Chapter 256: The Chosen One

“Are you trying to tell me how to do things?”

Kong Nian’s voice wasn't heavy, yet it was incomparably domineering.

Kong Xiang’s breath hitched. So, he really had guessed correctly?

“I wouldn't dare. But Miss, please do not forget—that Gu Yang is merely an ordinary person. Family rules strictly forbid being with ordinary people. Moreover, it is you; you cannot forget the lessons of the past!”

Kong Nian’s expression was as dark as water; she understood his meaning perfectly well.

However, she also loathed anyone interfering in her private affairs most of all, and even Kong Xiang, who had watched her grow up since childhood, was no exception.

“I know my limits.”

Her original good mood vanished without a trace, and she tossed the clothes in her hand directly to Kong Xiang.

Kong Xiang did not mind her unpleasant attitude; on the contrary, he breathed a slight sigh of relief because of her anger, as long as she was willing to listen.

By the time the master and servant returned to their residence, Kong Yueqing, Kong Yueling, Gan Hua, and Ruan Tao were all waiting in the hall.

The moment they saw Kong Nian return, the four of them almost simultaneously displayed expressions of respect.

Kong Yueqing lowered her head even further, concealing the frantic jealousy in her heart.

“Speak. What have you discovered over the past two days?”

Kong Nian sat in the seat of honor, exuding an overwhelming aura.

Gan Hua stepped forward. “For the past two nights, exorcists have been everywhere in the city. Those monsters and demons simply didn't dare to come out.”

Kong Nian let out a cold laugh. “They didn't dare to come out? Then why did I encounter one last night?”

That light sentence caused a layer of cold sweat to break out on Gan Hua’s palms.

“Miss, did you encounter an evil spirit last night?” Kong Xiang hurriedly sought confirmation.

If the Miss had encountered it and successfully controlled the thing, they could follow the trail to find clues.

“It wasn't an evil spirit. They possess human bodies and specialize in devouring human essence,” Kong Nian said unhurriedly.

“What?”

Everyone wore expressions of shock and disbelief.

“Miss, do you mean... living humans are devouring human essence?” Gan Hua was greatly astonished.

Kong Nian: “Yes.”

After all, before this, everyone had been convinced it was the work of evil spirits.

If what Kong Nian said was true, the matter was far more serious.

For living humans to devour essence, they must be practicing some kind of sinister cultivation method, and such people were the most loathed existence within their circle.

As far as they knew, nothing like this had happened in the last decade or so, let alone here, at the very feet of the Emperor.

After a brief silence, Kong Yueqing spoke up. “How do they dare to be so reckless and blatant? And to choose this specific time... are they so afraid of not being discovered that they've grown tired of living?”

She felt her analysis was perfectly sound, and she was even full of doubt regarding what Kong Nian had said.

Kong Nian looked at her expressionlessly. “Are you questioning my judgment?”

Kong Yueqing’s heart trembled, but in the next second, her hands hanging at her sides suddenly clenched into fists.

“Everyone is currently analyzing this matter; I am merely stating my own view. Furthermore, we were patrolling the city all night last night and didn't find a single anomaly. Since Junior Sister Kong encountered it, surely she wouldn't have let that thing escape? Why not bring her out now so we can question her properly?”

The others looked solemn. Kong Nian’s status in the Kong family was unmatched, but they were currently representing the entire Kong family, so it was not unreasonable to discuss countermeasures together.

Even Kong Xiang chose to remain silent.

Kong Nian looked at Kong Yueqing with contempt. “I'm afraid I must remind you—I already killed that person.”

Not only did Kong Yueqing’s expression change, but so did everyone else's.

She had actually failed to leave a living witness for such an important clue?

“Why did you do that?” Kong Yueqing questioned with agitated emotion.

“Am I supposed to keep her alive to continue harming others?” A hint of impatience appeared on Kong Nian’s face. “Besides, it is not your place to dictate how I do things. If you want to interfere with my actions, you should first weigh your own importance.”

Her high-and-mighty attitude left Kong Yueqing with absolutely no dignity.

Kong Yueqing’s face turned red, then white, then green; it was extremely unsightly.

“I am your Senior Sister, after all!”

“So what? If you have the ability to replace me, then you can sit here and issue orders to me,” Kong Nian replied with undisguised contempt.

The dialogue between the two made the atmosphere suffocatingly tense.

The veins on Kong Yueqing’s arms were faintly visible; she was truly on the verge of madness.

“Kong Yueqing, that is enough. The Miss has her own reasons, and there is truly no need for you to interfere,” Kong Xiang scolded.

As the elder with the highest seniority here, his authority was unquestionable.

Rage burned in Kong Yueqing’s chest, but she had no choice but to endure it.

To ease the atmosphere, Gan Hua immediately changed the subject. “Then what are Junior Sister Kong’s plans moving forward?”

Kong Nian looked at him coldly. “Those people hiding in the shadows must have reached a point of desperation. Next, we only need to wait for them to reveal themselves.”

She was extremely confident in this point.

Gan Hua and Ruan Tao exchanged a glance; they had no choice but to agree.

After walking out of the hall, Kong Yueqing could no longer control her anger.

“In the end, it’s just telling us to wait! There are so many people outside watching this matter like tigers watching their prey. If another family finds the clues first, where will our Kong family's reputation go?”

Kong Yueling hurriedly pulled her. “Yueqing, please lower your voice. Everyone is anxious, but Junior Sister Kong said she is certain...”

“If she truly prioritized the family's interests, she shouldn't have killed the person she encountered last night,” Kong Yueqing said indignantly.

Kong Yueling actually felt that what she said wasn't entirely without reason, but who could help it—Kong Nian was the successor of the family's special ability in their generation.

To put it bluntly, Kong Nian would be the head of the Kong family in the future; opposing her was simply seeking humiliation.

Gan Hua and Ruan Tao did not take a side. It was true that Kong Nian was autocratic, but it was also true that her strength was formidable.

In a family, strength was the most important thing.

“Miss, please do not lower yourself to Yueqing's level. Her original intention was actually for the sake of the family,” Kong Xiang also attempted to plead for Kong Yueqing in the hall.

A shadow passed through the depths of Kong Nian’s eyes, but it was quickly suppressed.

“I know that many people in the family are not convinced by me. They think it is only because I was lucky to possess that energy that I have my current status.”

“Miss, do not say that. Your own strength is very great. Moreover, being chosen by the Elders already proves that you are the most outstanding,” Kong Xiang always knew exactly how to comfort her.

“Is that so? If I didn't have that energy...”

“How could you not have it? Miss, you are the chosen one. From the moment you were born, you were destined to be exceptionally gifted and extraordinary.” Kong Xiang interrupted Kong Nian's next words, emphasizing the point with increased volume.

(End of Chapter)