CHAPTER 221: YOU LOOK DOWN ON ME?

Just as the two were locked in a fierce battle, a voice suddenly rang out from the side.

"Gentlemen, please hold your hands. Our four great families have always maintained harmony. Why resort to violence? Whatever the issue is, let's sit down and talk it through."

"Brother Shi speaks the truth. Whatever the matter is, we can discuss it calmly. There’s no need to fight.”

The newcomers were representatives of the Shi and Gan families.

"Brothers Shi Hu and Gan Li, you've come at just the right time. Today, the two of you can serve as witnesses and judge who is right and who is wrong.”

Shen Yi stepped aside and turned to the two newcomers.

"Very well. Since Brother Shen holds us in such high regard, we will listen.”

"What does Brother Xie Si think?"

Xie Si’s face showed clear disdain, but he remained silent.

"Since Brother Xie chooses to remain silent, I’ll take that as agreement."

With that, Shen Yi recounted the entire matter from the beginning.

After listening, the two men exchanged thoughtful looks before turning to Xie Si.

"Brother Xie, from what we've heard, it does seem your side broke the rules first."

"That's right! He has a point!"

"Hmph! It looks like you’re all in this together. This place belongs to the Xie family, so it’s our territory. You have no right to interfere!”

“Xie Si, that’s not right. If your side broke the rules first, what does that have to do with us? Without proof, don't throw accusations around!"

"No need for more words—let's settle this with a fight!"

Without the slightest fear, Xie Si struck out at all three of them.

“So you’re the one making the first move? Fine, let me experience your techniques!"

As the four men clashed, chaos erupted in the street.

Xie Si fought fiercely and held his own against three opponents, but he was no match for them.

After a few exchanges, he fell behind, struggling to keep up.

Just as he was about to be overwhelmed, a deep, commanding voice rang out from the distance:

"Stop!"

Several more powerful voices followed almost immediately:

"What are you doing? Cease this at once!"

"Do not harm anyone!"

...

Meanwhile, back at the clan estate, many clansmen worked in an orderly fashion.

Some were reinforcing the outer walls of the family compound while others hauled massive stones and timber from Chaotic Burial Mountain.

In addition to the many members of the Chen clan, quite a few young villagers were also present.

They had come to help after hearing that the Chen family was rebuilding their ancestral estate.

Chen Xingzhen did not turn them away. Rebuilding the family compound was a complex and significant undertaking. This time, the clan was only making modifications based on the existing foundation. However, considering the family’s future, some houses had to be torn down and rebuilt entirely. ṝＡŊօ฿Ę𐌔

With the villagers’ help, construction would speed up considerably. However, the work near the ancestral hall had to be entrusted to the clansmen themselves.

At that moment, Chen Xingzhen was standing at a distance, watching the progress of the clan’s reconstruction, when he heard the sound of a report—news gathered by clansmen from Yong’an City.

"The Innate Realm martial artists of the four great families have all appeared. After clarifying the situation, they sided with the Shen family, stating that the Xie family broke the rules first.”

Hearing this, Chen Xingzhen frowned slightly.

On the surface, this seemed like a trivial matter—hardly something that should warrant the intervention of Innate Realm experts. Moreover, he didn’t believe this was the first time such disputes had occurred among the great families.

Upon further consideration, it seemed more likely that the other three great families were deliberately targeting the Xie family.

Could it be because they found out about the Xie family’s cooperation with our clan? Was that what led to this situation?

But then, Chen Xingzhen shook his head.

The clan’s Blood Rice was valuable, yes, but not valuable enough to provoke such a large-scale reaction.

“And then?”

Chen Xingzhen asked the clansman standing before him.

"They spoke for a while longer, and the tension kept rising. But then someone appeared—someone whose mere presence made the three great families immediately back down.

"This person's name seems to be Xie Yanmo. According to the elders of the other families, he has already entered the Inner Gang Realm!”

Upon hearing this report, a glimmer of understanding appeared in Chen Xingzhen’s eyes.

So that’s how it is.

The sudden move by the other three great families wasn’t because of their cooperation with the Chen clan—it was to confirm this man’s existence.

An Inner Gang Realm martial artist! Someone like that could shift the balance of power among the families and establish dominance in Yong’an City. Such strength was enough to unsettle anyone.

Now that they had confirmed the truth, the three families likely didn’t know how to respond.

The stronger the Xie family became, the more secure the Chen clan’s Blood Rice supply would be. Furthermore, the existing balance among the four great families of Yong’an City would make their clan much safer.

If the power structure shifted, it could present an opportunity for the Chen clan to establish a foothold in the city.

However, seizing this opportunity would require the clan to grow stronger.

Three Innate Realm martial artists were far from enough.

However, in the short term, it seemed unlikely that any other clansmen would have the chance to break through to the Innate Realm.

So, how could the clan quickly strengthen its power?

As Chen Xingzhen gazed at the steadily rising outer walls of the family compound, he let out a silent sigh.

...

"Mr. Gu, what brings you here? Didn’t the clansmen inform you that there won’t be any lectures for the next few days?"

Outside the estate, Chen Tianlu looked at the middle-aged man in surprise.

After all, the clan recently stopped lessons because of the reconstruction and expansion of the family estate. By all rights, the clansmen should have informed him by now.

Gu Yu simply smiled and shook his head.

"No, the clan already sent someone to inform me. I was just feeling bored at home, so I thought I’d come over and lend a hand—see if there’s anything I can do.”

Hearing this, Chen Tianlu looked at the stooped, frail man before him, whose body was so thin that the azure robe draped over him seemed to hang on a bamboo pole, and his expression turned slightly odd.

This man had some scholarly knowledge, but he was not a martial artist. Moreover, he was over fifty years old and barely ten years younger than the patriarch. His frail, bony frame was comparable to that of a five- or six-year-old child in the clan. Even at mealtime, he had to sit at the children’s table.

Letting him help with construction? Chen Tianlu worried that, in a few days, the clan might lose its teacher.

After all, rebuilding the family estate was no easy task for an ordinary person.

Thinking of this, Chen Tianlu quickly waved his hands.

"No, no, sir. The clan appreciates your kindness, but you’d better head back and rest.”

"Huh? Are you looking down on me?!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Yu appeared genuinely furious, his beard bristling and his eyes glaring.

Chen Tianlu gave an awkward smile but quickly rushed to explain.

"No, no, Mr. Gu. You saw for yourself that our clan has already sent plenty of people to help. There are more than enough people now.”

Gu Yu didn’t seem convinced. His eyes darted around, scanning the surroundings.

Not far away, a boulder the size of a millstone quickly caught his attention.

Seeing where Mr. Gu’s gaze had landed, Chen Tianlu suddenly had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, the next moment, he watched as Mr. Gu strode briskly forward, heading straight for the enormous boulder.