News that Lord Yang had appeared at the Lingjin River, stripped Fan Zhenkun of two cultivation ranks, and sent the young Taoist from Lingxiao Observatory, Qin Hao, up to the tenth stage rippled throughout all of Qiyun Road.

The bustling region hadn't been this lively in a long time.

However, as brand-new information began to spread, Qiyun Road erupted once more, sending shockwaves through the community.

The powerful elites from Cangyun City, the Ye Family and the Gao Family, had descended upon Qiyun Road.

Their purpose was twofold: to back the Martial Association and to kill the person who had repeatedly opposed it lately.

They stated plainly that the upper echelons of Qiyun Road were to prepare a grand welcome, with no room for error.

This command, naturally, was also delivered to the Qin Royal Family.

But while the local aristocratic families of Qiyun Road all responded with enthusiasm, the notice sent to the Qin Family vanished like a stone in the sea, leaving not a single ripple.

They responded with silence.

Clearly, the Qin Royal Family had no desire to involve itself in any matter related to the Martial Association.

"Does this mean that the mysterious powerhouse who crippled the Martial Association in Lingjin City a while back, slaughtering more than half of its upper echelon, is right here in Qiyun Road?"

"First, warships converged on the Lingjin River, then Lord Yang, who was missing for five years, shows up in Lingjin City, and now there's another mysterious powerhouse! This year is starting off with a bang. Is some major event about to happen?"

"It's been a while since Qiyun Road was this exciting. Let's just pull up a stool and enjoy the show!"

All sorts of speculations and discussions filled the air.

The locals of Qiyun Road knew very little about the Martial Association's defeat in Lingjin City, and even less about the mysterious person involved.

But there was one thing they could be sure of.

The fact that someone could decimate the Martial Association to the point where it had no choice but to call on its powerful backers for help was a clear indicator of their formidable strength.

Perhaps this time, everything would finally be settled in Qiyun Road.

Countless people were bursting with curiosity, but all they could do was wait and see.

「Chen Royal Clan – Qiyun Road Branch」

"Chen Boyong!"

Two young men entered the office, one after the other.

The one in front, a man in his thirties with a commanding presence, had a toothpick dangling from his lips. He grinned carefree. "I never thought I'd see the day a member of the esteemed Chen Royal Clan would kneel to someone."

"But don't worry, I can take care of this for you."

The young man patted Chen Boyong's shoulder, took out a pack of cigarettes, and offered him one.

"Hmph!"

Chen Boyong slapped his hand away and retorted coldly, "Ye Chao, you may come from the top echelons of Cangyun City, but you can't even tell right from wrong. You'd actually believe such nonsense?"

Chen Boyong knew word would inevitably get out, but he was determined never to admit to it.

"Haha…"

The young man named Ye Chao placed a cigarette directly on Chen Boyong's lips. "You've made your point, Uncle Chen. Later, I'll find the person who started this rumor and chop him into pieces to feed the dogs!"

He said this, but inwardly he was sneering. This business hasn't reached Cangyun City yet. Once I kill that piece of trash and return, I'll make sure to spread this news far and wide. Imagine the waves that'll make!

Only then did Chen Boyong accept the cigarette. After lighting it, he greeted the other young man, "Gao Fan, it's been a while."

"Yes."

The young man named Gao Fan nodded, then sat down to the side with his phone. "You two talk."

His phone displayed an article about the Qin Family's arranged marriage, complete with detailed introductions and photos of Qin Qiu and Qin Mo. He scrolled through the pictures, and a flicker of interest appeared on his otherwise indifferent face. They say Qiyun Road is famous for its beautiful women, and they aren't wrong.

Ye Chao hopped onto the desk, getting straight to the point. "Uncle Chen, was Qi Yin killed by that so-called Lord Yang?"

He hadn't come today to mock Chen Boyong, but specifically to verify this matter.

"That's right."

Chen Boyong nodded, the memory still making him shudder. "That man… he's very strong."

"How strong?" Ye Chao asked with a smirk, utterly unconcerned.

"A conservative estimate would be the peak of the thirteenth stage!"

"Heh heh..."

Ye Chao immediately laughed. "That's because you're only at the thirteenth stage, Uncle Chen. Of course you think he's strong! This time, I brought three experts at the peak of the thirteenth stage. With you included, killing him should be no problem, right?"

Chen Boyong saw right through his intentions and asked directly, "And after we kill this Lord Yang, you'll help me kill the mysterious powerhouse who has the Martial Association in such a bind?"

"That seems fair."

Ye Chao spread his hands. "After all, you can't wash away the shame of kneeling all on your own."

"Oh, listen to me run my mouth!"

Ye Chao gently slapped his own cheek, his smile never faltering.

Members of the Chen Royal Clan were usually high and mighty, so now that there was a rare opportunity to mock one, Ye Chao, with his flippant personality, was naturally going to milk it for all it was worth.

Chen Boyong's face turned ashen. He was furious, but what Ye Chao said did make sense.

"By the way, they say that Lord Yang is under thirty. That can't be true, can it?" Ye Chao chuckled.

"He does look to be under thirty."

Chen Boyong seemed lost in thought as he said gravely, "But I suspect there's a ninety percent chance he's an Old Monster who has regained his youth."

Peak of the thirteenth stage at under thirty years old? That's impossible! Absolutely impossible!

It was precisely because he hailed from the Chen Royal Clan and was so well-versed with the world that he grew more certain of his own theory.

"That makes more sense."

Ye Chao hopped down from the desk and stretched. "If a prodigy like that really existed, it would probably shake all of Cangyun City."

Having gotten the information he wanted, he had no intention of staying. "There's a reception later," he said finally. "A welcome party those country bumpkins from Qiyun Road threw together for us. Care to join, Uncle Chen?"

"I'll have to pass. I have my own business to attend to," Chen Boyong said, waving his hand in refusal. For one, he couldn't bear to show his face in public; for another, the matter of the Ancestral Sword was urgent.

"Alright!"

Ye Chao stubbed out his cigarette. "I've already sent people to find Lord Yang's whereabouts," he said as he walked out. "I'll let you know as soon as I have news."

Chen Boyong nodded and saw them out of his office.

This works out well. I can save some face without having to mobilize the clan's power.

「Downstairs」

Ye Chao asked Gao Fan, "Is that all you do, stare at pretty women on your phone? Can't you focus on the job?"

Gao Fan simply held his phone out to Ye Chao, displaying the pictures of Qin Qiu and Qin Mo.

Ye Chao stared, genuinely stunned by their beauty.

"Let's pay a visit to the Qin Family first and see these two in person. If they're as good as they look, wouldn't it be wonderful to have them as our companions at the reception tonight?"

Gao Fan retrieved his phone and smiled. "So, what do you think now? Worthwhile?"

"Holy shit!" Ye Chao swore, his interest thoroughly piqued. "Is that all you ever think about, women?"

With a grand wave of his hand, he declared, "Let's go! To the Qin Family!"

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