Conflict

After returning to Linjiang Courtyard, Chen Cheng stopped paying attention to Feng Ruoxue's affairs.

It was not until the next day that a Black Armored Soldier informed Chen Cheng, through a relative who served as a Guard in the Chen Family, that Feng Ruoxue had been taken away by Chen Zihang.

"Chen Zihang has quite some nerve. He even dared to lay hands on my woman? Does he really think I can't deal with him?" Chen Cheng said furiously after receiving the news.

There was no romantic relationship between him and Feng Ruoxue. At most, he had some affection for her.

But in name, Feng Ruoxue was still Chen Cheng's woman. Though Chen Cheng did not have an especially strong possessive streak, he was still furious that another person had taken away a woman who belonged to him.

"Go call Yan Lingji, Red Serpent, Huang Yaoshi, and Jiang Yu Yan. Hurry," Chen Cheng instructed a maid.

Upon hearing this, the maid hurried away to carry out Chen Cheng's order. Before long, all four had arrived.

"Why did you summon me so urgently, Master?" "Why did you summon me so urgently, Young Master?" Though their words differed, their meanings were the same.

"Come with me to Qing Xing Courtyard. We're taking someone back." Chen Cheng's voice was icy.

Over the past month, Chen Cheng had more or less familiarized himself with the layout of the Chen Family estate. The estate covered a vast area, and Linjiang Courtyard was not close to Qing Xing Courtyard.

Chen Cheng led Yan Lingji and the others along the path to Qing Xing Courtyard.

When the servants at Chen Zihang's residence saw Chen Cheng approaching so aggressively, they were all greatly frightened. They wanted to stop him, but none of them had the courage to step forward and block Chen Cheng, the Young Family Head.

"Young Family Head, this is Young Master Zihang's private residence. You cannot enter without Young Master Zihang's permission." Although the servant was trying to stop Chen Cheng, he wore a miserable expression as he spoke.

They were Chen Zihang's subordinates, so they naturally had to fulfill their duties for him. But Chen Cheng's status was far too high, and these servants simply did not dare offend him.

The servants were flustered as they stood before Chen Cheng, but whenever Chen Cheng took one step forward, they retreated several steps.

The Chen Family's rules were strict, and servants held little status. If they dared offend Chen Cheng, it would be a grave crime.

"Those who don't want to die, get out of my way. Tell Chen Zihang to come out and see me at once!" Chen Cheng roared. Seeing how enraged he was, the servants panicked, each fearing that Chen Cheng might suddenly strike and kill them.

Just as Chen Cheng continued pressing forward, a voice came from within the courtyard.

"Chen Cheng, you are being far too presumptuous, causing trouble in my Qing Xing Courtyard." Chen Zihang wore a cold expression as he strode out from the Inner Academy.

As soon as Chen Cheng arrived at Qing Xing Courtyard in such an aggressive manner, someone had immediately gone to notify Chen Zihang.

"You are the one being presumptuous, Chen Zihang. Hand her over." Chen Cheng looked coldly at Chen Zihang as he spoke.

Upon seeing Chen Zihang appear, the servants seemed to have found their backbone. They immediately gained confidence, standing behind Chen Zihang and watching Chen Cheng warily.

Among the younger generation of the Chen Family, only Chen Zihang's status could compare to Chen Cheng's.

Chen Cheng was the son of a Dou Emperor and the Young Family Head of the Chen Family.

Chen Zihang, meanwhile, possessed exceptional talent and had a great chance of becoming a Dou Emperor. The value of a Dou Emperor was immense, so Chen Zihang likewise held an extremely important position in the Chen Family.

Hearing Chen Cheng's words, Chen Zihang naturally guessed why he had come. It was nothing more than Feng Ruoxue.

Chen Cheng's intrusion into his private territory enraged Chen Zihang. He had always cared greatly about his dignity, and having someone force their way into his residence was a direct provocation.

But after learning why Chen Cheng had come, the anger in Chen Zihang's heart suddenly vanished instead.

A cold sneer hung on Chen Zihang's face as he stared at Chen Cheng. "I don't understand what you're talking about, Chen Cheng. Leave at once. For the sake of your status as Young Family Head, I can choose not to pursue this matter. Otherwise, if this reaches the Elder Council, even as the Young Family Head, you won't get off lightly."

