Chapter 7: Restless

"Jiang Chen?"

Deep within the Chu family estate, the assassins were momentarily stunned upon hearing Jiang Chen’s name. The leader of the group fixed Jiang Chen with a cold stare. “Withdraw,” he commanded.

After a brief hesitation and seeing Jiang Chen draw ever closer, the assassins wasted no time. Without a single moment’s reluctance, they abandoned their assault on the Chu family father and daughter, scattering in all directions to escape.

Jiang Chen frowned at their retreat. The strongest among them was merely an internal energy practitioner; their immediate withdrawal meant they knew they were no match for him. Were they from the imperial capital, then? Perhaps they were connected to the faction within Dragon Country plotting against the Jiang family.

His brow gradually relaxed as he muttered to himself, “Fine, I’ll let you live a little longer. When I come for you, you will tremble.”

“The only son of Jiang Wei-guo—Jiang Chen?!”

Lost in thought, Chu Qing came stumbling toward him, covered in blood, his body trembling with excitement. “You—you’re finally here!”

Chu Qingcheng’s eyes were red, her beautiful gaze suffused with unspeakable sorrow as she watched Jiang Chen in silence.

“Hmm?” Jiang Chen glanced at Chu Qing, retrieving several pills he had crafted from his pocket. “Your injuries are grave, Uncle Chu. Take these first. When all this is settled, we’ll talk further.”

With those words, he strode toward the nearby villa. “I’ll wait for you inside.”

“Good, good!” Chu Qing, trusting the Jiang family implicitly, swallowed the pills without hesitation. Warmth surged through his body, and color returned to his cheeks.

He turned to Chu Qingcheng. “Girl, you go accompany Jiang Chen. I’ll contact our relatives who are still outside…”

He hurried away, his figure filled with sorrow and desolation. Except for a handful of Chu family members who were away, almost all had perished here. Chu Qing’s heart was torn with grief and anger, yet he could only suppress his emotions and focus on managing the aftermath.

Chu Qingcheng pressed her lips together and entered the villa, finding Jiang Chen seated in the living room, his face indifferent, brow furrowed in deep thought.

Seeing her enter, Jiang Chen merely glanced at her and continued his contemplation.

Chu Qingcheng remained silent as she sat opposite him, occasionally casting complicated glances his way, her delicate hands tightening and loosening in turn, torn by inner conflict.

“You’re thinking that the calamity that struck the Chu family was all because of the Jiang family?” Jiang Chen saw through her thoughts and spoke quietly.

He was no fool. He had just arrived in Wild City, and immediately after, the Chu family faced annihilation. What did this imply? Someone didn’t want him investigating, and sought to wipe out the Chu family to cover their tracks.

“That’s right!” With her suspicions confirmed, Chu Qingcheng could no longer restrain her grief and anger. Tears streamed down her face as she glared at Jiang Chen. “My father and General Jiang were close. It was thanks to General Jiang that the Chu family gained its current status and power. I am grateful to him.”

“Now that the Jiang family has fallen from power, it’s understandable that our Chu family would be implicated. But so many relatives dead—isn’t the punishment too severe?”

She choked on her words, her voice trembling. “Almost all my kin are gone…”

Jiang Chen was silent. He had no way to refute her; along the way, he had seen over a hundred Chu family members slain. This was a devastating blow to their family.

“It is my Jiang family’s fault. But I promise you—I will personally exact vengeance on those responsible.”

His voice was soft but resolute.

“…Why have you come to the Chu family?” Chu Qingcheng pressed her lips together, gazing at Jiang Chen with a sense of helplessness.

She had heard fragments of what happened to the Jiang family: every general guarding the border had perished in a single day—a blow that surely crippled the Jiang family.

“Where is my father’s ashes currently kept?” Jiang Chen answered earnestly. “I came to retrieve my father’s ashes, and to investigate the truth behind his demise.”

“As a general and a martial master, even if the enemy nation wanted him assassinated, it would be nearly impossible. For it to happen, there must have been traitors within Wild City.”

“I am here to root out those traitors, and avenge my father.” He paused, his tone icy. “Not a single one will be spared.”

Even though Jiang Chen spoke calmly, Chu Qingcheng felt the chill and murderous intent radiating from him.

“I don’t know where General Jiang’s ashes are kept, but the new city lord surely does,” Chu Qingcheng hesitated, then spoke softly. “In a few days, it will be the birthday banquet of the new city lord’s daughter. I can take you there; perhaps you will meet the city lord.”

Jiang Chen considered this, replying coolly, “You’ll take me? Aren’t you afraid that appearing with me will bring further disaster to the Chu family?”

Since the fall of the Jiang family’s generals, all powers had distanced themselves, fearful of inviting calamity. The Chu family had already paid the price—did they dare associate with him now?

He had originally intended to go straight to the city lord’s mansion and kill anyone who stood in his way.

“The Chu family owes General Jiang a debt; it is only right to repay it.”

Chu Qingcheng raised her hand and wiped her tears away, rising to leave. “We Chu family members do not fear death, nor power. We too wish to seek justice for General Jiang.”

…

For the next few days, Jiang Chen remained at the Chu family estate. Chu Qing, after summoning the few remaining relatives, busied himself with their funerals.

After three days, Jiang Chen finally saw the exhausted Chu Qing and Chu Qingcheng.

In the living room, Chu Qing looked at Jiang Chen, his expression gentle. “Young Master Jiang, you really resemble your father…”

He glanced at the silent Chu Qingcheng and sighed softly before speaking in earnest. “I heard from Qingcheng that you wish to ask the city lord for your father’s ashes?”

“Yes. The ashes of the Jiang family must not be left outside.” Jiang Chen nodded lightly. “Besides, I wish to ask the city lord about the circumstances of my father’s death.”

“This…” Chu Qing was momentarily taken aback, his face troubled.

He hesitated, then forced himself to speak. “Young Master Jiang, there’s some gossip: within three days of General Jiang’s death, the new city lord, Luo Chuan, took office, and secretly dealt with a group of loyal officers.”

Jiang Chen’s face remained expressionless. “I see. Thank you.”

He turned to Chu Qingcheng. “Will you still accompany me tonight?”

“Yes.” Chu Qingcheng didn’t hesitate. “No matter what you do, I will stand by you.”

The Chu family was now irrevocably tied to the Jiang family. Chu Qingcheng understood that the only hope for her family rested with Jiang Chen.

“Let’s go.”

As darkness fell, Jiang Chen rose slowly, his face cold, a faint aura of menace emanating from him.

Watching Jiang Chen and Chu Qingcheng depart, Chu Qing’s face was anxious.

“This is going to be another storm…”