Snatching

A few young men and women were scattered about the shop, browsing through the jewelry.

The counters were filled with a dazzling array of ornaments, all glittering with pearls and gems.

"Young Master, Miss, please come in."

The moment Chen Cheng entered the shop, a sharp-eyed female sales attendant noticed him. From the bearing and appearance of Chen Cheng and Yan Lingji, she could tell at a glance that they were no ordinary people.

The sales attendant was a young girl with a professional smile on her face. She politely led Chen Cheng and Yan Lingji farther into the shop.

"This young lady is truly breathtakingly beautiful," the female attendant said with a smile as she praised Yan Lingji.

The main customers of jewelry shops like this were young, beautiful daughters of wealthy families. After all, the items in this small shop were not cheap, and those without means could not afford them.

The shop's items were valued mainly for two things: appearance and practicality. None of them were inexpensive.

"These earrings suit this young lady's temperament perfectly. They are also set with a second-order Ice Attribute magic core. Wearing them for a long time can help keep one's mind clear."

Before the counter, Chen Cheng and Yan Lingji browsed the jewelry together. Whenever Chen Cheng picked up an ornament and held it up for Yan Lingji to see, the female attendant would give a detailed introduction.

She explained everything with exceptional care, putting great effort into fulfilling her duties.

In the end, Chen Cheng chose a fiery red bracelet and gave it to Yan Lingji.

"Young Master has a fine eye. This is one of our shop's most renowned treasures, called Fire Rain Spiritual Light. This bracelet is set with a Tier 4 Fire Attribute Magic Core. When worn, it can accelerate the cultivation of fire-attribute warriors," the female attendant introduced it with a smile.

"Good stuff." Chen Cheng raised a brow upon hearing the introduction, clearly quite satisfied with it.

"Do you like it?" Chen Cheng removed the bracelet from the counter and fastened it around Yan Lingji's wrist, asking gently.

"If Master likes it, then this servant likes it as well." Yan Lingji nodded and smiled softly, her tender, seductive voice brimming with allure.

Seeing the two of them, the sales attendant was also delighted. Chen Cheng had an outstanding bearing, and she did not think he would be unable to afford even a single bracelet. As long as she sold such a precious bracelet, her commission would be substantial.

"Young Master, this bracelet costs 220,000 Gold Coins. Shall I wrap it up for you?" The female attendant smiled as she quoted a sky-high price that most people could never save up in an entire lifetime.

After all, it contained a Fourth-Order Magic Core and had been meticulously inscribed by an array master. Though it could not compare to a fourth-grade medicinal pill, its value was not far off.

Just as Chen Cheng was about to take out his Purple-Gold Card from his Storage Space, a voice came from outside.

"Wait. I want that bracelet."

At the sound of that exceedingly irritating voice, a flash of disgust passed over the female attendant's face before she concealed it well.

A man and a woman entered through the shop's doors.

The man was handsome, and the woman beautiful. They walked in arm in arm, looking utterly sweet together.

The man's voice was loud and arrogant, carrying an air of dominance.

Disturbed by that rude voice, the few people in the shop all turned angrily toward the entrance.

The shop was luxuriously decorated, clearly a place of high-end consumption. Those who dared enter were generally people of some standing. Several wealthy young masters in the shop were accompanied by female companions, so naturally they did not wish to lose face before them.

Yet when they saw the handsome man and beautiful woman who had entered, they all lowered their heads in unspoken agreement, like mice seeing a cat. They turned back to the counters and pretended to continue browsing the jewelry.

It was as though nothing had happened at all, their act thoroughly convincing.

Chen Cheng also looked toward the entrance in confusion. The man's face seemed familiar to him. He felt he had seen him somewhere before, but did not know who he was.

"Young Master Zihang, please come in. Our shop recently acquired a Jade Stream Hairpin. I know Miss Fang likes jade ornaments, so I specially reserved it for you."

Someone who appeared to be the Shop Manager hurried over upon seeing the man at the entrance, greeting him with such warmth that it was as if she had seen her own father.

Chen Cheng merely found the man somewhat familiar, but after checking him with the system, he learned who he was.

Name: Chen Zihang

Cultivation: 8-Star Great Dou Shi

Chen Cheng had only encountered him once at the Dou Qi Pavilion and had never spoken with him. However, he had heard some news about Chen Zihang when others in the family discussed him.

Chen Zihang was the most outstanding genius of the Chen Family's younger generation. At only twenty years old, he was already an 8-Star Great Dou Shi, his cultivation no weaker than the family's stewards.

