SFS Chapter 5 The Storm Is Brewing
Chapter 5 The Storm Is Brewing
After Shen Qingci and his servants left, the Chen residence returned to peace, but the air still seemed to carry the invisible pressure and faint stench of blood from the moment the marriage contract was crushed. Chen Zhan dismissed his attendants, leaving only Chen Xuan in the hall, grandfather and grandson sitting opposite each other, the candlelight flickering.
"Xuan'er," Chen Zhan spoke first, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of the teacup. His gaze fell on the stain in the hall, a mixture of crimson paper scraps and dark wood powder. His eyes held a mixture of relief and worry. "You handled today's matter... quite decisively. The Shen family girl is proud and arrogant, and to suffer such a setback... it's a pity about this marriage."
Chen Xuan poured his grandfather more hot tea: "Fate is something that cannot be forced. I don't care about it. Grandfather, you don't need to worry too much."
Chen Zhan shook his head, about to speak again;
"Master, young master." The old steward, Zhao Fu, tiptoed in, a hint of unease on his face. "Outside the door... there are some idlers and unfamiliar faces gathered, peeking around. When I went out just now, I overheard some people talking, saying... saying that Liu Xiangzhu of the Black Wind Sect has been killed in our manor, which is probably going to cause a lot of trouble."
Chen Zhan frowned. Black Wind Sect! He had almost forgotten about it. Shen Qing's annulment of the engagement was temporarily resolved, but the Black Wind Sect had lost a sect leader, and the enmity was now sealed. Given the vengeful nature of "Black-Hearted Old Man," he would never let it go so easily.
"Can you hear any specific sounds of wind?" Chen Zhan asked in a deep voice.
Zhao Fu shook his head: "These are all just rumors. But I just sent someone to the East Market to buy some things. A familiar peddler said that he saw scouts from the Black Wind Sect loitering around the city gate and talking in hushed tones with some unfamiliar faces. They looked very suspicious."
Chen Xuan's eyes flickered slightly. The Black Wind Sect's reaction was faster than he had expected. It seemed that the local bullies in Qingyang City were indeed well-informed.
"Grandpa, Uncle Zhao," Chen Xuan began, his tone calm, "These past few days, security has been heightened in the manor, especially at night. Unless absolutely necessary, everyone in the manor should minimize going out. If the Black Wind Sect comes, it will be a swift and decisive attack; we must prepare accordingly."
Chen Zhan nodded: "Uncle Fu, let's do as Xuan'er says. Also, secretly contact a few reliable old buddies and find out about the Black Wind Sect's movements."
"Yes, sir." Zhao Fu accepted the order and left.
The hall returned to silence, but a sense of impending doom permeated the air.
Chen Zhan looked at the tea stains on the ground, which were gradually cooling, and his worry deepened: "Xuan'er, do you know why the Black Wind Sect has been targeting my Chen family? The 'Azure Nether Blade Manual' that Master Liu asked for when he came last time was definitely not fabricated out of thin air."
Chen Xuan's gaze sharpened: "What is this sword manual that has brought such calamity?"
Chen Zhan's expression was solemn: "The Azure Nether Blade Manual... it's more than just a martial arts manual. Rumors in the martial arts world say it's related to a secret treasure of the previous dynasty, and even a secret concerning the fate of the world. Obtaining it might be the key to controlling even greater power."
Chen Xuanxuan immediately asked, "Grandpa, do you mean that my Chen family is truly related to that sword manual?"
Chen Zhan sighed deeply, as if he had aged considerably in an instant. He walked to the window, his voice low and weathered: "It's not that the sword manual itself is in the Chen family. Rather... before your father left home, he vaguely mentioned that he might have accidentally learned a clue related to the whereabouts of the 'Azure Nether Sword Manual.' He didn't specify what it was, only saying that it was more of a curse than a blessing, and told me to keep quiet and to keep an eye on an old jade pendant passed down in the family... Later, he and your mother disappeared together, and there has been no news of them since."
