C44 Damn Slave

Chu Yangxiang stepped out of Xiaocheng's house and addressed the group before him, "Do you really think yourselves so capable?"

The four individuals were stunned into silence at the sight of the strikingly handsome Chu Yangxiang, clad in a green robe, their hearts pounding with astonishment. Hadn't their Master claimed that Chu Yangxiang perished on Hyphosis Mountain? How then had he returned home without their notice? Was it possible that the Master's intelligence was flawed, or had they misunderstood?

Regardless, they were mere servants of the Chu Family. Now that Chu Yangxiang had come back, Chu Tianwen and Hu Yewan belonged to the Chu Family Courtyard. They had just insulted the Master, a grave offense indeed.

What were they to do now?

"Young Master, we were sent by Chu Yuexing to check if you had returned. If we have caused any offense, we implore your forgiveness," one said.

"Yes, Young Master. We are but servants, bound by our duties. Please pardon us, and we assure you it won't happen again," another pleaded.

"Young Master, you understand we must heed the Master's commands. It's not our place to question. We beg for your mercy," added the third.

Chu Yangxiang nodded and spoke gently, "You may run. If you can make it fifty steps, you'll be spared punishment. How does that sound?"

Upon hearing this, the four turned and fled in a frantic rush, confident they could cover the distance.

But as Hu Yewan and the others watched, Chu Yangxiang's figure vanished from their sight in a blur. Outside, four agonized screams pierced the air, followed by the thud of bodies hitting the ground.

Chu Yangxiang returned, his smile warm and content.

He asked Chunhong to fetch him a chair, and he took a seat in the courtyard, well aware that the servants' deaths would not go unnoticed. Having been bullied during his absence, Chu Yangxiang was not one to shy away from stirring up trouble.

Chu Tianwen, visibly shaken, asked with uncertainty, "Son, did you harm those four men?"

With a slight smile and a sunny disposition, Chu Yangxiang replied, "Father, those who dare to bully us should at the very least suffer broken limbs. That's my belief. But as for a young master of the Chu Family, if even the servants dare such insolence, there's only one outcome for them—death."

"The four of them have already been dealt with by me."

Chu Tianwen shuddered, not expecting the young man to be so merciless. He asked hesitantly, "Son, is this really okay?"

Chu Yangxiang offered a reassuring smile. "Dad, it's only when we show our strength that they'll think twice about crossing us."

Chunhong gazed at Chu Yangxiang's strikingly handsome face. His words, so satisfying to hear, left her momentarily speechless.

Chu Yangxiang added, "Xiaocheng's injuries are minor. I reckon he'll be back on his feet in six hours. Then, I'll accompany him to get his revenge. I want the entire Chu Family to understand that as long as I'm here, no one will dare to offend us without facing consequences."

A squad of ten Profound Warriors approached Chu Yangxiang's courtyard.

The squad leader caught sight of Chu Yangxiang and his heart skipped a beat. Rumors had spread that the prodigy was dead, yet here he was, casually sitting in the courtyard. Could it be that he had come back from the dead?

"I'm here to look into the deaths of four servants on the road just outside. Your cooperation would be appreciated," said the Profound Warrior, who appeared to be in his thirties.

Chu Yangxiang responded with a calm smile, "There's no need for an investigation. I'm responsible for their deaths."

The leader was at a loss for words. He inquired, "Why did you kill them?"

With a serene smile, Chu Yangxiang replied, "Big brother, this is beyond your jurisdiction. Send someone with the authority to handle it."

The man gave Chu Yangxiang a long look. He was aware of the Chu Family's leniency, and that Chu Yangxiang's actions did not warrant a death penalty. Besides, there were those in the family who believed Chu Yangxiang to be deceased. They were also well aware of the relentless bullying Chu Tianwen had endured from certain family members.

This was a matter too complex for the Profound Warriors to resolve.

"Chu Yangxiang, you cannot leave until this issue is settled. Ensuring your confinement is our responsibility," the squad leader stated.

Chu Yangxiang smiled faintly, "Captain, in six hours, I intend to go to the dueling grounds. I trust you won't obstruct me. Otherwise, be prepared to face the consequences."

Chu Yuexing was on the martial arts competition stage when he received the news: Chu Yangxiang had returned and had killed the four servants he had sent after him.

A smirk crossed Chu Yuexing's face when he learned that Chu Yangxiang would be joining the competition that afternoon. His eyes gleamed as a scheme took shape in his mind. Chu Yangxiang had killed four servants, disrupting the family's harmony. Yet, the family's likely punishment would be mere confinement, especially since the servants had insulted their master. By Chu Family law, they had it coming. It was doubtful they could even punish Chu Yangxiang effectively.

If Chu Yangxiang were late to the martial arts competition, Chu Yuexing mused, he might resort to some underhanded tactics.

The revelation had shaken Chu Yuexing to his core. The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group, with its numerous members, had suffered grievous losses, yet they hadn't managed to kill Chu Yangxiang. How peculiar. How had the young man managed to survive three months at Hyphosis Mountain, a place teeming with Demonic Beasts?

