Chen Jiuyang’s death in full view of everyone spread like wildfire through Suzhou and Hangzhou.
“Although Chen Jiuyang was bloodthirsty, he was a man.”
“Indeed, he didn’t disgrace us Dragon Country people.”
“Alas, it’s a pity he offended the King of Zhennan, otherwise, he would have achieved great things in the future.”
Many lamented, then began to ponder, “In that case, isn’t the Saintess of the Han clan, the True Demon, now single again?”
Many minds began to stir. Chen Jiuyang’s death was merely news to most, having no relation to them.
The news reached the Six Gates in Fengcheng.
In the Chief Constable’s office of the Six Gates, Xi Butui stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, hands clasped behind his back. He slowly turned and looked at the woman reporting the news, “Is the information confirmed?”
The woman in the qipao revealed a sneer, “The King’s Consort personally saw Chen Jiuyang’s corpse. Do you think the King’s Consort would lie to you?”
Xi Butui asked, “Is the Young Master safe?”
The woman in the qipao replied, “The Young Master took the King’s Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir, so naturally, he is fine. Otherwise, do you think even with the King’s high regard for you, you would be safe if the Young Master died?”
Xi Butui nodded slowly. No matter how powerful Chen Jiuyang’s unorthodox methods were, they were merely a hidden move. Taking the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir ensured his survival. It was for this very reason that Zhou Fangzun seized the opportunity to deal with Chen Jiuyang. Otherwise, if his son had died, Zhou Fangzun would have personally come to Suzhou and Hangzhou to kill Chen Jiuyang.
Although the deployment of the Nine Golden Tokens this time was for personal revenge, there was room for maneuver in public opinion. Therefore, when deploying the Golden Token King’s Order, Chen Jiuyang or Zhou Wushuang’s names were not mentioned.
This was done to provide Zhou Wushuang with a reason and leeway to walk the world once his injuries healed.
A cold smile played on Xi Butui’s lips, “Then spread the news that the Young Master is alive.”
“Hehehe,” the qipao-clad woman chuckled, “You truly know how to add fuel to the fire.”
“Some ants have been bothering me for too long. It’s too good for him to die like this,” Xi Butui said coldly.
The news of Chen Jiuyang’s death spread, followed closely by the news that Zhou Fangzun’s son was still alive, causing immense anger both openly and secretly among countless people.
“Chen Jiuyang possessed peerless talent. If he hadn’t fallen, our Dragon Country would surely have gained another Heavenly Realm King. We initially thought that if Zhou Fangzun’s son died and he used a borrowed knife to kill, we could still accept it. But now, his son is not dead, yet Chen Jiuyang was forced to his death by his Nine Golden Tokens. Does Zhou Fangzun take us for fools? Does he treat the lives of us Dragon Country people as a game?”
“Heh, don’t say that. Zhou Fangzun also made a contribution this time. The Zhennan Army apprehended a big rat that had been lurking in Suzhou and Hangzhou for many years.”
“Is that his contribution? That’s a contribution Chen Jiuyang exchanged with his life!”
“Utterly shameless!”
Zhou Fangzun’s plan this time was flawless. Even if the world knew the truth, they would find no reason or excuse to attack him or shake his position.
Suzhou and Hangzhou.
The Chen family patriarch found Li Fengzhu, “General Li, the case in Suzhou and Hangzhou, and the enemies Chen Jiuyang killed, should be enough to grant him a marquis title. Why should your Zhennan Army seize the credit?”
“I know!” Li Fengzhu said gravely, “I have already reported the matter. We will await the news from above. Above will not let our legion soldiers feel disheartened. You can rest assured.”
The Chen family patriarch’s face was filled with grief, but his heart was blooming with joy.
Your son, Zhou Fangzun, is not dead and wants to infuriate us. But our Chen Jiuyang is not completely dead either. When Chen Jiuyang awakens, perhaps your faction, Zhou Fangzun, will be enraged.
He who laughs last, laughs best. After this great tribulation, Zhou Fangzun will never be able to lay a hand on Chen Jiuyang again.
The Chen family patriarch had recently been feeling like he had heart disease. Chen Jiuyang caused trouble every few days, and this time he almost lost his life. If he were to awaken, they absolutely could not allow him to act so recklessly anymore.
Longjing.
The Ministry of Rites.
A group of officials were arguing fiercely.
“The main force behind the Suzhou and Hangzhou case was the King of Zhennan’s Nine Golden Tokens, which completed the matter with thunderous force. The credit for this case should belong to the King of Zhennan.”
“However, the Tianqi Legion has appealed, stating that this matter was led by their legion’s Major Chen Jiuyang, and detailed evidence is available. If the credit is given to the King of Zhennan, the Tianqi Legion might petition the Dragon Capital’s Red Wall.”
“Giving credit to the Tianqi Legion offends the King of Zhennan. Giving it to the King of Zhennan offends the Tianqi Legion. We will be the ones to bear the blame.”
“Enough, there’s no need to argue. The Tianqi Legion wants to grant the sacrificed Chen Jiuyang a marquis title, a mere nominal honor. Moreover, news has arrived that the King of Zhennan’s son is not dead. If the credit for this case is given to the King of Zhennan, the populace will not accept it. If this truly alarms those few within the Red Wall, we will all lose our positions.”
“Based on Chen Jiuyang’s military achievements, he is sufficient to be granted a marquis title. Should he be posthumously ennobled as Marquis Fengyang according to the usual custom?”
The usual custom was that the posthumous title was formed by selecting a character from the region or identity of the enfeoffed person, combined with a character from their name.
“Forget it, see the task through. We don’t need the usual character for the marquis title. Let’s use a name that reflects his fame, Marquis Jiuyang.”
“Nine is the extreme, which is not very good. Nine also means profound. Ennobling him as Marquis Xuanyang would be acceptable.”
“Agreed, let it be so.”
…
Muddled, Chen Jiuyang awoke, finding himself in a vast white space.
His vision then shifted to a scene of green waters and lush mountains, Qingzhu Village.
He saw a young Chen Jianmin and Zhang Xiuzhen, holding a tiny infant boy in their arms.
“Is this me?”
Chen Jiuyang looked somewhat dazed.
Immediately after, the scene accelerated. He grew up rapidly, attending kindergarten, primary school, middle school, high school, and university. He had his first girlfriend and his first summer job.
The joy of being admitted to university, the delight of having a girlfriend, the sense of accomplishment upon receiving his first paycheck.
He was very simple back then, only wanting to study diligently, graduate from university, pursue postgraduate studies, become a doctor, and live a peaceful, ordinary life.
Until that night when his father had an accident…
He witnessed the cruel reality. He pleaded with all his relatives, but no one paid him any heed, which drastically changed his disposition.
Then, after obtaining the divine physician’s inheritance, he transformed, becoming selfish, heartless, and ruthless.
The scene then shifted to the mansion in Suzhou and Hangzhou, Wang Juyuan and Fu Niang, Da Sha and Lu Jueqing.
Chen Jiuyang’s expression stirred.
The scene then changed again, and he personally witnessed the tragic deaths of Number One and five others before his eyes.
“Boom!”
A thunderous clap echoed, and Chen Jiuyang was suddenly plunged into a dark abyss, hearing the venomous roars of those he had personally killed:
“Chen Jiuyang, I wish you a terrible death!”
“Go to hell with us!”
“Chen Jiuyang, I died horribly, all because of you. Go to hell, and never find peace in eternal damnation.”
“You should suffer and repent in hell for generations!”
Every scene of him killing someone flashed before his eyes, and his expression began to blur.