Crying While Filling the Pit I Dug - Chapter 40

Yuan Diening was ashamed and looked at Master Fang with hatred, saying “Groundless guess? I’m afraid not. Master Fang often handles official business for my father, and imitating his handwriting is not a problem for him. The matter of physical evidence can be completely resolved. Through the testimony just now, that day his alibi cannot be counted. As for the motive, my father valued Junior Brother Ling very much, and even had the idea of making Junior Brother Ling his successor a hundred years later. He… He intended to arrange my marriage to Junior Brother Ling. These two points are enough to motivate Master Fang to do all of this. By getting rid of Junior Brother Ling and murdering my father, he could become the head of the sect directly. It’s a strategic move, so why wouldn’t he take it? As for Senior Brother Song, I’m afraid it’s just his innocent involvement. In this case, he has the ability, the motivation and time.”

Everyone was shocked. Was Mrs. Fang accusing her husband?

Master Fang’s expression became very sorrowful and full of pain as he uttered, “Junior Sister…you!”

Master Fang resolutely said, “Okay, even if I have the ability, motivation, and time, it will just drag me down. What about Ling Qianyi? Doesn’t he also have the capability, motivation, and time? How did he manage to execute everything so flawlessly?””

Song Miaomiao thought that Master Fang had already confirmed that Ling Qianyi had no way to defend himself. Even if Master Fang could explain his own actions, it was still unclear that Ling Qianyi must be innocent. In modern society, it was possible to use suspicion to get rid of crime, but in ancient times, it was challenging. If others believe someone was guilty, they could suppress the said person through public opinion or differences in status.

Song Miaomiao was thinking when suddenly she saw that Yuan Diening had drawn out her sword and pointed it at Master Fang.

Everyone present was shocked.

The noble lady shouted, “Mrs. Fang.”

Regardless of others’ opinions, regardless of whether Ling Qianyi had cleared himself of the crime or not, in Yuan Diening’s heart, Master Fang was already the murderer.

Yuan Diening was deeply saddened, “I actually trusted you, a thief!”

Master Fang just looked at Yuan Diening in a daze.

Ling Qianyi’s gaze turned intense, and he stressed each word, “Senior Brother Fang, let me ask you again, why did you visit Mingcheng?”

Mingcheng? Both Song Miaomiao and Master Fang were shocked.

Master Fang gritted his teeth, saying, “Mingcheng? You… Li Xingyuan was sent by you to spy on me?”

Ling Qianyi said, “Yes, Li Xingyuan was sent by me to monitor you. The last correspondence between him and me ended in Mingcheng, and I was not able to contact him again.”

“I just wanted to find out about the Master from you, but I didn’t expect you to be involved in other incidents. Brother Fang, ten years ago, do you still remember the massacre of the Ling family in Mingcheng?”

Master Fang said indifferently, “What Ling family? I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Ling Qianyi snorted coldly, “Then why did you secretly inquire about the killer who killed the Ling family and even went to investigate in person?”

Master Fang replied, “So what if I went to Mingcheng? What does it have to do with the Ling family?”

Ling Qianyi said sadly, “Because you hired killers to destroy my whole family ten years ago. You killed my whole family just to vent your father’s anger. My father opened the granary to help the victims but was blackmailed by your father, and had to report your father Fang Zhifu for corruption and bribery.”

It turned out to be so! 

Song Miaomiao’s eyes widened; the truth of the matter struck her. Song Miaomiao remembered that before joining the Wanshan Sect, she had heard someone talking about Master Fang being the son of a high official, but no one knew which high official it was. She thought that Master Fang kept a low profile, but he was responsible for the massacre.

“The father of the head of the sect is a corrupt official. I have never heard of it!”

“I only heard that he was a high-ranking official, but I never thought he was such a corrupt person.”

Master Fang reprimanded, “You are talking nonsense!”

He still refused to let go, saying, “Even if my father is a corrupt official, how can you prove that I killed your whole family?”

Yuan Diening’s expression became increasingly angry, and she ignored her own image as she loudly exclaimed, “Master Fang, if others are unaware, do you think I am ignorant? Your father is the unscrupulous official who embezzled food meant for the victims. My father witnessed it all. When you were young and innocent, he kindly took care of you, but you committed actions worse than a beast.”

The sword in Yuan Diening’s hands drew nearer to Master Fang. Suddenly, he gave up struggling and burst out laughing, tears of laughter nearly flowing. “Junior Sister, our years of friendship apparently aren’t enough for you to believe me. In that case, I’ll admit it.”

For him, everything he did was an attempt to explain to Yuan Diening, to prove that there was insufficient evidence, yet she persistently believed otherwise. The person he deeply loved no longer trusted him, prompting Master Fang to admit everything.

Master Fang grasped the tip of Yuan Diening’s sword, causing her to fling the weapon away in fright. His hand became stained with blood as he traced the sword bit by bit, smearing blood on it inch by inch. He smiled, saying, “Yes! Yes! It’s me! I killed Master, I killed Junior Brother Song, and I framed Ling Qianyi. I also planned the massacre of Ling Qianyi’s entire family. Ling Qianyi, you concealed it so well; I didn’t even know you were a child of the Ling family for so many years.”