CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 56: DEPARTURE

Upon hearing Yang Huan’s words, the Head of Fan Family’s gaze flickered, but the smile on his face remained unchanged, and he didn’t speak.

In contrast, Fan Ruoxi couldn’t hold her temper. Thinking that Yang Huan was actually going to snatch a man from her, she exploded instantly.

"Yang Huan, who are you trying to snatch?" She had a rare smile on her face, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Yang Huan didn’t expect Fan Ruoxi to speak to him, let alone smile at him. One must know that Fan Ruoxi was usually very aloof. The status of the Fan Family was about the same as their Yang Family, and Fan Ruoxi didn’t like his ways; she usually didn’t even say a word to him. Now she was actually smiling at him, which surprised Yang Huan a bit.

"This man took my man, so I’m having him to repay the debt." He pointed at Mu Chen, who glanced at him and then turned his head to Fan Ruoxi to speak.

"No way!" Fan Ruoxi rejected Yang Huan’s words without even thinking.

"Hmm?" Yang Huan was stunned for a moment, looking at Fan Ruoxi’s expression with some confusion.

"This man caught my eye first, you are not allowed to snatch him from me!" Fan Ruoxi looked at Mu Chen and said in a domineering tone completely inconsistent with her outward appearance.

Immediately, everyone’s gaze focused on Mu Chen, who just glanced at Fan Ruoxi, then withdrew his gaze, as if these people weren’t talking about him.

"Xi’er, step back." A trace of helplessness appeared in the eyes of the Head of Fan Family. He didn’t expect Fan Ruoxi to speak out so directly. For the sake of his daughter’s dignity and reputation, he could only order Fan Ruoxi to step back.

Fan Ruoxi was about to shake her head, but after seeing the Head of Fan Family’s gaze, she pouted and unwillingly retreated behind him.

"So Ruoxi, my dear sister, you like this type," Yang Huan had already reacted by this time and smiled profoundly, "Since sister, you like him, as long as he gives me back my man, then you can have him!"

Because the Head of Fan Family was present, Fan Ruoxi couldn’t speak. She could only glare fiercely at Yang Huan, then look at Mu Chen, afraid that Mu Chen might have a bad impression of her.

"Shameless!" Being discussed back and forth like a commodity, Mu Chen was not happy at all. He snorted coldly and launched another attack.

He flicked his wrist, the Red Flame Spear thrusting forward, his body following the spearhead directly towards Yang Huan.

Zou Sheng blocked in front of Yang Huan again, his sword colliding with the Red Flame Spear, sparking a burst of sparks. Feeling the force transmitted from the blade, even more powerful than before, he frowned and looked at Mu Chen with apprehension.

After they separated, Mu Chen felt the inn was a bit cramped, and since Gu Qingqing and others were also in the inn, he led Zou Sheng outside. The others, seeing this, followed them out as well.

Without the constraints of the venue, Mu Chen’s speed increased significantly. With each clash with Zou Sheng, the destructive power was immense, and surrounding buildings were wrecked. Many people watched their battle from afar and began to discuss upon learning their identities.

Zou Sheng wasn’t a match for Mu Chen, and feeling apprehensive, he was injured on the shoulder before a quarter of an hour had passed. Mu Chen kicked him in the chest, sending him flying backward, blood dripping from his mouth; when he wanted to attack again, Mu Chen had already grabbed Yang Huan by the throat.

Yang Huan’s cultivation was not high, probably at the fifth stage. It was the first time since he was a child that someone had grabbed his throat, especially since Mu Chen applied force, making him feel breathless, the fear of death making him forget he had cultivation.

"You want me to follow you, hmm?" Mu Chen’s lips curled up as he tightened his grip and asked in Yang Huan’s ear.

Yang Huan’s face turned red, breathing became difficult, and he quickly shook his head, indicating that he didn’t mean it.

Mu Chen slightly loosened his grip, "Since I saved Qian Zhili, he’s no longer someone you can think about. If you’re smart, go home and don’t cause us any trouble again; otherwise, I’m afraid even your Yang Family will be in trouble!"

Yang Huang’s eyes twitched, he nodded hurriedly, indicating he understood, "Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t trouble you again after this, I’ll pretend this never happened!"

"Heh, I’m not that trusting of you." Mu Chen chuckled lightly, not quite believing, as he reached out and tossed an elixir into Yang Huan’s mouth, then let go of his throat.

"What did you feed me?" Yang Huan hurriedly wanted to spit out the elixir while asking Mu Chen.

"Of course, it’s poison, and I’m the only one with the antidote. As long as you behave, I’ll give you the antidote." Mu Chen’s lips curled into a malicious smile as he spoke to Yang Huan.

Yang Huan’s expression turned terrified, he even tried to stick his fingers down his throat to vomit out the elixir, but was unsuccessful.

"Don’t bother, my elixir dissolves instantly upon entry. If you don’t believe me, expose your right wrist and see if a red line appears. When that line reaches your chest, that’s your death date." Mu Chen said lightly, satisfied with the expression on Yang Huan’s face.

Yang Huan quickly raised his hand, exposing his wrist, and indeed found a red line he’d never seen before. His expression immediately turned terrified.

