chapter 13 The truth comes out ===

“Now you can tell me, who sent you here to cause trouble.”
Like the sound of death, Scar Tiger trembled in fear, the decisive and ruthless nature sending shivers down everyone's spine. Without a word, cut off your arm first and then ask questions. It was a psychological tactic, and Scar Tiger's nerves were completely shattered.
These were desperate characters, and ordinary questioning would yield no results. The best way was to be ten times more ruthless than them, breaking their spirit.
The short knife was placed on his left arm, refusing to reveal the mastermind behind, and the cutting continued.
Playing with fire, that's what Verdantius Liu was doing. One misstep could lead to the downfall of the entire Xu family.
"It... it was Quercius Tian who sent us. To strike at the Xu family's weapon workshop, disrupting your business. After it's done, pay us ten thousand gold coins."
Scar Tiger's mental fortitude was completely manipulated by Verdantius Liu. Those terrifying eyes, like a soul-devouring beast, compelled him to speak.
As this revelation unfolded, the scene erupted in chaos.
Valerrie Xu's eyes narrowed, her face frosty. This answer went beyond everyone's expectations.
Indeed, someone was behind the scenes orchestrating this. Despite Scar Tiger's audacity, he wouldn't dare to come and stir trouble at the Xu family on his own.
The remaining nine mercenaries, pale-faced, weapons in hand, charged towards the crowd, attempting to escape amidst the confusion.
"Kill them!"
Verdantius Liu's voice was icy. Deacon Lan soared into the air, his palm pressing down, and three people were shattered, turning into blood.
The entire hall descended into chaos. Many were innocent bystanders, and indiscriminate killing was not an option. Amidst the turmoil, a few managed to swiftly rush towards the main gate.
At this moment, a cold light descended from the air. Valerrie Xu, who had been silent all this time, finally took action. A silver sword appeared in her hand, the aura of an innate realm covering the entire weapon workshop.
Verdantius Liu's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected his wife to be so powerful. An eighteen-year-old at the innate realm – a genius even within the entire Yan Empire.
In just two breaths, aside from Scar Tiger, all the mercenaries met their end, turning into lifeless bodies lying on the ground.
Throughout the ordeal, Verdantius Liu had not made a move. Everyone's gaze towards him changed. Today, without Verdantius Liu, the situation might have taken a different turn. The Xu family might have been extorted of a large sum of money, or even seen their reputation tarnished.
"Master, we were wrong. We shouldn't have mocked you just now."
Suddenly, Boscanus Dong knelt down, slapping himself, and other servants knelt behind him, shivering.
"Deacon Lan, the rest is up to you."
Turning away from the weapon workshop, the situation was resolved. Father-in-law knew what to do next, and Verdantius Liu didn't need to worry about the rest. It was time for him to return to cultivation.
As he stepped out of the weapon workshop, a fragrance filled the air. Valerrie Xu appeared by his side, and they walked side by side.
Since childhood, it seemed like the first time they walked so closely.
"How did you know that the broken sword wasn't forged by our Xu family?"
Valerrie Xu spoke first. Both she and Deacon Lan had inspected the broken sword. The craftsmanship was undoubtedly from the Xu family, and even the engraved mark was identical, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fake.
"I took a guess!"
He shrugged. From childhood to adulthood, always looked down upon by Valerrie Xu, although they were husband and wife, they were even more like strangers. Except for occasional meetings during festivals, most of the time, Verdantius Liu couldn't see Valerrie Xu.
"Are you still angry about that night?"
Her voice was like the scent of orchids in a secluded valley. On their wedding night, she had driven her husband out of the bridal chamber with violence. What she did was indeed excessive, but given that he was a worthless waste, Verdantius Liu hadn't blamed her. He could only say that fate played its role.
"It's all in the past."
A bitter smile. Was he angry?
He himself didn't know, and was there any reason to be angry?
"You seem to have changed."
Valerrie Xu couldn't find the words to describe it. Since that night, he seemed to have changed, becoming somewhat unfamiliar. No longer a playboy, when he looked at her, his clear eyes were like two azure gems, completely different from the lascivious looks he used to give whenever he saw her revealing a lewd appearance.
Could hurting a person really change their personality?
She should be happy about it, seeing Verdantius Liu transform into this, but she couldn't find happiness. He had become too cold, standing beside him, she couldn't feel any warmth.
"People always change."
Walking on the street, they attracted many onlookers. Most gazes were on Valerrie Xu, mixed with some disdainful whispers. After all, she was like a beautiful flower planted in manure.
"You still haven't told me how you discovered the secret of the broken sword."
Valerrie Xu took a deep breath, a smile blossoming on her face, like peach blossoms in March, brightening the surrounding sky. Even with a veil covering her, that enchanting smile couldn't hide her peerless beauty.
