Chapter 498: Those Who Commit Too Many Evils Will Bring About Their Own Destruction
"The world believes that Old Master Han died of grief over the passing of Second Master Han, but that is not the truth. Old Master Han had three sons and three daughters. The three daughters all married and settled elsewhere. The eldest son remained at the Han residence in Haozhou, while the other two set foot on the path of cultivation.
But the immortal path is not so easily walked. The jade identity plaques of the second and third masters shattered more than ten or twenty years ago.
Those two took plenty of cultivation resources from the Han family, even taking the medicinal herbs Old Master Han used for longevity.
When white-haired parents bury their black-haired sons, it is unbearable. Old Master Han could not accept it, but to avoid unrest within the Han household, he had to fabricate another explanation.
As for the master and madam, I merely placed a slow-acting poison into their daily meals and tea. This poison works slowly and only triggers when one's emotions become agitated. So, I waited patiently for the right opportunity.
Three years ago, that chance arrived. The second young lady was abducted by bandits, and the moment I heard the news, I knew it was the perfect time. I bribed the midwife to ensure the eldest young lady suffered a difficult childbirth. With that, the Han bloodline would truly end.
As expected, upon hearing the news, the master and madam could not withstand the shock. The poison flared up, and they died within months."
As Zhu Yuanwai spoke, the expression on his face shifted from fear to an almost deranged excitement.
Han Xiuyuan grew angrier with each word. He suddenly stepped forward and kicked Old Master Han hard to the ground, gritting his teeth.
"You damned old bastard! My Han family treated you well, and my elder sister was even carrying your grandchild! Yet you were capable of committing such a vicious act!"
"Heh."
Zhu Yuanwai let out a sinister chuckle. "Your Han family is nothing more than ignorant peasants from the mountains. If not for your Second Master entering an immortal sect, your clan would never have stepped foot in Haozhou City.
As for my Zhu family, we were once a noble house of Haozhou. Were it not for our decline, I would never have sold myself into servitude to your Han family.
And that bastard in your sister's womb—what does that have to do with me? If not for her carrying a bastard, do you think your father would have agreed to take my son as his son-in-law?
My son was born with outstanding talent, yet he was forced to become your family's live-in son-in-law, made to wear a green hat for no reason. When I learned of this, I wished I could slaughter your entire Han clan. I hate it—hate it to the bone!"
Hiss…
Those present drew in sharp breaths. None of them expected that today, not only would they witness an immortal, but they would also hear such shocking secrets. Surely this immortal wouldn't silence them all afterward?
Everyone cautiously turned their gazes toward Second Master Han.
Han Ping looked calmly at Zhu Yuanwai and said indifferently, "Are you done speaking?"
"I am. Even if I die now, it will have been worth it."
Zhu Yuanwai's face was filled with mad satisfaction.
"Do not worry. I will not let you die so easily. Since you destroyed my Han family, I will let you watch your loved ones die before your eyes, one by one."
Han Ping's voice remained calm, as if he were merely speaking of crushing a few ants beneath his feet.
"No—please, no!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanwai panicked. At his age, death was not his greatest fear—dying without descendants was.
He kowtowed repeatedly, begging, "Immortal, please spare my family. This was all my doing alone!"
"Hmph."
Han Ping gave a cold snort. "You did not speak so humbly a moment ago."
Just then, the sound of galloping hooves came from not far away. A group of riders was speeding toward them.
The curious onlookers turned their heads and saw Zhu Tixing leading a squad of cavalry in their direction.
"Zhu Tixing is here. Now things will get interesting."
"Even if Zhu Tixing is powerful, he's still a mortal. How could he possibly contend with an immortal?"
"…."
With a sharp whinny, Zhu Tixing dismounted. On his way here, he had already received word that an immortal from the Han family had come to their estate, forcing his father to kneel and kowtow.
Seeing his father still bowing repeatedly, his heart ached. He quickly stepped forward to help him up and said, "Esteemed Immortal, may I ask what offense my Zhu family has committed against the Han family? Please enlighten me."
Han Ping said nothing; he simply used a technique to replay Zhu Yuanwai's earlier words.
After watching the replay, Zhu Tixing instantly went pale and disoriented, murmuring, "Father, you're confused. It was I who consorted with Xiu Lan without formal betrothal. I was the one who caused my child and wife to die."
At these words, the onlookers and Zhu Yuanwai all showed expressions of shock.
Zhu Yuanwai collapsed to the ground, staring blankly ahead.
"Father betrayed your lord; I, your son, have been enjoying myself without shame, which is unfaithful. My wife and daughter were killed by others and I cannot avenge them, which is unjust. How can an unfaithful, unjust man like me still hold the office of Tixing and give justice to the people of Haozhou?"
With a long sigh, Zhu Tixing turned, drew the sword from the cavalry leader beside him, and cut his own throat.
"No!!!"
Zhu Yuanwai never expected his son to choose such a death; he screamed in heart-wrenching agony.
Han Ping said coolly, "Those who commit many injustices will bring about their own destruction; this is your retribution. Since my Han family suffered no wrong from your Zhu family, you all may die, Xiu Yuan."
"My grandson is here."
Han Xiuyuan stepped forward.
Han Ping casually took out a talisman and tossed it over. "This is a blood-relation talisman. You only need to smear it with Zhu Tixing's blood; the Zhu family's blood relations will be revealed at once. Capture them all—no survivors."
"Yes!"
Han Xiuyuan's gaze fell on the wicked servants as he said calmly, "Many of you were formerly servants of my Han family. I will now give you a chance to make amends: come with me to arrest the Zhu family."
"We obey."
The servants answered in unison. They had already been stunned by Han Ping's methods; with Han Xiuyuan offering them a chance, they seized it.
Half an hour later, more than ten members of the Zhu family lay dead.
Han Ping tossed a pile of silver to the watching cavalry and said, "Please take care of the cleanup."
"Thank you, Honored Immortal."
The cavalry hurriedly gathered the silver and then began cleansing the scene.
Han Ping then entered the Han residence with Han Xiuyuan and Mantuoluo. The plaque that had once hung over the Zhu residence had already been shattered by Han Xiuyuan's kick.
News of the commotion on the main street soon reached the powerful in Haozhou City.
Hearing that an immortal had descended on the Han residence, the city's elites began to stir.
Compared with ordinary folk, they were not ignorant of cultivation matters; if they could seize this chance to obtain immortal fate, they would become wealthy.
After night fell, in the magistrate's residence the magistrate addressed the elder seated in the main chair, "Uncle, perhaps you can tell what sort of existence that immortal at the Han residence truly is."
The elder shook his head. "His cultivation surpasses mine. Even a slight display of his pressure was greater than that of the elders in my sect. Tomorrow we shall pay our respects in person."
"Understood."
The magistrate replied respectfully.
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