Peng Fu said, "You needn’t be so hard on yourself. Your father and I were close friends, sworn brothers even. If it weren’t for my misjudgment at that time, your father would not have died, and you would not have ended up an orphan with a widowed mother, thrust into hardship."
Tang Ziyue said, "Uncle Fu, let’s not talk about that, let’s not mention these things. It wasn’t your fault. If there is someone to blame, it’s Peng Shizhong."
Peng Fu frowned and said, "Ziyue, the Hall Master was also deceived by others..."
"Enough, Uncle Fu, as a Hall Master, the inability to discern people’s true natures shows incompetence, and incompetence is a sin. Enough now; let’s not talk about it. Uncle Fu, let’s drink some tea."
"Why have you asked me out for tea today?"
"Just to drink tea!" Tang Ziyue replied.
Peng Fu asked, "Just to drink tea?"
"Yes, just to drink tea and talk of nothing else. The tea here is quite good," Tang Ziyue said.
Peng Fu stood up upon hearing this and said, "If it’s just for tea, I must excuse myself; I have other matters to attend to!"
Tang Ziyue said, "Uncle Fu, I would not harm you. Please, sit down!"
"What if I really must go?"
Tang Ziyue smiled and said, "Uncle Fu, over the years, besides my studies, I have also learned some Martial Arts. I would be honored if you could give me some pointers."
"Alright then, let’s see what the strength of an Inner Hall Master amounts to."
With that, Peng Fu struck with his palm toward Tang Ziyue. Tang Ziyue extended his hand and quickly wrapped it around Uncle Fu’s arm. The two of them exchanged moves right there at the tea stall.
After about a dozen rounds, Peng Fu could no longer remain seated and attempted to rise and strike.
But Tang Ziyue suddenly released his grip and then smiled, saying, "Uncle Fu, your strength is as formidable as ever. I am no match."
Peng Fu frowned, puzzled by Tang Ziyue’s intentions, but seeing that he genuinely let him leave, he turned and headed toward the opera house.
At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared next to Tang Ziyue. Tang Ziyue asked, "Successful?"
The figure responded, "Yes, that old man drank the Ten Fragrance Soft Tendon Powder. He couldn’t resist at all."
Tang Ziyue asked, "Is everything set up now?"
"Don’t worry, everything is in place. The secret passages have been blocked from the inside; no one will spot any flaws."
Tang Ziyue said with a laugh, "How sad, a fierce figure in his time falling . Don’t you feel a bit sad?"
"Why should I feel sad?" the figure said, a cold smile spreading across their face. "It’s his own fault. I treated him like a father or a ruler, and he treated me like a dog or a pig. Why should I be sad?"
Tang Ziyue glanced at him, took a sip of tea, and then asked, "Then why the hesitation?"
There was a brief pause before the figure replied, "A moment of weak compassion, I suppose."
As the figure looked in the direction Peng Fu had left, he said, "Like him, if it weren’t for your insistence on sparing him, I would have killed him too. Why hesitate?"
"That would be my moment of weak compassion," Tang Ziyue said. "Well, the deed is done. Now, the stage is yours."
With a cold snicker, the figure vanished on the spot.
At that moment backstage at the opera house, Chen Jie was anxiously waiting. Eagle II and Eagle III were looking at Chen Jie when suddenly Huadie opened the door of her room, clutching her chest, and said, "Fifth Master, Mr. Peng asks for you; he has something important to tell!"
Chen Jie was startled by the words. Could my adoptive father have discovered something amiss?
Eagle II and Eagle III said, "Fifth Master, you should go take a look."
After a slight pause, Chen Jie went ahead.
Once inside, Huadie waited at the doorway for a moment before entering the room. Suddenly, a voice from inside exclaimed, "Traitor!"
Then Huadie screamed, "Ah... murder!"
Hearing this commotion, the entire theater was suddenly alerted. Eagle II and Eagle III kicked open the door and rushed in.
Chen Jie was seen standing in the center of the room, opposite a bed where a corpse sat propped against it, its eyes wide open in disbelief, tears streaking from the corners.
The shock of what must have been great had caused such an expression.
Eagle II and Eagle III cried out in shock and anger, and by this time, the audience outside, who had been watching the play, also heard the commotion and rushed over.
Nan Batian, Elder Liu, Bai Mosheng, Qin Ying, and Zhang Liye, five masters of Energy Transformation, also entered the room.
When they saw Peng Shizhong, stiff, his eyes wide and staring, the heroes were all shocked.
Nan Batian then cried out mournfully, "Senior brother!"
Elder Liu looked toward Chen Jie, his brow deeply furrowed as if asking, "Did you do this?"
Chen Jie’s face was as grave as water, his eyes filled with endless anger!
This whole situation was not just targeted at Peng Shizhong, but included himself.
Chen Jie then turned to look at Huadie, who seemed paralyzed with fear on the floor, his eyes filled with murderous intent, but he controlled himself.
Huadie was the murderer but also the witness; it was clear now that the adversary wanted to ruin Chen Jie completely. He had already walked into the trap, so he couldn’t afford to be reckless.
For instance, if he were to flee now, even if he wanted to escape, this was not the moment to do so. Fleeing now would indicate guilt, turning even the truth into a lie; he had to stay.
Even though Chen Jie understood that the adversary must have made thorough arrangements since they had plotted against him.
But he also needed to see just what tricks the adversary had up their sleeve; only by understanding the enemy could he plan his move to break out of this trap. So now, he should not panic, even knowing that next, the adversary would certainly play a role in framing him—he still must not let himself be perturbed.
He would just wait and watch; the flaws would eventually show!
Chen Jie stood there, silent, offering no explanation, just silence.