Chapter Forty-Five: The Defeat of Qian Jiashun

Within the main hall, the atmosphere suddenly shifted.

The sword aura surrounding Chen Yuxuan gathered before him, forming a stream that surged forward at an astonishing speed, like a mighty river pouring into the sea, like the thousand-mile waves before the gates of the Martial Emperor's City in the Western Sea—soaring and endless, one wave following another, each pushing the last ahead.

He Jiashun, seeing this, hastened his breathing, concentrating his energy and spirit, preparing to defend against Chen Yuxuan’s torrent of sword aura.

The torrent enveloped He Jiashun, and wind and clouds roiled around him.

Yet as the torrent poured down, Qian Jiashun began to falter, unable to withstand the force, and tiny sword marks appeared all over his body. As the assault continued, those wounds grew ever more numerous, and the once elegant figure in white robes was transformed into a blood-soaked, wretched sight.

Qian Zhouliang shut his eyes, unwilling to witness any more.

Chen Yulei, watching the scene, could not suppress his gleeful smile.

A scream rang out, followed by a dull thud—Qian Jiashun collapsed to the ground. He was indeed a cultivator of the Golden Core Realm, but a single step in the Dao made all the difference, as vast as the distance between heaven and earth—the disparity was plain to see.

Qian Jiashun lay on his back, eyes full of despair. Why, why did a single step bring him such utter defeat? Why was it Chen Yuxuan who crossed that threshold, not himself? Why did he choose to decide the fate of this opportunity in such a way?

Chen Yulei rose to his feet, laughing heartily. “Ha ha ha! Brother Zhouliang, Brother Anjian, in that case, the wondrous item will be accepted by our Chen family. Tonight, you are welcome to come and observe.”

He had no doubt that neither the Qian nor He families would let the matter rest, so it was better to speak openly now, lest those old foxes resort to underhanded tricks later.

Chen Yuxuan also smiled at Qian Zhouliang and He Anjian. “I must thank both elders for your support.”

He Anjian responded with a smile to the brothers Chen Yulei and Chen Yuxuan. “I am curious to see what makes this item so extraordinary. Since Brother Yulei is so gracious, I shall not refuse.”

“But now that the matter is settled, my son and I won’t linger.” With a few parting words, He Anjian took He Yongning and left the Chen household.

Qian Zhouliang walked out alone. As he reached the doorway, he left behind a single remark: “I too am curious, so tonight I will certainly come to take a look.”

Qian Jiashun, still lying in the center of the hall, eyes full of unwillingness, heard his father’s voice, hurriedly got up, and dragged his bloodied form after him.

Chen Yulei watched the departing guests, narrowed his eyes, and after a long silence, spoke: “I believe the He family will behave themselves—at present, they have little reason for unrest, especially with Yongde in his current state. But the Qian family, I absolutely do not trust, especially that old fox Qian Zhouliang.”

Chen Yuxuan’s tone was calm, but laced with murderous intent. “Once this matter is settled, I will avenge our elder brother. I will wipe out the Qian family.”

He turned his fierce gaze to Chen Yulei, his words devoid of any jest. “Second brother, if you try to stop me this time, I will cut you down as well.”

Chen Yulei chuckled unconcernedly. “Third brother, this time the whole Chen family stands with you. Second brother supports you.”

He walked over to Chen Yuxuan, placed a hand on his shoulder, and gazed toward the door, speaking softly: “Third brother, you know me. I have never forgotten our elder brother’s death. As for why I have not taken revenge, why I always stop you when you try, you understand.”

Their laughter filled the hall, echoing with joy and tears.

A century ago, the old patriarch of the Chen family passed away, and with the loss of their pillar, the Qian family joined forces with the Wang family of East Ridge to exploit the situation. The Chen family was overwhelmed, nearly exterminated. In that crisis, the eldest son, Chen Yuyuan, stood alone against both the Qian and Wang families, saving his two younger brothers.

That year, the three great families of the Southern Sea became two.

In the brothers’ memory, the waters of the Southern Sea ran blood red.

