Chapter 344: Nightfall

“Young Master, what are your thoughts regarding the grievances between the Ma and Kong families?”

Inside the room, Zhou Li was leisurely organizing the talismans he had brought. Standing beside him, Zhou Chong lowered his voice to ask for his opinion.

Zhou Chong was the leader for this trip, second only to the Zhou family. Although he was only twenty-five years old, he was mature beyond his years and possessed formidable strength.

Most importantly, prior to this journey, he rarely appeared in public, so most people had no impression of him whatsoever.

Zhou Li didn't seem to care in the slightest. “If those two families like to fight, let them fight. Our only objective is to obtain the ancestral treasure; do not show any bias toward either family.”

Hearing this, a relaxed expression appeared on Zhou Chong’s face.

“It is best that the Young Master thinks this way.”

He was truly afraid that Zhou Li might distance himself from one of the families due to personal reasons, which would never be good.

Zhou Li looked up and smiled at him. “I know what you’re thinking, but rest assured, they cannot affect my emotions. You should also instruct the others to keep their mouths shut, regardless of whether it concerns the Ma or the Kong families.”

“Understood. As long as our own people don't cause trouble, it will be fine. However, looking at the current situation, the Ma family holds the upper hand.”

The previous conversation had been about official business; now, Zhou Chong was expressing his own view.

Zhou Li finished arranging all the talismans and did not immediately offer further opinions.

“The Kong family is at a disadvantage because of that fool Kong Yueqing. Kong Nian and Kong Xiang haven't even made their moves yet, but I can't help but feel that Kong Nian seems a bit... off as well.”

“Young Master, have you discovered something?”

Although everyone was nominally helping the Zhou family enter the ancestral lands this time, people's hearts are hard to read. They couldn't guarantee what everyone was plotting in their minds, so they had to remain cautious.

Zhou Li’s eyes flickered, but in the end, he shook his head.

“I can't say for sure right now. Just keep a close eye on her.”

Although Kong Nian's status in the Kong family was not like his or Ma Chulong's—as they were direct blood descendants of the Clan Leader—she was still one of the future successors. She represented the entire Kong family. Today, when Kong Yueqing was humiliated, she showed absolutely no intention of standing up for her. Even if she disliked Kong Yueqing, she should have considered the Kong family's reputation, yet she simply didn't.

Based on their previous understanding of Kong Nian, she was definitely not someone who would just swallow her pride.

Either Kong Nian was intentionally hiding her strength, or she had other plans.

“Also, that Su Yan is another person of interest to watch closely,” Zhou Li added at the end.

Before they left, Zhou Xiongfeng had specifically instructed him that they must try their best to build a good relationship with Su Yan during this trip, and especially after entering the ancestral lands, they must prioritize Su Yan at all times.

Although Zhou Li didn't quite understand where his father's emphasis on Su Yan came from, he knew his father had never been wrong when judging people.

***

“Hahaha, Su Yan, you saw how Kong Yueqing was gnashing her teeth in anger just now, right? It was so satisfying!”

At this moment, Ma Chulan was venting her excitement to Su Yan, vividly imitating Kong Yueqing's expression as she spoke.

Su Yan looked at this scene helplessly. Only after Ma Chulan finished laughing did she remind her, “It's late. The Kong family is sleeping in the next room, so you should keep your voice down.”

After all, the Kong family had lost so much face tonight. If she kept chirping away like this, the Kong family might not even sleep and come charging over to settle the score with her.

Ma Chulan stuck out her tongue. While she said she didn't care, her movements and voice became much more subdued.

“I really hate that Kong Yueqing. She's like a mad dog, biting anyone she catches. We didn't even provoke her, look at her attitude.”

Su Yan remained noncommittal. The description of a "mad dog" was indeed quite apt.

Looking at Su Yan's reaction, Ma Chulan suddenly thought of something, and all her happy emotions turned into unease.

“Su Yan, you're not unhappy, are you?”

Su Yan had just finished spreading the bedding and was somewhat bewildered by the question.

“I mean, isn't it very possible that you are also a member of the Kong family? Now that we've made them lose face, what if you have to go back in the future...”

“I won't go back.”

Before Ma Chulan could finish her worries, Su Yan interrupted her very firmly.

They had all misunderstood one thing. She had been investigating her and her mother's identity not because she wanted to return to her ancestral roots, but to find the truth behind her mother's death.

She had already prepared for the worst; that truth would likely mean becoming a complete enemy of the Kong family.

Ma Chulan's expression became complicated; she didn't quite understand Su Yan's thoughts.

For instance, she and her elder brother both knew that Su Yan had been searching for the mystery of her birth, and now it was almost certain that she was a member of the Kong family. With her terrifying strength, she would likely receive the highest level of importance the moment she returned to the clan. Was she really not moved at all?

“Su Yan, no matter what you want to do in the future, my brother and I will always be your best friends.”

Ma Chulan said this from the bottom of her heart. Her feelings for Su Yan stemmed from admiration. Having gone through so many life-and-death situations together on this journey, she had long since regarded Su Yan as a sister to whom she could entrust her life.

A warm current flowed through Su Yan's heart. “Alright, it really is time to rest.”

The night was silent. Perhaps because they were at the foot of the mountain, the rooms became even more chilling after nightfall, as if the air had become damp and clammy.

Ma Chulan had already fallen into a dream. In the pitch-black environment, Su Yan slowly opened her eyes.

There wasn't a single sound in the surroundings; the deathly silence made one's scalp tingle.

After waking, Su Yan did not get up or make any movement; instead, she silently murmured an incantation.

A few seconds later, she closed her eyes again.

In another room, Gan Hua and Ruan Tao were also fast asleep when a soul body suddenly entered the room soundlessly.

The soul body's target was clear; it went straight toward Ruan Tao.

Ruan Tao, who had been breathing steadily, suddenly struggled violently, but after a moment, he fell back into a deep sleep as if nothing had happened.

Once Ruan Tao returned to his normal state, another wisp of soul floating in the corner slowly drifted away.

Su Yan quickly opened her eyes again. Thinking of what she had just seen, she seemed to understand something.

In another room, Kong Yueqing was tossing and turning in her bed.

Looking at the already sleeping Kong Yue-ling, her gaze was no longer as friendly as before. Thinking of how Kong Yue-ling, Gan Hua, and Ruan Tao had not said a single word for her today, a surge of hatred welled up.

At least before today, she felt they should have been on her side.

But the truth was that they all treated her like a joke.

At this moment, she truly wanted to kill everyone!

Just as this terrifying thought rose in her mind, a sinister chill suddenly swept through the room...

(End of Chapter)