Unrivaled Martial Emperor

Chapter 148 - Making Trouble

“Look, that is...”

“Hmm? That young man looks so familiar, but who is he?”

“......”

Chen Fan strolled around the Chen Clan mansion, and as he passed, the servants eyed him curiously. Though he seemed familiar, they struggled to recall who he was.

Unperturbed, he continued without acknowledging the inquisitive gazes. His destination was the courtyard where his father and grandfather resided.

“Grandfather.”

Upon entering the courtyard, Chen Fan spotted his grandfather, Chen Tianxiong.

“Xiaofan!”

Chen Tianxiong turned his head to look and saw Chen Fan. He was momentarily stunned before joy lit up his face. “Xiaofan, is that really you? You’re finally willing to come home.”

“It’s my fault, Grandfather, for not visiting you and Father in three years,” Chen Fan apologized.

Chen Tianxiong said, “Mmm, you’ve grown up, Xiaofan, and taller too. You’ve changed so much that I almost couldn’t recognize you.”

“Grandfather, have you and Father been well?”

“Good, we’re very good. Look, I’m still healthy.” Chen Tianxiong smiled, patting his chest.

Qi Grandmaster powerhouses could live over a hundred and twenty years. Chen Tianxiong, in his seventies, was still in his prime in the martial arts world.

Chen Fan’s insight was naturally extraordinary. His perception had improved, allowing him to sense the vigorous power of qi and blood inside Chen Tianxiong. There were no signs of deterioration; he was brimming with vitality.

Martial artists defied the heavens, seeking longevity by seizing life from the heavens.

While ordinary people considered living for a hundred years a long life, martial artists, nourished by the primeval qi of heaven and earth, rarely fell ill, leading to a naturally extended lifespan.

The pursuit of immortality made the path of martial arts widely popular.

Martial artists exhausted all means to reach higher realms, all in the quest for a longer life.

The ancient saying held true: Consume qi, gain immortality.

After reaching a god-like realm, they would live as long as the heavens. Since the heavens could never be destroyed, they would also never die.

“Grandfather, where’s Father?” Chen Fan inquired, noticing Chen Zhengqing's absence.

Chen Tianxiong said, “Your father is in closed-door cultivation. Come on, let’s talk inside the house.”

Secluded cultivation?

Chen Fan’s eyes shone as he walked.

His father’s primeval vessel was shattered, leading to a regression in cultivation level. He also had to suppress injuries periodically to prevent his cultivation from regressing continually, as he could end up becoming a mere mortal otherwise.

He lacked comprehensive knowledge in the past, but given all that he knew now, he grasped the situation more effectively.

I’m afraid Father’s injuries will soon reach a limit. He's been suppressing them for over a decade. Once it erupts, he could become a cripple with zero cultivation. Chen Fan thought.

This predicament resembled a flood breaching its dike—the more one tried to block it, the greater the loss when it eventually breached.

Fortunately, Chen Fan had obtained the Buddhist Bone Relic, offering hope for his father's recovery.

......

Meanwhile, in the courtyard where Grand Elder Chen Tianyin resided:

“Big news, big news!” a youth exclaimed as he rushed into the courtyard.

Chen Tianyin walked out of his room with a darkened expression, looking at the youth with a cold gaze. “What news warrants such impudence? Show some manners!”

“Grand Elder, big news!” The youth ignored the scolding and continued, “Chen Fan is back. Not only did he return, but he also crippled Tan Yunbao in front of everyone and even slapped Liu Ruyan...”

“What?”

Chen Tianyin's aura momentarily spiraled out of control. He had lost composure but quickly regained it. His gaze was deep and hollow as he said, “Tell me what happened in detail.”

The youth quickly recounted the events.

A strange light flickered in Chen Tianyin's eyes. “How astounding. That kid was born with an iron-like dantian, a martial trash. Yet, he managed to unprecedentedly cultivate qi, and it seems he has reached the fifth or the sixth level.

“Hoho, but the heavens are truly on my side! This kid crippled Tan Yunbao and even slapped Liu Ruyan. The Tan and Liu clans definitely wouldn’t let this matter go easily. I can push the wave, add to the billows, and hand this kid over. Then, the position of the future Chen Clan’s patriarch will become my grandson’s...”

Chen Tianyin’s eyes flickered with a grim light. He said, “You did very well. This news came at the perfect time. Don’t worry. You will get your benefits!”

“Many thanks to Grand Elder.” This youth’s heart burst with joy.

“That kid should have gone to meet Chen Tianxiong. Hmph, I’ll head over right now.” Chen Tianyin’s eyes shone, and he walked out of the courtyard.

Leading a group, Chen Tianyin arrived at Chen Tianxiong’s courtyard and found Chen Fan having a casual conversation with his grandfather.

Chen Tianxiong’s expression sank when he noticed Chen Tianyin’s group. He said coldly, “What do you mean by this, Chen Tianyin?”

Chen Tianyin glanced at Chen Fan, then walked up to a seat by the side and sat down. He said peculiarly, “Chen Tianxiong, looks like you still have no idea how big of a trouble this grandson of yours has caused and how big of a disaster he brought upon our Chen Clan!”

Chen Tianxiong's eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Ask him.” Chen Tianyin directed Chen Tianxiong toward Chen Fan.

Chen Tianxiong turned his head to look at Chen Fan and asked, “Xiaofan, what exactly happened?”

Chen Fan took a sip of tea, put down the teacup unhurriedly, and swept his gaze across Chen Tianyin’s group.

So, these people are Chen Tianyin’s henchmen, huh?

He didn’t expect Chen Tianyin’s side to learn about what happened in the city so quickly. He had brought along a group like they were here to punish him. Their motive was obvious.

After all, Chen Qingqing had already told him that Chen Tianyin had been trying to push his grandson, Chen Tao, to the clan’s young patriarch position.

Chen Fan smiled coldly inside and said indifferently, “It’s nothing much. On my way back, I saw Tan Yunbao bullying our clan’s people. So, I took action and crippled him. It’s no big deal. I didn’t expect to cause alarm to Grand Elder, making you bring your people here to ‘punish me.’”

Smack!

Chen Tianyin directly slammed his palm on the table. He shot up to his feet, looked at Chen Fan, and said, “It’s no big deal? Don’t you know that this matter will likely give the two clans an excuse to attack our Chen Clan? Don’t you know that your actions could push our Chen Clan into a situation of no return?”

His voice gradually rose higher and higher, nearly shouting at the very end.

Of course, he was doing this on purpose.

Chen Fan scratched his ear, looking at Chen Tianyin with a dissatisfied expression. “Why are you shouting so loudly? I’m not deaf.”

“You...”

Chen Tianyin felt like he was punching cotton, unable to get through to him. He was so vexed he could vomit blood.

He immediately looked toward Chen Tianxiong and said, “Look, Chen Tianxiong. This is what your precious grandson is like. Remember, he is our clan’s young patriarch.

“Just take a look for yourself. Does he even have any respect for us elders? Or our Chen Clan? He’s pushing our Chen Clan into the fire pit!”