“Investigating Chief Constable?” Ji Lengyue’s expression turned grave, her tone heavy, “Chen Jiuyang, you’d better give me a reasonable explanation!”
“Do you know that after my parents sacrificed themselves, it was the Chief Constable who raised me? He taught me martial arts from a young age, which allowed me to enter the Six Gates at an exceptionally young age!”
Chen Jiuyang’s heart sank. He had never expected Ji Lengyue to have such a connection with Xi Butui.
It seemed Xi Butui had been very thorough in his dealings, both inside and out. Chen Jiuyang recounted the events concerning the Yao family in meticulous detail to Ji Lengyue.
After listening to Chen Jiuyang’s account, Ji Lengyue’s brow furrowed. She remained silent for a long time. “It’s highly probable. For so many years, almost everyone only had contact with the Chief Constable, but never saw his family. Even when he taught me martial arts, he either came to my home or called me to the Six Gates.”
“If things are indeed as you say, then the Chief Constable should be brought to justice!”
Ji Lengyue harbored a deep hatred for evil. “Even though he taught me martial arts and raised me, I will not shield him when hundreds of lives from the Yao family are at stake!”
Chen Jiuyang said, “I’ve thought about this for a long time. You are the only one suitable for this task. You only need to ascertain the health condition of Xi Butui’s family, and then I will know if he is the mastermind.”
Ji Lengyue nodded. “This matter is on me. I will investigate it thoroughly. Just wait for my news.”
Given the gravity of the situation, Ji Lengyue did not dally. She turned and drove away immediately.
As Chen Jiuyang was about to head home, he received a message from Lin Buwen: “Jiuyang, congratulations on winning the Fengcheng Martial Rankings championship.”
“Elder Lin, has your injury fully healed?” Chen Jiuyang asked with a smile.
“I have to thank you for your treatment, Jiuyang,” Lin Buwen said directly, “Do you have time to come to Rongtai Manor to discuss matters concerning Yue Xian?”
Chen Jiuyang gave a wry smile. “Alright, I’ll come to Rongtai Manor now.”
After he had been intimate with Lin Yuexian, Lin Buwen had called Lin Yuexian away. He knew Lin Buwen would want to speak with him, but he hadn’t expected Lin Buwen to wait until this moment to contact him.
Chen Jiuyang arrived at Rongtai Manor once more. In the living room of the villa where Lin Buwen and Lin Yuexian resided, Lin Buwen was alone, brewing tea. Upon seeing Chen Jiuyang arrive, he smiled and said, “You’re here, Jiuyang. Come and sit.”
Chen Jiuyang sat down readily.
Lin Buwen said, “Jiuyang, regarding Yue Xian, what are your thoughts?”
Chen Jiuyang was silent for a moment. “I am confident in my ability to advance to the Earth Realm Marquis. I can then marry Yue Xian with proper ceremony.”
“I know,” Lin Buwen chuckled. “Even a fool in Fengcheng knows you are practically guaranteed to advance to the Earth Realm.”
“Relying on your master’s reputation, my Lin family has had an easier time in Fengcheng recently. What I want to ask is, who will be the madam of your Marquis Manor in the future?”
Chen Jiuyang was taken aback. “Elder Lin, what are you saying?”
Lin Buwen chuckled. “Just consider it a joke. What I truly want to say is that when Yue Xian was young, her father betrothed her to someone.”
Chen Jiuyang was astonished. “Yue Xian has a fiancé?”
Lin Buwen nodded awkwardly. “However, Yue Xian has become your woman, and my Lin family has received much care from you. This engagement naturally becomes void. I have repeatedly tried to explain the situation to them, but they are still unwilling to accept it.”
“The other party is a prominent family from Longjing. Like my Lin family, they are scholars. My words are of no use. They want to come in person to demand an explanation, so I had to call you, Jiuyang.”
“Oh?” Chen Jiuyang’s brow furrowed. “They insist on Yue Xian marrying into their family? What era is this? Matters of love should be consensual. They are still playing by the rules of feudal society. Very well, I will meet them today and make them give up completely.”
Lin Buwen chuckled. “With your words, I am reassured. Please, follow me. They have already arrived at Rongtai Manor and are being accommodated in a separate guest villa.”
Chen Jiuyang rose and followed Lin Buwen to a villa.
Two guards in martial robes stood at the entrance of the villa. Inside, there were about a dozen people with refined demeanors and luxurious attire.
Lin Buwen introduced them. “They are the Ji family from Longjing.”
“This is Ji Ke, Yue Xian’s fiancé,” Lin Buwen pointed to a distinguished-looking, handsome young man at the forefront.
Ji Ke also saw Chen Jiuyang beside Lin Buwen and said with a frown, his voice cold, “You are the stray dog trying to steal my wife!”
Chen Jiuyang replied calmly, “No.”
Ji Ke was taken aback and looked at Lin Buwen in confusion.
Then, Chen Jiuyang said, “Yue Xian is my woman, but she is not your wife. You merely have a betrothal agreement. Why should she be considered your wife?”
“Well said, glib-tongued and sharp-witted!” Ji Ke said coldly. “It seems I need to teach you a lesson so that you, this stray dog, can clearly understand your lowly position!”
As he finished speaking, a Xuan Realm master charged towards Chen Jiuyang.
“Hmph!” Chen Jiuyang snorted coldly. A silver needle shot out, and the Xuan Realm master was immediately immobilized by Chen Jiuyang’s needle pinning his acupoints.
Ji Ke’s expression shifted slightly. “A Xuan Realm Grandmaster. No wonder you are so audacious!”
Lin Buwen chuckled. “Nephew Ji, allow me to introduce you. This is Chen Jiuyang, the youngest genius Grandmaster in Fengcheng, and also the direct disciple of Marquis Feng Han of Feng Province.”
Ji Ke’s expression changed again. “So you dare to claim my wife because you have backing! But even if your master is a Grandmaster, he cannot contend with my Ji family. My father is a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel. With a single decree, he can strip your master of his Marquis title!”
Chen Jiuyang chuckled. “It doesn’t matter. As long as you can do it. Furthermore, what if your father is a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel? Can he force Yue Xian to marry you? If you have the ability, then do it. Why travel all the way to the Yao family in Fengcheng to demand an answer?”
“Do you think I’m a pushover that you can manipulate at will? Let me tell you, Yun Jingbai, the daughter of the Fengcheng Prefect, is severely injured and is currently undergoing my treatment. As an international star promoting Chinese culture, Yun Jingbai has the privilege of direct access to the Emperor. If you dare to do anything to me, I will have Yun Jingbai impeach your father. Use the excuse of abuse of power. When the Six Gates investigate your Ji family, let’s see if you can still be so arrogant!”
Ji Ke’s face turned pale. He had never imagined Chen Jiuyang possessed such influence. Although his father was a fifth-rank official, he did not have the qualification for direct access to the Emperor; only fourth-rank officials did.
Ji Ke gritted his teeth. “Yue Xian and I were childhood sweethearts and loved each other. Mr. Chen, name your price. What will it take for you to return Yue Xian to me?”