Xiao Qian finally figured out what was going on after listening to the comments floating around her. Had Liu Zhen actually gotten rich? Was he here to turn the tables on Liu Feng? Her heart skipped a beat when she looked at the battered Liu Feng, and then at the lofty-looking Liu Zhen. She finally understood everything.
She suddenly wailed. âDearest Zhen, this really isnât my fault. Itâs this bastard who forced me to do this! You know heâs a tyrannical bully, and I have no choice but to... darling Zhen, you havenât forgotten about me after so many years. You even came back for me. I... Iâve had enough of this! I want to come with you, dearest Zhen. Please, let me come with you. I can warm your bed. I can do anything. Please...â
The speed at which Xiao Qian suddenly changed her tune amused even Jiang Chen. This woman was extremely fickle. It was unbelievable how quickly her attitude had changed. Emperor Peerless and Madame Yun were also frowning. They never imagined that Liu Zhenâs woman would possess such a lousy character.
âDisgraceful!â Liu Zhen yelled angrily. âIâm not surprised at all to find that Liu Feng is a tyrannical bully, but Iâm pretty sure he hasnât forced you to sell my properties and sleep with him behind my back!â
Xiao Qian shouted and cried. âIt was all his fault! He forced me to do everything. Dearest Zhen, you should know that the one I truly love is you. You are my one true love in this world. He was the one who forced me to abort your child! Darling Zhen, you canât forgive this animal, you have to...â
âEnough!â Liu Zhen suddenly laughed bitterly. âForced to abort? My child? Well said! The only thing I wanted to know today by coming here was to learn who was the father of that child, but I guess thereâs no need to verify it any longer since theyâre already gone.â His eyes reddened as he said this.
A moment later, Liu Zhenâs eyes suddenly locked back on Liu Yue coldly. âAssistant Minister Liu, Iâve noticed your sincerity. However, there needs to be a conclusion to this disgusting affair, donât you agree? Do as you wish. I await your show of sincerity.â
Liu Yue stared at him blankly. What did he mean by that? Was Liu Zhen asking him to punish his own brother?
Liu Zhen didnât waste time waiting for Liu Yue to break out of his daze. He immediately walked up and kicked Liu Feng in the groin.
Liu Feng let out a bloodcurdling scream as a terrifying, crunching sound came from his groin. The man collapsed on the ground and writhed all over, screaming in horrible pain during the process. It was the utter destruction of Liu Fengâs family jewels!
Xiao Qian turned pale with fright and screamed again and again. âDonât kill me, darling Zhen, donât kill me! We were once husband and wife, and we loved each other deeply back then...â
âShut up, slut!â Liu Zhen sneered. âI have no intentions of letting my blade be stained with your blood. That being said, I should thank you for being the cheap slut you are. You made me realize just how unnecessary my years of misery truly were. I wonât kill you. From hereon, you and I shall go our separate ways.â He looked back at Liu Yue. âThis matter is settled. I hope that the Liu family wonât forget todayâs matter. Remember that the heavens are watching before you commit such acts in the future.â
Although this ending was a bit humiliating, Liu Yue knew that it was the best kind of ending he could hope for. At the very least, Liu Zhen didnât sound like he was going to pursue this matter any longer. That was a relief to Liu Yue, especially because of the pressure he felt from the unfathomable experts standing behind Liu Zhen. He almost felt like heâd just escaped from hell.
The entire Scarlet Tang City was in an uproar because of Liu Zhenâs return, but the man himself soon mysteriously disappeared once more. A guard had been hired to protect his ancestral home, however. So it seemed that Liu Zhen had left the city again.
For a time, Liu Zhen became a moderate legend in Scarlet Tang City. His terribly idle neighbors shaped Liu Zhenâs image into a mystical avenger, and a classic example of an underdog who fought against his oppressors and won. Many versions of the story were spawned and passed on over time.
......
Liu Zhen looked a lot happier and relaxed after rid of his heartache. The group now headed towards Veluriyam Capital, and this time they encountered no obstacles along the way.
They reached Veluriyam Capital without a hitch a dozen or so days later.
After they passed the borders, Emperor Peerless concealed his magnificent bearing and maintained a low profile. The first thing Jiang Chen did after returning to Veluriyam Capital was to confirm if Mu Gaoqi and the others had returned safely.
Thankfully, everything had more or less proceeded as planned. Mu Gaoqiâs group had returned safely to Veluriyam Capital since a month ago, and the Geng brothers were still hanging around, and they very excited to see Emperor Peerless and Madame Yun again.
Jiang Chen arranged Emperor Peerlessâ group to stay in the building across the street of Taiyuan Tower. Taiyuan Lodge had been another factionâs property, but itâd changed hands after Jiang Chen won it from a bet. It was more than enough to accommodate Emperor Peerlessâ group.
Since Mu Gaoqi was Jiang Chenâs sworn brother, Lin Yanyu had already taken him to the young lord residence at Sacred Peafowl Mountain. Lin Yanyu knew that his master valued Mu Gaoqi a great deal, so he treated the latter with equal respect. Meanwhile, Elder Yun Nie stayed behind in Taiyuan Tower.
