As the Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties, Capital City was essentially under martial law at all times. No one, regardless of their identity or power, was allowed to run amok or resort to violence in such a place. Thus, the old man understood that Chen Fei's concerns were not without reason. This was practically a deadlock with no room for maneuver.

"It's a pity, a real pity. Such a waste of a talent like you, Young Chen." At this thought, the old man couldn't help but sigh again, his expression dazed and a bit tipsy.

"Grandpa Xu, you really think too highly of me... 'Tigers and leopards lie in deep mountains, and Qilin hide in open fields.' How many hermits and extraordinary talents are there in this world? I'm just a small ripple among them, nothing special."

But Chen Fei just smiled and shook his head, squinting as he said, "Besides, I'm used to the carefree life in Northern Mountain. I've never had any grand ambitions; I only hope to make some progress on the path of martial arts. A simple life suits me better. At least, if I happen to stir up a little trouble, I can still handle it."

"That's true... Bah! What nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean you can 'handle' any trouble you stir up? You're not one of those brainless scions..."

Initially, the slightly tipsy old man had nodded in agreement with Chen Fei's sentiment that 'Tigers and leopards lie in deep mountains, and Qilin hide in open fields.' But the more he listened, the more something felt off, and he ended up slapping his chair and rolling his eyes.

Then he let out a resigned sigh, shaking his head. "You may be carefree, Young Chen, but it's hard on an old man like me. At my age, I still have to worry and toil over these troublesome matters."

Chen Fei simply smiled and didn't reply.

"You sly fox." Seeing that Chen Fei didn't reply, the old man chuckled and changed the subject. "Young Chen, let me ask you something, and you must answer honestly. What's your impression of the Chen Family?" he asked suddenly, a faint smile on his lips.

"The Chen Family? Which Chen Family?" Chen Fei asked, slightly taken aback.

"Which Chen Family? Don't play dumb with me, kid... Didn't you just meet Old Man Chen's grandson?" The old man began to bluster, but then he noticed that Chen Fei seemed genuinely clueless. Surprise flashed in his murky eyes.

Could it be... this kid really still doesn't know his relationship with the Old Chen Family?

"Are you talking about Uncle Chen, Chen Zhenjun? Oh, I didn't actually know him before. It's just that my mother seems to be an old friend of his. As for my impression, I heard someone call him Minister, so he seems to have quite an impressive background," Chen Fei explained, then added his speculation.

Hearing this, the old man fell silent for a moment, finally stilling his rattan chair. A meaningful expression appeared on his sharp-featured, aged face as he slowly said, "That would be the third generation of the Old Chen Family. He is indeed a very capable and decisive young man. Moreover, it seems he's approaching a critical moment... If nothing unexpected happens, he should be able to climb another step up the ladder."

"Then that's worth celebrating," Chen Fei replied perfunctorily. His pitch-black eyes, as clear as glass, were filled with confusion.

Just then, the old man narrowed his eyes, looking tipsy again. "Old Man Chen has many sons and daughters, but the most promising is the eldest son's line, followed by, I believe, Old Three's line... But I've heard recently that Old Man Chen himself might not hold on for much longer. He's lived over a hundred years, and who knows if he'll make it through this autumn."

"His time is up?" Chen Fei asked, slightly startled.

"Yes, his time is up. That's what everyone who has seen him says," the old man sighed with a hint of melancholy.

Then, his tone shifted as he added slowly, "Because this matter is so important, the news is being kept under tight lock and key. Very few people know..."

"Don't worry, Grandpa Xu, I won't leak it," Chen Fei immediately promised.

"That's not what I'm trying to say." But the old man simply shook his head. Staring at Chen Fei with his cloudy eyes, he said slowly, "I know your master is Ming Daochuan, and I can understand the resentment in that old fellow's heart. However, people make mistakes as they get older, and there's never been a perfect person. So... he really doesn't need to be so stubborn."

"Grandpa Xu, what do you mean by that? I don't quite understand," Chen Fei asked, bewildered.

"You'll understand soon enough. Find some time to tell your master what I've just told you and see what he says. Perhaps he'll tell you what you want to know."

At this point, the old man fell silent. He stood up, shaking his head. "This is your family's affair; I shouldn't have interfered. But Old Man Chen... sigh. Let's go inside. It's getting late."

With that, he shuffled shakily back into the house, leaving Chen Fei standing there, stunned and frowning.

A family affair?

The Chen Family?

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