Tian Family.
Inside the study, Tian Jingyi’s face was gloomy, and Tian Yilin sat beside him, equally furious.
After all, being blocked at the door for debt collection first thing in the morning, and having it known throughout the city, no one would be happy about that.
“That Chen Zheng is going too far!”
Tian Yilin gritted his teeth in hatred.
“And those useless Peng Family and Shi Family members! It was clearly their own internal strife that allowed Chen Zheng to escape, and now they still have the nerve to come to us for compensation?”
“They all deserve to die!”
Listening to his son’s curses, Tian Jingyi gradually calmed down instead.
He said indifferently, “If they want compensation, then give it to them!”
Tian Yilin’s eyes widened, his face full of confusion: “Father, why…”
Tian Jingyi said indifferently, “Send someone to give each of them a million gold coins, as a condolence for the two families’ Prodigies! In addition, secretly tell them that my previous promise still stands; whoever can kill that good-for-nothing will get the Marquis Chiye’s position for their family!”
Things had come to this, and it was meaningless to pursue whose responsibility it was anymore.
Tian Yilin frowned and said, “I think they’ve been scared witless by that good-for-nothing. Do they still dare to act against him?”
Tian Jingyi sneered, “They not only dare! And they definitely will! At this point, do you think they still have any room to reconcile with the Chen Family? If Chen Zheng doesn’t die, and the Chen Family doesn’t fall, they won’t sleep soundly!”
Seeing Tian Yilin’s puzzled expression, Tian Jingyi shook his head and explained, “The reason they’re doing this isn’t because they truly want that little bit of compensation! They’re just putting on a show for others!”
As he spoke, Tian Jingyi couldn't help but let out a sneer: “That good-for-nothing must think that going to Xuanlin Academy will make him worry-free, but he definitely won't expect that once he reaches the Imperial City, his life and death will truly not be his own!”
“Just wait and see. Unless Marquis Chiye abandons the border and returns directly, that good-for-nothing will surely die! And he will die a very miserable death!”
At this point, Tian Jingyi changed his tone and looked at Tian Yilin: “So don’t take that kid too much to heart. Focus on recovering from your injuries and try to heal them before arriving at Xuanlin Academy!”
Tian Jingyi took out a porcelain bottle and handed it to Tian Yilin.
“This is?”
Tian Yilin curiously took it.
“There are three drops of High Grade Body Tempering Liquid in here. If you recover from your injuries before arriving at the Imperial City, using these three drops of Body Tempering Liquid will make up for the time lost! Your second uncle sent a message that this year is different from previous years; there will be a grand competition during the Xuanlin Academy’s entrance ceremony! You must strive to get into the top ten!”
Tian Jingyi said in a deep voice.
“Okay!” Tian Yilin’s face was filled with excitement.
Tian Jingyi, however, showed no joy on his face, saying with a serious expression, “On the way to Xuanlin Academy, I want you to be patient! No matter how Chen Zheng provokes you, do not get into another conflict with him, and even more so, do not give him an opportunity to attack you! I want you to arrive safely at the Imperial City! Understand?”
Tian Yilin felt a bit unwilling in his heart. Wouldn't this make him seem afraid of Chen Zheng?
But looking at Tian Jingyi’s stern gaze, he could only nod in agreement.
Tian Jingyi sighed, “I will depart for the Imperial City a day before you. Tong’er is dead, and I, your father, do not wish for any further accidents to befall you!”
Tian Yilin asked in surprise, “Father, are you also going to the Imperial City?”
He remembered that Tian Jingyi was very reluctant to go to the Imperial City. Had he changed his mind now?
Tian Jingyi was a bit helpless: “I, your father, must go… to offer a humble apology!”
Tian Wuji sent a message, giving Tian Yilin three drops of High Grade Body Tempering Liquid and giving many instructions, his words full of peace, but he did not mention a single word about Tian Lie’s death or Chen Zheng’s matter!
But the more so, the more uneasy Tian Jingyi felt!
He certainly didn’t want to go to the Imperial City… but he dared not not go now!
...Late at night, in the Chen Residence’s small courtyard.
