The middle-aged man was tall and thin, with his hands clasped behind his back. His eyes were as sharp and piercing as a hawk's. As his gaze swept over the crowd, no one dared to meet his stare. Even the briefest eye contact felt like a dagger to the back, sending a chill through their bodies.

His tone was as indifferent as the wind, yet it carried an unquestionable air of command.

This was everyone's first and most direct impression of the man: He's so powerful!

That was the effect of him merely speaking. What would happen if he drew the longsword from his back? No one could imagine.

At the sight of this man, Zhong Qian grew ecstatic and yelled with all his might, "Lord Chen, save me!"

During this trip back, Zhong Qian had happened to share a carriage with the man, who was on his way to Lingjin City on business. This man was the source of Zhong Qian's confidence, the very reason he dared to threaten Chen Yang.

As a direct descendant of the Imperial Chen Family of Cangyun City, even the Zhennan Prince would have to show him some respect, right?

The middle-aged man didn't spare Zhong Qian a single glance, his eyes fixed on Chen Yang. "Although he is but a dog of my Chen Family, he's not someone others can kill at will."

"You're from the Chen Family of Cangyun City?" Chen Yang asked with interest.

"Chen Chunliang of the Imperial Chen Family of Cangyun City!" The middle-aged man, Chen Chunliang, announced his name, his gaze hardening. "Aren't you going to scram?"

His voice rang out like a great temple bell, creating ripples in the air that shook the leaves on the surrounding trees.

Thirteenth Rank, Thousand-Faced Yama!

A deathly silence instantly fell over the area.

The Imperial Chen Family of Cangyun City.

That name alone carried a lethality that could rival the reputation of the Nine Gates Admiral. The word "Imperial" explained everything.

It was said that the four great imperial families of Cangyun City were truly supreme powers capable of blotting out the sky with one hand. Rumor had it that the Imperial Chen Family was a clan of Sword Cultivators with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years, possessing enough collective strength to topple a small nation. As the saying goes, no smoke without fire. Such rumors were likely not unfounded.

Before such a power, even the Zhennan Prince would probably have to show some deference. Involuntarily, everyone began to wait for Chen Yang to reveal his own identity so they could shake hands and resolve things peacefully.

While Zhong Qian breathed a huge sigh of relief, he couldn't suppress a smile. Although Chen Chunliang had called him a dog of the Chen Family—which sounded harsh—it was the truth. His promotion to the Eighth Rank was entirely the result of the Chen Family's maneuvering.

Having just been pulled back from the brink of death, he didn't just laugh; he bared his teeth in a provocative sneer at Chen Yang, as if to say, So what if you're the Nine Gates Admiral? You still don't have what it takes to kill me!

This sudden reversal from death to life sent his blood surging, and his face flushed beet red with excitement.

But then, an abrupt turn of events left everyone gaping in astonishment, their eyes bulging.

This was especially true for Zhong Qian. The smirk that had yet to fully spread across his face suddenly froze, and his flushed complexion turned deathly pale.

All they saw was Chen Yang raising his blade and swinging it down at Zhong Qian.

"You dare!" Chen Chunliang's expression changed as he roared. The sound wave rolled out, sweeping across the area.

Chen Yang, as immovable as a great bell, brought his blade down.

SQUELCH!

With a single motion, blood sprayed through the air.

Chen Chunliang: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Chen Chunliang had already spoken to protect Zhong Qian. Who would dare to defy the Imperial Chen Family? And yet, this fellow... Could he be any more reckless?

Chen Chunliang's face visibly turned grim, and his gaze grew cold enough to chill one to the bone. As a result, the atmosphere became heavy and oppressive, making it hard to breathe.

It's over now. Who could have anticipated that this Governor would be so unyielding, not giving the Imperial Chen Family an ounce of face? To execute Zhong Qian in front of so many witnesses was to trample on the dignity of Chen Chunliang and, by extension, the entire Imperial Chen Family.

As for Chen Yang, he calmly wiped his blade clean on Zhong Qian's body. Only then did he glance at Chen Chunliang. "Why wouldn't I dare? No one has ever managed to stop me."

Everyone sucked in a sharp breath.

This guy is so domineering! Is this the might of the Nine Gates Admiral, the Zhennan Prince?

"Haha..." Chen Chunliang let out a laugh born of pure rage. "I don't care who you are. Anyone who dares to disregard my Chen Family like this must die!"

The statement was utterly tyrannical. Just because you're from one of the four great imperial families of Cangyun City, you can be so unreasonable?

Strictly speaking, this was an internal matter for the Martial Department. As the Nine Gates Admiral, Chen Yang was merely purging a corrupt member. How could the internal affairs of the Martial Department tolerate outside interference? But alas, in the face of absolute power, reason is meaningless.

Chen Yang said no more, simply gesturing at Chen Chunliang with a flick of his hand. The move was the very definition of contempt.

Everyone's heart clenched instantly. The tension is unbearable!

CLANG!

The longsword unsheathed itself and leaped into Chen Chunliang's hand.

BOOM!

As Chen Chunliang stepped forward, his longsword erupted in a faint, purplish-gold glow. The air before him vaporized like snow in the midday sun.

A frigid aura surged outward, and everyone felt a stinging sensation, as if tiny blades were pricking their skin.

At this, no one dared to linger. They all scrambled to retreat.

"That man from before... I believe his name was Chen Ke? You're much stronger than he was," Chen Yang remarked, nodding seriously.

Hm?

Chen Chunliang's brows shot up. He then said coldly, "So it was you!"

"It was."

While shocked by Chen Yang's strength, Chen Chunliang also broke into a ferocious grin. "Even better! Once I kill you, the Ancestral Sword will fall into my hands. It's killing two birds with one stone!"

Chen Yang simply smiled, saying nothing. He raised his hand, blade in tow, and slashed diagonally toward Chen Chunliang.

SCREECH!

The slash sounded like a knife tearing through fabric, a sharp noise that slammed into the bystanders' eardrums and threatened to deafen them.

Compared to Chen Chunliang's faint purplish-gold glow, the radiance swirling around Chen Yang's blade was far more dazzling.

But to Chen Chunliang's eyes, it was as if he had seen a ghost.

Then, the unthinkable happened. Chen Chunliang, who had been in the midst of a ferocious attack, abruptly stopped and turned to flee.

The crowd: "..."

Chen Chunliang was terrified out of his wits, using every last ounce of strength he had to run for his life.

Fourteenth Rank, Ten Thousand Phenomena Senluo! How... how is this possible?

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