C48 Xuanwu County

Gazing upon Xuanwu County from a distance, its expanse was truly boundless, dwarfing Zhenhai City by at least four or five times.

The pathway to Xuanwu County was uniformly paved with Xuanwu Stones, creating a road that was smooth and level, with a gentle rise in the center. Each paving stone was a hefty weight, tipping the scales at a thousand kilograms or more. With a width of 14 to 16 meters, the construction of this thoroughfare had consumed an immense amount of labor and resources.

The road bustled with an array of creatures: elegant unicorns, imposing steel-brawn cows, and stunning seven-colored deer, among others. Some were adorned with golden saddles and silver bridles, while others pulled opulent carriages. The constant flow of people coming and going created an unending stream of activity.

There were also numerous pedestrians, some shouldering burdens, others astride donkeys, each one unique in their attire and purpose.

Chu Yangxiang could now appreciate the truth in a line of poetry he had once read: "Carriages as plentiful as flowing water, horses as numerous as dragons."

Chu Yangxiang's gaze settled on a young man dressed in green, who was at the roadside waiting to greet him. He pulled the reins, bringing his unicorn to a halt.

"Young Master, upon receiving the Patriarch's message, we came to escort you. Please follow me to the Chu Family Courtyard," the young man in green said, his clear eyes and capable demeanor revealing his experience and shrewdness from working within the Chu Family's business operations in Xuanwu County.

Chu Yangxiang nodded in acknowledgment. "Lead on."

With half a year remaining before the Xuanwu County Competition, Chu Yangxiang would not have arrived so hastily if not for unforeseen circumstances.

Five days prior, his father, Chu Tianwen, had set out with two Profound Warriors to attend to business at the family shop. En route, they were ambushed by a gang that burst from an alley, storming towards them with the ferocity of a tempest. Three assailants led the charge, brandishing long swords that descended fiercely upon the Profound Warriors at Chu Tianwen's side. The swords gleamed with a chilling brilliance, like flashes of lightning, and a formidable energy surged forth, threatening to obliterate all in its path.

The Blade Light shone so brightly that it was blinding, and with it came a surge of energy like a raging river intent on destroying everything in its path. The two Profound Warriors could feel an irresistible force barreling towards them. They attempted to evade and protect Chu Tianwen, they tried to fight back, but it was all in vain.

The slash was so powerful that it seemed to render the world around them nonexistent. The Blade Light cleaved straight through their souls. The two warriors didn't even have a chance to dodge; they were split open by the Blade Light. Their bodies collapsed, blood spilling everywhere.

One figure effortlessly extended an arm, grasped Chu Tianwen, and hoisted him onto his horse before they rapidly departed. The horses galloped away like a whirlwind, speeding out of the western gate and off into the distance.

They left only a haunting message echoing through Zhenhai City: "If you want to save Chu Tianwen, come to Xuanwu County."

Chu Qingyong stood before the slain bodies of the Profound Warriors, the scene of their deaths vividly playing out in his mind. From the moment they sensed danger to their untimely deaths, they had no opportunity to react. This indicated that their assailant's martial prowess far exceeded their own, suggesting that these individuals were at least of the Profound Master Cultivation Level.

Upon further investigation, they discovered that the kidnapper was The Forth Commander of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group. The others were clad in light-purple garments, each adorned with the 'Tong' character, signifying a joint operation between The Forth Commander and the Tong Family.

Chu Qingyong glanced at Chu Yangxiang. They had both witnessed communications between Black Panther and the Tong Family and were aware that Black Panther had pledged allegiance to the Tong Family, intending to leverage their influence for a showdown with the Chu Family.

What they hadn't anticipated was the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group being annihilated before the Tong Family could even make their move. This was the strategy The Forth Commander had devised to target Chu Yangxiang.

Chu Yangxiang's gaze was icy, his demeanor menacing. He was like a supreme Ferocious Beast, brimming with boundless rage, yet he restrained himself from unleashing it.

On the Xuanwu Mainland, there was an unwritten law among Martial Cultivators: personal disputes should never extend to involve a cultivator's family. Those who broke this code would be scorned by their peers.

Anyone who breaks the rules will be scorned by others.

The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group suffered a catastrophic blow, leading The Fourth Commander to cast aside the rules. He allied with the Tong Family members who had arrived in Zhenhai City and kidnapped Chu Yangxiang's father.

Chu Qingyong looked at Chu Yangxiang with concern and said, "Don't act impulsively. I will rescue your father."

Chu Yangxiang nodded, went back home to comfort his mother, then mounted a majestic unicorn and galloped away from the Chu Family, heading straight for Xuanwu County.

The Tong Family and The Fourth Commander openly broke the code among Martial Cultivators by seizing Chu Yangxiang's father. They were directly challenging Chu Yangxiang's limits.

Chu Yangxiang had always been a dutiful son from a young age.

