Vol. 1 - Ch. 314 - Where Did It Go Wrong?

BOOM!

A surge of powerful Qi and Blood erupted, instantly blasting away many onlookers.

When the force finally dissipated, a figure in the middle of the battlefield smiled faintly and said,

"Ha... nothing more than children's squabbles. Why bother to intervene, sir?”

"I am Chen Tianyu of the Chen family. May I ask your esteemed name?”

Zhao Qimeng frowned slightly as he studied the man before him.

This person was only at the mid-stage of the Innate Realm and had seemingly just broken through not long ago. Yet that single move had exerted enough pressure that even Zhao himself felt uneasy. That technique was no ordinary martial skill.

It seemed the Chen family truly had some hidden depth. Still, Zhao Qimeng had not unleashed his full strength earlier, so he felt no fear.

However, the man had already framed the incident as mere childish play. For a clan elder like Zhao Qimeng to act in such a situation would inevitably invite criticism and tarnish his dignity. This thought darkened Zhao Qimeng’s expression slightly.

Faced with Chen Tianyu’s smiling inquiry, Zhao Qimeng could only respond coldly, “Zhao family. Zhao Qimeng.”

"Oh, so you are a guest of the Zhao family. Since you have come from afar, you are also a guest of my Chen family. If we have offended you in any way, please forgive us.

"My Chen family has prepared accommodations for you at the Hidden Mountain Pavilion. Blood Rice will also be sold there in due time. If you do not mind, you may rest there for a few days.”

With that, Chen Tianyu clasped his hands in salute and departed without lingering, taking Chen Qinghe and another companion with him.

As he left, many of the surrounding clansmen fell into contemplation. Several families began heading toward the Hidden Mountain Pavilion.

After all, they were not newcomers here. They had long taken note of the pavilion and knew its location well.

Moreover, Chen Tianyu’s words had sparked curiosity about the Chen family. Many now wished to see for themselves what lay within.

"Clan Elder, should we go as well?"

One clansman asked cautiously at Zhao Qimeng’s side.

Zhao Qimeng, already wounded in his dignity, gave a cold snort. Instead of answering immediately, he turned his gaze toward the young man beside him.

"Zhao Liang, do you know where you went wrong just now?"

Zhao Liang bit his lip tightly. Hearing the elder’s question, he lowered his head in shame and admitted, “I was too careless. I should not have fallen for that man’s scheme.”

But Zhao Qimeng rebuked him sharply.

"No, when opportunity presents itself, you must seize it. Your fault lies in your weak temperament, allowing yourself to be provoked by mere words. You struck without resolve and lost the initiative. Your fault lies in hesitating at a critical moment. As members of the Zhao family, we must possess an unyielding spirit. Even in death, we cannot retreat from the battlefield. Do you understand?"

Zhao Liang’s face grew even more ashamed.

"Clan Elder, I understand."

"A single failure is nothing to fear. As a son of the Zhao family, you must be confident. If you fall short this time, then fight back next time. As long as you're still breathing, nothing is impossible."

"Yes!"

Hearing these words, Zhao Liang’s eyes regained their confidence.

Seeing this, Zhao Qimeng gave a slight nod. Instead of continuing the lecture, he turned to the other clansmen and said,

"Come. Let's go see this Hidden Mountain Pavilion."

Several clansmen who had not hurried away watched the departing figures with expressions of respect.

It was no wonder that the Zhao family had managed to rise above the rest in Yunmeng City and seize the Zhou family estate. Their success seemed to be the result of genuine strength, not mere trickery.

Competing against such a family would be difficult, especially for the acquisition of the Chen family’s Blood Rice.

Yet, even the Zhao family had been slightly outmatched. Just how strong was the Chen family?

Unfortunately, the scouts their clans had dispatched had not yet returned. The situation in Chaotic Burial Mountain was still unknown.

…

“Second Uncle, that old man was shameless!”

"Not only did he rescue someone, but he also tried to attack me. Bullying the young with his seniority—he’s practically inhuman!"

Chen Qinghe poured out his grievances while Chen Tianyu could only smile helplessly.

Between families, it was always survival of the fittest. Where was fairness to be found? Fairness only existed when a clan had enough strength to demand it.

Chen Tianyu did not explain further. These were lessons the younger generation would understand in time.

"You did very well this time. You did not disgrace the family."

Chen Qinghe’s face lit up with pride at the praise, and his heart swelled with joy.

"Over the next few days, you are to remain within the clan. Do not wander outside carelessly.”

"Understood!"

Chen Qinghe agreed readily.

He knew this was a critical moment for the family. Although he had already reached the Blood Coagulation Realm, that was still far from enough.

One day, I’ll defeat the juniors first, then the elders!

After Chen Tianyu left, Chen Qinghe realized he had forgotten to ask his second uncle when he had broken through.

…

"Clan Leader, the matter has been resolved."

"Is Qinghe unharmed?"

Within the clan, Chen Tianjing spoke up when he saw Chen Tianyu return.

"No harm done. That boy Qinghe...he's quite impressive!"

Hearing this, Chen Tianjing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This time, Qinghe had to act. The other clansmen were still in the Body Tempering Realm and were not ready for such a task.

The provocation itself had been part of Chen Tianjing’s plan.

Even if the Chen family did not act, the visiting clans would inevitably stir up trouble. At that point, the Chen family would be forced into a passive position. Besides, the clan currently lacked any formidable combat strength.

It is better to strike first with one decisive blow than to suffer a hundred in return.

Now that the Chen family had revealed their strength, albeit somewhat contrived, the other clans would likely refrain from rash action, at least for the moment.

However, this calm would only last until the Blood Rice went on sale. Trouble was bound to arise in a few days.

Still, with news from the Chaotic Burial Mountains in hand, Chen Tianjing was not overly worried.

…

"Damn it! Where in the world did this cursed white mist come from!"

"Cough... cough... Brother Zhao Si, don't be so impatient. I think the mist is starting to thin!"

The two men had ceased moving within the fog. Zhao Si, who had previously appeared calm, could not help but curse angrily now. Beside him, Zhang Huaicai tried to soothe him.

Zhao Si was frustrated by yesterday’s failure. Despite invoking the power of his totem, he had been unable to find a clear exit.

He had not only wasted his totem’s strength but also soured his mood considerably.

Yet, with the thick mist still surrounding them, all he could do was rage helplessly.

After hearing Zhang Huaicai’s words, however, Zhao Si quickly calmed down. Looking carefully at their surroundings, he realized the fog had indeed thinned.

"Could it be...that this mist is about to vanish?"

Thinking of the mission assigned by the clan elder, Zhao Si steadied his mind and continued forward with the two others.

They followed the path where the mist was thinnest, step by step. The surrounding paths remained familiar, but when they caught sight of the faint outline of a forest beyond the white haze, they exchanged glances, each seeing the other's excitement.

"Go! Quickly!"

"Up ahead...it looks like the exit!"

Joy spread across their faces, and they quickened their pace without hesitation.

They had lingered in this suffocating mist for far too long!

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