Chen Qinghuang

On the road to East Peak City, Xu Mingxi had subtly questioned Lingyi about the situation there.

However, Lingyi was clearly a seasoned veteran. She did not say much, only that the City Lord and several major families jointly governed East Peak City and the surrounding cities and towns.

Still, she specifically pointed out that the Chen Family was among them, and that the City Lord was a member of the imperial Dai Family.

"I see. Then thank you, Senior Lingyi. This junior has only just left home, so please forgive any improprieties on my part."

Xu Mingxi had done his homework before leaving the sect. There were five major cities in the southeastern region of the Star Luo Empire, and Easternmost City was one of them.

As a vital transportation hub connecting the eastern and western regions of the southern Star Luo Empire, its importance and prosperity went without saying.

Any family with influence in Easternmost City would at least have a Soul Douluo or several high-level Soul Saints.

A Chen surnamed Soul Douluo, Easternmost City... Xu Mingxi could only think of one person: Chen Rudong, whose martial soul was the Variegated Demon Tiger, an Level 81 Power Attack System Soul Douluo.

Xu Mingxi glanced sideways at Chen Qinghuang, who was already close to falling asleep beside him.

With how delicate and frail she looked, she did not seem to have inherited the Variegated Demon Tiger martial soul. She had probably taken after her mother's side.

As the three of them rode in a carriage toward Easternmost City, the four bandits had already fallen to their knees and reported to the Bandit Chief.

Bang~

"You're saying that three Soul Ancestors and five Soul Elders surrounded a little girl who had only just become a Soul Ancestor, yet not only did four of you die, you even let her escape?"

The four bandits did not dare raise their heads. They exchanged glances, seemingly recalling something, fear in their eyes. In the end, the sole remaining Soul Ancestor forced himself to step forward.

"Bandit Chief, you can't blame us. After Chen Qinghuang used Martial Soul Possession, she was like a crazed tiger.

Our attacks could only leave a few scratches on her body. And at the end, a Soul King suddenly appeared out of nowhere. We truly were no match for them."

The Bandit Chief had a headache. He truly did not want to get involved in the conflicts between the powerful figures of Easternmost City.

That was why he had personally stayed behind to guard the stronghold while sending most of his men out. Yet they had still failed to capture a little girl who had only just become a Soul Ancestor.

"Forget it. Pack up quickly. We're leaving."

They had failed to capture her, offended the Chen Family, and failed to complete that person's task. If they did not run now, when would they?

As the Bandit Chief ordered his men to pack up their valuables, he failed to notice a figure standing within the shadows behind him.

The candles in the stronghold went out, plunging it into darkness. No further sound could be heard.

"Brother Mingxi, come back to the Chen Residence with me. Father will definitely want to meet you too."

At the gates of East Peak City, Xu Mingxi struggled to pull his hand free from Chen Qinghuang's grasp.

He truly had no idea what her mother's martial soul was. Her strength was so great as well. And the way she kept calling him Brother, Brother made Xu Mingxi's scalp tingle.

To conceal his talent, Xu Mingxi was still using the age he had registered for the Soul Master Competition. He was now twenty-five.

"You should go home first and let your family know you're safe. I'll find a place to stay in the city and look around while I'm at it."

"Alright, Brother Mingxi. Stay at Qingyin Inn. That's Chen Family territory.

I'll come find you tomorrow, Brother Mingxi. You have to wait for me."

Watching Lingyi pull Chen Qinghuang away, Xu Mingxi finally let out a sigh of relief.

He would never play the hero saving a beauty again. It was such a hassle. If he had known, he would have waited until entering the city to assess the situation.

At the Chen Residence, Family Head Chen Rudong was flying into a rage. Qinghuang was the future of the Chen Family. Who had been so bold?

Just as he smashed his tenth teacup, a servant came to report.

"Family Head, the young miss has returned."

Chen Rudong's expression instantly turned gentle, and he hurried forward with a beaming smile.

Chen Qinghuang was overwhelmed upon seeing her father and threw herself into his arms. This time, she had truly been terrified.

"Father, I almost didn't make it back. Sob, sob, sob."

"Oh, my precious daughter, you're finally back. Otherwise, I wouldn't even know how to explain this to your mother."

Madam Chen was no ornamental figure. Her original name was Xue Yun, and she was also a Soul Saint-level powerhouse.

Chen Rudong had not dared tell her that their daughter had gone missing. Fortunately, she had now returned safely.

"Qinghuang, what exactly happened? How were you pursued?"

Chen Qinghuang seemed to think of something, and her face reddened slightly.

"Father, I don't know where they came from either, but Brother Mingxi was the one who saved me this time."

This was bad.

Seeing the unusual expression on his precious daughter's face, Chen Rudong knew something was terribly wrong.

Madam Chen hurried over. Chen Rudong immediately dismissed all the subordinates and servants, leaving only their family of three and Lingyi, who had been protecting Chen Qinghuang.

"Lingyi, what exactly happened?"

"Family Head, the young miss encountered bandits. I was about to intervene, but a Soul Emperor held me up.

By the time I broke free of him, the young miss had already disappeared. I could only return and lead the Black Armor Cavalry in a search everywhere."

Chen Rudong's expression darkened further. It seemed this was no simple bandit attack.

He had wondered how bandits would dare attack the Chen Family's daughter near Easternmost City.

"Do you know who stopped you?"

"This subordinate does not know. I only know that he had a Black Soul Ring, and his Martial Soul was a curved blade."

"Fine. You may leave first."

"Yes, this subordinate takes his leave."

Chen Rudong knew Lingyi had already done her best. Since Qinghuang had returned safely, he did not make things difficult for her.

After Lingyi left, Madam Chen immediately grabbed her husband by the ear.

"Oh, you! Our daughter went missing, and you didn't even tell me? Have you found out which family did it? I'll make them pay!"

Chen Rudong rubbed his reddened left ear and soothed his wife before analyzing the matter with her.

"The attack on Qinghuang was definitely the work of one of the other families in the city. And the one who saved Qinghuang is surely no good person either."

"Father, I won't allow you to speak of Brother Mingxi like that! He must be a good person."

Before Xue Yun could say anything, Chen Qinghuang became displeased. It was Xue Yun's first time seeing her daughter like this. Decades of experience told her that there was definitely something going on.

Was this "brother" of hers truly proper?

She waved Chen Rudong away to investigate while taking Chen Qinghuang aside to sit with her.

"Qinghuang, this Brother Mingxi you mentioned—how did he save you? What kind of person is he?"

"Mother, let me tell you, Brother Mingxi is so handsome and gentle. He..."

Watching his wife and daughter discuss another man, Chen Rudong's expression darkened.

He could only choose to keep out of sight, flicking his sleeve as he left the main hall. He intended to thoroughly investigate that Curved Blade Soul Emperor. A Soul Emperor was not someone who could simply appear out of nowhere.

As Chen Rudong departed, he thought of several families within the city, a vicious glint flashing through his eyes.

No matter who it was, anyone who dared harm my daughter, anyone who dared harm the future of the Chen Family, would pay the price.