“Uncle Kong, a thousand years ago my parents left you tens of thousands of taels of silver as my upbringing expenses. Everything I eat, wear, live in, and use is paid for with my own money. On the contrary, your Kong family relies entirely on my Zhang family’s money to support your life. Without my Kong family’s wealth, how could you have accumulated so much good karma all these years, and how could you have met the former Lingyun Sect Master and gained his favor?” Wuyou smiled with narrowed eyes, finally the day had come to an end.
"How this money is spent depends on who holds it. If it weren't for my husband's kind heart, how could he have achieved his current status? Your words are far too far-fetched." Madam Kong helped her daughter up, glaring fiercely at Wuyou, refusing to budge an inch.
“That’s true.” Wuyou nodded. The Zhang family was also a philanthropist, but they couldn’t do what Kong Tingxuan did—give away all their wealth. Most people couldn’t do that.
"However, without the money of my Zhang family, Uncle Kong would have trouble even supporting himself. How could he have the time and resources to do good deeds? I remember when I first came to the Zhang family, your family didn't even have a proper house."
If it weren't for the Zhang family's financial support, the Kong family wouldn't be living so comfortably, holding the title of great philanthropists, living in the best houses, and having people serving them.
"So what if we spent your family's money? Don't forget that we raised you. By doing this, we are doing a good deed for your Zhang family." Madam Kong hesitated for a moment, her confidence somewhat lacking.
"Alright, I, Kong Tingxuan, used your Zhang family's money to do good deeds, so your Zhang family should also share in the merit. You don't owe my family any money, but how do you repay the debt of raising you all these years?" Kong Tingxuan also felt that he had lost face, so he waved his hand and wiped the debt clean.
“Zhang Wuyou’s crime is that of the adopted daughter of the Kong family, but in reality, she does the work of a maid. Everyone else thinks I am your young lady Qingyan’s personal maid!” Wuyou said with a half-smile, before the other party could refute her.
"Fortunately, you didn't treat me like a personal maid and beat or scold me at will. I still remember that kindness." Wuyou knew clearly that the other party was nice to her on the surface, but that was only for the sake of her reputation. However, some things are better left unsaid.
These words made people inexplicably embarrassed, and the others looked at the Kong family members strangely.
"..." Kong Qingyan, being the most shy, blushed even more under her lover's questioning gaze, rubbing her lips but unsure what to say. This appearance made her seem somewhat guilty, indirectly confirming Wuyou's statement.
"I, Zhang Wuyou, owe your family a debt of gratitude, and I'm willing to repay it with my life. But this is a matter I cannot interfere in." Wuyou pursed his lips, his eyes resolute, looking at Kong Tingxuan without yielding an inch.
"You..." The Kong couple never expected that after risking their reputation, they would get such a result. If it weren't for the need to maintain appearances, they probably would have already taken action.
The Enforcement Hall enforces the law with absolute certainty, and no one can easily shake its authority. Even a sect leader cannot sway the Enforcement Hall's decisions, let alone the fact that Kong Qingyan's mistake was indeed quite serious.
“Miss Zhang… if it’s for your sake, our Tang Clan can overlook this matter. From now on, you won’t owe the Kong family any more favors and can live freely.” Tang Chi was a little taken aback and changed his form of address after opening his mouth, his eyes full of firmness and pity.
I never imagined that someone who was always invincible and almost omnipotent in front of me would have such a past. A life bound by gratitude should not be the life of the other person.
"No need..." Bu Shi shook his head, then looked at Kong Qingyan's resentful gaze and suddenly chuckled. "Kong Qingyan, I won't change your punishment, but I can give you two choices. First, abort the child, erase Liu Yishui's memory, and you can stay and continue cultivating after your cultivation is destroyed; second, preserve your child's life and your husband's memory, but you will be destroyed and never return. From then on, the grudges between our two families will be wiped clean. How about it?"
Kong Tingxuan breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, he would choose option one! Being a mortal is certainly not as good as becoming an immortal or a god! However, Kong Qingyan could not reach a consensus with her father at all and chose option two without hesitation.
"Okay, as long as you help me keep the baby, I'll do anything." For Kong Qingyan, nothing was more important than her love, so she agreed without hesitation.
"Qingyan, you've really suffered." Liu Yishui was deeply moved. Although his previous experiences had made him somewhat doubtful about the character of Kong Qingyan's family, he could see her deep and unwavering affection for him and was deeply touched. However, a trace of regret still flashed through his heart.
"Liu Lang, I'm not suffering for you." Kong Qingyan held Liu Yishui's hands, and the two looked at each other with tears in their eyes, making those around them feel a pang of sadness.
"Sect Leader Kong, what do you think?" Wuyou turned to look at Kong Tingxuan, after all, he was the one who truly had the authority to speak.
"Hmph..." Kong Tingxuan naturally disagreed, but seeing his daughter's unwavering devotion and his wife's tight grip on his sleeve, he could only snort coldly and leave, tacitly agreeing.
Even if they didn't agree, what could they do? Judging from Wuyou's expression, it was clear that she wasn't bargaining with Wu Yunlong and the others. Keeping this favor might not be of much use in the future, so it was better to grant her daughter's wish. But she was still unwilling.
"Take this pill, and the baby in your womb will be safe and sound." Wuyou took out a small jade bottle from her storage ring and placed it in Kong Qingyan's hand.
"Will this... work?" Kong Qingyan's eyes were filled with uncertainty. In fact, she knew that things hadn't been good for them in Wuyou all those years, and she was worried that Wuyou was deceiving her.
The two families are worlds apart. The Kong family was once the heavens, and Zhang Wuyou the earth; now the tables have turned, and she doesn't even have the right to retaliate. Given Wuyou's position in the Enforcement Hall, they will likely forever only be able to look up to each other.
Upon reflection, Kong Qingyan felt increasingly uncomfortable. In the past, Zhang Wuyou was just a little maidservant who could be called upon at will, but now she had grown to such a high level.
“Qingyan…” Liu Yishui felt a void in his heart, reached out and grasped Kong Qingyan’s right hand, his eyes tender and affectionate.
"You don't need to worry that I will harm you. After all, I still need this thing to sever the ties between our two families. From now on, we will be completely estranged. Don't even think about using our past favors to blackmail me. If I hear you ruining my reputation again, don't blame me for being impolite." Wuyou sneered. "By the way, Sect Master Kong and Madam Kong, neither of you can enter the mortal realm anymore."
This directness made her appear magnanimous and selfless, while highlighting Kong Qingyan's petty nature.
"Guards... seize Kong Qingyan, cripple her cultivation, and send these two back to the mortal realm, never to return."
There is no spiritual energy in the mortal realm, so there is no opportunity to cultivate there. Being unable to return to the immortal realm for eternity means that Kong Qingyan will never be able to enjoy immortality again and will have to experience the birth, aging, sickness, death, love, hate, and separation of mortals.
The fact that the Kong family couple could never leave the immortal realm, separated from their loved ones, was also a form of punishment. As for Liu Yishui, was this man truly reliable?
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