How did I, a mere son-in-law lying down, become a "Fenglang Juxu" (a legendary martial art

Chapter 117 Falling into the trap

A playful glint suddenly flashed in Qu Dacheng's eyes. He said to Zhao Si, "You and your two legitimate sons have been spared. Now it's Zhao Tingxiao's turn. What are you prepared to give in return?"

Zhao Si's expression changed drastically. After hesitating for a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "My lord, I am willing to offer up the Zhao family's ancestral inkstone, a thousand-year-old treasure. This inkstone is priceless..."

Qu Dacheng nodded slightly, then interrupted, "The ancient inkstone is indeed a treasure. But how can Zhao Tingxiao's life be measured by mere wealth?"

Standing beside Qu Dacheng, Zhao Tingxiao's eyes had never been so bright. He thought excitedly, "This feeling is really good. Is this what fatherly love is?"

"My lord, please let me finish what I have to say." Zhao Si took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with ferocity, and continued in a sinister tone, "In addition to the ancient inkstone, I am willing to offer you the Zhao family's secret martial arts technique, the Nine Yin Manual. Once mastered, this technique will be incredibly powerful and will be enough to help you become a first-rate master."

A glint of light flashed in Qu Dacheng's eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly said, "Using these to redeem Zhao Tingxiao's life is quite worthwhile."

"No, sir, you misunderstand!" Zhao Si's voice was low, and a resolute glint flashed in his eyes. "These are not for redemption, but only for your immediate execution of Zhao Tingxiao to prevent future troubles. Although my Zhao family has declined, we will never allow a traitor to live."

Qu Dacheng's eyes narrowed, and he sneered, "Fine, deal!"

Zhao Tingxiao's face was deathly pale. The more moved he had been just moments before, the more desperate he felt now.

His knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground, tears welling in his eyes, his voice trembling: "Father, why are you so heartless?"

Zhao Si remained expressionless and said coldly, "No poison, no man. Since you have betrayed the Zhao family, you have no right to call me father anymore."

Zhao Tingxiao's heart was breaking, tears streaming down his face. He looked at Qu Dacheng in despair, his voice hoarse: "Sir, you promised me that as long as I served you, you would spare my life. I have done everything I could..."

Qu Dacheng interrupted, "Your value is less than that of a thousand-year-old inkstone, much less than the Nine Yin Manual. Your life is ultimately less precious than these things. This matter ends here. Men, drag Zhao Tingxiao out..."

Qu Dacheng suddenly stopped, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Si, his tone icy: "Give me the ancient inkstone and the 'Nine Yin Manual' first, and then we'll deal with Zhao Tingxiao after verifying that they are correct."

Zhao Si felt a chill run down his spine. He personally dug three inches into the ground, retrieved an antique sandalwood box, and carefully presented it to the person in question.

Qu Dacheng took it and gently opened it. The ancient inkstone had a warm luster, and the "Nine Yin Manual" manual was yellowed with vigorous characters.

He nodded slightly and said coldly, "Zhao Tingxiao, do you have any last words?"

Zhao Tingxiao smiled bitterly, his voice weak: "I only wish that I will not be born into the Zhao family in my next life."

Qu Dacheng snorted coldly and waved his hand, signaling the guards to quickly step forward and drag Zhao Tingxiao out of the hall.

Zhao Si stood aside, his expression complex, feeling both relief and heaviness.

Qu Dacheng scrutinized Zhao Si with piercing eyes and said calmly, "The future of the Zhao family depends on your performance."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Si trembled and turned pale. He had given so much; was this lord still not satisfied?

He asked in a trembling voice, "May I ask your honorable surname, sir?"

Qu Dacheng smiled slightly, his gaze profound: "My surname is Qu, and my given name is Dacheng. Remember, the future fate of the Zhao family rests entirely on your shoulders."

Zhao Si's heart tightened. He took a deep breath and said respectfully, "Lord Qu, rest assured, the Zhao family will do its utmost to serve you. If you ever need my services in the future, I will spare no effort and serve you to the death."

