Standing atop the city gate tower, one could behold the entire Chen Family Ancestral Mansion, and from within the mansion, the city gate tower was also in view.
In fact, the moment Chen Yang ran Chen Junhua through with his spear and walked out of the Xiao Family, the Chen Family had already received the news.
However, what no one in the Chen Family had expected was that Chen Yang would commit such an outrageous and defiant act.
To hang members of the Chen Family from the city gate tower?
Heh… Since when could the noble Chen Clan be humiliated so wantonly? Courting death!
The Chen Family immediately took action, dispatching their top experts with the express purpose of killing this foolhardy upstart in one fell swoop.
Along the banks of the Qingyuan River, it was much the same.
The Demon Monarch, Chen Hua, sat cross-legged on a battle platform, his golden war spear standing quietly beside him.
For the past few days, this Earth Saint Expert had remained seated here, fending off top experts from the four great imperial families on Chen Yang's behalf.
The falling rain did not obstruct his vision.
Gazing toward the city gate tower, he saw a somewhat slender figure standing tall, spear in hand.
Stalwart and majestic, as immovable as a mountain.
"The kid's not bad," a faint smile touched Chen Hua's perpetually stern face. "Worthy indeed of being my nephew. In the future, I will be proud of you."
WHOOSH.
He stood up, grabbed the golden war spear, and quietly fixed his gaze on the city gate tower.
"Aren't you going to stop him?"
Chen Jinnan, dressed in green robes, walked onto the battle platform to stand shoulder to shoulder with Chen Hua. His gaze toward the distant figure was fraught with complexity. "He could die."
"I know," Chen Hua nodded, then shook his head. "But I can't stop him."
"Besides, what kind of lives have we been living for the past thirty years?" Chen Hua's eyes narrowed into slits. "Do you want him to spend the rest of his life mired in endless regret?"
Chen Jinnan fell silent.
Indeed, what kind of lives have we been living all these years? To leave our grievances unavenged?
"I will help him," Chen Hua stated with conviction.
Chen Jinnan patted Chen Hua on the shoulder. At this moment, silence spoke volumes.
The image of Chen Yang standing on the city gate tower, pointing his spear toward the Chen Family, was being broadcast live to countless households. In an instant, everyone knew.
"This guy's ferocious! Does he really think he can take on the entire Chen Clan by himself?"
"He even dared to kill a steward from Biluo Sword Valley. There's truly nothing he won't do, but today…"
"I hope he survives."
"…"
Countless people were deeply moved, and many voiced their hopes for him.
BRRRING.
The cell phone in Chen Yang's pocket rang. Seeing the caller ID, he was slightly startled.
Zhou Yufei?
Chen Yang answered the call and smiled. "Fairy, it's been a while. How have you been?"
"I'm… I'm doing well," Zhou Yufei said, forcing a cheerful tone. "What about you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Not far from the city gate tower, on the banks of the Qingyuan River, a woman with delicate features and a full figure stood under a black umbrella. She stared at the man on the tower, desperately holding back her tears.
"Chen Yang, I want to ask you for one thing."
"I'm begging you… you have to survive. Please?"
Tears finally broke free, trickling down her cheeks and splashing onto the ground, only to be washed away by the rain.
"Alright," Chen Yang said with a smile. "Fairy, don't you worry. The person who can kill me hasn't been born yet."
CLICK.
The call was disconnected.
Chen Yang clutched his phone, wanting to redial, but ultimately, he gave up.
Under the black umbrella, the woman squatted on the ground, gritting her teeth as tears streamed down her face.
"This past year, I've tried so hard to forget you… but I can't. I really can't," she wept, her entire body trembling hysterically.
In truth, she had arrived in Cangyun City a long time ago. During the previous incidents, she had wanted to see Chen Yang, but she had always restrained herself.
But this time, today, Zhou Yufei could no longer hold back.
She was terrified that she would never see this man again.
"You've never failed to do what you promised me. This time will be no exception, right?" Zhou Yufei looked at that towering, stalwart figure, and a faint smile gradually spread across her lips.
「Hanyun Valley — An Elementary School」
The once-popular singer Li Si had fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a teacher.
Dressed in simple clothes, she stood at the highest point of the school, gazing in the direction of Cangyun City.
Without a word, without an expression, she stood as still as a statue.
Her hand clutched her phone so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
After a long time, she finally raised her phone and dialed a number.
"Dad, send a plane to pick me up. I need to get back to Cangyun City. As fast as you can."
「Cangyun City」
The area surrounding the city gate tower and along the banks of the Qingyuan River was packed tight with crowds of people. All of them were craning their necks, waiting expectantly for the Chen Family's counterattack.
"Regardless of the outcome today, Chen Yang is a man of true steel. First, he severed his blood ties to the Chen Family, and then he marched on the family itself to avenge a blood debt from twenty-nine years ago."
Some of the older onlookers sighed, wishing they had a son like Chen Yang.
His phone rang once more.
It was Qin Qiu.
The moment he answered, before he could even speak, Qin Qiu's voice came through. "Today… will you… will you come home for dinner?"
Standing in front of the television, Qin Qiu gazed at the familiar figure on the screen. She pressed her hand tightly over her mouth, struggling to keep her voice calm.
Chen Yang glanced at the time and smiled. "It's probably too late for lunch. I'll be back for dinner."
"Okay."
Qin Qiu nodded. "I bought your favorite winter bamboo shoots. And I learned two new dishes today. It'll be my first time making them, so I don't know if they'll taste good.
"By the way, last time you said you wanted to try river clam soup, right? I'll go buy some later. Don't worry, I'll definitely find it.
"And those pants you took off last time, the ones that ripped… I said we should throw them out, but you insisted they could still be worn if I patched them. Well, I've already fixed them. You can try them on when you get back, and if they don't fit, I'll take out the stitches and do it again."
Qin Qiu's voice bubbled with cheerfulness, but two streams of tears slid silently down her cheeks. "Today, Shanshan asked me again when we're going to give her a little brother. She said she's bored all alone and wants a companion.
"But I know you'd actually prefer a daughter.
"Listen to me, just rambling on… Am I being annoying? I'll stop now. I'm heading to the market to buy groceries. I'll wait for you to come home for dinner tonight."
"Honey, how could I ever find you annoying?" Chen Yang said with a smile. "Your birthday is in a few days. I'll go get you a present later."
"I don't want any presents. I don't want anything. All I want is for you to come home for dinner on time," she said, then quickly hung up.
She collapsed to the floor, unwilling to let Chen Yang hear her crying, unwilling to make him worry.
Wiping the tears from her face, Qin Qiu picked up her usual grocery basket and walked out the door.
A smile played on Chen Yang's lips, but his gaze grew increasingly resolute.
Don't worry. In this lifetime, I will be the one protecting you.
…