Chapter 35: The Return

In Xin'an County, everyone knew there were two places one must never go: Chongxin Ward, the territory of the Tiger-Subduing Gang, and Ningxin Ward, the territory of the Three Rivers Gang.

The influence of these two great gangs in Xin'an County was second only to the official government, yet they were far more unreasonable than the authorities.

If anyone not belonging to the respective gang attempted to approach these wards, they would certainly be rebuked by the guards; in severe cases, they would be beaten.

But today, a tall young man dressed in coarse linen clothes ignored this prohibition and walked straight toward the entrance of Chongxin Ward.

A guard immediately shouted

"Stop! Who are you?"

The tall young man smiled slightly and cupped his hands.

"My name is Chen Erniu, Commander of the Hundred Weapons Hall Guard Force. I ask this brother to grant me passage."

Upon hearing this, the guard immediately stepped forward two paces, and his originally straight back bent slightly.

To be associated with the title "Commander" meant the man was at least a Marrow-Refining martial artist, someone a mere Skin-Refining guard like himself could not afford to offend.

However, he quickly regained his composure and said

"Commander Chen, please present your identity copper token."

The tall young man said indifferently, "I have lost my identity copper token."

The guard's back straightened again.

"Lost? How am I to know if you are telling the truth or a lie?"

The tall young man said unhurriedly, "I am well-acquainted with Wei Wuding, a Deacon of the Hundred Weapons Hall, and Yu Zhenchuan, the Deputy Commander of the Guard Force. Go and report, and you will know if I speak truth or falsehood."

Seeing that the man spoke with such authority and seemed to be telling the truth, the guard's back bent once more.

"Please wait a moment, Commander Chen. I shall go and report this."

With that, he turned and jogged into Chongxin Ward, leaving only one guard to watch the gate.

The tall young man wore a smile as he looked up toward the horizon, his gaze distant.

This person was none other than Chen Yuan. It had been half a month since he had plucked the spiritual herb for the black-clad youth.

In the valley, he had quenched his thirst with mountain springs and satisfied his hunger with wild fruits. Relying on his remaining three Essence Pills and undergoing two sessions of Starlight Body Tempering, he had replenished his depleted essence blood and fully healed his injuries before leaving the valley.

He had trekked through the Chiman Mountains for four days, selling a hunted wild boar to exchange for silver. He bought a blank ledger and a set of coarse linen clothes, then hired a carriage, taking two days to finally return to the county city.

However, his identity copper token had been destroyed by the Yin Winds in the cave. Since the Tiger-Subduing Gang had dozens of Marrow-Refining martial artists, the guard did not recognize him, which was why he had resorted to mentioning the names of Wei Wuding and Yu Zhenchuan.

He wondered, what kind of attitude would the Tiger-Subduing Gang have toward him now?

...

By the time the guard, led by a handyman from the Hundred Weapons Hall, found Wei Wuding, the latter was recovering from injuries at home.

Upon hearing that Chen Yuan had returned, Wei Wuding ignored the thick white bandages wrapped around his shoulder and sprang to his feet.

"Quick! Invite him to wait in the reception hall of the Hundred Weapons Hall. Do not commit any discourtesy!"

After the guard left, he handed his own identity jade token to the handyman and instructed

"Go find Deputy Commander Yu Zhenchuan and tell him to host Chen Erniu."

"Yes!"

The handyman took his orders and left. Wei Wuding hurriedly rushed out of his residence and arrived at the gates of a three-entry courtyard.

The courtyard was vast, and the plaque bore the gilded words "Marquis's Manor"—it was the residence of Hou Yan, the Hall Master of the Hundred Weapons Hall.

Seeing it was Wei Wuding, the gatekeeper opened a side gate and invited him in directly, skipping the formalities of reporting.

Wei Wuding walked through the corridors straight toward the backyard.

Hou Yan was practicing martial arts. Dressed in plain white training robes, he moved through his forms slowly, contemplating the profound mysteries of his technique.

He was of medium build, over fifty years old, with three short tufts of beard under his chin. Seeing Wei Wuding, he smiled.

"Wuding, why have you come?"

Wei Wuding said urgently, "Master, Chen Erniu is back!"

Hou Yan's expression changed instantly. He ceased his practice and commanded, "Report this to the Gang Leader immediately. I shall change my clothes and head to the Council Hall."

...

A quarter of an hour later, the Council Hall of the Tiger-Subduing Gang was filled to capacity.

The Gang Leader, Luo Zhenwu, was a tall man with a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, possessing an aura of natural authority.

The Hall Masters and Deputy Hall Masters of the three halls were lined up on both sides, with Wei Wuding standing behind Hou Yan.

Luo Zhenwu spoke with a solemn expression, "Chen Erniu has returned. I wish to hear your opinions on how we should respond."

The Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall exclaimed, "What? He actually survived! It is fortunate we did not touch his family, otherwise, we would have incurred a blood feud."

The Hall Master of the Shennong Hall frowned. "Just what is this Chen Erniu's background? To possess the strength of the Astral Force at such a young age... he has been lurking in our gang all this time. Could he be a spy for the Three Rivers Gang?"

The Law Enforcement Hall Master shook his head. "Unlikely. After Nephew Wei returned from the mountains, I personally led men to Chen Family Village to investigate thoroughly. Chen Erniu's background is clean; he is merely a son of a poor farming family. It is impossible for him to be a spy for the Three Rivers Gang."

"Then where did his martial arts come from?"

"That, I do not know..."