A smile that could enchant a city, a smile that could enchant a nation!
Verdantius Liu rubbed his nose. Having such a wife was a dream come true for countless men. Yet, he showed a wry smile because no one understood better than him what the term "a beautiful disaster" meant.
No feelings for Valerrie Xu?
Certainly not.
Their memories seamlessly merged, bearing everything, including emotions.
"Do you remember that I picked up a weapon in the hall yesterday?"
Verdantius Liu's tone slowed down, the cold aura disappearing, making him look quite sunny.
"Yes!"
She nodded. Yesterday, Verdantius Liu entered the hall, scolded by his parents, and picked up a weapon. No one paid him any attention, and later, he left with a bag of medicinal herbs. How was this related to the broken sword?
"Our Xu family's weapons have a deep resonance, carrying a hint of dragon's roar. Today, this broken sword uses the Xu family's forging technique, almost indistinguishable from the real thing, but the resonance is crisp. To others, it may seem insignificant, but it's a world of difference."
For ordinary people, it was difficult to discern, but for Verdantius Liu, it was a fatal flaw.
Valerrie Xu turned her head, and they both stopped. Astonishment filled her beautiful eyes. Such a subtle difference, he could actually discern it.
"Are you thanking me for this?"
Verdantius Liu smirked, making Valerrie Xu glare at him. They both laughed. Today's events resolved a huge crisis for the Xu family, and they were both happy.
Passing by the ruins of the brothel buried that night, the debris was still there. Workers were busy at the site, and the compensation from the Xu family had been settled with them yesterday.
Stopping their steps, they looked at the ruins.
Valerrie Xu's face showed displeasure. Verdantius Liu was her husband, even if only in name, and she didn't want him in such a place.
"Do you still have attachment to this place?"
Her tone had a hint of acidity, not out of jealousy but some resentment for Verdantius Liu not growing more mature. Finally, he had redeemed a bit of his image in her eyes, but seeing the brothel, she couldn't move her feet.
"Do you believe me if I say I was framed that night?"
Verdantius Liu glanced at the ruins, withdrew his gaze, and looked at Valerrie Xu with a half-truth, half-lie statement. The matter from that night hadn't been thoroughly investigated, and he didn't want too many people to know about it.
No answer came. Perhaps over the years, Verdantius Liu had completely broken her heart. Whatever he said, its credibility would be discounted.
The two returned to the Xu family. The news of the weapon workshop incident had spread, and the family was discussing how to proceed. This time, they had completely torn their faces with the Tian family.
"Dad!" Valerrie Xu.
"Father-in-law!" Verdantius Liu.
The two entered the main hall, where Silvianus Xu was discussing matters with several stewards. Seeing them, everyone stopped.
"Verdantius, I know everything about today's events. You did well, and I am pleased as your father."
Silvianus Xu walked over, patting Verdantius Liu's shoulder. Today, without him, the situation would have been unimaginable. They would have fallen for the Tian family's schemes and faced continuous attacks. Verdantius Liu had saved the weapon workshop.
"This is what I should do."
Verdantius Liu did not take undue credit. He just did what he should have done.
"Very well, very well. Go and rest. We still have matters to discuss."
Three consecutive "very wells." Seeing his son-in-law mature, he was genuinely happy. The group continued discussing matters, and Verdantius Liu and Valerrie Xu left to go to their respective residences.
The brother-in-law of the Xu family had shown great power, exposing the Tian family's conspiracy and saving the reputation of the Xu family. The news quickly spread throughout the family, and the attitude of the servants towards Verdantius Liu changed dramatically.
"Good day, Young Master!"
"Greetings, Young Master!"
"Young Master, are you hungry? I'll bring you some food!"
...
Just back in the courtyard, Iron Strength, shirtless, knelt outside the yard, pleading for punishment.
"Young Master, yesterday was my fault. Please punish me."
In the past, Verdantius Liu was a useless waste in their eyes. After this incident, their attitudes toward him had changed significantly.
"Get up!"
Verdantius Liu didn't really blame him. Their worlds were destined not to be the same. Being able to apologize voluntarily showed his loyalty to the Xu family. That was enough.
Closing the yard door, hanging the "Do Not Disturb" sign, the next two days would be a good time for cultivation. He aimed to break through to the seventh stage of the Second Heaven.
Tearing their faces with the Tian family meant they would face a frenzied counterattack. It wouldn't only target the refining room, but also other industries of the Xu family—tea houses, restaurants, mines, and more—needed to be defended to maintain the operation of a large family.
Only with these industries could the Xu family maintain its current status. Verdantius Liu's goal was to make the Xu family the number one family in the Yan Empire, free from worries and able to seek his own path to immortality.