C3 It Was Actually Her!

The woman pleading for help before him was none other than Zhang Yuner, the eldest daughter of the Zhang Family, who was due back in Canglan City that very afternoon!

To save or not to save?

Zhang Chen faced a tough decision.

"She's been struck by my Yin Talisman Blade; she won't get far. Keep after her!"

Amidst Zhang Chen's indecision, another voice echoed from the depths of the forest, clearly belonging to those pursuing Zhang Yuner.

"Please... save me..." Zhang Yuner's voice waned, each word a struggle as her energy faded.

At the sound, Zhang Chen's brow furrowed.

His own escape from Zhang Mansion had been a necessity, and he was not without conscience. If he chose not to save Zhang Yuner now, he feared his guilt would haunt him forever.

With little hesitation, Zhang Chen scooped up Zhang Yuner and retreated back into the secret tunnel they had emerged from. He quickly disguised the entrance with fallen leaves and held his breath, careful not to make a sound.

No sooner had he finished than noises and the frustrated cursing of a middle-aged man came from outside.

The sounds eventually ceased.

After a lengthy wait, confident the pursuers had departed, Zhang Chen allowed himself to relax and turned his attention to Zhang Yuner.

Feeling the gaze of the unfamiliar young man upon her, Zhang Yuner's eyes narrowed, her demeanor shifting to one of caution.

Zhang Yuner's beauty was well-known; her grace and allure were such that suitors from all over Canglan City had worn a path to the Zhang Family's door, yet none had won her favor.

Now, injured and vulnerable, she was at the mercy of this stranger. If he were to take advantage of her weakened state, it would be like escaping the wolf's den only to enter the tiger's lair.

"I am the eldest daughter of the Zhang Family from Canglan City. You have saved my life, and for that, you are my savior. If you can escort me back, our family will surely reward you handsomely!" Zhang Yuner implored, her eyes glistening with gratitude as she addressed Zhang Chen.

Zhang Yuner's words immediately displayed her deep cunning. She revealed her identity to make Zhang Chen wary, while also humbling herself with the promise of a significant reward—a testament to her keen understanding of human nature.

Upon hearing her offer, Zhang Chen did not attempt to leverage the situation for his benefit. Instead, he humbly replied, "Please, Eldest Miss, there's no need for that. Truth be told, I am a servant of the Zhang Family. I had to flee through the underground tunnels after offending the young master, and that's how I happened to meet you."

"What? You're a servant of our Zhang Family?" Zhang Yuner was taken aback, giving Zhang Chen a closer look and finding something familiar about him.

Yet, what piqued Zhang Yuner's curiosity was how Zhang Chen had managed to offend Zhang Che. Zhang Chen did not conceal the truth and laid out the entire sequence of events for her.

"It's no surprise you've reached the Martial Warrior Stage, having secretly trained with the Chief Instructor for a time. Your aptitude is indeed remarkable, to have achieved such a level as a servant," Zhang Yuner acknowledged, now fully understanding the situation.

"To think my own brother would plot against me... I am already at the Peak of the Master Stage, and one more step will take me to the Energy Master Stage, allowing me to become an Inner Disciple of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace. Why would I covet the mere title of family head?" Shaking her head, Zhang Yuner sighed with a tinge of sadness.

"This secret passage leads directly to the dried well in the backyard of Zhang Mansion. I must beg your forgiveness, as I cannot accompany you back to the Mansion," Zhang Chen said, rising to take his leave.

"Rest assured, with me here, my brother won't lay a finger on you!" Zhang Yuner, clutching her wound, urgently tried to persuade him to stay.

But Zhang Chen simply shook his head, "Eldest Miss, you may be able to protect me now, but not forever. Only by leaving the Zhang Mansion can I ensure my survival."

Zhang Chen knew in his heart that the day Zhang Yuner ascended to the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace would be the day his fate would be sealed.

Zhang Chen knew all too well that the day Zhang Yuner set off for the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace might also be the day his life would end. Moreover, having experienced a stroke of luck, he had advanced to the Martial Warrior Stage and even obtained the mysterious Universe Diagram. Why would he willingly go back to Zhang Mansion to live a life of servitude?

As expected, Zhang Yuner looked taken aback upon hearing Zhang Chen's words.

"It's not difficult," she said once her injuries healed. "You can accompany me to the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace for cultivation. You've reached the Martial Warrior Stage in just one year, which speaks to your talent. You may even be of help to me there in the future!" After a brief pause, she spoke up.

Zhang Yuner was on the cusp of the Energy Master Stage, having reached the Peak of the Master Stage, and her master had taken her on as an Inner Disciple. The rules of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace allowed an Inner Disciple to bring up to three Registered Disciples into the palace for cultivation.

"Is that really true?" Zhang Chen asked, visibly astonished.

The renown of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace was legendary. The Zhang Family's status as the preeminent family in Canglan City was largely due to Zhang Yuner being selected as a Registered Disciple by a master of the palace in her youth, which elevated the family's standing.

If he could cultivate within the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace, he might well carve out a significant legacy for himself. With newfound strength, Zhang Chen had shed his subservient nature and began plotting his own course in life.

"Humph! I, Zhang Yuner, always keep my promises. Why would I renege? Besides, you saved my life, so offering you a spot to cultivate in the palace is the least I can do to repay you," she declared.

Seeing Zhang Chen's hesitation, Zhang Yuner swore an oath: "Let the heavens and the earth bear witness, and the moon reflect my vow. Should I break my word, may misfortune plague me and a dire end be my fate!"

Zhang Yuner's commitment was not solely motivated by a desire to repay her debt.

The journey back to the Zhang Family in Canglan City was long, and with her severe injuries, it would be no small feat to make it back alone.

Zhang Chen finally felt at ease after witnessing Zhang Yuner's solemn vow. As dawn broke, he successfully escorted her through the secret passage into the secluded backyard of the Zhang Mansion.

In the inner courtyard, within the private chambers of the Zhang Family patriarch, Zhang Yih's eyes occasionally darted towards the curtain. He was inside, tending to Zhang Yuner's wounds.

"Thank you, Father!" Zhang Yuner, at the Peak of the Master Stage, showed significant improvement in her complexion after more than an hour of treatment.

"Yuner, who is responsible for your injuries?" Zhang Yih inquired, his voice low and his expression stern.

"Let's discuss that later; I have urgent matters to report!" With a meaningful glance, Zhang Yuner looked towards Zhang Chen, who was waiting outside the curtain, and revealed the plot of Zhang Che's attempt on her life.

"If Father doubts my word, feel free to question Zhang Chen to see if I'm falsely accusing anyone!" Zhang Yuner added, as she watched her father's anger mount.

Zhang Yuner was Zhang Yih's most cherished daughter and the Zhang Family's pride. She had always been the apple of his eye, so the thought of Zhang Yih questioning her truthfulness was inconceivable.

"Who would dare to lay a hand on the eldest miss!"

Outside in the courtyard, the Zhang Family disciples, who had been waiting for some time, whispered among themselves.

"It must have been a Master Stage Expert; no one else could have injured the eldest miss. But it's puzzling that Zhang Chen, of all people, was the one to rescue her."

Upon hearing the murmurs, Zhang Che, standing at the courtyard's entrance, turned a shade paler. Although he was clueless about why Zhang Chen had saved Zhang Yuner, it was clear that she was now aware of his orders to Zhang Chen the day before.