He turned around, his eyes filled with pain and regret: "Over the years, I don't know how the news leaked out. The Black Wind Sect seems to be making things difficult for my Chen family over trivial business matters, but in reality, they've probably been secretly investigating this matter all along. Master Liu's last attack was a test. Now that you've displayed your martial arts and killed their people… they won't wait any longer. This visit is probably to take advantage of the chaos to thoroughly search the Chen residence, and perhaps even capture you and me to extract clues—that's their true purpose!"
Chen Xuan suddenly understood. All the fragmented clues—the Black Wind Sect's years of harassment, Liu Xiangzhu's coercion, his grandfather's fierce reaction to the topic of the sword manual, and even his parents' mysterious disappearance—were now connected by a hidden thread. The "Azure Nether Sword Manual" was at the center of this vortex.
"An old jade pendant?" Chen Xuan pressed.
Chen Zhan shook his head: "That's precisely the strangest part. Your father did mention the words 'jade pendant' back then, but his words were evasive and seemed to have a deeper meaning. I searched carefully in the mansion and your parents' old residence, but found nothing. It wasn't in your mother's jewelry box either. Perhaps your father took it, or perhaps... the clues weren't in the Chen family at all, but somewhere else. But now that the Black Wind Sect, and even the forces that might exist behind them, know this news, the Chen family will never have peace." Chen Zhan shook his head with a bitter smile, seemingly having given up hope of finding the token.
At this point, neither the grandfather nor the grandson had any clue. By the time Chen Xuan returned to his quiet little courtyard, it was already dark.
Chen Xuan immediately closed the door, shutting out the noise from the outside world and the vague sense of crisis. He sat cross-legged on the couch, not immediately activating his internal energy, but instead immersing his mind in his sea of consciousness.
These past few days of continuous attacks, though seemingly effortless, have greatly aided his control over the suddenly acquired, perfected level of the Yi Jin Jing. Especially the final sword strike against the maid Yao Yao, which appeared to easily snap her in two, actually demanded extremely high control over power; too much and it would kill, too little and it wouldn't be intimidating. This gave him a deeper understanding of the "refinement" of his own power.
"Black Wind Sect..." Chen Xuan murmured the name. Judging from the original owner's fragmented memories and the rumors Zhao Fu had overheard today, this was definitely not a kind person who could be reasoned with. With a sect leader dead, they would certainly not tolerate it. Conflict was almost inevitable.
He was not afraid. The perfected Yi Jin Jing granted him not only strength, but also a powerful confidence stemming from a leap in his life level. But he was not the only one in the Chen family. His grandfather was old, and Zhao Fu and the servants in the mansion were all innocent. He might not be afraid of being surrounded, but if the other side used underhanded means or targeted other members of the Chen family, he would inevitably be hampered.
"We can't just sit and wait for them to come knocking." A sharp glint flashed in Chen Xuan's eyes. Passive defense always puts you at a disadvantage. Sometimes, the best defense is offense. Perhaps... we should take the initiative and confront the Black Wind Sect, or even seize the initiative?
The moment this thought arose, a clear "determination," as if breaking through the fog to find direction, coalesced in his heart—he could not entrust his safety to the enemy's mercy or delay; he had to actively clarify the threat and, if necessary, eliminate the root of the problem with swift and decisive action!
This determination to "protect" and "break the deadlock" is strong and pure, as if it has touched some kind of rule in the dark.
"Buzz..."
A faint tremor, perceptible only to Chen Xuan, resounded from the depths of his soul.
Immediately afterwards, that cold, flat stream of thought reappeared, clearer and more complete than before, carrying a sense of formal initiation:
"The host has been found to possess a pure will, embodying both the 'spirit of protection' and the 'will to break the deadlock'."
"Task generated..."
"Main quest achievement: [Qingyang Purge] has been generated."
"Mission Objective: To resolve the existential crisis posed by the Black Wind Sect against the Chen family and completely end the Black Wind Sect's ongoing threat to Qingyang City. To restore order to Qingyang City."
"Task Reward: Complete the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms"