C9 An Old Friend

Upon hearing her words, Ling Chen smiled and shook his head.

He bowed respectfully to Liu Yan and said, "Thank you for your concern, Teacher. I'm all right."

Liu Yan gave Ling Chen a relieved look and replied, "Well, if you're fine, I'll be on my way. Just make sure you come to class the day after tomorrow."

At her reminder, Ling Chen nodded promptly.

Just then, Su Wanqing winked at Ling Chen and asked, "Ling Chen, do you want to walk to school together tomorrow?"

Ling Chen pondered for a moment before responding, "Class president, it seems our homes aren't exactly on the way to each other, are they?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing's lips formed a pout, and she let out a huff of annoyance.

She couldn't help but think of Ling Chen as rather dense. Did they really need to be on the same path to walk to school together?

With a hint of melancholy, Su Wanqing shot Ling Chen a look and said with a tinge of irritation, "Fine, I'm off then. But don't forget to arrive at school early the day after tomorrow, or I'll mark you down for being late!"

She issued a playful warning to Ling Chen before she departed from the contest field.

Once Su Wanqing and the others had left, Ling Chen didn't linger. He quickly exited the contest field as well.

But Ling Chen didn't head back to the Ling family's residence. Instead, he set off in the opposite direction.

His duel with Yang Xiao earlier that day had stirred up a flood of memories. Today, he was going to meet an old friend.

Following the street, Ling Chen soon paused in front of a grand estate.

The Yang family was undoubtedly a top-tier family within the Nacuan Empire. Their estate spanned over a thousand acres, with vigilant guards stationed at the entrance, and a dignified aura that could be felt from miles around.

They were leagues beyond the Ling family's more modest standing.

Five centuries prior, the Yang family's patriarch had emerged during a tumultuous period in the Nacuan Empire, amidst civil strife and endless wars, with neighboring nations causing relentless strife and the citizens suffering greatly.

It was then that the patriarch of the Yang family ventured alone into the heart of the rebel encampment.

One man, one sword, in the span of half a day.

He ended the decades-long war that had troubled the Nacuan Empire and was hailed as the War God by the Empire's founder!

This very feat allowed the Yang family to rise to the status of the most prominent family in the Nacuan Empire, even without engaging in politics or commerce!

"Who would have thought that this young man could actually achieve something so monumental?"

"Yet, with his temperament, how could he ever be content to remain in the confines of the Nacuan Empire?"

A slight smile played on Ling Chen's lips, his eyes twinkling with a hint of warmth.

"Halt, who goes there?"

"This is the Yang family estate, and it's off-limits to outsiders!"

While Ling Chen was pondering his next move, two guards at the gate spoke up aggressively.

An intense aura emanated from the guards.

Seventh Heaven Warforged!

Such a level of mastery would be esteemed throughout the Nacuan Empire, yet they were assigned to mere gatekeeping by the Yang family?

Indeed, they were the preeminent family of the Empire.

Ling Chen approached and said calmly, "Is your Yang family ancestor named Yang Shanhe?"

"Yang Shanhe?" The guard paused, then his face contorted with fury. "Who are you to address the Yang family ancestor so casually?"

Ling Chen replied with a smile, "I need to speak with your ancestor. Would you kindly inform him of my arrival?"

To meet the ancestor?

At his request, the guards were momentarily taken aback, then burst into mocking laughter.

"Young man, have you lost your mind?" one guard scoffed. "We've been guarding the Yang family for five years and haven't once met the ancestor! And you think you can see him?"

"Exactly," chimed in the other guard. "These days, every Tom, Dick, and Harry thinks they can meet the Yang family ancestor. Are they even fully grown? Scram!"

Unruffled, Ling Chen maintained his composure and stated evenly, "I'll give you three more minutes to pass on my message to the ancestor. Otherwise, you'll be responsible for the consequences!"

"What did you say?" The guard's face twisted in anger, and he lashed out with his fist, aiming a blow at Ling Chen's face.

"Scram." Ling Chen's icy voice sent a chill through the guard as he felt the piercing gaze of a predator upon him. His body turned to ice, his raised fist frozen in midair.

His companion experienced the same paralyzing fear.

Both guards stood rigid, their bodies beginning to shake uncontrollably.

"What's with this guy?"

"Such a terrifying look in his eyes..."

The same questions echoed in their minds simultaneously.

Ling Chen paid them no heed and strode past the threshold, making his way into the mansion.

Moments later, the guards snapped out of their stupor and yelled, "Help, someone! There's an intruder at the Yang family's gate!"

Rumble...

A swarm of guards poured out from within the Yang family compound, quickly encircling Ling Chen.

There were easily twenty to thirty of them, all at the Seventh Heaven of the Warforged Stage.

Their eyes bore into Ling Chen, who stood at the center, with predatory intensity.

"Boy, you've got some nerve! To barge into the Yang family's home? You must have a death wish!" The leader stepped forward, his tone menacing.

"I'm here to see Yang Shanhe," Ling Chen stated calmly.

