Zhang Yuan turned around and saw a boy about fourteen or fifteen years old standing not too far away.
He immediately recognized that it was the Eldest Young Master of the Chen Family!
Zhang Yuan had quite a strong impression of this fellow, full of arrogance, nose in the air, with an air of superiority.
Beside this Eldest Young Master were Martial Artist Zhang Xiong and two household servants.
Truly relentless!
Among the entire Chen Family Village, Zhang Yuan was undoubtedly most wary of this martial artist.
Zhang Xiong wore a faint mocking smile on his face.
Seeing Zhang Yuan not responding respectfully, the Eldest Young Master Chen's expression suddenly turned gloomy: "I'm asking you a question, why are you silent?"
Zhang Yuan glanced coldly at the other party and turned to leave without saying a word.
Nowadays, the Chen Family is powerful, and since there's a martial artist accompanying them, getting into a direct conflict is not a wise choice.
Zhang Yuan couldn't possibly grovel at their feet.
So leaving was the best plan.
"Bold!"
Being ignored again, the Eldest Young Master Chen immediately flew into a rage and ordered: "Someone, quickly catch him..."
For some reason, the first time Eldest Young Master Chen saw Zhang Yuan, he was very displeased.
It felt like a thorn in his eye.
It must be removed!
Previously, Eldest Young Master Chen had tried several times through his advisor and Hunter Gao to recruit Zhang Yuan as a servant.
By then, he would have a thousand ways to slowly ruin Zhang Yuan.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Yuan didn't fall for it at all.
If the soft approach doesn't work, then use force!
Eldest Young Master Chen didn't believe that a lowly peasant could escape his grasp!
"Wait!"
Zhang Xiong suddenly stopped him: "Young Master Mingjie, this kind of person isn't worth your trouble. After some time, I'll capture him and hand him over to you for whatever you wish to do."
Chen Mingjie, the Eldest Young Master, paused: "Master Zhang, for such a countryside bumpkin, there's no need for you to take action personally!"
"Young Master Mingjie, you underestimate this person."
Zhang Xiong said sinisterly: "Don't be fooled by his young age, he's already an Entering Force martial artist!"
"What?"
Chen Mingjie couldn't believe his ears: "You're not joking, are you?"
"I never joke,"
Zhang Xiong replied proudly: "And I'm not mistaken."
He had seriously observed Zhang Yuan twice before confirming that the latter had already cultivated power, stepping into the realm of Light Force.
"Damn it!"
Chen Mingjie felt a mix of shock, jealousy, and anger, a fire burning fiercely in his heart, almost consuming his rationality!
He had been practicing martial arts since he was seven years old, which had continued for almost eight years.
He could never break through to Entering Force to become a true martial artist!
It wasn't because Chen Mingjie wasn't trying hard enough, or because his family didn't support him. The fact was, the Chen Family had invested quite a lot of resources in him, hiring several martial arts instructors alone.
The root cause was Chen Mingjie's poor talent and inadequate root bone.
Although if Chen Mingjie continued to persist, he might eventually reach Entering Force one day.
But his martial arts prospects would stop there!
Chen Mingjie was well aware of this.
Precisely because of this, he was extremely jealous of Zhang Yuan, who was about his age and had already become an Entering Force martial artist.
Why?
Just a mere peasant bumpkin.
He was actually stronger than him!
Zhang Xiong observed Chen Mingjie's expression completely, secretly snickering in his heart.
This Eldest Young Master has ambitions higher than the sky but a life as fragile as paper, and his heart is particularly narrow, unable to tolerate anyone else's success.
But characters like this are the easiest to control!
He feigned sincerity as he advised, "Young Master Mingjie, don't forget Landlord Chen's instructions. The urgent task now is to get the road into the mountains built; everything else can be put aside for now."
"So you should bear with it for the time being, after all, Zhang Yuan lives in the village, he won't run away."
Zhang Xiong's persuasion was quite effective, and Chen Mingjie really suppressed his anger.
Because he also knew the importance of the road construction to the Chen Family. Indulging his whims might affect his father's grand plan, and the consequences would be severe.
An Eldest Young Master who hadn't been able to reach Entering Force for years wasn't particularly important to the Chen Family.
Moreover, Chen Mingjie had two younger brothers!
He looked at Zhang Yuan's figure fading into the distance and spat angrily on the ground.
Zhang Xiong also watched Zhang Yuan.
His eyes narrowed, a mysterious gleam flashing in them.
Zhang Xiong was very interested in Zhang Yuan.
He felt that this young man was hiding a secret, even suspecting that Gao Ze's death was related to Zhang Yuan!
However, for the moment, Zhang Yuan still had his uses, so Zhang Xiong wasn't in a hurry to make a move. After all, the monk may escape, but the temple stays.
He licked his lips, savoring the taste of grilled rock goat meat.
Delicious!
However, Zhang Yuan's wariness of this martial artist had already reached its peak.
He left the Chen Family Village and headed straight for the county town, not returning for several days.
But Zhang Yuan continued to keep an eye on the Chen Family's activities.
He was extremely familiar with the environment surrounding Chen Family Village, not needing to enter the village, he could observe from strategic high points nearby.
Every day he first entered the mountains to hunt and gather herbs, while also searching for new hosts.
When it was about time, Zhang Yuan would take a shortcut to sneakily observe, then return to the county town.
He exerted himself so much for a reason.
On one hand, he acted as a scout for Ya Gui, in case something happened, he could warn the latter in advance.
On the other hand, Zhang Yuan suspected that the Chen Family's road construction was related to a treasure hidden in Qianfeng Mountain.
He was also very interested in the treasure.
As time passed, a row of wooden huts and grass houses quickly rose on the wasteland at the eastern end of the village.
Subsequently, hundreds of outsiders arrived at Chen Family Village.
They were all young and strong workers hired by the Chen Family, making the once peaceful mountain village instantly bustling and noisy.
And with it, came plenty of conflicts!
The Chen Family also transported a large quantity of grain from outside, launching a vigorous effort to break the mountains and build roads!
Chop! Chop!
One by one, large trees were felled and dragged away, the grass and vines on the ground were quickly cleared, and hundreds of young workers, under the supervision of Chen Family guards and servants, fervently wielding their axes, sickles, and hoes.
They pushed bit by bit into the depths of the mountains!
Such a scene made Zhang Yuan, watching from afar, secretly alarmed.
The Chen Family's actions could not be said to be unprecedented, but it certainly wasn't something a branch family could typically pull off.
He also noticed that near the road construction crew, on an altar, was a five-foot-tall statue.
It was the Linhe City God Statue that the Chen Family had invited!
More accurately, it was a secondary statue.
It was having this City God Statue stationed there.
Among the young workers, including the villagers from Chen Family Village, everyone was working feverishly.
And the City God Statue seemed to really be effective.
As they paved the way, the terrifying strangeness did not appear.
Zhang Yuan observed for seven consecutive days, watching the newly constructed mountain road extend ever forward, his heart sinking.
The worst-case scenario had emerged.
The direction this road was heading in was precisely where Ya Gui's territory lay!
He had reminded Ya Gui several times before, but the latter remained indifferent all along.
After some thought, Zhang Yuan decided to try persuading one last time.