Yue Yunwu was a half-step Grandmaster who failed to break through to the Profound Realm. He could only barely project his true qi to attack enemies by exhausting all his vital energy.
Besides projecting their vital qi, another mark of a Profound Realm Grandmaster was the ability to transmit sound into secret, allowing Grandmasters to whisper to each other.
Profound Realm Grandmasters could not transmit sound into secret to ordinary people. Yue Yunwu, being a half-Profound Realm expert, could only hear Chen Jiuyang speak, but could not transmit sound into secret to him.
Just as Yue Yunwu accepted his fate and prepared to apologize to Chen Jiuyang, Chen Jiuyang's voice echoed in his mind again: "If you don't expose my identity and strength, I can let you go."
Yue Yunwu's expression immediately brightened.
"It's one thing for your son to disrespect me, but your son insulted my savior, Zhang Jialong. You'd best give me a satisfactory performance."
"Otherwise, hmph!"
Yue Yunwu's face turned pale, and cold sweat trickled down his back. He nodded resolutely at Chen Jiuyang.
Yue Wufeng, seeing that his father's qi attack had no effect, sneered, "As expected, you have some skill. No wonder you dare to be presumptuous in front of my father. However, I advise you to surrender and await death."
"My father, as one of the Four Grandmasters of Fengcheng, usually pays great attention to martial virtue and does not bully juniors. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been just a casual strike just now, but a serious one!"
The crowd also nodded in agreement. Yue Yunwu was renowned for his benevolence in Fengcheng, rarely making a move and always cherishing juniors. That was why everyone was willing to give Yue Wufeng face.
Yue Yunwu's heart sank, his face instantly flushed red. He was so furious that he wished he could kill his foolish son on the spot. He turned and slapped Yue Wufeng, coldly shouting:
"You scoundrel, how dare you speak so much!"
"..."
"Gah!?"
Everyone present was stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief. Yue Yunwu actually didn't attack Chen Jiuyang but slapped his own son. What was going on?
Yue Wufeng was also stunned. After a moment of愣, he asked, "Dad, why did you hit me?"
Yue Yunwu reprimanded him with deep pain, "Clearly, you were in the wrong first. Should I abet evil? Are you only satisfied when my reputation as Yue Yunwu is completely ruined by you?"
"Hehehe..." Chen Jiuyang smiled, clapped his hands, and said lightly, "Grandmaster Yue is indeed a martial arts Grandmaster renowned for his benevolence. If you hadn't stopped your attack halfway just now, I would probably be seriously injured by now..."
"???" Zhang Jialong.
"???" Zhu Yanyan.
"!!!" The unsuspecting bystanders suddenly understood. No wonder Chen Jiuyang was unharmed; it was Grandmaster Yue who voluntarily held back. The crowd immediately looked at Yue Yunwu with great respect.
Hearing Chen Jiuyang's applause and praise, Yue Yunwu's face turned red with shame. To outsiders, it seemed as if Yue Yunwu was so angered by Yue Wufeng that he was about to spit blood.
"Unfilial son, kneel down for me!" Yue Yunwu slapped Yue Wufeng, forcing him to his knees, and said coldly, "Slap yourself five times and apologize to Mr. Zhang, or I will consider you no longer my son and leave you to the disposal of young brother Chen!"
With that, Yue Yunwu flicked his sleeve and left, too ashamed to stay at the scene.
Yue Wufeng was completely bewildered by this. The bystanders applauded Yue Yunwu's noble martial virtue.
"Young Master Yue, your father has already said that if you don't apologize, you will be at my disposal. This matter is indeed your fault. Please apologize."
"Yes, Old Grandmaster Yue has such a high reputation in Fengcheng; it cannot be ruined by you. Apologize."
"Indeed."
Those around Yue Wufeng urged him to apologize.
Yue Wufeng's face suddenly turned from white to red.
Chen Jiuyang sat down, picked up his teacup, and blew on it gently. "Mister Yue, your father said that if you don't apologize, you will be at my disposal. I'll give you one last chance. Slap yourself and apologize to my brother Long, and I can let you go."
"Otherwise, when I get serious, I won't be as gentle as your father!"
Yue Wufeng's face flushed red, then suddenly turned pale. He gritted his teeth and said with a trembling voice, "Mr. Zhang... I was wrong just now. I apologize to you."
"Good," Zhang Jialong said dazedly, "I accept your apology, Young Master Yue."
After speaking, Yue Wufeng raised his hand and slapped himself five times, then got up in embarrassment and ran out of the side hall of the Yao family.
