Chapter 4: Chen Yang... A Grandmaster?

The moment these words were spoken, Chen Wanxian realized that this matter would not be easily resolved.

“The one who ties the bell must untie it himself!”

Wang Ai sneered, “You should have your son step forward and offer a proper apology to Young Master Chu!”

“Enough with the nonsense. First, kneel down and kowtow a hundred times!” Chu Feng’s voice was icy.

Xu Qing turned to Chen Yang. “Didn’t you hear what Young Master Chu said? Why aren’t you kneeling yet?”

To have his own son kneel in public—Chen Wanxian was indeed in a difficult position. But if he refused, the entire Chen family might be destroyed.

“Son, we—” Chen Wanxian had barely begun when Chen Yang pointed at Chu Feng and said calmly, “If that’s the case, then have him kneel and kowtow a thousand times, and we’ll call the matter settled!”

The entire hall was struck dumb with shock. Some even thought they had misheard, unwilling to believe their own ears.

Wang Ai, Xu Qingshan, Xu Qing, and Wang Mingyuan exchanged bewildered glances. Even Chen Wanxian was utterly stunned.

Striding forward, Chen Yang shielded his father behind him. At this moment, he no longer intended to hide. He understood perfectly well: the more he gave way, the more certain people would press their advantage.

Chu Feng stared daggers at Chen Yang, his anger turning to bitter laughter. “Well, you’ve got guts, kid. You’re digging your own grave—don’t blame me for what happens next!”

No sooner had he finished than an elderly man in white, arms folded behind his back, stepped forward from behind Chu Feng.

This man was the Chu family’s top-tier martial artist, personally responsible for Chu Feng’s safety. Unlike ordinary bodyguards, he usually remained in the shadows, intervening only when Chu Feng was in real danger.

“Master Wang, this brat is far too arrogant. As long as you don’t kill him, I don’t care if you cripple him. I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens!” Chu Feng ordered the old man.

The white-robed elder, known as Master Wang, bowed slightly to Chu Feng, then turned to Chen Yang.

“We have no personal enmity, but you have insulted my young master. For such insolence, I cannot forgive you!” Master Wang declared.

“A martial artist of the Innate realm?” Chen Yang’s eyes brightened. He hadn’t expected to encounter a worthy opponent here.

In the world of cultivation, apart from those who cultivate immortality, demonic arts, or the way of monsters, there existed a martial path among mortals. The hierarchy of martial artists was generally divided into Postnatal, Innate, and, above Innate, Grandmasters.

The lowest, Postnatal rank, was broad and loosely defined; many free-fighting champions and even ninth-degree black belts in Taekwondo were at the peak of Postnatal.

Once one broke through the Postnatal stage, they could forcibly absorb the vital energies of heaven and earth and step into the Innate realm, which was divided into nine stages. Beyond the ninth lay the Grandmaster of martial arts.

With a single glance, Chen Yang saw that this white-robed elder was, at best, at the second stage of Innate. By his estimation, with his current seventh-layer Qi Refinement, he could contend with a newly advanced Grandmaster. Therefore, an Innate stage-two martial artist was beneath his notice.

Strike first and prevent a hundred blows—Chen Yang had no intention of hiding his strength now, and Master Wang was the perfect test.

Without a word, Chen Yang launched a punch. It appeared slow, almost lethargic. Yet in the next instant, it was already before Master Wang.

Master Wang’s heart trembled. He had never expected Chen Yang to strike so suddenly, nor with such uncanny power. Not daring to underestimate him, Master Wang immediately circulated his inner energy to block the punch head-on.

In the next moment, Chen Yang’s fist was intercepted by Master Wang’s true qi. But then, the corners of Chen Yang’s mouth lifted in a faint, knowing smile.

In the blink of an eye, a surge of true essence burst forth from Chen Yang’s fist, like a raging flood, shattering Master Wang’s defenses with ease.

Master Wang was thrown back like a severed kite, crashing heavily into a pillar. Blood sprayed from his mouth, staining the ground before him, his fate uncertain.

How could mere martial true qi withstand the true essence of a cultivator?

Chen Yang had not killed Master Wang, but had destroyed all his martial power. It was no exaggeration to say that, in the eyes of a Nascent Soul cultivator, even a martial arts peak expert was no different from an ordinary person.

The crowd was utterly dumbfounded by this scene.

Only now did Chu Feng realize that Chen Yang was not some pushover, but a true expert. Though Master Wang was not the Chu family’s most elite, he was by no means ordinary. For Chen Yang to defeat him with a single blow—and at such a young age—what might he become in time?

A chill ran down Chu Feng’s spine, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. He glowered at Chen Yang. “So you’re a martial artist. Who exactly are you?”

Chen Yang replied with a faint smile, “I am who I am. I’ll say it once more: let this matter end here. That’s the best outcome for you.”

Even now, Chen Yang did not wish to complicate matters further. His most urgent task was to continue advancing his cultivation. But if Chu Feng persisted in seeking his own destruction, Chen Yang would not hesitate to oblige.

Of course, there would be some complications afterward. Though Chen Yang’s skills were formidable, Chu Feng had no intention of letting things end here. If word of this got out, the Chu family’s reputation would be ruined.

Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, Chu Feng sneered, “You think you’re impressive, but this is the Murong Estate. If you injure someone here, the Murong family will not stand idly by!”

“That’s right! You’ve broken the Murong family’s rules—you’re in for a world of trouble!” Xu Qing chimed in, shouting.

She too was shocked to learn that Chen Yang was a martial artist. Now she understood the source of his confidence—no wonder he dared to injure Wang Mingyuan and defy Young Master Chu.

No, she could not allow him to grow stronger; he had to be eliminated now, before he became a threat. This was not only Xu Qing’s thought, but the sentiment shared by all present.

Just as Chu Feng had said, the commotion would not go unnoticed by the Murongs. Soon, the upper echelons of the Murong family arrived, led by the current family head, Murong Qing, flanked by the family’s martial experts. Among them stood Murong Qing’s youngest daughter, Murong Xue’er.

“Uncle Murong, this brat is brazen beyond belief! He actually dared—” Chu Feng pointed angrily at Chen Yang.

But before he could finish, Murong Xue’er exclaimed in surprise, “You—you’re a Grandmaster?”

Her words stunned the entire hall. For Murong Xue’er was looking only at Chen Yang, there could be no mistake—she was speaking to him.

Chen Yang, a Grandmaster? Impossible!

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

Murong Qing frowned at his daughter. “Xue’er, you—”

Murong Xue’er met his gaze squarely. “Father, I told you before—when I was attacked at the Longevity Hall, it was Senior Chen Yang who saved me!”

Senior Chen Yang?

The crowd reeled in confusion. Even Chen Wanxian was utterly at a loss, though he assumed his son must have deceived the Murong family’s young lady by some means.