Free Web NovelChapter 190: Chapter 180: Chen Che, the Hidden Dragon
BOOM!
The battle between Foundation Establishment Cultivators was terrifying. The sound of their clashes was like rolling thunder, and the entire Market seemed to tremble. People could even see pebbles dancing on the ground, while pools and deep ponds rippled from the vibrations.
Astonished, everyone turned to look into the valley.
Expressions of sheer anxiety were written on their faces.
"What’s happening in the valley?"
someone suddenly asked.
A Loose Cultivator turned around and saw that the speaker was a scholarly-looking middle-aged man riding a black tiger, with graying temples. A dozen or so people followed behind him, each with an extraordinary bearing. They were clearly of high status.
"In answer to your question, Senior!"
The Loose Cultivator dared not be disrespectful and quickly cupped his hands.
"A short while ago, three Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Han Family came to cause trouble. They brought weapons and entered the valley on the spot, supposedly over the mines. They started fighting not long after entering. The negotiations must have broken down!"
He shook his head as he spoke.
"I don’t know who will win or lose. Don’t tell me we’re getting a new Valley Master again?"
"Not good!"
Before his words had faded, a figure shot out from the group. Riding a Flying Crane, the figure sped toward Jinyun Valley.
"Qingxuan!"
Meng Changtu frowned slightly and urged his black tiger to give chase.
"As expected, he can’t hold them down after all!"
From within the group, a green-robed old man sitting cross-legged on a large snake spoke in a raspy voice.
The great snake beneath him was as thick as a water barrel and over seventy feet long. Its head was an inverted triangle, its pupils a ghostly green, and its tongue flickered like fire—it was clearly a lethally venomous serpent. Even the other members of the Meng Family subconsciously kept their distance from the snake-riding old man.
"He may have reached Foundation Establishment, but his standing is still shallow. How many people will truly submit to him? They call this ’stationing themselves in the Market,’ but in reality, he’s just looking for the Meng Family to be his backer!"
"Indeed!"
Another Major Cultivator in blue robes nodded slightly.
"But for this to happen now is an excellent opportunity for our Meng Family!"
Whenever a power changes hands, it will face external challenges, and even betrayal from its allies.
This was especially true for a power like the Han Family, who already held a grudge against Jinyun Valley.
To secure one’s footing, one must seek allies or a backer. But this requires giving up some benefits—after all, there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. And the weaker you are, the more benefits you naturally have to concede.
"Let’s enter the valley first!"
The green-robed old man patted the giant snake beneath him. "Lest something goes wrong..."
The blue-robed Major Cultivator also nodded.
"Valley Master Chen, spare me!"
Just then, a bloodcurdling scream tore through the air.
Everyone looked up in horror.
A figure shot out of Jinyun Valley, so fast it looked like a streak of blood-red fire across the sky. In just a few breaths, it had flown from above Jinyun Valley to over the Market!
"The Han Family’s Blood Technique?"
The two Meng Family Major Cultivators immediately recognized the technique and, at the same time, the figure within the Escape Light. "That’s Han Xiyue..."
It wasn’t just them.
Everyone in the Market saw it clearly.
SCREEE—
The scream was cut short by the cry of an eagle. A massive shadow, appearing almost without warning, swooped through the air, pinned the mid-air figure with its talons, and slammed it downward.
It was as fast as a bolt of lightning!
"CRASH!"
The impact sent another earth-shattering tremor through the ground.
"What happened? W-what did I just see...?"
Someone was stunned speechless on the spot. "Jingfeng... did it just smash that Foundation Establishment Cultivator out of the sky?"
"You saw it right!"
A Loose Cultivator gulped.
Filled with shock and awe, the crowd surged toward Jinyun Valley. At the same time, the Meng Family contingent arrived at the valley entrance.
All of them stared intently into the valley, their eyes wide with anticipation.
TAP, TAP, TAP...
As the soft sound of footsteps echoed, everyone saw Chen Che once more.
Chen Che walked out slowly, his hands clasped behind his back, looking completely at ease, as if the earth-shattering commotion in the valley had nothing to do with him. Seeing him emerge, and recalling how Han Xiyue had been plucked from the sky, how could the many Loose Cultivators of the Market not guess the outcome of the battle? ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Meng Qingxuan couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.
"Uncle, it’s been a while!"
Chen Che cupped his hands slightly.
"Valley Master Chen, please forgive our unannounced visit." Meng Changtu replied, already asking impatiently, "What just happened in the valley?"
"Just dealt with a few ants from the Han Family. It’s not worth mentioning!"
Chen Che said casually.
"Please!"
With that,
he personally led them into the valley.
As soon as they stepped into the valley, they saw that the ground had caved in. The Little Chick was standing on a figure—none other than Han Xiyue, who had tried to flee earlier.
At that moment,
he was sprawled in a deep pit, barely able to move. The immense force from the sky had clearly crushed every bone and tendon in his body. He lay there, spitting out large mouthfuls of clotted blood,
CREAK, CREAK...
A group of disciples approached, pushing several blood-stained carts. Piled on the carts were corpses that had been cut in half at the waist. Blood dripped onto the ground as they passed. Following them were other disciples carrying buckets and mops, wiping the blood from the stone slabs.
The Meng Family members lowered their gazes.
When they saw that the bodies belonged to a group of Qi Refining Cultivators, their expressions turned strange.
Previously,
they had heard that a total of three Foundation Establishment Cultivators had entered the valley. But in the end, it was just these small fries and one Han Xiyue?
