Chapter 130: Fang Clan's Dilemma, Shadow Assassin's Golden Eagle, Departure

Chapter 130: Fang Clan's Dilemma, Shadow Assassin's Golden Eagle, Departure

Sheng Mansion.

In the study.

Hong Chen was venting to his father.

"Father, ever since you returned, everyone who once considered me a friend either avoids me or openly distances themselves. Can you tell me why?"

His voice carried layers of frustration.

These past few days had been a bitter lesson in the fickle nature of human relationships.

All because Hong Risheng had fallen from grace—stripped of his Hall Master position for failing his duties—those around him had turned cold. Even old friends now acted like strangers, their smiles vanished.

Hong Risheng remained silent, his once-vibrant demeanor replaced by visible aging, as if years had been carved from his soul.

Factional struggles were inherently merciless.

With Hong Qi’s death, countless factions that had backed him were now under attack. He was no exception.

Worse still, this entanglement with Su Chen...

If it were merely a matter of incompetence, he wouldn’t have fallen so far.

The crux lay in Qin Xue’s connection to Su Chen.

When his position as Xuan Shui Sect’s Hall Master was rescinded, he discreetly investigated the cause.

Who could have predicted that the young man who once visited their estate would soon become the talk of Big Feng City for killing Hong Qi?

Qin Xue, who had vouched for Su Chen, could never fully escape blame.

If not for his direct bloodline ties to the Hong Clan, their family’s downfall would have been even grimmer.

Even so, he’d been forced to relinquish his status as a Hall Master to protect his family.

Yet the Hong Clan still didn’t fully trust him, hence the order to eliminate the Fang Clan in Big Feng City.

According to his recent investigations, the Fang Clan—unknown in Big Feng—was merely a merchant family from White Stone City. Their only offense? A prior connection to Su Chen. Hence, the Hong Clan’s orders to act.

The irony lay in who had been chosen for the task—himself. The message was clear.

"Panicking accomplishes nothing. This is temporary. Soon enough, things will return to normal. Use this time to see who your true friends really are", Hong Risheng finally replied after a long pause.

Hong Chen studied his father, surprised by the calm confidence in his tone. Hope flickered across his face. "Father, do you have a plan?"

Hong Risheng outlined his strategy, but Hong Chen shook his head.

"Father, that won’t work."

Hong Risheng froze, eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"

Hong Chen hesitated, then argued, "We can’t act directly against the Fang Clan. If Ding Peng finds out, he’ll retaliate."

"And what do you suggest?" Hong Risheng asked, taken aback. He’d noticed something different about his usually reckless son today.

Hong Chen leaned forward. "Let the butler take the lead in your name. If things go wrong, we can deny involvement..." He hesitated, his voice trailing off as his father's piercing gaze bore into him.

Hong Risheng remained silent, then finally spoke. "You’re right. But we don’t need the butler—just send a servant. The Fang Clan isn’t that significant."

Hong Chen nodded, realizing he’d spoken too much. Then he asked, "Father, when did we cross paths with Ding Peng?"

"Ding Peng is Su Chen."

Hong Chen recoiled as if struck. "He’s Su Chen?! Then that means..."

Hong Risheng gave a weary nod. "Yes. When I learned the truth, I was just as shocked. Even now, I can’t fathom how Hong Ming raised such a genius disciple."

The comparison to his own son was unspoken but sharp. A pang of frustration hit Hong Risheng.

"Finish this quickly. Drive them out, then eliminate them", he ordered.

Hong Chen was about to leave when the door swung open, revealing a graceful figure.

"Where do you think you’re going?" Qin Xue’s voice carried no warmth.

Hong Chen flinched. "Mother..."

Hong Risheng stood awkwardly. "Dear, what brings you here?"

Qin Xue’s glare sliced through them. "If I hadn’t come, you’d already be moving against the Fang Clan, wouldn’t you?"

Father and son exchanged glances, cowed by her presence.

Qin Xue shut the door and stepped closer. "I’ve already learned the truth. The Fang Clan stays."

"But—" Hong Chen began, only to meet her icy stare.

"I’ve already sent word to Su Chen in my name. Turn a blind eye", she warned.

