Chapter 344: The End of the Map

Chapter 344: The Truth Emerges

Wei Ruhan had three sons.

The eldest, Wei Qifeng, perished tragically on the banks of the Heng River many years ago.

The second, Wei Qixiong, journeyed to the Ten-Thousand-Mile Glaciers twenty-four years ago to train in the Cosmic YinYang Mill Disc, but never returned.

The third son was born simple-minded and incapable of bearing responsibility, yet he died choking on a mere egg.

Because of this, Wei Ruhan had no heir.

If not for Wei Qifeng’s posthumous child—now Wei Ziyi—the Wei bloodline would have died out.

Due to the misfortunes of his three sons, Wei Ruhan sought Su Tianyang’s help when Wei Ziyi was still young, arranging for her to enter the Cold Moon Palace and become a disciple of its Third Palace Master, Yun Jiuying, the Master of the Cold Rain Flying Star Sword.

On one hand, she would learn the secret arts; on the other, she would be under the palace’s protection.

Once her training was complete, she would return to join the Fallen Phoenix Alliance and take on great responsibilities.

This meticulous planning stemmed solely from Wei Ruhan’s lack of a worthy heir.

Yet who could have imagined that today, at this very moment, Wei Qixiong—missing for twenty-four years—would abruptly return?

Though he had been absent for over two decades, his appearance had hardly changed.

Many present immediately recognized the second young master.

For a moment, everyone was gaping in shock.

Huang Yuan muttered,

“Second Young Master… It’s really him… Master, he’s alive!?”

He turned to look at Wei Ruhan, only to find no trace of joy on the patriarch’s face at the sight of his long-lost son. Instead, his brows furrowed deeply, his expression growing graver by the second.

This left Huang Yuan bewildered.

Wei Qixiong scanned the crowd. “I am Wei Qixiong.”

Today, the Fallen Phoenix Alliance was vying for the seat of Grand Master. As Wei Ruhan’s son, he asked them all—did he not have the right to stake his claim?

Hearing this, those present frowned.

By tradition, he had no claim.

Though he was Wei Ruhan’s son, he was not among the Seven Alliance Masters.

The Grand Master must be elected from their ranks.

For him to appear from thin air and lay claim to the seat defied convention.

From his tone, however, it seemed unlikely he had come to debate propriety.

Still, blood ties mattered—he was Wei Ruhan’s son.

Whether Wei Ruhan would make Wei Ziyi give up her position as the Eighth Alliance Leader to this second son was something no one could predict.

The crowd was deep in thought, some stealing glances at Wei Ruhan, while others turned their eyes to Wei Ziyi.

They noticed the expressions on both their faces were downright unpleasant.

This made them freeze momentarily, especially recalling Wei Qixiong's dramatic entrance earlier—his mask flying off as he charged straight at Wei Ruhan...

Things were clearly way more complicated than they had imagined.

Could there still be bad blood between Wei Ruhan and this second son?

They were all ears to hear what Wei Ruhan would say.

But before Wei Ruhan could speak, Zeng Youwang abruptly stepped forward:

"Second Young Master! Is it really you?"

His face lit up with excitement, his eyes tearing up as if on the verge of tears. He dropped to his knees with a loud thud:

"It truly is the Second Young Master!

"I thought... I thought you had long since...

"Yet heaven has shown mercy, allowing your humble servant Zeng to lay eyes upon you once more in this lifetime.

"This is just wonderful!

"I'm so glad!"

Tears streamed down his face as he spoke, his voice choked up.

Wei Qixiong looked him over, sighed, and reached out to help him up:

"Alliance Leader Zeng, it's been way too long."

"Yes," Zeng Youwang replied. "Since the day you journeyed north alone, over twenty years have passed... What exactly have you been through all this time?"

"We'll talk about that later," Wei Qixiong said gravely. "Today, I'm here to go after the position of Grand Alliance Leader. Alliance Leader Zeng, will you support me?"

"Of course I will!" Zeng Youwang nodded right away, then looked around at everyone and shook his head slightly.

"Let me be straight with you all, the reason I sought this position was simply to prevent a little girl from taking it!

