Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1291 - 423: Shadow Demon Insect, Xiang Liang’s First Merit, Cheng Ping’s Regret

Sure enough!

Yuwen Dao caught the voice and grinned teasingly right away: "You’re quite greedy."

Yuan Cheng went even further. Upon hearing Lin Kai’s words, he realized Lin Kai coveted the organ from the Lord within him and couldn’t resist bragging, "This is called luck, Ah Kai, it’s something you can’t envy, hahaha..."

That irritating cackle was clearly meant to taunt Lin Kai.

Lin Kai landed a couple of punches on him irritably, snapping, "Don’t get too smug. One day the Lord might slay another mighty deceitful monster, and with all my accumulated Contribution Value, none of you could possibly compete with me!"

Hearing this, Yuan Cheng nodded firmly and replied earnestly, "You’re spot on. The Lord’s power ensures better chances ahead. Just stock up your Contribution Value, and it’ll surely be yours."

Yuwen Dao chuckled and teased, "Brother Lin, watch yourself. I’ve got plenty of Contribution Value too. If a prime opportunity shows up, I won’t hold back."

"Director, show some mercy, mercy..."

Lin Kai shook his head at that. Truth be told, regarding wealth, besides the Minister, only three others in the whole camp made him cautious: Qiu Peng, Yue Feng, and this Yuwen Dao before him.

Of course, Yuwen Dao was just jesting, and Lin Kai didn’t take it to heart. The trio bantered all the way back to the Government Office building.

"I’ll return to the barracks first. If Lord Lin needs anything, just send word!"

"I’m heading back to the barracks too. Notify me anytime if more deceitful monsters appear."

Yuwen Dao leads the Military Department as Director, while Yuan Cheng heads the Garrison Department. Typically, they’d stay in Xia City, but lately Yuwen Dao oversaw Hongmen, and Yuan Cheng arrived for the Dragon Slayer Army’s deployment. Lacking fixed quarters in the Government Office building, both resided in the camp area.

With just one deceitful monster downed in South City, they anticipated further trouble, so they offered Lin Kai to call on them as needed.

Lin Kai thanked them warmly as they departed, then headed into the main building.

Reaching the top floor, he spotted Li Longkai stationed at the main hall’s entrance, evidently awaiting him. Puzzled, he inquired, "Looking for me?"

Li Longkai stepped up promptly, cupping his hands: "My lord, Cheng Ping’s back from Bashang, he..."

Lin Kai’s brow furrowed slightly at this. He gestured to silence Li Longkai and strode into the hall.

In the hall, Cheng Ping knelt with remorse etched on his face. Sensing footsteps behind, he glanced back to see Lin Kai and promptly kowtowed.

Bang... bang... bang...

"Cheng Ping fell for the tricks of foreign traitors, nearly endangering two lords and Great Xia. It’s entirely my fault; no excuse exists, my lord..."

Lin Kai shoved a cushion his way to halt the kowtows and questioned, "Have you recreated the portrait of the killer who murdered your eldest son Cheng Yang?"

At that query, Cheng Ping’s remorse twisted into fierce hatred, his voice heavy: "After Lord Xu fixed my memory in Bashang, I hired a local painter to redraw the man’s face. Back here, I compared it with the other four, but it’s another unfamiliar face."

Lin Kai’s face darkened instantly upon hearing this.

That vile Chen Cang was so incredibly cunning!

Cheng Ping marked the fifth victim in Great Xia with tampered memory. The prior four had visited Bashang for Xu Ning’s restoration and redrawn their manipulator’s likeness, yet all four portraits differed.

Now Cheng Ping produced yet another distinct face, proving Chen Cang altered his guise each time he struck.

How could they possibly capture him this way?

Lin Kai furrowed his brows deeply, gazing down at Cheng Ping: "Cheng Ping, that man killed your son, correct?"

Cheng Ping’s fists balled beneath his sleeves, bitterness crossing his features as he nodded: "That night, hunting with Yang’er, he slew Yang’er before my eyes, then tampered with my memory to believe..."

He halted, lifting his gaze to Lin Kai, remorse deepening: "He convinced me Lord Lin killed Yang’er. Later, promising vengeance, I revealed the lord’s path to Muyin."

Thus the Fengyang Village ambush unfolded!

Bang... bang... bang...

Guilt surged through Cheng Ping after his account, prompting repeated kowtows to Lin Kai.

"My lord, I’m guilty. I deserve ten thousand deaths, I..."

"Stop it; you’ve figured it out by now. When Cheng Yang died, I suspected he aimed to use you against me, so I held off sending you to Lord Xu, baiting him instead."

Cheng Ping wasn’t dim and harbored doubts. Even post-Fengyang Village ambush last month, suspicions lingered, but convinced Lin Kai slew his son, he dismissed them.

Only three days back, escorted by Li Longkai’s man to Bashang for Xu Ning’s aid, did truth dawn fully.

Lin Kai withholding memory restoration was one matter; Cheng Ping plotting with foes against him was grave. Linked yet distinct, his offense stood firm.

Hence his kneeling plea for mercy here.

His chief fear: Lin Kai might...

"Worried I’ll banish you from Great Xia?"

Lin Kai peered down smilingly at Cheng Ping.

Cheng Ping paled in terror, prostrating fully: "I assaulted the lord; my crime’s unpardonable, meriting a thousand deaths. Whatever the lord decides is fair. But..."

Pausing, hatred blazed in his eyes: "Chen Cang murdered my son and twisted my mind, leading to this sin. I swear my life to hunt him, eradicate his son and kin, making him taste bereavement’s agony!"

Bang...

His voice peaked with fury. Done, he slammed his head down once more, begging: "Exiled from Great Xia, I’d never avenge my son. Please, lord, spare Cheng Ping this once. Any penalty, I’ll endure, just to remain and pursue justice!"

Cheng Yang, merely fourteen this year, held Earth-digging Realm Cultivation with over twenty-five thousand jin base strength. His talent shone brilliantly among Great Xia’s youth. Persistent training promised eclipsing Cheng Ping soon.

Last month in South City, Cheng Yang bumped into him by chance, etching him in Lin Kai’s memory. Such promise snuffed out brutally—Lin Kai grasped Cheng Ping’s deranged plot last month amid that seething grudge.

Yet errors demand consequence!

Lin Kai sighed, stating: "Fortunate you targeted only me, not betraying Great Xia. Rest easy—I won’t exile you. For this severe lapse, no more Camp Supply Department duties. Li Longkai and I agreed: half a year at Longshan Silver Mine to atone. Sound fair?"

Half a year laboring in the silver mine?

For such a heinous error, merely half a year there?

Stunned at first, Cheng Ping gazed up at Lin Kai, elation flooding his tear-streaked face. He bowed low: "Guardian Lin’s immense grace—eternally grateful!"

"Fine, you’re dismissed!"

Cheng Ping rose, offering Lin Kai a profound bow, then one to Li Longkai, before withdrawing respectfully.