Chen Zheng put away the Wind and Thunder Saber Technique Secret Manual. Because of his Mental Energy, Chen Zheng had the ability to never forget anything he read.
But even so, he still studied the saber technique dozens of times from beginning to end, trying his best not to miss any detail.
This was, after all, a Yellow Rank High Grade saber technique. If he rushed to Cultivate it without first thoroughly understanding the Secret Manual, it would only be half the effort for twice the result.
He let out a long breath, already having some of his own understanding of the Wind and Thunder Saber Technique in his heart.
The Flowing Cloud Saber Technique's key lies in “speed” and “deception,” suitable for surprise attacks!
The Wind and Thunder Saber Technique, however, is more suitable for frontal combat, being not only fast but also fierce! If one can Cultivate it to the Major Achievement Realm, the saber light can cut out the sound of thunder, intimidating the enemy’s mind.
“Let’s try practicing first!”
Chen Zheng stood up, preparing to go to the secret chamber to Cultivate.
He wanted to Cultivate the Wind and Thunder Saber Technique to Minor Achievement before setting off. This was not arrogance on his part, but rather because the Wind and Thunder Saber Technique shared some commonalities with the Flowing Cloud Saber Technique on certain levels!
Now that his Flowing Cloud Saber Technique was at Perfection, Cultivating the Wind and Thunder Saber Technique would only yield twice the result with half the effort!
Just as Chen Zheng was about to activate the mechanism, his body suddenly froze, and he spun around abruptly.
“Who!”
Chen Zheng shouted sharply.
He saw a figure appear in the shadows of the small courtyard at some unknown time. He looked closely and couldn't help but frown: “Mr. Xu?”
The person who came was none other than the Xuanlin Academy examiner, Xu Hanliang.
“I apologize for disturbing you late at night, Young Marquis!”
Xu Hanliang stepped out of the shadows, a gentle smile on his face, no longer bearing the indifferent look he had in the Hunting Ground.
“Mr. Xu, you’ve come uninvited. There must be something important?”
Chen Zheng retreated, putting distance between himself and Xu Hanliang, not daring to relax his guard.
After all, this was a Tiangang Realm master!
Xu Hanliang didn't mind Chen Zheng's caution, and smiled as he looked towards the entrance of the small courtyard: “Little girl, don’t hide. I have no ill intentions.”
Chen Hongying walked out from behind the wall, her red-tasseled spear slung over her back, her expression cold, with a hint of solemnity in the depths of her eyes.
Xu Hanliang's gaze fell on Chen Zheng, and he said directly, “Young Marquis, I am here only to offer you a suggestion.”
Not sensing any hostility, Chen Zheng’s expression relaxed a bit, and he cupped his fists, saying, “Mr. Xu, please speak.”
In the Hunting Ground, this Mr. Xu had intentionally helped him conceal his abilities, so he still had a good impression of him.
Xu Hanliang said with a serious expression, “On this trip to the Imperial City, do not hide your abilities. Within Xuanlin Academy, the more of a Prodigy you are, the safer you will be!”
“This junior is dull; please explain more clearly, Mr. Xu.” Chen Zheng frowned.
Xu Hanliang nodded: “Before this entrance ceremony, after gathering the seven hundred and twenty Prodigies from the thirty-six cities, there will be a grand competition!”
“Those who rank in the top thirty will receive generous Cultivation resource rewards! The top twenty can enter the Imperial Family’s Scripture Pavilion to choose one Yellow Rank High Grade Secret Manual! The top ten! Can be conferred as Imperial City Captains, leading a thousand soldiers!”
“The first place! Can be summoned by Emperor Yuan and conferred… as a Young General!”
Chen Zheng’s breathing hitched, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Young General? Does he have real power?”
Xu Hanliang smiled and said, “Naturally, he does! And this grand competition was initiated by Emperor Yuan. I don’t know the specific reasons, but one thing I am very sure of is that Emperor Yuan attaches great importance to this matter!”
As he spoke, Xu Hanliang’s expression became serious again: “Young Marquis, since you have decided to go to the Imperial Capital, then you must achieve a top ten, or even first place, in the grand competition! Only then can you ensure your life is safe!”