"The Grand Alliance Leader is getting up there in years, not as sharp as he used to be.

"Wei Ziyi is young and inexperienced, just a woman.

"How could she possibly be fit to lead our Fallen Phoenix Alliance?

"If we allow a little girl to boss us around, how could we ever show our faces when representing the Fallen Phoenix Alliance in the martial world?

"As for Wu Daoyou...

"He is stubborn, self-righteous, and hungry for glory."

"Merely a trip to East City, and yet he dares claim the merit of 'pioneering new frontiers.'"

"Scoffed at such arrogance—it's truly shameful and laughable, utterly ridiculous."

"This man lacks both talent and virtue, unworthy to be the Grand Alliance Leader."

"Thus, today, I teamed up with Alliance Leader Xu to throw a wrench in Wu Daoyou's plans."

"Originally intended to create a three-way standoff, fighting to the death."

"Alas, never expected to be outplayed in the end."

"After all, I never imagined Hua Qianyu, Flower City's Mayor, would support Wei Ziyi."

"Nearly allowed this little girl to truly succeed."

"Now that the Second Young Master has returned, it is truly a relief to everyone."

Pausing briefly, he first turned to Chi Lu, who had just regained consciousness and was looking around in confusion at the crowd:

"Alliance Leader Chi, your earlier words made sense."

"Wei Ziyi is the Grand Alliance Leader's only granddaughter—by lineage, she should inherit the position."

"Yet, I cannot accept her as a woman."

"In the future, she may marry outside the alliance, handing over our vast Fallen Phoenix Alliance to outsiders."

"Beyond that, no matter who among us becomes Grand Alliance Leader, there'd be opposition."

"Fortunately, the Second Young Master has returned."

"Even by lineage, who could surpass the Second Young Master, the Grand Alliance Leader's own son?"

"As for martial arts... Heh, the Second Young Master trained under the YinYang Eccentric in his youth."

"His Cosmic YinYang Mill Disc technique—I ask, who among us today can take him on?"

After these words, the crowd looked troubled.

By lineage, none could surpass Wei Qixiong.

Even Wei Ziyi, as a woman, was at a disadvantage.

In martial arts, Wei Qixiong was unmatched.

Earlier, his voice alone reverberated through the hall—his inner power was extraordinary.

Zeng Youwang scanned the room, taking in everyone's reactions, then smiled and turned to Xu Junsang:

"Alliance Leader Xu, what do you think?"

"Me?"

Xu Junsang let out a hearty laugh. "I'm with Alliance Leader Zeng. Whomever you support, I support as well."

"Good."

Zeng Youwang then looked to Chi Lu. "Alliance Leader Chi, what about you?"

"What?"

Chi Lu was taken aback, why was the question suddenly directed at him?

He hesitated briefly.

He glanced at Wei Ruhan, then at Wei Ziyi. After a moment’s thought, he suddenly smiled and nodded, saying:

"If it's Second Master inheriting this position, then I naturally have no objections."

He still played it safe: not voicing support, just saying he had no objections.

Zeng Youwang scoffed but let it go, turning instead to Wei Ziyi:

"Leader Wei, your Brother wants to be Supreme Leader. What do you say?"

Wei Ziyi fixed her eyes on Wei Qixiong and demanded:

"Are you truly my second uncle?"

"And are you really my niece?" Wei Qixiong shot back with a sneer.

"What?" Wei Ziyi froze. "What do you mean by that?"

"My brother Wei Qifeng never married—how could he have a daughter?

"The old man had no sons, so perhaps he resorted to a foolish scheme, adopting some infant girl and declaring her his granddaughter.

"It’s a baseless claim—who could trace it back now?

"Claiming this out of nowhere years later—who’d believe it?"

As Wei Qixiong spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Wei Ruhan.

Wei Ruhan just sighed:

"So it’s still you... After all these years, you haven’t fixed that flaw.

"Always suspicious. Always ruthless."

"I’m suspicious and ruthless?"

Wei Qixiong laughed bitterly, then his face twisted with grief:

"Is it me who’s suspicious and ruthless, or is it you who always favored Brother over me?

