The August weather was oppressively hot.

Yet Su Qingning felt a chill—a bone-piercing cold, even colder than the winter her father had passed away.

She stared at Deng Bingzhong as if he were an alien. Shock, astonishment, and rage crashed over her in waves. She looked at the old man who had lived in her home for over a decade, a man she had long considered family.

In her wildest dreams, Su Qingning never would have imagined he could say such things.

Deng Bingzhong gave the address and hung up without another word. He then turned to glance at Su Qingning, meeting her hateful glare.

Deng Bingzhong chuckled. "What? Surprised?"

Su Qingning didn't speak. Or rather, she couldn't find the words.

Of course, she was surprised. In fact, "surprised" wasn't a strong enough word. It was shock—a shock deeper than anything she had ever felt before.

But Deng Bingzhong simply continued to laugh. "Don't be shocked. I was never an ordinary person. All these years I've spent hiding in your family have been for one thing!"

"Who are you?" Su Qingning demanded sharply.

"Who I am isn't important!"

"What is it you want?"

Deng Bingzhong stared out at the tranquil lake. Lowering his voice, he said, "An item of immeasurable value. Whoever obtains it will not only gain wealth enough to rival nations but will also become an invincible existence in this world!"

Su Qingning gasped. She had no idea her family possessed such a treasure.

Deng Bingzhong chuckled again.

"What, surprised?"

Su Qingning didn't speak, but her silence was a tacit admission.

Deng Bingzhong said indifferently, "There's nothing to be surprised about. When our Hall Master first assigned me this task, I was surprised, too. After all, your Su Family was just a second-tier family in Jinling City back then; it didn't seem possible that you could possess such a supreme treasure.

"But I still accepted the mission. I had no choice; it was an order from the Hall Master. Originally, I planned to figure everything out within three months, even if it meant taking the treasure by force. But I never expected your father to be a Martial Artist, and a remarkably powerful one at that.

"With no other option, I could only lie low and wait for an opportunity. Finally, after more than ten years of hiding, my chance came!"

Su Qingning reeled from the shock.

All these years... She never knew her father was a Martial Artist.

Deng Bingzhong continued, "That day, your father returned, severely injured for some unknown reason. I knew my chance had come, so I made my move.

"I demanded to know where the item was, but your father swore he didn't know. I threatened to use you against him—after all, you were the person he loved most. But I didn't expect him to become so enraged. Despite his injuries, he fought me with everything he had. That's right. It was I who dealt the final, fatal blow!"

The confession struck Su Qingning like a physical blow. Her stunningly beautiful face turned deathly pale, as white and cold as the moonlight, and her eyes filled with pure hatred.

For three years, she had believed her father died in a severe car accident. After all, when she saw him for the last time, he was already critically injured and on the verge of death. She never, ever imagined... that it was this monster, Deng Bingzhong, who had killed him.

No wonder... When Father was dying, he held my hand and struggled to say the word 'Deng.' I thought he wanted me to continue taking care of Deng Bingzhong... But he was trying to warn me. And I didn't understand.

"Deng Bingzhong! My father treated you so well! How could you be so vicious?" Su Qingning shrieked.

She thought he might show a sliver of guilt, but he just laughed—a sneer full of disdain.

"True, your father treated me well. A pity for him that I belong to the Ghost Medicine Sect, and I came here with a mission. Anyone who stands in my way is a stumbling block, and I show no mercy to those who block my path!"

Su Qingning trembled with fury. She wanted nothing more than to lunge at this monster in human skin and kill him.

Deng Bingzhong continued, "I did feel a little bad after your father died. He was genuinely good to me. My plan was to wait until after the third anniversary of his death before revealing everything to you and your mother. I felt that would do right by his decade of kindness. But last night, the Hall Master gave me a direct order: get the item within a week, or my own life is forfeit. So, I had to move things up."

This only made Su Qingning even more furious. Her eyes turning bloodshot, she spat, "Deng Bingzhong, you beast! You have the audacity to mention my father?"

Her words finally enraged Deng Bingzhong. He glared at her, his expression sinister. "Shut your mouth! If I hadn't already crippled myself for my cultivation, I'd take you right now! To think such perfect skin is being wasted on that filthy beggar!"

Su Qingning was so enraged she almost fainted. Unable to restrain herself any longer, she lunged at Deng Bingzhong.

Deng Bingzhong let out a disdainful sneer. With a swift backhand, he slapped her across the face.

The force of the blow nearly sent her stumbling into the lake. She clutched her stinging cheek, glaring at him with blazing fury, looking as if she was about to pounce again.

Deng Bingzhong snorted. "You'd better learn your place. Otherwise, I'll kill your mother next!"

Su Qingning's face turned even paler. She dared not move.

Deng Bingzhong let out a triumphant, vicious grin. "Oh, right. I should thank you for marrying that filthy beggar. If you had married into some other prominent family, I really would have hesitated to make a move.

"That beggar really is lucky, getting to marry a peerless beauty like you. A pity, though. The moment I get what I want, he'll be the first one I kill. He's caused us quite a bit of trouble, after all.

"And of course, I must also thank you. Thank you for running out to a place like this in the middle of the night. Thank you for leaving Pei Donglai's protection and giving me this perfect opportunity."

Su Qingning could no longer process his words. All she felt was a fire raging in her lungs, a fire that was searing her from the inside out, causing her unbearable pain.

"What, you hate me? You want to kill me? What a shame you'll never get the chance." He leaned in conspiratorially. "Let me tell you a little secret. Once I get my hands on the item, your mother will be going to see your father very soon.

"As for you... you should be grateful you were born with such a pretty face. Our Hall Master has instructed me to bring you back. From now on, you will become the public toilet for our ten halls, using your body to reward our meritorious men. You should consider it an honor!"

At this, Deng Bingzhong burst into a demonic laugh, the sound so loud it was deafening.

Just then, a sharp voice cut through the air. "Deng Bingzhong, kneel and accept your death!"

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