Chapter 106: The Qin Family of Yannan

On the third day, four Land Rover SUVs traveled along a narrow country path.

Jiang Yu and Anya sat in the lead vehicle, which was the first of the convoy. Chen Chuwan and the others were also inside, while the remaining members were scattered throughout the following vehicles. In total, the group numbered over twenty.

Since witnessing Chen Chuwan’s fierce method of killing, Anya regarded her with deep awe. Chen’s cold indifference toward human life gave the impression that if anyone offended her along the way, she would not hesitate to crush them like a bug.

Such a person, to put it bluntly, was one who did not abide by laws or morals. When one’s strength reached a certain level, they could rise above most rules.

Chen Kun lit a cigarette and chuckled, “Along the way, we took down eight Han family estates, killed five internal energy martial artists, and three Han family high-ranking members. They must be furious by now.”

Chen Chuwan rested her slender jade-like finger on her cheek, calmly gazing out the window. She spoke softly, “The Han family is secretly supported by a secular hidden clan. Long ago, the Yan Nan Qin clan, the Dongzhou Fang family, and the Qi Mountain royal family—three secular hidden clans—swore a blood oath to support the Chen family for life.”

“Since Chen Shanhe disappeared, these three major secular hidden clans, although not acting openly, have quietly aided some ordinary families in usurping the Chen family’s assets. In just over ten years, our family’s holdings have shrunk by eighty percent. Within three years at most, the Chen family will be completely destroyed.”

Her voice held a note of sorrow. As the martial prodigy of the Chen family, Chen Chuwan was only twenty-three years old but had already reached the great completion of the Qi Condensation stage, poised to step into the half-step Grandmaster realm at any moment.

Yet, her lone strength was like a mayfly trying to shake a tree against three hidden clans supported by powerful masters. Proud as she was, facing the Chen family’s impending ruin, she nearly suffered a heart condition.

Jiang Yu laughed, “You’re discussing your family’s deepest secrets right in front of Anya and me. Aren’t you afraid we might overhear?”

Chen Kun snorted coldly, “Even if you heard it, you wouldn’t understand a thing.”

The vehicle fell silent after that.

After traveling all morning, following Anya’s guidance, they parked the cars at the foot of the mountain, preparing to proceed on foot. This mountain range bordered the Qinling Mountains to the east and the vast wild forests to the west. Aside from Shennongjia and Daxingling, this was the third-largest oasis in China.

Anya explained that countless strange tales had circulated here since her childhood. In 1998, locals witnessed a python dragon undergoing a tribulation—dozens of meters long and as thick as a water jar—soaring through the thunderous skies.

The lightning sparked wildfires that raged for two months until heavy rain finally extinguished the flames.

There were also rumors of a man in ancient clothing with long hair who could walk on air, disappearing after a few steps above the misty forest.

Three hours later, when Yan Xiaoxiao and her group unpacked their bags, Jiang Yu shook his head with a smile. In three days, they hadn’t bought any proper mountain gear—just snacks, cosmetics, and various mosquito repellents.

The girls busied themselves taking selfies, chattering excitedly while gathering together for photos.

Chen Chuwan shook her head and whispered, “A bunch of idiots.”

She changed into a set of hiking clothes; tight jeans outlined the sensual curves of her long, shapely legs. A pair of sunglasses concealed half her face, making her look fashionable and radiant.

Chen Kun wore a full special operations suit, carrying a long sword on his back, exuding dominance.

The other Chen family members carried bulging weapons at their waists, needing no explanation. Compared to them, the students looked more like tourists on a nature trip.

Anya wore a stern expression, repeatedly warning, “If I had known, I wouldn’t have brought you all here. Strange things happen in this forest, yet you brought nothing useful. One last warning: once we enter the mountain, no one is allowed to stray from the group.”

A provocatively dressed girl scoffed, “Haha, who do you think you are? What we like to do is none of your business. Look at your scruffy appearance—what right do you have to lecture us?”

Several others nodded in agreement, clearly not taking Anya’s words seriously.

Professor Song scolded sharply, “Do you believe I’ll send you all back right now?”

These students were troublesome. Their grades were good, but each was proud and unruly. Coming from wealthy families in the big city, they lived centered on themselves wherever they went.

“Alright, we’ll follow the plan,” one girl said through gritted teeth, then stormed into the forest.

By the end of the day, everyone was complaining bitterly. After setting up tents at night, several girls took off their shoes and socks, revealing blister-covered feet. Yan Xiaoxiao pulled out an assortment of snacks—beef jerky and Western desserts—and laughter and chatter filled the campfire’s glow.

