It was tolerable until Chen Yudao brought up the murder. When he did, Chen Zhiyuan’s anger sprang up in an instant.

He spilt everything without hesitation, "It was my greed, when I went to capture the escaped miners, I seized a lot of innocent villagers. It was then Commander Ye intercepted me."

"You..." Chen Youdao never expected Chen Zhiyuan to admit it so easily.

He immediately shifted the blame, "So it was you who caused the tragedy, I was kept in the dark all this while!"

"Shut up! I’m not asking you!" Chen He refused to listen to all that. Hence he scolded to stop him.

Chen Zhiyuan continued, "After being detained, Commander Ye gave me the Sound Transmission Talisman and told me to report to the Chen family. So, I reported to Chen Youdao. But Chen Youdao’s attitude was menacing, which led Commander Ye to decide to kill one man a day until we paid the ransom."

"Did Commander Ye ask for a ransom from Chen Yudao at first?" Chen He asked.

Chen He was trying to understand the whole story to perceive Ye Liuyun’s personality.

"No, he only asked Chen Youdao to come and redeem us." Chen Zhiyuan responded.

"Mhm, keep going!" Chen He nodded, without saying anything further.

"The following day, Chen Youdao was thrown into jail together with a few lower-class elders and disciples," Chen Zhiyuan continued, "He claimed that they came to settle the scores with Commander Ye but was captured instead."

"Every day, one of us would be nominated to be executed. They were all appointed by Chen Youdao! Three of us have been killed over three days and today is the fourth day. This is all I know."

Chen He asked again, "What about the alleged abuse in prison that Chen Youdao mentioned?"

Chen Zhiyuan answered truthfully, "It was them who spoke inappropriately! None of us guards was beaten!"

Chen He nodded, and he suddenly unleashed his Divine Soul to invade Chen Zhiyuan’s Ocean of Consciousness, which scared him.

But soon, his Divine Sou returned to its Ocean of Consciousness.

He smilingly explained to Ye Liuyun: "Haha, if I hadn’t confirmed it, I would’ve thought that he was forced to sign some contract!"

Ye Liuyun laughed it off and said, "Grand Administrator Chen, feel free to check any of these men, I have only spoken the truth!"

Chen He chuckled, "Commander Ye, don’t worry too much, I’m merely acting according t the Chen family’s rules."

Of course, it was his duty to check to prevent spies from infiltrating the Chen Family.

What puzzled him was why Chen Zhiyuan, who had been arrested, didn’t seem to hold any grudge towards Ye Liuyun. Instead, he seemed to have more issues with Chen Youdao.

But he didn’t have Soul Searching Technique like Ye Liuyun and couldn’t perform searching. He could only make sure Chen Zhiyuan wasn’t being controlled by someone else.

Eventually, he wa relieved after learning the truth.

"Do you have anything else to say?" Chen He looked at Chen Youdao.

Knowing that his lies wouldn’t work anymore, Chen Youdao used the Chen family’s status as his shield. "Grand administrator, even if we were at fault first, he cannot simply arrest our people and kill!"

"After all, I am an administrator for the Chen family. If I don’t maintain my dignity in front of these mercenary troops, how will I handle them in the future!"

Chen He snorted coldly as he scolded. "A family’s bodyguard’s job is to manage the affairs of the Chen family, not towards the mercenary groups other than the Chens. But you, you’re playing the tyrant under the cover of the Chen family’s name!"

Ignoring him, Chen He turned to Ye Liuyun. "Commander Ye, I have understood the situation now. It was our wrong in the first place, and our people were acting unreasonably causing you trouble."

"Please state how many of our men are here and I will pay all their ransom. But for Chen Youdao, I’m not redeeming him back. I would have to trouble Commander Ye to deal with him!"

"HGrand administrator is indeed a straightforward person!" Ye Liuyun responded with a salute towards Chen He.

Subsequently, he ordered his men to drag Chen Youdao away, freeing the rest and had them wait outside the grand hall.

Chen Youdao wailed and begged for mercy. However, he was mercilessly knocked unconscious on the neck by a soldier before being hauled away. The other disciples of the Chen family were then brought forward to Chen He.

Standing before him, Chen He noted that his guards seemed unscathed. The female disciples showed no visible injuries, while the male disciples and elders only had minor wounds. Feeling reassured, he let his worries settle.

As he was about to offer Ye Liuyun a ransom, he counted the people and enquired as to how much should be paid.

However, Ye Liuyun generously waved a hand and laughed, “How can I take money from Grand Administrator Chen, who is so understanding? It is not a big deal. Just take them back. We wouldn’t have needed you to make this trip if not for Chen Youdao’s senseless meddling."

"But since you’re here, I greatly appreciate your approach to handling matters. If you don’t mind, I would like to invite you all to enjoy a good meal and wine that is rare on this frontier battlefield."

"I’ve recently recruited some weapon-refining master and wish to purchase some low-priced metal ores from you to craft fifty thousand sets of armours and weapons for my soldiers."

"It’s a way for me to compensate your disciples for the hardship in prison they’ve suffered these few days."

"I know you’re a busy man, so I won’t keep you for long. I reckon it’ll only take about one or two hours at the top. What do you think?”

Instead of accepting his money, Ye Liuyun invited them to a banquet and proposed a business deal. Considering the large order of fifty thousand sets of armour and weapons, Chen He had no reason to refuse.

“Haha! How can I refuse Commander Ye’s invitation? Especially considering you are now our business client!” Chen He accepted.

Following his agreement, Ye Liuyun arranged for a banquet. Tables were set up and extended from inside to outside the grand hall, serving various meats and fine wines.

He called over Master Wei, Cao Meng, and others and paired them up with the officials and guards who came with Chen He.

To take care of these guests, more servants and maids were arranged, which made the entire celebration rather lively.

Ye Liuyun himself engaged in a fulfilling conversation with Chen He.

First, he discussed his need for armour and weapons.

"The armour needs to be larger than used by an ordinary martial practitioner, because of the large build of Demi-beasts. I wonder what kind of ores Grand administrator Chen can recommend and how much is the approximate price.”

Chen He believed Ye Liuyun’s offer and started doing the quotations for Ye Liuyun. While Master Wei, Cao Meng and the others were cordially toasting with the disciples and guards brought by Chen He.

Seeing Chen He and Ye Liuyun seriously discussing business, both the disciples and guards tactfully held in their Divine Sense to avoid eavesdropping on their conversation.

Added to that the maids and servants were constantly shuttling back and forth serving dishes and pouring wine. Ye Liuyun seized the opportunity to launch a Divine Soul attack and enter Chen He’s Ocean of Consciousness. In it, he instantly planted a Slaving Seal on him.

He then swiftly searched his soul and quickly withdrew.

His action had been stealthy and swift.