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"Up until now, I've never thought about saving everyone; I only wanted to save my sister!"

Chen Yuan's icy voice made the white-robed youth freeze abruptly!

He hurriedly looked at Nuomi on the back of the big black horse in the distance, and then he suddenly realized!

It turned out that his own men had kidnapped the other party's sister.

No wonder they were fighting so hard!

He thought that three arrogant human warriors had appeared and were trying to extort a large sum of money!

Unexpectedly, I ended up walking right into the line of fire!

"Anyone who dares to lay a hand on my sister—dies!!"

Chen Yuan's eyes were bloodshot, and the anger and resentment that had been building up in his heart finally erupted!

At this moment, he only wanted to vent his emotions to the fullest, even if it meant being shattered to pieces in the end.

The white-robed youth saw the undisguised killing intent in Chen Yuan's eyes, and his face changed drastically in fright. He hurriedly begged for mercy:

"Sir, calm down! You can take your sister with you; I won't stop you!"

boom!

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Yuan stomped hard on the white-robed youth's neck, breaking it and leaving his eyes wide open in death!

------

The middle-aged man in armor on the city wall narrowed his eyes, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips:

"Heh, that's something. I haven't seen such a spirited human being in a long time."

Suddenly, his gaze fell on Chen Zhaoning, who was riding on the back of a large black horse and protecting the little girl. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "Oh? The eldest daughter of the Chen family?"

Upon hearing this, the armored soldiers behind him narrowed their eyes and looked solemn.

One of them whispered, "Sir, the Chen family has become increasingly audacious lately."

"Heh, what can you do when he's the father-in-law of the Prince of Zhen Dong?"

The middle-aged man in armor said with a sneer.

He was Qi Boheng, the commander of the Tianqing Army in Tianqing County.

Upon hearing this, the soldiers behind him immediately fell silent, no longer daring to utter another word.

Who dares to speak ill of the Prince of Zhendong?

That would undoubtedly be courting death.

-------

the other side.

Also on a city wall, two people stood quietly: an old man in a plain Taoist robe and a middle-aged man.

They were both watching the fierce battle in the refugee camp.

These two people were none other than Qing Cang, the patriarch of the Chen family, and Jiang Shangwu, the hall master of the Chen family's War Martial Hall.

"Master, this lad is quite spirited. It seems Miss intends to bring him back to the Chen family, which may cause trouble for the Chen family."

Jiang Shangwu said in a low voice, looking down with a serious expression.

"He is Lu Chengfeng's successor, and by that reckoning, he is also my grand-nephew."

Chen Qingcang put his hands behind his back and said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shangwu remained silent.

"Shangwu, do you know why my Chen family, as a human, has been able to stand firm in a world ruled by beasts, demons, and evil spirits? And how we have been able to survive for a thousand years?"

Chen Qingcang suddenly asked.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Shangwu had already found the answer in his heart.

In his understanding and speculation, the Chen family possessed a priceless treasure.

It was that treasure that enabled the Chen family to gradually transform from farmers into a family of cultivators, and through several generations, to rise rapidly and become a thousand-year-old family.

However, the answer he gave was completely different: "Because our Chen family has a business dealing in high-quality elixirs?"

"That's just one aspect."

Chen Qingcang narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling the ancestral teachings left by his ancestors, and said in a deep voice again, "Secondly, it is to place bets in multiple directions."

"Multiple bets?"

Jiang Shangwu's gaze sharpened, somewhat puzzled.

"Hmph, so what if there's a master alchemist? So what if there's a perfect pill formula?"

Chen Qingcang scoffed, "This world belongs to the Great Xiang Empire and the gods within the Divine Court."

"If they want our alchemists and pill formulas, would we dare refuse?"

"They can find any excuse to confiscate my Chen family property and exterminate my clan."

Jiang Shangwu felt helpless; this was indeed the way things were.

In all matters, might makes right; whoever has the stronger fist has the right to speak.

In this mortal realm, the imperial high command, who claim to be descendants of gods, undoubtedly holds the reins.

They claimed to be descendants of the messengers of God, ruling the human world in place of the gods and exercising divine laws.

Whatever they say goes!

Who dares to object?

As for the gods in the divine court, they are even more so, sitting high above, enthroned on their divine thrones, and everyone must worship them, believe in them, give them incense, and offer them tributes.

Even if people are unwilling to accept it... what can they do?

After all, the other party possesses absolute power and controls the so-called "truth".

"Therefore, my Chen family can only grovel before the Great Xiang Empire."

"Of all the income of the Chen family, 70% must be handed over to the Prince of Zhendong, and only 30% is kept for their own use."