They fled across Lingzhou, using the earth as their blanket and red soil as their food, always evading the pursuit of the Qian and Wang families, until they reached Mount Taiyi and became disciples. Even then, their lives remained fraught with danger, never a night of peaceful sleep or a meal eaten in safety.

Until the day both brothers entered the Golden Core Realm, and Chen Yuxuan later became the master of Sword Cliff Peak.

Then Chen Yulei returned to the Southern Sea, to North Sea City. Through his careful management and Chen Yuxuan’s influence, the three families once again shared rule over the region.

Chen Yuxuan attempted revenge many times, always stopped by Chen Yulei.

The brothers approached the main entrance. Chen Yulei ordered the steward waiting there, “Send word—everyone in the Chen family capable of fighting, relocate to the docks.”

The steward, far from confused, smiled and answered, “Yes, Master.”

Moments later, word spread throughout the Chen household, and a bustle followed, soon returning to silence.

Chen Yulei smiled at Chen Yuxuan. “Third brother, let’s go see our elder brother.”

Chen Yuxuan smiled and agreed. “It’s only right.”

With that, the two brothers took a jar of aged wine each and left the Chen residence.

…

A crimson carriage rolled steadily along the road from the Chen family to the He family.

Within, He Anjian had closed his eyes in meditation since boarding, while He Yongning sat in silence, head bowed.

After a long time, He Yongning suddenly looked up at his father and asked, “Father, am I not as good as my elder brother?”

He Anjian opened his eyes and smiled at He Yongning. “In many ways, you surpass De’er. You could crush him with a single blow. But…”

He paused.

He Yongning, sensing his father’s tension, asked anxiously, “But what, Father?”

He Anjian continued, “But in terms of cultivating the Dao, even a thousand of you together would not equal one Yongde.”

He Yongning nearly collapsed at those words.

After all these years, his father’s opinion had not changed.

He Anjian sighed. “If I hadn’t stubbornly refused to let Wanting marry that commoner surnamed Qin, and even interfered, De’er wouldn’t be as he is, and the He family wouldn’t be in this position at the tri-family council today.”

He Yongning remained silent, and He Anjian said no more. The carriage was filled only with the sound of hooves and wheels.

…

Meanwhile, in the Qian family’s carriage, Qian Zhouliang sat calmly, while the blood-soaked Qian Jiashun knelt on the floor.

After a long silence, Qian Zhouliang spoke in a raspy voice, “Get up.”

Qian Jiashun hesitated. “But father…”

Qian Zhouliang raised his voice as high as it would go. “I said get up.”

Qian Jiashun stood immediately, not daring to hesitate.

Once he was seated, Qian Zhouliang spoke slowly. “Since I agreed to the contest, you are not to blame.”

Qian Jiashun dared not reply.

Qian Zhouliang narrowed his eyes. “But even if Chen Yuxuan gets this opportunity, so what? Succeeding in the Dao is exceedingly difficult!”

Qian Jiashun nodded repeatedly, then asked in a low voice, “But what if he succeeds?”

He truly believed that if Chen Yuxuan succeeded, the Qian family would be in grave danger.

Qian Zhouliang’s tone turned cold, his eyes sharp. “Then we must do everything to prevent his success.”

“Father, you mean…” Qian Jiashun probed.

Qian Zhouliang did not answer directly, but asked, “Red Fu said that Wang Hong will bring people to visit our Qian family today?”

“That is true,” Qian Jiashun replied. He then narrowed his eyes in surprise. “Father, you mean…?”

Qian Zhouliang smiled. “Red Fu’s talent is mediocre, but he’s fortunate to be Wang Hong’s subordinate.”

Qian Jiashun asked hurriedly, “Father, if at this critical point, the Chen and He families discover our dealings with the Wang family of East Ridge, then…?”

Qian Zhouliang snorted. “Wang Hong is the future leader of the Wang family, a prodigy among men. He doesn’t need you to teach him how to play hide-and-seek.”

Qian Jiashun replied with an awkward smile—it was indeed so.