"Father, say something!" Hong Chen urged. Letting the Fangs escape meant facing the Hong Clan’s wrath.

Hong Risheng gave his son a resolute look before turning to his wife, his voice cautious. "My dear, I rarely oppose you, but this time..."

His tone wavered, eyes darting nervously.

Before he could finish, Qin Xue’s single, sharp "Hmm?" silenced him.

"I’ll follow your lead!" he blurted.

Hong Chen gaped.

"Father?!" he hissed.

Hong Risheng shook his head. "We’ll do as your mother says. Better to leave ourselves an escape route."

Hong Chen slumped in resignation.

---

"Su Chen, the Hong Clan is targeting the Fangs?"

Qiao Qiliang’s news startled Su Chen. He’d been in Big Feng City for months without visiting Fang Rou. Now her family faced ruin because of him.

Qiao Qiliang nodded. "The Hong Clan knows you’ve joined the Magistrate’s Office. They’re too afraid to confront you directly, so they’re pressuring the Fang Clan. The Fangs are nearly driven out of the city."

"Who’s leading this?" Su Chen’s gaze darkened, though his tone remained calm.

Qiao Qiliang hesitated. "Hong Risheng is in charge. But they don’t plan to destroy the Fangs completely—just force Fang Rou to leave. Also... I learned of this because Qin Xue sent word."

"Xue’er", Su Chen murmured, understanding. Qin Xue had intervened.

"Where are they now?"

Qiao Qiliang smiled. "I’ve already arranged for the Magistrate’s Office to protect them. But someone wants to see you."

He stepped aside, revealing a familiar figure behind him—Fang Rou, her youthful beauty now tempered by maturity.

"Su... junior", she greeted, her almond-shaped eyes shining with unspoken words.

"Fang Senior", Su Chen smiled warmly.

Qiao Qiliang discreetly withdrew, giving them space.

The fond memories of their first meeting washed over Fang Rou, easing her tension.

"I never imagined you’d become a distinguished guest of the Magistrate’s Office", she said, awe and pride mingling.

Su Chen chuckled. "Time flies. But listen—Hong Clan won’t stop. For your safety, you must leave Big Feng City."

“Mm.” Fang Rou furrowed her brows and nodded.

Qiao Qiliang mentioned a few things briefly. Fang Rou already knew how formidable the Hong Clan was—they’d target her clan if they couldn’t eliminate Su Chen.

Recent events had proven this. The Hong Clan hadn’t even bothered to show themselves, yet their mere words had left the Fang Clan struggling to survive.

Like ants trying to shake a giant tree, Fang Rou thought bitterly. The Fang Clan had no power to resist.

“My suggestion is for you to leave Big Feng City. I’ll arrange escorts for you,” Su Chen stated his plan.

His feud with the Hong Clan would end only in blood. But not now—his current strength still couldn’t match theirs. He needed time.

Once he reached a level where he feared nothing, he’d strike the Hong Clan without mercy!

“Agreed!” Fang Rou consented without hesitation.

“Have you decided where to go?” Su Chen asked.

“Not yet.”

“How about Yunzhou? My master and Senior Li Mo are there,” Su Chen mused.

“That works.” Fang Rou nodded after a moment’s thought.

“Then prepare your things these few days. I’ll personally see you off.”

Fang Rou gave a bitter smile. “We’ve already packed.”

“Then we leave tomorrow morning.”

...

Inside a roadside inn, a carrier pigeon with blood-stained feathers flapped down.

“Leaving the city?”

A shadow stepped out, retrieving a scroll from the pigeon’s leg capsule. As he read the message, he murmured, “Opportunity has come.”

The next morning, dawn had just broken when a carriage train slowly rolled out of the city. Su Chen and Qiao Qiliang sat in a spacious carriage.

An hour later, a voice called out: “Master, we’ve arrived.”

“Let’s go.” Qiao Qiliang whispered. They both stepped down.

They’d reached the outskirts of Big Feng City. Continuing westward would lead them toward Yunzhou.

The Fang Clan’s group disembarked too. After Fang Youwei and Yan Que thanked Su Chen, they boarded their own carriages.

Seeing this, Qiao Qiliang discreetly distanced himself from Su Chen.

