The First Venerable of All Paths

"Xiao Jinyu, do you have anything else to say now?"

Seeing Xiao Jinyu's increasingly gloomy face, Nangong Xingyu smiled smugly.

"Such a large sum of resources, that's equivalent to three months' worth of income for Tianbaolou, and you've embezzled it all. You, Xiao Jinyu, have quite the appetite."

Xiao Jinyu, a mere woman, only managed to secure the position of manager of Tianbao Tower in Mingyang County by relying on the support of powerful figures behind her.

This point had long been seen as a thorn in the side by those behind him.

After a series of maneuvers, he finally managed to bring down Xiao Jinyu and take his place.

But as the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean, and Nangong Xingyu, in order to secure his position, had to make an example of someone to scare others.

Xiao Jinyu is the first fire that Nangong Xingyu wants to ignite.

Of course, the most important reason is that his master wants to take this opportunity to control Xiao Jinyu and turn him into his dog.

"you......"

Looking at the shameless and smug smile on Nangong Xingyu's face, Xiao Jinyu felt a wave of disgust.

"If you accuse me of embezzling things from the building, you need to provide evidence."

Xiao Jinyu's phoenix eyes flashed with a cold light, and her tone was as cold as a thousand-year-old ice.

"Otherwise, I will cripple you today on charges of framing and defamation!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Jinyu's long dress fluttered, and a subtle yet powerful aura emanated from her.

"Xiao Jinyu, what are you doing?"

Nangong Xingyu's expression changed, and the powerful martial arts pressure forced him to take several steps back.

"With Elder Pang here, do you still dare to kill me to silence me? I..."

"Shut up!"

Xiao Jinyu interrupted Nangong Xingyu without any politeness, glancing at Pang Long with a cold and sharp look.

"According to the rules of this building, if someone is guilty, the Hall of Rewards and Punishments shall make the decision. When did it become your place to interfere?"

Xiao Jinyu said, word by word, "Or are you saying that the rules of Tianbao Tower are decided by you, Nangong Xingyu, and Pang Long?"

"You...you're being insolent!"

With such a huge accusation pinned on him, not only Nangong Xingyu, but even Pang Long's expression changed.

If this gets out, even if their master can protect them, they will still be severely punished.

The predecessor of Tianbao Tower was not the current Lan family.

But ever since they provoked a terrifying being, that person slaughtered their entire clan with just one sword.

Even the Lu family patriarch, who was stationed in the main building of the upper realm, was nailed to the rooftop by that person with a single halberd right in front of everyone.

For hundreds of years, no one dared to collect his body.

Later, Tianbao Tower was taken over by the Meng family, who then bestowed it upon the affiliated Lan family and promulgated a series of harsh laws.

The Hall of Rewards and Punishments, which enforces these laws, is staffed entirely by disciples of the Meng family.

Just now, Nangong Xingyu used the Hall of Rewards and Punishments to pressure Xiao Jinyu, and now the other party is using the same method to turn the tables on him.

Nangong Xingyu knew very well that if Xiao Jinyu's words had reached the ears of the swordsmen of the Hall of Rewards and Punishments, he would have been severely injured, if not killed.

Even so, we cannot lose in terms of momentum.

The faction behind Xiao Jinyu has now weakened.

She couldn't even see the face of the swordsman of the Hall of Rewards and Punishments.

Thinking of this, Nangong Xingyu straightened his chest and snorted coldly, "Xiao Jinyu, now that things have come to this, stop being stubborn. I have investigated the matter thoroughly and clearly."

"You colluded with outsiders to enrich yourself. According to the rules, your cultivation should be imprisoned, and you should await further punishment!"

Nangong Xingyu pointed at Fang Xuan beside her and sneered, "And he is your accomplice!"

Fang Xuan was stunned.

This guy was definitely after me.

"Nangong Xingyu, you..."

Just as Xiao Jinyu was about to speak, Fang Xuan gently pulled her back.

"If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext."

Fang Xuan chuckled and said, "It's no use saying anything to someone like that."

Xiao Jinyu was taken aback, then nodded.

"you're right."

She was angry with Nangong Xingyu, which is why she was arguing with him.

If the other party is targeting you, anything you say will be a waste of breath.

"I'll send word right away to have the people from the Rewards and Punishments Hall in the building come here."

Xiao Jinyu took out a jade talisman and was about to crush it.

"I want to see if this Tianbao Tower is just a place where certain people distort the truth!"

"No!"

"You dare!"

Seeing that Xiao Jinyu was about to crush the jade talisman, Nangong Xingyu and Pang Long's expressions changed completely.

He was just using the Hall of Rewards and Punishments to scare Xiao Jinyu.

If Xiao Jinyu really calls the people from the Criminal Law Hall, then he won't have a good ending.

Why wouldn't I dare?

Xiao Jinyu scoffed: "According to the rules of this building, if anyone dares to engage in favoritism, fraud, or slander, it can be reported to the authorities for judgment by the officers of the Criminal Law Hall."

"I also want to see if the master behind you really can control everything!"

Xiao Jinyu's words made Nangong Xingyu's face turn pale.

Pang Long glanced at Nangong Xingyu and cursed him under his breath as a piece of trash.

That idiot.

Even if you want to manipulate Xiao Jinyu and curry favor with your master, you shouldn't be in such a hurry.

Barging into someone's home without any preparation is just asking for humiliation.

But the other party is, after all, the young master's man, and we can't just watch him get into trouble.

Thinking of this, Pang Long subtly stepped in front of Nangong Xingyu.

