The truth about his origins, which Chen Yang had been suppressing with an iron will, finally began to surface.

According to Chen Mengyao, twenty-eight years ago, the Chen Royal Family was embroiled in an internal struggle that led to his exile.

This meant that in that struggle, my side was defeated, and those now dominating the Chen Royal Family are my mortal enemies! Even my biological parents, all my blood relatives, were likely completely eradicated by them.

Was his relentless cruelty towards the Chen Royal Family and his actions today not tinged with a hint of these emotions?

Whether Chen Yang admitted it or not, they were undeniably there.

Especially now, as he forced Chen Boyong to his knees, a raging inferno erupted from the depths of Chen Yang's heart.

Chen Yang's gaze was icy cold, his face grim, as he fixed a malevolent stare on Chen Boyong.

The moment he spoke, a sorrowful silence fell over the venue.

The murderous intent bursting from him was palpable to everyone present. This man had killed more than a few people. Far more than any of them could possibly imagine.

Everyone held their breath, waiting to see how Chen Boyong would respond.

To kneel, or not to kneel?

"You..." Chen Boyong's eyes were bloodshot and blazing with fury. His teeth were clenched so tightly they creaked, and a trickle of fresh blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

He could see that if he refused to kneel today, death was certain.

But when had the mighty Chen Royal Family ever knelt before anyone?

If I kneel today, I will become an eternal traitor to the entire Chen Royal Family. Being ousted from the family records would be the least of it; I would be reviled by every member of the Chen family, my name cursed for generations. It would even implicate all of my relatives.

At this thought, Chen Boyong struggled to straighten his back and said coldly, "I, Chen Boyong, kneel to heaven and earth, and I kneel to the Clan Leader, but I will never kneel to you!"

His words were unyielding, ringing with defiance.

After speaking, he suddenly raised his hand, striking towards the crown of his own head.

He would rather die than submit.

Everyone was stunned. They had considered countless possibilities, but they never imagined Chen Boyong would choose such an extreme method to resolve his dilemma.

It had to be said, he was a man of integrity.

Unfortunately, suicide was not one of the options Chen Yang had offered.

BOOM!

A gust of wind swept past.

Chen Boyong's hand, which he had slammed down with all his might, froze in mid-air. No matter how hard he struggled, it wouldn't move an inch.

"Kneel!" Chen Yang spat out the single, cold word.

It struck like thunder ripping through the sky.

Chen Boyong's legs could no longer hold him up. His desperate resistance was utterly useless.

BOOM!

His knees crashed heavily onto the ground.

Chen Yang tilted his head up slightly, watching the snowflakes drift down outside. He spoke wistfully, "No matter how much time has passed, some debts must eventually be repaid."

"I thought I could forget everything, that I could leave the past behind. Now it seems it's not so easy."

Chen Yang gave a bitter smile and shook his head before turning to Qin Lie. "Old King Qin," he said apologetically, "I am sorry that blood was shed at your birthday banquet."

"My apologies!"

Chen Yang cupped his fist in a slight bow, then turned and strode away.

"Wait a moment," Qin Lie called out, taking two steps forward. "Young Sir, the agate pipe you gave is exquisitely crafted, of excellent quality and color. I quite like it. You've been too generous!"

Chen Yang turned back with a smile and waved his hand. "I'm off!"

How could he not see that Qin Lie was fishing for his identity? By using the name 'Lord Yang,' one could trace the gift back to the agate pipe. If Chen Yang acknowledged the gift, he would be admitting he was Lord Yang. And that, combined with the power he had just displayed… This Lord Yang had to be the same one who single-handedly dominated the entire Dragon Brilliance List!

"Grandfather, that young sir is Lord Yang, the top master on the Dragon Brilliance List!" Qin Yan shouted, unable to suppress his excitement, his eyes shining brilliantly.

Qin Lie stared at Chen Yang's departing figure, his gaze sharp and silent.

Although he didn't admit it, wasn't his noncommittal response as good as an admission? Lord Yang... How did he appear at my birthday banquet? And why does he have a grudge against the Martial Association?

Question after question surfaced in his mind.

"What?! Lord-Lord Yang? This guy is the Lord Yang who has topped the Dragon Brilliance List for five years?"

"I thought he'd be an old senior! How can he be so young?"

"I was so caught up in the excitement, I forgot to take a picture!"

"No wonder this guy is so incredible. It turns out he's Lord Yang."

"..."

Qin Yan's shout sent the entire venue into an uproar. Who didn't know the name Lord Yang? He had vanished without a trace after dominating the Dragon Brilliance List five years ago, but today, they had witnessed the legend with their own eyes.

"This is only speculation, and there's no certainty to it. I hope you will all refrain from jumping to conclusions," Qin Lie said in a timely manner.

In his heart, he was already ninety percent sure. But until he was certain, it was better not to make any definitive statements.

"Furthermore," Qin Lie's tone shifted, "I do not want a single word of what happened here today to be spread. I don't want to hear anything about it. I assume you can all manage that, correct?"

The crowd nodded and gave their assurances. How could they dare disobey Old King Qin?

"Very good!"

Qin Lie nodded. He was, of course, doing this to save face for Chen Boyong.

Chen Boyong struggled to his feet. Covered in blood and utterly disheveled, he gave Qin Lie a nod of acknowledgment before turning to leave. He couldn't stand to remain there for another second.

I need to treat my injuries as quickly as possible, then find the Ancestral Sword. Only then might I have a chance to redeem myself.

Qin Lie did not try to make him stay.

Afterward, the birthday banquet officially began. Despite the earlier incident, the banquet remained remarkably lively and spirited.

「By the time the banquet concluded, it was already afternoon.」

In the main hall of the Qin Residence, Qin Lie sat alone in the master's seat, while Qin Qiu stood in the center of the hall.

"Qin Qiu, I heard you went out with someone again today?" Qin Lie asked indifferently, holding his teacup.

Qin Qiu trembled slightly. "Yes," she admitted. "I've told you before, I have a husband."

"Not anymore," Qin Lie said, taking a sip of tea. "I've already had your marriage annulled. You're single now."

Qin Qiu was speechless for a moment. Then, she stepped forward and said coldly, "On what basis did you annul my marriage? What right do you have?"

"The fact that your surname is Qin," Qin Lie stated, placing his teacup down with finality. "Prepare yourself. In a few days, I will arrange for you to meet the eldest son of the Li Family."

"Impossible!" Qin Qiu retorted. "You can forget about it."

But Qin Lie paid her no more attention and simply walked away.

"..."

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