However, Shen Qingyao suddenly interfered, joining the Demon Suppression Department and taking a mission with Chen Cheng, which caused Shen Qingxuan’s plan to fall through.

’What kind of love potion did that scoundrel Chen Cheng give Shen Qingshuang and Shen Qingyao to make them defend him so tirelessly?’ Shen Qingxuan fumed internally, then shot a resentful glance at Wang Xiongzhang beside her.

She didn’t want to follow Chen Cheng and his companion, and had long wanted to take a different route and leave, but Wang Xiongzhang, a smile on his face, insisted on tailing them.

Shen Qingxuan was helpless in this matter. In her heart, Wang Xiongzhang was broad-minded, magnanimous, and fiercely righteous—a truly indomitable man.

Shen Qingxuan had long ago lost her heart to him, so she could only go along with his wishes. Even if he was still thinking about recruiting Chen Cheng, she would follow him without a second thought.

...

In a luxurious private room of a restaurant, Jiang Lang stood quietly by the window, watching Chen Cheng and Shen Qingyao walk slowly down the street. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

He had already investigated the Purple-clothed Guard accompanying Shen Qingyao.

From a Humble Family, with exceptionally high talent in the Martial Dao. Cultivated by the Shen Family’s peerless twin beauties, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang, he reached Small Success in the Muscle Strengthening Realm at the age of nineteen.

Chen Cheng’s profile was far too simple. A man of such humble origins and with that level of Martial Arts Power was naturally beneath the notice of someone like him—the number one martial artist of Linji City’s younger generation.

But because of Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang, he had no choice but to pay attention to Chen Cheng.

’Don’t tell me the Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang sisters have secretly fallen for a nobody from a Humble Family?

’Although the scoundrel is handsome, tall, and well-built—the type young women seem to like—that shouldn’t be nearly enough to win the hearts of the notoriously proud Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang.

’After all, I’ve met that Yan Jian, another one of Shen Qingshuang’s proteges. His looks, disposition, and Martial Arts Power are in no way inferior to Chen Cheng’s.’

’Forget it. Since Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang want to cultivate him, I’ll play along for a while. Once I’ve married both Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang, I’ll crush this little ant.’

’The women I, Jiang Lang, have claimed as mine certainly can’t be this close with another man!’

At this thought, Jiang Lang raised his hand slightly and gave a few instructions to the guard who approached from behind.

... 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

When Chen Cheng and Shen Qingyao reached the Shen Family’s district in the southwest corner of the Inner City, Shen Qingyao bid him farewell. Before leaving, she took a palm-sized Brocade Bag from her robes and handed it to Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng glanced back and saw Wang Xiongzhang and Shen Qingxuan still following not far behind. Not wanting to stir up trouble, he decided against greeting them.

Unexpectedly, Wang Xiongzhang strode over with a broad smile. He cupped his fist in a warm greeting and said,

"Young Master Chen, do you have time to find a place for a few drinks?"

One can’t hit a smiling man, as the saying goes. Chen Cheng had no choice but to return the salute and smile. "I just accepted a mission and it’s quite urgent, so I’m afraid I don’t have time for drinks."

This was, of course, just an excuse. The Demon Suppression Department mission wasn’t for another three days.

Wang Xiongzhang hadn’t expected such a blunt refusal from Chen Cheng and was taken aback for a second. He quickly recovered, however, shrugging with a magnanimous air. "No worries," he laughed, "the Demon Suppression Department’s mission takes priority."

Seeing that Chen Cheng was about to leave, he added, "If you have any free time, Young Master Chen, feel free to look for me."

"Also, my elder brother, Wang Xiongba, is leaving the city to hunt demons in a few days. If you’re interested, Young Master Chen, you’re welcome to join us."

"We can all help track the Demon Beasts and split a good deal of the Merit."

"Alright. If I have time after this mission, I’ll look for you, Young Master Wang," Chen Cheng agreed with a slight nod. Without a glance at Shen Qingxuan, he strode directly toward the South Gate of the Inner City.

Back home, Chen Cheng opened the Brocade Bag from Shen Qingyao. Inside, he found five hundred taels in silver notes and a Low Grade Muscle Strengthening Pill.

"’Whoa! I wouldn’t have guessed Shen Qingyao is more savvy than Shen Qingshuang,’ Chen Cheng thought, delighted."

With this final Low Grade Muscle Strengthening Pill, he could cultivate his Dragon Eagle Muscle Strengthening Technique to the Perfection realm.

However, Chen Cheng didn’t start his Cultivation right away. Instead, he went into his courtyard to practice the Iron Armor Skill.

’He had a gut feeling that he was already entangled in the struggles between the Four Great Clans of the Inner City. The conflict between the Jiang, Wang, and Shen Families, in particular, seemed about to burst into the open.

’But there was nothing to be done. I’ve received so many benefits from the Shen Family that I’m already in the same boat with them. There’s no getting off now.’

From the few words he’d heard from Jiang Lang and Wang Xiongba, Chen Cheng had a faint suspicion that the Jiang and Wang Families were likely targeting Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang.

’He couldn’t figure out the specifics, but he knew that at the Demon Suppression Department today, Shen Qingyao had unwittingly pushed him into the eye of the storm.

’And wasn’t her giving him this Low Grade Muscle Strengthening Pill a form of compensation?’

Chen Cheng gladly accepted this compensation. After all, the strength he currently projected was merely Small Success in the Muscle Strengthening Realm.

’With such meager strength, he was just an insignificant pawn in the conflict between the Four Great Clans of the Inner City. Being placed out in the open like this was, paradoxically, quite safe.

’Surely the great Wang and Jiang Families, two of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City, wouldn’t dispatch a Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm Martial Artist to kill a nobody like me just to get at the Shen Family, right?

’And if they sent a Perfect Martial Artist of the Bone Forger Realm, even if I couldn’t win, I could definitely escape. The worst-case scenario would be hiding out in the Inner City.’

Both families had apparently decided on a strategy of recruitment. It seemed they wouldn’t recruit him openly, but rather intended for Chen Cheng to act as their informant.

Wang Xiongzhang’s act of setting aside clan rivalries was most likely the Wang Family’s attempt at recruitment.

The Wang Family had made their move. He figured the Jiang Family would soon follow.

Chen Cheng didn’t have to wait long before the person sent by the Jiang Family arrived at his door.

The visitor was none other than Yang Xingyao.

Seeing that scoundrel Yang Xingyao, Chen Cheng’s expression soured. "Constable Yang," he said coolly. "What brings you here?"

Yang Xingyao sensed Chen Cheng’s coldness but paid it no mind, chuckling as he spoke, "Young Master Jiang sent me to discuss a few things. I wonder if Mr. Chen has a moment to spare?"