Chapter 3: Who Is It Really?
Swish!
The entire venue fell silent. All eyes converged on a single young man, their gazes filled with shock, relief, and bewilderment. No one had expected Jiang Chen's return to be so overwhelming.
Xu Mingzhe was, after all, an internal energy martial artist, head of a powerful family, a man of considerable strength. Yet such a figure was flattened by Jiang Chen’s single punch!
It was terrifying, and oh, how satisfying!
“What—what do you think you’re doing!”
Xu Jiaying watched Jiang Chen stride toward her father, her scalp tingling. She rushed over, raising her hand to block his path, her eyes wary. “Let me tell you, the Jiang family isn’t yours to run wild anymore! Are you really not afraid of the Xu family’s retaliation?”
“Hurry up and apologize to my father, or you won’t be able to withstand the wrath of the Xu family! The Jiang family is nothing but old men, women, and children now, and you dare—”
Slap!
Jiang Chen’s expression was cold and merciless. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and struck her across the face. The force sent Xu Jiaying sprawling to the ground. A clear handprint appeared on her pale cheek, the entire side of her face swelling and bruising.
“You—you dare hit me?”
Xu Jiaying was stunned, clutching her face and glaring at Jiang Chen in agony. “What kind of man are you?”
“Scoundrel!”
Xu Mingzhe lay on the ground, his body limp as if shattered, helplessly watching his daughter struck senseless. He could only shout angrily, “Jiang Chen, you’ll regret this—”
Jiang Chen gave no reply. He stepped forward, seized Xu Mingzhe’s collar with one hand, and dragged him toward the gravestones like a lifeless dog.
“Ah!”
Passing by Xu Jiaying, he grabbed her hair without a trace of pity, dragging the pair of father and daughter step by step toward the graves. “Kneel and confess. If you do, I’ll let you go.”
Murderous intent shrouded him. Yes, at this moment, Jiang Chen truly meant to kill.
With his current strength, he need not worry about consequences. As long as he demonstrated overwhelming power, the Jiang family would remain what it always was.
“Well struck! Let’s see if they dare kick us when we’re down again!”
“Hmph, do they really think the Jiang family has no men left? As long as Chen is here, the Jiang family will not fall!”
“The prodigy once hailed as the number one in the world has returned…”
“May the loyal souls of the Jiang family in heaven bless us, keeping our family unbowed!”
Indeed, it was a catharsis!
The women and children of the Jiang family watched, their spirits lifted. Several sisters-in-law wept with relief.
Their husbands had been commanders and generals, holding sway over their domains. After death, they were so dishonored—thank heavens for Jiang Chen!
“Master, after such a catastrophe, I fear Chen’s actions will draw the ire of the powers in the imperial capital…”
On the stage, Zhao Qintian watched Jiang Chen drag the father and daughter, his brows raised in delight, yet he hesitated and softly voiced his concern.
“Heh, the Jiang family is a house of generals; why should we care about the opinions of petty men?”
Old Master Jiang gave a cold laugh, sitting unmoved in his seat. His aged eyes followed Jiang Chen, brimming with pride. “The Jiang family will not fall…”
“Jiang Chen, I’m telling you, this isn’t over—”
Bang!
Jiang Chen showed no mercy to the Xu father and daughter, tossing them before the gravestones.
Xu Mingzhe looked up, his expression venomous as he glared at Jiang Chen. “Do you really think you alone can protect the entire Jiang family? Let me tell you, in the imperial capital, your Jiang family is nothing but a rat in the gutter—”
Swish!
Before Xu Mingzhe could finish, Jiang Bai suddenly grabbed his hair and slammed his head against the gravestones in front of everyone.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
His head split and blood streamed, three brutal bows smashed Xu Mingzhe into unconsciousness.
Clang!
Jiang Chen released Xu Mingzhe’s head and calmly turned to Xu Jiaying, his voice flat and emotionless. “Kneel.”
“Bastard…”
Xu Jiaying was petrified. When had she ever been treated this way?
Her beautiful face was livid, shifting between rage and humiliation. She endured, tears streaming as she knelt and bowed.
“Grandfather, I’m back!”
Jiang Chen ignored the two clowns, stepping before Old Master Jiang and kneeling solemnly. “Father and my uncles fell on the battlefield, dying a glorious death. From now on, I, Jiang Chen, will shoulder the Jiang family’s burdens and vow to root out those who conspired against us, making them pay!”
“Good! Good! Good!”
Old Master Jiang gazed at Jiang Chen, uttering “good” three times, his clouded eyes reddening. “May the loyal souls of the Jiang family in heaven bless my grandson in restoring our family!”
Zhao Qintian watched Jiang Chen’s indifferent expression, his heart skipping a beat.
He felt, inexplicably, that with Jiang Chen’s presence, the Jiang family’s future remained full of uncertainty…
…
The Jiang family funeral saw none of the imperial capital’s powers attend, yet all watched closely.
The Jiang family produced prodigies and warriors in succession, holding unparalleled status and authority throughout the Dragon Nation. Many had long awaited this day.
Countless forces wished to see the Jiang family’s downfall, but when the funeral ended and news spread, it shook the entire capital!
The Jiang family’s direct heir had regained his wits, and single-handedly forced the Xu family’s head to kneel and confess!
In an instant, storms swept the capital once more…
“Grandfather, do you know which power plotted against us in the shadows?”
Imperial capital, Jiang Manor.
White mourning ribbons adorned every corner; the atmosphere was heavy with grief. Outside, turmoil raged, but within, sorrow prevailed.
Deep inside, in the living room.
Jiang Chen’s expression was grave, his brows furrowed. “The Jiang family is one of the top aristocratic houses in the capital, with three martial arts grandmasters guarding us. To strike such a blow against us, the resources required are astronomical!”
He paused, his mind already forming guesses, but he dared not draw conclusions.
“Only the Li family and the Long family are our equals. The culprit, in the end, must be one of them,”
Old Master Jiang Guofeng frowned slightly, gazing at Jiang Chen with a sigh. “Let’s set this aside for now. You’ve only just recovered your senses, and the family has suffered a great upheaval. Rest and regain your strength for a time.”
He fixed his gaze on Jiang Chen. “The Xu family head was at least an internal energy martial artist, perhaps even a half-step grandmaster. Chen, your strength—”
“Grandfather, ordinary grandmasters are no match for me.”
Jiang Chen did not conceal his prowess. He knew that only by giving his grandfather confidence could he act freely. “Though my mind was sealed for years, its release has brought me many benefits.”
“Then I can rest assured…”
Old Master Jiang’s body shook, the heavy weight in his heart finally lifted. “With a grandmaster still standing in our family, the Jiang family will remain safe!”
“I wish to go to the border battlefields and bring back the ashes of our loyal dead,”
Jiang Chen pressed his lips together, speaking softly. “Father, uncle, second uncle… I want to bring their souls home, and investigate who dared to move against the Jiang family.”