Chu Yangxiang's continued presence in the Chu Family was unacceptable. Only with Chu Yangxiang's death could Chu Yuexing securely assume the role of family patriarch.

The competition raged on, with fifteen Martial Arts Battle Stages active simultaneously. Over eighty younger members of the Chu Family were pouring their sweat into the competition.

As noon approached, a carrier pigeon arrived.

Chu Yuexing took the message from the pigeon, and as he read, he sat frozen, struggling to grasp the reality of the words before him. The message detailed a grim fate: The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group had been decimated the previous night. The Third Commander, Zhang Yang, and over twenty Profound Warriors had been slain at the West Mountain Pass. The Black Panther had been killed, and the remaining members of the group, including The Fourth Commander, had fled in disarray.

Trembling, Chu Yuexing clutched the letter. The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group was the second most powerful force in Zhenhai City, and they had been nearly annihilated in their pursuit of Chu Yangxiang over the past three months. How much of this catastrophe could be attributed to Chu Yangxiang?

Could this young man truly possess the might to obliterate the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group? Chu Yuexing racked his memory; he could not recall Chu Yangxiang having any formidable allies.

"Second brother, what's the matter?" Chu Qingyong inquired, looking at Chu Yuexing with concern.

Chu Qingyong's complexion was dark as cast iron, the poison in his body having intensified. He was mere months away from death, his once vibrant life force now extinguished.

"Father, please look at this." Chu Yuexing said, passing him the note.

Upon reading the message, Chu Qingyong abruptly stood: "Chu Yunxing, The Great Elder, heed my command. Take three hundred Profound Warriors and assume full control of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group."

With Black Panther, Lian Ji, and Zhang Yang dead, and only the Forth Commander having fled with his followers, the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group was left a hollow shell. This presented the perfect opportunity for the Chu Family to seize control.

Chu Qingyong was profoundly shaken. For thirty years, the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group had reigned over Zhenhai City, and not once had the Chu Family dared to confront them directly.

A direct confrontation between the Chu Family and the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group would have led to significant casualties. The Chu Family never took the lives of their Profound Warriors lightly.

Yet, in just three months since Chu Yangxiang's journey to Hyphosis Mountain, with his hundreds of Profound Warriors and four Great Profound Masters, the once unstoppable Black Panther Profound Warrior Group was now on the brink of collapse.

Could the rumors be true? Had Chu Yangxiang truly orchestrated the downfall of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group?

Chu Qingyong couldn't fathom Chu Yangxiang possessing such formidable power. The idea that Chu Yangxiang alone could annihilate the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group was beyond belief.

"Black Panther is dead, Zhang Yang is dead. Who could possibly wield enough power to accomplish such a feat?"

"It's astounding! A Black Panther Profound Master Three-star is a formidable force in Zhenhai City. To kill him without significant cost is beyond imagination."

"Which mighty expert could achieve this? Even if the Chu Family were to take down the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group, eliminating their three commanders and two hundred formidable Profound Warriors, the price we'd have to pay would be enormous."

At the judges' bench, The Fifth Elder, four team leaders, and the three sons of Chu Qingyong were discreetly discussing matters concerning the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group.

The competition below continued with fervor, captivating everyone with the spirited martial arts battles.

Chu Xiaoxiang delivered a punch that sent his opponent flying out of the ring, blood spewing from his mouth.

The referee declared, "Chu Xiaoxiang wins."

"Chu Tixiang wins."

"Chu Fengxiang wins."

"Chu Qinxiang wins."

"Chu Yaoxiang wins."

True to everyone's expectations, the top five spots were claimed by the eight-star Profound Warrior disciples of the Chu Family.

The referee announced, "Out of the eighty-six competitors this morning, the top five finalists are Chu Xiaoxiang, Chu Tixiang, Chu Fengxiang, Chu Qinxiang, and Chu Yaoxiang. We will proceed with the ranking matches for the top five this afternoon."

The audience acknowledged the formidable strength of the contestants. Having five eight-star Profound Warriors was indeed a testament to the Chu Family's fortune.

Such an exhilarating outcome had never been seen in previous years' competitions.

The sixteen and fifteen-year-old eight-star Profound Warriors were truly awe-inspiring.

"May the heavens bless our Chu Family to flourish. With these young warriors, we are sure to break into the top three in the national competition."

"Absolutely. Securing a spot in the top three will affirm our status as the Zhenhai Marquis."

The glory of the family was shared by all, as everyone understood the benefits of collective success.

Chu Yuexing watched his two children with a knowing smile. Over the past three months, he had used his resources to elevate his sons to the rank of eight-star Profound Warriors. They now stood as the elite combat force among the Chu Family's younger generation.

With his sons in such positions, Chu Yuexing's status within the family was unshakable.

Even if Chu Yangxiang were to return, he was destined to fail in the competition. Better yet, if his sons could defeat him.

The Chu Family would undoubtedly be his.

Chu Yuexing thought to himself with a grin, his fists clenched in anticipation.

Suddenly, news arrived: "Everything pertaining to the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group, including some Profound Warriors, shops, and all related buildings, has been reclaimed by the Chu Family."