Jiang Yu sat alone beneath a tree. With his current strength, he could easily endure days without food or water. If he knew the route, he could reach the Frozen Cold Pool within a day to investigate. This group was greatly slowing his progress.

His solitary figure stood out starkly.

Chen Chuwan and her group, not far from Yan Xiaoxiao’s, also built a fire and prepared a meal. Those martial artists were immensely strong; each carried heavy loads yet showed no signs of fatigue after a day’s trek.

Anya approached Jiang Yu, holding a bowl of instant food, and placed it before him. “Mr. Jiang, have some. I got this from Miss Chen.”

Jiang Yu opened his eyes and smiled, “Thank you.”

For some reason, Anya felt a sudden inexplicable fear whenever she saw this plain-looking young man. He had no airs, was ordinary wherever he went, though somewhat taciturn.

This fear far surpassed the dread she felt toward Miss Chen.

Anya pulled out some compressed biscuits from her backpack and handed them to Jiang Yu. “Mr. Jiang, there are still several days of travel ahead. You brought nothing, and they won’t share their snacks with you. Keep these for yourself.”

Just as Anya had guessed, Jiang Yu was completely isolated over the following days. Aside from necessary communication, no one initiated a single conversation with him.

Yan Xiaoxiao’s group took pictures here and there, but the mood was much gloomier than on the first day of entering the mountain.

Last night, Jiang Yu even heard a few girls quietly crying, demanding to go home.

Chen Chuwan’s group rarely spoke, walking silently as if nothing had happened. After two or three days, they remained energetic and showed no sign of fatigue.

On the fourth day, Jiang Yu, trailing behind the group, suddenly furrowed his brow.

With his divine sense, he detected five secular martial artists shadowing them several hundred meters away. Among them, two had reached the Grandmaster level of Qi Transformation, while the other three were all accomplished secular experts at the Qi Condensation stage.

Such a team could easily annihilate Chen Chuwan and her companions.

“Looks like they intend to leave the Chen family trapped forever in these deep mountains and forests,” Jiang Yu chuckled.

Snap!

A faint gunshot rang out. One of the Chen family members fell instantly, blood spurting from a bullet wound to the forehead, staining the ground crimson.

“Ah?” Yan Xiaoxiao and the others screamed, dropping to the ground with their hands over their heads.

Chen Kun glanced at his fallen comrade in surprise, then cursed fiercely, “Looking for death!”

He stomped his foot, and the long sword on his back flew out from its sheath. Chen Kun caught it midair and turned sharply, charging into the woods. Several massive trees, as thick as large bowls, shattered under the sword’s strike like tofu.

Chen Chuwan set down her backpack, hands clasped behind her back, and said calmly, “So it’s the Qin clan. Aren’t you afraid of Chen family’s retaliation?”

An elderly man in hemp clothes with white hair and a long beard stepped forward, accompanied by three others. Their laughter boomed like rolling thunder, pressing down on the group. Several students clutched their ears and cried out in pain, blood seeping from their ear canals.

“Chen Chuwan, the Chen family has oppressed the three great hidden clans for decades. Now your time is up. Isn’t it time you paid back some interest?”

From tens of meters away came Chen Kun’s furious roar as a large swath of forest fell.

The fight there seemed arduous.

Chen Chuwan turned to face the elder, her voice cold, “A starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Can your Qin clan withstand the vengeance of a Grandmaster expert?”

The elder stroked his beard, smiling broadly. “Don’t worry, this is deep mountain wilderness. If we kill you here, no one will ever know. Besides, Chen Jianyan is gravely injured and dying. Even if he knows, what can he do?”

“Don’t think I’m unaware that your family has thrown all their strength into this wild mountain in search of divine materials to save Chen Jianyan’s life.”

Chen Chuwan’s face paled. The Chen family’s greatest secret had been exposed?

Since Chen Jianyan’s severe injury, the Chen family had desperately sealed off this news, becoming a paper tiger. Now that the secret was out, the last shred of their deterrence was gone.

Suddenly, a martial artist beside Chen Chuwan seemingly responding to a signal, decisively struck, plunging a dagger into Chen Chuwan’s side.

“How dare you?”

Enraged, Chen Chuwan slammed a palm against the attacker’s head with the force of a watermelon shattering.

“Attack!”

The elder shouted, leaping forward with both hands like a giant ape’s fists smashing down.

A Grandmaster’s ultimate strike!