Shen Trifire had been the appointed manager of Taiyuan Tower, but the position had now been transferred to Elder Yun Nie. Everyone in Regal Pill Palace was extremely happy to see the elder again, because he was the first sect elder theyâd run into after so many years post sect destruction. Additionally, Hallmaster Yun Nie of the Herbal Hall was very high up the totem pole.
After everyone was arranged for properly, Jiang Chen finally headed towards the young lord residence at Sacred Peafowl Mountain with his father.
Everyone in the young lord residence, especially Huangâer, was overjoyed when they learned of Jiang Chenâs return. She had nearly singlehandedly managed the entire young lord residence on her own in recent times. Although it wasnât a difficult task, her longing for Jiang Chen had only increased with the passage of time. Naturally, the couple spent some sweet moments catching up.
âCome, Huangâer, let me introduce you to my father.â
Huangâer had actually seen Jiang Feng a couple of times back in the Eastern Kingdom. However, he hadnât left an impression on her because Huangâer had no feelings for Jiang Chen back then, much less the duke of Jiang Han province. The duo had never interacted with each other. But today, Jiang Feng was no longer the duke of Jiang Han province. He was now her belovedâs father and her senior. It was only a matter of time she called him âfatherâ as well.
âHuangâer greets you, uncle.â Huangâerâs urbaneness, outstanding temperament, exquisite countenance, perfect figure, great intelligence and kindness made her literally flawless in every way. Her bearing of a well-bred young lady was especially unmatched by any top rate disciple in the Upper Eight Regions.
Jiang Feng laughed loudly. âGood, good! Huangâer, a girl as beautiful as tall bamboo. What a great name, what a wondrous temperament. Chenâer, you have a good eye for woman.â
Jiang Chen also laughed. âI believe itâs more luck than a good eye, father. If the heavens havenât sent Huangâer to the Eastern Kingdom, there is no way our paths would have intersected.â
âYouâre right, youâre right!â Jiang Feng was very happy. His son had grown up and even had a partner of his own now. His gratification and pride only increased when he saw how excellent his sonâs partner was.
âI wonder how happy your mother will be if she sees Huangâer, Chenâer.â Jiang Feng sighed.
Jiang Chen didnât conceal the matter of his mother from Huangâer. She looked very happy after he had briefly explained the ins and outs of this part of his journey. âBrother Chen, it is the heavensâ will and destinyâs power that have reunited uncle and auntie! Your filial piety must have touched the gods themselves!â
âDonât worry, Huangâer. One day, I will accompany you to Myriad Abyss Island and rescue your father and mother as well.â
Huangâer agreed quietly as her heart became filled with limitless happiness. Ever since their relationship had been confirmed and they had become soulmates, her lonely heart had been slowly melted by Jiang Chenâs existence and contentment. The suffering sheâd endured in the past was all worth it in the end. If she hadnât gone through those hardships, she wouldnât have met her beloved in this sea of humanity!
After Jiang Chen had set everything up for his father and arranged a few slaves to serve him, Jiang Chen finally left with Huangâer to express their longing for each other. Huangâer was full of admiration and praise when she heard of Jiang Chenâs experiences. She was deeply proud of him.
When she heard that Jiang Chen had become sworn brothers with Emperor Peerless, she felt joy for him from the bottom of her heart. She felt that her man was growing every day and that he was slowly becoming the true ruler of the human domain. Although that goal was still a ways away, it was looking like nothing could stop Jiang Chen in his rise.
âOh right, Huangâer. How is Gaoqi doing right now? Does he show any signs of psychological trauma?â Jiang Chen still missed Mu Gaoqi.
âHe has grown a lot and become a lot more mature after surviving this hardship. Mentality wise, I think heâs doing fine. That said, he seems to be extremely thirsty for knowledge and strength. Itâs as if he wants to regain all the years he had lost during his captivity,â Huangâer responded.
âThatâs good. Hard work can make up for the loss of time, not to mention that the mental fortitude he gained from this hardship may yet be a different form of wealth.â
Jiang Chenâs opinion of Mu Gaoqi had always been rather high. He had paid a high price to save Mu Gaoqi not only because Mu Gaoqi was his friend, but also because he valued his sect mateâs talents greatly.
Jiang Chen was surrounded by many people with great talent in pill dao, such his disciples Pill King Bu, Pill King Lu Feng and Lin Yanyu. However, none of them were as talented as Mu Gaoqi.
âHas His Majesty returned while I was gone?â Jiang Chen asked concerningly.
âUnfortunately, no. The atmosphere in Veluriyam Capital has been a little strange as of late, and Emperor Peafowl hasnât returned from his journey. Thankfully, things are relatively well within Sacred Peafowl Mountain, but for some reason, Veluriyam Capitalâs atmosphere feels oppressive right now. I feel like something is rising from the shadows.â
Sometimes, women relied on intuition instead of logical inference. However, such intuition had been proven to be better than rationality on many occasions.
âHuangâer, what do you mean, exactly?â Jiang Chen rarely let Huangâerâs opinions slide by his ears. On the contrary, he always listened to her opinions seriously. If she felt confident enough to voice her doubts, it was very likely that her worries werenât unfounded. There must be some sort of basis behind all this.