"You are not mistaken, it really is a broken tree branch?"

In the hall of the Feng Family mansion, a middle-aged man with a broad face questioned with a stern expression.

"Yes, it really is a broken tree branch," Doctor Qin nodded cautiously. The person questioning him was Feng Bu Ping, the current acting head of the Feng Family. He was the second son of the old master, the brother of Feng Bu Fan and the uncle of Feng Zi Yue. Qin, the physician, didn't dare to slack off and answered nervously.

Feng Bu Ping furrowed his brows deeply, "This is truly baffling!"

A dry tree branch could indeed be turned into a deadly weapon in the hands of a skilled individual, this wasn't surprising. However, it was confirmed that Feng Zi Yue, the perpetrator, had only reached the second level of the foundational stage in his cultivation of Xuan Qi. This was verified soon after the incident. He couldn't even be considered a true martial artist, let alone an expert.

Even though the two victims weren't much stronger than him, it seemed unbelievable that they could lose their lives to a mere dry twig.

The parents of the deceased were wailing outside the hall. Although they were side branch members, they had served the Feng Family for many years. It would be unjust not to give them an explanation.

Meanwhile, the young perpetrator seemed calm and composed, showing no signs of fear or panic, even after being confined in the woodshed in the backyard.

Ironically, those two youngsters had nefarious intentions towards Xue Er in the forest. Given Feng Zi Yue's status as the eldest grandson of the main branch, if he killed them, none from the side branches would dare to speak up. However, the old master had never approved Feng Zi Yue's parent's marriage, and thus, he was not included in the family registry. Although his father was Feng Bu Fan, the eldest son, without this recognition, it was difficult to favor him blatantly.

Furthermore, the two victims were grandchildren of Lu'an, a small family in Wuyang City, and their mother was the daughter of the recently advanced martial artist, Luan Lao Tou, who had become rather arrogant and domineering in the city, barely showing any respect to the Feng Family.

Hurting Luan's grandchildren certainly added to the complications.

Feng Bu Ping sighed deeply, feeling that Feng Zi Yue and his mother were truly troublesome. His older brother had passed away seven or eight years ago, yet the troubles seemed to never end.

He secretly harbored the thought of decisively dealing with this pesky nephew once and for all.

After all, if one day the old master suddenly changed his mind, would he have to hand over the vast Feng Family to this brat?

Having tasted the sweetness of power, Feng Bu Ping, who had been acting as the head of the family for years, found his ambitions growing. At this moment, he hesitated, unsure of what to do.

"Wang Auntie, please, let me in!"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

In front of the woodshed at the backyard, Chu Hongyu pleaded softly. The old lady she called Wang Auntie looked troubled but kept shaking her head, "Young Mistress, please don't make it hard for me. The second master strictly ordered not to let anyone visit the young master... I really have no choice..."

"Wang Auntie..." Chu Hongyu was about to plead again when a heartbreaking wail echoed from behind.

"My good sons, you met such a tragic end!"

"That wild seed must pay with his life!"

The newcomers were the parents of the two deceased brothers, a couple from a side branch of the Feng Family who were in charge of affairs, Feng Bu Xue and his wife. Feng Bu Xue, who came from a collateral line, had worked hard to reach his position, married a lady from the Luan family, and had two beloved sons, was extremely proud.

But today, while sitting at home, they received this terrible news. His two most cherished sons had lost their lives in a most baffling way. Upon learning that it was the work of the bastard from the main family, Feng Zi Yue, Feng Bu Xue could no longer sit still. Accompanied by his wailing wife, he stormed to the front.

Upon seeing Chu Hongyu, his wife's eyes filled with rage, and she pounced at her like a shrew, trying to claw at her.

Chu Hongyu swiftly turned and dodged, only to find Feng Buxue, crazed as ever, launching a kick directed at her chest. Though Feng Buxue had a low level of martial arts training, he was nonetheless a warrior. How could Chu Hongyu, a frail lady, avoid his attack? She managed to partially block the kick with her hand, but the force propelled her backward several steps, leaving her hand severely bruised.

