That was Chu Chen's nightmare.
Chu Feng did not allow anyone who defied him or went against him to continue living.
Therefore.
Chu Feng imprisoned Chu Chen and forced him through all sorts of excruciating torture.
During those days, Chu Chen was in a daze, like a walking corpse.
He wanted to die, yet he feared death.
He could only prolong his suffering time and again.
Until one night when he was seventeen.
Chu Chen seized the darkness and escaped, vanishing without a trace thereafter.
Chu Yuxuan searched everywhere nearby but could not find any trace of Chu Chen.
Later, news of Chu Chen spread throughout the southern territories of Qingyun Kingdom.
At that time, Chu Chen's cultivation was low. In Chu Yuxuan's opinion.
He must have died. After all, at Chu Chen's age of seventeen.
Even if he had survived by chance, he would have already become a cripple. Living would only be a waste of food.
But Chu Yuxuan was still searching.
However, she would never find him in her lifetime.
Chu Yuxuan resigned herself to fate, her face bathed in tears.
Until later.
She happened to meet Chu Kuangdao in a restaurant...
...
In the Chu family hall.
Chu Yuxuan sat on a chair, clutching a jade pendant, her eyes red.
She handed the jade pendant to Chu Chen, her voice choked with sobs, "Brother, I'll give you this jade pendant.
I know you'll definitely need it!"
Chu Chen took the jade pendant, glanced at it indifferently, and then put it away.
He looked at the young girl before him and said coldly, "Chu Kuangdao is your father, isn't he?"
Chu Yuxuan nodded.
She wiped away her tears and forced a smile, "Brother, don't blame Father, he..."
"What do the matters between you siblings have to do with me?" Chu Chen interrupted her.
Chu Chen could see that although Chu Yuxuan was young, she was very intelligent.
Chu Yuxuan understood the hidden meaning in Chu Chen's words and her pretty face instantly fell.
She said softly, "Brother, my father is already dead.
I don't expect him to acknowledge me anymore, I just hope you won't resent me..."
"I don't resent you, after all, you owe me nothing."
Chu Chen waved his hand, "Let's go, go home."
...
Within the Chu family city, the Chu family manor.
Chu Yuxuan led Chu Chen into the courtyard.
She stopped at the courtyard gate, took a deep breath.
"Brother, you go back to your room and rest. I'll call you when dinner is ready."
"Mm," Chu Chen nodded.
"Brother, you go sleep first, I'll go to the kitchen to get busy."
Chu Yuxuan gave him a reminder and then hurried away.
Chu Chen pushed open the door to his room. The room was simple and dilapidated.
He lay on the bed, closing his eyes.
Not long after.
A knock sounded at the door.
Creak—
The door was pushed open.
Chu Yuxuan entered with a tray, holding a pot of hot tea.
"I've brewed you a pot of Longjing tea, try it."
Chu Yuxuan handed a cup to Chu Chen, "Father always loved Longjing tea, but he can't drink it now.
Try the taste, does it suit your palate?"
Chu Chen opened his eyes, looked at her, and took the teacup.
He took a slow sip, "It's indeed good, but it's a bit too bitter."
"Ah? Bitter?" Chu Yuxuan blinked.
She asked doubtfully, "No way, I tasted it, it's quite fragrant."
"You wouldn't understand."
Chu Chen sighed and shook his head.
Longjing tea is a top-grade delicacy, worth a fortune.
If he hadn't undergone a complete transformation, he wouldn't have been able to afford such fine tea.
However, for Chu Chen, although this Longjing tea was exquisite, it did not match the taste in his memory.
"I'll go prepare dinner."
Chu Yuxuan nodded obediently, "You've had a tiring day, rest first."
Chu Chen nodded.
A moment later, Chu Yuxuan left.
Chu Chen slowly closed his eyes, and his childhood memories surfaced in his mind.
It was a dark and gloomy winter.
The entire Chu mansion was filled with the chill of frost.
Only the Qingya Courtyard where Chu Yuxuan lived was warm, comfortable, and bathed in sunlight.
At that time, Chu Chen often played with Chu Yuxuan, running around behind her.
Unfortunately, those peaceful days did not last long.
That winter, something happened that made Chu Chen despair.
His father, after getting drunk, killed his mother and left her body in a pool of blood.
At that time, Chu Chen was only six years old, hiding nearby and trembling.
He dared not cry, nor did he dare to make a sound.
However, he saw it very clearly.
At that time, his father's eyes were bloodshot, his face contorted, as if he had fallen into a frenzy.
He lunged towards Chu Yuxuan with a dripping dagger.
The corners of his mouth curved into an evil and cruel arc.
"Bitch! You killed my mother, I'm going to kill you!"
He roared and lunged madly.
His movements were swift, his speed astonishing.
Chu Yuxuan was so frightened that she didn't react at all.
Just as he was about to rush forward and stab Chu Yuxuan's chest with the blood-stained dagger.
A sharp sword flew out, accurately hitting his right wrist, the one holding the dagger, and severed his arm.
Blood gushed out, and the screams were sharp and piercing.
"Ah—"
Chu Chen clutched his wound, sweat beading on his forehead from the pain.
"Who?!" He turned his head in terror.
He saw a man standing in the center of the courtyard, holding a long sword.
The man was tall and sturdy, dressed in a flowing green robe.
The man had handsome features, his facial contours sharp and defined, as if carved by a knife, exuding a sharp edge.
"Uncle..." Chu Chen gritted his teeth, indignant.
This man was none other than Chu Kuangdao.
The Chu family patriarch, Chu Zhan's own brother!
Chu Kuangdao glanced at Chu Chen, who was screaming and writhing on the ground, his expression cold. He uttered three words, "Scoundrel."
Chu Kuangdao turned and left.
Chu Chen knelt in the pool of blood, his eyes filled with intense hatred and unwillingness.
"Brother, why aren't you resting yet?"
A clear and pleasant voice rang out.
Chu Chen looked up and saw a slender young girl standing outside the door.
This girl was Chu Yuxuan.
"Why are you here?" Chu Chen frowned.
"Brother, you don't want me to get close?"
Chu Yuxuan's voice held a hint of disappointment and grievance.
She lowered her head, "Brother, I know I made mistakes before and embarrassed you."
"You're overthinking it."
Chu Chen said.
"No matter what I did wrong."
Chu Yuxuan mustered her courage and said, "I want to salvage our relationship and re-establish our pure friendship."
Chu Chen stared at her and suddenly let out a scoff, "Chu Yuxuan, who was it that abandoned me and drove me out of the Chu family?
And who was it that made me beg on the streets?"
Chu Yuxuan's delicate body trembled violently.
She opened her small mouth, speechless.
She knew that these things couldn't be hidden from her brother Chu Chen for long.
But she had no choice. Her family was all dead, and she could only cling to her brother as a lifeline.
"Brother..." Chu Yuxuan was on the verge of tears.
"Enough," Chu Chen interrupted her crying. "You don't need to pretend to be kind."
Chu Yuxuan froze, "Brother..."
Chu Chen said indifferently, "I don't drink Longjing tea, nor do I like its mellow taste. I prefer clear tea.
So I refuse your kind offer." He put down the teacup and continued.
"Furthermore, I will not collude with you to deal with Chu Tianyang."