Nangong Huo glanced at Nangong Lie before showing an apologetic expression to Gu Changsheng, sighing, "Gu Louzhu, this matter tarnishes our Nangong family's reputation. I truly find it difficult to speak of."
Recalling Ye Kunlun's unreasonable demands earlier, Gu Changsheng understood and waved his hand, "It's fine if you don't say."
He looked at Nangong Yunshao, whose breathing had become increasingly steady, and added, "With the Star Soul Jade, Yunshao will wake tonight. As her master, I shall return to Qintian Tower first. I will find that little thief from last night today!"
"Were there things you didn't want Gu Changsheng to hear just now?"
A father knows his son best, and Nangong Lie naturally saw that Nangong Huo did not want Gu Changsheng to know about the transaction between the Nangong family and Ye Kunlun.
Nangong Huo nodded. "Nothing escapes Father's notice. Son feels it is best not to let outsiders know about this matter."
Nangong Lie nodded and asked, "What transaction did Ye Kunlun make with you?"
"Ye Kunlun said the Star Soul Jade would remain with the Nangong family for three years, and he only wanted one item from the Nangong family for one year."
Nangong Huo spoke with a smile, "However, I am confident that our Nangong family does not possess the item he desires."
Nangong Lie's expression changed, as if he had thought of something, and he pressed, "What item does he want?"
"The Wordless Book," Nangong Huo replied. "Father, our Nangong family has such a book…"
Before Nangong Huo could finish speaking, he saw Nangong Lie's expression turn grave.
"Father... could it be that our Nangong family truly has a Wordless Book?"
Nangong Lie had never seen his father's expression so solemn. Clearly, the Wordless Book was extremely important to the Nangong family.
"This transaction is void. Return the Star Soul Jade to Ye Kunlun immediately!"
Nangong Lie's expression was one of resolute decisiveness.
"Father!" Nangong Huo became anxious upon hearing this, "Yunshao is your own granddaughter. If the Star Soul Jade is taken away now, she might not be able to hold on any longer!"
"I've never heard of this Wordless Book growing up. If Ye Kunlun wants it, what does it matter if you give it to him for a year?"
Nangong Huo could not bear to watch his daughter die before his eyes.
If the Star Soul Jade were returned to Ye Kunlun, it would be nearly impossible to retrieve it from him again.
"Nonsense! Do you know what the Wordless Book is? Yet you agreed to it so rashly!"
Nangong Lie was so angry his entire body trembled.
"You were the one who said to agree to any conditions he proposed," Nangong Huo mumbled softly, shrinking his neck.
"Father, what exactly is the Wordless Book?" Nangong Huo tentatively asked.
Nangong Lie's expression was grave, his brow furrowed.
After a moment, he said to Nangong Huo, "Only the successive patriarchs of the Nangong family know of the Wordless Book. Outsiders absolutely could not know. How did Ye Kunlun find out that our Nangong family has a Wordless Book..."
"Father, is this Wordless Book truly that important?" Nangong Huo asked quietly.
"Do you know why our Nangong family has been able to prosper for a thousand years without decline? And even ranked among the Seven Great Clans of the capital?" Nangong Lie looked at Nangong Huo, who had caused trouble.
Nangong Huo thought for a moment and replied with pride, "Of course, it's because our Nangong family has stood since ancient times, with ancestors who achieved great deeds generation after generation."
Nangong Lie replied, "That is only one part of it!"
Nangong Huo did not dare to respond, knowing that Nangong Lie's next words would undoubtedly be related to the Wordless Book.
Nangong Lie said gravely, "The second part is this Wordless Book, because the Wordless Book is a Book of Fortune!"
"A Book of Fortune?" Nangong Huo was somewhat bewildered, "Father, how can a book possess fortune? That's too outlandish."
"Outlandish?" Nangong Lie's gaze turned colder. "If it weren't outlandish, why would the Shanhetian be built upon a dragon脉 (dragon vein)?"
Hearing his father mention the Shanhetian, Nangong Huo shivered, "Father, speak with caution."
Nangong Lie glanced at Nangong Yunshao, whose breathing was steady, his eyes slightly reddening. "Second son, return the Star Soul Jade!"
"No!" Nangong Huo flatly refused, "I cannot watch Yunshao die before my eyes!"
"Do you think I want this?" Nangong Lie's aged body trembled slightly. "The Wordless Book concerns the Nangong family's fortune. Not even the slightest accident can occur, nor can it leave the family. Otherwise—the Nangong family's fortune will inevitably be damaged."
Nangong Lie said sternly, "Second son, do you want to see the family ruined?"
"I..." Nangong Huo's words caught in his throat.
"I have failed Yunshao," Nangong Lie's voice was filled with sorrow, "But as the patriarch of the Nangong family, I must consider the family first."
"Father, it's just a book... Our Nangong family hasn't fallen for a thousand years, is it all thanks to a mere book?" Nangong Huo shielded his daughter, refusing to back down.
"If it's just a mere book, then I, Nangong Huo, would rather not enjoy this glory of the Nangong family!"
Nangong Huo was willing to fall out with Nangong Lie for the sake of his daughter.
"You, how dare you!" Nangong Lie was enraged, "Elder Qi, return the Star Soul Jade to Wujian Prison!"
As soon as the words fell, Elder Qi appeared in Nangong Yunshao's chamber.
Upon Qi Duangjiang's appearance, he reached out a hand, intending to retrieve the Star Soul Jade from Nangong Yunshao.
But at that moment, the Star Soul Jade shot out a piercing beam of starlight, striking towards Qi Duangjiang with an unstoppable aura.
Qi Duangjiang's expression changed drastically. He had never expected the Star Soul Jade to hide such a secret. He tried to dodge, but it was too late.
*Splat—*
The force directly pierced Qi Duangjiang's right chest.
*Puff—*
Qi Duangjiang coughed up a mouthful of blood. He quickly sealed his wound and sat down cross-legged to heal.
Nangong Lie was also startled by the sudden turn of events, "How could this happen?"
At this moment, Nangong Yunshao, lying on the bed, had starlight flashing between her brows as she madly absorbed the power from the Star Soul Jade.
The Star Soul Jade was like an inexhaustible mine, continuously providing her with power.
In the blink of an eye, star light surged around Nangong Yunshao, appearing extremely mystical, as if she were lying amidst countless stars.
Nangong Huo looked at the scene before him, both shocked and delighted.
He was shocked that the Star Soul Jade had injured Qi Duangjiang, and delighted that Qi Duangjiang could not take the Star Soul Jade.
Thus, his daughter would not be in mortal danger.
*Thump—*
Nangong Huo knelt directly before Nangong Lie, "Father, your son is willing to bear all consequences!"
Nangong Lie looked at Nangong Yunshao's transformation and recalled the words of the person who had left the Star Soul Jade behind.
"Alas, perhaps it is all destiny."
With that, Nangong Lie turned and walked towards the door.
"Father!"
Nangong Huo, kneeling on the ground, called out to Nangong Lie, "Ye Kunlun said he would come to retrieve the Wordless Book within seven days."
Wujian Prison.
Ye Kunlun, who was flipping through case files, raised an eyebrow, "As I expected, Nangong Lie would have someone return the Star Soul Jade upon learning I wanted the Wordless Book."
"Heh heh, since he made a deal with me, there's no reason to send it back."
"This benefits Nangong Yunshao quite a bit. I actually saved her life!"