The Qin Royal Family's estate covered over five thousand square meters. It backed against Qingyin Mountain with the Lingjin River meandering past its front. The entire estate, surrounded by shady green trees and with few people around, had crisp, clear air. It resembled a primeval giant beast sprawled on the ground, emitting an aura of solemnity and antiquity.

The place where Qin Qiu and the others were held was on the outermost layer, a place seldom visited by the core disciples of the Qin Family.

A short while later, one of the middle-aged men guarding them received a phone call. He then pointed at Qin Gang, Qin Mo, and Luo Sulan, and said to the men beside him, "I'll take these three away first."

Finally, the middle-aged man pointed to Qin Qiu. "And her... you all keep a close eye on her here. The Family Head and the Eldest Master will be here later."

"Yes!" the others nodded in succession.

"Xiaoqiu, remember, just go along with them for now. Don't put yourself at a disadvantage!" Qin Gang admonished again as they were about to be separated. "And don't worry too much. We'll be safe for the time being."

Qin Qiu nodded. But how could I possibly not be worried?

After that, Qin Gang and the others were taken away, leaving Qin Qiu standing alone, feeling even more lost and uneasy. She had promised Chen Yang she would return to Tianque City with him for the festival today. But now...

「At the same time.」

In the Qin Family's rear garden, spring was in full bloom, and a hundred flowers vied for beauty.

Amid the profusion of flowers, an elder dressed in black and purple regalia was meticulously tending to the precious plants with a pair of scissors in one hand and a spray bottle in the other. He was over eighty years old, yet his skin was free of age spots and he was full of vigor. He stood tall and straight, and his movements were agile; just looking at him, one would never guess he was an octogenarian. This was Qin Lie, the current Family Head of the Qin Family and Qin Gang's father.

Hearing approaching footsteps, Qin Lie snipped off a half-wilted leaf and asked casually, "Is everything taken care of?"

The newcomer was, of course, Qin Zhuo.

Qin Zhuo picked up the purple clay teapot from the coffee table and respectfully handed it to Qin Lie. "Father, I've brought Qin Gang and his whole family. Qin Qiu, the head of the Qin Corporation, is waiting in the front courtyard. Do you want to go see her?"

"What about that Sixth Grade Martial General?" Qin Lie asked, setting down his tools and taking the teapot.

"I didn't go looking for him. Wouldn't it be better to let him come to us?" Qin Zhuo replied with a smile.

Qin Lie took a sip from the teapot's spout and smiled faintly. "Does he dare?"

"Haha, Father, you are absolutely right."

"Let's go take a look at this great-granddaughter of mine," Qin Lie said, leading the way out of the garden. "Judging from her photo, she should be more than a match for that boy from the Li Family, right?"

"She is indeed quite a beauty."

***

A business van slowly pulled to a stop at the main gate of the Qin Royal Family's estate. Yang Hu and Chen Yang got out of the vehicle.

Staring at the imposing gateway and the two giant, six-meter-tall stone lions flanking it, Yang Hu couldn't help but exclaim, "This Royal Family is really something else! Just look at this facade. Even the imperial palaces of old couldn't compare to a tenth of this, could they?"

Chen Yang said nothing, walking straight toward the gate. Yang Hu hurriedly followed.

They had just stepped onto the staircase, not yet having knocked.

CREAK.

The large gate opened from the inside, and a man of about fifty years old stepped out. This was Qin Mu, one of the stewards of the Qin Royal Family, primarily responsible for the security of the entire Qin estate. He had noticed them on the surveillance monitors the moment the van stopped, which led to this scene.

Looking at the young man before him, Qin Mu was inwardly stirred. Having followed Qin Lie on his travels in his youth, his experience and insight were far beyond that of an ordinary person. This young man looks utterly ordinary, but those eyes, and the intangible aura about him... they are exceptionally rare.

After sizing him up, Qin Mu asked politely, "Young Master, may I ask who you are looking for?"

"I'm looking for Qin Qiu," Chen Yang stated.

"Oh?" Qin Mu frowned slightly. "May I ask what business you have with her?"

"I'm here to pick her up," Chen Yang said nonchalantly, his hands clasped behind his back.

Qin Mu raised an eyebrow, already displeased. 'Pick her up'? What does he mean by that?

"I don't understand what you mean," Qin Mu's tone turned considerably darker. To speak so arrogantly... he simply doesn't know his place. In all my decades, I've never seen someone dare to be so presumptuous before the Qin Royal Family.

"She promised to return to Tianque City with me for the festival." As he spoke, a smile couldn't help but tug at the corner of Chen Yang's lips.

"Heh..." Qin Mu let out a laugh. Does this fellow not realize this is the Qin Royal Family?

However, before he could speak, Chen Yang continued, "Qin Qiu is my woman."

Qin Mu was speechless. Decades of trials and tribulations had forged his temperament to be as steady as a rock, yet at this moment, a ripple of disturbance ran through it. What an arrogant young man.

Qin Mu chuckled. "Kid, look up. This is the Qin Royal Family."

"So what?" Chen Yang shrugged. "What does that have to do with me taking Qin Qiu home for the festival?"

Qin Mu fell silent again. His expression visibly turned cold as he said gloomily, "Kid, you're far too arrogant."

Chen Yang just smiled without a word. We haven't even started fighting, so how am I being arrogant?

In the courtyard, Qin Qiu noticed the commotion. She took two steps forward, and upon seeing it was Chen Yang, the apprehension on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a surge of joy. She then broke into a run, heading straight for him.

Chen Yang noticed her too, a broad smile blooming on his face.

"Hmm?" Qin Mu frowned. A guess quickly formed in his mind. Many in the Qin Royal Family know that Qin Qiu found a husband who is a Sixth Grade Martial General.

Thinking of this, Qin Mu decided to act. Qin Qiu is about to be married into the Li Family. How can we allow her to be in contact with another man? If word of this got out, what would outsiders think of the Qin Family?

Qin Mu took a single, fluid step, seeming to ride the wind. The movement was light, yet it concealed an explosive inner strength.

"Old man, it's best you don't interfere with a husband and wife's reunion," Yang Hu said with a wide grin. He had no intention of getting involved; instead, he leaned comfortably against the doorframe, watching with great interest. This was naturally something Chen Yang should handle himself.

Chen Yang strode forward and simply waved his right hand.

BOOM!

As if struck by a massive hammer, Qin Mu was sent flying backward. He spewed blood mid-air before crashing into the large gate behind him, which finally stopped his momentum.

CRACK.

The five- to six-meter-tall gate, built from solid wood, splintered on impact, a web of countless cracks spreading across its surface.

Qin Mu coughed up a large mouthful of blood, his face a mask of utter shock. Th-This... how is this possible?

He was stunned into silence.

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