Chapter 2: Sorry, I'm Just Used to Taking Things

In the world of cultivation, Chen Yang, known for his decisive and ruthless ways, finally, at this moment, felt the warmth of family. Liu Mei grew anxious and comforted him, "Son, what's wrong? It's only been half a day since I last saw you. Did something happen to make you feel upset?"

Chen Yang fought back his tears. "Mom, I'm fine. I just missed you."

Liu Mei laughed and scolded him gently, "You rascal, you're already grown up and still so attached to your mother. How will you ever find a wife like this?"

"Actually, I've already broken off my engagement with Xu Qing," Chen Yang said after some thought, deciding it was best to tell the truth. After all, secrets rarely stay hidden for long.

Liu Mei paused and then sighed, "Well, if it's broken, so be it. My son is so outstanding; he won't have trouble finding a good wife."

With that, mother and son sat down at the dining table.

Suddenly, Liu Mei remembered something. "Oh, right! Aunt Bai's daughter, Shen Yanran, just graduated from college. She's quite pretty and doesn't have a boyfriend yet. I'll talk to your Aunt Bai and arrange for you two to meet."

Aunt Bai lived in Yunzhou as well; she and Chen Yang's mother were college friends. It was said that Aunt Bai's husband was a self-made entrepreneur, a man of considerable strength. In his previous life, Chen Yang hadn't managed to meet Aunt Bai's daughter before he ended up in prison.

Chen Yang understood that his mother wanted to use marriage alliances to gain connections and help the Chen family through their current difficulties.

He changed the subject. "Mom, how much funding are we still short for our real estate project?"

Liu Mei sighed. "Your father said we invested 1.8 billion at the start. The buildings are nearly finished, but we're short 400 million to complete them. For some reason, the bank refuses to approve the loan or even the necessary permits. If we can't deliver the houses in about twenty days, the bank will seize them. Not only will the initial investment be lost, but we'll owe several billion more."

Chen Yang knew that the Wang family must be behind these obstacles, causing the bank to hold back the loan. His father, Chen Wanxian, had exhausted every possible connection, running himself ragged, but still met with disappointment everywhere.

"It seems I must act quickly," Chen Yang resolved silently.

That night, as he cultivated in his room, he found the spiritual energy in the world pitifully scarce. If he continued with ordinary methods, even reaching the Foundation Establishment stage would be a distant dream, let alone the Golden Core.

No, he had to find another path.

The next day, Chen Yang first visited the family construction site. As expected, work had stopped long ago; not a single worker could be seen. All of it was the Wang family's doing.

Chen Yang didn't linger. He went to a top-tier herbal medicine shop called Longevity Hall, a property of the Murong clan. The Murong clan was the most prominent family in Yunzhou; families like the Xu and Wang clans were nothing but small fry in their eyes.

"Hopefully, they have spiritual herbs," Chen Yang thought, willing to try his luck—perhaps they'd even have century-old ginseng.

Only earthly spiritual herbs could help him cultivate now.

Entering Longevity Hall, Chen Yang glanced around. There were indeed many precious herbs, but none caught his eye.

Just then, a young woman entered.

Soon, a smiling shop assistant approached her. "Miss Murong, you're here. The century-old ginseng you requested is ready for you!"

The young woman was Murong Xue'er, the Murong clan's heiress.

Murong Xue'er nodded. "Tomorrow is my grandfather's seventieth birthday. I want to give him the century-old ginseng. Please have it wrapped nicely for me."

"Of course, Miss Murong," the assistant replied with a smile.

Unbeknownst to them, Chen Yang overheard every word.

So there really was century-old ginseng?

Chen Yang kept his composure, though his heart burned with excitement. "Should I just take it by force?"

He had committed such acts before, so it wasn't foreign to him.

Soon, the assistant brought out a premium gift box.

But Chen Yang frowned. "No, that box definitely doesn't contain century-old ginseng!"

In the next moment, he sensed murderous intent.

Almost simultaneously, the assistant's expression twisted with malice. She pulled a dagger from the gift box and, without a word, lunged straight for Murong Xue'er's heart.

