'Chu Qing'

The moment these words were spoken, it was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, causing ripples.

The entire front courtyard fell silent for a moment, followed by a buzz of discussion.

"Third Young Master? The Chu Family's third son?"

"Chu Qing who fled his wedding seven years ago? He's actually back?"

"I thought he had already died out there. I didn't expect him to be able to return. Is this returning home in glory, or did he just couldn't make it out there anymore?"

"Does the engagement still count?"

"It should still count. I haven't heard that the Chu Family and the City Lord's Mansion's alliance is nullified."

The people in the hall whispered to each other, as if they had endless things to say.

And Chu Yunfei, seated at the head of the table, after a moment of stunned silence, quickly spoke:

"Where is my son?"

"Young Master is outside."

The servant said:

"Third Young Master said that he left home without permission and, without Master's consent, dares not step into the family home."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei took a deep breath. He wanted to say something, but then he glanced at Wu Qianhuan not far away, and his anger flared:

"Outrageous! He fled his wedding back then and now returns, only to pass by his home without entering. What does he intend to do?

"Let this unfilial son in! This old man wants to see what great ambition he has achieved in these seven years away from home!?"

The servant quickly agreed and turned to fetch the person.

Chu Yunfei then said to Wu Qianhuan:

"Qianhuan, don't worry. This scoundrel has been silent for seven years. Now that he's back, I will definitely make him give you an explanation."

Wu Qianhuan, however, had a complicated expression.

She felt her mind in a complete mess...

That person who had disguised himself as a servant earlier, his familiar gaze was definitely not fake.

Although she had felt uncertain before, the more she pondered it now, the more she felt that person must be Chu Qing.

She had thought he would be in the front courtyard now, hiding his identity, and she didn't know what his scheme was.

But who would have thought that another Chu Qing would arrive at the door now...

She forced herself to calm down.

There couldn't be two Chu Qings in this world.

She had just scanned the courtyard earlier and hadn't found anyone suspicious.

However, there were many people in the front yard, so she couldn't guarantee she hadn't missed anyone.

Or perhaps, he had dropped the pretense and intended to return to the Chu Family in his true form?

With this thought, she let out a soft breath and smiled faintly:

"Alright, Uncle Chu, I'll leave it to you to decide for me."

Meanwhile, Chu Qing, standing among the crowd, lowered his head slightly.

He felt something was amiss...

It wasn't the 'Chu Qing' outside the door that was amiss.

In fact, when he had encountered the assassin from the Sin Mirror Platform in his room earlier, he had already known what trick that person was planning.

This was a chain of schemes.

The correct sequence should have started with this incident.

First, the fake Chu Qing would arrive, putting on a show of a wanderer returning home, a prodigal son turning over a new leaf.

Then, at close range, he would suddenly strike with vicious intent, staging an act of an unfilial son killing his father, against human morality.

Such a method was inherently difficult to guard against.

While Chu Yunfei's martial arts were formidable, it wouldn't be difficult to gravely injure him, but killing him might not be possible.

And with such a commotion during the day, even if Chu Yunfei were gravely injured, it would inevitably stir his love for his son. It would be unavoidable for him to visit Chu Qing's courtyard in his wounded state that evening to reminisce.

Only then would they have completely fallen into the opponent's scheme.

At that point, the assassin who had been lurking all along would suddenly strike with lethal force, and no matter how heaven-defying your cultivation, you would be unable to escape disaster.

Based on the intelligence that person could obtain, Chu Qing found it effortless to see through these schemes.

What he felt was amiss was somewhere else...

But he couldn't quite pinpoint where it was amiss for the moment.

However, there was no time to ponder further. Under the gaze of all the onlookers in the front yard, A somewhat disheveled young man, stumbling along with the servants, arrived in the courtyard.

He was not old, with a clear and handsome face, bearing some resemblance to Chu Yunfei in his youth.

His eyes were filled with bitterness. Upon entering the courtyard, before Chu Yunfei could speak, he fell to his knees with a thud and kowtowed heavily.

"Unfilial son Chu Qing pays respects to Father."

Chu Qing raised an eyebrow and gave a cold laugh.

So he really put some thought into this... But seeing this person's appearance, Chu Qing became even more certain that the person didn't know his true identity.

However, with this person's looks, deceiving Chu Yunfei probably wouldn't be difficult.

After all, seven years have passed, his features have matured, and it's normal for him to look different from before.

With this appearance, bearing some resemblance to Chu Yunfei, it's enough to pass off as the real thing.

As his thoughts raced, he heard Chu Yunfei let out a deep sigh.

"Unfilial son! You still know to come back!?"

He suddenly stood up and strode to the 'Chu Qing's' side, raising his hand as if to strike.

Internal Energy gathered in his palm, causing the wine pots and teacups on the surrounding tables to tremble slightly, making a clattering sound.

'Chu Qing' remained kneeling on the ground, not looking up.

"This child knows he is unfilial and deserves death. I beg Father to punish me!!"

The heavily raised palm ultimately did not fall. Instead, his eyes reddened, and he gritted his teeth, saying:

"You... you unfilial son, how could you be so heartless?

"Seven years... a full seven years, and not a word from you. Do you know... you left to find relief, but where did that leave your family?

"Your second brother is at the Taiyi Sect. Every family letter asks about your whereabouts, and he even asked the elders of his sect to inquire about your whereabouts when they traveled the jianghu.

"Your Big Brother is still looking for you. Whenever there's the slightest rumor, he personally goes to investigate, always leaving full of hope, only to return with a face full of disappointment.

"How could you bear it... not returning for seven years!!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Wu Qianhuan again, and his anger intensified:

"Moreover, with your departure, do you know that all the gossip in the city has fallen upon Qianhuan?

"She is the Eldest Young Lady of Heavenly Dance City. While people dare not speak ill of her openly, what good things could they be saying behind her back?

"You... you, I must beat you to death today!!"

Wu Qianhuan had been staring at the 'Chu Qing' on the ground. However, this person had kept his head down since entering and had not looked at her once.

He then knelt on the ground, only revealing the back of his head.

She waited for a long time and he didn't look up. Just as Chu Yunfei was about to strike, she quickly stepped forward and grabbed Chu Yunfei's arm:

"Uncle Chu, you..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she saw the 'Chu Qing' kneeling on the ground suddenly raise his head. With a flick of his sleeve, two short knives appeared in his palm. He thrust them upwards, aiming to stab Chu Yunfei's chest and abdomen. Her unfinished sentence turned into a startled cry:

"Be careful!!"

This shock was truly extraordinary. The sound was shouted out, but her actions were too late.

And in this sudden turn of events, not a single person present could react.

It was supposed to be a father and son reunion, who would have thought the son harbored ill intentions!?

Just as Chu Yunfei was about to be injured by these two knives, caught off guard.

A sword mark appeared out of nowhere.

Like a meteor, like a lightning bolt, in this instant, it seared a mark in the eyes of all the guests present... a sword mark!