Qu Dacheng nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes: "Good, with this determination, the Zhao family might still have a glimmer of hope. However..."

Zhao Si's heart tightened, and he hurriedly asked, "Does the master have any further instructions?"

Qu Dacheng said in a deep voice, "This time, I need a reason, a legitimate reason to send troops."

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Si's eyes flashed with determination: "My lord, Zhao Tingxiao's possession of prohibited weapons has been discovered. This is evidence of treason and sufficient grounds for sending troops. The Zhao family is willing to fully cooperate to ensure that your army has a legitimate cause and to wipe out the traitor Zhao Tingxiao."

Qu Dacheng shook his head slightly, his cold eyes flashing: "Not enough. How can I subdue the Zhao family if only Zhao Tingxiao is involved in a rebellion? We need to expand the charges and implicate the entire Zhao family before I can take control of the Zhao family's overall situation."

Zhao Si understood and said in a deep voice, "Your Excellency is wise. The Zhao family has indeed been found to be possessing prohibited weapons. The evidence is conclusive and enough to implicate the entire clan. I am willing to write a confession in my own hand, detailing the crimes of the Zhao family, to ensure that Your Excellency can smoothly control the entire Zhao family, and also to prove that the Zhao family members are absolutely loyal and willing to die for each other."

Qu Dacheng nodded, his gaze cold and stern: "Good, the confession must be detailed and thorough, making sure the Zhao family's crimes are exposed. But don't worry, this confession will not be shown to anyone easily, but will only be used as a bargaining chip in a critical moment. If you are loyal, the Zhao family still has a glimmer of hope; if you dare to have any disloyal thoughts, you will bear the consequences."

Zhao Si understood the situation, bowed and accepted the order. After leaving, he immediately began to write a confession, every word of which revealed the crimes of the Zhao family, striving to make it impeccable.

After reading it, Qu Dacheng was in a great mood, and a smile finally appeared on his stern face.

He ordered someone to bring red clay, handed it to Zhao Si, and said in a deep voice, "Press down your and your two sons' fingerprints, and this confession will take effect immediately."

Without hesitation, the three members of the Zhao family dipped their hands in mud and pressed them down, leaving bright red handprints clearly visible on their confessions.

Qu Dacheng put away his confession, his gaze deep: "The fate of the Zhao family will be decided tonight."

Zhao Si felt relieved. Although the Zhao family's foundation was hanging by a thread, as long as Qu Dacheng kept his promise, the Zhao family would surely rise from the ashes and regain its former glory.

He secretly vowed that in this lifetime, he would do everything in his power to be loyal to Lord Qu and protect the Zhao family.

However, after Qu Dacheng put away his confession, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he ordered, "Bring Zhao Tingxiao here."

Zhao Si was extremely shocked. He asked in a trembling voice, "Lord Qu...Lord Qu, wasn't Zhao Tingxiao already executed?"

Qu Dacheng sneered: "Execute? When did I ever say that?"

Zhao Si was struck dumb, his face turned deathly pale, and he was filled with remorse, knowing full well that he had fallen into a trap.

Zhao Tingxiao was escorted back to the warehouse. Qu Dacheng coldly asked, "Zhao Tingxiao, where is your testimony?"

Zhao Tingxiao immediately presented the written testimony with both hands, his voice icy: "My lord, the crimes of the Zhao family are obvious. I am willing to use my personal experience as evidence to expose the Zhao family's conspiracy to rebel and to lend you a helping hand."

Qu Dacheng took the testimony, his eyes blazing as he scanned the entire room: "The Zhao family's crimes are irrefutable. From this day forward, the entire Zhao family shall await their fate. Anyone who resists will be killed without exception."

Zhao Si collapsed to the ground, looking at Zhao Tingxiao in despair, only to see his expressionless face, and the last glimmer of hope in his heart was shattered.

Suddenly, Zhao Si seemed to remember something, struggled to his feet, and hissed, "Lord Qu, Prefect Yin will uphold justice for us!"