He paid them no mind.
His gaze swept over everyone present.
Some sneered, others roared in anger.
But Chu Chen acted as if he heard nothing.
Suddenly, he licked his lips with his tongue, his eyes filled with a strange light. "Now, do you still think I'm a bastard?"
As he spoke, he raised his fist and struck out!
Bang bang bang bang bang...!
In an instant, screams echoed endlessly. The faces of several Chu clan members were pierced by Chu Chen's fist energy, blood splattering.
In mere moments, all the Chu clan members lay sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain.
"I am not a bastard.
The Chu family is not the Chu family.
And you are not members of the Chu family."
Glancing indifferently at these people, Chu Chen turned towards the door. "Scram."
Among these Chu clan members, only Chu Feng showed some promise; the rest were all useless.
Chu Chen couldn't be bothered with them.
But that didn't mean Chu Chen could forgive them.
In his memory, the direct descendants of the Chu family were very united and would never slaughter each other over power struggles.
"Wait a moment."
Just as Chu Chen was about to leave, a young man rushed in, blocking his path. He said with a hint of apology, "Brother Chen, let me explain."
Chu Chen glanced at him indifferently and said, "No need to say anything. Just do what you need to do."
"Chu Chen, how have you become like this? You used to be so easy to talk to. What's wrong today?" Chu Feng frowned.
Chu Chen did not answer his question.
"Move aside."
Giving Chu Feng a cold look, Chu Chen bypassed him, pushed open the door, and stepped out of the living room.
"Brother Chen..." Chu Feng wanted to chase after him, but was stopped by the Chu clan patriarch. "Feng'er, what are you doing?"
"Father, Brother Chen has changed! He used to be so well-behaved, but today he's like a different person. It makes me feel very strange!" Chu Feng said.
"Heh heh, it's good that he's changed."
The Chu clan patriarch stroked his beard and chuckled. "He's become stronger. This is not necessarily a bad thing for the Chu family."
"What?" Chu Feng was stunned for a moment, then realized with mixed joy and surprise, "That's right, Brother Chen has become stronger. Isn't that even better for our Chu family?"
Saying this, Chu Feng sighed again. "Alas, Brother Chen used to be so taciturn and always seemed unhappy, like a resentful woman.
Now that he's suddenly become so strong, I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing..."
"Silly boy, what is there to worry about?
Is it not good for a martial artist to become stronger? This means the Chu family can be saved."
The Chu clan patriarch shook his head and chuckled. "Moreover, this is precisely why I asked Chu Tiankuo to bring Chen'er back."
"So that's why."
Chu Feng chuckled, patted his chest, and said, "Brother Chen, don't worry. When I grow up, if anyone bullies you, I'll be the first to fight them!"
"Mm." Chu Chen nodded.
...
After leaving the Chu mansion, Chu Chen went straight to the City Lord's mansion.
"Huh, there are so many carriages here. Is someone visiting the City Lord's mansion?" Chu Chen looked around as he stood at the entrance of the City Lord's mansion.
He saw hundreds of luxurious carriages and chariots of various kinds parked at the entrance of the City Lord's mansion, each guarded by several guards in shining armor.
As Chu Chen observed the City Lord's mansion, an old woman walked out from within. Her silver hair was neatly combed, her face was covered in wrinkles, her eye sockets were deep, but she was full of vigor.
Chu Chen noticed that the old woman carried a wooden sword on her back, wore wooden clogs, and had a black silk ribbon tied around her waist, giving her an ancient aura.
As the old woman approached, Chu Chen couldn't help but call out, "Old woman, please tell me, is there a person named 'Chu Yunhe' in this City Lord's mansion?"
"Hmm?" Hearing Chu Chen's question, the old woman's expression changed slightly. "What business do you have with the City Lord?"
As she spoke, she quietly took the wooden sword from her back, her eyes showing vigilance.
The Chu family was one of the three great aristocratic families in Nanyang Commandery City, possessing immense influence and power in Nanyang Commandery. Ordinary citizens could not afford to offend them.
This old woman was clearly afraid that Chu Chen would cause trouble.
Not far away, a guard captain saw this and hurried over, saying respectfully, "Granny Wang, why have you come out? I can handle things here."
"No, this child just hit our people."
The old woman frowned. "What if he makes another move later? Hurry up and take your men to drive him away, don't delay our business."
"Uh..." The guard captain was stunned.
Although this old woman's strength was not high, she was the housekeeper of the City Lord's mansion and held a respected position, which he could not afford to offend.
"Granny Wang, this..." The guard captain hesitated. "Why don't you go in and report it?"
"I go in and report?"
The old woman rolled her eyes. "As a member of the Chu clan, how can I casually enter the City Lord's mansion? If you're unwilling to act, I'll throw him out myself, hmph!"
"Oh dear, Granny Wang..." The guard captain was extremely anxious.
The old woman waved her hand, signaling the guards to step back.
Then, she narrowed her eyes at Chu Chen and coldly questioned, "Brat, I ask you, did you lay hands on the Chu clan members?"
Chu Chen shrugged, his tone calm. "Yes."
"Hmph! It's good that you admit it!"
Granny Wang reprimanded, "According to the Chu clan rules, anyone who violates the law and discipline will be severely punished! Now, you will immediately come with me to the刑堂 (Xing Tang - Punishment Hall) to receive your punishment!"
According to the Chu clan rules, anyone who violated the clan rules, once verified, would be publicly whipped!
This was the rule of the Chu family.
"Heh heh..." Chu Chen let out a couple of laughs.
"Brat, what are you laughing at?"
"I'm laughing at how foolish you are, and how you don't know what's good for you!"
Chu Chen shook his head. "I remember my parents died young, and I grew up alone, so I cherished the time I spent with them even more.
"It's a pity they are all dead, and I can't even be by their side. Why do you have the right to deprive me of that?"
After hearing Chu Chen's account, the surrounding onlookers showed expressions of sympathy.
"Alas, this young man's parents died young, he's so pitiful."
"Yes, I really wish his parents could come back to life and take care of this orphan again."
"What a shame. I heard that the Chu clan patriarch, Chu Tiankuo, once adopted Chu Chen, but he was expelled from the family."
"Yes, if Chu Chen were willing to return to the family, with the talent he's showing now, he might be able to surpass Chu Haoyu in a few years and become the new Chu clan patriarch."
"Heh heh, that's not necessarily true!
Chu Haoyu's talent is indeed stronger than Chu Chen's, but he is arrogant and conceited, looking down on all his peers. Moreover, he has a very fiery temper."
"Have you forgotten? Chu Haoyu's mother, Chu Meilan, detests this kid the most. Because of that, Chu Chen almost died in the Chu family manor back then."