Chapter 25: Eighteen Levels of Hell (Additional Update)

    

**Chapter 25: Eighteen Levels of Hell (Additional Update)**

Faced with those waiting eyes, Chang Suining said, “Go wash up. This matter is not your fault.”

Xi'er froze for a moment upon hearing this, then burst into tears.

Though the girl might not remember everything, she still had feelings! She cried and bowed her head, “Thank you for your forgiveness, Miss! Wuwuwu!”

As she got up to leave, she kept glancing back at Chang Suining with tears in her eyes.

This made Chang Suining feel a bit guilty, “...We still need her to reply to Zhou Ding. If we suddenly switch people, he might become suspicious.”

As for whether Xi'er was truly innocent, this incident would make it clear.

She wouldn’t wrong a loyal person, but betrayers must not be forgiven.

“Suining is quite clear-headed now...” Chang Kuo said, his eyes filled with both pride and concern. “That’s very good.”

...

At the same time, in Anyi Fang, outside the Cui family’s residence, many young male descendants of the Cui family were gathered.

Since the Cui family entered the capital, various branches of the family had occupied the entire Anyi Fang, becoming prominent and distinguished, unmatched in the capital.

At this moment, everyone was waiting at the residence of Cui Ju, the current head of the Cui family, known as Cui Gong, where three generations of his family lived.

While they waited, the sound of hooves approached from outside the gate.

Soon, the riders came into view, with the leader being Cui Jing.

“Elder brother has returned.” One of the young men raised his hand in greeting. “We are here to welcome you.”

Cui Jing nodded and dismounted.

Today, he entered the city leading a large army, dressed in armor, with a sword at his waist. The clanking of his armor and sword as he dismounted stood in stark contrast to the group of elegantly dressed scholars.

Cui Jing glanced over the crowd but did not linger, stepping up the stone steps.

A steward stepped forward to block him, speaking up, “Young Master—”

Cui Jing swiftly removed his sword, tossing it to a nearby attendant, and ordered, “Yuanxiang comes with me into the residence. The rest wait here.”

“Yes!”

The elite soldiers immediately split to the sides, their movements precise, exuding an intimidating presence.

The group of Cui family youths exchanged looks, and soon followed Cui Jing into the residence.

Although the Cui family’s foundation was not in the capital, their residence reflected profound heritage.

Within the high walls, through several gates, the scenery shifted at every turn, revealing blue tiles and flying eaves, and tall pavilions on the side.

Cui Jing passed through several gates and arrived at the main hall.

Inside stood a middle-aged man in a dark blue long robe, facing away from the door.

Cui Jing approached and bowed, saying, “Father.”

That figure stood still for a long time. Cui Jing remained bowed and did not rise, nor did he speak.

In the silence, the young Cui family members looked at each other, feeling the tension in the air.

After a moment, the figure finally turned around, revealing a stern face. His already unsightly expression darkened further when his gaze fell upon the armor on the youth.

When he spoke, his voice was filled with suppressed anger and sarcasm, “You still remember to call me father? You still know your surname is Cui?”

“In the past two years, the family has repeatedly sent letters urging your return to the capital. You have ignored them. Do you still remember the blood of the Cui family flowing through you?”

“Who allowed you to enter the Cui family’s door while wearing armor, looking disheveled?”

“A body covered in filth and killing intent, tarnishing the reputation of my Cui family!”

“You are the legitimate grandson of the Cui family. How can you be so reckless and unworthy to be a model for the younger generation?”

Cui Jing listened quietly, his long dark eyelashes casting shadows over his downturned eyes, his expression unchanged despite the words thrown at him.

This was his biological father, the current head of the Cui family, Cui Heng.

Seeing him remain silent and the younger family members’ complex expressions, Cui Heng felt embarrassed and angrier. He suddenly waved his sleeve, “...You are simply embarrassing!”

“Someone—” His voice was cold as ice. “Take this rebellious son to the ancestral hall for reflection and to plead for forgiveness with our ancestors.”

