Chapter 6: Good Bye Family - Forever.
"I'll beat you to death, you ungrateful wretch!"
Chen Guodong took a step forward, raising his palm to slap Chen Yu.
With the speed of a mid-tier Awakener, Chen Yu couldn't see the movement clearly at all.
But the moment the palm broke through the air, Chen Yu's head felt a stinging pain as if pricked by needles.
It was Observation Haki sending a warning!
If he took this slap, he would be crippled if not killed.
In the nick of time, Observation Haki captured the trajectory of the attack.
Just as the palm was about to hit his cheek, Chen Yu's body leaned to the side in an inconceivable manner.
This dodge was precise to the millimeter; even Chen Yu himself was slightly stunned.
The terror of Observation Haki was beginning to show its edge.
Chen Yu successfully dodged Chen Guodong's slap.
However, the wind pressure generated by the powerful force still sent him flying.
Relying on his strong core strength, Chen Yu landed steadily.
Chen Guodong was both shocked and furious.
Shocked that Chen Yu, who had just awakened, could dodge his blow; furious that he actually dared to dodge!
"You still dare to dodge?!" Chen Guodong was thoroughly enraged. He shook off Zhang Li, who was "attempting to stop" him.
He lunged at Chen Yu again. "If you don't apologize to your mother today! I will beat you to death, you rebellious son!"
Fist winds roared, striking toward Chen Yu's face, but Chen Yu did exactly the same thing, dodging perilously close yet again.
In the panel, the proficiency of Observation Haki was shooting up.
[Observation Haki: Lv1, Proficiency: 1 -> 15/100]
He took two steps back, standing at the entrance of the Awakening Hall.
"Old fart, don't touch me."
This word "Old fart" stabbed into Chen Guodong's heart like a needle. He pointed one hand at Chen Yu while clutching his chest with the other, coughing violently.
"Get out! You get out of here! Don't you ever think about stepping into the Chen family's door again!"
"Tch, who cares." Chen Yu didn't look back.
Facing the questioning gazes of everyone, he walked straight out of the Awakening Hall.
Behind him, the furious roars and faint sounds of persuasion in the hall gradually faded away.
Chen Yu took a deep breath of the air mixed with car exhaust, suddenly feeling incredibly relaxed.
The shackles that had bound the original owner for more than ten years finally shattered completely at this moment.
The cowardly life was gone forever.
Inside the hall.
Chen Guodong was still raging impotently.
Zhang Li appeared at the right time, hurriedly supporting Chen Guodong. "Husband, don't get so angry you hurt your health!"
"Yu'er is probably just confused for a moment. When he thinks it through, he will naturally come back."
"Let's check on Chen'er's injuries first..."
At the mention of Chen Chen, Chen Guodong's anger subsided slightly.
He walked quickly to check on Chen Chen, who had fallen to the side.
Before long, his brow relaxed as he said to Zhang Li, "He just exhausted his stamina. Have the driver prepare the car, we're going home."
...
The bedroom of the Chen family mansion was filled with the scent of expensive medicine.
Chen Chen lay on the bed, his chest bandaged, and a few shallow bruises remaining on his face.
His eyelashes trembled, and he slowly opened his eyes. What came into view was Chen Guodong's face, written with concern.
"Dad..." Chen Chen's voice was hoarse. Just opening his mouth pulled at the wound on the corner of his mouth, making him gasp in pain.
"It's good that you're awake, good that you're awake," Zhang Li said joyfully.
Chen Guodong patted Chen Chen's hand, his tone gentler than he had ever been with Chen Yu.
"How do you feel? The family doctor said these are just superficial wounds; rest for a few days and you'll be fine."
Chen Chen lowered his head, his eyes gloomy. "I lost... I couldn't compare to Brother Yu..."
"What nonsense!" Chen Guodong interrupted him immediately, his tone holding unquestionable certainty.
"You are the heir meticulously cultivated by the Chen family; how could you not compare to that rebellious son?"
"Hmph! He was just cunning. He knew you had just awakened and hadn't fully mastered your abilities, that's the only reason he succeeded."
He paused, then spoke with praise, "You awakened an SS-rank Logia ability this time, very good!"
"Dad has already decided."
"We will hold a Coming-of-Age ceremony for you and invite people from all sides."
"Under the witness of everyone, I will officially announce that you are the heir to the Chen family."
