Once, I wanted to be a good person

Ever since she found out that Fang Ze was also of noble status, her attitude towards him had visibly changed, and she found herself increasingly approving of him.

So, upon hearing Fang Ze's "admission," she said indifferently, "In principle, your status is equivalent to that of Zhi. We wouldn't oppose your relationship with Zhi."

Fang Ze: ...

Lady Jin said, "However, there is a significant crisis ahead. You need to get through it first before we can discuss this matter."

Hearing Lady Jin finally getting to the point, Fang Ze couldn't help but lift his head, his expression growing much more serious. He asked, "Crisis? What crisis?"

Lady Jin pointed at the Sky Mother Ship beneath her feet and said, "The matter of the death at the Yang Transformation stage this time."

She continued, "I was involved in the incident, knew about your plan beforehand, and was present throughout the event. So I am fully aware of the whole story."

"The Yang Transformation stage practitioner from the Jiang Family was lured out and killed by you on purpose."

As she said this, she paused for a moment, then her gaze towards Fang Ze carried a trace of admiration, "Your methods may have been a bit too ruthless, but it was clean and efficient."

"And considering the feud between your family and the Jiang Family, I even think... you were actually quite restrained."

Fang Ze: ...

Lady Jin continued, "Nonetheless, it's not enough to merely take action. You must also tie up loose ends."

"The death of a Yang Transformation stage practitioner is no small matter, someone needs to step forward and take responsibility."

"And the matter of the battle involving six Yang Transformation stage practitioners also needs an explanation."

At this point, her expression grew serious, "Right now, both the Jiang Family and our Bai Family are in the state, negotiating with various forces. Trying to calm the situation."

"Although they don't know the whole truth, the most reasonable course of action for them to save Jiang Cheng and me is to sacrifice you and have you bear all the blame."

"Afterwards, concoct a plausible story to cover up the incident."

"For example... Jiang Cheng never actually pursued you. Nor were you acting in self-defense. It was purely because you rose through the ranks of the Security Bureau too quickly, became too ambitious, and wanted to crack a major case. You maliciously lured two waves of Yang Transformation stage practitioners, causing conflict in Emerald City. One dead, four escaped. As for me... of course, I just happened to be passing by. Saw and thought to intervene."

Upon hearing this, Fang Ze's gaze sharpened slightly.

Seeing that Fang Ze was listening, Lady Jin nodded slightly and then continued, "Right now, you don't have any bargaining chips to negotiate with them."

"Your only hope of sitting at the negotiating table is... to solve the Flower Morning Festival puzzle and obtain the pathway to Faith Ascension."

"And then use this to negotiate with the Eastern District, well, primarily with the Jiang Family. Demand 'the truth' and 'justice'."

As she spoke, she looked at Fang Ze and suddenly smiled with profound meaning, "The matriarch of the Jiang Family, the former queen of Xida Country, is the oldest among the original nobles. She has turned a hundred this year."

"She suffered severe injuries in the Disaster fifty years ago, and it affected her lifespan."

"She is still alive now only because she has been well-cared for, and because the Jiang Family lacks a strong successor, she dares not pass away."

"The reason why the Jiang Family has been growing more and more excessive and arrogant over the years..."

"Apart from being blustering while internally insecure, needing to maintain a tough façade, it's also because they're aware of this and are desperately, by any means necessary, doing certain things."

"And the fourth generation of the Jiang Family has a 'monster,' the one with the most outstanding talents in the past fifty years, and also their family's greatest hope."

"However, more than a decade ago, that 'monster' refused Spirit Ascension because he didn't want to give up his physical body."

"He's been stuck at Spirit Ascension stage for over a decade."

"That's their vulnerability."

"If you have a new pathway to Spirit Ascension, they will spare no expense to trade with you."

"Even using several of their Yang Transformation stage practitioners to pose as those from the Si Family... ah, to take the place of the four Yang Transformation stage practitioners from the Si Family to guard East Spirit Mountain, they would probably agree."

"After all, it's not a death sentence to go guard East Spirit Mountain; it just means they can't move freely in the Real World, significantly reducing the Jiang Family's strength in the Real World."

"The Jiang Family also has their own forces on Spirit Mountain, so the deal isn't a loss for them."

Fang Ze pondered over Lady Jin's analysis.

Seeing that Fang Ze was absorbing her words, Lady Jin paused, then continued, "During the time you're investigating, I will inform your uncle and have him help you delay things as much as possible."

"But you still need to act quickly."

Having said this, she glanced at the calendar on the table and spoke, "Because... if I'm not mistaken, the Sky Mother Ship will soon lift its suppression of Emerald City, and Jiang Cheng will return to Emerald City with the Jiang Family's team to continue investigating the Flower Morning Festival incident."

"And the State Security Bureau will also send people to further investigate and observe the Flower Morning Festival's secret realm..."

"These are all your competitors."

After listening to Lady Jin, Fang Ze's gaze grew intense.

Jiang Cheng...

He dares to come back?

It seems that I may indeed have a chance to avenge myself.

Thinking this, Fang Ze nodded, then said earnestly to Lady Jin, "Lady Jin. Thank you. I know what to do now."

Observing Fang Ze's composure and calmness, Lady Jin nodded in satisfaction.

To be honest, the more she interacted with Fang Ze, the more Lady Jin felt there was something extraordinary about him.

Mature and steady in his actions, ruthless and decisive in execution, adept in strategy and planning. Thinking of her own daughter and Bai Zhi's naive demeanor, Lady Jin sighed inwardly.