Tang Chen primarily looked towards Tang Zifeng as he spoke.

After all, Tang Zifeng’s opinion was most crucial regarding how Tang Biao should be handled.

As for his once wrongfully deceased son, it was a matter of fate.

If Tang Biao intentionally killed a clan member, then he would naturally have to pay with his life.

However, up to now, the evidence only indicated that Tang Biao accidentally caused the death of his son.

This loss could only be accepted begrudgingly.

ZiFeng remained silent.

He sat neatly, his gaze fixed on the wine cup, where faint reflections of the Tang family mansion shimmered.

Despite being back in familiar surroundings, his mind couldn’t settle, feeling empty and uncertain.

Subconsciously, Tang Zifeng glanced towards Qin Ruqing.

She was always so decisive, clear-headed, steadfast, and unwavering.

Looking in her direction was like instinctively seeking direction in a vast grassland.

Tang Zifeng’s gaze towards Qin Ruqing wasn’t sharp but carried a strong presence.

Qin Ruqing sighed inwardly, finding him a bit like a puppy.

Was this person really devoid of even hatred?

After calmly sampling each dish on the table, wiping her mouth,

Qin Ruqing spoke calmly, “I wonder, Clan Leader Tang, have you thoroughly investigated Tang Biao?”

Tang Chen was momentarily bewildered. “Elder Qin, what do you mean…?”

Qin Ruqing smiled faintly, raising the corners of her mouth, “Are Tang Biao’s crimes limited to just these? Hypothetically speaking, do you think announcing such a punishment might calm the anger of the Xiling citizens who were deceived? Can the Tang family salvage its reputation?”

Tang Chen felt like he had been struck dumb.

The senior Tang family elders sitting around the table exchanged looks.

Previously, seeing Qin Ruqing absorbed in eating and ignoring their conversation made them think that Qin Ruqing, the renowned “Elder Qin,” might just be all talk.

But now, her few simple words hit the nail on the head.

It was evident that reputation could be manipulated—some inflated it falsely, while others had substantial merit.

Tang Chen’s character had a major characteristic—negatively, he was easily swayed; positively, he could consider others’ opinions.

Now, he spoke seriously, “Please advise, Elder Qin.”

Qin Ruqing waved her hand, “I wouldn’t dare advise. I merely wish to remind Clan Leader Tang.

This isn’t the first Refining Weapon Competition where Tang Biao gained fame. In previous competitions, even if he didn’t win, his rankings were respectable. That’s why no one suspected his earlier plagiarism.”

“Forgive me for being blunt, but I don’t believe Tang Biao, from a prestigious family, appears to possess the talent of a skilled Weapon Refiner.

Leaving aside the incident with Tang Zifeng, even his subsequent works don’t seem to bear his signature style.

I’ve also asked Tang Zifeng, who remarked that those pieces were a mix of styles and techniques, unlike the work of a single individual.

Clan Leader should investigate thoroughly whether Tang Biao might have manipulated others. Tang Biao may be indifferent, but those manipulated are innocent.”

Hiring a hitman was so commonplace that even in her past life, it was common enough not to be newsworthy.

But in the cultivation world, normal people didn’t think in that direction.

Sure enough, Tang Chen was taken aback and frowned, “Would he dare?”

“I don’t know if he would dare. But as a precaution, Patriarch Tang should investigate thoroughly. This matter is easily investigated; you can start with those around him. Tang Biao can’t possibly be directly involved in everything.”

She felt that such an investigation might yield surprising results.

Tang Biao’s demeanor on stage that day seemed like someone who could be admitted directly to a psychiatric hospital.

Tang Chen pondered for a moment, then whispered a few words to the attendant beside him. The attendant nodded and left, returning shortly with a middle-aged man.

“He is in charge of Tang Biao’s affairs,” Tang Chen explained.

Qin Ruqing glanced at him and smiled, “He looks somewhat familiar.”

Wasn’t he the one who accompanied Tang Biao when he confronted her that day?

The steward looked at Qin Ruqing, visibly nervous.

However, Qin Ruqing remained silent thereafter.

Interrogating prisoners was not her responsibility; if the Tang family still needed her for this, they might as well make her a subordinate to the Qin family.

The Tang family, known for their expertise in interrogation, had their methods.

An elder of the Tang clan personally stepped forward, inserting a pair of long nails into the steward’s shoulder blades.

His face contorted in agony, this treatment hardly even served as an appetizer.

The elder calmly produced a roll of needle pouches and opened it slowly, revealing similarly sized and even thicker needles, a whole set of them.

Having grown up in the Tang family, the steward knew their interrogation techniques well.

Even a loyal servant might not withstand this, let alone someone like him.

The steward had long been fed up with Tang Biao.

Before the elder even produced the first pair of needles, he spilled all of Tang Biao’s crimes.

This revelation startled the ignorant elders of the Tang family, who couldn’t fathom how such a despicable person had emerged from their lineage.

It turned out that none of Tang Biao’s works were actually crafted by him.

After gaining fame, his already peculiar temperament worsened.

Fearing exposure in the future despite enjoying fame, he devised a plan.

During various major competitions in Xiling, he sought talented craftsmen and, using the Tang family’s influence, kidnapped them and hid them in his own underground chambers, forcing them day and night to design blueprints for him.