"Manager Xiao, please don't be angry. Manager Nangong is only thinking of the interests of the building."

Pang Long smiled and said, "There might be some misunderstanding here. It's best to clear things up."

"Misunderstand?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyu gave a mocking smile: "I don't think this is a misunderstanding at all. You all came here with such an aggressive attitude. Anyone who didn't know better would think I had committed some heinous crime."

"Cough cough."

Pang Long's face flushed slightly, but he forced a smile and said, "Manager Xiao is joking. It's just a routine inquiry. As long as Manager Xiao explains things clearly, isn't that enough?"

"What did you say?"

Xiao Jinyu said, "Are you saying I embezzled the treasures of the building? Are you saying I colluded with outsiders to destroy the foundation of my Tianbao Tower?"

"Steward Xiao, you flatter me, you flatter me."

Pang Long chuckled and said, "It was all for the sake of the Third Young Master; it was just a misunderstanding."

"The Third Young Master? Lan Lin?"

Xiao Jinyu laughed in fury: "Who does Lan Lin think he is? Does he think he's worthy of my services? You like being someone's dog, but don't drag me into it!"

"you......"

Seeing that Xiao Jinyu was completely unmoved by reason, a flash of anger appeared in Pang Long's eyes.

Nangong Xingyu coldly retorted, "Xiao Jinyu, how dare you be so disrespectful to the Third Young Master! Aren't you afraid...?"

"puff!"

However, before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jinyu raised her hand and slapped Nangong Xingyu away from a distance.

This palm strike was extremely powerful, causing Nangong Xingyu to spit out blood and roll on the ground several times like a dead dog.

"Xiao Jinyu, you... wow!"

Nangong Xingyu spat out another mouthful of blood, looking utterly disheveled.

"roll!"

Xiao Jinyu withdrew her hand and stood up, her tone icy: "If there's a next time, don't blame me for being impolite!"

This time, Xiao Jinyu's tone carried a hint of murderous intent.

Pang Long did not stop him at all.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Xiao Jinyu and said, "I will report this matter truthfully to the authorities. Farewell!"

After saying that, Pang Long glanced deeply at Fang Xuan beside Xiao Jinyu, then turned and left.

"Xiao Jinyu, you just wait!"

Nangong Xingyu struggled to her feet, spitting out the blood in her mouth, and glared at Xiao Jinyu with resentment.

"This matter won't just end like this."

Then he gave Fang Xuan a sinister smile, leaving behind a cold laugh that said "Take care of yourself," before leaving the courtyard.

"Thump!"

As soon as Nangong Xingyu left, the maid's legs went weak, and she knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Please spare me, Miss! I know I was wrong!"

The maid kowtowed and begged for mercy, her voice filled with terror.

"They forced me to do it. If I hadn't obeyed, they..."

Xiao Jinyu waved her hand and said indifferently, "Let's go."

"Miss......"

The maid looked up at Xiao Jinyu in disbelief, then slammed her head heavily on the ground, even harder than before.

"Miss, I will never dare to do it again. Please don't send me away."

The maid burst into tears.

"roll!"

Xiao Jinyu's aura turned cold, and his powerful pressure sent the maid flying.

Once unfaithful, never trusted again.

By sparing the maid's life, she had already shown great mercy.

"This servant... thanks Miss for sparing my life."

The maid struggled to her feet, kowtowed three more times to Xiao Jinyu, and then left with a dejected expression.

She knew it very well.

The fact that the young lady didn't kill her doesn't mean she can live.

That third young master won't let her off either.

As soon as the maid left, Xiao Jinyu's delicate body trembled slightly, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Her pretty face visibly grew paler and paler.

Why would you do this?

Seeing this, Fang Xuan shook his head helplessly and said, "You were already injured, and now your martial meridians are damaged, affecting your foundation. If you don't take good care of yourself, I'm afraid your spirit will be in danger."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyu slowly shook her head.

After taking out a pill to suppress her internal injuries, Xiao Jinyu looked at Fang Xuan and blinked.

"Are you worried about me?"

Fang Xuan said helplessly, "Don't flatter yourself. I don't want to be implicated by you."

"Giggle."

Xiao Jinyu covered her mouth and chuckled, saying gloatingly, "Too bad it's too late. The master behind Nangong Xingyu probably won't let you off easily."

"What does your internal strife at Tianbaolou have to do with me?"

Fang Xuan said irritably, "I have no interest in getting involved in your affairs."

"That's not up to you."

Xiao Jinyu sighed and said, "The person behind Nangong Xingyu is named Lan Lin. He is considered a big shot in Tianbao Tower, and he... does not want me to achieve divine will."

"So, he holds a grudge against me because I helped you refine the Three Fire Profound Pill to aid your breakthrough?"

Fang Xuan found it unbelievable: "What kind of logic is this?"

"If he were reasonable, he wouldn't be Lan Lin."

Xiao Jinyu looked dejected and rather helpless.

"Who cares about blue or white scales, just don't mess with me."

Fang Xuan didn't take it seriously.

Anyway, he was about to leave Mingyang County, and had no interest whatsoever in the internal strife of Tianbao Tower.

Seeing Fang Xuan's expression, Xiao Jinyu knew that he didn't take it seriously.

"Just be careful."

Xiao Jinyu said, "Nangong Xingyu suffered a loss today, but he is wary of the rules of the building and dares not attack me directly. However, he may turn his attention to you."

"What's going on here?"

Fang Xuan rubbed his temples in frustration.

"Just don't mess with me."

Xiao Jinyu sensed a chilling killing intent in those words.