At the very end, Zhou Kai did not forget to thank the Sixth Elder. He cupped his hands toward Chen Xingze, whose face had already turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, and spoke sincerely, “I must also thank the Sixth Elder. The moment I called for help, you brought people and arrived in time. If not for your intimidating presence, the enemies hiding in the shadows might not have retreated. Sixth Elder, you truly are the future pillar of the Chen Family, swift in response and devoted to the public good.”
A suppressed snort of laughter came from the crowd. Someone’s shoulders trembled as they struggled to hold it in.
Those words were practically roasting Chen Xingze over an open fire.
On the surface, it was gratitude. In truth, it implied that the moment Zhou Kai cried for help, Chen Xingze just happened to appear with men in tow. If there was no hidden agenda behind that, no one would believe it.
Chen Xingze trembled with anger. He pointed at Zhou Kai, lips quivering, but could not utter a single word.
At that moment, a dignified voice rang out, “Enough. What is this noisy spectacle?”
The crowd parted automatically. The Patriarch, Chen Rulong, walked forward with a calm expression.
His gaze swept over the corpses on the ground, then over Zhou Kai and Chen Xingze. Understanding flashed in his eyes as he inwardly cursed Chen Xingze for being foolish.
“Guest Elder Zhou has been startled,” Chen Rulong said first to comfort him. Then he turned to Chen Xingze with a reproachful tone. “Xingze, you must investigate this matter thoroughly and give Guest Elder Zhou an explanation.”
Chen Xingze felt a suffocating anger stuck in his chest. He wanted to argue, but when he opened his mouth, he realized anything he said would be wrong.
Explain what?
Admit that he sent the men? That would be suicide. Say he only intended to test and humiliate Zhou Kai? That would only make him look foolish and incompetent.
In the end, he swallowed his pride and forced out a single word through clenched teeth. “Yes.”
Humiliating. Utterly humiliating.
Zhou Kai saw the situation and pressed his advantage. He bowed to Chen Rulong. “Patriarch, your discernment is like a torch. I am deeply grateful.”
Then he changed his tone, letting a trace of lingering fear appear on his face. “However, after this incident, I am deeply unsettled and fearful. I worry that more villains may come to disturb me.”
“Moreover, refining Lock Yang Pills consumes much mental energy. I must remain calm and well-rested to ensure their quality, so I may contribute fully to the family’s prosperity and continuation.”
He sighed lightly. “But my cultivation is low, and my energy limited. Alone, I find myself somewhat overwhelmed. I wonder… could the family consider assigning me a maid? Preferably one with cultivation to offer some protection, and who is attentive, beautiful, and capable of caring for others. That way, I could focus entirely on refining pills for the family’s grand cause of continuing the bloodline…”
As he finished, his voice softened. A faint blush appeared on his face, as though this “small” request were truly for the sake of the family.
The surrounding Chen Family men looked at Zhou Kai differently now, their eyes filled with knowing expressions. Some even nodded secretly, feeling he made a valid point.
Chen Ziyi, standing nearby, blushed and let out a soft scoff.
Chen Xingze nearly saw black from anger. Zhou Kai was pushing his luck.
Chen Rulong was briefly stunned, then chuckled softly. Zhou Kai truly was a clever character who refused to suffer losses and knew how to turn the situation to his advantage. Visit novelping.com for the full chapter.
After pondering for a moment, he did not agree immediately. Instead, he changed the topic. “As for the maid, the family will arrange matters accordingly. However, there is something else that may allow Guest Elder Zhou to display his abilities and clear his name.”
“On the day you returned injured, many speculated you were connected to Shen Hanyi. Why not lead a team to investigate? If you find clues, you can prove your innocence. The family will reward you accordingly.”
“These days mark the opening period of the Desolate Spiritual Herb Grounds. Family affairs are numerous. But the matter of the Lone Swan Hall disciple Shen Hanyi cannot be delayed. Since Guest Elder Zhou happened to encounter fierce combat on the outskirts of Hidden Beast Mountain that day and returned injured, raising suspicion, it would be fitting for you to lead a team back to the scene. If you discover traces, not only will you clear yourself, but the family will grant generous rewards.”
Without waiting for Zhou Kai to respond, Chen Rulong turned to Chen Xingze. “Xingze, select two capable and reliable family members to accompany and protect Guest Elder Zhou. Ensure his safety.”