As the steward reached this point, Tang Chen angrily smashed the dishes and cutlery, his elders’ faces turning ashen.

Despite trembling, the steward continued.

Tang Biao’s crimes extended beyond this.

He revealed that Tang Biao also indulged in various lascivious acts with both men and women.

While using cauldrons for cultivation was acceptable, such practices were crude even in the immortal realm.

Tang Biao went further, torturing the cauldrons by various means until they were maimed and killed.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ruqing thought that Tang Biao wasn’t just bad; he must have had psychological issues — he was a deviant.

Tang Chen and the other elders of the Tang family were livid, unable to understand how their family’s heritage had produced such a disgraceful individual.

Tang Chen declared, “It seems that we must clean house within the clan.”

He couldn’t believe that such a major incident had occurred without his knowledge as clan leader.

Qin Ruqing couldn’t intervene directly in the Tang family’s affairs.

She had come to the Tang family for two reasons, one of which was to ensure that Tang Biao met his end.

After taking charge of clan affairs, she learned that noble families had strict rules, often resulting in severe penalties.

However, this also meant that executing someone wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed.

Despite Tang Biao’s despicable behavior, he hadn’t committed deliberate murder, which meant the most severe punishment would likely be expulsion and exile.

Considering Tang Biao’s atrocities, simply expelling him wasn’t enough.

Ensuring his death would provide closure for Tang Zifeng and justice for the innocent victims.

Qin Ruqing deliberately hinted, “What about Tang Biao…”

Tang Chen looked over with a serious expression. “Elder Qin, rest assured, such a monstrous sinner…”

“Letting him live is already too lenient; executing Tang Biao directly would be letting him off easy.

The Tang family will publicly announce Tang Biao’s crimes and execute him publicly in Xiling to serve as a warning to others and demonstrate our determination to cleanse the Tang clan!”

Qin Ruqing chuckled inwardly.

Tang Chen wasn’t foolish after all.

With Tang Biao’s downfall, the Tang family would face a scandal of epic proportions, severely damaging their reputation.

Even though Tang Zifeng was famous, he was now expelled from the family and no longer considered a member of the Tang clan.

The Tang family urgently needed to prove themselves to the people of Xiling and the other noble families to restore their tarnished reputation.

Therefore, publicly executing Tang Biao, the notorious criminal, in front of the people would be the best course of action.

It would prove that Tang Biao’s evil was inherent and that the Tang family could distinguish right from wrong.

After hitting rock bottom in terms of reputation, a move like this could begin to salvage their standing.

As for the remaining reputation recovery, that would depend on…

Qin Ruqing glanced silently in Tang Zifeng’s direction.

He kept his eyes lowered, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

As the banquet concluded, Qin Ruqing prepared to take her leave despite several attempts by Tang Chen to persuade her otherwise.

“It’s amusing. Living in the Tang family, the largest Silver-grade noble family in Xiling, others might think we’re collaborating with them. Yet here I am, thinking of staying at the Fifth Inn, enjoying my ‘single’ status, and perhaps getting friendly with a few other noble families in Xiling.”

As Qin Ruqing and her companions started to leave, Tang Zifeng habitually followed behind.

Tang Chen raised an eyebrow and grabbed Tang Zifeng’s sleeve, smiling, “It’s been a while since you’ve been home, Zifeng. Why not stay with the clan tonight?”

Upon hearing the words ‘go home,’ Qin Ruqing and the others stopped and smiled at Tang Zifeng.

Tang Zifeng pursed his lips and then looked up, straightforwardly saying, “I don’t want to return to the clan for now.”

The hint was subtle, but Tang Zifeng bluntly punctured through it.

Tang Chen was taken aback but not entirely disappointed.

After all, Tang Zifeng hadn’t outright refused.

He asked, “Then when do you plan to return to the clan? You know, this is ultimately your home.”

Tang Zifeng averted his gaze, ignoring Tang Chen’s expectant look. “Let’s discuss my return to the clan after I come out of Small Floating Island. I came back to Xiling this time mainly for the Secret Realm event.”

Tang Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

After Small Floating Island, that was fine. The secret realm was about to open soon anyway, and at most, he could expect a year’s stay there.

There was hope.

However, Tang Zifeng blinked and added, “I also need a few spots for the Small Floating Island.”

Surprised, Tang Chen choked a bit.

“This…” He hesitated, glancing at Qin Ruqing and the others, suddenly understanding.

Tang Zifeng was bargaining for spots on behalf of the Qin family.

Trying to negotiate, Tang Chen said, “Even though we’re a Silver-grade noble family, we only have a dozen or so spots in total. Many young members of the clan are waiting eagerly for this once-every-ten-years event. If you take four spots at once, what will they think?”

Then, with a sigh, Tang Chen seemed to come up with a good idea. “As long as you return to the family, you can openly take one spot. I can arrange for the remaining three spots to be justified.”

Tang Zifeng glanced at him and said, “That won’t work. I’m not returning to the clan now. I want four spots.”

“Hey! Why are you so stubborn!”

Finally, seeing Tang Zifeng’s determination, Tang Chen gritted his teeth and agreed.

Tang Zifeng’s eyes sparkled briefly as he thought for a moment before adding, “I also need a map of the secret realm.”

Tang Chen: “?”

Qin Ruqing: chuckles

Hahaha, nicely done!