"Yang Shanhe?" The man repeated, then realization dawned on him. Wasn't that the name of their elder?

"Silence! You think you can just casually utter our chairman's name? Grab this punk and give him a hundred lashes!" he bellowed.

The audacity to speak the Yang family's name within their own house—this kid was clearly courting death.

Was he unaware of the significance behind the title "Nacuan Empire's Number One Noble Family"?

At the leader's command, a handful of guards stepped forward.

They were about to apprehend Ling Chen when...

"What's all this commotion?" An elderly voice suddenly cut through the noise. From the innermost pavilion, a figure emerged.

This man, in his sixties or seventies, had a head of white hair and a deeply lined face. Yet, his eyes sparkled with vitality, betraying no signs of old age.

"Patriarch!" The sight of the elder prompted an immediate outcry from the guards.

"I have failed in my duties and disturbed the Patriarch. I am unworthy of forgiveness!" The leader approached Yang Tianci, kneeling on one knee with utmost reverence.

Yang Tianci cast a glance at Ling Chen amidst the crowd and asked calmly, "What's the cause of all this commotion?"

"Mr. President, this young man appeared out of nowhere, insisting on meeting with you. He was stopped by our guards at the door! But who could have guessed, he just barged right in... However, please rest assured, Mr. President, I'll have him removed immediately!" the man reported in a grave tone.

Upon hearing this, Yang Tianci looked over at Ling Chen.

His gaze was steady, revealing no emotion.

He was about to speak when...

Ling Chen abruptly interjected, "Are you the heir to the Cloudstrider swordsmanship?"

"Hmm?"

Yang Tianci's brow creased slightly as he responded, "Indeed. What guidance do you have for me?"

Realizing the acknowledgment, Ling Chen let out a sigh and spoke somberly, "When I left the Bai Emperor behind, I imparted forty moves of the Cloudstrider to Yang Shanhe. Why are there only thirty-six remaining?"

Boom!

The moment these words were uttered, Yang Tianci was visibly shaken, his face registering utter disbelief.

A sharp glint shone in his aged eyes.

His body shook uncontrollably.

"You... Is it really you?"

"Ancestor..."

Disbelief flickered across Yang Tianci's features.

"Let's discuss this inside," Ling Chen stated, his voice resonating with boundless authority.

At this, the guard immediately bristled, pointing at Ling Chen and retorting, "And who do you think you are? How dare you address our family head with such audacity?"

"Exactly, exactly," echoed the other guards, smirking.

Being part of the Yang family, they were well aware of Yang Tianci's temperament. Anyone who dared to speak to him like that probably no longer existed in this world.

However, when they expected Yang Tianci to explode with rage...

"Silence!" Yang Tianci suddenly bellowed, his face menacing.

The guard jumped, stammering, "Master, why... Why are you yelling at me?"

"If you show any further disrespect to this gentleman, I'll have you dragged out and executed!" Yang Tianci warned him icily. "From this day forward, whenever this gentleman wishes to enter the Yang family estate, our doors will forever be open to him!"

"Do you all understand?" Yang Tianci's gaze swept over the crowd, his presence emanating a formidable aura of lethal intent. The air around them seemed to chill considerably.

"Yes... Yes!" The guard hastily nodded, not daring to delay.

The rest of the onlookers were utterly astonished, staring at Ling Chen with bewildered faces. Who was this man that he could command such respect from Yang Tianci? Could he be the scion of some great power?

Yet, even the most influential powers paled in comparison to the title of "Head of the Yang Family," didn't they? The same question lingered in everyone's thoughts.

While they were lost in their speculations, Ling Chen and Yang Tianci had already stepped into the loft.

Inside the loft was a room that exuded classical elegance. A rosewood marble desk, a deer horn incense burner, and a landscape painting shrouded in mist and rain adorned the space. The subtle aroma of sandalwood permeated the room.

"Not bad at all," Ling Chen commented with a smile. "This room remains unchanged, just as it was back then."

Ling Chen extended his hand, gently caressing each object in the room, savoring the sensation at his fingertips... It was as if he had been transported back nine thousand years.

Yang Tianci, with his head bowed, spoke with utmost reverence, "Ancestor, when Grandfather founded the Yang family, he personally designed this room to replicate your own. He even ensured that the furnishings were identical."

"After Grandfather departed from the Nacuan Empire, he made it clear that we were to maintain the room's cleanliness and preserve every item without the slightest damage. Besides regular cleaning, I have not allowed anyone else to approach this room."

Listening to Yang Tianci's words, Ling Chen nodded, the warmth in his eyes deepening.

"You have indeed been thoughtful," Ling Chen remarked, his smile conveying approval.

He then pulled over a chair and settled into it quietly. His words seemed to offer immense validation to Yang Tianci, whose tense spirit visibly relaxed.

Suddenly, with a thud, Yang Tianci dropped to his knees.

He performed a deep, respectful bow toward Ling Chen.

"Yang Tianci, the third-generation descendant of the Yang family, pays homage to our esteemed ancestor!"