“...What are you doing, Big Brother?” A graceful woman entered with a maid, trying to intervene. “Young Master has returned victoriously, and it has been two years since he came home. How can you make him kneel in the ancestral hall?”

Hearing her voice, Cui Jing did not raise his gaze. Cui Heng ignored her entirely, focusing on Cui Jing with an increasingly icy tone, “What, are you going to defy your father?”

Cui Jing raised his hand and turned to leave the hall.

The woman reached out, wanting to call after him, “Young Master...”

Cui Heng’s face was as dark as water, “Don’t worry about him!”

He coldly instructed his servants, “Why are you still not leading him? Without a guide, he probably wouldn’t even know how to get to the ancestral hall!”

The old servant: “...”

The Young Master understands passive-aggressive tactics.

If one didn’t have a bit of darkness in their intelligence, they wouldn’t really understand.

The old servant complied, following Cui Jing.

Moments later, Cui Heng also left, swinging his sleeve. 

The woman followed him, frowning, “Why must you act this way?”

“Can’t you see how increasingly arrogant this rebellious son has become? When he saw you arrive, he didn’t even call you mother... it’s simply... simply...”

Seeing him so angry he could barely speak, his wife, Lu Shi, sighed, “Whether he calls me mother or not, it doesn’t matter... But Big Brother, please do not get so angry.”

She gently persuaded him.

Meanwhile, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old young man in splendid clothing had just returned from outside. Seeing the Xuanzhe army outside, he hissed lightly and stepped back a bit, entering the residence and curiously asking the servants inside, “...Is my elder brother back?”

“Yes, Sixth Young Master. The Eldest Young Master has returned home.”

“Where is he?” Young Cui Lang asked quickly.

“At this time... he should be in the ancestral hall,” the servant’s voice lowered slightly.

Cui Lang gasped, “So fast, going straight to the point... I haven’t even had a chance to enjoy the excitement yet!”

Saying this, he struck the head of the servant beside him with his fan, “I told you to drive faster!”

The servant covered his head, feeling wronged and didn’t dare retort.

“Since elder brother wants to watch the excitement, we can go to the ancestral hall and take a look,” a girl walked up to him. Not only did she look similar in age, but her facial features also closely resembled his. 

This was the young Cui Lang’s twin sister, Cui Tang.

“Go to the ancestral hall?” Cui Lang scoffed, pulling back his neck as if to avoid the cold, “I don’t have the guts for that.”

He then asked Cui Tang, “How is Father? Is he still healthy?”

“What nonsense are you talking! You know elder brother was returning to the capital these past few days, and you dared to go out and fool around. Today, all the younger generation is welcoming elder brother home, and you’re the only one missing.” Cui Tang scolded him as she urged, “Mother is already sending people to find you, so hurry up and come with me.”

As the siblings walked and talked, they arrived in front of Cui Heng’s courtyard and entered.

“Mother, where is Father?” 

Upon entering the hall, Cui Lang saw Lu Shi sitting alone, sipping tea, and quietly approached her to ask.

“He is in the study, quite furious,” Lu Shi replied, giving him a glare. “I should ask you where you were! Today is your elder brother’s return, and you didn’t even appear. If this gets out, how do you think our family will be speculated upon? It would simply give people a reason to talk.”

Cui Lang shrugged, sighed, “If we’re at odds, then we’re at odds. It’s not like we’ve been on good terms anyway.”

“You’ve gotten used to being reckless, but you should consider me as well. I’m only here as a stepmother. Who knows how many eyes are watching me? Have you thought about my situation?”

“I’ll be careful next time,” Cui Lang replied playfully, then leaned forward to ask, “Mother, why don’t you tell me what happened when Father and elder brother met today?”

Lu Shi blew on her tea, glancing at him, “Have you heard of the eighteen levels of hell?”

Cui Lang nodded.

Lu Shi clicked her tongue, “It’s not much different.”

Thank you all for your support, see you tomorrow! 

**(End of Chapter)** 

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