He had also tempered himself in the military and participated in several campaigns against the Mulan Empire, earning illustrious military achievements.

Before Chen Cheng returned, the family had once considered Chen Zihang the best candidate for Family Head.

"So it's him." Chen Cheng understood at once.

Chen Zihang's talent was indeed impressive. At such a young age, he had already become an 8-Star Great Dou Shi. His talent was not inferior in the slightest to the students of Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy.

It was only because the Chen Family lacked a cultivation cheat like the Heavenly Flame Refining Gas Tower that Chen Zihang had not yet advanced to Dou Ling. Otherwise, he might very well have done so already.

"Forget about the hairpin for now. I'm more interested in this bracelet. Shopkeeper, name your price."

Chen Zihang paid little attention to the Shop Manager and walked toward Chen Cheng. He pointed at the Fire Rain Spiritual Light on Yan Lingji's wrist. A faint smile hung on his face. Anyone unfamiliar with his character might truly mistake him for someone easy to get along with.

The female attendant who had just recommended Fire Rain Spiritual Light to Chen Cheng turned pale the instant she heard Chen Zihang's words.

If the sale of an item worth 220,000 Gold Coins went through, the commission she received would be a considerable sum. She had clearly seen Chen Cheng preparing to pay, and she had already begun planning how to spend the money.

But Chen Zihang's appearance shattered her dreams.

Who was Chen Zihang?

With the Chen Family backing him, there was nothing he wanted that he could not obtain. Even the princes and princesses of the Izumo Empire would have to give him some face.

Although Chen Cheng and Yan Lingji were both dressed exceptionally well and clearly came from a wealthy family, the female attendant did not believe their status could surpass Chen Zihang's.

The shop owner's expression changed slightly upon hearing Chen Zihang's words.

In this situation, she was bound to offend one side. She did not know Chen Cheng's background, but Chen Zihang possessed a status she did not dare offend.

After a moment, the owner's smile returned. She hurried over to Chen Cheng and said:

"Young Master, I'm truly sorry, but Young Master Zihang has taken a liking to this bracelet, so we can no longer sell it to you. Please take a look at our other items instead. To show our sincerity, I promise that everything in the shop will be sold at a twenty percent discount."

Behind the professional smile on the owner's face was a trace of apology.

In their line of work, they always had to treat customers with a smile. Even when offending someone, they had to bear it with a smile.

Chen Cheng said nothing. He merely looked at Chen Zihang, a meaningful smile on his face.

Seeing Chen Cheng like this, the owner felt even more awkward. She stood to one side, smiling stiffly.

Yan Lingji stroked the Fire Feather Spiritual Light around her wrist, and her smile gradually turned cold.

This was the first thing her master had given her. How could she simply hand it over to someone else?

Yan Lingji cast a sidelong glance at Chen Zihang. A crimson flame slowly flickered within her eyes.

Just then, a large warm hand suddenly clasped her small one. Filled with confusion, Yan Lingji looked up and saw Chen Cheng's handsome face.

"I'm here." Chen Cheng's gentle voice instantly extinguished the blazing anger in Yan Lingji's heart.

Her boundless fury melted into a tender smile. She stood behind Chen Cheng like a young girl, allowing the man she loved to protect her.

Chen Cheng's gaze settled on Chen Zihang. With a cold smile, he met Chen Zihang's eyes.

The air inside the small shop suddenly froze. An invisible pressure assailed everyone's hearts, making them feel as though a cold breeze was blowing over them.

The people still browsing accessories in the shop sensed that aura and hurriedly paid for their purchases, finding excuses to drag their girlfriends away.

Only Chen Cheng, Chen Zihang, and several shop assistants remained.

People loved watching trouble unfold, but they also understood which spectacles they could watch and which were beyond their place to witness.

Feeling the hostility between the two sides, the owner's scalp went numb.

Chen Zihang's status was far too high, yet some couple who had appeared out of nowhere dared to confront him head-on. She had no idea whether they truly had some ability or simply did not know their limits.

The girl who had entered with Chen Zihang also felt deeply worried when she saw the two sides facing off.

She was not worried that anything would happen to Chen Zihang. Rather, she feared that Chen Cheng would suffer a terrible outcome for offending him like this.

"Zihang, forget it. I don't really like that bracelet anyway. Besides, it seems to be a fire-element treasure, so it doesn't suit me. This little sister is the one who truly matches it."

The girl's voice was gentle and refined, her grace as a well-bred young lady unmistakable.