A Deputy Hall Master of the Shennong Hall added, "Regardless, he must have other motives, otherwise there would be no need to hide his strength."

"He is merely an Astral Force martial artist. We can simply arrest and interrogate him."

"You make it sound easy. If he were just an ordinary Astral Force martial artist, would he dare to return so brazenly? To have such audacity, he must have something to rely on."

"What, are we supposed to worship him? He was taken away by an Immortal. Perhaps he possesses an Immortal Fate. Are you not envious of such a fate?"

"Immortal Fate is not so easily obtained! It is not as if I have never seen an Immortal; they do not care for us mortals at all. That Chen Erniu being able to keep his life is already quite good. Seeking Immortal Fate? Dreaming!"

The crowd fell into a heated debate.

Hou Yan did not speak. He lightly stroked his beard with his eyes half-closed, appearing to be in deep meditation.

Sitting at the head, Luo Zhenwu's gaze slowly swept over the crowd before he suddenly spoke.

"Hall Master Hou, Chen Erniu belongs to the Hundred Weapons Hall. What is your view on his return?"

The crowd fell silent and turned to look at Hou Yan.

Hou Yan opened his eyes, cupped his hands toward Luo Zhenwu, and said, "Reporting to the Gang Leader, Chen Erniu has always worked under Wuding. Wuding knows him best. Perhaps let Wuding share his views."

Luo Zhenwu looked at Wei Wuding behind him. "Nephew Wei, how do you view this matter?"

Under everyone's gaze, Wei Wuding reflected carefully before saying, "Reporting to the Gang Leader, Chen Erniu was usually honest and diligent. He was brave in times of trouble and always willing to help others. He was very well-liked in the Guard Force and had no record of misconduct. However, all of this was before he revealed his Astral Force strength. I fear those records may no longer hold weight, and I do not know what his intentions are for returning."

Luo Zhenwu nodded slightly. "Based on your description, this man is either naturally kind or possesses a deep and calculating mind... Regardless, he is ultimately a disciple of our gang, and our gang has never mistreated him. If he harbors no malice, we shall keep him."

The Shennong Hall Master frowned. "Gang Leader, keeping such a calculating individual in the gang may not be a good thing."

The Law Enforcement Hall Master echoed, "Indeed, Gang Leader. Who knows what schemes he holds? We must not nurture a tiger that will eventually cause trouble!"

Luo Zhenwu's brow furrowed. "Do not forget that the struggle between our gang and the Three Rivers Gang is intensifying. How great a boost would an additional Astral Force martial artist be? Chen Erniu's background is clean and he has no history of misconduct. Even if he is calculating, so what? Suppressing the Three Rivers Gang is our utmost priority!"

With that, he rose and walked out of the hall.

The others exchanged glances and hurriedly rose to follow him.

...

While the leaders were deliberating, Chen Yuan was chatting and laughing with Yu Zhenchuan in the reception hall of the Hundred Weapons Hall.

Chen Yuan smiled and asked, "After I left, did you encounter any more trouble?"

Yu Zhenchuan replied with a cautious, conciliatory smile, "Everything went smoothly. It was thanks to the Com... Commander's heroic strength in repelling that demon tiger that we were able to save our lives."

He sat opposite Chen Yuan but did not dare to sit back fully, leaning forward with cold sweat beading on his forehead.

He still could not forget the shock of seeing Chen Yuan unleash a blade aura to fight the giant tiger on equal terms when the beast's paw had snapped Wei Wuding's shoulder.

The man who used to call him "Senior Brother" every day was actually an Astral Force expert!

And when Chen Yuan ascended into the sky with the Immortal, Yu Zhenchuan's eyes had nearly popped out of his head.

Was this still the same honest and diligent Chen Erniu?

This time, since Wei Wuding had instructed him to welcome Chen Yuan, he no longer acted with the casualness he once had. He was trembling and walking on eggshells, not daring to be even slightly impudent.

Chen Yuan was also no longer as simple-minded as before. Although he wore only coarse linen, he was composed and possessed an extraordinary aura, making Yu Zhenchuan even more cautious.

Just as Yu Zhenchuan felt the tension becoming unbearable, Chen Yuan suddenly looked toward the door.

Yu Zhenchuan followed his gaze and saw a large group of people walking grandly around the privacy screen toward them.

Leading them was the Gang Leader, Luo Zhenwu, followed by the Hall Masters and Deputy Hall Masters of the three halls, with Wei Wuding walking at the very rear.

Chen Yuan rose to meet them, cupped his hands, and bowed.

"Erniu greets the Gang Leader."

Luo Zhenwu walked into the reception hall, reached out to steady Chen Yuan, looked him up and down, and said, "No need for such formalities. It is good that you returned safely. It was thanks to you holding off the demon tiger in the Chiman Mountains that the caravan did not perish. You have done a great service to our gang. We were worried sick during these days of silence, and we are finally glad to have you back!"

Chen Yuan smiled. "I am honored by the Gang Leader's concern."

"Come, sit down and tell me everything. What did the Immortal take you to do? Was it dangerous?"

Luo Zhenwu made no mention of Chen Yuan hiding his strength; his powerful, square face was filled with genuine concern.

Chen Yuan took the opportunity to tell his story smoothly.

"The Immortal flew me for a day and a night to a mountain peak. Beside it was a ten-thousand-foot precipice, where endless Yin Winds howled from below. Seeing that I possessed great strength and a robust physique, the Immortal had me climb down to find something for him..."

(End of Chapter)