When Chu Yangxiang first began his cultivation journey, due to his devotion to his parents, he challenged Chu Guangxiang, a Profound Warrior Five-star, to a duel. His dedication to martial arts was largely fueled by his desire to provide a blissful life for his parents.

Now, these people had brazenly taken his father to target the Chu Family, crossing a line for Chu Yangxiang.

Chu Yangxiang was determined to seek vengeance.

Regardless of his father's fate, he could not simply let this go.

The neatness and opulence of Xuanwu County surpassed Chu Yangxiang's expectations.

Three-story buildings stretched into the distance, flanked by towering trees with lush foliage.

Xuanwu County was far more bustling than Zhenhai City.

Chu Yangxiang walked ten miles through the streets before reaching the expansive Chu Family Courtyard, which covered five to six acres. The size of their property in Xuanwu County was a testament to the Chu Family's substantial legacy.

Upon entering the courtyard, he was greeted by Chu Yangxing and The Second Elder.

Chu Yangxing, full of warmth, took Chu Yangxiang's hand and reassured him, "The Patriarch has said your father's situation is a matter for the Chu Family. Stay calm. The Patriarch is already en route to Xuanwu County with two elders and a Profound Master."

"You mustn't take any more independent action. If you do, I will face punishment from our clan."

The Second Elder was a kindly old man, nearly seventy years old.

The Second Elder was a very kind old man, nearly seventy years old, yet he appeared to be in his fifties.

"Dealing with the Tong Family and The Fourth Commander is no simple task," The Second Elder remarked. "The Patriarch has declared this to be the family's most pressing issue. He has already written to The Master of the Tong Family, demanding an explanation."

The Patriarch's intentions were crystal clear: the Chu Family was to assist in rescuing his father. However, he couldn't make any hasty moves, as he represented the Chu Family's greatest hope.

The Chu Family's power had significantly diminished. The Patriarch, Chu Qingyong, had been afflicted with the Thousand Effect Poison, virtually losing all his combat abilities. Chu Yuexing had been beheaded for breaking the family's laws, and his two children had vanished.

Ownership of the Cloud-iron Mine and the smelting facilities had been ceded to the Tong Family, cutting the Chu Family's income in half.

Chu Yangxiang was the Chu Family's sole hope for reclaiming the title of Zhenhai Marquis. His well-being was of paramount importance to the clan. Any misfortune befalling him would spell disaster for the family.

Chu Yangxiang, hearing their conversation, felt their deep concern for him. He understood that many of the family's current predicaments were the result of Chu Yuexing's actions, compounded by the Patriarch's poisoning.

He had also learned that during his three-month absence, the Patriarch had repeatedly sent search parties to Hyphosis Mountain and had instructed them to look after his parents. Chu Yuexing had resorted to harassing Chu Tianwen and others because he knew he couldn't easily drive them away on his own.

After Chu Yangxiang was injured, the Patriarch confined Chu Xiaoxiang and others, assigning Chu Zhongxiang to deliver Healing Pills and Profound Qi Pills to him. When Chu Yangxiang injured Chu Huixiang, the family imposed no punishment. As his talents emerged, he was promptly elevated to The Core of Disciples. The Patriarch even took special care of his family members.

All these actions demonstrated Chu Qingyong's breadth of vision and magnanimity as the Patriarch.

Although Chu Yangxiang still felt somewhat detached from the family, he was beginning to experience a sense of belonging.

"Don't worry, I understand what I need to do," Chu Yangxiang said, smiling reassuringly.

The Second Elder offered a slight smile. He was well aware that knowing what to do and promising not to act alone were entirely different matters.

"Hasn't the entire Chu Family sprung into action over your father's situation? Do my words carry no weight at all?" he questioned.

The Second Elder, a man who had weathered many storms, was not oblivious to the subtleties behind these words, and he responded with a knowing grin.

After having dinner, Chu Yangxiang requested the most detailed map of Xuanwu County and secluded himself in his room.

Post-dinner, Chu Yangxiang dedicated his time to cultivation within the confines of his room.

Observing Chu Yangxiang from a distance, The Second Elder nodded in approval. It appeared he was indeed heeding advice. The Tong Family posed a significant threat at the moment, and if Chu Yangxiang ventured there, his chances of returning were slim.

What could the Tong Family possibly want with Chu Tianwen? What was The Forth Commander's motive in capturing him?

Why had no one dared to challenge Chu Tianwen over the years? Yet, as soon as Chu Yangxiang gained notoriety, they seized Chu Tianwen. Clearly, their actions were targeted at him.

In the dead of night, sensing that The Second Elder was on the verge of sleep, Chu Yangxiang stealthily opened the rear window of his room, leaped out, and swiftly made his way into the distance.

Despite the palpable danger surrounding the Tong Family, Chu Yangxiang's resolve to investigate was unshaken.