Wang Qingze collapsed to the ground, his already pale face turning as white as paper. His mouth twitched, his lips turned blue, and his limbs shook violently.

Is he here to settle accounts with me? Terrified, Wang Qingze could only arrive at this one conclusion; he couldn't think of any other reason.

"Qingze, what are you doing? Why can't you even stand steady?" Zhou Yingqiang frowned, his words tinged with displeasure. Although he found his brother-in-law passable, there was a significant gap between him and the Zhou Family, so he naturally looked down on him.

"Could the Three-Bag Elder's death have scared you witless? I heard that Elder Cao Hua died a gruesome death. His body wasn't even left in one piece!" someone nearby remarked with a shiver.

"Even so, there's no need to be this scared! You're a grown man, for heaven's sake! What kind of behavior is this? You're a disgrace!" Zhou Yingqiang rebuked angrily.

The others also started murmuring, their words filled with contempt and ridicule. As a son-in-law who had married into the prominent Zhou Family, Wang Qingze was looked down upon here.

Wang Qingze struggled to get up, but his legs were shaking so violently he couldn't find his strength. After several attempts, he collapsed back to the ground in utter embarrassment.

"Useless!" Zhou Yingqiang mocked.

"Are you really this much of a coward? Are you even a man?"

"Just throw him out! Don't let him embarrass us here!"

The crowd jeered, but no one offered a helping hand.

Feeling a pang of empathy, Chen Yang shook his head helplessly and walked toward Wang Qingze.

Seeing Chen Yang approaching, Wang Qingze was consumed by a burning panic and cried out in horror, "I, I..."

"Brother-in-law! My name is Chen Yang, I'm Yufei's boyfriend. It's a pleasure to meet you!" Chen Yang reached down to help him up, whispering in his ear, "You know who I am now, don't you? Can you keep it a secret for me?"

Wang Qingze was startled at first. Yufei's boyfriend? But isn't he Qin Qiu's husband? What's going on...?

He didn't dare to dwell on it, however, and hastily nodded. "I... I can! I absolutely will not reveal a single word!"

"Good!" Chen Yang smiled, helped him to his seat, and then returned to his own.

Zhou Yingqiang's expression darkened slightly, and the others pursed their lips. Chen Yang's gesture had undoubtedly painted them as villains.

Zhou Jingyuan gave Chen Yang a meaningful look and nodded to himself before turning to Wang Qingze. "Tell us, what exactly happened with that incident at the Martial Association?"

Wang Qingze took a deep breath. Only after his turbulent thoughts had settled slightly did he reply, "It was a personal grudge. Elder Cao Hua offended someone he shouldn't have!"

"Oh? And who did he offend? Who would be so bold as to kill someone at your Martial Association branch and even have the Martial Department clean up after them?" Zhou Yingqiang asked.

Wang Qingze glanced at Chen Yang, his voice trembling. "It was... it was the Zhennan Prince!"

"What?!" Zhou Yingqiang's pupils contracted, and his voice jumped several octaves in sheer disbelief.

The others were also dumbfounded, staring intently at Wang Qingze.

Wang Qingze continued, "I overheard some of the men from the Martial Department. They said they were acting on the orders of the Zhennan Prince!"

"So you're saying the person who killed Elder Cao Hua was the Zhennan Prince himself?" Zhou Jingyuan asked.

"I... I think so!"

Everyone was stunned into silence for several seconds. It was no wonder Wang Qingze was so scared. Who wouldn't be weak-kneed and terrified when facing such a powerful figure?

"Go and get the surveillance footage from your Martial Association and bring it to me!" Zhou Jingyuan commanded.

"Yes, yes! Let's see what this great man, who was made a prince before he was thirty, actually looks like! It would be an honor to behold his magnificence!"

Zhou Yingqiang added, "If we can find out where he's staying, I'll have our Songquan pay him a visit. Wouldn't that ensure his future prospects soar sky-high?"

"The men from the Martial Department took all the surveillance hard drives," Wang Qingze said, shaking his head. "Besides, the Zhennan Prince isn't someone just anyone can meet."

Zhou Jingyuan sighed. Indeed, how could the Martial Department not have thought of something he had?

"It's true that ordinary people can't meet him, but my Songquan is no ordinary person! He's young and accomplished, a cut above the rest. If there's an opportunity, the Zhennan Prince would definitely make time to meet my Songquan!" Zhou Yingqiang said, his regret mingled with pride.

"Uncle, even if you meet the Zhennan Prince, what good would it do? He can't help your Songquan get promoted or rich," Chen Yang said indifferently.

"Humph!" Zhou Yingqiang snorted coldly. "What do you know? With the kind of status the Zhennan Prince holds, just getting connected and building a good relationship with him would make Songquan's promotion to Eighth Rank Military General a certainty!"

"Are you so sure the Zhennan Prince is that kind of person, Uncle? What if it backfires and you anger him instead?" Chen Yang chuckled.

"You..." Zhou Yingqiang was furious. Why did this damned punk always have to contradict him?

Zhou Jingyuan waved his hand. "Alright, that's enough! The food is here, let's eat."

Just as everyone was about to pick up their chopsticks, a series of footsteps sounded from outside.

Three people entered, all in martial attire. The man in the lead was dressed in a general's uniform, draped in a python robe. The robe was a deep green with gold-threaded edges, embroidered with a four-clawed python in black silk. The great beast was depicted looking up to the heavens, its large, bell-like eyes sharp and solemn, instilling awe in all who saw it.

In the entire Martial Department, only Military Generals of the Fifth Rank and above were qualified to wear such a python robe. The newcomer's identity was obvious.

Instantly, everyone at the table stood up. Many wore unnatural expressions that soon morphed into looks of fawning flattery.

"Haha!" Zhou Yingqiang laughed heartily as he went to greet the man. "Songquan, I thought we agreed you'd be back tomorrow? Why are you early?"

Zhou Songquan stood over 1.8 meters tall. He had a sturdy build and a pair of tiger-like eyes that gleamed brightly. He radiated a natural, imposing presence even more intense than Zhou Jingyuan's. Standing there, he was like a great mountain, making it difficult for others to look him directly in the eye.

Walking into the hall, Zhou Songquan smiled and greeted, "Dad, Mom, Grandpa!"

He simply gave the others a slight nod by way of acknowledgment.

"Chen Yang, why are you still sitting? Get up, quickly!" Zhou Yufei urged, seeing that Chen Yang hadn't moved.

Chen Yang was speechless. "Aren't we all family? Is it necessary to be so formal?"

"Just get up!"

Chen Yang remained seated.

Many shot angry glares at Chen Yang, thinking him utterly clueless.

Only Wang Qingze offered those around him a cold smile. He's the Zhennan Prince. What right does a mere Sixth Grade Military General have to make him stand up?

Zhou Songquan shot a brief glance at Chen Yang before speaking indifferently. "I heard the Zhennan Prince has appeared in Qingqiu Dao, so I returned early to see if I might have a chance to meet him. After all, I'm from Qingqiu Dao. Since I'm here, it is only right that I play the host."

"Yes, yes, you must meet him!" Zhou Yingqiang nodded repeatedly. "But will you be able to find him?"

"I've already asked someone to make inquiries in the Qingqiu Dao district. We should have results soon!"

Zhou Yingqiang smiled. "When you meet him, you must be humble and approachable. Do your absolute best to please him! It would be for the best if you could get transferred to his command!"

"Don't worry, Dad. I know what to do."

With that, Zhou Songquan's gaze shifted back to Chen Yang, his tone changing. "Who was it that injured Songyang?"

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