Domineering Woman

Chapter 11: Exclusion of the Direct Line

A purple aura, accompanied by the crackling sound of thunder, shot out from Feng Zirong's palm. The silver needles had proven useless. Feng Wuxie gritted her teeth, holding her breath as she prepared herself using her inner energy techniques. She knew that as long as she survived, she would one day avenge this humiliation.

"Why did you provoke him when you can't withstand his attack?" Yasha, panicking, spoke to her through their mental connection, a voice only Feng Wuxie could hear. "Foolish woman, find a way to escape or beg for mercy. You might still save your life!"

Feng Wuxie ignored him, standing firm where she was.

In the blink of an eye, the thunderous strike descended upon Feng Wuxie with ferocious speed! As the electric current surged through her body, she trembled violently, her face turning pale. The electricity coursed through her bones and organs, first causing intense pain, then a searing heat, and finally, a numbing stiffness.

A bitter taste rose in her throat as she coughed up blood. The modern inner energy techniques could only defend against physical attacks to a certain extent, but they were of little use against the supernatural power of Feng Zirong's martial arts. She knew she was seriously injured, and all she could hope for now was to hold on and survive—if she could just stay alive, she could heal herself.

Her feelings toward her family had now reduced to a cold, bitter "ha!" Was this how family was supposed to treat each other, all for the position of family head? First it was Feng Wuxin, now Feng Zirong. Truly, the daughter takes after the father!

“Ugh…” Feng Wuxie spat out a mouthful of black blood, her body swaying before collapsing to the ground. Seeing this, Feng Zirong decided the time had come. One more strike, and she would be dead!

He raised his hand to summon another bolt of lightning.

"Stop!" A voice suddenly called out, halting Feng Zirong.

Even though she was gravely injured and weakened, Feng Wuxie’s presence remained unyielding. She squinted in the direction of the voice and saw that it was her second uncle, Feng Ziyi!

In her memories, Feng Ziyi was a second uncle who rarely involved himself in family matters. He was always focused on cultivating his soul power and seemed uninterested in the competition for the heirship. In terms of scheming for the position of heir, he was probably not as involved as his daughter, Feng Wuxia.

But what was he doing now? Could it be that he wanted to wade into the murky waters of the competition for the heirship?

"Ziyi, what do you mean by this?" Feng Zirong frowned, irritated that his taciturn younger brother had suddenly intervened just as he was about to rid himself of this obstacle.

Feng Ziyi, dressed in a green robe, approached Feng Wuxie step by step, his hands behind his back. He stopped in front of Feng Wuxie and smiled gently. His smile was friendly, even tinged with the care and comfort of an elder.

Finally, Feng Ziyi stood in front of Feng Wuxie and glanced at Feng Zirong. "Big brother, do you really intend to kill Wuxie? Let it go."

Feng Zirong's face turned ashen with rage. "This wretch violated the family law! How can you…"

“Family law? Are you referring to the rule against siblings harming each other?” Feng Ziyi chuckled softly, his voice gentle but his demeanor calm and unwavering. His words, however, were sharp and unrelenting: "If we're talking about the family law, then shouldn't Wuxin also be punished? After all, it was she who struck first, and Wuxie only acted in self-defense."

"You!" Feng Zirong's face flushed with anger at being called out in front of everyone. "What are you implying?"

“Big brother, think carefully. If you strike again, how will you explain it to the family head when he emerges from seclusion? Will you tell him that in a fit of anger, you killed his favorite granddaughter just to vent your daughter's grievances?” Feng Ziyi paused, then continued, "No matter how poor Wuxie's cultivation may be, she is still the last bloodline left by our third brother and the legitimate daughter of the Feng family! As her second uncle, I will not allow her to die in vain."

The tension in the air became palpable as Feng Zirong’s murderous intent clashed with Feng Ziyi’s unyielding resolve. The surrounding servants instinctively took several steps back, not daring to look up.

Feng Wuxie’s lips curled into a faint smile—so, the Feng family still had someone with a semblance of a conscience in the form of this second uncle. But where had this uncle been all these years when she needed protection?

Feng Ziyi reached into his sleeve and took out an exquisite porcelain bottle, tipping out a pill, which he promptly placed in Feng Wuxie's mouth. “Good child, swallow it. It will save your life.”

Feng Wuxie didn't hesitate and swallowed it immediately. As the pill took effect, the excruciating pain in her organs subsided slightly.

Seeing Feng Wuxie take the pill, Feng Ziyi turned to face everyone present and sternly asked, “The third rule of the family law states: No member of the Feng family is allowed to remain in the library for more than two hours. But do you all remember the four words that follow this rule?”

The gathered people lowered their heads. How could they forget? It was a clause that highlighted their status and had been invoked countless times in the family’s rules.

Those four words were—“Direct Line Exempt.”