Chen Chen suddenly looked up, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Really? Dad!"
"Of course it's true." Chen Guodong smiled with gratification. "Everything in the Chen family should have been yours to begin with."
Standing to the side, Zhang Li hid the triumph in her eyes well, revealing a worried look at just the right moment.
She lightly stroked the stray hair at her temples and said softly, "Husband, what about Yu'er..."
"After all, he is also of the Chen family blood... shouldn't he be present too..."
Chen Guodong snorted coldly, his face full of disdain. "Him? How many days can he live if he leaves the Chen family?"
"Without the Chen family's resources, without my protection, he won't even be able to afford food!"
"Just wait and see. Within three days, he'll come back crying and begging me!"
Zhang Li leaned against Chen Guodong's chest, frowning slightly, a trace of imperceptible coldness hooking the corner of her mouth.
Come back? That won't do!
After instructing Chen Chen to rest well, the couple left the room.
Zhang Li went to a study.
The moonlight outside the window filtered through the blinds, casting patterns of light and shadow on her face.
"Master."
The old crone from Chen Yu's memory appeared behind Zhang Li at some point.
She bowed her hands, waiting quietly for Zhang Li's order.
"Why isn't he dead?" Her voice was pressed very low, totally different from that gentle appearance during the day.
The old crone's voice was hoarse. "I remember clearly slitting his throat..."
"Where is he now?" Zhang Li interrupted the old crone.
Hearing this, the old crone sneered. "He found some a motel to stay , its called run-down motel."
"Run-down motel?" Zhang Li's tone was mocking.
"Chen Yu, oh Chen Yu..." Zhang Li looked at the photo of Chen Guodong and his two sons on the wall.
"This face is truly disgusting."
With a ferocious expression, she poked her fingertip hard into Chen Yu's face on the photo.
"That bitch is dead, so why aren't you dead yet?!"
"Find a way to make him disappear forever. Do it cleanly, don't leave any traces."
"Understood."
The old crone's voice echoed in the room, but her figure vanished.
Zhang Li walked to the window and opened the curtains.
The lights of the Chen family mansion looked like a dormant beast in the night. She looked at the blurred outline of the city in the distance, her eyes as ruthless as knives.
Only dead people are the most reassuring.
_____________________
Same night, a piece of news spread throughout Lanjiang City, from the Awakened aristocratic families down to the common people in the marketplace.
"Did you hear? The Chen family is holding a Coming-of-Age ceremony!"
"Sigh, I knew that ages ago. It's said the head of the Chen family will officially announce the heir!"
"Heir? Is it Chen Yu?"
"Chen Chen! What do you mean Chen Yu? You don't know? He forced his mother to kneel in public!"
"Ah! That happened?"
"I was there at the scene. Mrs. Chen cried so miserably. That Chen Yu really isn't a decent thing..."
The world buzzed with discussion.
As one of the three major families, the Chen family naturally attracted a lot of attention.
Similarly, such news also reached the ears of some dignitaries in Lanjiang.
____________
Jiang Family Compound.
Jiang Qingye was having dinner with her parents, celebrating her successful awakening today.
"Daughter, are you going to school tomorrow?" Jiang Ba, her father, asked fawningly.
Jiang Qingye nodded slightly. "Mn, the teacher said tomorrow there will be Awakener instructors to help us familiarize ourselves with developing our abilities."
"They will also talk about things to note regarding military training."
Jiang Ba said with gratification, "Then come back early. Tomorrow night we are going to the Chen family to attend Chen Chen's Coming-of-Age ceremony."
"Coming-of-Age ceremony?" Jiang Qingye was puzzled.
"Mn, just got the news." Jiang Ba smiled playfully. "Chen Guodong doesn't have much capability, but he has a good son."
"He wants to announce Chen Chen as the Chen family heir. I remember Chen Chen awakened an SS-rank ability; we still have to give this face."
The same scene was happening in the Li family of Lanjiang.
Li Mufeng frowned, feeling regret in his heart for the fall of the genius Chen Yu.
__________________
Meanwhile.
Great Wall Border, District 8.
The roar of a military transport plane gradually died down on the military camp .
The hatch opened slowly, and Ling Xiao, dressed in military uniform, walked down.
The gold stars on her epaulets shone with a cold light in the night, and her face was still stained with blood that hadn't been wiped clean.
Her ice-blue eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.
