Chapter 244: Origins of Birth

The Chen Family.

Ever since the demonic cultivators stormed the Chen Family’s sacred land, the clan’s buildings had suffered considerable damage.

As a result, the conference hall now appeared not just solemn, but desolate.

No one even knew which scoundrel had stripped the roof tiles off the meeting hall!

“Chen Tian, you’ve gone too far!” Chen Wang glared coldly at Chen Tian.

“Grandfather…” Chen Tian tried to act pitiful, a tactic that had always worked for him—until now.

This time, it fell completely flat.

“Speak! What the hell happened!” Chen Wang gritted his teeth. “The Ancestor’s words were not spoken in jest! Tell me, is that Li Zhong in your hands or not?!”

Chen Tian’s breath hitched slightly, then he forced a smile.

“Do you remember Third Uncle Chen Xingjia’s situation? That enchantress seduced him, betrayed the Chen Family, and ended up dead. As for this bastard child, I have no idea how he survived!”

“When Qin Shuang returned claiming blood ties, I already didn’t approve. To prevent being exploited, I had Li Zhong captured! Who would’ve thought Chen Fei was actually alive?”

His tone was bitter and reluctant.

At the mention of this incident, many people in the room frowned, obviously recalling the scandal involving Chen Xingjia.

Chen Wang glared at Chen Tian. “And where is this Li Zhong?”

“He’s still imprisoned,” Chen Tian answered with a frown. “The guy’s mouth is tight—he won’t say anything.”

Chen Wang slammed the table. “Nonsense! You think you can create your own dungeon and interrogate at will?! Bring him here immediately! If anything happens to that man, don’t expect me to protect you!”

Chen Tian squinted his eyes. “Grandfather, I suspect Chen Fei used some dark technique to manipulate the Ancestor…”

SLAP!

A crisp slap echoed throughout the room.

“Fool!” Chen Wang looked at Chen Tian with disappointment.

As his eldest grandson, Chen Wang had always favored him, but now he was saying such idiotic things in front of everyone?

Dark techniques to manipulate the Ancestor?

What the hell is in your brain—mud?

Do you even realize what kind of cultivation level the Ancestor has?

If Chen Fei could actually manipulate him with dark arts, would he really be wasting time searching for Li Zhong?

Afraid to provoke further anger, Chen Tian quickly ordered someone to bring Li Zhong forward.

When Chen Fei saw Li Zhong again, joy flickered in his eyes.

“Young Master!”

Li Zhong grinned like old times.

Chen Fei stepped forward and patted his shoulder. Although Li Zhong’s injuries had already been healed with expensive pills, how could Chen Fei, with his keen insight, not notice the truth?

“They tortured you, didn’t they?” Chen Fei’s face turned cold.

Li Zhong, mindful of the fact that they were still in the Chen Family’s domain, smiled and said, “Seeing you is enough, Young Master.”

“I’m not happy!” Chen Fei shook his head and turned toward the guards at the door.

“Go tell Chen Tian that he’ll repay this humiliation tenfold. Tomorrow, I’ll visit him personally!”

The moment he finished speaking, Li Zhong’s face changed drastically.

“Young Master! Don’t!”

But Chen Fei didn’t respond—instead, he released his aura.

Li Zhong felt as if a mountain was pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe. His eyes looked at Chen Fei with a mix of fear and disbelief.

“Young Master… what level are you now?” he asked nervously.

Chen Fei nodded. “I’ve already stepped into the Yuan Realm.

Now, will you tell me the secret you’ve buried deep in your heart?”

“Yuan Realm?” Joy lit up Li Zhong’s face, but it quickly turned to concern.

“Young Master, you’re too reckless! I’m not worth it! From what I know, Chen Tian is the main branch’s eldest heir and already in the Yuan Realm. If you fight him, you might…”

Chen Fei patted his shoulder again.

“No. You are worth it.”

Li Zhong looked up in surprise. His eyes misted over.

“Young Master…”

“We’ve relied on each other for years. If not for you risking your life in Yellow Mist City, I wouldn’t be here today. Li Zhong, whatever it is you’re hiding—tell me now.”

Under Chen Fei’s firm gaze, Li Zhong hesitated…

Then he slowly rolled up his sleeve.

There had always been a faint, half-erased tattoo on Li Zhong’s arm. Chen Fei had noticed it long ago.

With a finger, Li Zhong cut open his own skin.

As blood flowed, the faded tattoo quickly revealed itself and took shape—becoming a jade pendant that floated above his arm.

After forcing it out of his body, Li Zhong grasped the jade pendant, his face nostalgic.

“Young Master, this is your mother’s keepsake for you.”

“She was named Li Hongluan—the eldest daughter of the Yanyun Li Family. She met your father, Chen Xingjia, while traveling the martial world.”

“But their love story… wasn’t a happy one.”

Li Zhong sighed and began the tale.

It was a classic setup—two gifted cultivators met by chance and fell in love. Eventually, they married.

But both of their backgrounds were extraordinary.

Chen Xingjia was one of the Chen Family’s top talents, naturally envied by others.

He was eventually tricked by the eldest son of the Chen Family, Chen Xingyu, and sent to the Southern Border’s secret realm to find a foundation spirit root for Chen Fei.

He never returned.

When the Li Family got word, the old patriarch—who had opposed the union from the beginning—personally visited.

He issued an ultimatum: either stay with the Chen Family and leave the child behind, or return to the Li Family without the child.

Li Hongluan chose neither.

She left the Chen Family with Chen Fei and didn’t return to the Li Family either.

Instead, she went to Yellow Mist City—the last known location of Chen Xingjia.

“She planned to retrace his steps and investigate, but the moment she arrived, she was ambushed by men in black,” Li Zhong’s fists clenched as he spoke.

“The situation was chaotic and deadly. She was gravely wounded protecting you.

But with the Li Family’s secret techniques, she managed to survive and escaped with you into the mountains.”

“I was too weak to identify those men, but your mother was strong—and they seemed to counter her every move. That means they knew her fighting style and the secrets of the Li Family.”

This had haunted Li Zhong for years. Every time he remembered that night, the shadow of those black-clad men loomed in his mind.

“So I wasn’t abandoned… My parents were framed?” Chen Fei asked quietly.

Li Zhong nodded.

“Absolutely. Both your father and mother were good, kind people.

They would never abandon you. They had no choice back then.”

Chen Fei’s heart finally felt a sense of relief.