"Rest assured, I’m a person of my word; as long as you no longer trouble us, I’ll give you the antidote." Seeing Yang Huan’s expression, Mu Chen spoke.

Although Yang Huan hated Mu Chen to the core, his life was now in Mu Chen’s hands, he dared not refuse Mu Chen’s conditions and could only nod repeatedly, "Alright, I’ll go back now, and I’ll never trouble you again."

Mu Chen nodded indifferently and raised his eyebrows, indicating for Yang Huan to leave quickly.

Yang Huan gritted his teeth, looked at Mu Chen for a moment, and could only wave to his subordinates, "Go!"

After speaking, he hurriedly rushed back, not bothering to greet the Head of the Fan Family, anxious to find a doctor to see if he was really poisoned.

Mu Chen’s objective had been achieved, so he prepared to return to the inn, but was stopped by Fan Ruoxi. He frowned, already having a poor impression of Fan Ruoxi, and now his expression worsened. He directly bypassed Fan Ruoxi and headed into the inn.

Fan Ruoxi was taken aback for a moment, then immediately turned around and stood in front of Mu Chen again, trying to block him like before, but suddenly Mu Chen’s figure disappeared from her sight.

She looked a bit disappointedly at Mu Chen’s back, stomped her foot, and was about to follow Mu Chen inside, but was called to a halt by the Head of the Fan Family.

"Xi’er, come back!" The Head of the Fan Family called Fan Ruoxi in an unusually stern voice.

Fan Ruoxi turned her head, looking at the Head of the Fan Family in confusion, not understanding why she was being called back.

"Come back." The Head of the Fan Family didn’t explain, simply motioned for Fan Ruoxi to come over.

Fan Ruoxi looked at the inn’s door, where Yue Zhao had already entered. She could only hang her head dejectedly and return to the Head of the Fan Family’s side.

"Xi’er, you saw it just now. He is not someone you can control, and he doesn’t like you. Do you still want to bring him back?" The Head of the Fan Family looked at the downcast Fan Ruoxi, frowned, and asked.

Fan Ruoxi paused for a moment, thought of Mu Chen’s earlier demeanor, and dejectedly kicked the ground, muttering softly, "But he’s the first person I’ve ever liked!"

The Head of the Fan Family paused, seeing his usually proud daughter looking so aggrieved, felt a twinge of heartache. He reached out, patting Fan Ruoxi’s head, "He’s not suitable for you. Not to mention that with his cultivation level, even your father might not be able to beat him. Even if we could, bringing him here, you two likely wouldn’t be happy together!"

The Head of the Fan Family was not like Yang Huan, unable to discern Mu Chen’s level of cultivation. He had already noticed that Mu Chen’s cultivation might be above his own!

Given Mu Chen’s young age and his current abilities, he would surely reach the Half-step Immortal Realm in the future, possibly even ascend to Immortality. A union with Fan Ruoxi was impossible, and their family couldn’t afford to provoke such a person!

"Come on, go back with your father." He patted Fan Ruoxi’s shoulder and said softly.

Fan Ruoxi glanced up at the Head of the Fan Family, then looked at the inn’s door, her eyes full of reluctance, but she still left with the Head of the Fan Family.

...

After returning, Yang Huan immediately sought out the Doctor kept by the Yang Family. During the diagnosis, the Doctor’s face turned grim, making Yang Huan very anxious.

"Doctor Zhang, am I poisoned?" Due to the Doctor’s respected status, Yang Huan had to be deferential, asking cautiously.

Doctor Zhang glanced at Yang Huan, examined him further, then withdrew his hand, "Based on the pulse, Young Master is indeed poisoned, and it’s a very potent one. If an antidote is not found, Young Master may not have much time left!"

Yang Huan immediately slumped onto the bed, "He actually poisoned me!"

He lifted his hand, exposing his right wrist, seeing the red line had grown longer than when he last looked, panicking instantly.

Someone like him fears death most. Earlier, he thought Mu Chen was joking, but now, realizing all Mu Chen said was true, he was immediately terrified. Although reluctant, he had no choice but to give up on Qian Zhili, whom he was infatuated with.

...

Early the next morning, Gu Qingqing and her group, who planned to stay just one night in Galuo City, prepared to leave after waking up. Qian San and his family were ready too, waiting to leave town with Gu Qingqing’s group.

Yang Huan indeed kept his word, not troubling them further. Until they left the town, no one came to cause them any trouble. Once they exited the town, they saw Yang Huan and his men waiting outside the city gates.

"I’ve upheld my end of the deal. Now, can you give me the antidote?" Yang Huan looked at Mu Chen, speaking in a stiff tone.

Mu Chen glanced at Yang Huan, nodded, and tossed him a Jade Bottle, "The antidote is inside."

Yang Huan carefully took the Jade Bottle, not daring to consume it immediately, instead tucking it away for Doctor Zhang to examine first before deciding whether to take it.

Mu Chen also noticed Yang Huan’s movements, but he merely blinked without commenting further. Having handed over the antidote, they naturally wanted to leave quickly.

Fortunately, Yang Huan was wiser this time, not pursuing them further, just watching them leave with resentment.