Douluo: A Century-old Legend I Am the Second Uncle Chenxin

Chapter 1508 Seven Killings Approaching
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Lancashire, Lancashire Main City, Northeast Noble District
As dusk settled, it bathed the long cobblestone street in a deep gray. The high walls stood like silent guardians, and the eaves, in the last rays of daylight, carved out a powerful silhouette.

The mansion's vermilion gates were tightly closed, and the heavy bronze doors, bearing the Xuanhuang family's hammered patterns, exuded a solemn quality in the dim light. Stone lions stood silently in front of the gates, conveying an air of reverence.

Xuanhuang Tang Mansion - Master's Study
On the bronze lampstand, the candle flame flickered restlessly, casting swaying, dim yellow light on the layers of books and scrolls on the ebony bookshelf.

The patriarch, Tang Jigen, sat upright before a large desk, his aura deep and unfathomable, now completely concealed in the furrows between his brows.

According to the rules of the Soul Master world, the head of an eighth-rank noble family is a Soul Douluo, and he is an eighty-five-level Soul Douluo.

He pressed one finger against the edge of the gold-embossed invitation card on the table, as if trying to pierce through the paper and probe its depths.

Opposite him, his father, the former head of the family, Tang Jinghe, was half-hidden in the candlelight and shadows. His white hair was covered with frost, and a withered hand tightly gripped the visiting card signed "Seven Kill Sword Chen Family". His eyes were closed and he remained motionless.

“Father,” Tang Jigen began, his voice low and respectful, a gentle ripple spreading across his face amidst the lingering scent of pine soot ink and aged paper, “This matter…”

Tang Jinghe's eyelids twitched slightly, but he didn't open them: "Did the messenger... bring a message?"

"He only said he would come to pay a visit tomorrow." Tang Jigen answered calmly, his knuckles tapping silently on the smooth tabletop. "A Soul Emperor personally delivered the invitation and brought gifts, his manners were impeccable, making him... hard to fathom."

The door made a barely perceptible creak, and Tang Yusheng bowed and entered.

As the eldest grandson of the eldest son, he possessed a capable and calm demeanor, with the lines of time etched into his brow.

At this moment, his resolute jawline was taut: "It has been confirmed that the Chen family, consisting of seven people, arrived in Lankai City this morning and are currently staying at the Lanxin Hotel in the east of the city."

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over his father and grandfather, and then uttered the information, "The leader is Chen Zhang, Chen Yu's second son, and the newly appointed Minister of External Relations of the Chen family."

Tang Jigen nodded slightly and continued the conversation: "The Chen family's trip... seems to be quite solemn..."

He leaned forward almost imperceptibly: "Since the Chen family left the mountains four years ago, they have never set foot in Lankai County..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tang Yusheng's Adam's apple bobbed, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

"Who else is traveling with us?" Tang Jinghe's gentle yet insightful voice rang out, filling the momentary silence.

Tang Yusheng straightened up a bit and took a slight breath: "Fifth brother... he's also among the Chen family's group."

There was a momentary, almost imperceptible, stillness in the air.

A hint of surprise flashed in Tang Jigen's eyes as he looked at his son, and he tightened his grip on the table slightly: "Yuchen?!"

Tang Yuchen—the son of his cousin in the clan—disappeared in the Fasno Province four years ago. Despite the family's numerous investigations, no trace of him could be found. Now, however, he has appeared in Lankai City with the Chen family's group.

His sharp gaze fixed on Tang Yusheng, the candlelight flickering between his furrowed brows: "How could he be connected with the Chen family?"

Then, he pressed Tang Yusheng, "Is he alright? Is he under any control?"

“He doesn’t look like he’s being escorted.” Tang Yusheng shook his head decisively. “The information from our spies along the way is very clear. He’s calm and composed, and his behavior shows no sign of strain.”

"However, the place where Lao Wu went missing four years ago was indeed in Fasno Province."

He paused briefly, then added the crucial timeframe: "The critical moment in time is right around the time the Chen family emerges from seclusion."

Tang Jigen's gaze fell back on the exquisitely patterned yet enigmatic visiting card. "Indeed, there aren't many places in Fasno that can conceal Yu Chen's traces."

"At this critical juncture for the family, the Chen family chose this time to come knocking, and they brought Yu Chen with them..."

The gilded emblem of the Chen family's Seven Kill Swords gleamed coldly in the candlelight. "I'm afraid they came prepared. Father, what do you think of this?"

Tang Jinghe's withered, veiny hand remained on the hard edges of the visiting card, slowly stroking it.

After a moment, he placed the invitation steadily in the center of the table. "Sending an invitation to pay respects is a matter of etiquette, and it's never a bad thing, especially when an unwelcome guest comes to the door."

He raised his eyes, the dim candlelight illuminating the depths of his eyes, eyes that had held the weight of countless years, unfathomable and profound. "What is the reason? How deep is it..."

He turned his gaze toward the closed window, his tone calm and settled, "Tomorrow, open the main gate according to custom, and we will know the outcome as soon as we welcome you."

The last glimmer of light outside the window was completely extinguished, and the huge, heavy, dark yellow hammer-patterned door knocker disappeared completely into the boundless darkness.

Inside the study, only the candlelight flickered alone, casting long, somber shadows of three generations on the walls and floor.

……

At nine o'clock the next morning, the deep sound of bells echoed through Lanzhou.

The heavy bronze gates of the Xuanhuang Tang Mansion, usually tightly closed and adorned with massive Xuanhuang hammer patterns, slowly opened to their fullest extent with the combined efforts of eight composed guards, accompanied by a deep and resonant metallic scraping sound.

