Chapter 251: Loyalty and Uncle Zhong

Chen Fei could clearly feel that the Wufeng Greatsword in his hand had become even more formidable.

The strange black iron that had fused into the blade had etched mysterious runes along its body, making the sword look increasingly enigmatic and powerful.

The more Chen Fei looked at it, the more he liked it. He couldn’t resist gently tracing his fingers across the blade’s surface.

Though the treasure vault still held many rare treasures, none of them held much appeal for Chen Fei anymore.

“Let’s go.”

Chen Fei turned decisively.

“Yes, young master!” A-7 responded without hesitation, leading him out.

Back outside, Chen Wang was still cheerfully chatting with the elder, already envisioning a prosperous future for the Chen family.

As light shimmered and flickered, Chen Fei’s figure reappeared before them.

Everyone’s gaze instinctively went to the golden rune on his forehead, but once it faded completely, they reluctantly looked away.

“You’ve chosen?” Chen Wang asked with a smile as he approached.

Chen Fei nodded. His return to the Chen clan had been unexpected—and along the way, he’d even run into Qin Shuang.

He hadn’t asked much about her, but someone capable of fighting on equal footing with the Chen family’s ancestor had to have a powerful master. At this point, trying to kill Qin Shuang wouldn’t be so easy anymore.

Originally, Chen Fei had planned to follow Senior Sister Leng Yue to the ancient ruins. But since she had left the Fengluo Temple without a word, she was likely on a separate mission. That plan would have to wait.

“I still have things to do—I’ll be leaving now.”

Chen Fei’s tone was firm.

Chen Wang didn’t seem surprised at all. Instead, he nodded with a smile. “That’s a good thing. Should I gather the entire clan to see you off?”

“No need,” Chen Fei quickly declined.

The Chen family… still felt like a stranger to him.

As he walked down toward the base of the mountain, Chen Fei noticed a disheveled figure lying in a pavilion—unshaven, filthy, holding a wine jug and laughing madly between gulps.

“Chen Tian?” Chen Fei frowned.

Chen Wang’s expression darkened slightly as well. After all, Chen Tian was still his grandson.

Unfortunately, after Chen Xingyu was replaced by Xuanming, Chen Tian was manipulated into doing many things that harmed the clan.

Had it not been for Chen Wang’s personal intervention, Chen Tian would have long since been punished severely.

Chen Fei paused for a moment, then began walking toward him.

Chen Wang raised his hand, as if to say something, but in the end, he simply sighed.

Chen Tian’s gaze was cloudy. Just as he raised his wine jug to take another sip, a burst of Qi surged in and shattered it into pieces.

Normally, if anyone dared ruin his drinking, Chen Tian would have exploded in anger. But now, he simply chuckled and staggered to his feet, not even glancing toward whoever had done it. He just turned to walk away.

“As the eldest son of the Chen family, is this how you plan to spend the rest of your days?”

Chen Fei’s voice rang out.

There was a brief glint of clarity in Chen Tian’s eyes. “You came to laugh at me, didn’t you? Go ahead.”

Chen Fei looked at him with newfound respect. The old Chen Tian had been obsessed with his identity and status.

But after this downfall, he had actually let it all go. Perhaps this wasn’t a bad thing—it might even be his chance for rebirth.

“I’m not here to mock you,” Chen Fei said coldly. “But you’ve really given up even the courage for revenge?”

His words were like sharp needles, stabbing straight into Chen Tian’s heart.

Chen Tian suddenly turned, like a beast provoked.

His arm hadn’t healed—or rather, ever since Xuanming’s identity was exposed, no one had bothered to treat him.

Chen Tian didn’t care. He’d fallen into a pit of despair, his will shattered. It was the cruelest kind of suffering: to still have power, yet no path to walk.

“In this world, not suffering isn’t a blessing.”

Chen Fei walked past him. At the entrance of the pavilion, he stopped again.

“Don’t think you’ve got it the worst. Compared to others, you’re already better off. And… someone still cares about you.”

Chen Tian shuddered as if struck by lightning. He turned slowly and looked toward Chen Wang.

He took a deep breath. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll surpass you one day? That I’ll come back to take revenge?”

Chen Fei chuckled and turned back slightly. “That depends—if you’ve got the strength for it.”

Then he walked off, ignoring him completely.

Chen Tian clenched his fists. Then, suddenly, he raised his head.

“Chen Fei! Don’t you dare look down on me!”

To that shout, Chen Fei casually raised a hand and waved it in dismissal—carefree and unbothered.

A flicker of determination shone in Chen Tian’s eyes.

His messy hair began falling off on its own, revealing a pale face. As his beard vanished too, the gloom he once carried seemed to fade away.

But… now bald, he looked kind of ridiculous.

“Grandfather…”

Chen Tian turned toward Chen Wang.

Chen Wang had been holding his breath. But seeing the change in his grandson, he smiled from the heart.

Chen Fei and Chen Xingjia were clearly cut from the same mold.

They might claim not to care about the family, but they both held on to a sliver of warmth deep down.

“It’s all in the past now,” Chen Wang didn’t say more. He simply hugged Chen Tian tightly.

All the emotions Chen Tian had been holding back burst forth—he broke into tears.

By the time Chen Fei returned, Li Zhong had already packed up.

“Young master!”

Li Zhong greeted him with a smile, eyes filled with anticipation.

“Let’s go,” Chen Fei said, not wasting time. The two walked out of the Chen family compound together.

Seeing them leave, many members of the Chen clan instinctively stopped what they were doing and turned to watch them go.

Chen Fei remained calm and composed—but Li Zhong… the farther he walked, the straighter his back became.

“Farewell, Fifth Young Master!”

Someone called out. Then the cry was echoed again and again.

Li Zhong couldn’t help but grin ear to ear.

“Look at yourself,” Chen Fei glanced back and said.

Li Zhong scratched his head and chuckled. “Young master, people live either for fame or for gain. Now that the Chen family has acknowledged your identity, I’m happy for the old master. And proud of the young miss too!”

Chen Fei paused, then smiled. “You’re right.”

As they left the Chen clan’s domain, Li Zhong asked curiously,

“Where are we heading next, young master?”

“I’ll arrange for someone to send you to Heaven-Smiting Sacred Ground,” Chen Fei replied. “Your talent isn’t great, but with rich spiritual energy, breaking through to the Yuan Realm is still possible.”

Li Zhong hesitated, then shook his head. “Young master, I’d rather stay in Daqing and manage your businesses for you.”

Chen Fei looked at him for a moment, then nodded. “Everyone has their own path. If that’s your decision, so be it.”

He patted Li Zhong’s shoulder. “Considering your age, I ought to be calling you Uncle Li. You should start thinking about settling down too.”

“Haha, since the young master said it, I’ll definitely get it done!”

Li Zhong looked at him seriously for a moment before bursting into laughter.

The road of cultivation is cruel.

Why do those at higher realms often grow numb to emotions?

Because they’ve simply lived too long.

Witnessed too many farewells, separations, and deaths.

Even the softest hearts become like iron over time…