Chapter 86 - 85: Proud

[Name: Chen Xuan]

[Longevity: 18/210]

[Famed Items: Spring Water (20% Skill Points bonus), Flawless (Cultivation Technique, reduces difficulty of understanding martial skills by 20%)]

[Spouse Bind: Su Yun]

[Realm: Fifth Grade (Purification (Progress 10%))]

[Cultivation Technique: Nine Revolutions Secret Technique (Lower Section) (Mastery (0/8000)), Health Cultivation Technique (Mastery)]

.....

]

[Skill Points: 55]

Longevity increased by 40 years!

"So much!"

Unexpectedly, breaking into the Fifth Grade increased it so much, truly surprising Chen Xuan.

However, what excited him the most was the information above the realm section.

Fifth Grade (Purification (Progress 10%)).

Unlike before, there was now progression behind purification.

"That’s pretty considerate."

Chen Xuan chuckled, although the system was largely unreliable, this touch was still praiseworthy.

But when he saw the number behind the Nine Revolutions Secret Technique, his smile instantly vanished, and his face fell.

8000!

Eight thousand, this is going to kill him, isn’t it?

For mere skill points, he’s turning into a breeding stallion.

"What’s so considerate about it!"

With a creak, the study door opened, and the silhouette of the old man appeared at the entrance.

He then walked in, extending his head, examining Chen Xuan up and down carefully.

The expression on that old face first furrowed, then puzzled, and finally shook his head with a sigh.

"What’s up, old man?"

Feeling a bit guilty under the scrutiny, Chen Xuan asked.

"You still haven’t told me what was so considerate!"

"Nothing, just something said in passing!"

Chen Xuan rambled, the system’s affairs were for him alone to know, he’d never tell anyone, no matter who they were.

"Hmph!" Chen Xiu snorted, clearly dissatisfied with Chen Xuan’s evasive answer.

However, he didn’t press further.

Instead, he resumed his earlier stance, looking at Chen Xuan as if he were a bizarre creature, clicking his tongue without pause.

"Old man... could you stop looking at me like that?"

Feeling uncomfortable, Chen Xuan wondered if the old fellow had been provoked by something today; he had been observing him earlier and now this, what kind of look was that!

He wasn’t exactly a beauty deserving of such scrutiny!

It made him feel uneasy all over.

"I please myself, mind your own business!" Chen Xiu glared at him.

Ugh~~~

"Alright, alright, alright, if you want to look, just look, if you can’t see clearly, I’ll move closer for you!" After saying this, he motioned to move over.

"Great!" Chen Xiu’s face suddenly cracked into a mischievous smile.

This immediately made Chen Xuan feel something was off.

Sure enough, the next moment, Chen Xiu suddenly swung a palm at him, and a powerful pressure immediately struck.

"Old man~~~! You!"

But he quickly realized, this old fellow was testing his strength.

He immediately threw a punch.

"Boom!"

A loud bang resounded in the study, and Chen Xuan was directly knocked back, making close contact with the bookshelf behind him.

"Ouch, old man."

Chen Xuan got up from the ground, amused and helpless.

At this moment, his arm that had met the palm felt numb and tingly.

However, his heart was filled with shock; is this the power of the old man?

Sitting in the circle chair, a casual palm throw directly sent him flying.

He knew he was holding nothing back earlier.

As the old man said, the gap between Fifth Grade was indeed immense.

"Not bad, not bad!" Chen Xiu clapped and laughed, his old eyes filled with satisfaction towards Chen Xuan.

The palm earlier contained thirty percent of his strength.

Chen Xuan had just broken into Fifth Grade and already had such power; truly a monster and no wonder he’d endured all this time.

"Hehe!"

Chen Xuan scratched his head, revealing a thick smile.

It was only with the old man that he would act this way.

In Chen Xuan’s heart, Chen Xiu was more like family than an actual family member; only during this time did he feel as relaxed as a child.

"By the way, old man, why did you suddenly come over today?"

Chen Xuan somewhat understood his character; he would never come here without a reason.

Unexpectedly, just as he finished speaking, Chen Xiu’s face, which had been smiling like a chrysanthemum, suddenly darkened.

Giving him a feeling that something unpleasant was coming.

"You have to give up the West District!"

"West District? Why..." he hadn’t finished speaking when he reacted, "Is it the new acting County Magistrate Hongze?"

"Mm!"

Chen Xiu nodded slightly.

A few days ago, Hongze went to the black market.

Opened his mouth about claiming Zuo Qiu Ming’s current dividends, and not only that, he demanded a district in the black market.

Moreover, he specifically pointed out Chen Xuan’s West District.

He even threatened Primordial Thunder, stating that if denied, he would report to Celestial Water Commandery claiming the black market was conspiring with rebels, and that the weapons were plotted by the black market and Zuo Qiu Ming.

Maddening Primordial Thunder almost wanted to slap him to death on the spot.

An insignificant Fifth Grade, weaker than Zuo Qiu Ming, dared to be so reckless before him.

But ultimately, he restrained himself; after all, the black market was something he’d painstakingly managed for years.

If things truly fell apart, it’d hurt him greatly.

Hongze left with a remark, ’The black market is given only three days to consider,’ and then arrogantly departed from the black market.

Thus, in the past few days, Primordial Thunder has also been discussing for a long time with Chen Xiu.

