Late at night, Lin Feng left the Luo Clan's residence with the Chaos Ancient Scripture, completely satisfied.
The next day, after Luo Ning got up, he counted the hours and when he saw that Luo Qing had not yet appeared, he asked the servant at the door, "Where is Elder Qing? Today is the appointed day, why hasn't he shown up yet?"
The maid immediately replied in a low voice, "Reporting to the young master, the patriarch said he wanted to discuss matters with Elder Qing, and also asked you to go to the patriarch's pavilion after you wake up."
"Okay, I understand."
Luo Ning had been devising lies the whole way. He wasn't worried that Luo Qing would betray him, since he had leverage over the guy. The charges of selling Luo family techniques without permission and stealing the Chaos Ancient Scripture were both punishable by death. If Luo Qing refused to admit it, Luo Shengfeng couldn't do anything about it.
The Luo family is a place that values the law, and Luo Shengfeng is the kind of stubborn and inflexible person who sticks to the rules. As long as Luo Ning acts well, that old guy will definitely not suspect him.
The Household Head Pavilion.
"Ning'er, sit down."
Luo Ning shook his head secretly.
He was never entitled to sit down when he came to the family patriarch's pavilion, but now that Luo Shengfeng asked him to sit down, he must have already become suspicious of him.
"Father?"
His expression was hesitant, and the fear and doubt in his eyes were perfectly conveyed.
Luo Shengfeng narrowed his eyes, carefully observing his youngest son.
Where did you go last night?
“I have remained in the courtyard the whole time and have never left. Many of the maids in the house can testify to this. Father, did something happen in the clan last night?”
Luo Ning feigned hesitation, then asked, "Elder Qing didn't come to teach this morning, could it be...?"
Don't make wild guesses.
Luo Shengfeng waved his hand.
"He was just sent out on some other missions. Alright, you can go now."
Seeing the deep sorrow in his eyes, Luo Ning felt even more certain.
Luo Shengfeng has already discovered that the Chaos Ancient Scripture is missing, and he will definitely be keeping a close eye on it from now on. I absolutely cannot show any weakness at this time.
The reason why Luo Shengfeng did not make a big fuss was that some of the respected elders in the clan lacked trust in him as the head of the family because of what happened yesterday. Although Luo Shengfeng was worried, he could only investigate in secret and could not make the matter known to everyone, otherwise it would be even more difficult to handle.
So what should he do next?
Did they simply take the ancient scriptures and escape?
That definitely won't work.
Luo Ning returned to his room and, after confirming that no one was watching him and that there was no trace of Luo Shengfeng's soul on him, calmed his mind and looked inward into his dantian.
The entire ancient Scripture of Chaos lay there quietly.
Luo Ning suppressed the urge to read the ancient scriptures and, as usual, circulated his cultivation techniques and practiced his swordsmanship.
For the next two days, Luo Ning stopped asking where Luo Qing had gone. He continued his cultivation methodically at his original pace until the third day, when Luo Ning finally realized something was wrong.
Why haven't the Lin family come to visit yet?
"Young Master."
A maid's voice slowly rang out from outside the door.
"The patriarch requests your presence at the Patriarch's Pavilion, as he says there is something important to discuss."
"……I see."
Luo Ning forcibly suppressed his unease and pondered what had happened the whole way.
Inside the patriarch's pavilion, Lin Feng, with a gloomy expression, was confronting Luo Shengfeng.
"Lin Feng, don't insult me. I, Luo Shengfeng, have lived an upright life! I have never done anything to betray my promise. The Chaos Scripture is lost, and that's that. I would never stoop to breaking the bet and hiding the scripture!"
“Patriarch Luo, I don’t mean to humiliate you, but the Chaos Ancient Scripture could have been lost any earlier or later, but it happened at such a crucial moment. It’s hard not to have some doubts.”
When Luo Ning walked in, she happened to overhear their conversation.
"Ning'er, come here."
Luo Shengfeng, with a stern face, called Luo Ning to his side. Not long after, Luo Haoqun also arrived at the family head's pavilion.
Seeing this, Luo Ning became even more puzzled.
"Father?"
Luo Haoqun cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his expression revealing deep worry: "Has the culprit still not been found?"
"Hmph, that's not all! Our Crown Prince even suspects that we deliberately hid the ancient scripture and didn't want to hand it over to him!"
Luo Shengfeng slammed his fist on the table, a clear indication of his fury!
Lin Feng sipped his tea leisurely, offering no reply.
Seeing this, Luo Haoqun hesitated before speaking, "Your Highness, my father's reputation for integrity is renowned throughout the entire Northern Divine Region. He would never break the bet. I suspect there is someone else behind this."
"That's none of your business, you piece of trash."
Luo Haoqun's face turned pale and then red, but in the end he swallowed his anger.
What's going on here?
Luo Ning's unease grew. Based on Lin Feng's temperament in his past life, he probably wouldn't have bothered with Luo Shengfeng at all; he'd have just started fighting! How could he possibly be sitting here arguing with Luo Shengfeng?!
Not only Lin Feng, but also Lin Chen's children were all somewhat impulsive, which is why Luo Ning dared to brazenly steal the ancient scripture.
According to his deduction, the Lin and Luo families should have been preparing for war by this time.
Why did things turn out this way?
"Lin Feng, don't push your luck!"
Luo Shengfeng's face flushed red as he slammed his hand on the table and said, "Don't you think about this? There were two conditions in our bet: one was that I would hand over the Chaos Ancient Scripture to you, and the other was that I would not make any move against your Lin family within half a month!"
"In other words, we cannot initiate war with you for the next two weeks! Hiding the ancient scriptures at this time will only bring us harm!"
Lin Feng suddenly fell silent.
In Luo Ning's eyes, this was the calm that followed impulsiveness.
But the question is... why were he and Luo Haoqun called here? What is their purpose?
“I understand what you mean. You mean the feud between us, and the interference of a third party.”
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice.
"That's right! That person's goal is to sow discord between us again, and then reap the benefits!"
Luo Shengfeng snorted coldly.
"How ridiculous! Do you really think I can't see through such a little trick?"
“…You’re right, but the loss of the ancient scriptures is the responsibility of your Luo family, and I, Lin Feng, cannot let it go so easily!”
"So? What is your purpose in asking me to call my two sons over?"
Seemingly sensing that Lin Feng was about to make a move, Luo Shengfeng's expression darkened once again.
"It's very simple. Let the two of them stay temporarily at my Lin family's residence. They cannot return until your Luo family finds the Chaos Ancient Scripture!"
"Don't even think about it!"
Luo Shengfeng suddenly stood up.
Luo Haoqun and Luo Ning's expressions also changed drastically.
"Father, this is absolutely impossible!"
Lin Feng slammed his teacup down on the table and said coldly, "What, does Patriarch Luo intend to be a man of his word?"
"What does this have to do with being untrustworthy! I can find the ancient scriptures, but I will never let my two sons go with you!"
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