Chen Nan was full of awkwardness.
He hadn't expected Liang Jian to return at this moment.
However.
Since they had bumped into each other, there was nothing to hide. He fished out a watermelon from the well and said casually, "Come in, close the door." As he spoke, he picked up the watermelon knife.
*Clang!*
He split the watermelon in half with one stroke.
Liang Jian shivered in fright.
He couldn't help but wonder.
Would Chen Nan silence him?
After all, he had caught Chen Nan being intimate with his mother-in-law!
As if possessed, he closed the door, his face showing a hint of awkwardness and nervousness. "Brother Chen, don't worry. We have a life-and-death friendship. I definitely won't say anything about today's events."
He was truly scared.
After all, Chen Nan was someone who dared to openly slay even the Wen Bo Hou father and son.
If he didn't show some token of assurance.
Chen Nan might very well cut him down.
Chen Nan's lips twitched. "Let me introduce you, this is Xia Youwei, my childhood sweetheart from Pingyang Town."
"I've met her." Liang Jian.
He wished he could pretend not to know her.
But.
On the wedding day of Leng Xuemin, he had gone to the Leng family to deliver a congratulatory gift.
He had seen Xia Youwei.
"No!" Chen Nan said, "The Xia Youwei you met before was not the real Xia Youwei."
Liang Jian looked confused. "Brother, I'm slow-witted. I don't understand what you mean."
Chen Nan replied, "That was a demon, who transformed into Xia Youwei's appearance and infiltrated the Leng family."
Liang Jian gasped in shock, feigning surprise.
But he had to admire Chen Nan's intelligence.
To shut him up, Chen Nan had truly gone to great lengths.
He had actually come up with such a story.
"From now on, Youwei will be staying here for a while," Chen Nan continued to cut the melon. "You must keep everything about her a secret. Otherwise, you will face utter destruction."
Liang Jian nodded excitedly.
He didn't believe Chen Nan's story at all.
But.
He had learned a secret of Chen Nan's.
This was the greatest trust placed in him.
It was the beginning of a good friendship.
"Did the food spill? Let's eat first."
For some reason.
Chen Nan inexplicably felt a sense of unease.
As if something big was about to happen.
This was something he had to guard against.
------
In the afternoon.
Chen Nan arrived at the Zhang residence.
"Greetings, Duke Chen."
Upon hearing of Chen Nan's arrival, Zhang Mingquan came forward immediately, showing great respect.
Chen Nan said, "There's no need to be so formal. I came to ask you for a favor."
Zhang Mingquan respectfully replied, "Duke Chen, please command."
Chen Nan asked, "Can you know all that happens in Tongcheng?"
Zhang Mingquan was taken aback and said modestly, "I can't know everything that happens in Tongcheng, but if I want to know, it's not difficult."
He was a rat spirit.
He could command all the rats in Tongcheng to do his bidding or monitor someone.
This was basic operation for him.
Chen Nan nodded slightly. "Do you know if the Fan Tian Cult assassinated City Lord Yuan when he took office?"
"I've heard of this matter," Zhang Mingquan replied. "Not only that, but I also know the whereabouts of that Fan Tian Cult disciple."
Chen Nan's eyes lit up.
He had come here precisely to investigate the whereabouts of that Fan Tian Cult disciple.
Because he had been in the Underworld for so long.
He had inadvertently offended people from the Fan Tian Cult.
Besides that, there was also the green-eyed zombie.
He guessed.
His unease was likely due to them.
Therefore.
He wanted to eliminate all potential hidden dangers and threats.
Zhang Mingquan said, "The person from the Fan Tian Cult is named Yue Shan, and he is currently in Tongcheng. My kin have been secretly monitoring him."
"Although he was seriously injured, he has recovered considerably during this period."
"Furthermore, he has an informant in the county yamen."
"So Yue Shan knows that you have been favored and trusted by City Lord Yuan."
"If nothing unexpected happens, he will make a move against you within three days at the latest."
Chen Nan asked, "Where is that green-eyed zombie hiding?"
Zhang Mingquan replied, "There is a mass grave outside the west city. That green-eyed zombie is hiding there."
He paused and added, "Yue Shan is very powerful. If Duke Chen needs it, I can help you deal with this person."
Chen Nan shook his head. "Although you have reached the Huaxing realm, you are still a demon. You are no match for a human in the Huaxing realm."
"Even a desperate battle would have a predetermined outcome."
If Zhang Mingquan could crush Yue Shan with a snap of his fingers.
He wouldn't mind letting him eliminate the opponent.
But they were both powerful cultivators at the Huaxing realm.
Then he would absolutely not stand by and watch Zhang Mingquan put himself in danger for him.
Zhang Mingquan respectfully said, "It is my duty to serve Duke Chen. It has nothing to do with life or death."
Chen Nan looked at him seriously. "Zhang Mingquan, the reason I spared you and your wife was primarily because your mutual affection moved me."
"I cannot guarantee that you will not go to hell after death. The only thing I can do is to postpone the time you go to hell."
"Therefore, you must not die because of me."
"You must live well, so as not to let my bearing of your karma be in vain. Do you understand?"
Zhang Mingquan was so touched that tears welled up in his eyes. "I know Duke Chen's kindness, but I cannot stand by and watch you face such a disaster."
"For you, I fear no hell!"
His eyes were clear, without any impurities.
At this moment.
Even Chen Nan felt a surge of emotion.
Sometimes.
Many humans were not even as good as demons.
Chen Nan muttered, "A cultivator at the Huaxing realm must be nearly invincible in Tongcheng, right?"
Zhang Mingquan replied, "Yue Shan is indeed a nearly invincible existence."
Chen Nan retorted, "Tell me, who is stronger between him and that green-eyed zombie?"
Zhang Mingquan thought for a moment and said uncertainly, "They are evenly matched!"
Chen Nan hummed and a faint smile appeared on his face. "Remember one thing: the biggest difference between humans and demons is that humans are good at using their brains to resolve disputes and conflicts, rather than relying on brute force."
Zhang Mingquan didn't understand what Chen Nan meant.
Even though he had transformed into human form.
His nature was still very simple.
Chen Nan patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "If I had only one enemy, my situation would be very difficult."
"But."
"Do I only have one enemy?"
"Perhaps Yue Shan wants to kill me."
"But doesn't that green-eyed zombie also want to kill me?"
Zhang Mingquan seemed to understand, yet he didn't. A spark of inspiration flashed in his mind, but he couldn't grasp it.
Chen Nan continued, "Have your kin go and tell that green-eyed zombie."
"Tell it that within three days, I will bring experts to destroy it."
Zhang Mingquan suddenly shivered and completely understood Chen Nan's plan. "Duke Chen, you want them to fight each other, and then reap the benefits?"
A faint curve appeared on Chen Nan's lips. "Don't you think this is a very safe method?"
Zhang Mingquan was filled with awe and bowed deeply to Chen Nan. "Thank you, Duke Chen, for teaching me a lesson today. I now understand the difference between humans and demons."
Just then.
A small rat ran quickly to Zhang Mingquan and chirped incessantly, as if saying something.
After listening, Zhang Mingquan's face changed drastically. "Duke Chen, something has happened."
Chen Nan quickly asked, "What is it?"