The Wang Family was one of James' biggest clients.
Therefore, he was quite familiar with the layout of the manor.
After a minute of walking, James led Lion's Liver into the great hall.
Once inside, James looked at Wang Ming, who was sitting with his eyes closed, and boisterously laughed, causing his potbelly to jiggle.
"Hahaha, Brother Wang Ming, you are taking a nap at this time of the hour. Haah, this little brother is truly jealous."
Wang Ming, who was merely resting with his eyes closed, felt his eyelids twitch in annoyance when he heard James call him 'Brother Wang Ming'.
'Damn, bastard fatty. Why would I want to be your brother?'
Instead of lashing out, Wang Ming hid his disgust. He opened his tired, slightly red eyes slowly and forced a smile at James.
"Brother James, you surely jest. As my Family's Clan Head, I have many responsibilities."
Wang Ming sighed and continued:
"... I'm just mentally tired is all."
Noticing that Wang Ming seemed off today, James imperceptibly frowned. Usually, the two-faced Clan Head would have laughed and hugged him like an idiot.
But today, he could not even be bothered to put on an act.
'What is he planning?'
On the outside, James was still all smiles as he praised Wang Ming.
"Brother Wang Ming is truly an inspiration."
Then, James shook his head and continued:
"This little brother can't compare to your greatness."
Wang Ming forced a bitter laugh.
"Hahaha… Brother James truly likes to make jokes."
Wang Ming turned and looked at the other people that were standing a step behind James. He had noticed them earlier but could not be bothered to ask who they were. But now, he wanted James to leave as soon as possible. Dealing with the crafty merchant always angered him.
James had dealt with Wang Ming long enough to understand his true emotions. He was sure the sadness was an act.
A second later, as though James had forgotten about Lion's Liver, he slapped his thigh and introduced them.
"Hahaha, how could I forget about them? Brother Wang Ming is perceptive as always. They are the Lion's Liver Adventurer Party from Thunderfall City. Their names are Garrett, Hervy, Lane, Cody, and Coby."
Wang Ming frowned.
"Brother James, did you travel here just to introduce them to me?"
James laughed before his expression became serious. He took a deep breath and began explaining:
"Brother Wang Ming, since we are brothers, I won't hide this from you any longer."
Wang Ming internally gritted his teeth and cringed, but outwardly, his expression remained the same.
"As brothers, you should know one of my clients other than your family is the Dragon's Feast Restaurant."
Wang Ming nodded.
'Shameless bastard, just explain and leave.'
James purposefully cleared his throat. One of his hobbies was pissing off two-faced people like Wang Ming. Even though he was his client, so what? He would still have to rely on him if he wanted goods.
"Recently, this little brother of yours received a good deal from that arrogant Owner Long. And as an honest man, how could I say no? So this little brother used all his contacts and found the Magical Beasts he wanted. However, while traveling to Harmony City, you would never guess what the Lion's Liver found in Moon Grove Forest."
For a split second, Wang Ming's heart stopped beating. Though outwardly, his slightly reddened eyes became even redder, and two tears streamed down his face. At the same time, he disappeared from his throne and reappeared in front of James, grabbing his shoulders and shaking them.
'Does he know I ordered that useless waste's death?'
Imperceptibly, Wang Ming studied James' smiling face and the five Lion's Liver people.
After a few seconds, he internally calmed down. From their facial expressions, he realized they had not found out he was the one behind that waste's death.
James internally savored this moment, even though he understood the bastard was merely acting. Now, more than ever, he wanted to know who the skeleton belonged to.
"Brother Wang Ming, what has gotten into you? Could it be…"
James paused and looked at Wang Ming in disbelief.
Only after a moment, as though he had just realized something, his expression changed to shock.
"Do you know what we found!?"
Wang Ming did not respond immediately. Using the sleeves of his shirt, he wiped his tears. He stutteringly replied:
"My… my precious son… went to Fire Cloud City and then… and then never returned. A day ago, we received news that he had entered the Moon Grove Forest. But that was all. He never returned back to us. Even the guards did not return."
James' eyes widened even further with feigned shock and sympathy.
"Brother Wang Ming… you… I'm sorry to hear that."
Wang Ming looked into James' eyes. His expression was still a perfect mask of sorrow.
"Brother James, could it be you found my son!? Where is he!?" For added emphasis, he turned and looked at each person. After not finding his son among them, his face paled.
James felt like throwing up. He had never seen someone so shameless before. If James did not know about Wang Ming's true character, he would have been fooled like the rest of the world.
James maintained his composure and replied:
"Brother Wang Ming, we found a skeleton wearing your Family's Spatial Ring in the Moon Grove Forest buried underneath a pile of leaves."
At this moment, Garrett, who had been silent from the beginning, walked forward and summoned a blanket on the floor. After neatly spreading it, he summoned the skeleton on the blanket. The skeleton was well-preserved and fresh. The Spatial Ring on its finger faintly glimmered.
Recognizing the Spatial Ring, Wang Ming's face contorted in grief and rage.
A second later, his voice quivered in sadness as he said:
"This… this is my son's Spatial Ring!"
Wang Ming gently hugged the skeleton and cried,
"W-why did you go into the Moon Grove Forest!?"