Chen Xingze felt a surge of joy and immediately bowed. “Yes. I obey.”
Zhou Kai’s heart sank. He instantly understood Chen Rulong’s intent.
This old fox.
Not only did he lightly deflect Zhou Kai’s earlier request, but he also turned the situation around and used an open strategy.
Zhou Kai knew without thinking that this so-called “protection” was ill-intentioned. Protection in name, surveillance in truth. After being embarrassed earlier, Chen Xingze might even sabotage him secretly.
But could he refuse? The Patriarch’s words were righteous and framed as a family mission. Refusal would make him appear ungrateful.
After weighing the pros and cons, Zhou Kai clenched his teeth inwardly and bowed. “I obey.”
Chen Rulong nodded. “Then depart immediately.”
On the outskirts of Hidden Beast Mountain, the forest grew denser. Sunlight was shredded into fragments by overlapping branches and leaves.
Zhou Kai walked in the middle, with a Chen Family cultivator before him and another behind.
The one in front was Chen Ping, at the 5th stage Qi Refining Realm. He was of medium build and expressionless, like a walking block of wood.
Behind him was Chen An, at the 6th stage Qi Refining Realm. His aura was steady, and his eyes were sharp as an eagle’s, occasionally sweeping over Zhou Kai’s back.
“Fellow Daoists,” Zhou Kai said with a flattering smile, breaking the silence. “Searching like this may not be effective. Who exactly is Shen Hanyi, to provoke the Celestial Spring Sect into such a large-scale action?”
Chen Ping acted as though he had not heard, walking straight ahead without turning his head.
Chen An let out a cold snort. Chen Ping spoke without looking back, “Guest Elder Zhou, the Patriarch ordered us only to ensure your safety and assist in finding clues. Do not ask what you should not.”
Chen An added coldly, “Guest Elder Zhou need only recall the precise location where you heard the battle that day. Do not complicate matters.”
Zhou Kai smiled awkwardly, but his heart grew colder.
There would be no extracting information from them.
He fell silent and quietly circulated his modest spiritual power, sensing the slightest movements in his surroundings while his thoughts raced.
A 4th stage Qi Refining Realm cultivator against a 5th and a 6th stage head-on? That would be courting death.
Chen Xingze must still be harboring resentment. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
These two “protectors” might create an “accidental death” at any opportunity.
“This won’t do. I need a chance to eliminate these two. If only I could borrow external force.”
Thinking this, Zhou Kai pointed ahead. “It should be near that clearing.”
Faint signs of battle could be seen. Several trees with trunks about twenty centimeters thick had been severed cleanly at the waist, the cuts smooth and clearly made by sharp weapons.
Chen Ping and Chen An exchanged glances and quickened their pace.
The bloodstains on the ground had long dried and turned black, but a faint metallic scent still lingered in the air. The battle traces were obvious. The ground was uneven, and torn cloth fragments were scattered about.
“It seems the bodies of the two from the Celestial Spring Sect have already been taken away by their own people,” Chen An said in a low voice.
Chen Ping crouched to examine the ground carefully. “There are shallow traces of freshly turned soil here, as if dug by fingernails or a short dagger.”
Both men immediately became alert. They spread out, using the clearing as the center, and began searching carefully in all directions.
Zhou Kai remained where he was, appearing cooperative but in truth observing everything. He extended his spiritual sense to its limit. Though its range was small, it was better than nothing.
The two Chen Family cultivators were thorough in their search.
Time passed slowly. The only sound in the forest was the rustling of leaves. The atmosphere grew oppressive.
Suddenly, an extremely faint sound of air being pierced rang out.
A sharp hiss.
Fast. Incredibly fast.
A sword light shot out from dense bushes behind Zhou Kai’s left side.
Its target was Chen Ping, who had his back turned while bending over to inspect a broken herb.
“Careful!” Chen An shouted almost instinctively.
Chen Ping spun around, protective spiritual light just forming around him, but it was pierced instantly by the sword light.
A dull thud sounded as the sword light passed through his body, spraying a mist of blood.
Chen Ping froze, shock etched on his face as life drained rapidly from him. He collapsed stiffly to the ground.
5th stage Qi Refining Realm. Killed instantly.