Chapter 91 - 90: Give Me Some Face!

Hong Ming looked mockingly at Pei Geng, completely ignoring the likes of Pei Hu.

In the past, when Zuo Qiu Ming was still the County Magistrate, the three major families barely paid attention to their brothers.

Now... humph-humph!

They’re nothing but stray dogs trying to escape the city under his eyes.

At this moment, Pei Geng’s face was somber, not expecting to be caught at this last step.

With Chen Fangyuan in front and Hong Ming behind, two martial artists of fifth rank, neither weaker than him, attempting to escape was difficult!

"Go back. You might still save your life; continue being stubborn and there’s only death ahead." Chen Fangyuan looked at this old rival who had sparred with him for years, feeling unwilling, offering his advice.

"Go back?... Hahaha..."

Suddenly, Pei Geng burst into laughter.

Abruptly, his laughter ceased, showing contempt, "I never thought you would become their lapdog?! You really disappoint me."

This statement pierced straight into Chen Fangyuan’s sore spot.

Lapdog?

Heh-heh~~~

With a bitter smile in his heart.

Back when Zuo Qiu Ming was the County Magistrate, he too stood upright—for fear of causing trouble.

But now, things were different; with rebels about to siege the city, he had to compromise for the Chen Family.

As long as the Chen Family survived, no matter what he must do, he would do it.

At this point, his gaze became resolute once again.

"Stop wasting words. Pei Geng, give you one last chance: either return to the Pei Family or... die!" Hong Ming squinted, his eyes icy.

At the utterance of death, Pei Geng immediately sensed his killing intent.

"Stick with me!"

Pei Geng shouted low, fully unleashing his fifth rank strength.

In an instant, he charged at Chen Fangyuan.

"Why insist on seeking death!" He shook his head, sighing.

Next moment, Chen Fangyuan withheld nothing.

Hong Ming watched him from not too far away; if he dared to hold back even a little, Hong Ming wouldn’t spare the Chen Family.

Since he had made his choice, there was no hesitation now.

Pei Geng struck forward with a palm.

The Shattering Void Palm.

Chen Fangyuan’s eyes grew heavy; the energy within all his acupoints swiftly mobilized, throwing a punch.

One palm, one punch!

Bam!

A loud bang.

But the next moment, unexpectedly, Pei Geng turned palm into claws, tightly entangling Chen Fangyuan.

"You..."

Just as he was in doubt, Pei Geng vigorously flung Pei Hu toward the gap in the city gate.

"Presumptuous!"

Chen Fangyuan immediately understood his intention, wanted to stop Pei Hu but was firmly entangled by Pei Geng.

"Father..."

Pei Hu cried out sadly, now thrown to the outer side of the city gate.

"Hurry and find Chen Xuan!"

Pei Geng shouted aloud, his eyes filled with reluctance.

Since the moment Hong Ming appeared, he had decided to do this.

Two fifth-rank martial artists attacking from front and back, neither weaker than him, the chances of escape were slim, so he entangled Chen Fangyuan, allowing Pei Hu to leave.

As long as Pei Hu escaped safely, even if he died, it was worth it.

But in the next moment, fury ensued.

"Bastard, run quickly!"

Unexpectedly, after risking death to send him out, the bastard not only refused to escape but headed back.

"Father, I won’t leave! If we are to die, we’ll die together."

To leave Pei Geng behind alone, he could not do it.

"Get lost, you truly are a damned fool!"

Pei Geng was so infuriated by this rebellious son that his energy became unstable.

"Since you’re not leaving, then don’t leave!"

Hong Ming shouted loudly, instantly charging forward.

"Fool!" Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out, a figure ghostly slipped through the gate gap into the city.

Throwing a punch at Hong Ming.

Boom!

A sound of explosion resounded throughout the gate area, seeing Hong Ming’s figure fly backward, landing on the ground.

"It’s you...!"

Hong Ming wiped the blood at the corner of his mouth, a fierce gaze fell upon Chen Xuan standing beside Pei Geng.

"It is indeed me! Hong Ming, give some face, I’ll take these men, the rest of the Pei Family is yours!" Chen Xuan was quite at ease; a moment ago he sized up Hong Ming’s strength with a punch.

Not much different from the old ghost before.

If it were before, efforts would’ve been needed, but now... to kill him as easily as killing a chicken.

Hong Ming’s face turned livid, but Chen Xuan’s punch earlier had slightly injured him.

Thus, he dared not act rashly.

"Fine, since you’re silent, I’ll take it as your consent!" Chen Xuan appeared nonchalant, then turned, "Let’s go, Father-in-law!"

Regarding Chen Fangyuan still blocking forward, he did not even glance at him.

"Go? Where do you intend to go? Leave them all today!" A voice of rage echoed from above as a shadow lunged at Chen Xuan.

Pei Geng turned quickly to see, Hongze!

"Son-in-law...."

"No worries, let’s go!"

Chen Xuan was quite calm, paying no heed to Hongze’s murderous advance from behind, he instead pushed Pei Geng before him.

"Seeking death!"

Seeing that, Hongze erupted in anger, too arrogant, entirely disregarding him as the County Magistrate.

Feeling most troubled now was Chen Fangyuan.

