Chapter 376: A Good Plan

“Hahaha, how did you know it was me?”

Since she had already been seen through, Kong Xiang naturally could not continue to maintain his disguise.

Besides, he was merely occupying Ruan Tao's body; once he left this place, everything would return to its original state.

Su Yan did not intend to answer the question.

Kong Xiang did not mind. “If you know, then you know. Using this method to enter here was also a move of desperation. After all, the only family disciples traveling with us this time were Kong Nian and a few others; I simply couldn't feel at ease leaving my family members alone.”

A look of contempt appeared on Su Yan's face. If the Kong family were truly as loyal and righteous as he claimed, then Kong Yue would not have been missing for so long while they remained indifferent.

“Su Yan, I believe you should also know that your own origins are actually related to the Kong family, right?”

Although this was phrased as a question, Kong Xiang's tone was incredibly certain.

This girl had previously been locked in the dungeon with Kong Nian and had absorbed all of Kong Nian's energy. Now that she had appeared here, given her abilities and cunning, it was impossible for her to be completely ignorant of her own background.

“So what if it is? So what if it isn't? I have absolutely no interest in your Kong family.”

Su Yan spoke with a cold voice, lying to Kong Xiang's face.

It wasn't that she had no interest in the Kong family, but rather that she harbored a hatred for them for the death of her mother. She would settle this debt with her own hands!

Kong Xiang was not surprised by her attitude at all; instead, he became even more gentle.

“Actually, many years ago, your mother and I were very close. We were good friends. It is a pity that in the end, she listened to the slander of some people with ulterior motives and embarked on a path of no return.”

Su Yan's pupils contracted violently. It felt as if a massive stone were pressing down on her chest, making it impossible to breathe.

“You say my mother listened to slander? Then tell me, what slander did she listen to? All I know is that my parents' relationship was always very good, until she took me back to her maiden home once. After she returned, she fell ill and died. The most ridiculous part is that before that, my mother suffered from no illnesses whatsoever.”

By the end, Su Yan's voice was almost forced out from her throat.

Kong Xiang could, of course, hear the anger and doubt laced within her words, but he showed no sign of panic.

Kong Xiang Rou was dead, and it was absolutely impossible for this girl to have retained her memories from that period. Therefore, what exactly happened to the mother and daughter after they returned to the Kong family was entirely up to them to decide!

“Sigh, you were too young back then. You couldn't remember many things clearly, and your ability to distinguish right from wrong was very limited. At that time, both the Clan Leader and the members of the family were doing their utmost to persuade your mother to return, even promising that she could bring your father along. However, your mother insisted on refusing. On the way back, she was pursued by enemies. By the time we rushed there, it was already too late.”

“You just said my mother listened to slander, and now you say she was being hunted down. Do you really think I am a three-year-old child who is easily deceived?” A layer of frost settled on Su Yan's face; she had already reached a conclusion.

Kong Xiang looked troubled. “The twists and turns of this matter cannot be explained in just a few words. However, I can tell you very responsibly that the Clan Leader has never targeted or persecuted your mother. After the Clan Leader learned of your current situation, he specifically asked me to convey to you that if you truly want to know the truth of that year, you may visit the family. At that time, the Clan Leader will personally tell you everything you wish to know.”

“I will go to the Kong family, but only to seek justice for my father and my mother!”

Su Yan did not hesitate on this point. This was the only thing she could do as a child for her mother, who had been dead for many years.

Kong Xiang had achieved his goal, but seeing Su Yan's expression at this moment, his own expression grew increasingly grim.

It would likely be a very difficult task for the family to win this girl back.

Su Yan finished her words and turned to leave, but Kong Xiang spoke once more.

“I heard from Miss Kong Nian that you absorbed all the energy from her pupils; this is also the first time I have heard of such a thing. Su Yan, you should know that in a large family, besides the Clan Leader, there are many elders, branch families, and disciples. The Clan Leader cannot possibly be aware of everything they have done.”

Su Yan's eyes narrowed. So, he was telling her now that even if Kong Nian had indeed stolen her power, it was Kong Nian's own doing and had nothing to do with the entire Kong family?

What a masterful calculation!

She did not look back and strode away. She could not bear to listen to another word this man said.

Kong Xiang watched her receding figure, his gaze darkening. He had said everything that needed to be said.

As for Kong Nian, at this moment, she was effectively abandoned by him and the family.

When Kong Xiang returned to Kong Nian's side, he discovered that she had woken up at some unknown point.

However, he was not worried that she had overheard his conversation with Su Yan; even if she had, it was according to the Clan Leader's wishes.

“Where did you go?”

Hearing the footsteps, Kong Nian immediately concluded he had returned, her questioning voice carrying a hint of displeasure.

Now that she had become this way, he should have stayed by her side every step of the way.

“I went to relieve myself,” Kong Xiang offered a casual excuse to brush it off.

Only then did the anger in Kong Nian's heart dissipate. “Do we absolutely have to go to the third stage?”

She had already obtained Su Yan's eyes. Wasn't the most important thing now to take her back as quickly as possible to absorb this energy?

Kong Xiang comforted her patiently, “It would be difficult to explain our sudden withdrawal to the Zhou family. Furthermore, there is a high possibility of passing all three stages this time. If we withdraw now, all the credit will be taken by the Ma family. The Clan Leader certainly does not wish to see such a situation. So, Miss, please endure a little longer. We will return immediately after passing the stage.”

Kong Nian's brows knitted into a tight knot. Her logic told her that everything Kong Xiang said was correct, but the sense of unease deep in her heart grew heavier and heavier.

“Martial Uncle, I don't know why, but I can't feel the presence of the eyes at all. Is this really normal?”

She spoke in a trembling voice, lowering it so that only the two of them could hear.

“Miss, you are just too nervous. Didn't you personally install Su Yan's eyes into your own sockets?” Kong Xiang countered with a question.

Kong Nian froze.

Yes, she had indeed done it with her own hands.

“Perhaps I am just being too sensitive. Uncle Kong, you will definitely help me, right?”

“Miss, you know. Whatever the Clan Leader commands me to do, I will achieve it even if I have to give my life.” Kong Xiang's answer was quite ingenious; it put Kong Nian at ease without him having to make a dishonest vow.

Sure enough, Kong Nian's mood visibly improved.

Not far from the two, Gan Hua, who had kept her eyes closed the entire time, felt her eyelashes tremble slightly, while her heart sank completely.

(End of Chapter)