Chapter 601 - 289: Overwhelming a City

Chapter 601: Chapter 289: Overwhelming a City

The crowd grew ever larger, and the wide streets around the market square were nearly packed solid.

People jostled shoulder to shoulder, craning their necks in anticipation as they chattered excitedly.

"Haha, the day has finally come."

"You can say that again! I’ve been so anxious waiting for today, I’ve barely been able to eat or sleep!"

"I’m the same. I won’t lie to you all—for a glimpse of Master Chen’s glory, I’ve been bathing and changing my clothes daily, praying devoutly for him. I haven’t even had time to dote on my new concubine."

"Heh! Huang the Fourth, I think you’re just worried your silver is going down the drain and you’ll have to hand over that concubine to pay your debts!"

"Niu the Third, what nonsense are you spouting? You’re completely off the mark! I bet on Master Chen, and it’s a guaranteed win!

You’re the one who bet so many silver taels on the disciples from the Four Major Sects. Forget a concubine—your legally wedded wife will probably have to remarry."

"Why don’t you two go up on the Life and Death Arena and have a go at it first, give us all a good show!"

"Fight, my ass! I, Huang the Fourth, am about to strike it rich. I don’t have time to deal with certain soon-to-be-bankrupt losers."

"Who are you calling bankrupt? No matter how strong Master Chen is, can he really fight one against four?"

"Heh heh..."

"Brother Niu, you’re as stubborn as a mule! Let me tell you something: Master Chen killed both Ancestor Wang Xuanjiu of the Wang Family and the Black Lotus Sect Leader. What are a few Inner Sect Disciples from the Four Major Sects in comparison?"

"That’s right! Master Chen is just that powerful! He’ll crush anyone who dares to disagree!"

"Hey, hey, Niu the Third, don’t run off! If you really think the disciples from the Four Major Sects can win, we can make a little side bet!"

"Niu the Third, I want in on that, too! I’ll bet on Master Chen. I’ll give you ten-to-one odds—if the disciples win, I’ll pay you ten times your wager!"

"Haha, look at you guys! You’ve scared Niu the Third away, haven’t you?"

...

While some celebrated, others despaired. Some were overjoyed, while others were utterly dejected.

In a corner, Jiang Rongxuan, dressed in a brocade long-robe, hung his head, his heart filled with utter misery!

He had a quick mind and was always one for scheming and taking chances, but he had long sensed from recent developments that things were not looking good.

’How did the Jiangs’ get on the wrong side of the Chens’? If this wager is lost, I, Jiang Rongxuan, will be ruined, and my family will be shattered... Sigh...’

...

On the rooftop of a house to the north, Ancestor Jiang Huaijin of the Jiang Family and Ancestor Qin Hongbin of the Qin Family each occupied an eave.

The two men gazed at the dense, black mass of tens of thousands of people gathered below, their expressions incredibly complex.

As Ancestors of two of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City, their early arrival was indeed somewhat unusual.

"Sigh... There’s no longer any suspense in this battle," Jiang Huaijin sighed softly.

Qin Hongbin’s expression was quite grave as he nodded slightly. "Just based on the fact that Chen Cheng could obliterate the Corpse Demon with a single punch, he’s not someone an ordinary Perfect Martial Artist of the Organ Refining Realm can stop.

What’s more, those Inner Sect Disciples from the Four Major Sects are only in the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm. Even if they’ve cultivated the Second Layer Realm, it’s a pointless sacrifice!"

Jiang Huaijin said, "In this wager, your Qin Family must have lost quite a few silver taels, right?"

Qin Hongbin shot him a glance and said irritably, "It’s manageable. The Qins’ always leave themselves some breathing room. We’ve only lost about one or two million taels of patterned silver.

You Jiangs’, on the other hand, must be out at least seven or eight million!"

Jiang Huaijin said, "Not that much. Only about five or six million taels. The Jiang Family can afford that loss!"

Qin Hongbin sighed with emotion. "Shen Zhaoyi really has sharp judgment. The Shen Family not only made a fortune, but they also gained a powerful son-in-law who is unparalleled below the Innate Realm."

Jiang Huaijin chuckled. "Old Qin, you surely didn’t come here just to watch the Shen Family get rich. You came to see if Chen Cheng still has a chance to break through to the Innate Realm, didn’t you?"

"Right back at you! You, Old Jiang, probably want to know the answer even more than I do," said Qin Hongbin.

Jiang Huaijin turned his head to look south, toward the Shen Family’s compound, and murmured, "There is a saying: without reaching the Innate Realm, one is forever an ant.

In this life, you and I are ultimately just ants!

If Chen Cheng can’t reach the Innate Realm, he may not even compare to the disciples of our two families in the long run."

Snowflakes suddenly began to drift down from the sky like catkins, and both men fell silent.

...

「Noon approached.」

The cold wind howled, and the snow fell thicker and faster, blanketing everything in a vast expanse of white.

But amidst the biting wind and driving snow, the people in the streets only grew more excited!

"Master Chen is here!"

At that moment, someone shouted, and the bustling streets instantly fell silent.

Everyone turned in unison to look toward the main street to the south. People from other streets also crowded over, either standing on tiptoe or scrambling to higher ground to get a look.

A group of people could be seen walking slowly through the wind and snow. The man in the lead was tall, with a Long Saber at his waist. A faint black aura emanated from his body, and his handsome face was also tinged with black.

Who else could it be but Chen Cheng?

Chen Cheng’s three wives, their heads covered with light veils, followed closely by his side.

On his other side was Patriarch Shen, Shen Mingyuan!

Behind them followed the Clan Elders and other powerful experts of the Shen Family.

"Master Chen!"

"Greetings, Master Chen!"

...

The people bowed respectfully, parting to open a path for them.

Chen Cheng offered a faint smile, nodding in acknowledgment.

The Life and Death Arena was located in an extremely vast plaza, about thirty zhang square, with the arena itself taking up nearly twenty zhang square.

The group walked up to the arena, and Shen Mingyuan said with great solemnity, "Ah Cheng, the Life and Death Arena not only decides victory and defeat, but also life and death. You must not be careless."

"Mm, I know," Chen Cheng replied with a nod.

"Brother Cheng, you will definitely win."

"Junior Brother Chen, this is a matter of life and death. You must go all out and not hold back."

"Junior Brother Chen, you’ve always been ruthless and decisive. This time should be no different."

Mu Xiaowan, Shen Qingyao, and Shen Qingshuang all offered their concerned advice.

"Don’t worry. I’ll slaughter them like dogs!"