Chapter 136: Her Choice
That evening, inside the Hong family's great hall.
Hong Tianque sat upon the main seat, neither asking about the past three days' events nor probing—merely gazing at Chen Xingcai with unfathomable eyes:
"Have you decided on your choice?"
Hong Longxiang standing nearby unconsciously clenched his fists, knuckles turning white, his entire frame trembling slightly.
Chen Xingcai nodded, her gaze sweeping across everyone present before finally settling on Hong Longxiang. She suddenly curved a meaningful smile, causing Hong Longxiang to instantly tense.
Just as Hong Longxiang seemed about to buckle under the invisible pressure, she shifted tone: "Not interested. Boring." Her voice rang clear and cold. "This childish game—play it yourselves."
She turned to leave. The air in the great hall seemed to solidify in that instant.
"What a pity." An aged voice suddenly rang out. An elder with snow-white hair and beard had somehow appeared blocking the doorway. "I had thought you were the Hong family's best hope."
Hong Chenji, the Hong family's ancestor, stood there silently. His clouded eyes yet gleamed with a heart-stopping sharpness.
Chen Xingcai met this legendary powerhouse's gaze, her lips curling in scorn: "No pity." Her voice was soft, yet each word cut like a blade. "This disgusting place—I find even one second here unbearable."
Deathly silence fell over the great hall, even breathing becoming audible.
Hong Chenji's gaze gradually turned dangerous, yet Chen Xingcai held her spine straight, unflinchingly meeting his eyes.
After a long moment, Hong Chenji's aura dissipated, leaving him resembling an ordinary old man. A faint, amused smile touched his aged face: "Since you came yet chose to abandon the Hong family head position, someone as clever as you must have guessed what comes next?"
Chen Xingcai nodded calmly: "I know."
She lifted her gaze, scanning her surroundings with the casual air of discussing weather: "Let's go. No sense wasting time."
Hong Chenji narrowed his eyes slightly, surprised by her composure.
But since she chose cooperation, it saved considerable trouble.
The group traversed deep corridors to arrive at a dust-sealed side courtyard unused for years.
In the dim room, two mottled stone beds lay silent, still bearing dark brown stains.
Chen Xingcai's gaze sharpened, a cold smile touching her lips.
"Lie down." Hong Chenji's voice carried no warmth.
Chen Xingcai tilted her head: "May I choose which one?"
Hong Chenji paused, then slowly nodded: "As you wish."
"Never mind. This one feels familiar."
Chen Xingcai walked with practiced ease toward the stone bed she'd once occupied, fingertips lightly tracing the uneven grooves on its surface.
"Lie down." Hong Chenji commanded.
Chen Xingcai nodded, preparing to move when a furious roar erupted: "Stop!"
Hong Ang appeared at the doorway. He stepped forward, placing himself before Chen Xingcai, bloodshot eyes locked on Hong Chenji: "You promised me—you'd spare her life!"
Hong Chenji slowly turned, sighing. A flicker of mockery passed through his clouded eyes: "What if I break my word?"
Hong Ang's aura exploded forth, the sword in his hand ringing with a sharp hum: "Then I'll risk my life to fight you!"
Chen Xcai watched silently, as if the conflict had nothing to do with her.
Her gaze passed through the crumbling roof toward that sliver of sky above, that faint smile never leaving her lips.
...
A weariness appeared on Hong Chenji's aged face. He slowly raised a hand, signaling Hong Ang to calm down: "Ang'er, would you truly sacrifice your life for this outsider?"
Hong Ang's sword-holding hand trembled slightly, yet he refused to yield: "Ancestor, she carries Hong family blood in her veins too!"
"Foolish!" Hong Chenji suddenly barked, his voice shaking dust from the rafters. "I've observed these past days' events. You already know why that woman was imprisoned, haven't you?"
Hong Ang's body jolted as he fell silent.
Hong Chenji's withered finger pointed toward the dungeon direction: "If it were for her... yet she'd treat her own flesh and blood as mere pawns for power! Do you truly believe she cares for this daughter?"
Seeing Hong Ang waver, Hong Chenji softened his tone: "Consider the Hong family's millennium foundation.
When two Supreme Holy Bodies merge, our Hong family will surely birth an unparalleled powerhouse. Then not just Central State—this entire Profound Sky Continent will bow before us!"
Hong Ang's sword tip dipped slightly: "But..."
"Do you truly think that girl genuinely acknowledges you as her Second Uncle?" Hong Chenji sneered. "In the dungeon earlier, she was ready to kill her own mother! Such a temperament—keeping her alive will only breed disaster."
Hong Ang looked toward Chen Xingcai, who sat calmly on the stone bed. Recalling her coldness in the dungeon, his sword hand finally lowered.
"Step back." Hong Chenji nodded in satisfaction. "For the Hong family, certain sacrifices are necessary. You're the descendant I value most—don't disappoint this old man."
Hong Ang remained frozen in place, but Hong Chenji merely flicked his sleeve. An invisible force sent him drifting aside like brushing away dust.
Chen Xingcai turned her head, casting a scornful glance. Those clear, cold eyes brimmed with "just as expected" contempt. Hong Ang flinched, instinctively averting his gaze.
"Lie down." Hong Chenji's voice rang out again, this time with unquestionable authority.
"Truly unreliable..." Chen Xingcai suddenly muttered under her breath, her tone dripping with disdain.
Just as expected—a hypocrite. Father was right: true men don't easily shed tears before others. Except for those with overactive tear ducts, most who weep at the drop of a hat can't be trusted.
Thankfully she'd been clever enough! Not letting Second Senior Brother walk into danger!
Hong Chenji sneered inwardly.
The girl actually believed Hong Ang could protect her? If he possessed such ability, sixteen years ago he wouldn't have used Central State as an excuse to watch tragedy unfold...
Chen Xingcai sighed again, as if to herself: "But this time it's worth it. Finally cleared up all those lingering doubts."
Didn't disappoint me after all... Chen Xingcai thought silently.
Hong Chenji nodded in satisfaction: "So, you can die without regrets?"
"No—"
"I'm still young! I have so many wonderful years ahead to enjoy—I won't die!"
"That's not for you to decide!" Hong Longxiang revealed a gloating smile. Finally, his sole imperfection would be remedied!
"Hmph! I knew your vile nature all along. Did you think I left no countermeasures?"
"Hahaha... countermeasures? Try them then. On Hong family territory, a mere Return Origin Realm cultivator like you—let's see if you can escape!"
"Then I shall try. Don't regret this!"
Chen Xingcai suddenly took a deep breath. Before anyone could react, she screamed at the top of her lungs: "Help me~~~~~~ Master~~~~~"
...
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