Chapter 420: Chapter 184: Longing for Return

Yu Feng and Zhuang Hui Xian exchanged a look, their expressions complicated—half happy for Chen Cheng, half worried for Zhuang Zhen.

"Aunt Li, about Cheng..."

Shen Mi spoke up, her eyes filled with anticipation as she asked:

"Did he say when he’s coming back?"

"He did."

Aunt Li wiped her tears and said:

"He said in the letter that he made a pact with three friends to meet again in Zhao City in three years. He’ll definitely be back before then."

"Three years..."

Shen Mi was stunned for a moment, then a gentle yet bright smile slowly bloomed on her lovely face.

Beside her, however, Wu Ziyu’s elegant brows furrowed slightly. She said nothing, unable to hide the gloom in her eyes.

For the past three months, Wu’s Fishing Village had been pushed to the brink of collapse by the Water Bandits from Black Cloud Stronghold, and the Wu Family’s other businesses weren’t doing well either.

She desperately wished Chen Cheng could come back tomorrow.

But reality was ultimately cold and cruel. She wasn’t even sure if she could hold on for three years, until the day Chen Cheng returned.

"Great, great, great! It’s already been over three months of those three years! My Brother Cheng will be back soon! Godmother! When the time comes, I’ll go with you to welcome Brother Cheng back!"

Fatty Fang cheered outwardly, trying to make Aunt Li happy, but in his heart, he was seething with rage:

’That damn Pang Chunwang... Just wait until my brother Cheng gets back!’

It was obvious he had only said he’d suffered some superficial injuries from a spar because he didn’t want to worry Aunt Li. In reality, he had been utterly humiliated today.

Unfortunately, he still hadn’t been able to break through his cultivation bottleneck. If he wanted to avenge his honor, he could only endure and wait.

When Chen Cheng came back, everything would be different.

...

The Pang Family.

Pang Shixun was resting with his eyes closed in a courtyard filled with exotic flowers and rare plants.

Pang Wanhe, dressed in the robes of a high-ranking Military Officer, strode in and said in a low voice:

"Grandfather, the men I sent to watch the Chen Family intercepted a messenger boy and got some news out of him."

"What is it?" Pang Shixun asked casually, not even bothering to open his eyes.

"That brat Chen Cheng has become an Outer Disciple of the Mountain and Sea Sect," Pang Wanhe said.

"Is that true?" Pang Shixun’s eyes suddenly flew open.

"Absolutely."

Pang Wanhe said:

"Chen Cheng’s mother is illiterate; the messenger boy read the letter to her. It also said that Chen Cheng will definitely return within three years."

"...I see."

After listening, Pang Shixun closed his eyes again and said nonchalantly:

"I know that brat’s Root Bone better than anyone. In three years, he won’t even make it into the Inner Sect. He poses no threat to us whatsoever."

"Should we continue to keep an eye on the Chen Family, then?" Pang Wanhe asked.

"No need to bother."

Pang Shixun said flatly:

"I never had any deep-seated hatred for the brat. I just took a Red Heart Ganoderma from him and was worried he’d try something sneaky, so I had you watch his mother."

"It seems he knows what’s good for him. He obediently scurried off to the Northern Territory and left an old woman to watch his house. There’s no point in watching her anymore."

"In three years, when he returns, we’ll ’welcome’ him properly. If he’s willing to bow his head and submit, we can take him in and treat him like a dog."

Pang Shixun paused, his tone suddenly turning cold:

"Of course, if he dares to make the slightest move, what happened to Qin Zhao will be an example for him and his entire family."

"Understood."

Pang Wanhe nodded vigorously, then sneered:

"An Outer Disciple of the Mountain and Sea Sect... Taking one in to be our dog isn’t a bad idea. Heh..."

...

Dragon Mountain Hall.

Wan Qianshan leaned back in his recliner and let out a long sigh.

"Back then, I truly misjudged. The Chen Cheng I forced away is now a Sect Disciple."

Cao Miao had just been summoned. Hearing this, he asked with a look of complete surprise:

"Hall Master, how did you get news of Chen Cheng? Was... was it from the Pang Family?"

"Yes."

Wan Qianshan nodded and said helplessly:

"After the execution of Qin Zhao, I’ve been completely tied to the Pang Family’s ship... They’ve sent over several disciples from their Direct Lineage one after another, insisting that I take them on as my Direct Inheritance disciples..."

"They’re all second-rate mediocrities. Only Pang Chunwang could barely be considered outstanding... but compared to Chen Cheng, he’s leagues behind..."

Cao Miao listened in silence, not saying much.

"Old Cao."

Wan Qianshan said in a low voice:

"I called you here today to act as a peacemaker. I think it’s time to resolve the feud between your Cao Zhao and the Pang Family... As long as you agree, I’ll go speak to them myself."

"...Thank you, Hall Master."

Cao Miao cupped his fist but said helplessly:

"I’ve already tried to persuade Zhao about this matter. His attitude is exceptionally firm... Just give him some more time. A year, two years, or maybe even longer. He’ll come around eventually..."

"So be it..."

Wan Qianshan nodded and added:

"Chen Cheng will be back within three years. When that time comes, I’d like to ask you to be a peacemaker and mediate on my behalf, so that Chen Cheng won’t hold a grudge against me."

"No problem."

Cao Miao agreed at once, then said:

"However, from what I’ve observed, Chen Cheng isn’t a petty person. Back when you had me send him some resources, he accepted them readily... Given his character, as long as he accepted them, he certainly won’t hold a grudge against you."

"I hope so..."

Wan Qianshan heaved a long sigh.

"For some reason... I have this strong premonition that this boy, Chen Cheng, is no creature meant to stay in a small pond!"

"Heh, what a coincidence."

Cao Miao chuckled.

"I have the same feeling... It’s just that three years is too short a time. If it were ten or twenty years, he would surely become an existence that we would all have to look up to!"

...

「Sea Marsh, Abyssal Grotto Heaven.」

In the open space in front of his cave dwelling, Chen Cheng finished his last round of Inner Strength Tai Chi practice for the day.

He slowly brought his form to a close, lightly and gently exhaling a long plume of white vapor.

[Inner Strength Tai Chi]: Lungs (1052/3000), Traits (Gastric Strength), Limit-Breaking (No)

[Gastric Strength: Digestion increased by 30%. Able to digest impurities and some toxins consumed with food.]

Chen Cheng glanced at the panel.

Over the past fifteen days, the conditioning of his stomach from Inner Strength Tai Chi had long been complete, and the progress in conditioning his lungs was also very noticeable.

He composed himself and walked directly toward the fish pond beside the Unfrozen Ice Spring.

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