Fengcheng.
Things have been as usual recently, but a few events have transpired.
The Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills produced by the Feng Han Marquis Manor had an issue. The Zhennan King directly suppressed it with a golden decree, halting production and sales. It was then that the Fengcheng martial arts world learned that the person backing Xi Butui was the Zhennan King. In an instant, the Marquis-affiliated faction in the Fengcheng martial arts world scattered like birds and beasts.
This also resolved a long-standing doubt for many: why Xi Butui had been able to hold the position of Chief Constable in the Fengcheng Six Doors for thirty years without being replaced.
The atmosphere in the Feng Han Marquis Manor was somber.
The Yao family had suffered a severe blow. No one had expected that Xi Butui's backer would be the Zhennan King.
Suddenly, those close to the Feng Han Marquis distanced themselves. What was once a bustling manor became deserted.
Many people secretly mocked the Feng Han Marquis.
The Feng Han Marquis sneered at home, "Mockery. They claim our Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills infringe on Taoist patents, but the formulas are clearly different, and our pills are even more effective than the Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills sold by the Taoists."
Yao Qianhe said, "Production and sales have only been temporarily halted. Even if this matter goes to court in Longjing, we will win; it's only a matter of time. However, the Zhennan King's actions are likely not aimed at you, Brother Han, or my Yao family..."
"The decisive battle between Jiuyang and Xi Butui is not far off. It's possible the Zhennan King's intervention is to target Jiuyang, cutting off his supplies or for other purposes."
As the saying goes, old ginger is spicier. Yao Qianhe hit the nail on the head.
Yao Zixuan's expression changed, and she gritted her teeth, "Why would a figure as prominent as the Zhennan King target Jiuyang..."
"It can only mean one thing: Jiuyang's current strength is truly enough to threaten Xi Butui. Otherwise, why would Xi Butui reveal his backer at this critical juncture, and so openly?" the Feng Han Marquis frowned.
At this moment, Deng Zun rushed in, "The young master's parents have been taken away by the Zhennan Army for questioning."
This made the faces of the Feng Han Marquis and Yao Qianhe turn ashen.
"Things are more serious than we thought."
Lin Yuexian's face turned pale, "How could this happen?"
She was the descendant of an official; her father had previously been a third-rank official of the Long Kingdom. She knew that when figures like the Zhennan King targeted ordinary people like Chen Jiuyang's parents, they were likely intending to kill Chen Jiuyang.
Yao Qianhe said gravely, "It seems there's a big problem. The most urgent matter now is to contact the Chen family and inquire what happened to Jiuyang in Suhang."
Immediately, the Feng Han Marquis called the Chen family patriarch: "Patriarch Chen, how is Jiuyang's situation in Suhang..."
"...Jiuyang." The voice on the other end was the Chen family patriarch's hoarse and dejected tone, recounting the true situation.
"Boom!"
The nine golden decrees forcing Chen Jiuyang to his death made the faces of the Feng Han Marquis, the Yao family, and Lin Yuexian turn deathly pale.
Yao Zixuan and Lin Yuexian's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down their faces as they wept silently.
The Chen family patriarch said, "There's no need to be so sad. As long as Jiuyang's body is not found, there is still a chance for a turnaround."
"I will notify you immediately of any subsequent news."
After speaking, the Chen family patriarch hung up. The two women cried inconsolably, and the Feng Han Marquis slumped onto his chair, his eyes vacant.
Yao Qianhe looked at Lin Yuexian with a grim expression, "Yuexian, your Lin family is a family of officials, and your father was a high-ranking official of our Long Kingdom. Although he is currently severely injured and sealed, his official position has not been revoked. Your Lin family has been biding its time for years, never using your influence in the official circles."
"Jiuyang is facing a life-or-death situation this time. The Zhennan King has calculated all the martial arts forces and powers that could be used against Jiuyang, but he overlooked your Lin family."
"Yuexian, Jiuyang's only chance of survival is likely with your Lin family."
"...I understand." Lin Yuexian's body trembled violently, and her eyes became resolute, "I'll go home right now to find my grandfather."
Lin Yuexian then stumbled out of the Feng Han Marquis Manor.