The doors were wide open, revealing the deep central axis of the mansion and the solemn main hall in front.

Tang Yusheng, dressed in a deep yellow ethnic costume, stepped calmly out of the high and wide gate and stood on the steps.

His deep gaze pierced through the open gates of the mansion, landing on the six figures standing silently waiting on the long bluestone street outside (one of them was not present). The one in the lead was Chen Zhang, and the five people behind him were as calm as reefs.

"Brother Chen, it is an honor for the Tang family that you have come from afar. My grandfather and father are already waiting in the hall. Please follow me." Tang Yusheng cupped his hands in greeting, gesturing for them to enter.

Chen Zhang nodded slightly, a humble smile on his lips, typical of a scion of a noble family: "Thank you for leading the way, Brother Tang."

Then, with steady steps, he led the five people behind him across the doorway bathed in morning light, stepping over the threshold that symbolized formal interaction.

Tang Yusheng accompanied them, leading the six members of the Chen family along the well-paved, open central path toward the main hall.

The air was quiet, with only the barely audible sound of footsteps.

When Chen Zhang and his six companions appeared at the brightly lit entrance of the main hall, Tang Jinghe, who was sitting in the main seat, and Tang Jigen, who was standing quietly at the bottom, both of their calm and deep eyes suddenly contracted at the same instant!
An invisible yet powerful surge of soul energy, as overwhelming as the collapse of mountains and seas, arrived as if it were a tangible force, instantly filling the spacious and solemn main hall.

Contra!
Their gazes instantly locked onto Chen Zhang, who was at the forefront. The imposing yet undeniable pressure emanating from this Minister of External Relations of the Chen family was clearly evident.

Just half a step behind Chen Zhang, a familiar figure appeared—Panda (Shen Tao), who also exuded a breathtaking aura.

Two Contras!
Immediately afterwards, their gazes swept across Chen Zhang's back one by one like searchlights.

Tang Yuchen's figure came into view.

His posture remained upright, his face bearing some familiar features, but his eyes were reserved, his expression peaceful, and the aura emanating from him clearly indicated that he was a level 71 Soul Saint.

Very good. It seems that his years of hard work away from home were not in vain.

The three who followed also possessed a deep and imposing aura, all at the Soul Saint realm.

Their gazes met and confirmed in an instant: two Soul Douluos and four Soul Saints.

The sheer weight of this lineup as they entered the main hall of the Tang family mansion, and the level of importance the Chen family expressed, struck the hearts of every core member of the Tang family present like a silent hammer blow; its significance was self-evident.

The lobby was brightly lit, and the slight contraction in Tang Jinghe and Tang Jigen's pupils had subsided, restoring their usual deep, still-well-like composure.

Chen Zhang walked calmly to a spot slightly below the center of the hall and stopped, his posture upright yet unassuming.

He bowed respectfully towards the head of the table, his posture upright and his movements precise, displaying the composure characteristic of a scion of a prominent family: "Junior Chen Zhang greets Elder Tang."

He turned his gaze to the side and said, "Greetings, Uncle Tang. This trip was rushed, but I am fortunate that you have not abandoned me."

His level 82 Soul Douluo realm was perfectly integrated and restrained. If it weren't for the tangible natural aura he exuded just now, he would just appear to be a calm and reserved middle-aged man.

However, the fact that he had reached this level before the age of fifty, and the shock brought about by this profound knowledge, was like a stone thrown into a silent ancient pool, inevitably stirring up a deep echo in the calm hearts of the two core figures, Tang Jinghe and Tang Jigen.

Keep in mind that Tang Yusheng, who is in his early fifties, is only at level 76.

Of course, they didn't know that Chen Zhangqi's eighth spirit ring was the same as Chen Wu and Chen Hua's, an 80,000-year Saint King-level spirit ring symbolizing top-tier combat power; otherwise, they would have thought it was magical.

Following closely behind, Panda Er also nodded slightly in greeting.

This powerful individual, who had also reached the level of a Soul Douluo, had met several times with high-ranking members of the Tang family in the past.

At this moment, his face was kind, his expression was calm, and his gaze was peaceful. He had no imposing presence, but he possessed an unshakable sense of weight.

"Haha, old man, head of the Tang family, it's been a long time." Xiongmao'er's calm and cheerful voice rang out, carrying a hint of warmth from the reunion of old friends.

Tang Jinghe smiled warmly: "Minister Chen, Nephew Shen, there's no need for such formalities."

"It is truly an honor for this old man and a blessing for the entire household that you two have graced my home with your presence."

Patriarch Tang Jigen also spoke, returning the greeting to Chen Zhang and Shen Tao, saying, "Minister Chen, Brother Shen, you must be tired from your journey."

"It is an honor for the Tang family to have you two visit us. Please take a seat."

Everyone took their seats.

Old Master Tang sat at the head of the table, with Tang Jigen and Tang Yusheng on his left and the six members of the Chen family on his right.

A polite and thoughtful exchange of pleasantries ensued between the host and guest.

It was nothing more than a polite exchange of pleasantries about the journey, praise for the scenery of Lancashire, and expectations for the future. The language was courteous and appropriate, and the degree of politeness was just right.

Tang Yusheng sat with his hands at his sides, his gaze inadvertently meeting Tang Yuchen's across from him for a brief moment.

Tang Yuchen's face didn't show much expression. He only gave a slight signal with his eyes during the brief eye contact before calmly looking away and focusing his gaze back on the elders who were talking near the main seat.

The atmosphere in the hall, amidst these seemingly ordinary exchanges, had become less deliberately distant and more relaxed than before.

(End of this chapter)