"General Ling, this is the casualty report from resisting the Beast Tide this time..." An officer stepped forward quickly, handing over a briefing.
"That Tier 7 Beast King..."
"It got away," Ling Xiao said through gritted teeth, taking the report and reading it carefully.
"General Ling, you suppressed the Beast Tide alone and even chased down the Beast King," the officer praised.
"That is already very strong."
"Save it. Hurry up and replenish the consumed ammunition." Ling Xiao tossed the report back to the officer. "That Beast King definitely won't let this go."
"It's very likely to launch another Beast Tide. Remember to notify the neighboring Districts 7 and 9."
"Um... General Ling..." The officer hesitated.
Seeing this, Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow.
"Speak."
"News just came from the Intelligence Division. Ling Yue... awakened successfully today."
"Oh?" Ling Xiao asked. "What ability?"
"A newly appeared SSS-rank Logia type, and it is the Superior ability to yours!"
Hearing this, Ling Xiao didn't show much emotion. "Not bad. My daughter has high talent, I knew that."
"Also..." The officer pursed his lips.
"Spit it out. This old lady doesn't have time to dilly-dally with you," Ling Xiao said with an unhappy tone.
"Yes!"
"After Miss Ling Yue awakened, she used the teleportation array overnight to leave the capital. The last surveillance point she appeared at was in the center of Lanjiang City."
Ling Xiao was stunned, her willow-like eyebrows furrowing slightly. "She went to Lanjiang? What is she doing there?"
The officer scratched his head. "She said she went to break off the engagement... break off the engagement with the Chen family."
Ling Yue.
Her only daughter. Her personality took after Ling Xiao's stubbornness from when she was young.
She had always opposed the marriage contract Ling Xiao arranged for her. "Now that she's awakened, her wings have hardened, huh?"
"What about Old Ling? Did he not watch her?"
"Professor Ling chased after her too, but hasn't found her yet."
"..." Ling Xiao was speechless for a moment.
"Forget it, I can't count on that bookworm."
The officer led Ling Xiao into a bulletproof sedan. "Back to headquarters first."
After speaking, Ling Xiao opened her phone and found a pile of messages sent by Ling Yue.
Her gaze stopped when she scrolled to the latest message.
"General Ling, the Chen family is holding a Coming-of-Age ceremony tomorrow night. They will officially announce Chen Chen as the family heir. We hope General Ling will honor us with your presence."
"The Chen family?" Ling Xiao's fingertips tapped on the name "Chen Chen."
Memories of hanging by a thread instantly flooded her mind.
That was more than twenty years ago.
Back then, she was far less powerful than she was now. She had ventured deep behind enemy lines and nearly lost her life. It was a woman named Lin Lan who saved her.
Later, she learned that the woman was the Matriarch of the Chen family in Lanjiang
.
At the time, the two laughingly made a verbal agreement: if they had children in the future, they would become in-laws.
Unfortunately, Lin Lan eventually sacrificed herself.
Later, Ling Xiao gave birth to Ling Yue and defaulted the engagement to Lin Lan's son, the eldest legitimate son of the Chen family.
"Coming-of-Age ceremony... so soon..."
She suddenly remembered the harsh words Ling Yue had thrown down half a month ago: "That Chen family engagement? Whoever wants it can have it, I'm going to break it off personally!"
At the time, she thought it was just angry talk.
But now, Ling Yue had run directly to Lanjiang, coinciding with the Chen family announcing their heir. It was quite a coincidence.
"Go to the Chen family's Coming-of-Age ceremony in my place," Ling Xiao ordered the officer.
"If that girl wants to break the engagement, let her, but don't let it get too ugly."
"After all, they are the family of my savior."
The officer spoke with indignation, "General Ling, you've helped the Chen family enough, both openly and secretly, over these years."
"They are becoming increasingly arrogant now. A while back, they directly demanded three months' worth of Awakening Elixirs from our Military Department!"
Ling Xiao's eyes darkened, and she only said faintly, "I know."
"That is why I asked you to watch over Ling Yue, not stop her."
________________
Under the same sky, various forces were surging.
As for Chen Yu, after cutting ties, he certainly wouldn't shamelessly go back to the Chen family.
Instead, he booked a room at a motel.
Just after washing up and lying down, a beautiful woman suddenly appeared by the bedside.
Chen Yu was dumbstruck.
"This run-down motel has this kind of service?!"
"And... the quality is this high?!!"