He, now at the brink of action, with Chen Xuan and Pei Geng, two fifth ranks close by, worried not acting might invite Hongze’s wrath later.

Thus, resolved!

Just as he prepared to intercept them, suddenly a palm shadow slipped through the gate’s gap, striking at the furious Hongze.

Bam!

Hongze was directly knocked back by the palm shadow.

If Hong Ming hadn’t quickly caught him, he would have been embarrassed.

"Black market!"

Hongze gritted his teeth and spat out those two words, his eyes icy cold.

"Hongze, give us face, we only want these two people, the rest of the Pei Family in Yunze County are yours!"

At this moment, Ning Xian’s voice drifted over.

"Ning Xian..."

Hongze’s teeth were almost crushed. At this moment, he wished he could chop him into a thousand pieces, but just a single palm shadow had forced him back.

Though furious inside, when he thought of the difference in strength, he didn’t dare make a move.

"Step aside, you’re blocking my way."

Chen Xuan looked at Chen Fangyuan, still standing in front of him, and spoke indifferently, but with disdain in his eyes.

The dignified Patriarch of the Chen Family actually became Hongze’s dog!

"Sigh!"

Chen Fangyuan sighed helplessly, then stepped aside.

When Pei Geng walked up next to him.

"Sorry, I’m doing this for the Chen Family!"

"Forget it, take care of yourself."

Pei Geng gave him a complicated look and then walked out of the city gate.

"Phew!!!"

After Chen Xuan and the others left, Chen Fangyuan let out a long sigh, feeling helpless, yet envious.

Though the Pei Family was finished, with Chen Xuan, there was still a chance.

As for his Chen Family, they became Hongze’s dogs, but what would be the final result, he didn’t know.

....

The Chen Mansion!

At this moment, in the main hall, four smokeless oil lamps made the hall as bright as day.

However,

Neither Su Wanqiu nor Pei Yuenan could conceal their anxiety at this moment.

Su Yun looked outside continuously.

"Why hasn’t Brother Xuan returned yet?" She murmured worriedly, her delicate face full of concern.

It had been nearly two more hours since Chen Xuan went to the county.

"Don’t worry, it’s fine. With the young master’s strength and Chief Steward Ning by his side, everything will be alright," Liu Rushi comforted her.

"Yes! They’re definitely fine."

The little girl nodded heavily.

Just then, a chaotic sound of footsteps could be heard coming from outside.

Su Yun heard the noise and ran out immediately.

"Brother Xuan~~~"

She leapt into Chen Xuan’s arms.

"Alright, it’s over!" He said, holding her hand as they entered the hall.

"Dad~~~"

Seeing Pei Geng, Pei Yuenan couldn’t hold back her tears anymore.

"I’m sorry for worrying you."

Pei Geng’s heart was full of guilt. He walked over, embraced her, and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes.

However,

Pei Yuenan cried even harder.

"Alright, alright, our family is back together again."

Patting her back.

At this moment, no one disturbed this father and daughter.

Chen Xuan walked over to Ning Xian, "Thank you, Uncle Ning, otherwise, today really would’ve been troublesome."

If he hadn’t intimidated Hongze, it would have been really difficult to rescue Pei Geng and his son today.

"You’ve called me Uncle Ning, so no need to thank me!" Ning Xian laughed happily.

"Ah, finally, it’s over!"

At this moment, Pei Hu suddenly sighed, today was really too dangerous. If Chen Xuan hadn’t arrived in time, he and his father would certainly have perished.

No sooner had he finished speaking.

Pei Geng kicked him hard, sending him flying out the door.

"Dad..."

Pei Hu got up from the ground, looking aggrieved.

"You fool, I risked my life to send you out, and you wish to return and die with me!" Pei Geng was truly exasperated at his ineptness.

"What’s wrong, Dad?"

Having safely rescued her father, Pei Yuenan was in a better mood now, despite the tear stains still at the corners of her eyes.

Upon learning of the situation, unusually, she wasn’t angry this time but rather spoke on behalf of Pei Hu, "He was worried about you too, let it go!"

"Exactly, exactly! You see, Yuenan thinks I’m right!"

Pei Hu chimed in immediately to defend himself.

After all, if he’d escaped alone at that time, he wouldn’t forgive himself for the rest of his life.

"Alright, alright, I’ll let you off this time!"

With the family reunited, Pei Geng no longer had the heart to deal with this matter.

...

"Truly presumptuous!"

In the County Government Office, Hongze was still seething with anger.

His face was ashen!

The black market again, truly despicable!

He vowed to destroy this black market!

"You should go back first, Patriarch Chen, you can’t be blamed for this."

"Thank you, Lord County Magistrate, for understanding."

After Chen Fangyuan left, Hong Ming cursed him as a "useless!" with dissatisfaction.

He had no regard for these people.

"Alright, if he’s useless, then we’re not much better!"

Hongze glared at him.

Being faced down, Chen Xuan boldly took away two people. Isn’t that shameful enough?

Really brainless, speaking without caution.

Scolded by his elder brother, although Hong Ming wasn’t pleased inside, he dared not speak further.

But after a moment he asked, "What should we do now?"

"To avoid further delay, contact them on the other side, as soon as possible, and then..." At this point, he paused, looking at him with extreme seriousness.