Uproot the Grass, Remove the Roots

Regardless of whether Chen Changan's identity was real or false, that Big Yellow Dog alone, capable of speaking, was enough to make Wu Chengfeng and Nan Xiangtian fearful.

When Chen Changan questioned them, the two naturally did not dare to be negligent, yet they could not tell the whole truth either.

"Reporting to you, Senior, some time ago, all the spiritual energy in Northern Plains Commandery was drained away. As its Commandery Governor, I naturally had to investigate."

"In the end, I learned that it might be related to Yan Gui City, which was why I came here."

"Only, I did not expect to encounter what happened just now."

"Please forgive me, Senior. Duty compelled me; I could not simply stand by and watch," Wu Chengfeng said respectfully.

"Since it was your duty, then let it go."

Chen Changan did not pursue the matter. Instead, he turned to look at Chen Yunxuan.

"Yun Xuan."

"Here."

"Have you ever killed anyone?"

Huh?

Killed anyone?

Hearing this, Chen Yunxuan was slightly stunned, but he still answered, "No."

"Then I have a task for you."

"Take some men to the Xu Family and the Ning Family."

"Regardless of age or gender, leave no one alive!"

Chen Changan's words made everyone's hearts tremble. Kill them all?

Even Wu Chengfeng and Nan Xiangtian were greatly shocked. This Old Ancestor Chen was truly ruthless.

"Old Ancestor, this... the Xu Family and Ning Family have already lost all their elites. They no longer pose any threat."

"Must we really do this?" Chen Yunxuan hesitated.

"Foolish!"

"Since they are enemies, why should you be softhearted?"

"When cutting grass, you must pull up the roots. I hope you understand this principle!"

"Never underestimate any potential danger. Even one survivor could bring consequences you cannot bear!"

"When you roam the world in the future, you cannot rely only on courage and talent. You must also be ruthless!"

"Mercy toward enemies is cruelty toward yourself."

"Do you remember?" Chen Changan asked in a grave voice.

"Yes, Yun Xuan remembers," Chen Yunxuan said with a serious expression.

"Go. You will have to go through such things sooner or later. The sooner you experience them, the sooner you adapt."

"Yes."

Chen Yunxuan nodded, then took several people and headed straight for the Xu Family and Ning Family.

"Oh, right. You are the Commandery Governor of Northern Plains Commandery, aren't you?"

"You do not mind what I am doing, do you?" Chen Changan asked with a smile.

Mind?

Only a fool would say he minded. As long as Chen Changan did not kill him, he could kill whoever he pleased.

"You jest, Senior. This junior would not dare," Wu Chengfeng hurriedly said.

"If there is nothing else, you may leave."

"Senior, with the Chen Family's current strength, Yan Gui City is no longer suitable for them."

"Why not let me arrange a place for you? The Chen Family can relocate there. What do you think?"

Wu Chengfeng did not wish to miss such an opportunity to curry favor. The Chen Family was immensely powerful; if they could remain in Northern Plains Commandery, it would bring him nothing but benefits.

"No need. Before long, the Chen Family will leave this place."

"This... may I ask where you are going?"

"The capital!"

The capital?

Was the Chen Family going to enter the capital? Return to the position the Chen Family had once held?

But upon further thought, it was perfectly reasonable. What they had once lost, they would naturally seize back.

Northern Plains Commandery probably could not keep the Chen Family any longer.

Wu Chengfeng gave a bitter smile, respectfully bowed to Chen Changan, then left the Chen Family with Nan Xiangtian.

"I truly did not expect the Chen Family to have an Old Ancestor."

"But why could I not sense any danger from him?"

Only after leaving did Nan Xiangtian dare to speak. He had been afraid that one wrong word in the Chen Family would bring him a calamity that toppled heaven and buried earth.

"A person like that has long reached heights beyond the grasp of you and me. How could you possibly sense anything from him?"

"However, the skies of the Great Zhou Kingdom are likely about to change."

"Once the Chen Family enters the capital, it will surely stir up great waves!" Wu Chengfeng sighed.