Chen Zihang evaded the accusation and did not admit to taking Feng Ruoxue away.

Chen Cheng's arrival in the Chen Family had greatly impacted Chen Zihang's standing. Chen Zihang naturally harbored some resentment toward Chen Cheng.

And seeing Chen Cheng so furious made Chen Zihang feel extremely pleased.

When Chen Cheng was happy, Chen Zihang felt miserable. But when Chen Cheng was unhappy, Chen Zihang was delighted.

"Chen Zihang, you know full well what you did. Don't make me say it aloud. That would be bad for both of us." Chen Cheng gradually calmed down, but his tone toward Chen Zihang remained exceedingly cold.

"Oh? I truly have no idea what you mean. Why not say it and let me hear?" Chen Zihang narrowed his eyes slightly, a frosty smile on his face as he spoke in a somewhat teasing tone.

Feng Ruoxue could be considered Chen Cheng's fiancée, yet his fiancée had been captured by Chen Zihang. Chen Zihang would not do anything to Feng Ruoxue, but no one could say what outsiders might think.

Chen Zihang was certain that Chen Cheng would not dare expose the matter. Otherwise, Chen Cheng would not be able to silence the gossiping masses.

As for Chen Cheng's claim that Chen Zihang would not have it easy either, at most the Elder Council would learn that Chen Zihang had abducted Chen Cheng's fiancée, and Chen Zihang would receive some reprimands.

"You..." Chen Cheng was left speechless by Chen Zihang's words.

He had not expected Chen Zihang to be so shameless.

"Since that is the case, then excuse me." Chen Cheng's expression turned cold.

Chen Cheng did not dare expose the matter, or he would lose far too much face.

Since persuasion would not work, he could only use force.

As Chen Cheng spoke, he gave Jiang Yu Yan a look. Understanding his meaning, Jiang Yu Yan suddenly made her move and reached for Chen Zihang.

Chen Zihang's senses were sharp. Jiang Yu Yan was only a Two-Star Dou Ling, so he noticed her the instant she attacked.

However, after noticing Jiang Yu Yan's move, Chen Zihang merely sneered disdainfully, not taking her seriously at all.

Jiang Yu Yan moved swiftly, but just as she was about to seize Chen Zihang, she saw the contempt on his face.

Jiang Yu Yan was also an intelligent person. Sensing that something was wrong, she remained vigilant.

At that moment, Jiang Yu Yan suddenly sensed a surge of energy striking from her left. With a flick of her hand, she sent a colorless force crashing into the incoming attack.

With a thunderous boom, the two forces collided, and the powerful shockwave spread outward like ripples.

The servants with low cultivation were sent sprawling by the shockwave, left in a miserable state.

Chen Cheng was swept up by the shockwave and staggered back repeatedly. Fortunately, Yan Lingji, who stood behind him, caught him in time, sparing him from embarrassing himself.

Although Jiang Yu Yan had been on guard, her last-minute change of move had been far too rushed.

Under the fierce attack, her body was blasted backward. Jiang Yu Yan hurriedly employed her lightness skill and finally landed softly on the ground.

"Who's there?" Jiang Yu Yan stared toward a certain spot. Though she was a woman, her tone was full of dominance.

As for Chen Zihang, who had been closest to the collision of the two energies, he immediately summoned his Dou Qi Armor when the shockwave struck.

His Dou Qi Armor was a patchwork of cyan and blue. Pale-blue lightning snakes flickered across it, and from up close, one could hear faint crackling sounds.

Chen Zihang possessed both wind and lightning attributes, so his Dou Qi Armor naturally took this form.

With this Dou Qi Armor, Chen Zihang remained completely unscathed despite standing so close to the explosion.

As Jiang Yu Yan's words fell, someone slowly emerged from behind a large tree.

The man appeared to be in his thirties or forties. He wore black-and-white clothing and held a silver spear as his weapon.

When Jiang Yu Yan saw the man, a trace of solemnity appeared on her face. She sensed some danger from him.

Chen Cheng was also extremely grave upon seeing the man. To force Jiang Yu Yan back even with a long-range attack, this man's strength was no simple matter.

"Copy System, check his attributes." Chen Cheng contacted the system.

Name: Yan Sheng

Cultivation: Five-Star Dou Ling