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The Lu family is a family of Xuanxiang (a type of divination).

In the Great Xiang Empire, the Xuanxiang family is of a much higher rank than the Manxiang family, and the Lu family is even more so, belonging to the "Xuanshu" clan among the twelve beast families.

"What? That lowly commoner is actually the eldest grandson of the Chen family?"

Lu Sidao, the head of the Lu family, was dressed in a gray robe. He had triangular eyes and a sinister gaze. Looking at the two large boxes of dazzling Yang Gold in front of him, he slowly narrowed his eyes and said in a cold voice.

The Lu family steward, named Lu Hong, with white hair and beard, respectfully cupped his hands and said, "Master, it is said that the boy is Chen Yuan, the eldest grandson of the Chen family who disappeared twelve years ago, and is the son of Chen Guoshan."

After a pause, Lu Hong continued, "Chen Zhaoning was also present at the time. According to the news from the Chen family, it was Chen Zhaoning who brought him back."

Hearing this, Lu Sidao's voice grew even colder: "That old bastard Chen Qingcang, he really has guts!"

"Do you really think my Lu Sidao's guards and family prodigies can just die in vain? You think sending 200,000 Yang Gold coins will settle this matter?"

Lu Hong said with a wry smile, "Master, I heard that Prefect Niu Sengru, Prefectural Assistant Gou Zongdao, Chief Enforcement Officer Sun Chengzong, and Tianqing Army Commander Qi Boheng have all received 100,000 Yang Gold coins from Chen Qingcang."

"It is said that Chen Qingcang's reason was that he was happy to see the young master of the Chen family return, and he was grateful for the protection and care that the lords had shown him in the past, so he specially sent a gift of thanks."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Sidao's eyes widened instantly, then he slowly sat back down, his gaze narrowing menacingly. "Damn it, this Chen Qingcang is really rich and powerful! He just throws out 100,000 Yang Gold coins under some random excuse!"

Lu Hong lowered his head, his tone tinged with admiration: "Not only that, the Chen family also donated half of the medicinal herb fields of the eighteen peaks of Lingxi to those four official families!"

"Therefore, the Prefect, the Assistant Prefect, the Chief Enforcement Officer, and the Tianqing Army Headquarters, having obtained both the medicinal fields and 100,000 Yang Gold, have stopped pursuing Chen Yuan's matter! We... are afraid it will be difficult to settle accounts with him again."

Hearing this, Lu Sidao was filled with resentment.

But looking at the 200,000 Yang Gold in front of him, his anger subsided considerably.

The Chen family has clearly gone all out this time.

Seeing that Lu Sidao still looked unwilling, a ruthless glint flashed in Lu Hong's eyes, and he sneered, "Patriarch, isn't the aristocratic family assessment in Tianqing County about to begin?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Sidao looked at Lu Hong, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "Oh? You mean...?"

"Hmph, during the aristocratic family assessment, let's take the opportunity to slaughter the young members of the Chen family and vent our anger!"

Lu Hong's eyes flashed with ruthlessness as he made a gesture as if to slit a throat!

Lu Sidao's eyes narrowed slowly, a look of excitement appearing in them.

Just then, a servant outside the door reported that a distinguished guest had arrived.

"Distinguished guest?"

Lu Sidao initially looked disdainful, but then he suddenly remembered something and immediately got up and ordered his servants to invite the distinguished guest in.

The newcomer was dressed in a black robe, his face obscured by a hood, making it impossible to see his features.

Upon seeing Lu Sidao, the man in black robes cut to the chase, saying, "On the day of the Chen family's young master's enthronement ceremony, you came to cause trouble."

"Firstly, it's to test the Chen family's attitude."

"Secondly, we need to thoroughly investigate Chen Yuan's background."

As soon as the man in black finished speaking, Lu Sidao frowned and narrowed his eyes: "Coming to cause trouble? On the Chen family's territory, this is not a good thing."

"Heh." The man in black robes sneered. "You're going off on a righteous path, what's there to be afraid of?"

"A life for a life, that's only right and proper. Besides, how dare a human kill someone from my Xiang clan? Who gave them the audacity?"

Lu Sidao secretly grumbled to himself.

Is not this nonsensical?

Naturally, it is the Princess Consort of Zhendong.

The man in black robes seemed to see through his thoughts and said coldly, "Hmph, foolish! I was just giving you an excuse."

"Besides, since it's inconvenient for you to take action yourself on Chen's territory, wouldn't you send a disciple of similar age to challenge him?"

"Since the Chen family wants to establish a young master, they must be prepared to accept the challenges."

"Even if we can't kill him, crippling his hands and feet will still give your Lu family a chance to vent their anger, won't it?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Sidao's eyes lit up instantly, followed by a fierce glint in them.

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In the past few days, the entire Tianqing County has been abuzz with the news of the return of the eldest grandson of the Chen family.

Firstly, it was because this eldest grandson went on a killing spree outside the city, and his formidable physical combat prowess was unforgettable!

Secondly, the matter was miraculously resolved. The Lu family stopped pursuing it, and the Tianqing County government issued a notice stating that it was just a misunderstanding.

Thirdly, in seven days, the Chen family will hold a ceremony to mark the enthronement of their young master, and the Chen family will soon welcome their true young master.

As a result, Chen Jianming, the former acting young master, instantly became a laughing stock in everyone's eyes.

These news quickly spread throughout Tianqing County, and everyone remembered the boy named Chen Yuan.

------

The Chen family home is located in an elegant courtyard.

"Damn it, where did Chen Yuan come from?"

A thin, tall young man spoke with a cold expression.

He is Chen Jianming, the most outstanding young member of the Chen family.

Before him stood a handsome man dressed in white, whose eyes were equally gloomy.

This is his cousin, named Chen Jianchu.

"Brother Jianming, you're the acting young master! Now that he's officially the young master, what are you going to do?"

Chen Jianchu said indignantly, "Over the years, you have managed the affairs of the Chen family diligently and meticulously, without ever making a single mistake."

"If it weren't for you, would the old man be able to live such a peaceful life?"

"presumptuous!"

Chen Jianming's expression changed drastically, and he immediately turned around to rebuke Chen Jianchu, "How dare you speak ill of the family head? Are you tired of living?"

Chen Jianchu pursed his lips and stopped talking, but his face was still full of resentment as he muttered under his breath:

"Why should we? Some wild brat who just appeared out of nowhere has caused such a huge problem for the Chen family as soon as he arrived in Tianqing County, and even made the Chen family pay so much money!"

Even half of the medicinal fields on the eighteen peaks of Lingxi were given to the four official entities before the matter was finally settled!

This will cause enormous losses to our family's elixir business!

Hearing this, Chen Jianming felt a surge of resentment and frustration.

"But he is Chen Yuan, the eldest grandson of the Chen family. He is qualified to become the young master."

Chen Jianming spoke helplessly, his tightly clenched fist slowly relaxing.

"Hmph, although his identity is guaranteed by the family head, and we dare not doubt it, he has grown up in the chaotic world outside. His methods and courage are not necessarily worthy of the position of young master!"

We don't question his lineage, we question his abilities!

Chen Jianchu retorted indignantly, "The reason our Chen family has become a thousand-year-old clan is entirely because each generation's patriarch has been an extraordinary figure. They weren't just adept at navigating complex relationships; they were at least able to ensure the family's survival amidst the oppression of numerous powerful clans. If we had replaced them with an incompetent one, wouldn't that have plunged our family into an abyss of no return?"

Upon hearing this, deep worry appeared in Chen Jianming's eyes.

"Brother Jianyuan, let's get together with Grandpa, our two uncles, and all the other uncles to try and persuade the old man."

Chen Jianchu suggested again, "At the very least, we should let Chen Yuan demonstrate the abilities that a young master should have."

Chen Jianming hesitated for a long time before slowly saying, "Chen Yuan is the eldest grandson, and it is unexpected that the position of young master will be passed on to him, but it is also reasonable and in accordance with the family rules. If we question the family head and the future young master, wouldn't that be..."

"Hmph! What a joke!"

Just then, a gray-haired old man dressed in a purple robe, with a burly figure and an extraordinary demeanor, snorted coldly and strode in.

"grandfather!"

Chen Jianming and Chen Jianchu immediately stood up and bowed to the visitors.

The visitor was Chen Qingcang's second younger brother, Chen Qingtian.

Chen Qingtian stared intently at Chen Jianming and said coldly, "You have devoted yourself to the Chen family's business, managing to navigate the pressure from various powerful clans with ease and exhaustion!"

"We've worked so hard to build the Chen family to its current size; are you really willing to hand over all the fruits of our labor?"

"But... he is, after all, Uncle Guoshan's son, and the rightful heir to the family business."

Although Chen Jianming was unwilling, he still said helplessly.