Murong Xue'er was startled, but reacted swiftly, dodging the fatal strike. She avoided death, but her arm was slashed deeply, blood pouring out.

Chaos erupted in Longevity Hall. Two bystanders suddenly attacked Murong Xue'er as well.

Clearly, this was a premeditated assault.

Murong Xue'er had trained in martial arts and was quite skilled, but faced with professional killers, she was outmatched.

At this critical juncture, Chen Yang acted decisively.

He appeared before Murong Xue'er in an instant and, with a single punch, sent the three killers flying.

The assassins were stunned. They were well-trained and knew their mission had failed. Without hesitation, they fled.

Chen Yang didn't bother chasing them.

Murong Xue'er stared at Chen Yang's back in shock. "You can move instantly—are you a grandmaster?"

Chen Yang turned slowly. "I'm not a grandmaster."

Murong Xue'er, still shaken, nodded. "If you don't wish to reveal your strength, I understand. Thank you for saving my life!"

"I'm Chen Yang—not a grandmaster, nor some elder," he replied coolly. "Since you say I've saved your life, how will you repay me?"

Murong Xue'er blushed at his words.

Was he expecting her to marry him?

Chen Yang interrupted her thoughts. "Here's what we'll do: give me the century-old ginseng, and we'll call it even."

"Of course," Murong Xue'er agreed readily, handing him the ginseng.

Chen Yang left immediately after receiving it.

"Wait, sir! Tomorrow night, the Murong clan will host a banquet. If you don't mind..." Murong Xue'er began, but Chen Yang had already vanished.

She marvelled, "Shrinking the land? Truly a youthful grandmaster!"

...

That afternoon, Chen Yang refined the century-old ginseng, absorbing all its spiritual energy.

"Phew!" In his room, Chen Yang exhaled in relief. "I've barely reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining. It's acceptable."

Just then, his father, Chen Wanxian, returned home.

Chen Yang stepped out of his room. "Dad, you're back!"

"Yes," Chen Wanxian replied, his face weary and haggard. It was clear he had suffered much for the company.

"Son, tomorrow come with me to the Murong manor," he said. "Tomorrow night is Old Master Murong's seventieth birthday. The Wang, Xu, and Huang families will all be there. We must seize this opportunity to negotiate, see if they'll give us a chance to survive."

Chen Wanxian continued, "Your mother told me about you and Xu Qing. It's over, and that's nothing to fret about. A true man need not fear being without a wife. You're my son—you must not lose heart, understand?"

He took out an invitation card, speaking earnestly. "I worked hard to get this. Whether our family survives depends on tomorrow night."

"Alright, Dad. I'll go with you to the Murong manor," Chen Yang replied seriously.

The next evening at six, Chen Wanxian drove an Audi A7, taking Chen Yang to the Murong manor.

At the entrance, they ran into familiar faces.

Wang Ai, head of the Wang family; his son Wang Mingyuan; Xu Qingshan, head of the Xu family; and his daughter Xu Qing.

The four approached Chen Wanxian and his son immediately.

"Well, if it isn’t fate," Wang Ai sneered. "Has your company recovered? You still have time to attend the Murong banquet?"

"Wang Ai, I don't know how I offended you, but this is the Murong manor. You'd better watch your words," Chen Wanxian retorted.

Wang Ai smirked coldly. "You want to use the old master's birthday to gain connections? I advise you to stop dreaming. Go home and wait for the end."

He glanced coldly at Chen Yang. "You dared show your face after injuring my son?"

"Old fool, keep talking and I'll beat you up next," Chen Yang shot back.

"You brat, say that again!" Wang Mingyuan growled. "Last time I was caught off guard. Believe it or not, this time I'll cripple you!"

He said it, but he wouldn't dare make a move here—this was the Murong manor, and fighting here would have serious consequences.

Xu Qingshan spoke calmly. "Mingyuan, don’t be rash. The Chen family won’t last much longer. There will be plenty of chances for revenge later. The birthday celebration is about to start; let's go in first."

Xu Qing, holding Wang Mingyuan's arm, shot Chen Yang a sidelong glance.

Then the four entered the Murong manor.

Watching their backs, Chen Yang smirked coldly. "Soon enough, I'll show you who the real clown is."