After this matter, Song Yuheng and his father were sent off to recuperate from their injuries.
As for Chu Feng and Hong Qiang, they were brought back to their resting palace by Yin Gongfu. Jiang Wushang, still serving his punishment, could only continue mining — day and night without respite.
At present, Yin Gongfu had come alone to Chu Feng's quarters, saying he had something to discuss with him.
"Senior Yin, Wushang was framed. The one who framed him was Song Yuheng," Chu Feng said to Yin Gongfu.
"Did Jiang Wushang tell you this?" Yin Gongfu asked.
"It seems you already knew?" Chu Feng said.
"Yes, I knew long ago that Song Yuheng and his people had set a trap and framed Jiang Wushang. But there was nothing I could do about it," Yin Gongfu sighed.
"Senior, you're the one in charge here — how could there be nothing you can do?" Chu Feng asked.
"You're mistaken. The one truly in charge here isn't me — it's Lord Duan Jidao. The matter of Jiang Wushang was decided personally by Lord Duan, so there was nothing I could do," Yin Gongfu said.
"Lord Duan Jidao — is he truly someone who can't tell right from wrong?" Chu Feng asked.
"It's not that Lord Duan can't tell right from wrong. He simply can't be bothered to look into it, and he didn't want Song Yuheng to be ruined and branded with the crime of framing Jiang Wushang."
"Though Lord Duan is quite fond of Jiang Wushang as well, between Song Yuheng and Jiang Wushang, he chose Song Yuheng," Yin Gongfu said.
"Senior, Song Yuheng is over a hundred years old, while Wushang is still young. Although Song Yuheng's cultivation is indeed higher than Wushang's right now, Wushang will certainly surpass him in the future. And when it comes to character, the difference between them is night and day. I truly don't understand why Lord Duan would choose Song Yuheng over Jiang Wushang," Chu Feng said, genuinely puzzled.
"Chu Feng, do you know why Song Yuheng is considered the person most likely to receive Lord Duan's inheritance?" Yin Gongfu asked.
"Could there be some hidden story behind it?" Chu Feng said.
"There is, in fact. This matter goes back to Lord Duan's past. It was supposed to be a tremendous secret — very, very few people know about it. But I'm willing to tell you. I hope you'll keep it confidential and not share this with anyone else," Yin Gongfu said.
"Rest assured, Senior. I would never do anything to your disadvantage," Chu Feng said.
"Though this is our first time meeting and we don't know each other well yet, I trust you." Yin Gongfu stood up and patted Chu Feng on the shoulder. The look in his eyes as he gazed at Chu Feng was truly full of trust.
Some people, no matter how long you know them, never inspire trust. But others, in only a brief time, earn it completely.
Of course, such trust could only arise in someone with the discernment to tell right from wrong and keen powers of observation.
Yin Gongfu possessed that kind of observational skill, and Chu Feng happened to be exactly the kind of person worthy of trust. Through the way Chu Feng had stood up for Jiang Wushang, combined with Yaojiao Guang's high regard for Chu Feng, Yin Gongfu knew that Chu Feng was someone he could rely on.
In the end, trust must be built through actions — not through the so-called bond that grows simply with the passage of time.
"First, let me tell you the first secret. Do you know why Lord Duan Jidao, though not a member of an Imperial Bloodline but rather a Royal Bloodline, possesses an Imperial-level Bloodline that is even stronger than those of the Imperial Bloodlines?" Yin Gongfu asked, raising a question before giving the answer directly.
"Lord Duan's bloodline was inherited. If it wasn't natural talent, then he must have encountered some extraordinary fortune," Chu Feng said.