If Mao Yong’s granddaughter could marry Jiang Lang as a concubine, the relationship between the Mao and Jiang Families would naturally become more stable.

With the backing of a great power like the Jiang Family, they could enjoy decades more of prosperity.

...

「Inner City District. The Wang Family Estate.」

In the council hall, Wang Tingxuan sat on the large Patriarch’s throne, his expression dark.

Wang Xiongying stood respectfully to one side, his eyes holding an equally sinister glint.

With such a major incident occurring at the Zheng Martial Arts Hall, the Wang Family had naturally received the news immediately through their network of spies.

The fact that the Wind and Rain Tower had dispatched Bing Cui, the Yama of Death, and still failed to kill Chen Cheng, was undoubtedly a great shock to both Wang Tingxuan and Wang Xiongying.

The Wang Family had numerous spies in the Jianghu and possessed a much deeper understanding of the Wind and Rain Tower’s assassins.

The Wind and Rain Tower might recruit its D-level assassins randomly from the Jianghu, but those at C-level and above were, without exception, powerful martial artists cultivated by the organization itself.

Any given C-level assassin was capable of easily killing a Perfect Martial Artist of the Muscle Strengthening Realm.

As for Bing Cui, he was the top C-level assassin and had never failed a mission—otherwise, he would never have earned the formidable title "Yama of Death."

At present, the strongest members of the Zheng Martial Arts Hall were just two instructors at the level of Muscle Strengthening Realm Perfection.

With Bing Cui’s martial arts power, he could have swaggered right up to their front door and still escaped unscathed.

Bing Cui was only there to assassinate Chen Cheng, who was merely at Small Success in the Muscle Strengthening Realm. There was no conceivable reason for him to fail. Even if he had accidentally been discovered, there was no way he could have been killed.

But not only had Bing Cui failed to kill Chen Cheng, he had died in the Zheng Martial Arts Hall. It simply didn’t make sense.

"Grandfather, do you think it’s possible... that the Zheng Martial Arts Hall has a hidden Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist?" Wang Xiongying ventured cautiously.

Wang Tingxuan shot him a look and said coldly, "How can you even be thinking about that right now?"

Wang Xiongying paused, taken aback, and looked at Wang Tingxuan in confusion.

With a dark expression, Wang Tingxuan said, "The assassination failed, and the identity of the Wind and Rain Tower’s assassin, Bing Cui, has been exposed. Shouldn’t you be more concerned about how to handle the aftermath?"

Wang Xiongying replied, "It was the Wind and Rain Tower that made the move. Surely they can’t trace it back to our Wang Family?"

Wang Tingxuan sighed softly. "You’re still too young.

If the assassination had succeeded and Chen Cheng had died, it would have caused an uproar throughout the entire city. Even if someone wanted to investigate, their first priority would have been to find a way to appease Zheng Hun’s wrath.

But since the assassination failed, everyone will be speculating about who posted the Hidden Flower."

It dawned on Wang Xiongying, and his eyelid twitched. "Are you saying... our Wang Family is the prime suspect?"

Wang Tingxuan snorted. "Hmph. It’s not too late, so long as you realize the problem!

Anyone paying attention would immediately think that the Wang Family posted the Hidden Flower.

If Chen Cheng had died, the entire city of Linji would have had to bear Zheng Hun’s fury together. In that case, our Wang Family would naturally have had nothing to fear.

But as it is, only our Wang Family has openly challenged Zheng Hun’s authority. If he decides to settle the score later, he’ll come for our family and our family alone.

The other three great families are probably just waiting in the wings, eager to watch the drama unfold!"

"Then what should we do?" A surge of panic coursed through Wang Xiongying.

With the Wang Family’s Ancestor in residence at their Inner City District estate, they naturally had no fear of Zheng Hun.

But the other members of the Wang Family, and all the forces under their control, would not be able to withstand Zheng Hun’s retaliation.

Once Zheng Hun returned, even he, Wang Xiongying, would have to live in constant fear every time he stepped outside!

But Wang Tingxuan was the Wang Family Patriarch, after all. He had weathered countless storms. His gaze suddenly turned sharp, filled with a murderous aura.

He waved his hand dismissively. "Zheng Hun isn’t in Linji City, and he won’t be back anytime soon. There’s no need to worry for now. Even if he does return, our Ancestor will be there to keep him in check.

The Jiang, Qin, and Shen Families want to sit back and reap the rewards while we do the dirty work? How could our Wang Family let them get away with that?

We’ve been laying our plans for so long; of course we have other moves to make. In the end, Linji City will answer to the Wang Family, and the Wang Family alone."

...

「The next day.」

Chen Cheng rose early as usual to begin cultivating the Martial Dao.

