Chapter 153
Compared to accepting that a timid, weak, and incompetent person had become confident and capable, they were more willing to accept that this newly confident and capable person was an imposter from the very beginning.
By the next day, this rumor had reached the ears of City Lord Xi Ning.
Xi Ning was furious and sent people to thoroughly investigate the origin of the rumor. However, too many people had spread it, making it impossible to trace the original source.
The hall masters of the three great halls—the Martial Hall Master and the Merchant Hall Master—were away from the city. The Incense Hall Master in the city, Pan Zhenyi, and the Deputy City Lord Zhao Yu both believed the rumor. The two of them repeatedly advised City Lord Xi Ning in his presence, urging him to thoroughly investigate Xi Yao, and even suggested imprisoning Xi Yao.
Xi Ning wanted to have these two men imprisoned. However, Pan Shulin and Zhao Shan arrived at that moment, bringing with them the beast soldiers of the Incense Hall Master and the Deputy City Lord, to both advise and plead for mercy.
The situation spiraled out of control. Xi Ning was enraged and confronted the crowd single-handedly.
He even showed subtle intentions of resorting to force.
Seeing this, Pan Shulin quickly stepped forward and said, "City Lord, please calm your anger. Everyone is just worried about you, afraid that the imposter..."
"Who are you calling an imposter?!" Xi Ning's voice was sharp with fury, each word like a shard of ice that seemed to strike Pan Shulin's face and pierce his heart.
"..." Pan Shulin pressed his lips together, lowering his head unwillingly and amending his words: "Afraid that Xi Yao might endanger the City Lord's safety."
"He is my younger brother. How could he possibly harm me?" Xi Ning narrowed his eyes, scanning the people in the hall. "It seems to me that you all want to harm me!"
"City Lord!" Deputy City Lord Zhao Yu said loudly. "City Lord, please watch your words. We are loyal and devoted."
Pan Zhenyi chimed in, "Yes, City Lord, we only have good intentions."
"Is that so?" Xi Ning sneered coldly.
The crowd looked displeased. Pan Shulin said, "City Lord, since you do not trust us, I have a solution. Xi Yao is from the Xi family, since ancient times, the Xi family has known how to control beasts. When Xi Yao returns, let him demonstrate this ability for everyone. If he can truly control the beasts, then he must truly be of the Xi family."
But that Xi Yao had never been able to control beasts since he was young...
A flash of calculation passed through Pan Shulin's eyes.
Hearing this, Xi Ning clenched his fist with a cold laugh, barely able to suppress his anger.
Yao'er had always been timid since childhood, and he never had any interest in his studies. He never did master the art of beast taming. Is there anyone in all of Ning'an City who doesn't know that? And this Pan Shulin... he has some nerve, trying to use the one skill Yao'er never learned as a weapon against him.
Seeing that City Lord Xi Ning remained silent while everyone else looked at him in surprise, Pan Shulin explained, "I know A-Yao couldn't control beasts when he was young, but he is an adult now. It's been a long time. He is of Xi bloodline, the ability to control beasts is innate to his blood. As long as he knows the method, he must be able to do it. And I believe he has long since memorized that method."
The crowd suddenly understood, realizing that Xi Yao's inability to control beasts was a thing of the past, from his childhood.
Pan Zhenyi echoed in agreement: "Yes, City Lord, the Young Master is now an adult. If he truly has the Xi bloodline, he must be able to control beasts. If even under such pressure he cannot control beasts, then his bloodline is truly worthy of suspicion."
"How dare you!" Xi Ning gritted his teeth as he spat out these three words, yet he was completely unable to refute the father and son.
The innate talent was indeed present in Xi Yao's bloodline. If he remembered the method, it was impossible for him not to know how to control beasts. Xi Ning could guarantee that if Xi Yao was truly of Xi blood, he would definitely be able to control beasts.
But... Xi Ning remembered his younger brother as a child, shrinking into a ball in front of fierce beasts, his hands trembling too much to be of any use. His heart ached with waves of pain at the memory.
His younger brother had been traumatized by beast taming since childhood. Even when their father was alive and taught him countless times, he had never succeeded. Now that he was grown, Xi Ning himself had never found the time to teach him.
To suddenly demand he demonstrate the skill now... how could he possibly succeed?
And if he fails to perform it, does that make him an imposter?
What kind of logic is that?
Xi Ning rubbed the iron ring he wore on his hand. This was a weapon that Xi Yao had asked the ancient beastman to make for him. Such a well-behaved younger brother... how could he possibly harm him? How could these people even say such a thing.
Xi Ning suddenly exerted force, shattering a nearby table. The iron ring activated, revealing sharp claws. "Whoever brings this up again will share this table's fate."
"...City Lord!" everyone cried out in unison.
Xi Ning gritted his teeth. "Get out, before I change my mind!"
His powerful aura forced everyone to step back. It was clear Xi Ning was extremely angry, his eyes even faintly red.
Seeing this, the Deputy City Lord did not dare to delay. He took Zhao Shan and retreated. Pan Zhenyi still wanted to say something, but Pan Shulin pulled him away.
Once outside the door, Pan Zhenyi still wanted to go back in. Pan Shulin hurriedly stopped him. "Father."
"Shulin, the City Lord is now bewitched by that imposter. How can you all prioritize protecting yourselves out of fear of the City Lord's anger and not intervene?" Pan Zhenyi wore an expression of bitter disappointment. "Our Pan family has always been loyal to the City Lord. No matter how harsh the words, no matter what punishment we might receive, as long as it is loyal advice, we must make sure the City Lord hears it."
"..." Pan Shulin rubbed his brow, thinking that his father was truly getting old.
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