Chen Qingcang spoke again, his eyes narrowing, and continued,

"Even of the remaining 30%, 20% will be used to bribe most of the officials in Tianqing County."

"Whether it's the county government, the law enforcement department, or the Wuxiang Grand Master, they all have allies of the Chen family."

"That's why those Manxiang and Xuanxiang clans who want to harm my Chen family should think carefully about their own strength."

"At the same time, if they eliminate us, won't they break a tooth themselves? Or will it be a case of the pot calling the kettle black?"

······

After hearing Chen Qingcang's heavy words, Jiang Shangwu remained silent.

He knew in his heart that this was only the superficial reason; the more important reason was the Chen family's marriage strategy.

Chen Qingcang's fourth daughter, Chen Xiaoying, is the princess consort of the Prince of Zhendong.

The fifth daughter, Chen Xiaofeng, was the wife of General Xu Zhennan.

Whether in the royal family or the military, the Chen family has solid backing.

Even Chen Qingcang's aunt, Chen Zhaoning's great-aunt... it is rumored that she can speak with the current empress in the imperial palace of Xiangjing.

This is the fundamental reason why the Chen family has stood strong for thousands of years, and the core of the Chen family's "multi-pronged approach".

Then, Jiang Shangwu looked down at Chen Yuan, who was still locked in a fierce battle, and asked hesitantly:

"The patriarch bet on him because..."

Chen Qingcang slowly said, "For the Chen family's future escape route."

"Perhaps this young man can truly overthrow this world ruled by a false god transformed from a beastly demon?"

Jiang Shangwu was filled with doubt and subconsciously said, "Him?"

"hehe."

Chen Qingcang didn't explain further, but silently stared down below, his expression unreadable.

Jiang Shangwu's expression of suspicion remained unchanged, yet he still couldn't help but ask, "Then, Patriarch, how much of a bet are you planning to place?"

Chen Qingcang took a deep breath, his gaze sharpening, and slowly said, "Bet the entire Chen family!"

Jiang Shangwu gasped in shock!

This is a gamble that could bankrupt the family!

Suddenly, Jiang Shangwu's gaze fell on Chen Yuan, and upon realizing the man's name, he exclaimed in astonishment, "Patriarch, his name is also... Chen Yuan!"

They had been following Chen Yuan and his two companions all this way, so they naturally overheard their conversation and learned Chen Yuan's name.

Upon hearing the name "Chen Yuan," Chen Qingcang's eyes trembled violently, then quickly calmed down, revealing a hint of sadness.

"Yes, he looks exactly like Guoshan's son. Perhaps, this is fate."

"Although I am certain that he is not Guoshan's son... perhaps this is Heaven sending a new grandson to my side."

Jiang Shangwu, "......."

--------

Meanwhile, Chen Yuan, Li Wei, and Chen Zhaoning had gone on a killing spree.

The three of them and their horse had already reached the edge of the refugee camp.

But what surrounded them at that moment were the officers and soldiers of the Tianqing Army.

Among them are not only many cultivators at the Dharma Body Realm, but also quite a few directors and law enforcement directors.

Even the Chief of the Wuxiang Division came—all of these people were at the Huangting Realm.

Although most of them were still at the middle and late stages of the Huangting realm, it was already making Chen Yuan feel strained.

"Come on! If you've got the guts, then come at me!!"

With an iron spike in his left hand and a kitchen knife in his right, Chen Yuan, his eyes bloodshot and his body covered in blood, charged forward.

Several hundred soldiers surrounded them, arranged in neat formations, their shields and spears forming a dense forest!

The chilling atmosphere permeated the entire area, far surpassing anything the previous guards could have imagined.

"Ah Ning, has your Chen family seen the commotion here? Will they take action?"

Chen Yuan's heart sank, and he turned to Chen Zhaoning beside him and asked in a low voice.

Initially, people acted impulsively in order to buy glutinous rice.

Later, Chen Zhaoning took on a lot of responsibility, which put his mind at ease.

But if the Chen family deliberately drags him down, then he'll really be in deep trouble this time.

There is no turning back now!

He could only do his best to demonstrate his strength so that the Chen family would take the initiative to win him over!

Chen Yuan's mind raced, and he displayed his formidable side with increasing frenzy.

A boy who looks to be fifteen or sixteen years old has already reached the Great Perfection of the Dharma Body Realm!

Even in the entire historical records of the Great Xiang Empire, it is probably impossible to find a second person like him.

Therefore, he hoped that the discerning old man of the Chen family would take a liking to him.

What's more, Chen Zhaoning is right here!

The Chen family can't possibly ignore her.