Chapter 712 Cleaning Up
The young man, however, seemed to possess no aura of a martial artist at all.
Just as he was about to use his spiritual sense to sweep him away, Chen Yang spoke.
Chen Yang chuckled, "I welcome your guidance."
As soon as the words fell, Chen Yang's figure vanished. The old man's expression changed instantly, and before he could react, Chen Yang was already beside him.
Chen Yang's palm strike was steady, neither hurried nor slow, his sole purpose being to test the old man's true strength.
Previously, Chen Yang had heard his master say that Grandmaster martial artists who had reached the True Self realm possessed a peculiar kind of magic. If he had the chance to spar, he must carefully observe the opponent's internal energy circulation.
The old man never expected that the young man before him would be such a formidable martial artist. His movement technique alone was enough to be unrivaled.
The moment they clashed, both men's eyebrows shot up.
Chen Yang felt that the opponent's strength was not particularly strong. This was not entirely unexpected, as he had already reached the peak of the Grandmaster realm, and this old man, no matter how capable, could only be a Grandmaster.
However, the internal energy within the old man was as heavy as the earth itself.
Chen Yang felt as if he were fighting against the earth, the heavy and ancient aura brightening his eyes.
The old man, on the other hand, retreated several steps in haste, his eyes trembling with disbelief.
"You, you, you..."
Seeing the two men exchange just one blow and the elder retreating so far, Xiao Pengcheng immediately felt a pang of anxiety.
But the thought that the elder had never been defeated before instilled more confidence in Xiao Pengcheng's heart.
Before the old man could finish speaking, Chen Yang charged forward again. He genuinely wanted to see what this True Self truly was.
"Bang bang bang!"
The speed of their clash was incredibly fast. Although Chen Yang suppressed his own strength, the power of a peak Grandmaster, coupled with Chen Yang's reinforcement from his chaotic energy, was far beyond what the old man could contend with.
In a short while, he was at a disadvantage.
The old man knew he could not defeat the young man before him and quickly retreated several steps, hurriedly saying, "Wait!"
Chen Yang had not intended to kill him; to Chen Yang, this exchange was merely a sparring session.
"Who exactly are you? When did the Southwest produce a monster like you? To possess such strength at such a young age, I should have heard of your name!"
"I never said I was a martial artist from the Southwest. I am Chen Yang from Qingzhou City." Chen Yang was still savoring the combat just moments ago.
A wry smile appeared on the old man's face, "So you are not from the Southwest. I was wondering, when did the Southwest gain such good fortune."
The number of martial artists in the Southwest was already small, and coupled with its remote location, the vast majority of them ventured out. Martial artists from other regions would not bother coming to the Southwest to challenge local practitioners.
"I am Chen Yanding, from the Southwest Prefecture."
As soon as Chen Yanding finished speaking, Chen Yang said somewhat oddly, "A martial artist from the Southwest Prefecture? Then why are you helping Xiao Pengcheng?"
Chen Yang did not believe that Chen Yanding was unaware of Xiao Pengcheng's actions.
At this moment, Xiao Pengcheng was breaking out in a cold sweat. The elder rarely revealed his name in his battles, precisely because his identity was too sensitive.
Martial artists from the Southwest Prefecture were not only under the jurisdiction of the Prefecture but were also closely watched by many.
Chen Yanding saw that Chen Yang showed no tension upon hearing the name of the Southwest Prefecture, but instead questioned him as if in an interrogation, which made him somewhat awkward.
"Young friend Chen, you may not know, shall we go upstairs to talk?"
Chen Yang stared deeply at Xiao Pengcheng. Before he could speak, Chen Yanding understood Chen Yang's intention.
"This is Xiao Pengcheng's territory. Even if he tries to escape, I can still capture him."
Hearing this, Xiao Pengcheng nearly fell to his knees. The elder was planning to take him in!
Xiao Pengcheng, with a mournful face, said, "Master Chen, I..."
"Enough, we'll discuss it upstairs. These two gentlemen are not unreasonable people."
After they ascended, Chen Yang finally explained to Chen Yanding why he had come there.
Chen Yanding had indeed heard rumors about such matters before, but hearing was one thing, seeing was another.
Now that someone had come to his doorstep, Chen Yanding could not possibly claim ignorance.
"Young Xiao saved my entire family's lives back then. I have advised him on his business dealings several times, but..."
Chen Yanding shook his head regretfully, "After I became a Grandmaster, I took up a post in the Southwest Prefecture, a rather leisurely one. And Little Xiao was always extremely respectful, treating me as if I were family."
"I have thus been an accomplice to evil. Whether it is me or Little Xiao, we are at your disposal. However, there is one thing..."
"I hope you can spare Little Xiao's life, as a repayment for the favor he did me back then."
"As for myself, you can kill me or flay me as you wish."
Chen Yanding spoke these words without any hesitation; they were all his heartfelt sentiments.
Xiao Pengcheng was more than just someone who had saved his life; he was an integral part of his existence.
Without Xiao Pengcheng's help, he would not have become a Grandmaster martial artist of the Southwest Prefecture, and would likely be reduced to a pile of bones by now.
Xiao Pengcheng sat in a corner, trembling, looking at the elder, unsure of what to say.
The elder's words were clear: he was offering his own life in exchange for Xiao Pengcheng's.
Xiao Pengcheng knew that he had implicated the elder. In truth, that act of kindness back then was merely a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Over the years, with the elder by his side, his business had expanded manifold. He had thought his life would continue smoothly, but he had never expected such a great downfall today...
When Chen Yang heard Chen Yanding speak such somber words, he immediately waved his hand, "Elder, what you are saying is a bit of a joke. For the sake of Xiao Pengcheng, the Southwest would lose a Grandmaster martial artist."
"If the Southwest Prefecture were to find out, I wouldn't be able to leave the Southwest either."
Martial artists from the Southwest Prefecture were extremely precious, let alone such a Grandmaster.
More importantly, Chen Yang could see that the elder before him was not a truly wicked person.
Chen Yang paused midway and turned to Xiao Pengcheng, saying sternly, "Leaving you your life is for the elder's sake. You had better not involve the elder in your troublesome affairs anymore, otherwise, even if it angers the elder, I will still take your life!"
Xiao Pengcheng nodded repeatedly, "I understand, I understand."
Chen Yang then turned to Zhu Sanqian beside him and said, "Brother Sanqian, I'll trouble you with this matter."
"Don't worry, with the Zhu family's speed, it will be cleaned up in two days." Zhu Sanqian had already discussed with Chen Yang on the way. Since Xiao Pengcheng had delivered himself, there was no reason to let him go.