Fang Shuwen had come to Flying Snow City this evening for one reason: the Seven-String Ancient Chapter.

It wasn’t that he planned to keep it for himself; he couldn’t care less about its supposed opportunities or secrets.

After all, in his eyes, no opportunity could ever compare to his system.

But this was bait, bait that would be enough to drive those people in red into a frenzy.

As long as he had this item, he wouldn’t have to go looking for them. They would gather around him on their own, saving him a great deal of effort.

However, the item was indeed a hot potato.

He would just use it for a bit. Once he was done, he could toss it aside and let whoever wanted it fight over it.

But that was for *after* he was done with it, not now.

Wu Lingxiao was taken aback for a moment, surprised that Fang Shuwen would refuse. But he didn’t take offense, simply nodding his head.

"In that case, I’ll just give this Seven-String Ancient Chapter to you."

Fang Shuwen: "?"

The many Jianghu experts present: "?"

After a brief silence, an uproar erupted.

’On what grounds?’

’Who the hell is this kid?’

’That’s the Seven-String Ancient Chapter! And Wu Lingxiao is just giving it away?’

’Why not give it to me?’

The crowd’s gazes burned as they stared at Fang Shuwen, having completely forgotten their plan from moments ago to join forces, kill Wu Lingxiao, and then decide the owner of the Seven-String Ancient Chapter.

Fang Shuwen hadn’t expected Wu Lingxiao to be so straightforward either.

However, while this was unexpected, since Wu Lingxiao was so willing to help him achieve his goal, Fang Shuwen didn’t mind going with the flow.

He immediately smiled and said,

"Since this is City Lord Wu’s kind offer, then I shall gratefully accept."

"Absolutely not!"

Liu Qi, who had been taciturn ever since discovering Wu Lingxiao was unharmed, suddenly roared in anger, 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"The Seven-String Ancient Chapter is an heirloom of our Flying Snow City! How can it be given to an outsider?

"A bastard is a bastard... You’re trying to destroy the very foundation of Flying Snow City..."

Before he could finish, a figure flashed before him. Wu Lingxiao’s hand was already clamped around his throat. He casually lifted Liu Qi into the air and said coldly,

"I’m not the bastard. Your father is."

Wu Changzai roared,

"Let go of my son!"

As he spoke, he pressed both palms against the ground and, with a great heave, pulled himself out of the earth. He then lunged forward like a striking ape, ready to fight Wu Lingxiao to the death.

But just as he got close, his vision went black.

He hastily crossed his arms before his chest. The next moment, a tremendous force, wrapped in boundless chilling energy, slammed into him.

The kick sent him flying straight into a wall.

The wall shattered, his body leaving an imprint within it. With a cry, he spat out a mouthful of blood. It made a sound as it hit the ground, for the blood itself had frozen solid.

His face was contorted in a savage snarl, and his eyes, fixed on Wu Lingxiao, were filled with bitter resentment.

"Wu Lingxiao!!!"

Wu Lingxiao’s expression, however, was as calm as ever, his eyes deep and profound. But Fang Shuwen felt he could perceive a hint of some indescribable emotion within those eyes.

Then, they heard him say slowly,

"You dared to announce that matter before this crowd just now. Don’t you dare tell your precious son the full story of your own origins?"

The resentful look on Wu Changzai’s face instantly froze.

It was as if he had been slapped square across the face; every expression on his face was locked in that one instant.

After a long moment, he remembered he could still breathe. His voice, however, was strained and raspy.

"You... you know?"

"So you knew as well."

Wu Lingxiao sneered.

"Since you know your own origins, what right do you have to hate me?

"When it comes down to it, you’re just trying to pass off a fake as the real thing, deluding yourself into fighting for something that doesn’t belong to you.

"You’re the one who truly wants to usurp the position of City Lord of Flying Snow City. You want your son to take my place.

"But just look at him. Is he even worthy?

"He’s not even as capable as you are. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have acted on his own, using a Disguise Technique to incite the Fierce Tiger Gang into such villainous acts. Not only was it foolish, but it was completely superfluous!"

Hearing this, Fang Shuwen had a moment of realization.

"So, you’re saying it really was Liu Qi who bribed Sun Qian and had the Fierce Tiger Gang ambush those two from Jinghua Pavilion?

"That birthmark... oh, it was fake."

At this, Fang Shuwen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

A masterful Disguise Technique can completely transform someone into the spitting image of another person.

Liu Qi’s Disguise Technique didn’t even need to be masterful. Simply adding a nonexistent birthmark to his left jaw was enough to misdirect everyone’s attention.

The clue itself was a fabrication. Following it... would naturally lead to no truth whatsoever.

He didn’t even have to do it himself; he could just have a trusted subordinate handle it.

Then, when someone followed the clue back to that person, not only would it be impossible to pin the blame on him, but it would actually serve as proof that he had nothing to do with it—that someone was trying to frame him.

Hearing this, Wu Lingxiao gave a bitter smile.

"If not for that, I would have had a hard time discovering the connection between him and Wu Changzai."

Fang Shuwen could now somewhat understand Liu Qi. He was desperate for a quick victory and believed Wu Lingxiao was genuinely gravely injured. He thought that by simply killing the two people from Jinghua Pavilion, he could ensure Wu Lingxiao would be beyond saving and die from his wounds.

As it turned out, besides causing trouble for the Lu’an Escort Agency, the only thing his actions accomplished was leading Wu Lingxiao to the truth.

Now, the full picture of the entire affair was laid bare for all to see.

The previously unclear parts of the puzzle had been filled in by Liu Qi’s involvement.

Only Liu Qi, listening to the exchange between Wu Changzai and Wu Lingxiao, was lost in a deep state of confusion.

"You... what are you talking about? What... what does this mean?"

"It means your father is the real bastard, and you’re the little bastard."

Chen Yan helpfully explained from the side.

"You’re full of shit!"