Wu Zhi Nian’s emotions were in disarray.
He had treated Tao Qi Yue well all these years.
Since Tao Qi Yue had forbidden him from touching her, Wu Zhi Nian had truly refrained.
But now—
Tao Qi Yue was nestled in Chen Jin Zhao’s embrace, displaying a delicate, dependent demeanor.
This incensed Wu Zhi Nian.
All his years of dedication had only earned him a dismissive remark about incompatibility.
Anyone would be furious!
“And you, Wu Cheng Yang, as a scion of the Wu family, you’ve benefited from our grace yet betrayed our secrets to Chen Jin Zhao. You deserve to die!” Wu Zhi Nian’s voice was icy, as if he wished to slay Chen Jin Zhao and Wu Cheng Yang on the spot.
“Qi Yue, come back!” Wu Zhi Nian demanded.
“If you return, I promise not to kill Chen Jin Zhao. How about it?”
Tao Qi Yue’s heart wavered.
If Chen Jin Zhao were truly in danger, she would not hesitate.
Chen Jin Zhao knew her thoughts and said, “Don’t mind what he says. I’ll take you away from this place, and no one will dare to stop us.”
“You’re asking for death!!!” Wu Zhi Nian’s rage flared.
“Chen Jin Zhao, do you have the guts to fight me fairly? If you can defeat me, I swear I won’t stand in your way.”
“If you lose, Qi Yue stays!”
Chen Jin Zhao said indifferently, “Do I look like a fool to you?”
He would not agree to such a duel.
Having finally found Tao Qi Yue, Chen Jin Zhao could not afford the slightest mishap; otherwise, he would live with guilt for the rest of his life.
Confidence did not equate to overconfidence.
It certainly did not mean putting Tao Qi Yue in peril.
Tao Qi Yue pursed her lips, already understanding Chen Jin Zhao’s feelings.
This made her heart bloom with joy.
Wu Zhi Nian was surprised that Chen Jin Zhao refused, and gnashed his teeth, saying, “How can you be such a coward? If you don’t even have this courage, how can you protect Qi Yue, let alone give her happiness?”
“Wu Zhi Nian, stop your nonsensical ramblings. I appreciate your efforts over the past few years, but we are truly not suited for each other.” Tao Qi Yue’s words were like salt in an open wound.
The wounded Wu Zhi Nian roared to the sky.
“Ahhhh!”
“Qi Yue, how could you treat me like this?”
“I refuse to accept this!”
“I will kill Chen Jin Zhao!”
Facing Wu Zhi Nian’s death threat, Chen Jin Zhao glanced back at Wu Zhi Shan and said calmly, “If you don’t want to see what just happened again, you’d better restrain this madman and not let him block my path.”
Wu Zhi Shan had initially been enjoying the show.
If Chen Jin Zhao had taken the bait and agreed to duel Wu Zhi Nian, it would have been ideal.
He had never expected Chen Jin Zhao to resist the lure.
Wu Zhi Shan felt both angry and helpless. He could only say to Wu Zhi Nian, “Zhi Nian, let them leave.”
Wu Zhi Nian, naturally, refused.
He still vowed to kill Chen Jin Zhao.
Wu Zhi Shan had no choice but to pull Wu Zhi Nian aside and whisper a few words in his ear.
Wu Zhi Nian seemed to have heeded Wu Zhi Shan’s words; the anger on his face gradually faded, and finally, he relented, saying, “Fine, I’ll listen to you.”
Wu Zhi Shan breathed a sigh of relief.
If Wu Zhi Nian continued to make a scene, it could bring significant trouble to the family.
The Wu family could not afford such a loss.
Wu Zhi Shan composed himself and said to Chen Jin Zhao and the others, “You may leave!”
Chen Jin Zhao did not hesitate, taking Tao Qi Yue’s hand and leaving.
Wu Cheng Yang cast a deep glance back at the Wu family before quickly following.
From this point onward.
They would likely be considered enemies by the Wu family.
Returning would be an almost impossible opportunity.
The three of them successfully left the inner city of the Wu family and reached the port on the island.
Tao Qi Yue remained silent, her lips pressed together.
Even now, she couldn’t believe this was not a dream but a reality.
Chen Jin Zhao said to Wu Cheng Yang, “Take another look at this place.”
Wu Cheng Yang was slightly taken aback, “Does Mr. Chen intend to…”
“Blow this place up?”
Chen Jin Zhao chuckled and shook his head. “I wouldn’t be so reckless. If this place were destroyed, the other factions would certainly not stand idly by.”
If that were not the case, Chen Jin Zhao would have acted long ago.
Why wait until now?
“Then what does Mr. Chen mean…” Wu Cheng Yang was puzzled.
Chen Jin Zhao’s smile vanished, “This is your homeland, after all.”
Wu Cheng Yang understood.
After one last look at his homeland, Wu Cheng Yang and Chen Jin Zhao stepped onto a speedboat and departed.
Only when the three of them boarded the warship was the mission considered complete.
Throughout the entire process.
Tao Qi Yue clung to Chen Jin Zhao, afraid that he might disappear.
She also feared that this was a dream she would eventually wake from.
After a turbulent journey.
Chen Jin Zhao and Tao Qi Yue returned to their residence.
It was only then that Tao Qi Yue’s tears began to fall, and she poured out her longing for Chen Jin Zhao over the years.
The thought of Tao Qi Yue having been in that place for years filled Chen Jin Zhao with heartache.
He caressed Tao Qi Yue’s cheek and said, “I never forgot you. I still remember the white dress you wore when we first met, and your black canvas shoes.”
“You left without a word back then.”
“I didn’t have the courage to look for you. That was my fault.”
“It’s not your fault, really,” Tao Qi Yue said.
“And you? What have you experienced all these years?”
Chen Jin Zhao recounted his tumultuous years to Tao Qi Yue. When she learned that Chen Jin Zhao had suffered from amnesia for three years, her eyes filled with concern.
The suffering this man had endured was far greater than she had imagined.
They remained awake all night.
As the sun rose from the east, Chen Jin Zhao planned to take Tao Qi Yue back to Jiangnan first, and then they would travel to the capital together.
Luo Feng would handle the aftermath in Lingnan.
Chen Jin Zhao trusted him completely.
Meanwhile.
The Wu family was holding an emergency meeting to discuss how to deal with the upcoming troubles.
Chen Jin Zhao’s forceful arrival to reclaim someone had severely violated the bottom line of the hidden powers. It was they who always dealt with others in such a manner; no one had ever dared to treat them this way!
Chen Jin Zhao was the first!
Therefore.
The Wu family contacted other factions overnight, hoping to stand united at this time and teach Chen Jin Zhao a lesson.
The other sects and families had no objections.
Chen Jin Zhao’s arrogance had reached a point where they could no longer tolerate it.
The Five Clans and Eight Sects reached a preliminary agreement: each faction would send one or two representatives to Lingnan to attend the conference hosted by the Wu family. They would discuss how to deal with Chen Jin Zhao at this meeting.
Wu Zhi Nian was the most proactive, requesting permission from his family to take the initiative and kill Chen Jin Zhao.
The meeting lasted a full seven days.
Finally, the Five Clans and Eight Sects devised a plan: each faction would send one expert at the Shackled Realm, forming a formidable team of thirteen. They would assassinate Chen Jin Zhao discreetly.
Once Chen Jin Zhao was dead.
The newly elected spokesperson for Huaguo would certainly lack the courage to wage war against the hidden powers.
In this way.
The transcendent powers of the Five Clans and Eight Sects would once again become the rulers of this realm.