At the night market, with someone else footing the bill, Qin Qiu and Qin Mo feasted heartily.

Even someone as reserved as Qin Qiu was holding a skewer in one hand and stinky tofu in the other, eating joyously, as happy as a child. Chen Yang followed behind, his only responsibility being to pay.

But Qin Qiu didn't forget about him, occasionally handing him the skewers she had already been eating from. Chen Yang didn't care what they were; he just took them and ate.

"Brother-in-law, I want some candied hawthorns."

"Chen Yang, I want another pig's trotter."

Buy!

Buy, buy, buy!

Chen Yang was like a wealthy patron, his hand waving continuously. Seeing the high-spirited and carefree Qin Qiu, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up.

Don't fear the future, don't question the past, just live well in the present. Perhaps this is the best state of being?

They ate their way from one end of the street to the other and even made a trip to the amusement park, only returning to the estate of the Qin Royal Family at midnight.

"Look, they… they actually came back?"

"That was way too fast, wasn't it? We thought… we thought they'd never return!"

"..."

From the moment they stepped through the gate, everyone from the disciples on guard duty to the high-level family members passing by was shocked and bewildered.

"How did you return so soon?"

Having received the news, Qin Zhuo rushed over at the first opportunity, blocking Qin Qiu and Qin Mo to demand an explanation.

"Do you even hear yourself? Is that something a person should say?" Qin Mo immediately flew into a rage, her eyes widening as she stared coldly at Qin Zhuo. They were family, after all. If he wasn't going to show concern, the least he could do was not ask such a question.

Qin Zhuo's eyes grew cold, his tone turning frigid. "Answer my question."

In my plan, after tonight, I'll visit Ye Chao and Gao Fan tomorrow. If they're in a good mood, I can ask them to promote the Qin Family. With the Ye and Gao Families' status in Cangyun City, lifting our family out of Qiyun Road and establishing our roots in Cangyun City would be a piece of cake. Isn't that the ultimate goal of our Qin Royal Family?

But now… in just a few hours, they had returned just like that? Suddenly, Qin Zhuo's confidence vanished.

"Who do you think you are—"

Given Qin Mo's temper, she immediately retorted but was promptly stopped by Qin Qiu. "Stop it. Let's go."

This was the Qin Family's territory. If they clashed head-on with Qin Zhuo, they would be the only ones to suffer.

"Leaving?" Qin Zhuo scoffed. "You think you can just leave without answering my question?"

As he spoke, he reached out, his fingers curving into a claw as he grabbed for Qin Qiu's shoulder. That claw strike, if it landed, would cripple her if not kill her.

A tool should know its place. How dare she talk back to me and ignore me? Heh…

Coupled with the possibility of his plan falling apart, Qin Zhuo was now radiating killing intent, showing no mercy.

"Stop!!"

A sudden, sharp roar made Qin Zhuo's expression change. After a brief hesitation, he didn't stop but instead accelerated his attack.

BANG!

With a muffled thud, Qin Zhuo staggered back several steps, nearly falling flat on his face.

"What, you won't even listen to my words anymore?"

The newcomer was, of course, Qin Lie. The one who had acted was Qin Lie's personal guard, Qin Wei.

The role of the Family Head's personal guard had been passed down in Qin Wei's family since his grandfather's generation. Not yet fifty, Qin Wei possessed a profound cultivation. As the strongest expert in the entire Qin Family, how could Qin Zhuo possibly contend with him?

Now, after a single slap, Qin Zhuo's face was red and swollen, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He looked utterly wretched.

Qin Zhuo took a deep breath, his eyes glinting with ferocity as he glared at Qin Wei. With a poker face, Qin Wei stood with his hands behind his back, meeting his gaze without a word.

"Hmph!"

Aware of Qin Wei's status within the family, Qin Zhuo swallowed his anger. He turned to the approaching Qin Lie and said, "Father, these two women are too arrogant! They dared to talk back to me!"

"On the way here, a disciple already told me what happened. Do you hear the words coming out of your mouth?" Qin Lie stared coldly at Qin Zhuo. "Put away your petty schemes; they are nothing but wishful thinking! Only if you are strong in your own right will others take you seriously. If your strength doesn't reach that level, they won't give you a second glance no matter how much you offer! You've lived for decades. Don't you understand such a simple truth?"

Qin Zhuo's face flushed red, but he didn't dare to utter a word.

The opportunity was rare. I just wanted to try. What if I succeeded?

Qin Lie gestured for Qin Qiu to leave. "Go and rest. Tomorrow, I'll arrange for you to meet with Li Changqing."

Without another word, Qin Qiu pulled Qin Mo along and turned to leave.

Then, Qin Lie instructed Qin Zhuo, "Lock down the news. I don't want a single word about this matter getting out."

"Yes, Father!"

As for why Qin Qiu and Qin Mo had returned so early, Qin Lie was also curious. But since it concerned their dignity, it wasn't his place to pry.

Besides, how could he possibly fathom the thoughts of the privileged youth?

…

「The next day.」

The snow had finally stopped. The long-absent warm sun poured down, lifting everyone's spirits.

After breakfast, Yang Hu loaded the fishing gear into the car and smiled. "Boss, the Chu and Huang Families from the Urban Department have entered Qiyun Road today. They've officially joined the game."

"I hear that the Chu Family's young master, Chu Jiang, is ranked first on the Hidden Dragon List and is expected to challenge the Dragon Brilliance List within three years."

Chen Yang put down his magazine and asked nonchalantly, "How many families still haven't entered?"

He couldn't care less about some Chu Jiang or his first-place rank on the Hidden Dragon List.

"Just the Jiang Family from Wanghai Road is left!"

Chen Yang grabbed a bottle of mineral water and walked toward the van. "We'll wait for them."

"Heh heh!" Yang Hu hopped into the driver's seat, and they headed toward the Lingjin River.

All of them want to get their hands on Qin Qiu, but they have no idea this rose already has an owner. And now, Qiyun Road is like a gaping net. Once everyone who's supposed to enter has entered, it'll be time to draw it shut.

And who will be the one to draw it shut?

By the Lingjin River, one hundred thousand Martial Guards had long been armed and ready for battle.

A small stool, a fishing rod, a pot of hot tea. Chen Yang could sit by the river for an entire day.

As noon approached, Yang Hu, having caught nothing, lost interest. He put down his fishing rod and went to buy lunch.

SCREECH!

Not long after Yang Hu left, a black SUV pulled up next to Chen Yang's van.

A middle-aged man with a square face and an imposing stature, dressed in a long black and gray robe, stepped out of the vehicle. He first sized up the van before turning his attention to the figure fishing by the river.

"Are you also here for the Ancestral Sword?"

Chen Yang lifted his rod. A small carp, about three fingers wide, struggled and jumped on the line. He asked the question as he removed the hook, not sparing the newcomer a single glance. After unhooking the fish, he tossed it back into the river and cast his line once more. From beginning to end, he never looked at the man.

The middle-aged man's scrutinizing gaze gradually filled with interest. This young man is remarkably composed. He's guessed my identity, yet he doesn't even have the interest to spare me a glance? Heh…

The middle-aged man chuckled and walked toward Chen Yang. "To be precise, I'm here for you."

"Kill yourself," Chen Yang said, his eyes fixed on the bobbing float. His voice was completely detached. "You can't kill me, and you can't take the Ancestral Sword."

The middle-aged man was speechless.

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