Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master Chapter 160

Chapter 160: Ning Zhuo Ascends the Hall!

Ancestral Hall.

“Honored Elder there aren’t enough seats” a subordinate reported.

The Ancestral Hall Elder’s face was as calm as water: “Bring over tables and chairs from the school fill both the front and middle courtyards. Too many people are coming and more keep arriving. Something’s not right!”

The Ancestral Hall Elder smelled a conspiracy.

“Go hurry up Ning Zhuo! Why is this kid walking so slowly? He hasn’t arrived yet and many elders are already here. Is he putting on airs?” The Ancestral Hall Elder knew well: the longer the delay the worse it would be for the main branch.

At this moment someone suddenly reported: “The Young Clan Leader has arrived—!” The Ancestral Hall Elder and others immediately stood up and left the main hall to greet him.

Ning Xiaoren arrived at the Ancestral Hall a step ahead saw the Ancestral Hall Elder and quickly stepped forward cupping his hands in salute.

His face was calm but he secretly transmitted an anxious message: “Elder for my father’s sake please save me!” The Ancestral Hall Elder’s pupils shrank slightly upon hearing this.

At this moment Ning Youfu and Ning Ze also arrived.

The Ancestral Hall Elder said a few polite words and quickly extricated himself from Ning Xiaoren to greet Ning Youfu.

The Ancestral Hall Elder smiled: “Elder Fu you have arrived! It’s truly rare giving the younger generation another chance to hear your teachings.”

Ning Youfu chuckled: “I don’t have many days left I wanted to live quietly but this matter arose so I had to come. Beside me is Ning Zhuo’s uncle Ning Ze.” The Ancestral Hall Elder made a sound of acknowledgment took the initiative to lead the way and invited Ning Youfu and Ning Ze into the Ancestral Hall.

During this time Ning Xiaoren tried to communicate with him but he pretended not to know and did not respond.

The people from the Ancestral Hall urged Ning Zhuo whispering to him: “Ning Zhuo you’re causing a big scene. Many elders are already at the Ancestral Hall and you haven’t even covered half the distance.” Ning Zhuo quickly apologized explaining that many clan members had questions and he had to explain to each one which took some time.

He asked the messenger to return and say that Ning Zhuo would arrive soon.

After the Ancestral Hall people left Ning Zhuo continued at his own pace even slowing down a bit.

Thanks to his continuous explanations more and more clan members gathered around him.

His entourage swelled to over sixty people.

Turning a corner an elder with a cane accompanied by three attendants looked at Ning Zhuo from afar and waved slightly.

Someone in Ning Zhuo’s group exclaimed: “Ah it’s Elder Ning Houjun!”

Ning Houjun was also once an elder specifically of the War Hall.

However he voluntarily retired over a decade ago and had been enjoying his retirement at home.

Like Ning Youfu Ning Houjun was also a branch clan member with high prestige.

Ning Zhuo quickly quickened his pace came before Ning Houjun and bowed deeply.

Ning Houjun looked Ning Zhuo up and down praising: “Good the young man is dignified and spirited just like a young person should be. I’ve heard about your situation.”

“This time I’ll accompany you to the clan’s Ancestral Hall.”

Ning Zhuo expressed his gratitude and the clan members around him cheered saying that with Elder Ning Houjun accompanying them success was assured!

Ning Zhuo and Ning Houjun walked side by side conversing while secretly transmitting messages.

Ning Houjun asked via transmission: “Young man do you know who the most crucial person in this action is?” Ning Zhuo replied without hesitation via transmission: “It’s the Ancestor.” He was referring not to the ancestral patriarch but to the Golden Core Ancestor.

Ning Houjun glanced at Ning Zhuo showing an appreciative look and continued transmitting: “Correct you see it clearly.”

“Our clan’s Ancestor is not from the main branch. The Golden Core Ancestor of the main branch has shown him great kindness. Therefore the Ancestor often looks after the main branch. But he has no direct bloodline descendants.”

“Because of this over a decade ago our branch clan united to challenge the main branch. Although we failed the Ancestor did not intervene throughout the process.” Ning Zhuo nodded: “Given this I am certain of victory this time.”

“Indeed.” Ning Houjun chuckled and continued transmitting “I always like to win. Otherwise why would I join you? This time it’s only a matter of winning more or less.”

Clan Ancestral Hall.

The Ning Clan Leader had arrived.

The Clan Leader’s face was expressionless: “That Ning Zhuo still hasn’t arrived?”

Immediately someone was sent to urge him.

The messenger saw Ning Zhuo initially arrogant but was scolded by Ning Houjun: “I’m old what’s wrong with walking slowly?” “Go tell the Clan Leader is he in such a hurry because he needs to relieve himself?” The messenger returned dejectedly not daring to report the exact words only saying that Ning Houjun was present.

The Clan Leader took a deep breath and endured it.

The War Hall Elder laughed: “After all these years Elder Ning Houjun’s temper is still the same.” “I wonder how his son has been since being expelled from the clan?” “Has he had any correspondence with Elder Ning Houjun in recent years?”

It wasn’t until the sun was high nearing noon that Ning Zhuo and his group arrived at the clan’s Ancestral Hall.

The entourage had grown to over a hundred people.

However there were even more people inside the Ancestral Hall.

Most of the people with Ning Zhuo could only stand outside the Ancestral Hall and listen.

Even so there were no good spots left.

The entire clan’s Ancestral Hall was surrounded by clan members layer upon layer.

