Ordinary People: Starting with the Chen Clan

The mist that originally enveloped the entire mountain range in Xizhou Chen Clan has now become even denser, so thick that it feels like you could squeeze water out of it if you grabbed a handful.

Chen Zhongyan stood in the main hall of the second branch's ancestral home, looking at the thick fog above his head, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

"Zhongbai, let's do it!"

"yes!"

A voice suddenly appeared in the courtyard, but no figure appeared.

. . .

When Chen Xuanzhou arrived outside the ancestral land in his flying boat, he looked at the dense clouds and mist but did not stop for a moment. Instead, he took out a token and shot a beam of green light at the white mist.

The clouds and mist automatically dispersed to both sides, revealing a passage about three zhang in size.

Before Chen Xuanzhou could even enter, several figures had already come to greet him.

"Xuanzhou, why did you come back alone? Did something happen?"

Chen Shangyu, who was flying at the front, spoke first, his tone slightly low.

"There has been a minor incident. We need to gather all the clansmen who remain in the clan territory to the main hall for a meeting."

Hearing this, Chen Shangyu's expression grew even more serious, but he did not ask any further questions.

Instead, he immediately sent someone to fetch help.

They also arranged for people from the sixth and eighth branches to guard all the array nodes, preventing any outsiders from getting close.

Chen Xuanzhou and Chen Shangyu remained suspended in mid-air.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, Chen Zhongyuan flew back.

"Reporting to the clan chief and elders, with the exception of the second elder and a few juniors, all other clan members have already gathered in the main hall!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuanzhou's expression remained unchanged; he simply said, "Let's go."

When the group arrived at the main hall, it was already packed with people, and some of the younger ones had to wait outside.

They saw Chen Xuanzhou flying in on his boat, while Chen Shangyu and the others followed closely behind, a few steps behind.

For some, it felt somewhat unreal. It was difficult to reconcile this figure with the "Great Demon King" they had sparred with before.

Chen Xuanzhou did not linger, but walked calmly into the main hall and naturally sat down in the most central seat.

"Please, everyone, have a seat!"

The people from the lower branches all turned their attention to the two clan elders.

"Please have a seat!"

The three elders were the first to sit down next to Chen Xuanzhou, and the others followed suit.

Behind each homeowner stood a group of core clan members.

"Chen Zhongyan, I'm truly surprised that you're still sitting here! The two old traitors of the clan have already been captured by me. Shouldn't you explain yourself?"

Hearing Chen Xuanzhou's calm tone, everyone present turned their gaze to Chen Zhongyan.

Under the gaze of everyone, Chen Zhongyan stood up abruptly, walked to the center of the hall, knelt down on both knees, and kowtowed.

"Clan leader, I truly did not know that my father had done such a disobedient thing, and my father had no reason to do so."

Is there some unknown misunderstanding involved, or was he being coerced by malicious individuals?

"Hehe, parents all over the world have such a heart. Who told you to give birth to such a good son?"

Chen Hourui should no longer be a member of the clan!

Upon hearing the name Chen Hourui, Chen Zhongyan, whose face had remained relatively normal despite kneeling, turned deathly pale.

Looking up at the slightly immature figure sitting there, his mouth was slightly open but he couldn't say a word.

"Also, don't worry about your old father. Although he is getting on in years, he is still a Qi Refining Level 12 cultivator. As long as he is alive, he can continue to contribute to the family and atone for his sins."

As he spoke, Chen Xuanzhou took out a memory bead.

A figure appeared in mid-air in the hall; it was Chen Shanghan.

At this moment, he had a talisman on his forehead and was describing his plans.

At first, no one paid much attention, but when he said he would bring Foundation Establishment cultivators to plunder the family, everyone's expression turned extremely ugly.

"Clan leader, such people who betray their ancestors must be severely punished. I suggest that the entire second branch be designated as sinners, forced to labor for the clan for generations. Otherwise, how can we uphold the family traditions and clan rules!"

Chen Shangxian was the first to stand up and bowed.

Besides anger, his eyes held even more profound awe for the person who had been sitting in his original seat.

"This matter is only the fault of Chen Shanghan and a small group of people like Chen Zhongyan, so it won't affect too many people. The other collateral relatives of the second branch are also innocent."

Chen Xuanzhou's intervention surprised everyone present. They thought to themselves, "Xuanzhou is still so young; he can so easily let go of a life-or-death feud."

Whether this is a blessing or a hidden danger for their branch of the cultivation world is unknown. After all, in the cultivation world, kindness is not a good quality.

"I plan to open a Hehuan Pavilion in the Yanyue Sect Market. I will bring the three generations of Chen Shanghan's lineage, totaling twenty-eight people, to the Yanyue Sect Market."

"During and night, add new blood to my Chen family until twenty children with spiritual roots are born, only then can the sins and punishments be absolved."

"Hiss!"

Upon hearing this, the others couldn't help but gasp.

"Well, what you all think is that the name Hehuanlou is a bit too grand. It would be better to change it to Huanxilou."

Twenty people are still a bit too few, let's start with thirty.

Is this what we mean by inhaling?

Everyone silently retracted their negative opinion of Chen Xuanzhou.

"My father and I will bear all the blame for the patriarch's crimes. Even if we were to die from exhaustion in the Pleasure Pavilion, we would have no complaints and would do our utmost to produce offspring for the family!"

Chen Zhongyan, who had already prepared himself to die, could no longer kneel and began to bang his head on the ground repeatedly, showing no respect whatsoever as the head of the household.

"If you reveal Chen Hourui's whereabouts, I might consider reducing your punishment."

Upon hearing this, before Chen Zhongyan could even speak, the other members of the second branch of the family immediately surrounded him.

"Father, you can't just worry about Fifth Brother's life and sacrifice the whole family!"

"Master, I know a secret passage. Chen Hourui must have escaped through this passage. There's still a chance to catch up now."

The members of the second wife's family were all talking at once, hoping that Chen Xuanzhou could relax a little.

Suddenly, five short swords emerged from behind the group and stabbed at the closest people. This scene caught everyone off guard, as the distance was simply too close.

Just as the short sword was about a foot away from Chen Houfeng, who was standing right next to it, a bolt of lightning struck the tip of the sword.

With a clang, the five short swords fell to the ground at the same time.

Chen Houfeng turned to look at where the flying sword had come from, his face filled with disbelief.

"Father..."

But at this point, Chen Zhongyan was no longer able to answer him.

"Where is Chen Hourui?"

"have no idea!"

Chen Xuanzhou frowned upon hearing those three words.

"When and how did you send away Chen Hourui and his other sons?"

"When Father decided to take action, he had already sent people to the mortal realm of Jianzhou, which was nearby. Before you returned, he had already sent messages to everyone to hide."

With a slight sigh, I realized that these old foxes were indeed very meticulous in their work, leaving no room for loopholes.

"Don't blame me, it's just that your second wife is too thorough in her work!"

Elders, we will need your help again to send more people to hunt down those escaped clansmen.

I will also participate in the Crimson Secret Realm this time; there's a high chance I'll obtain a few Foundation Establishment Pills.

Upon hearing Chen Xuanzhou's words, the others present immediately became excited.