Chapter Forty-Four: Ambitious Aspirations!

“What?”

In an instant, all the city guards’ eyes widened in shock.

“Men, surround the ringleader at once!”

Swish, swish, swish!

Every guard sprang into action, immediately encircling Chen Xuan and his group.

Liu Jinyu’s scalp tingled.

We just arrived in Man City, and we’ve already stirred up such a huge mess!

I have to ask, big brother, aren’t you afraid of dying?

Even if you’re a mighty dragon crossing the river, they’re the local tyrants here!

Don’t you understand the principle that a strong outsider cannot suppress the local bull?

Liu Jinyu felt like crying but had no tears.

However, now was not the time to complain.

He knew that although he had pledged loyalty to Chen Xuan, even becoming his retainer, Chen Xuan still kept him under close watch.

Now was the time to show his sincerity!

At the same time, he understood that Chen Xuan was no reckless fool. If he dared to kill a centurion in public, he must have his reasons.

Liu Jinyu shouted boldly, “Men, protect Lord Chen!”

Immediately, the bandits around him closed ranks tightly, guarding Chen Xuan and Li Xiuning closely.

“If anyone dares to harm a single finger of Lord Chen or the ladies, even if it costs us our lives, we will fight to the death!”

Liu Jinyu roared passionately.

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

The bandits echoed him, raising their hands with fierce cries, their voices shaking the skies.

For a moment, the city guards were stunned. They hadn’t expected these people to be so arrogant—not only had they killed their centurion, but they also dared to confront the guards?

“What audacity! Do you think you can get away with it because you’re in numbers?”

“Go into the city and call for reinforcements. None of these people will leave today!”

Immediately, a soldier ran into the city to summon backup.

The matter was escalating rapidly.

Meanwhile, atop the city tower—

“Young Master Qing, I’ve already ordered people to handle the matter you entrusted to me. As for the Miao Yin Pavilion incident, I’ll need you to kindly put in a good word for me.”

Two young men were sipping tea, served by several attendants.

The one called Young Master Qing wore a blue robe, exuding an elegant and affable demeanor, yet his sharp triangular eyes seemed at odds with his gentle appearance.

The other young man, dressed in purple, carried a faint air of sinister charm.

They were Chen Qing, son of the Man City branch head of the Chen family, and Zhang Tianci, son of the Man City governor.

“Rest assured, Young Master Zhang, as long as you handle my affairs well, I will naturally assist you with yours,” Chen Qing smiled as he took a sip of tea.

These two were the epitome of Man City’s wealthy second-generation and official second-generation elites. In Man City and neighboring towns, they could walk with impunity.

“Haha, no problem. I’ve already instructed the city guards under me that anyone named Chen from the capital, no matter who they are, is strictly forbidden from entering the city,” Zhang Tianci laughed confidently. “As long as you, Young Master Qing, don’t relent, that Chen Xuan from the capital will never set foot in Man City again!”

Chen Qing’s lips curled into a smile. “Although our Chen family in Man City is just a branch, we’ve rooted ourselves here for many years and have long since grown apart from the main branch in the capital.”

“Moreover, the main branch in the capital is weakening. Their control over the branches is slipping.”

“Now, the clan leader even sent a letter asking us to hand over power to that young man named Chen Xuan. Ha! What a joke.”

“We’ve developed our branch in Man City for so long. How could we just hand over power because we’re told to?”

“Besides, from what I know, that Chen Xuan is a notorious failure—utterly incapable of cultivation, a laughingstock in the capital!”

“For the clan leader to expect us to hand power to such a person and help him expand the family is the biggest joke ever!”

“Just wait. Not letting him into the city is merely a warning shot. Soon, the clan leader will receive news of his death from illness!”

A murderous gleam flashed in Chen Qing’s eyes.

Zhang Tianci suddenly laughed, saying, “Over the years, your capital’s Chen family has sent several people here to try to control the Man City branches. But almost all of them died mysteriously from illness. Logically, the capital’s Chen family should understand the message, yet they keep sending people. It’s truly laughable.”

He chuckled outright when saying “died from illness.”

Clearly, he knew there was something suspicious about these so-called illnesses.

Chen Qing sneered, “In recent years, the main branch in the capital has been full of useless failures! Only the clan leader is still alive, keeping things in order so the branches dare not act recklessly.”

“But the clan leader is getting old. Once he passes on…”

Chen Qing’s words abruptly stopped, but his eyes narrowed sharply.

Zhang Tianci saw the ambition burning within him.

These Man City branches actually wanted to replace the main branch!

After the clan leader’s demise, they intended to take over the capital’s Chen family!

“Haha, I didn’t expect Young Master Qing to harbor such grand ambitions. I admire that!” Zhang Tianci laughed heartily.

“It’s just a little ambition. I hear the governor has earned favor with the imperial court and may be transferred to the capital to serve as an official. When we all end up in the capital, Young Master Zhang and I will have to support each other,” Chen Qing smiled, thinking far ahead—even about mutual aid once they were in the capital.

Zhang Tianci clicked his tongue and smiled, setting down his teacup. “The Chen family is indeed well-informed. I didn’t think you would even know the rumor that my father is highly esteemed by the court.”

“That’s right. The court does value my father greatly. It’s very likely he’ll be transferred to the capital.”

He raised his chin slightly, full of pride.

“Heh…” Chen Qing smiled mysteriously, about to say a few more words about mutual support.

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from below the city tower.

The disturbance lingered, growing more intense rather than fading.

“What’s going on? Didn’t you see I’m having tea with Young Master Qing? Who’s making such a ruckus down there?”

Zhang Tianci’s face darkened, showing clear displeasure.

“Master, just received word that the person from the capital’s Chen family, whom Young Master Qing explicitly named, has arrived. The city guards are refusing to let him in.”

An attendant quickly reported the situation.