"Most parents spoil the youngest, giving them everything.

"But you...

"Every time I fought with Brother, you always sided with him.

"Did you ever once remember I’m also your son?"

The father and son’s explosive clash had everyone staring.

"You can't say that, Second Young Master."

Huang Yuan hurriedly said, "Master has always treated everyone equally. When has he ever slighted you?"

"When?

"From the very beginning to the end!"

Wei Qixiong raised his head and looked at Wei Ruhan:

"Putting aside other things, let me ask you this: in terms of talent, who is better, me or my elder brother?"

"You."

Wei Ruhan nodded slightly, "Qifeng's talent is average, not too good, but not too bad.

"As for you, you were born with excellent roots and keen insight, often able to infer much from little. Your intelligence and quick wit bring joy to one's heart."

"... I'll give you credit for your honesty."

Wei Qixiong took a deep breath, "But if that's the case, why have you only passed on your knowledge to my elder brother and never to me?

"You had my elder brother practice martial arts while you had me study literature.

"You are the Grand Master of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, holding a high position and great power.

"Famous throughout the martial world.

"But after you pass away, who will inherit this position?"

"Would it be passed on to a son skilled in martial arts, or a bookish weakling with no martial skills?"

"You only had me study literature. With you holding me back like this, I naturally couldn't compete with my elder brother."

"From the very beginning, you never once considered passing your legacy to me."

"Your precious firstborn was all you cared about!"

"And you still claim you're not biased?"

"If not for my mentor passing through Sunset City years ago and recognizing my potential, thus imparting his secret arts to me—"

"Bitterly continued: By now, I would likely have become nothing more than a pitiful dependent in this city lord's manor."

"Forced to grovel before Wei Qifeng just to beg for crumbs from his table."

The onlookers exchanged uneasy glances upon hearing this.

The affairs of Wei Ruhan's three sons had been the talk of the town years ago.

People naturally figured that after the death of his eldest son, Wei Qifeng, Wei Ruhan would place his hopes on Wei Qixiong, who had been cultivating his skills in the frozen wastes.

Yet no one expected Wei Ruhan to think so little of his second son.

So why had Wei Qixiong been absent all these years?

Everyone had assumed he'd met with some accident.

But now, it seemed there was definitely more going on.

"Bullshit!"

Wei Ruhan's expression darkened upon hearing this:

"Your big brother may have mediocre talent, but he is simple and kind.

"He has always looked out for you.

"Yet you completely ignore all these facts!

"Though it's said family matters should not be aired in public, since you've returned today,

"let's get everything out in the open to resolve my years of unanswered questions.

"You're one year younger than Qifeng—he was eight then, and you seven.

"That same year, I gave each of you a gift.

"Both of you treasured them like gold, unwilling to part with them.

"But unexpectedly, those things disappeared without a trace.

"Do you remember this?"

"..."

Wei Qixiong frowned slightly: "Such old matters, how could they stick in my mind?"

"Indeed, past events mean nothing to you.

"I still recall the small dog your big brother once raised, no bigger than your two hands put together, just a few months old.

"During its teething phase, its gums itched, and when you teased it, it bit you.

"You then dashed it to death—I suppose you don’t remember that either."

"Just a stupid mutt—so what if it was killed?"

Wei Qixiong's brows tightened: "But I do remember this incident. Big brother cried his eyes out, wanted me dead for his dog.

"We ended up tussling, though neither of us knew martial arts back then.

"Children fighting, rolling in the mud.

"The commotion alarmed Butler Huang, who later called you in.

"Yet, you locked me in my room for three whole months, forbidding me from leaving, to think about what I'd done.

"Both children fought, yet you punished only me, not big brother.

"Over a trivial animal, you went ballistic.

"Truly, you are my great dad—such a paragon of fairness."

Listening to his words, Wei Ruhan's eyes finally had all doubt vanish, leaving only a deep sigh as his disappointment grew tenfold:

"To this day, you still don't get it...

"Let me tell you how each of you reacted after those things disappeared."

"Your elder brother was devastated by losing his treasured possession. Though he was sad and began investigating, he never made much fuss about it."

