The锦衣卫 captain clutched his head, letting out a pained cry. He glared at Chu Chen with hatred. "Brat, how dare you hit me!"
*Slap!* Chu Chen's backhand slap left the锦衣卫 captain stunned.
The other锦衣卫 guards were even more bewildered. They had never seen Chu Chen make a move before.
"What are you gawking at? Attack me!" The锦衣卫 captain, enraged, roared and lunged towards Chu Chen.
Suddenly—a powerful force swept through, striking everyone's chests. They all tumbled to the ground in disarray.
Chu Chen clapped his hands, a mocking smile on his face. "You wretches, you've already lost before I even made a move."
"You..." The锦衣卫 captain's face turned crimson, his whole body trembling with anger.
He had never suffered such humiliation!
"Get lost!" Chu Chen waved his hand, a faint smile on his lips. "I don't have time for you! Go to the Disciplinary Department and accept your punishment."
The锦衣卫 captain gritted his teeth but dared not utter another word. He scurried away, fearful of being beaten even worse if he lingered.
The morning sun bathed the land.
The shops lining the streets had already opened for business. A carriage approached from afar and stopped in front of the teahouse.
Chu Chen leaped from the carriage, pushed open the door, and strode in. He carried a bundle, his expression calm and unruffled.
Inside the teahouse, Chu Chen scanned the surroundings, searching for his seat.
"Guest, please sit," the teahouse waiter greeted him warmly upon seeing Chu Chen.
Chu Chen nodded indifferently and walked to a seat by the window, placing his bundle on the table.
"Waiter, am I late?"
"Oh, no, Young Master Chu, you've arrived just in time," the waiter replied with a smile. "The tea has already been served. Please wait a moment."
Chu Chen said no more. He picked up the teacup on the table and savored it slowly, his dark eyes fixed on the window.
The teahouse gradually became lively. Many people were discussing the recent major events in the capital, chattering animatedly.
"Young Master Chu." Abruptly, a woman's voice broke the silence, startling Chu Chen. He turned his head and looked towards the beautiful woman walking in from the entrance.
The woman wore a pink silk dress and had a pretty, charming face. A sweet smile played on her lips as she quickly approached Chu Chen.
"I heard you went to the palace for a banquet yesterday, and it ended too late for you to return. I came to see you today."
Chu Chen's expression shifted slightly. His gaze held a hint of wariness as he asked coldly, "How do you know me?"
"I heard people say you have a close relationship with the National Preceptor, so I came to see you," the woman said, her eyes twinkling.
"Young Master Chu, please don't misunderstand. I have no other intentions. It's just that you have such a good relationship with the National Preceptor, so I wanted to become friends with you."
Chu Chen frowned, his gaze sweeping over the woman's exquisite face. "My relationship with him seems to have nothing to do with you. You can leave now."
The woman's smile froze on her face.
She had intended to use the National Preceptor's name to befriend Chu Chen, but she hadn't expected Chu Chen to dismiss her so readily.
Normally, the woman would have left in a huff. However, Chu Chen's background was extremely prominent, so she did not give up.
"Young Master Chu," the woman sighed softly. "Since you have such a close relationship with the National Preceptor, I'd like to ask you a favor."
Chu Chen raised his eyelids and glanced at her indifferently. "You ask me for a favor, yet you don't even use a proper address?"
"You want me to introduce you to the National Preceptor?" The woman's eyes suddenly lit up. "Are you willing?"
"I refuse." Chu Chen stood up and slowly walked towards the door.
His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
"You..." The woman stood up in a panic and quickly called out, "Young Master Chu, even if the National Preceptor doesn't agree, it doesn't mean you can't help me.
I'm willing to pay you. My father is the Minister of Personnel." The Ministry of Personnel was a third-rank position, forcing Chu Chen to re-examine the woman's identity.
"Sorry, I'm not interested." With that, he opened the door and walked out, leaving the woman looking mortified.
"Damn it!" The woman clenched her fists, her eyes filled with intense venom.
She had finally met someone close to the National Preceptor, only to find that he wouldn't even give her a chance!
Chu Chen walked to the end of the street before stopping. His expression remained indifferent, as if nothing could stir a ripple in his heart.
"Master, who was that woman just now?"
Chu Chen lowered his gaze. "The daughter of the Minister of Personnel, Liu Yuchen's sister, Liu Xirou."
"The Liu family? Isn't that the National Preceptor's maternal family? And the legitimate daughter of the Liu family has such a close relationship with the National Preceptor."
Liu Yuchen was born to the Liu clan and was currently the only male heir in the Liu family.
However, he was born to a concubine, holding a very low status in the Liu family. Even with a father who was a Prime Minister, his humble origins could not be changed.
"Heh heh, Master, this Liu family is snobbish and greedy. Why not take this opportunity to make them suffer a bit, so they don't act so high and mighty?"
Chu Chen glanced indifferently at Zhuque beside him. "No need. I have my own plans."
"Master..." Before Zhuque could finish speaking, he felt a gust of wind brush past his ear.
In an instant, the young man vanished without a trace, not even his robes leaving any sign.
"Master..." Zhuque stood with his mouth agape, dumbfounded.
He had clearly felt a gust of wind pass by him just moments ago, so how could the figure have disappeared in the blink of an eye?
However, Chu Chen's departure brought Zhuque a sense of relief. In this world, besides his Master, no one else could harm him.
Even those martial artists couldn't do anything to him...
Liu Yuchen's handsome face was ashen, his fists clenched tightly, veins bulging on his forehead. "Wastes of space! All of you are wastes!"
He had spent considerable effort getting acquainted with Chu Chen during this time, yet they couldn't even kill a woman!
"Liu Yuchen, I advise you to restrain yourself, or you'll never set foot in the Chu family's door again!" Madam Liu, Liu Yurong, was furious.
"You're truly something. For a woman, you not only got yourself seriously injured but also nearly lost your life.
Fortunately, you have a great fortune to survive, otherwise, our Liu family's bloodline would have been completely severed!"
"Mother, those people are useless. I've already sent people to capture the culprits. One day, I will personally kill him!"
Liu Yuchen took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart.
"Hmph!" Madam Liu snorted. "Don't count on Chu Yunfeng either. He won't bother with this mess!"
"Mother, don't worry." Liu Yuchen's lips curved into a sinister smile. "Before long, Chu Yunfeng's official career will be damaged because of this, and he'll no longer be qualified to contend for the position of family head."