Four Grandmasters of the Earth Realm now protected Chen Jiuyang, a testament to his status as a peerless genius.
The elder from the Martial Ranking Association provided covert protection.
The Crippled Old Man also offered covert protection in his daily life.
Now, as the Young Master of the Chen family, he was also under the covert protection of the Chen family's Eighth Elder.
Furthermore, Chen Jiuyang had his attendant, the Earth Realm Grandmaster Fang Bahua.
Yet, even with all this, Chen Jiuyang still felt a lack of security.
Chen Jiuyang was almost certain that Xi Butui was telling the truth. Feng Hanhou could not break through to the Heaven Realm, and his royal decree could only postpone the inevitable by half a year.
After half a year, Feng Hanhou would have legitimate grounds to move against Chen Jiuyang and his family.
He desperately wanted to break through to the Earth Realm, then kill Xi Butui and eliminate this major threat.
He was confident that once he reached the Earth Realm, he could kill Xi Butui.
He had offended Xi Butui, not the entire Six Doors.
Once this person was dealt with, a cold glint flashed in Chen Jiuyang's eyes.
Three days after leaving Fengcheng, Fengcheng remained unchanged, still bustling with traffic, constantly witnessing scenes of joy and sorrow.
On the way back, the Crippled Old Man said, "Young Master Chen, I apologize for my past offenses. We should get along well from now on."
As he spoke, the Crippled Old Man returned the bottle of Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills he had extorted from Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Jiuyang's expression faltered, and he looked at the Crippled Old Man.
"Heh heh, I was just joking with Young Master Chen before. Please don't take it to heart." The Crippled Old Man wanted to mend his relationship with Chen Jiuyang. He was not a fool. Although Chen Jiuyang had his principles, most of the people he had killed were not publicly known. The majority had died agonizing deaths due to Chen Jiuyang's unorthodox methods, leaving no trace back to him.
Chen Jiuyang's actions were truly impeccable.
Chen Jiuyang asked, "I want to know the real reason."
The Crippled Old Man chuckled, "After Young Master Chen won the Feng Province Martial Ranking competition, the Saintess reported your information back to the Holy Cult. The high-ranking officials of the Holy Cult are very satisfied with you."
"Hmph," Chen Jiuyang scoffed. So, this Crippled Old Man was now trying to repair their relationship out of fear.
"As a token of my sincerity," the Crippled Old Man continued, "this time, the Saintess is not only returning to the Holy Cult but is also publicly selecting a Dao companion. There are countless people who admire the Saintess, like shrimp and crabs in a flowing river."
"It might not be a smooth journey for Young Master Chen to return to the Holy Cult with the Saintess this time. You should be prepared."
"However, if Young Master Chen can stand out, you will gain many benefits."
"Prepare more of these 'special' Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills, and some pills to mend qi and blood," the Crippled Old Man chuckled.
Chen Jiuyang frowned, "I understand."
This Crippled Old Man actually knew that the bottle of Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills had issues, and he had revealed everything to Chen Jiuyang.
This time, Chen Jiuyang's parents returned to Fengcheng with a vastly different status. They were now recognized members of the Shu Mountain Chen family's genealogy. Unless they committed a grave offense like treason, the Six Doors would turn a blind eye to other matters.
Sixty years ago, during the War of National Destiny, the Dragon Kingdom united, and Shu Mountain dispatched millions of soldiers. They all perished on the battlefield, leaving Shu Mountain almost deserted. The Dragon Kingdom later relocated people to Shu Mountain. After sixty years of recuperation, Shu Mountain had finally regained its vitality and some foundation.
Simply put, the Shu Mountain Chen family had shed blood and sweat for the Dragon Kingdom, earning its gratitude. The investigation into Chen Jianmin's case was also thoroughly handled; it was a wrongful accusation. Furthermore, apart from Chen Jiuyang, Chen Jianmin's entire family were ordinary people. For you, Xi Butui, to target ordinary people violated the rules.
This matter was handled by the Chen family, who negotiated with the Dragon Kingdom's high command. Longjing issued an imperial decree, reprimanding Xi Butui. This warning was undeniably severe.
