Unrivaled Soldier in the City

Following Chen Zhongxiang’s gaze, everyone turned their attention to the Chen Family Head, Chen Lingzhen.

Chen Lingzhen had been listening with his eyes closed, not even opening them once. At that moment, he seemed to sense something, and his drooping eyelids fluttered open slightly. In that instant, two beams of light seemed to flash through the ancestral hall. They were as bright as lamps but vanished in a heartbeat.

"What do you all think?" Chen Lingzhen’s gaze swept over everyone present before he finally spoke. "Everyone, share your thoughts. I’m listening."

Hearing this, the attendees looked at one another, but no one dared to speak first.

Just then, Chen Zhongyu, the fourth son of the Chen Family, stood up from his seat, his expression grim. "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, everyone," he began. "This matter is Third Brother’s fault. Anyone who isn’t a fool can see that.

"Of course, he made a mistake. But Yang Ruoxi is only alive today because our Chen Family bestowed Tai Chi Chuan upon her. That’s the only reason she has lived this long. Otherwise, she would have been dead years ago.

"In other words, we showed the Yang Family great kindness. Yang Ruoxi’s life is a gift from us!

"Now, Third Brother’s son merely wanted to use her body for his cultivation. It’s not even certain that the girl will die. Even if she does, she’s lived more than her share of years. Isn’t that enough?

"Besides, Yang Wucheng is completely ungrateful. Our Tai Chi Chuan extended his daughter’s life for so long. Is it not perfectly reasonable for us to reclaim that life now?

"Yet they killed Third Brother and Shaowen! This matter absolutely cannot be ignored!

"I say we march directly to the East Sea and demand Yang Wucheng hand over the perpetrator. If he remains stubborn, then we’ll eliminate him too!"

Chen Zhongyu finished, his expression dark and his eyes brimming with unmistakable killing intent. Hearing his words, some frowned, while others nodded in agreement.

"I disagree, Fourth Brother. Aren’t you just distorting the facts?" a voice interjected. "Admittedly, our Tai Chi Chuan prolonged the Yang girl’s life for several years. But don’t you forget, if Yang Wucheng’s father hadn’t saved our own father, the Chen Family wouldn’t exist, and neither would any of us!

"The Yang Family did us a great kindness. We made an exception and taught Yang Ruoxi Tai Chi Chuan precisely because of that past favor! By doing so, we were simply repaying that debt. You could say our families are even now.

"But for you to now claim that Yang Ruoxi’s survival is entirely a gift from us... I cannot agree with that at all!

"And as for Chen Shaowen wanting to use Yang Ruoxi’s body to cultivate and increase his strength, I completely disapprove of such demonic methods!

"Though it pains me to admit it, Third Brother and Shaowen were in the wrong. This is their just retribution," Chen Zhongmian said, his own expression grim and his eyes filled with pain. He did not wish for Chen Zhongrui and Chen Shaowen to die either, but he could not condone their actions.

Upon hearing Chen Zhongmian’s words, some voiced their agreement while others voiced their opposition. The opinions were clearly divided.

Chen Zhongyu’s face grew even darker. "Fifth Brother, what are you trying to say? That Third Brother and Shaowen died for nothing? That we should just let the murderer walk free?"

Chen Zhongmian nodded gravely. "Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. The deaths of Third Brother and Shaowen were retribution. We can’t blame anyone else!"

"Fifth Brother, are you even a member of the Chen Family? I know you have a good relationship with Yang Wucheng in private. I’d love to know, what did Yang Wucheng give you to make you speak up for them like this?" Chen Zhongyu demanded angrily.

Chen Zhongmian’s face flushed red with anger. "Fourth Brother, how dare you make such a vicious accusation! When have I ever taken anything from Yang Wucheng? You’re being utterly unreasonable!"

"Hmph, unreasonable? All I know is that a life must be paid with a life, and a debt must be paid! Lin Kuang killed members of our Chen Family, so we must kill him!" Chen Zhongyu declared.

"They brought this on themselves! Even if Lin Kuang hadn’t killed them, they wouldn’t have lived long!" Chen Zhongmian argued back fiercely, not giving an inch. "Using such demonic methods to cultivate... What did they think they were doing? They were no different from followers of the demonic path! Have you forgotten the sole principle of the Ancient Martial Arts families for the last thousand years? When we encounter followers of the demonic path, we are to kill them on sight!"

"Heh heh... Merely using another person’s body to cultivate. At most, that’s dual cultivation. How does that make them followers of the demonic path?" Chen Zhongyu sneered. "Fifth Brother, don’t try to pin such a heavy label on me. Even if Chen Shaowen had been on the demonic path, it should have been our Chen Family that executed him. And even if someone else killed him, fine. But what about Third Brother? What did he do? Why did he have to be killed too?"

"What did he do? He helped a villain commit evil!" Chen Zhongmian retorted with a cold sneer. "His actions were even more despicable than Chen Shaowen’s. For that, he deserved to die!"

Hearing this, Chen Zhongxiang’s expression darkened further.

Eventually, their argument abandoned all reason and devolved into a shouting match. It looked as if they were about to come to blows at any moment.

Just then, the Chen Family Head, Chen Lingzhen, coughed lightly. "Sit down," he said quietly.

His quiet voice carried an undercurrent of anger, like that of a wrathful Heavenly God.

Hearing this, Chen Zhongyu and Chen Zhongmian gave a cold snort and returned to their seats.

At this, the Chen Family Head, Chen Lingzhen, turned his gaze to Chen Zhongxiang, who was seated beside him. "Zhongxiang, what are your thoughts?" he asked calmly.

"Eldest Brother, my view is simple. I agree with Fifth Brother. We cannot blame others for this," Chen Zhongxiang said calmly.

Hearing Chen Zhongxiang’s words, Chen Zhongmian let out a slight sigh of relief, grateful that his second brother was being sensible.

Chen Zhongyu’s expression soured. However, he didn’t dare casually refute Chen Zhongxiang’s words. For one, Chen Zhongxiang’s status in the family was clear. For another, his strength was absolutely terrifying.

That’s just how people are. When someone of high status and great importance speaks, they garner more support, whether it’s blind agreement or sincere belief. And just as expected, as soon as Chen Zhongxiang finished speaking, several others chimed in with their agreement, finding his reasoning sound. This only made Chen Zhongyu’s expression uglier.

"Oh? You think so too?" Chen Lingzhen looked at Chen Zhongxiang, asking again with that same calm demeanor.

"Yes, Eldest Brother," Chen Zhongxiang repeated, seemingly oblivious to the undertone in Chen Lingzhen’s words.

"But I do not think so."

Rising to his feet, Chen Lingzhen spoke calmly, but the temperature in the ancestral hall plummeted. "Zhongrui was our brother, and Shaowen was our nephew. Therefore, Lin Kuang must die!"