"Yes. Do you think the Chen Family could be going there because of that matter?"

"Did we not hear that the Chen Family and Liu Family had a Contract back then?"

Hearing this, Wu Chengfeng's expression changed as well. How had he forgotten about that?

"It is possible!"

"No, I must report this matter to Your Majesty as soon as possible."

Great Zhou Kingdom, capital

"Family Head, it has already been a month. We cannot hesitate any longer, or there will not be enough time."

After Liu Mengyan and Liu Chengfeng returned to the Liu Family, they recounted everything that had happened in the Chen Family exactly as it had occurred, while also voicing their thoughts.

Yet after hearing about this matter, the Liu Family's Family Head began to hesitate, unable to make a decision for a long time.

A month had already passed. Liu Mengyan and Liu Chengfeng were beginning to worry as well. The longer this dragged on, the more disadvantageous it would be for the Liu Family.

"I know what you have told me. That person truly was the Chen Family's Old Ancestor?"

"Was he really that powerful?"

"Did you see him make a move?" the Liu Family's Family Head asked with a frown.

"Family Head, although he did not make a move, he was definitely very powerful. My aura had no effect on him whatsoever."

"That proves his strength must surpass mine."

"Furthermore, when we left, all the spiritual energy in Northern Plains Commandery had been drained away. I suspect it was his doing, a warning to us," Liu Chengfeng said solemnly.

The information was too vague, leaving the Liu Family's Family Head completely unable to decide.

Perhaps this so-called Old Ancestor of the Chen Family had reached the Transcendent Realm, perhaps he had even gone beyond the initial stage of the Transcendent Realm. But the Imperial Family was not someone they could easily offend either.

In another month, it would be the Engagement Ceremony between Liu Mengyan and the Fifth Prince. The Imperial Family had already begun making preparations.

If they called it off now, would that not be a slap in the Imperial Family's face?

"Father, I know what you are hesitating over."

"But the Chen Family's Old Ancestor is someone who has lived for ten thousand years."

"If we make preparations in advance, perhaps the Chen Family will show mercy for the sake of old ties."

"As for the Imperial Family, they likely would not dare provoke such a person, would they?" Liu Mengyan persuaded.

Hearing this, the Liu Family's Family Head looked troubled. After hesitating for a long while, a thought suddenly struck him.

"Wrong, wrong! It is all wrong!"

"The Chen Family... truly has quite the scheme!"

"They nearly deceived us!" the Liu Family's Family Head said with a smile.

"Hm? Wrong? Father, what is wrong?" Liu Mengyan asked in confusion.

"If the Chen Family truly had such an Old Ancestor, with such overwhelming strength, why has there been no movement for an entire month?"

"If he were truly powerful, why would he need to use tricks to warn you?"

"He had only one purpose in doing this: to make you worry, to make you afraid, so you would not dare act against the Chen Family."

"If the two of you fell for it, then after returning, you would cancel the Fifth Prince's engagement just as you are proposing now."

"By then, the Chen Family would not need to act at all. Our Liu Family would already be unable to bear the Imperial Family's wrath."

"The Chen Family could eliminate our Liu Family without shedding a drop of blood."

"What a scheme. The Chen Family truly has an excellent scheme!" the Liu Family's Family Head sneered.

"Family Head, but that Chen Family Old Ancestor truly does have strength. Otherwise, he could not have remained so calm and unruffled in the face of my aura," Liu Chengfeng said in confusion.

"That is precisely where they were truly clever!"

"He has strength, but not much."

"His strength surpasses yours, but he absolutely cannot contend against the Imperial Family."

"If Mengyan and the Fifth Prince successfully become engaged, then our Liu Family and the Imperial Family will be one family."

"At that time, what else could the Chen Family possibly do?"

"You two are still far too naive. You have thought too simply."

"Even I was nearly led astray by the two of you."

"Hmph. How could such a petty scheme escape my eyes?" the Liu Family's Family Head snorted coldly.

"So that is how it is!"

"The Family Head is indeed wise!"