Yao Qianhe looked at Yao Zixuan, "Zixuan, you are close friends with the daughter of our Fengcheng Prefecture Governor, Yun Tiancheng. Your Jiuyang's parents must not come to any harm. You must immediately go to the Prefecture Governor's mansion and request him to help protect the safety of Jiuyang's parents."
Yao Zixuan nodded tearfully and also left the Feng Han Marquis Manor.
Half an hour later, Fengcheng was shaken.
The Feng Zhui Marquis Manor was holding a funeral for the deceased, Feng Zhui Marquis Zhong Zhuwu, who had already submitted his letter of enfeoffment as a king.
The martial arts world was in an uproar, rushing to investigate the cause of Zhong Zhuwu's death.
The cause of death of the Feng Zhui Marquis was that he died in battle while pursuing the Eastern Ying princess.
Pursuing the Eastern Ying princess?
The Fengcheng martial arts world felt a sense of unfamiliarity.
But soon, they pieced together the events and were once again shocked.
The Zhennan King moved against Chen Jiuyang, and Zhong Zhuwu unexpectedly became the sole support for the Zhennan Army. The stated reason was the pursuit of the Eastern Ying princess, but the actual reason was likely that Zhong Zhuwu intended to kill Chen Jiuyang.
The official report had been released: six people from the Tianqi Legion died in battle, 101 people from the Eastern Ying Kingdom died, Zhong Zhuwu died, and Chen Jiuyang of the Tianqi Legion was missing.
As soon as the news broke, everyone was in an uproar.
Moreover, the detailed report indicated that these Eastern Ying people were basically killed by Chen Jiuyang, not by Zhong Zhuwu.
How could they know this? As Earth Realm Grandmasters, their attack styles had long been recorded by those who paid attention. One could tell who killed them by looking at the wounds of the deceased.
Zhong Zhuwu was dead, and Chen Jiuyang was missing. It was likely that Zhong Zhuwu died at Chen Jiuyang's hands.
While everyone was in an uproar, they were horrified by Chen Jiuyang's terrifying combat power.
The Zhennan King's actions were also clear. Following this, the news of Chen Jiuyang's parents being taken away by the Zhennan Army for interrogation spread through Fengcheng again, sending chills down everyone's spines.
The Zhennan King wanted Chen Jiuyang to die.
Chen Jiuyang was following the path of enfeoffment as a Marquis. His military achievements this time were enough for Chen Jiuyang to be granted a Marquis title, provided that Chen Jiuyang could return to Fengcheng alive...
With the Zhennan King's grand scheme, Chen Jiuyang would likely find it difficult to return to Fengcheng alive.
As for the matter between Chen Jiuyang and Xi Butui, people felt some regret and sighed.
With Chen Jiuyang's formidable combat power, if he could return alive, the battle against Xi Butui would be worth watching.
Unfortunately, this battle would likely be missed.
Many people were secretly cursing Xi Butui as a despicable villain.
Subsequently, many people were inquiring about Chen Jiuyang's whereabouts, but Chen Jiuyang was missing.
A day later, news arrived that the Eastern Ying Kingdom had dispatched hundreds of elites to pursue Chen Jiuyang on the sea. Chen Jiuyang appeared, heavily wounded, killing over forty Eastern Ying nationals before escaping and disappearing again.
"Good!"
Many people, both openly and secretly, applauded and breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Jiuyang was still alive!
But they became anxious again. Why was Chen Jiuyang not returning to the Long Kingdom and remaining at sea?
Then, they remembered that Chen Jiuyang's parents were in the hands of the Zhennan Army. Even Fengcheng Prefecture Governor Yun Tiancheng had personally intervened to request their release, but he was unsuccessful. The Zhennan Army stated that the interrogation would take another six days, after which they would be released.
At this point, everyone completely understood the Zhennan King's intentions.
To use Chen Jiuyang's parents' lives to threaten Chen Jiuyang into not returning to the Long Kingdom, with a time limit of seven days.
Countless people were shocked and angered. What a scheme of killing with a borrowed knife! The Zhennan King was truly going too far!
Immediately, many people became worried. Chen Jiuyang was already heavily wounded; could he really hold on for seven days against the Eastern Ying elites?