Chapter 22

This pair of brothers are indeed outstanding among men; the younger brother has displayed unparalleled prowess in swordsmanship, while the elder brother has made rapid progress in cultivation. If the Chen family had not been destroyed, they would surely have achieved unparalleled glory under their leadership!

Mengkong couldn't help but admire them in his heart.

If the many teachers and students of Songyan Academy knew that Mengkong, known as the "Black-faced Instructor," would also praise others, they would surely be shocked.

"By the way, isn't Songyan Academy forbidden from allowing students to go out?" Chen Xi asked, seeing Mengkong beside his younger brother Chen Hao, he vaguely felt that something was about to happen.

Chen Hao nodded and said, "Brother, Uncle Mengkong said he would take me away from Songyan Academy to Longyuan City in the Southern Border, to join the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect for cultivation. I came out this time to hear your opinion."

Flowing Cloud Sword Sect?

Chen Xi's heart suddenly trembled, and he turned his gaze to Mengkong.

If the sects were divided into different levels, the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect in Longyuan City, located in the heart of the Southern Border, would definitely be considered a top-tier sect. It is said that several powerful sword immortals of the Earth Immortal level are in seclusion within the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, and its strength is so formidable that few in the entire Southern Border can match it.

"Chen Hao has excellent insight in swordsmanship, and his sword heart is firm, making him very suitable for the path of sword cultivation. I think he should go to the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect to receive the most orthodox sword cultivation training, rather than learning in a small place like Songyan City, otherwise, it will hinder his future," Mengkong said solemnly. "Also, you don't need to worry about his safety on the journey; I will escort him all the way to the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect."

Chen Xi was most concerned about this point because a month ago, his grandfather, Chen Tianli, had died at the hands of enemies while trying to send his younger brother to Longyuan City to participate in the Thousand Sword Sect's assessment.

Now, hearing that Mengkong would accompany him, Chen Xi was completely reassured. He looked into his younger brother's eyes and said seriously, "You've grown up, and I respect your choice. The Flowing Cloud Sword Sect is even more powerful than the Thousand Sword Sect. If you really decide to go, you must take good care of yourself."

"Okay!"

Chen Hao said firmly, "Brother, rest assured, when I return after learning, I will kill all our family's enemies!"

Is the hatred so deeply rooted?

A hint of worry arose in Mengkong's heart. The more resolute a person's mind is, the more stubborn and inflexible they become. If Chen Hao is blinded by hatred, he might very well go mad in the future.

Chen Xi frowned and scolded, "Don't mention revenge again. If I find out you're seeking out our enemies on your own, don't recognize me as your brother in the future."

"Okay." Chen Hao lowered his head sullenly when his brother got angry, but the stubborn look in his eyes did not change.

"Let's do this: when you reach the Two Instruments Golden Core Realm, you can do whatever you want, and I won't interfere anymore," Chen Xi said, understanding his brother's thoughts and knowing that blocking him would be less effective than guiding him, so he proposed a compromise.

"That's a good idea!"

Chen Hao lifted his little face excitedly and said, "Brother, wait for me. I'll reach the Two Instruments Golden Core Realm soon, and then you mustn't stop me anymore."

"It's a deal."

"It's a deal!"

The two brothers extended their fists and clenched them tightly together.

Mengkong smiled slightly, about to say something, when he suddenly turned his head and looked into the distance.

In the night, a black shadow quickly approached, moving like the wind, but exuding a sense of panic and fear.

"Chen Xi!"

The black shadow suddenly stopped, looking at Chen Xi standing in the distance, and called out in surprise.

At this moment, Chen Xi and Chen Hao finally recognized the person—it was the Wu Butler of the Li family.

The Wu Butler looked very disheveled, his thin face pale and almost transparent, with a lingering look of fear and bitterness. This made Chen Xi and the others curious.

Why would this guy appear in the civilian area for no reason?

What kind of incident could make the grand butler of the Li family look so disheveled?

The Wu Butler's gaze swept over Mengkong, and he was taken aback. Remembering Luo Chong standing guard at Chen Xi's house, his face turned even uglier. Could this all be a trap set by this guy?

With the first expert under the General's Mansion, Luo Chong, guarding the house, and the strongest fighter of Songyan Academy, Mengkong, coming to support, what else could this be but an ambush?

"Chen Xi, you're too ruthless! With an ambush and backup, what a vicious plan. Wait and see, the Li family will never let you off!"

After spitting out these harsh words, the Wu Butler dared not stay any longer and fled in panic.

What does this mean?

Not only Chen Xi, but also Chen Hao and Mengkong were puzzled.

They didn't know that in the Wu Butler's mind, he had already determined that everything tonight was a trap set by Chen Xi, aimed at capturing him and the Li Han brothers.

"Hmph, just an old dog of the Li family, don't take him seriously," Mengkong said coldly, his voice full of disdain.

"Brother, did that old dog cause you trouble again while I was at Songyan Academy?" Chen Hao asked through gritted teeth, his face full of killing intent.

Chen Xi shook his head. "Let's go home quickly. The Wu Butler fled in panic tonight, so the reason might be near our house."

Mengkong was amazed again. In just a short time, Chen Xi could roughly determine the reason for the Wu Butler's panicked flight. Such mental acuity was almost demonic!

...

"Mengkong!"

"Luo Chong!"