"Stop!"

Just as Feng Buxue was about to continue his assault, a cold voice echoed from the entrance of the courtyard, halting him.

Feng Buxue, who had been raging like a furious deity, froze instantly upon hearing the voice. Suppressing his anger, he unclenched his fist and turned to pay his respects.

"Head steward, what brings you here?"

A middle-aged man with an ordinary face and a narrow, cold expression stepped into the courtyard. Dressed in a black robe with a high collar, this was Feng family's head steward, Leng Kai, and the sole confidant of the old Feng patriarch. Despite not bearing the Feng surname, he held great power within the Feng family, a figure no one dared to offend lightly.

Yet, he seemed indifferent to fame and wealth, generally choosing to stay by the old Feng patriarch's side. No one knew why he had come here today.

Chu Hongyu's hand throbbed in pain, but she knew of Leng Kai's position in the Feng family and didn't dare to show disrespect. Although as the young mistress of the Feng family she wasn't required to bow to a subordinate, she still showed utmost respect.

Leng Kai, however, showed no emotion. He ignored everyone, simply uttering coldly, "The Feng family's penal court has convened. Right and wrong will be discerned there. Do you not fear the family rules when you fight privately?"

Without waiting for a response, he turned and left without even glancing at Feng Buxue.

Grinding his teeth and clenching his fists, Feng Buxue had no choice but to restrain himself and show respect as Leng Kai left. Once he was gone, Feng Buxue shot Chu Hongyu a fierce glare.

"Young Mistress, you got lucky today! But as for that bastard of yours, if I, Feng Buxue, don't see him pay with his life, I won't be able to face myself!"

With a swish of his sleeve, he stormed towards the main hall of the Feng family with his wife in tow.

Now that the penal court had convened, Feng Ziyue would soon be brought to the main hall. Feng Buxue was determined to witness that young wretch pay with his life for the deaths of his two sons.

Chu Hongyu was anxious and tearful, while Wang Auntie by her side was flustered and hurriedly consoled her, "Young Mistress, don't worry. The Second Master will ensure justice is served. There's no way he would let Young Master Sun be wronged... Feng Buxue's disrespect towards you will certainly be punished by the Second Master!"

With a face filled with sorrow, Chu Hongyu lamented, "I just hope they won't punish Yue'er... I don't care about such trivial matters..."

Aware that she wouldn't have the opportunity to see her children before the trial, she called out softly at the door before leaving with a heavy heart. She had no allies within the Feng family, and all she could do was wait nervously in the main hall for her uncle's judgment.

Chu Hongyu was unaware of the exact events in the forest and couldn't fathom how her usually frail son had managed to kill two people. However, she firmly believed that her son had a pure and kind nature, incapable of killing without cause. There must be more to this story!

Inside the main hall, Feng Buping was performing a ceremonial incense burning to notify the ancestors of the Feng family about the upcoming penal court session, where the life and death of a family member would be determined. As per the strict Feng family rules, any serious punishment against a family member required prior notification to the ancestors. Considering that this ceremony could seal her son's fate, Chu Hongyu's heart tightened once more.

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! Killing one's brothers makes one no better than a pig or a dog! If we don't sacrifice Feng Ziyue's life to appease the spirits of my two sons, what credibility do the rules of the Feng family hold?" Once Feng Buping finished the ceremony, Feng Buxue couldn't contain his grief and anger, shouting loudly in the hall.

The Feng family rules stipulated that the act of killing a sibling without justification was a crime of blood betrayal, a grave sin punishable by death.

If this charge were upheld, death would be the only outcome.

Chu Hongyu felt a chill in her heart.

Coughing, Feng Buping spoke with a trace of helplessness in his voice, "Buxue, I will thoroughly investigate the details of this matter. Guards, bring Feng Ziyue here!"