’No wonder Jinyun Valley was able to handle it so easily.’
"Jinyun Valley is waiting to be rebuilt, and the Market has a bright future. Our Meng Family plans to establish a presence in the Market on this trip."
Up ahead, Chen Che and Meng Changtu walked side by side. The latter withdrew his gaze and stated his purpose directly.
"Establish a presence?"
Chen Che nodded slightly.
"I will select the best-located shop in the Market for you, Uncle, and I will waive ten years of taxes!"
The entry of a major family would be good news for the Market.
It was like brand recognition; it would boost popularity.
And the Meng Family’s presence would encourage a large number of other Cultivation Clans to move in as well. After all, a hundred flowers blooming make a spring.
"Valley Master Chen is quite generous, to only offer a single shop and waive ten years of taxes..."
Just then, a soft chuckle came from behind.
Chen Che glanced back and saw that the speaker was the green-robed, snake-riding old man.
"I haven’t had a chance to introduce you, Valley Master Chen. This is my cousin, Meng Changyuan." Meng Changtu frowned. He naturally knew why the man had spoken up—obviously to secure greater benefits for the Meng Family.
"And what is your advice, Senior?"
Chen Che said coolly.
Meng Changyuan was about to speak when his gaze suddenly froze. He saw three or four disciples dragging a man who was built like an iron tower. The man was still convulsing on the ground, clearly not quite dead. Most terrifying of all was the Hand Seal on his chest.
Another seven or eight disciples were struggling to carry an Eight-sided Heavy Hammer.
"Yang Ping?"
Meng Changyuan’s pupils contracted. "He..."
"He was killed by our Valley Master with a single palm strike!" shouted a disciple dragging Yang Ping. "He couldn’t even take one hit!"
Hearing this, Meng Changyuan sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.
This man had once robbed the Meng Family of its supplies, and he himself had crossed blows with him. He knew Yang Ping’s Body Hardening Skill was superb; the man was like an iron-shelled turtle. Even with his higher Cultivation, he had been unable to do anything to him.
And yet,
he was killed by Chen Che with a single palm strike?
He didn’t believe it, but when his Divine Sense swept over the body, he found only that one Hand Seal on Yang Ping. Following the seal, however, his internal organs had been pulverized, and not a single bone in his body was left intact.
"Advice? I wouldn’t dare..."
Lost in thought, he turned to see Chen Che watching him leisurely. Meng Changyuan coughed twice. "I think Valley Master Chen’s decision is excellent. Waiving ten years of taxes is no small sum!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the other old man traveling with them looked over, his eyes full of astonishment.
You have to understand, they had discussed their plan before this trip.
The Meng Family would establish a presence in the Market, provide some protection for Jinyun Valley, and in exchange, demand thirty to fifty percent of the mine’s profits. A desperate Jinyun Valley, in need of a backer, would surely not refuse!
"I must disagree!"
At this, he couldn’t help but speak up.
Chen Che turned to look.
"I am Meng Changhong, Changtu’s cousin!"
the old man said leisurely.
Meng Changtu was about to interrupt him when Zhao Changping came jogging up to the group. He first bowed, then held up a Bone Chain made of beast fangs and a Bone Staff.
"Valley Master, where should I put these?"
"For now, put them in the main hall. I haven’t had a look at them yet! In a few days, have Rong Zhongxuan build a Treasure House. From now on, all Magical Treasures and Weapons will be stored there."
Chen Che said casually.
"This man isn’t dead—he still has a heartbeat and a pulse. What should be done with him?"
Zhao Changping asked, pointing behind him.
"Hang him on a tree outside the valley with Yang Ping and Han Xiyue..."
"Yes!"
Zhao Changping bowed, then quickly turned to direct two Junior Brothers. They carried a withered old man in a black robe, hurrying past the crowd and toward the valley exit. Meng Changhong saw clearly that beneath the black robe was a man as gaunt as a skeleton.
’Zhu Xu?’
Meng Changhong quickly stopped Zhao Changping.
"He..."
"I don’t know. The Valley Master just glared at him, and he ended up like this!"
Looking at the man again, he indeed still had a heartbeat and a pulse, but he showed no reaction to the outside world, like a living corpse.
It was clearly a sign that his Divine Sense had been erased. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
’Doesn’t this mean...’
"Senior Changhong, you still haven’t said where I was wrong."
Chen Che asked.
"Changtu treats you like his own son. If you and his niece Qingxuan get married in the future, we’ll all be one family!"
Meng Changhong was stunned for a moment, then said with righteous conviction, "Jinyun Valley is in the middle of its development, so our Meng Family should naturally provide support. Ten years is too long. Seven, or even five years, will be enough."
Chen Che didn’t say anything.
’It’s fine to hide one’s strength, but you have to reveal it appropriately. Otherwise, people will just think you’re weak and easy to bully.’
’These two old fools!’
Meng Changtu slowly shook his head.
He knew perfectly well that this was not their original plan. They had clearly changed their minds immediately after seeing the bodies of Yang Ping and Zhu Xu.
Clearly,
in their eyes, Jinyun Valley was no longer the weak and vulnerable power that needed external help to survive, but an existence that could negotiate with them as an equal.
’He hid it too well. He even fooled me!’
Thinking of this, Meng Changtu couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. ’Jinyun Valley... after lying low for two hundred years, its time to soar has finally come!’
And beside him, Meng Qingxuan’s eyes were already sparkling, her face alight with excitement.
