The question hung in the air, casting a deeper silence over the room. All eyes turned to Zheng Jianguo, waiting.
"Sleep?" Zheng Jianguo blinked, taken aback. He looked at his two old friends. "What kind of question is that?"
"Jianguo, I don't know either... Since Lin Xiao asked, he must have his reasons," the Dragon Lord spread his hands, feigning ignorance.
"Elder Zheng, you carry the vengeful souls of my Lin family and dozens of others. You've been able to sleep soundly all these years?" Lin Xiao pressed on.
"Dozens of vengeful souls?" Zheng Jianguo's brow furrowed. His voice deepened. "Lin Xiao, are you implying I was responsible for the deaths of your Lin family members?"
"Yes."
Lin Xiao was direct, disliking subtlety. It was either yes or no. He needed an answer. His gaze never left Zheng Jianguo. If there was even the slightest hint of an untoward reaction, he, a Divine Realm expert, would notice. His observation was meticulously detailed.
"It seems the Nangong family is being dishonest, trying to smear my name!" Zheng Jianguo shook his head. "Lin Xiao, do you believe the Nangong family?"
"If I believed them entirely, you would have been dead the moment you stepped into this room." Lin Xiao's demeanor remained icy. He maintained a basic level of calm, ensuring no further innocent souls would be lost unnecessarily.
"That's true. With your abilities, my life is no more significant than an ant's." Zheng Jianguo was acutely aware of Lin Xiao's strength. He had watched Lin Xiao grow and knew just how powerful he was. Without protection, his entire Zheng family could vanish from existence within a day.
"So, Elder Zheng, I need your answer," Lin Xiao stared at him. "Please answer me directly."
"This has absolutely nothing to do with me!" Zheng Jianguo replied immediately.
Lin Xiao observed Zheng Jianguo for a long moment before picking up his phone and calling Nangong Wentian.
The call connected.
"Nangong Wentian."
Lin Xiao rarely showed such disrespect to elders. When his tone shifted like this, it signaled the rise of his anger.
"Yes."
Nangong Wentian's heart skipped a beat. That tone felt like a death sentence.
"Elder Zheng claims he is not involved. What do you have to say about that?" Lin Xiao put the call on speaker, awaiting Nangong Wentian's response.
"Elder Zheng?!" Nangong Wentian's heart leaped. He realized Lin Xiao was already in the Imperial Capital and speaking with that formidable figure. He quickly replied, "I've told you everything I know about this matter... At the time, I was in seclusion. Only the Grand Elder knew the full story. Later, at the last moment, he explained it to me and Wushuang."
"Your Grand Elder is dead," Lin Xiao said, fighting to control his rage. "So, there are no witnesses left?"
"This... I'm afraid you'll have to speak with Wushuang. She knows more about this than I do. The Grand Elder gave her something at the time."