji was about to leave, Zheng Li stopped him.
"Ji’er, co with ." Zheng Li said casually. The two of them walked into the Zheng Family’s secret chamber, where the large central chamber held Zheng Ruo’s coffin.
"What do you think of the Ji Family?"
"Family Head Ji Tao is renowned for his virtue and righteousness, his conduct impeccable, and outsiders speak highly of him. I deduce he would never commit such acts. As for Ji Qian, she has only recently returned to Huaxia, making it even more unlikely."
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