The prison cell fell silent. Every corner seemed to await a delicate sound. Han Lao Fang stood before Han Wu Ang Shi like a statue. His eyes were lost in deep contemplation. Then, Wuang Shi asked:
"Junior Brother. You know that even though Zao Shi is our brother, that position will always belong to you."
Wuang Shi's gaze lowered slightly. He continued in a soft voice:
"An exiled prince can never become the Clan Head. I know very well what I have done, and what the punishment will be. Because of that, only you, besides me, are the heir to that position. You must take the position back."
Until now, Lao Fang had been standing as if he had no life, as if he were an inanimate object. But then, Lao Fang's knees gave way; he stumbled and fell to the ground, sinking into a seated position. Rivers of tears flowed from his calm eyes. When he spoke, his voice was cracking:
"Senior Brother. Forgive me. But he... he has lost the right to be called Brother."
He started to break down. Wuang Shi comforted him, watching him calmly, and said:
"Junior Brother. You can trust me. Please tell me."
Then, Lao Fang continued speaking in a choked voice. His eyes were filled with an ocean of tears and tears of love and betrayal. He said:
"Brother, I don't know what you heard and saw that day. But whatever it was, Zao Shi knew about it. I feel disgusted even saying this, but Father never wanted you or me to become the Clan Head of the Han Clan. He always wanted Zao Shi to be the Clan Head. And because of this, Zao Shi played this disgusting trick."
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He couldn't control himself and spoke with the pain of a plunged dagger:
"Senior Brother. For all this time, I kept refusing to start the Cultivation Path on the advice of Clan Head Tao Zhen, because that was Zao Shi's sole aim. He knows that as soon as the Cultivation Path begins, the authority will shift in his favor. But Brother, his trick was many times more venomous than that. He wanted to kill you. And because of that, I had to stay with him to keep him away from you, to keep him away from the Cultivation Path. Brother, there are very deep roots that have been sown."
Silence suddenly fell, and in that silence, Wuang Shi's sword dropped from his hand. A sharp clang echoed. And once again, silence prevailed. Wuang Shi's face was like a still lake with a terrifying storm raging beneath its surface. Wuang Shi picked up his sword and rose. His eyes were burning with a bright emotion.
Lao Fang also stood up behind him.
Then Wuang Shi said, "Let's go."
Before Lao Fang could ask any questions, Wuang Shi started walking.
Lao Fang followed behind. Lao Fang knew what Wuang Shi was going to do.
The two came out of the prison cell, and the sound of their footsteps drew the attention of all the guards. When all their eyes fell upon Lao Fang, who was meant to be imprisoned, they all drew their swords, descended, and surrounded Wuang Shi and Lao Fang. There were at least 200 guards in front of them, but Wuang Shi still stood calmly.
Then the commander arrived and spoke in a sharp voice, but at that moment, Wuang Shi also drew his sword:
"Master Xian Yong Ming, put down your sword and hand over Master Han Lao Fang to us."
Wuang Shi was completely unaffected. He stood calmly, then once again gestured for Lao Fang to walk. He had to reach the High Assembly Hall as soon as possible. He glanced at the medicine pouch tied to his waist and gently placed his hand on it.
Wuang Shi walked forward, and Lao Fang followed. But then the guards brandished their swords again in front of them. Wuang Shi glared at everyone.
A short while later... Wuang Shi and Lao Fang had left the prison area and headed directly toward the Han Clan.
Behind them, all the guards were hanging upside down from the trees, suspended by a thin, shining white thread a Treadlock technique performed by Wuang Shi. All of them were trying to free themselves, but to no avail. That thread was impossible to cut.
