Chapter 148: The Real and the Fake Wei Qi

“Second uncle, why do you get so nervous whenever you mention my father?” Thinking of my father’s empty pant legs and his pale, ashen face, my heart trembled.

“Da Chuan, some things are better said in front of your mother. They’re all here,” my second uncle said reluctantly, glancing at Wei Qi and Fat Shao.

“Alright then, I want to see what my mother has to say,” I replied. Turning to Wei Qi and Fat Shao, I told them to wait here, then followed my second uncle into the inner courtyard beyond the main hall—the place where my mother and second uncle lived.

In the courtyard, I saw my mother. When I looked at her kind face, my heart twitched involuntarily, the once gentle expression twisting into something sinister.

“Da Chuan, you’re here?” my mother greeted me warmly, reaching to take my hand.

I withdrew it coldly and said, “Speak. What did you two do to my father?”

She was stunned for a moment. “Da Chuan, have you seen your father?”

“Yes, I have.”

“What did he say to you?” Her face grew anxious.

“He told me everything. Is it true?” I didn’t know how to ask about the old man directly, so I changed course. “What deep grudge do you hold that you would chop off my father’s limbs and throw him into the lake?” Remembering my father’s pitiful state, my anger surged.

“Da Chuan, what nonsense are you talking about? What limbs cut off?” My mother looked confused.

“You deny it? Second uncle, is this true? Ask your brother Wei Qi; he saw it with his own eyes. You two were having an affair and got caught by my father. You drugged him into silence and then cut off his limbs.” My emotions spiraled as I shouted.

Smack! My mother’s sharp slap landed on my face. “Da Chuan, I raised you and loved you in vain! How dare you speak such lies?”

“You dare say you didn’t have an affair with second uncle?” Stunned by her slap, I shouted louder and grabbed her roughly. “Tell me! Tell me now!” With a sudden shove, her frail body collapsed.

“What are you doing, Da Chuan?” my second uncle glared angrily, rushing over to help her up.

“Get lost! Our family matters don’t concern you.” Remembering my father’s empty pant legs, I tugged hard at my uncle, gripping my mother’s arm again. “Tell me—were you and second uncle caught cheating by my father?”

My mother leaned against the wall, tears welling up, lips trembling, unable to speak.

—

My second uncle suddenly lunged forward and slapped me sharply. “You beast, are you trying to drive your mother to death?”

His slap didn’t sober me; instead, it fueled my anger. I turned with murderous intent. “Wang Jun, what do you want? You bullied my father and now you want to bully me? If you have the guts, cut off my arms and legs too.”

“You beast, today I’ll teach you a good lesson.” He rolled up his sleeves and charged.

“Screw you! I’m not afraid. Today, I avenge my father.” I shivered, drawing the Fengchi Sword; the Luoshui Ring was already on my finger.

Without a word, my uncle floated out of the room, and I followed swiftly.

“Da Chuan, you’re still a child. Don’t meddle in adult matters, okay?” He wiped down his rolled-up sleeves.

“Cut it out. You’re scared, aren’t you? I’m here to avenge my father.” Thinking of my father sitting alone in that big house while my uncle and mother sneaked around together, my heart burned with resentment. My mother belongs to my father—how dare they?

I raised the Fengchi Sword and lunged at my uncle. He dodged lightly, still not striking back. “Wang Jun, are you feeling guilty? Do you dare not fight back because you’re ashamed before us?” The more he held back, the angrier I became.

“Da Chuan, we’re family. Why must we fight? Let me explain,” he dodged my sword, speaking calmly.

“Don’t explain to me. If you have guts, explain it to my father.” The harder I tried to strike him, the more anxious and furious I grew. In my rage, I grabbed a large tree behind me, intending to use the Essence Absorption Technique against him.

But I miscalculated. This was a colorless world—no green, no vitality. Grasping the tree was like holding dead wood, absorbing no essence.

Frustrated, I released the tree and summoned all my strength to swing the Fengchi Sword wildly at him. The sword’s glow sliced through the gray space with a thunderous crack, causing a stone building nearby to collapse in a flash.

The noise attracted many, including Fat Shao and Wei Qi. Seeing us fight, Wei Qi charged in, wielding the Xingyun Staff. “Wang Jun, you beast! Seducing my sister-in-law and abusing your elder brother—today I’ll enact justice.”

“Brother, Da Chuan’s younger, you’re younger too! Are you both mad?” Second uncle grimaced, dodging our attacks.

“Wang Jun, come at me! I stand for justice,” Wei Qi swung the staff with a whoosh, my sword humming in response. Yet neither of us could harm second uncle; his Nether Qi Shield was formidable, blocking all sword strikes. Moreover, he barely fought back. If he did, we’d be no match.

But this was the Netherworld—no colors, no vitality. In the mortal realm, I might have defeated him with the Essence Absorption Technique, but here, it was useless.

Suddenly—

Wei Qi, leaping into the air, flicked his finger, sending a blue flame darting toward second uncle with a sharp crack. The Nether Qi Shield shattered instantly, and just as my sword followed through, it tore a deep gash across second uncle’s arm.

This was the Nether King, second uncle. In a flash, he flipped over and landed atop a gray stone lion’s head, glaring fiercely at Wei Qi. “Who are you?”

His question stunned me—was he dazed?

“Wang Jun, don’t you recognize me? I’m Wei Qi,” he said proudly, planting the staff firmly on the ground.

“You’re not Wei Qi. Wei Qi is my brother—I know his character. He’d never attack me, even in death. Besides, you just used a Netherworld Finger Command—you’re from the Netherworld!” Second uncle jumped down and approached Wei Qi.

“Don’t touch him.” I raised the Fengchi Sword to block second uncle.

“Da Chuan, you’re foolish. Can’t you see he’s not Wei Qi?” second uncle ignored me and lunged at Wei Qi.

Now I was even more confused. If he’s not Wei Qi, then who?

“Haha! Wang Jun, you think you can fool me? I have some skill after all. I, Zuo Yi, will kill you today on behalf of the Ghost King.” Speaking, he tore off his face, revealing another beneath—none other than second uncle’s most trusted bodyguard, Zuo Yi.

“Bodyguard Zuo, what game are you playing?” second uncle’s face darkened with sorrow.

“Wang Jun, what game? The Netherworld should be mine to govern, but you replaced me. Today, it’s a day of life and death between us.”

My heart dropped. “This is worse than I thought.” If he’s not Wei Qi, there’s deception here. Is my father Wang Liang also fake? No matter now—let’s see what happens.

“Zuo Yi, I consider you a brother, so I won’t harm you. But since your heart isn’t with me, leave. I have family matters to handle—stay out of it,” second uncle said, glancing at me.

“You wish. Your nephew and I came today for your life,” Zuo Yi said, brandishing the Xingyun Staff and stabbing toward second uncle.