Chapter 517: A Complete Fallout to Ruin Her Reputation

“So the powerful Barbarian Race expert from within the Qianyuan Cave Realm was your brother.” He nodded, a hint of realization dawning on him.

Uganda sneered. “So, just like Mr. Huangfu, I have a great feud with the Prime Minister’s Mansion. After this is over, the two of us could even join forces to deal with them.”

“For now, it’s the perfect time to make a move on Jiang Lintian’s son, Jiang Lan, and show him the consequences of opposing my Barbarian Race.”

Huangfu Hao was noncommittal, merely reminding him, “Jiang Lan has quite a few life-saving treasures on him. If you want to kill him, you might have to put in a little more effort.”

Uganda laughed. “Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Huangfu. However, his two followers are currently in our hands. They’re trapped in the Devouring Yin and Purifying Yang Divine Refining Array at Jiyun Ridge. With their level of strength, escape is virtually impossible. If no one comes to their rescue, they’ll eventually be refined to death.”

“We’ll use these two women as bait to lure Jiang Lan here. Even if he doesn’t come, this will sow discord and enmity between the Prime Minister’s Mansion and the clans behind those two. It’s a win-win.”

Huangfu Hao had little interest in plotting against Jiang Lan himself, but he had to admit Uganda’s methods were impressive. He had a few Barbarian clansmen pose as traveling merchants to attract the attention of Jiang Lan’s two followers, luring them step-by-step to Jiyun Ridge, where an array had been laid in advance to trap them.

“As for the Helian Family, we need Mr. Huangfu to add a little more fuel to the fire. It’s not burning hot enough yet,” Uganda said.

Huangfu Hao nodded slightly. A light flowed in his hand, and a crystal-clear Jade Talisman appeared, several messages flashing across it in an instant.

“The Tantai Family has gone too far.”

“This grandson is willing to step forward and reveal the truth of what happened back then…”

“I was indeed the one who stole the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill. This matter cannot be explained clearly, nor does it need to be. My actions brought shame upon the family. Once this is resolved, this grandson is willing to bear all consequences.”

“But I must ruin that bitch Tantai Qing’s reputation. Even now, she maliciously slanders and defames my Helian Family.”

“I must restore the family’s innocence. The family’s reputation cannot be tarnished…”

「In the Central Hall of the Helian Family’s estate.」

Helian Wen, who had long since returned to his true appearance, stood there in a brocade robe. With his handsome face and tied-back hair, he cut a dashing figure.

His expression was calm and steady. He had not fallen into a rage over the external situation and the various rumors, but was instead quite composed.

Helian Xiang and many other family Elders were also present.

Faced with the public outcry, they naturally felt an unspeakable bitterness, as well as a resentful helplessness.

No matter how they tried to explain themselves, even if they swore oaths, it was useless. On the contrary, the clamor against them only grew stronger.

After all, Helian Wen was indeed not dead, and the Helian Family had concealed this fact for many years.

And now, Helian Wen was, in fact, within the Helian Family’s estate.

All these factors combined meant the Helian Family had no way to counter the Tantai Family’s slander and distortion. They could only bottle up their rage and vent it on the battlefield.

“From the looks of it, this is our only option. The Gongsun Family is still watching from the sidelines, unwilling to pick a side.”

“Our only choice now is to have Wen’Er tell the whole story of what happened back then—how he was young and naive, deceived by Tantai Qing, and how she was the one who consumed the real Three Saints Heart Refining Pill,” Helian Changkong, the Patriarch of the Helian Family, said in a grave voice.

“We can only wrong Wen’Er, then. Once this is made public, it will become an indelible stain on his name,” Helian Xiang sighed.

Helian Wen, however, looked calm and indifferent.

His reputation was already in tatters; even clearing his name wouldn’t improve it much. Besides, his hatred for Tantai Qing was so immense that all the rivers in the world couldn’t wash it away.

This was especially true since he had recently learned that, under the Tantai Family’s arrangement, Tantai Qing and Jiang Lan were now appearing together as a couple, even sharing a bed and living together.

This made his hatred for Tantai Qing grow wildly, to the point where he wanted nothing more than to tear her limb from limb and rip out her bones and tendons.

‘That bitch used to not even let me touch her hand, but now…’

“Whatever the consequences may be, I will bear them all,” Helian Wen said in a low voice, his fists clenched tightly.

「That very day.」

He revealed his true self and appeared in the largest main city on Immortal Ascension Island. Escorted and surrounded by several Helian Family Elders and a group of young clansmen, he ascended to the highest point of the city’s gate tower.

He then gazed toward the Tantai Clan Territory and shouted, demanding that Tantai Qing come to meet him.

He, Helian Wen, had appeared. Why didn’t she dare to face him?

He would soon reveal the truth of what happened all those years ago and rip off her hypocritical mask.

This scene instantly caused a massive uproar. The news spread like wildfire, shaking countless cultivators and living beings.

The Tantai and Helian Families were already clashing, with fierce battles raging in the cities of various clans. But with Helian Wen’s appearance, the situation spiraled out of control, catching everyone by surprise.

Many people had believed that the person who had tried to assassinate Tantai Qing before was a member of the Demon Race in disguise, not Helian Wen.

But who would have thought that on this day, the man himself would appear? He truly wasn’t dead, and what’s more, he was right there with the Helian Family.

So, the Tantai Family’s demand for the Helian Family to hand over Helian Wen was not just empty talk after all.

Could it be that the Helian Family had really colluded with the Demon Race?

Just as countless people were reeling in shock and astonishment, Helian Wen slowly began to reveal the truth behind the theft of the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill, triggering another wave of uproar across the land.

Many from the younger generation simply couldn’t believe their ears, unable to accept this as fact.

According to Helian Wen’s account, it was because Tantai Qing wanted the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill that he had secretly infiltrated the Elder Pavilion and went to great lengths to steal it…

Although he was at fault, Tantai Qing was definitely no saint either.

He, Helian Wen, had been deceived by Tantai Qing into stealing the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill. He had been utterly infatuated, only to be backstabbed by her and forced to bear all the infamy.

Could it be that the fame and sterling reputation Tantai Qing had built over all these years was just a facade? Was the real her ruthless, cruel, and as venomous as a snake?