"Young man, aren't you going a bit too far?" Wu Enchu's face was as dark as it could get.
"Even when an ancient army besieged a city, the attackers would leave one side open, to prevent the defenders from fighting to the death. You're being too excessive now, aren't you afraid I'll drag you down with me?"
"You should know that my Xuan Tian Guan has the strength for it, you can try!"
Facing the old man's threat, Chen Jinzhao remained unfazed, even a faint smile appearing on his face. "Oh really? Why don't I believe you would do such a thing, old sir?"
Wu Enchu's gaze flickered with a chilling intensity, staring fixedly at Chen Jinzhao without speaking, trying to discern the young man's true intentions. Finally, he spoke again, "What makes you think I wouldn't dare? I've walked out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood before, a single person capable of leading a million troops. Killing is as easy as turning my hand for me. Don't you think you're being too rash?"
Chen Jinzhao smiled faintly. "The moment you start saying so much, you've already lost."
Wu Enchu's expression shifted slightly.
The temperature in the palace dropped sharply again, sending a bone-chilling coldness through the air.
"Shut up!" Wu Enchu roared.
"Don't say another word, or I'll kill you!"
Chen Jinzhao remained unmoved, as if he hadn't heard Wu Enchu's words. He stood his ground, looking at Wu Enchu with a mocking smile on his face. "Why can't I speak? What are you afraid of? In the past, you were indeed a rare and formidable leader, harboring supreme ambitions and possessing abilities far beyond ordinary men."
"It's just that..."
"You are no longer the person you once were. Now, you merely wish to find a quiet corner in this world to eke out an existence, even if it means becoming a laughingstock to the world. For you now, nothing is more important than living, isn't that so?"
Wu Enchu slumped onto the dragon throne.
His thoughts had indeed been seen through by Chen Jinzhao, word for word.
"Yes, I am no longer the me of the past. I am merely an aged shell. Perhaps the real Wu Enchu is already dead. Chen Jinzhao, I must now admit that you are truly remarkable, just as that person said back then--"
"'For true heroes of the age, look to this present day.'"
Chen Jinzhao fell silent.
He knew he had said enough. If he continued, he might provoke the old man, which would be counterproductive.
He waited quietly for Wu Enchu's response.
Not far away.
Ding Ling observed Chen Jinzhao with a peculiar look. It was rare for his master to be so flustered, and Chen Jinzhao seemed to be the only one capable of such a feat. Truly unusual.
He was not simple.
This young man was more unfathomable than he had imagined.
If he had to deal with Chen Jinzhao in the future, he would have to be extremely cautious and avoid being tricked by him, otherwise, there would be nowhere to turn for redress.
Wu Enchu sat there silently, making no sound, as if he were already dead. But Chen Jinzhao knew that this old man would not die so easily.
Finally.
The old man moved.
Chen Jinzhao perked up his ears, eager to hear what this elder would say.
"I can let Chen Yangfu go, but you must promise me one condition. That is, as long as Xuan Tian Guan remains peaceable, your secular dynasty shall not make a move against our Xuan Tian Guan. Otherwise, I will make you understand the consequences of such an action," Wu Enchu said coldly.
Chen Jinzhao's objective had been achieved. With a blank expression, he replied, "If you can remain peaceable, we will naturally not engage in large-scale conflict. This can be considered an agreement between us. We can even sign a formal treaty and include our respective terms within it."
"This way, the rights and interests of both parties will be guaranteed."
"What do you think, old sir?"
Wu Enchu let out a cold laugh. "I have already compromised greatly with you. Naturally, you have the final say. What I say may not count anymore."
In a word—
Xuan Tian Guan merely wished to see this plague god, Chen Jinzhao, gone as soon as possible.
Chen Jinzhao smiled faintly. "Then I thank the senior for his generosity. As long as I can see my father, I can leave now."
Wu Enchu said to Ding Ling, "Go and bring Chen Yangfu here."
Ding Ling stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your disciple accepts the order!"
With that, Ding Ling turned and left the hall, giving Chen Jinzhao a slight sigh of relief.
At last, he would be able to see his father.
He had waited for this day for a long time, and it even made him a little excited.
Wu Enchu also remained silent.
A short while later.
Footsteps were heard approaching from outside the hall. Immediately, Chen Jinzhao saw a familiar face appear before him – Wu Qi Xian, the second uncle of Wu Lingyun.
Why was he here too?
Chen Jinzhao's confusion quickly dissipated. Wu Qi Xian was, after all, the second master of the Wu family. He hadn't died back then, so his presence here was natural.
Wu Qi Xian glared fiercely at Chen Jinzhao, then turned to Wu Enchu on the throne and said, "Grandfather, you cannot release that scoundrel Chen Yangfu! My son died at the hands of that dog Chen Yangfu back then. Chen Yangfu has never respected our Wu family from beginning to end. This is not only disrespectful to you, old sir, but also a contempt for our Wu family!"
As he spoke, Wu Qi Xian's face turned red. It was clear that the second master was genuinely furious, wishing to tear Chen Yangfu and Chen Jinzhao into a thousand pieces.
Seeing that the elder had not yet made a decision, Wu Qi Xian continued, "Old Ancestor, you must think twice! If this news gets out, how will the other extraordinary factions view us?"
Wu Enchu finally opened his eyes.
He glanced at Wu Qi Xian, which brought a flicker of hope to the latter's expression. He continued to persuade.
Chen Jinzhao truly wanted to slap this dog to death.
But for now, he had to restrain himself.
After all, this was the Wu family's territory, and he couldn't act rashly yet.
"What do you think we should do?" Wu Enchu asked, inquiring of Wu Qi Xian.
Wu Qi Xian was pleased and directly stated his true intentions. "Old Ancestor, I believe not only should we not let Chen Yangfu go, but we should capture Chen Jinzhao instead."
"Why?" Wu Enchu's face showed no change in expression.
Wu Qi Xian continued, "Chen Jinzhao is currently the most important figure in Hua Guo. Without him, Hua Guo's cohesion would instantly weaken, making it easier for us to deal with. We could even indirectly control Hua Guo by controlling Chen Jinzhao."
"This is a plan that kills two birds with one stone. I implore the Old Ancestor to seriously consider and adopt it."
Wu Enchu closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, a hint of impatience had appeared. He said coldly, "Your idea is excellent, the only drawback is that it is not feasible. Do not let me hear any similar suggestions from you in the future, or you shall resolve it yourself."
"Grandfather, I..."
Wu Qi Xian clearly wanted to say more, but Wu Enchu was already growing impatient. He gently tapped the armrest of the dragon throne, and two youths in black clothes quickly appeared at the entrance of the hall. The youths, one on each side, subdued Wu Qi Xian and then threw him out.
Wu Enchu closed his eyes again, no longer paying attention to the commotion outside.
Chen Jinzhao continued to wait patiently.
A few more minutes passed, and hurried footsteps were heard again at the entrance. Ding Ling returned, but compared to before, his face was visibly paler.
Chen Jinzhao frowned, a sense of foreboding that something bad had happened.
Wu Enchu opened his eyes and saw his eldest disciple's flustered appearance, his displeasure evident once more. "What's wrong with you now? You're usually not this panicked."
Ding Ling hesitated, wanting to speak but not daring to.
Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Master, something major has happened!"
"Chen Yangfu, he..."
Upon hearing this partial sentence, Chen Jinzhao instantly tensed. He immediately stepped forward, grabbed Ding Ling by his collar, and asked, "Hurry up and tell me, what happened to my father?"
"Speak!!!"