Upon returning to Fengcheng, Chen Jianmin and Zhang Xiuzhen did not go to the Feng Hanhou's mansion. Instead, they returned to Qingzhu Village to supervise the progress of their long-awaited villa. Chen Yating also safely returned to Fengcheng to resume her studies at the Medical College.
However, Chen Jiuyang did not return to Qingzhu Village. Instead, he went to the Feng Hanhou's mansion.
Feng Hanhou's eyes nearly popped out when he saw Chen Jiuyang's improved cultivation: "My good disciple, you've already reached the eleventh aperture of the Profound Realm?"
Chen Jiuyang chuckled, "The Shu Mountain Chen family has a deep foundation. If it weren't for the True Demon Cult, I would have stayed until I broke through to the Earth Realm before returning to Fengcheng."
Feng Hanhou understood Chen Jiuyang's anger. He patted Chen Jiuyang's shoulder, "Jiuyang, things haven't been smooth on our end either."
"The forty-eight marquises of our Feng Province jointly submitted a petition to dismiss Xi Butui from his position as the Chief Constable of the Six Doors, but it was simply shelved."
Shelved meant that the higher authorities were aware of the matter but took no action, treating it as if it had never happened.
Chen Jiuyang knew very well that the Dragon Kingdom's imperial court shelved the matter because Xi Butui had the backing of a Heaven Realm King. However, he couldn't tell Xi Butui, fearing that the recently formed faction of marquises would collapse.
Chen Jiuyang said, "Master, you don't need to worry about this matter. I will personally deal with this scoundrel, Xi Butui."
Feng Hanhou said, "Some secret agents and constables from the Six Doors have privately approached me to purchase Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills. Jiuyang, what do you think I should do?"
Chen Jiuyang chuckled, "Sell them. We need a large amount of money to purchase medicinal resources anyway."
Chen Jiuyang knew that his Pure Yang physique was a bottomless pit that consumed money. His cultivation in the Profound Realm already required vast resources and medicinal materials. Once he broke through to the Earth Realm, wouldn't he need an immense amount?
Wealth, partners, Dharma, and a place to live – not a single one could be lacking.
Feng Hanhou nodded slowly, "This might improve our unfavorable situation somewhat."
"Beep beep beep!"
At this moment, Chen Jiuyang's phone rang. It was Zhang Jialong's number.
A sense of foreboding washed over Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Jiuyang hesitated for a long time before answering the call, "Hello?"
A strange voice answered from the other end. The voice said, "Are you a relative of Zhang Jialong?"
"I am his brother." Chen Jiuyang's heart sank abruptly. "Who are you? What happened to Zhang Jialong?"
"This is the People's Hospital. Zhang Jialong committed suicide. I couldn't reach anyone else from his phone. If you are his relative, please come and sign to claim his body."
"Boom!"
Chen Jiuyang's head buzzed like a thunderclap. He stood there, stunned, as if struck by lightning. After a long while, with a pale face, Chen Jiuyang walked out of the Feng Hanhou's mansion and went to the People's Hospital.
The morgue.
Chen Jiuyang looked at Zhang Jialong's familiar face, and his memories seemed to transport him back a year ago. Back then, he had been pushed off a cliff, and Zhang Jialong, who was on a mission, had brought the near-death him back to the Sharp Blade Legion. He had knelt and begged others to save Chen Jiuyang, and only then did Chen Jiuyang survive.
Just a short while ago, they had eaten and drunk together, laughing and talking. Now, Zhang Jialong had breathed his last.
Zhang Jialong's body had already stiffened, and there were countless wounds all over him. Chen Jiuyang's voice was hoarse as he asked the doctor in the morgue, "Tell me, he committed suicide?"
"I don't know. I didn't issue the diagnosis. Please sign quickly and take the body away." The doctor was extremely impatient.
Chen Jiuyang's body trembled. As a descendant of the Medical Immortal, how could he not see how the wounds on Zhang Jialong's body came to be? His eyes turned red, tears streamed down his face, and he cried out heartbrokenly:
"Brother, I caused your death."