Ning Zhuo Ning Houjun and Wang Lan were led into the Ancestral Hall.

All the high-ranking members of the Ning Clan who could come had arrived.

Ning Zhuo saw Ning Ze Ning Ji the Clan Leader and of course Ning Xiaoren.

Ning Xiaoren’s face was ashen staring at Ning Zhuo with a fierce look his neck stretched out like a vulture ready to fight to the death.

Ning Zhuo had just cupped his hands about to speak when Wang Lan suddenly wailed: “Husband you were finally rescued! Did Ning Xiaoren not harm you again?” Ning Ze stepped out of the crowd hugged Wang Lan and said in a deep voice: “It was Elder Fu who personally saved me! He freed me from Ning Xiaoren’s clutches!” Along the way Ning Ze had already learned the whole story.

Despite Ning Xiaoren’s constant threats and inducements Ning Ze had made up his mind!

What a joke.

“Did he really think I enjoyed being hit on the head every time?!” “Did he really think I had no temper?!”

Ning Ze’s wife Wang Lan had already stepped onto the stage and the branch clan members were excited.

The momentum was unstoppable and the truth was clear: Ning Xiaoren had indeed not provided Ning Zhuo with any cultivation resources and had indeed framed Ning Ze.

All the humiliation and accumulated resentment Ning Ze had suffered made him unhesitatingly choose Ning Zhuo’s side.

Hearing Ning Ze’s words Ning Xiaoren’s heart sank to the bottom his whole body cold.

His only chance lay with Ning Ze.

At this moment it was like a leaf in the autumn wind drifting away.

With both witnesses and physical evidence Ning Xiaoren had no room for rebuttal.

At the time framing Ning Ze was a hasty decision prompted by Ning Zhuo’s sudden rise.

The whole incident had too many flaws and if Ning Ze cooperated it would be fine but if he turned the evidence would be invalid.

Other clan members could easily verify the facts.

The evidence was overwhelming!

“Ning Xiaoren!” The Clan Leader roared tearing off his waist token and throwing it at Ning Xiaoren.

Ning Xiaoren’s head was hit and blood flowed immediately.

He knew the game was over with no hope of escape.

In the end he showed enough backbone.

He let his head bleed cupped his hands to his father and said: “Clan Leader I made a mistake and have no face to face the clan. I accept all punishment!” And this was Ning Xiaoren’s final act.

The Clan Leader immediately announced the cancellation of Ning Xiaoren’s position as Young Clan Leader imprisoning him in the dungeon for three years.

After three years he would be expelled from the clan allowed to return only for the clan’s grand ceremonies.

“The Clan Leader is wise sacrificing personal feelings for the greater good!”

Upon hearing the verdict countless branch clan members inside and outside the Ancestral Hall cheered their voices echoing far and wide.

The main branch elders watched Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo had won brilliantly stepping on Ning Xiaoren.

After today he would be famous throughout the clan his reputation soaring.

Even with only “three layers of Qi Refining Stage” such character and actions could not be underestimated.

That night.

Ning Ze’s residence hosted a small banquet.

Ning Zhuo and Ning Ze entertained Ning Youfu Ning Houjun and several family stewards like Ning Xiangguo.

Ning Zhuo frequently toasted expressing his gratitude showing humility and politeness and sincerely seeking advice.

Ning Youfu pointed out: “After this incident Ning Zhuo you are now at odds with the main branch. Especially with the Clan Leader don’t expect any reconciliation.”

Ning Houjun sighed: “It’s a pity. The Clan Leader cut off his arm to save himself today only taking down the Young Clan Leader. The victory is limited.”

Ning Xiangguo said: “Even so it’s the first victory for our branch in over a decade. A branch member bringing down the main branch’s Young Clan Leader is truly inspiring!”

Ning Zhuo looked at the people at the table guessing in his heart: Who among them is the Ning family traitor secretly allied with Fei Si?

Ning Zhuo asked proactively how the main branch would deal with him.

Ning Youfu smiled: “Ning Zhuo you are now part of the reformation team exploring the Immortal Palace with great skill. Plus you are in the limelight. The main branch won’t touch you fearing you might cause another uproar at the Ancestral Hall.”

He glanced at Ning Xiangguo and said: “The main branch’s retaliation will come soon and you will suffer.”

Ning Xiangguo smiled slightly: “I am mentally prepared. It doesn’t matter! Even if I’m removed so what? The main branch won’t dare remove too many. After all they are too few in number haha.”

Ning Houjun sighed: “To this day there isn’t a single elder position in the clan held by our branch. This is too passive leaving us with no basic foundation. Even with many stewards we are still at their mercy.”

“Fortunately Ning Zhuo you have talent. With steady development you will surely become an elder.”

“Our branch hasn’t produced talent in a long time. To be honest I’ve been waiting for someone capable of handling things for over a decade.”

“Although your cultivation is weak now you have spirit and skill.”

“The key is you have talent and are worth investing in.”

“Rest assured as long as I’m alive I’ll support you fully!”

“You are now the banner of our branch you must not fall.”

Ning Zhuo laughed heartily: “Things have come to this point partly due to the main branch’s pressure but also because I want to progress.”

“I have talent I’m skilled at exploring the Immortal Palace and I have your strong support. How can I not succeed?”

Everyone laughed heartily.

Amid the laughter they clinked their cups.

Ning Ze downed his cup of fine wine in one gulp.

As he put down the cup he looked at Ning Zhuo with a particularly complex expression.