Ultimately, they still compromised.

This is also the reason Chen Xiu came here today.

"Then give it to him. Isn’t there a saying, ’People don’t fight with officials’? He is not only the County Magistrate now, but also the City Defense General. Even when Zuo Qiu Ming was around, he didn’t have such great power. He’s in the limelight right now, so let’s avoid provoking him."

Although unwilling in his heart, he didn’t want to put Grandfather in a difficult position either.

"Sigh!" A silent sigh in his heart!

The western district... even if it were really given away, it wouldn’t matter much,

It’s just that the Pei Family might become a big joke in Yunze County.

Pei Yuenan’s side wouldn’t be easy to explain either.

"Hmph! Give it to him then!" Chen Xiu snorted coldly, squinting his eyes, a hint of fierceness on his face.

Though he had previously discussed with Primordial Thunder about giving the western district to Hongze, it was to save face for Primordial Thunder, and he didn’t want to make things too difficult for him.

Moreover, he felt his body was weakening day by day, yet Chen Xuan still hadn’t achieved a Realm Breakthrough to the fifth rank, which worried him, uncertain if he could wait any longer.

Even if he passed away, he hoped to use this favor so that Primordial Thunder might take care of him.

However,

Today, it turned out that the young man successfully achieved a Realm Breakthrough to the fifth rank.

That changed everything.

Giving it is acceptable! At least agree on the surface, otherwise, if Hongze turns against them, the black market would be in danger.

He, being a dying man, had nothing to lose.

But Chen Xuan couldn’t. He needed the black market, and Primordial Thunder was reluctant too, so they couldn’t fall out just yet!

But.....

At this moment, Chen Xiu was seething with murderous intent, even the nearby Chen Xuan, though having achieved the fifth rank, still felt his heart pounding with fear.

...

Chen Xiu left the Chen Mansion.

In the study,

Chen Xuan let out a faint sigh.

In truth, he wasn’t too concerned about the western district, just felt a bit guilty towards Pei Yuenan.

However, with his strength, at most he could compensate her and the Pei Family later.

Thus, after feeling the killing intent exuding from Grandfather, he also advised him to endure for now.

Fearing he might take risks.

Doing so would undoubtedly offend Hongze to the core.

After all, he is now a County Magistrate with the imperial court’s backing.

The black market operates in the shadows.

Yet Grandfather told him not to worry about it, that he would handle the matter, reassuring him to be at ease.

At this moment, besides worry, he felt more moved.

After coming to this world, apart from Su Wanqiu and her sister, Wang Daming was someone who truly cared for him, which is why he was so furious upon learning how he died.

Another person is Grandfather.

Indeed, in his heart, no one else could compare to Grandfather.

"Sigh~~~" He shook his head helplessly and left the study.

....

That night,

It happened to be Pei Yuenan’s turn, and the two lay on the bed.

However, this time Chen Xuan wasn’t in a hurry to proceed.

He just leaned against the headboard, unsure of how to start the conversation.

Though initially, she agreed to him because of interests, since visiting the Pei Family once, she had truly become sincere towards him.

This made him feel even more guilty.

"What’s wrong? You’ve been preoccupied since dinner, haven’t you?"

Pei Yuenan also asked at this time.

On usual days, the family dines together joyfully and lively.

Today, there were smiles, but they seemed a bit absent-minded.

Looking at her delicate face, Chen Xuan no longer hesitated, for even if he didn’t speak now, the whole of Yunze County would know in a few days, which would likely make her feel worse.

So he said, "The western district has to be given away."

"Given away? Is it.... Hongze?"

As clever as she was, just as Chen Xuan could think of it, how could she not?

"Yes, Grandfather came to me about this today!"

"So you’ve been worried about this all along? Feeling a bit guilty towards me, is that it?"

"Mm!"

Chen Xuan nodded apologetically.

"It’s nothing! I’m truly happy that you think this way!" At this moment, Pei Yuenan lay in his arms, placing her hand on his chest, "Because you truly see me as your own woman!"

"It’s just.... Father is in a difficult position!"

The Pei Family had just obtained control of the western district, gaining much prestige for a time.

Not to mention how many small families in Yunze County sought to befriend the Pei Family for those shops in the western district.

Now it’s gone, the Pei Family would really become a joke.

Chen Xuan gently stroked her back, promising, "In the future, I’ll make it up to you and the Pei Family! Don’t worry, it won’t be long!"

"Mm!" Pei Yuenan, lying in his arms, lifted her head with a determined face, "I believe in my husband, you can surely do it!"

...

Three days later!

The black market officially announced the transfer of the western district.

And it was taken over by the Yao Family!

Immediately, the entire Yunze County was thrown into chaos.

Because Pei Yuenan had notified in advance, the Pei Family directly shut their doors to visitors, refusing to meet anyone.

Though those small families were dissatisfied, the Pei Family was, after all, one of the three major families in Yunze County, so they didn’t dare go too far, only to curse behind their backs.

And naturally, the one most pleased was the Yao Family.

At this moment, Yao De was sitting proudly in the main hall.

All morning, at least a dozen families came to the Yao Family, expressing loyalty, stating they would follow the Yao Family’s lead henceforth.

Hoping that he might look after them in the west district.

About this, although Yao De outwardly feigned happiness, in his heart, he was sneering endlessly.

A bunch of fair-weather friends!