As dusk fell, the guests dispersed, and the once bustling Feng Residence sank into silence once more.
Feng Zhengliang extricated himself from the clinking cups and social pleasantries in the front hall, returned to the deserted inner courtyard, and lit candles in the private courtyard where the ancestor Feng Mingzhu lived.
As the dim glow rose, Feng Mingzhu's decrepit figure appeared behind the curtains. But another figure stood beside him-none other than Feng Zhengliang's father, Feng Tiande.
The candlelight fell across Feng Tiande's face, making his already gloomy expression look even worse.
"Have they all left?"
"Don't worry, Father. They've all left."
Feng Tiande's expression eased slightly. "Good."
Feng Zhengliang scoffed. "Why are you so nervous? They won't find out. Besides, even if someone really does discover it, so what? Our Feng Household now has a newly ascended Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even if some petty villains still covet what we have, they're too late."
His eyes shone as he turned toward their ancestor, Feng Mingzhu. "It was all thanks to our ancestor's foresight. He traded with Luo Changshan for the secrets of the Brain Deconstruction Technique early on and developed this cultivation method. That's how we've secured such an excellent position!"
As he spoke, he spread his five fingers slightly, then flexed them as though operating a Mechanism Puppet.
Click, click...
A sound like joints grinding rang out. Feng Mingzhu's body abruptly rose, turned in place, and thrust out both arms, extending his palms until one pressed against Feng Zhengliang's hand.
Throughout the process, Feng Mingzhu kept his eyes narrowed without blinking once. His expression remained as still as water, as though the body being manipulated were not his own.
Watching from the side, Feng Tiande's heart clenched. He hastily scolded, "You unfilial wretch! Be gentler! Those are our ancestor's