The crowd looked at Chen Jiuyang with complex expressions.
This doctor named Chen was truly lucky.
However, Zhang Jialong understood Chen Jiuyang. He pulled Chen Jiuyang aside and asked, "Brother, what happened just now?"
Chen Jiuyang chuckled and said, "That Yue Yunwu is not a true Profound Realm Grandmaster. He couldn't defeat me, so he backed down and apologized to you."
"Ah! So that's how it is!" Zhu Yanyan gritted her teeth in anger, "I've been..."
"Heh heh," Chen Jiuyang chuckled, "Miss Zhu, only a Profound Realm Grandmaster can cure your father's hidden injuries. Your father probably knew long ago that he wasn't a true Profound Realm Grandmaster, which is why he didn't agree to you being with Yue Wufeng."
At this, Zhu Yanyan became enraged and stomped her feet in frustration.
Chen Jiuyang learned indirectly today that in the vast Fengcheng, there were only four famous Grandmaster martial artists. Yue Yunwu, a half-step Profound Realm expert, could barely be considered a Grandmaster, at least stronger than those in the Yellow Realm.
However, this did not mean that Fengcheng's strength was limited to this. It was estimated that many people were unwilling to seek fame, as above the Profound Realm were Earth Realm Great Grandmasters, who were titled nobles.
At least the Zhong family, with whom he had enmity, possessed an Earth Realm Great Grandmaster.
After chatting for a while longer, Yao Zixuan came to pick up Chen Jiuyang. They arrived at the familiar pavilion by the artificial lake in the backyard. Besides Yao Qianhe, several other elders were also seated there.
It was clear that these elders were the true core management of the Yao family. Yao Zixuan's father had been sent to the main hall to receive guests.
The sudden grand gesture of the Yao family was ostensibly to build momentum to promote Yao Zixuan as the next family head, but in reality, it was to gather the core members to meet Chen Jiuyang and discuss the resolution of the Yao family's core issues.
Yao Qianhe smiled and said, "Jiuyang is here, have a seat."
Chen Jiuyang sat down and said, "Elder Yao, please speak directly. How much clue do you have about the killer?"
Yao Qianhe's smile slowly faded. "Currently, there are a few speculations, but nothing is confirmed. Today's event was a test. To truly find the killer, it will take two months. I will invite everyone under the guise of the family annual meeting."
Chen Jiuyang frowned, "Elder Yao, Zixuan only has about three months left to live. Isn't two months a bit tight? What will happen if the killer is not found?"
Yao Qianhe's expression became solemn. "This is why I called you here today. Two months from now, I will definitely find the killer."
"However, at that time, I may have to ask Jiuyang to take action."
Chen Jiuyang nodded. "It's no problem for me to take action."
Yao Qianhe said, "The most important reason for inviting you here today is for all the elders of my Yao family to witness that if I die two months from now, Zixuan will be the next family head."
"I also ask for the support of all my clan brothers."
"Agreed." The other elders nodded in unison.
The current generation of the Yao family had produced forty-nine female infants and no male heirs. Yao Zixuan was the most talented among them.
And among Yao Zixuan's father's generation, there was no one capable of taking charge.
What had just happened in the Yao family's side hall had already reached their ears. Look, just in her choice of men, Yao Zixuan was the strongest. If she doesn't become the family head, who will?
Chen Jiuyang suddenly understood. Yao Qianhe was betting his life to find the killer and continue the Yao family's destiny.
And Yao Zixuan had befriended Chen Jiuyang, and the two complemented each other. Therefore, Yao Qianhe could die, but Yao Zixuan could not, otherwise, the Yao family's destiny would collapse.
As expected of an old fox, every step was meticulously calculated.
However, with Yao Zixuan being such a beautiful and enchanting woman, Chen Jiuyang was willing to be manipulated by Yao Qianhe.
After leaving the lake pavilion, he met Yao Zixuan's father, who informed him that they would depart for Yunxi to gamble on stones the next day and that Chen Jiuyang should return and make preparations.
Chen Jiuyang left the Yao family with Yao Zixuan and headed towards his home in Ziyang County.
On the way, Chen Jiuyang suddenly asked Yao Zixuan to stop the car. He got out and said lightly, "Since you've followed, come out and let's settle this here."
More than a dozen people dressed in black assassin outfits appeared and surrounded Chen Jiuyang. "We were entrusted to do this, little brother. Meet your end here."
Yao Zixuan was shocked. Someone wanted to kill Chen Jiuyang right after he left the Yao family. Who sent these assassins?