The middle-aged man had a resolute countenance, with each strand of his neatly cropped hair standing stiff like steel needles. Erect and dignified, he surveyed the area with his bright, piercing eyes, appearing to search for someone with a cautious air.

This was Tang Jiren, the Director-General of the Qingqiu Dao region, a Sixth Grade Martial General.

Logically speaking, he was on the same level as Zhou Songquan, albeit with more years of service. It was therefore unexpected for him to show up at the Zhou Family's event. Indeed, Zhou Songquan found the visit puzzling, given that he had only encountered Tang Jiren a few times at Martial Department functions. Nonetheless, since Tang Jiren had made an appearance, he must have come for him specifically.

That was why Zhou Songquan had just announced, "He's my guest."

To the members of the Zhou Family, it seemed obvious that this significant figure must have heard about their joyous engagement and come to offer his congratulations. After all, he was the head of the Qingqiu Dao region—what a display of prestige! Many lifted their heads slightly, basking in self-satisfaction.

Zhou Songquan approached with a beaming smile and greeted, "Brother Tang, what brings you here?"

"What on earth happened here?" Tang Jiren's brow furrowed as he immediately noticed the blood on the ground and the several figures lying in pools of it.

Zhou Songquan waved his hand dismissively. "My sister is getting engaged to the young master of the Sun Family today, and some bastard came to cause a ruckus! It's no matter, just a trivial affair that will be sorted out shortly!"

"Oh? Your sister is getting engaged today?" Tang Jiren asked, perplexed, a hint of embarrassment on his face as if reproaching himself for his sudden intrusion.

Now it was Zhou Songquan's turn to be stunned.

So, the Director-General of the Qingqiu Dao region hadn't come for the Zhou Family's engagement banquet?

He masked his awkwardness with a smile and inquired, "May I ask what brings you here today, Brother Tang?"

"Brother Zhou, you're not being straight with me! With the Admiral gracing Qingqiu Dao with his presence, such a momentous occasion, and you decided to keep me in the dark?" Tang Jiren punched Zhou Songquan lightly on the shoulder in exasperation. "Where is the Admiral? Quick, take me to see him!"

In the Martial Department, it was customary to address the Nine Gates Admiral simply as 'the Admiral'.

From what he's saying, the Admiral is here at the Zhou residence? And I supposedly blocked the news and deliberately kept him in the dark? This…

Zhou Songquan was thoroughly confused. "Brother Tang, I don't understand what you're talking about!"

"Still playing dumb? Surely you don't think I'd try to compete with you for favor in front of the Admiral? That would be far too petty of you!" With a look that suggested he had seen through everything, Tang Jiren chuckled. "Stop pretending. I already heard from Yang Hu that the Admiral is right here at your family's home!"

"Yang Hu? You mean the Admiral's most capable general?"

"That's him!" Tang Jiren said impatiently. "And you can stop the act. I was fortunate enough to meet the Admiral at the Martial Department last year. I've already said my piece, so it won't affect your standing with him in any way! As the Director-General of Qingqiu Dao, if the Admiral is here, I must see him, right?"

His argument was sound, but Zhou Songquan was at a complete loss. "Seriously, Brother Tang, the Admiral is a living, breathing person. How could I possibly hide him? Besides, other than Mr. Sun and his family, there have been no other guests at our home today!" As he spoke, Zhou Songquan remembered Chen Yang, and his expression darkened slightly. "Oh, right. There's also one piece of trash!!"

"Oh?" Tang Jiren was intrigued. The prestigious Zhou Family is tolerating a piece of trash under their roof? He couldn't help but scan the crowd, and upon setting his eyes on Chen Yang, his expression froze.

That… isn't that the Admiral himself? To lie so blatantly… this Zhou Songquan has gone too far!

Oblivious to Tang Jiren's change in expression, Zhou Songquan followed his gaze, glanced at Chen Yang, and sneered, "The piece of trash I was talking about is him! That damned cur, thinking he can stir up trouble at my family's estate just because he has some decent strength! I will not let him off lightly!"

Seeing Tang Jiren suddenly turn deathly pale and tremble violently, Zhou Songquan was taken aback. "Brother Tang, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Let me help you to the side for a cup of hot tea!"

"Don't call me that! I'm not your brother!" Tang Jiren recoiled, his voice sharp. "And don't you touch me!"

He scrambled back several steps, staring at Zhou Songquan with terror in his eyes. He finally understood why Zhou Songquan had so adamantly insisted the Admiral wasn't at the Zhou residence. The man hadn't recognized the Admiral at all! He called the Admiral trash? A damned cur? He even wanted to punish the Admiral harshly? The man is utterly blind! Just the thought of it made Tang Jiren's legs give out, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

Seeing Tang Jiren's sudden shift in attitude, Zhou Songquan felt as if he were lost in a fog, utterly confused. He took two steps forward. "Brother Tang, what on earth is wrong?"

"I told you, I am not your brother! I have absolutely no relationship with you, so stop trying to claim kinship!" Tang Jiren retreated again, his voice and expression fierce. This was partly a rebuke to cut all ties with Zhou Songquan, and partly for Chen Yang to overhear. If he were to be implicated because of this tenuous connection, it would be an absolute disaster! He had served in the Martial Department for over twenty years. Had it been easy to get to where he was today?

Zhou Songquan was becoming angry. He couldn't understand what had gotten into Tang Jiren. How could his attitude change so drastically? This was the Zhou Family estate; where was he supposed to put his face?

Taking a few deep breaths, Tang Jiren ignored Zhou Songquan and walked toward Chen Yang. Everyone present was bewildered by his sudden change in demeanor.

Has this big shot from the Martial Department lost his mind?

Chen Yang, however, shook his head with a look of resignation. The moment Tang Jiren walked over, he knew his identity could no longer be concealed.

Tang Jiren stopped two meters from Chen Yang, performed a deep, respectful salute, and declared in a booming voice, "Tang Jiren, Director-General of the Qingqiu Dao district, pays his respects to the Admiral!"

The sneers on the faces of those who had expected Tang Jiren to stand up for Zhou Songquan instantly froze. Their faces turned ashen, and they let out sharp, involuntary gasps of breath.

Not far away, Zhou Songquan's body swayed violently, and he nearly crashed to the floor.

"You… you…" He stumbled backward several steps, his lips trembling in fear. His eyes bulged as he stared at Chen Yang's indifferent face, his entire body shaking uncontrollably.

The Admiral? This… this is the Zhennan Prince?

Zhou Songquan subconsciously looked toward Zhou Jingyuan. Both men saw a potent mixture of terror and despair reflected in each other's eyes. In that instant, Zhou Jingyuan's spirit completely shattered, and he seemed to age more than a decade.

Chen Yang's gaze swept over him, making Zhou Songquan feel as though he were being pricked by needles, a cold sweat breaking out across his back. "Eight years ago, I fought a hundred battles, ready to die for my country. When I returned across the border, carrying the coffins of my heroic comrades, where were you?"

"When I was twenty, leading eighty thousand troops to rout one hundred and thirty thousand invading barbarians, what were you doing?"

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