When they arrived at Chen Xi's house, seeing Qin Hongmian sitting on the steps and Luo Chong standing solemnly beside her, Mengkong was taken aback and exclaimed in surprise.

Just as Mengkong spoke, a cold light suddenly shot out from Luo Chong's eyes, and he exclaimed in surprise.

Clearly, the two were familiar with each other, but Chen Xi couldn't determine their relationship. However, he finally confirmed that the Wu Butler's escape was definitely related to Luo Chong, the first expert under the General's Mansion.

"Mengkong, you finally came out of Songyan Academy. Today, are you willing to fight me?"

Luo Chong looked at Mengkong like a child who had found his favorite toy, his eyes burning with battle intent, and a towering aura of combat surged from his body!

"No time."

Mengkong shook his head expressionlessly, his tone calm, as if he wasn't worried at all about Luo Chong attacking him.

Actually, Mengkong was a bit annoyed to see Luo Chong.

To others, Luo Chong might be the revered commander of the General's Mansion, but to Mengkong, he was a madman obsessed with battle. Once this guy identified someone as a worthy opponent, he would stick to them like a leech, and wouldn't let go until they had a proper fight.

Mengkong wasn't afraid to fight Luo Chong, but as a proud sword cultivator, his sword was for killing, not for sparring. He also didn't want his sword to be used as a whetstone for others, so he absolutely couldn't agree to this.

"No, today you have to agree, no matter what. I finally caught you, and I can't let you off so easily."

At this moment, Luo Chong was undoubtedly a madman, drawing his long, black sword with a hiss, and a terrifying aura locked onto Mengkong.

"If you dare to attack, I will report to the General's Mansion in the name of Songyan Academy. As the commander of the General's Mansion, causing trouble on the street, I wonder what General Qin would think of this," Mengkong said calmly.

"You... shameless!" Luo Chong, hit where it hurt, exploded in anger.

"Hmph."

"You're too shameless!"

"Hmph."

"You're shameless to the point of being incomprehensible!"

"Hmph."

...

Watching Luo Chong and Mengkong bickering like children, Chen Xi and Chen Hao exchanged glances, speechless.

Is this the first expert under the General's Mansion, famous in Songyan City?

Is this the strongest fighter of Songyan Academy, the sword cultivator?

"Are you Chen Xi?"

Someone was calmer than the Chen brothers, even completely ignoring Luo Chong and Mengkong. It was none other than Qin Hongmian, the young princess of the General's Mansion, obsessed with the Dao of Talismans.

"Oh, yes."

Chen Xi came to his senses and looked at Qin Hongmian. Seeing a clean and beautiful girl, he was a bit surprised. It was late at night, why was she at his house, with a powerful guard like Luo Chong beside her...

Wait!

Could she be the young princess of the General's Mansion, Qin Hongmian, who was doted on by everyone?

"Finally found you."

Qin Hongmian smiled happily, took out a stack of talismans from her small treasure pouch, and quickly said, "These are the talismans you made that I bought from the market. The talisman patterns are novel and mysterious, unique, and the power has increased by nearly half. I want to know the principle behind them. Can you help me understand?"

Qin Hongmian's obsession with the Dao of Talismans was well-known in Songyan City. Hearing her talk about talismans and talisman patterns, Chen Xi finally confirmed the identity of the clean and beautiful girl.

"I'm just a talisman apprentice, I don't think I can help you."

Qin Hongmian opened her eyes wide, puzzled, "But these talismans were made by you, how can you not help me?"

"I..."

Facing a girl obsessed with the Dao of Talismans, with a pure and innocent heart, Chen Xi didn't know how to respond. After thinking for a moment, he took a talisman from Qin Hongmian's hand and recognized it as a new type of earth shield talisman he had created after comprehending the Fuxi divine statue.

"I really can't explain the reason. It's not that I won't tell you, but even I don't understand why I can create such a structure."

"Really?" Qin Hongmian looked at him with clear, innocent eyes, confused.

Chen Xi nodded. He was indeed not lying to Qin Hongmian. The new talisman patterns were purely the result of a mental twist during the creation process, and he still didn't understand the specific reason, so he couldn't promise to help her.

"How can this be?" Qin Hongmian pouted, her eyes welled up with tears, and they started to fall.

Chen Xi was stunned.

"Boy! Do you know that my young lady has waited for you here for a whole day?"

Seeing Qin Hongmian cry, Luo Chong suddenly rushed over and scolded, "I even helped you kill three assassins sent by the Li family, and you're so ungrateful!"

"Uncle Luo, it's not his fault, it's my fault," Qin Hongmian said, wiping her tears, looking weak and tender, making people feel pity.

Seeing this, Luo Chong became even angrier, staring at Chen Xi and said, "If you don't agree to help the young lady today, I'll tie you up and take you to the General's Mansion!"

"You dare!" Chen Hao, who had been silent, jumped out first, his face angry, shouting, "My brother hasn't offended her, why should you tie up my brother?"

Chen Xi stopped his brother, shook his head to prevent him from speaking, and then looked at Qin Hongmian, saying softly, "I really don't know how I did it, but I can give you a suggestion."

Qin Hongmian's eyes lit up, and she wiped away her tears.

"I think practicing a visualization technique to strengthen your divine soul would greatly benefit the Dao of Talismans."

Chen Xi pondered for a moment and slowly spoke.

"Visualization technique?"

As soon as the words were out, Luo Chong and Mengkong both exclaimed in surprise, their faces showing disbelief.