Ye Kunlun thought a lot, but found no clues.
The events of ten years ago pointed towards the Zhou family, but there was no definitive evidence.
One was that Mo Ziyan had mentioned hearing people discussing the Zhou family.
The other was that the mysterious phone call at the time had pointed to Zhou Lie, but there was no concrete proof that Zhou Lie was the mastermind.
Ye Kunlun needed more solid evidence and to know the purpose of the black hand behind the scenes in seeking the ring.
As for the Taishan Mansion, apart from Zhou Lingkun being a disciple of Kong Liuying, there was no clear indication of Taishan Mansion's involvement.
As for the Qin Tian Tower that had just emerged, there was even less evidence.
Ye Kunlun gazed out the window, seemingly lost in thought.
It wasn't until he heard Mo Ziyan emerge from her room that he withdrew his thoughts and turned to look at her.
Mo Ziyan was wearing loose pajamas, her wet hair falling over her shoulders. The cool demeanor on her face gave her a sharp, piercing aura, like a snow lotus blooming on the cod plains.
Especially the purple cherry blossom on her neck, which lent her a sacred aura, making her seem like a different person from before.
Mo Ziyan met Ye Kunlun's gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly. Her lips parted, "You, you can't look."
Ye Kunlun's lips curved into a smile, and he pointed to the sofa beside him, "Sit, I have something to ask you."
Mo Ziyan sat opposite Ye Kunlun, tilting her head slightly as she wiped her wet hair with a towel, "What do you want to ask?"
She glanced sideways at Ye Kunlun, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"Why were you in Zhou Lingkun's courtyard that day?" Ye Kunlun asked.
After the chaotic consciousness awakened within Mo Ziyan, her first instinct was Zhou Lingkun, which puzzled him.
Mo Ziyan replied, "There was a force within him that attracted me. I went there, guided by that force."
"And then?" Ye Kunlun pressed, "Since there was a force attracting you, you should have had a good impression of him. Why did you show hostility?"
Mo Ziyan paused. Ye Kunlun's words made her realize that she should indeed have had a favorable impression of Zhou Lingkun.
But for some reason, when she saw Zhou Lingkun and heard his voice, she felt a strong sense of aversion.
Mo Ziyan did not answer immediately, her delicate brows furrowed as if she were searching for an answer.
Ye Kunlun watched her quietly, not in a hurry.
Mo Ziyan had told him that ten years ago, she had overheard Zhou family members talking, and she had heard a voice at that time.
If that voice was Zhou Lingkun, then it would be 100% proof that Zhou Lingkun was undeniably involved in that fire!
A moment later, Mo Ziyan replied, "I don't know. The first time I saw him, his voice felt familiar, as if I had heard it somewhere before..."
Ye Kunlun's heart stirred slightly, "When? Can you recall?"
Mo Ziyan looked at Ye Kunlun's expectant gaze and shook her head, helpless, "I can't remember."
"Yan'er." https:/
Ye Kunlun suddenly called out.
Mo Ziyan startled, then frowned, "I told you, I am not the Yan'er you are referring to."
Ye Kunlun smiled helplessly. He just wanted to try and awaken Mo Ziyan's consciousness.
"How about you come with me to the Zhou family tomorrow?" Ye Kunlun gazed steadily at Mo Ziyan, "Perhaps you can remember more."
After thinking for a moment, Mo Ziyan agreed to Ye Kunlun's proposal.
---
The next day.
Twenty kilometers north of the Zhou family was a small Buddha Mountain, and the Zhou family's ancestral land was located within it.
Here, ancient trees towered, lush and verdant.
The large cemetery was maintained year-round. Despite being deep in the mountains, it was spotlessly clean.
The Zhou family was led by Zhou Lie and Zhou Cen.
The second generation of the Zhou family and the core third-generation disciples were the assistants. Besides them, no one else participated in this ancestral worship.
This was a tradition of the Zhou family; only core members of the direct lineage were qualified to pay respects.
Zhou Lie had spent his life in the military, so he remained alone in his old age.
Therefore, apart from Zhou Lie, everyone else present was Zhou Cen's man.
Zhou Cen's son, Zhou Shuling, and his three sons, Zhou Lingkun, Zhou Lingyang, and Zhou Lingtian!
Soon, the procession entered the cemetery.
However, Zhou Lie paused slightly upon entering the park and said to Zhou Cen beside him, "Second brother, how is the poison on your body?"
Zhou Cen's expression changed slightly. He didn't expect Zhou Lie to bring this up suddenly, "Elder brother, I don't know what you mean. What poison?"
Zhou Lie looked deeply at Zhou Cen and shook his head, "Your little affairs can't be hidden from me."
Saying this, Zhou Lie strode towards the depths of the cemetery.
The servants, well-trained, softly chanted sacrificial songs, scattering paper money as they walked, casting a mysterious aura over the vast cemetery.
A moment later, everyone stopped in front of the ancestral hall.
Zhou Lie and Zhou Cen entered the ancestral hall and knelt before the densely packed memorial tablets.
Zhou Lie looked up at an unmarked tablet in the top three rows among the many tablets, a strange glint in his eyes.
Zhou Cen glanced at him and whispered, "Elder brother, I wonder if the Immortal Xu you mentioned will still come?"
The strange glint in Zhou Lie's eyes receded as he looked at Zhou Cen and replied, "Immortal Xu has already arrived. Only by relocating the ancestral graves to the capital can our Zhou family be ranked among emperors and generals. If we remain in this small pond of Jicheng, our Zhou family will never produce a dragon."
Zhou Lie's words sent a chill down Zhou Cen's spine.
He actually wanted the Zhou family to produce a dragon, which was an act of utter rebellion.
Zhou Cen avoided his gaze and said nothing.
The sacrificial ceremony was simple: offerings were made, an eulogy was read, and heaven and earth were honored.
Afterwards, the younger generation of the Zhou family one by one stepped forward to kneel and pay respects.
"Second brother, as you know, I spent my life in the military and have no descendants."
Zhou Lie suddenly spoke.
Zhou Cen looked at him suspiciously, unsure what new trouble he was about to cause.
"Today, in front of our Zhou family ancestors, I want to have Akun adopted by me. I believe the Zhou family ancestors will agree. What do you think?"
Zhou Lie said calmly, paying no mind to Zhou Cen's reaction.
Zhou Cen never expected Zhou Lie to ask to have Zhou Lingkun adopted into Zhou Lie's lineage in front of the Zhou family ancestors.
Such a significant matter, and Zhou Lie hadn't even consulted him about it.
"Elder brother, this is no small matter. We need to plan carefully," Zhou Cen replied, suppressing his anger.
"As the elder, aren't you going to ask Akun for his opinion?"
Zhou Lie looked at Zhou Lingkun, "Akun, what do you think? As long as you agree, I will consider it as approved by our Zhou family ancestors."
Zhou Lingkun had also not expected Zhou Lie to suddenly make such a move.
He suddenly understood that Zhou Lie was doing this deliberately, leaving him no room to maneuver.
"Nonsense!"
Zhou Cen was enraged.
"Namo Amitabha. In this humble Taoist's opinion, young friend Zhou's fate is very compatible with General Zhou, but it clashes with the Zhou family head!"
At this moment, a Taoist chant sounded, and Xu Zhenzi appeared.