“Senior Brother Su, this is for you.” Fang Rou blushed slightly, handing Su Chen a small pouch. “I know I can’t help much, but this talisman will protect you.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister.” Su Chen, slightly taken aback, accepted it.

Fang Rou seemed to have countless words unspoken, but finally sighed. “Senior Brother Su, take care.”

“You too. Travel safely.”

Su Chen smiled. The road ahead seemed clear—the Hong Clan hadn’t sent anyone to intercept them. Leaving Qinghe’s borders would resolve most dangers.

Still, he worried the Hong Clan might target the Fangs later. Fortunately, Qiao Qiliang understood his concerns. He’d assigned a Bone Tempering Minor Master and dozens of Vital Force Cultivators to escort them until reaching Qinghe City.

As the Fang Clan departed, Qiao Qiliang approached, grinning. “Say, if you asked your ‘Senior Sister’ to stay, do you think she’d take you up on it?”

Su Chen countered, “Stay for what?”

“You know exactly what I mean.” Qiao Qiliang shook his head. Su Chen understood his implication but had no room for romantic entanglements right now.

“Let’s go.”

Only after the Fangs disappeared down the road did Qiao Qiliang finally urge departure. Su Chen nodded. They reboarded the carriage heading back to the city.

“Whoa!”

Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a halt. Su Chen and Qiao Qiliang exchanged wary glances.

“Master, it’s Miss Fang Rou!”

Just as they suspected an ambush, the driver’s voice came from outside.

“Fang Rou? Why is she back?” Su Chen frowned.

Stepping out, they saw a graceful figure standing ahead. The breeze danced through her hair and fluttered her robes—a vision of ethereal beauty.

Spotting Su Chen, Fang Rou’s face lit with a radiant smile as she hurried over.

“Su Chen!”

Approaching him, her eyes sparkled with unspoken emotions.

“Senior Sister? Why did you return?” Su Chen asked, puzzled.

Seeing Su Chen instinctively step back, Qiao Qiliang rolled his eyes. Does this guy even realize she was about to hug him?

“I… I don’t want to leave anymore. I want to stay with you…” Fang Rou lowered her head, cheeks flushed.

“Then come aboard,” Su Chen said after a pause, studying her face.

Fang Rou’s eyes brightened instantly. “Alright! I’ll obey you completely.”

While Su Chen remained composed, Qiao Qiliang shuddered. Ugh, this lovey-dovey nonsense… I shouldn’t have come.

Suddenly—

“Watch out!”

A flash of light streaked past. Su Chen’s instincts screamed danger. His hair bristled as he heard the sharp whistle of an attack from behind.

At the last moment, he twisted sideways. A glimpse revealed the attacker—Fang Rou!

No longer the gentle maiden, she radiated cold-blooded killing intent.

“You’re not Fang Rou!” Su Chen’s eyes narrowed.

Her movements felt off from the start. Now her ruthless strikes confirmed it. Whoever this was, she far surpassed Fang Rou’s strength—a professional assassin.

“Master Qiao, assist him!” Qiao Qiliang shouted.

“No!” Su Chen’s firm voice stopped him.

As he refused aid, the impostor felt a sudden pressure from Su Chen’s aura.

“Trying to escape?”

The assassin tried to retreat, but Su Chen vanished and reappeared before her.

“Too fast!” she thought, then sneered. “Still too slow!”

Her speed suddenly multiplied, leaving Su Chen behind by ten meters.

“Don’t lose her!” Qiao Qiliang ran after them, followed closely by his retainer.

Too late—the assassin smirked, certain she’d lost Su Chen. But the next moment, Su Chen’s figure reappeared beside her.

This guy killed Hong Qi? She realized she’d underestimated him. No wonder the Shadow Assassin Guild assigned only their Gold Eagle assassins for this target.

“Ahead’s the forest—that’s my territory!” She sneered at Su Chen before diving into the trees.

“Don’t follow!” Qiao Qiliang cried, but Su Chen charged in after her.

Inside the dense forest, dappled sunlight barely penetrated. Su Chen scanned the eerie silence—no sign of the assassin.

Suddenly, a cold breeze. A voice sliced through the air:

“Die!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end