As the target of a C-level Hidden Flower bounty from the Wind and Rain Tower, Chen Cheng was well aware of who was behind it. ’It’s almost certainly someone from the Inner City Wang Family!’

’Of course, I can’t rule out the possibility that it was the Jiang Family from the City Lord’s Mansion. They might be taking their anger over Mr. Zheng out on me, secretly posting the Hidden Flower to frame the Wang Family.’

’But whether it was the Jiang Family or the Wang Family, it all pointed to one thing: for the time being, no martial artist from the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm would come to kill me.’

’After all, Mr. Zheng’s influence was ever-present. If a Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm martial artist truly dared to make a move, based on my understanding of Mr. Zheng, all the martial artists at or above the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm in all of Linji City would probably be in for a major reshuffling!’

’As for a Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist coming to kill me, that was a much greater possibility.’

’But, with my current martial arts power, what reason do I have to fear a Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist? If one comes, I’ll kill one. If two come, I’ll slay a pair!’

’Under my Qingfeng Saber Intent, there will never be another assassin of any renown who comes for me, because Bing Cui was the last.’

’Anyone else who dares to try will just become another pile of bones!’

[Qingfeng Saber Intent Cultivation Progress has increased.]

...

Notifications from the panel appeared from time to time.

As he comprehended the Wind Chasing Youth Demon-Slaying Map in his mind, Chen Cheng felt his cultivation progress accelerating much faster than usual.

’Perhaps it’s because I’m facing a crisis that my mind is so highly focused.’

Thinking this, Chen Cheng slowly opened his eyes. A faint smile touched his lips as he looked toward the courtyard gate.

"Brother Cheng, look who’s here?"

Mu Xiaowan, beaming, led Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang into the courtyard.

Shen Qingyao wore a moon-white gown and a touch of makeup. Even the bindings around her chest seemed to have been loosened, creating a rather... prominent effect.

Her stunning face was wreathed in a radiant smile, adding to her soft, feminine charm.

As for Shen Qingshuang, although she still wore her purple Chief’s uniform from the City Guard Department, she had also applied light makeup. Her "peaks" were subtly even more magnificent than Shen Qingyao’s.

Though she only wore a faint smile, her limpid eyes were filled with affection, a stark contrast to her usual ice-cold demeanor.

Chen Cheng was secretly puzzled as to why the two sisters had come together, and why they were acting so out of character. He stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said:

"Greetings, Senior Sisters."

"Junior Brother Chen, no need for formalities," Shen Qingyao chuckled.

Shen Qingshuang’s delicate brows furrowed, however. She shot a glance at Shen Qingyao and said, "Shen Qingyao, you’re not a disciple of Master Zheng. What right do you have to call him Junior Brother?"

Shen Qingyao puffed out her chest and said haughtily, "Don’t you forget, Shen Qingshuang, I’m a disciple of Master Gongsun. Even Xiaowan has to call me Senior Sister, so of course Chen Cheng has to as well."

"Hmph!" Shen Qingshuang snorted and ignored her, turning to Chen Cheng with a serious expression. "Junior Brother Chen, you and Xiaowan must have been frightened by what happened last night.

With Master away, as a True Disciple, I should be doing more to help the Martial Arts Hall."

Shen Qingyao also chimed in with a look of concern, "When I heard there was trouble at the Martial Arts Hall, I was worried sick about you."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sisters," Chen Cheng said with a smile. He and Mu Xiaowan then invited the two women into the main hall for tea and conversation.

Once in the main hall, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang again pressed them for details about the previous night.

Chen Cheng and Mu Xiaowan were prepared for this and simply gave a few vague answers to brush off their questions.

They had just exchanged a few pleasantries when the old servant, Shi Fangdong, hurried in to report that Qin Ruiyang, the Vice Marshal of the Protectorate Army, was seeking an audience.

So Chen Cheng went out to the front courtyard to receive him.

There, he saw Qin Ruiyang, clad in armor, standing with his head held high as he surveyed the True Disciple’s residence.

The personal guards accompanying him were also in armor, long sabers at their waists, and they carried a number of gift boxes.

When he saw Chen Cheng emerge, a flicker of surprise appeared in Qin Ruiyang’s eyes. After carefully observing Chen Cheng’s physique and bearing, his inner shock only grew.

After all, he had personally witnessed Chen Cheng joining the Zheng Martial Arts Hall and later entering the Double Courtyard.

He never thought that in such a short time, Chen Cheng would have suddenly become Mr. Zheng’s closed-door disciple.

He was even living in the True Disciple’s residence—a privilege that he, the most senior True Disciple, had never been granted.

Qin Ruiyang suddenly felt that in this junior brother before him, he could faintly see a shadow of their master, Mr. Zheng.

In fact, to some extent, this junior brother seemed even more astonishing than Master Zheng himself.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Qin," Chen Cheng said with a smile, cupping his fists.