"But you... you were convinced it was stolen by your subordinates."

"You dragged several servants in, brutally beat them, and tortured confessions out of them."

"Had I not intervened, you might have beaten them to death."

"And that year... you were only seven years old!"

"A seven-year-old child, even if suspicious that those around him had stolen it—how could you go that far!?"

"Ridiculous!"

Wei Qixiong snapped: "As servants, if they stole from me, they deserved to be made examples of by beating to death. What exactly was my mistake here?"

"Not to mention, I was the second son of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance."

"Even in any wealthy household in Sunset City, if a servant dared to steal from their master, a few should be made examples of by beating to death as an example."

"This matter wasn’t about whether they stole it or not."

"It was about nipping such behavior in the bud!"

"Only by putting the fear of god into others could those with ill intentions be warned, to keep others in line."

"And if I hadn’t intervened back then, letting you beat those people to death—"

"What about their innocence?"

"The item wasn’t stolen by them in the first place. You made examples of them—did you ever consider their feelings?"

"Their lives were worthless—not even worth talking about!"

Wei Qixiong shook his head lightly: "Those who achieve great things don’t get bogged down in details. What's human life worth in this world anyway?"

At this point, further words were pointless.

Before this conversation began, Wei Ruhan had already laid down the principle.

Whoever holds the position of Grand Alliance Leader in the Fallen Phoenix Alliance must remember four words: *put the people first*.

Through this exchange, Wei Qixiong’s true colors were showing.

Yet Wei Ruhan did not stop. He continued:

"That’s why I didn’t teach you martial arts but made you study books instead."

"It wasn’t to suppress you or prevent you from competing with your elder brother."

"It was to mold you with the sages' teachings."

"To help you tell right from wrong, know good from bad, and recognize virtue and vice."

"The suspicious and ruthless aspects of your character needed smoothing out through the sages’ teachings."

"Only then, after this foundation, would teaching you martial arts do justice to your natural gifts."

"Otherwise, even if your martial skills reached the heavens and how much power you amassed, you would only be your own undoing."

"Ending up in dire straits."

"But I never thought you'd have other opportunities."

"And you kept it secret from me this whole time..."

"If not for that year during my birthday celebration, when someone came to stir up trouble."

"Your elder brother couldn't handle it, and others mocked Wei Ruhan for having no capable sons. Only then did you step forward and reveal the divine skill of the Cosmic YinYang Mill Disc."

"If not for that, you likely would never have told me, would you?"

"It was my failure as a father, pushing you down this dark path."

"So... back then, after another dispute with my elder brother, I traveled far to the boundless glaciers to cultivate the Cosmic YinYang Mill Disc."

"Father, did you seize that opportunity to send someone to strike at me during a critical moment of my training, hoping to leave me buried in those boundless glaciers?"

Wei Qixiong suddenly made a shocking accusation.

As soon as these words were spoken, the room erupted in shock.

"What?"

"Wei Ruhan actually tried to kill Wei Qixiong?"

"No wonder he returned today with such fury."

"His mask went flying... his strikes were ruthless. So he came back for revenge."

"Not just for revenge, but also to seize the position of Grand Alliance Leader!"

For a moment, the crowd buzzed with whispers.

Wei Ziyi also stared at Wei Ruhan in disbelief.

This revelation stunned everyone.

Yet Wei Ruhan turned his gaze to the person standing beside Wei Qixiong, with both understanding and sorrow. He shook his head lightly:

"So, after surviving that ordeal, you joined forces with others."

"First, you killed your elder brother by the Heng River."

"Then you plotted to kill your younger brother?"

"All just to ensure... I had no successors, forcing me to pass the Grand Alliance Leader position to you?"

After Wei Ruhan spoke, the hall fell deathly silent.

Only Wei Qixiong's hollow voice could be heard:

"The position of Alliance Leader was always meant to be mine."

"My elder brother... had it coming."

"As for my younger brother, he was just wasting air, living like that."

"Rather than dragging through life like that, it was better for him to meet his maker early."

"Maybe next time around, he’ll be reborn as a real man."