Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Strength is the Ultimate Principle
"People from the Chen Family Stronghold?"
"Are they really from the Chen Family Stronghold?"
"What is the Chen Family Stronghold?"
Most were puzzled and confused.
"One of the few strongholds to the east of the Song Family Castle. Strange, what kind of luck did they have this time to catch so much prey?"
"A total of four antelopes, they can exchange them for quite a lot of good stuff?"
"Worth about three to four thousand yuan."
The group of people carrying so much prey naturally attracted quite a bit of attention. They instantly became the focus of the crowd.
The surroundings were filled with discussions. Some people knew about the Chen Family Stronghold, others didn’t, but now, everyone remembered the name Chen Family Stronghold.
A look of anger appeared in Liu Yong and the others’ eyes.
"That guy, he’s doing it on purpose." Chen Fan stared at the man who was speaking; the latter had a mocking expression, looking somewhat pleased with himself.
"Chen Guodong, your stronghold has good luck, huh? How did you get so much prey?"
"Yes, I remember a few days ago, some of us even gave you a rabbit. Seems like that was unnecessary."
"Congratulations, you’ll be able to exchange for a lot of money this time, right? Next time, don’t let us support you guys anymore."
From the Zhao Family Castle team, a series of sarcastic voices sounded continuously.
It was like a rich man suddenly discovering that the poor guy next door bought a luxury car. How could he be comfortable with that?
The faces of Wei Tiangong and the others showed worry. They didn’t expect to run into Chen Guodong just after they finished exchanging their things, and in such a public place, have their identities exposed.
Chen Guodong’s expression changed slightly. He looked at Wei Tiangong and the others, paused briefly, then looked at the man in the lead, and whispered, "Third Brother Zhao, can I discuss something with you?"
The surrounding noise abruptly stopped, even Third Brother Zhao was a bit surprised.
"Oh?"
He put on a mocking expression and said, "What do you want to discuss with me?"
"The stronghold has had good luck recently and got these prey. I want to bring Tiangong and Tianyuan back. Would that be possible?"
Chen Guodong’s tone was somewhat humble.
He had no choice; after all, Wei Tiangong and the others’ families were in Zhao Family Castle. Without Third Brother Zhao and the others’ consent, leaving was impossible.
Upon hearing this, there was a commotion in the Zhao Family Castle team.
Some were shocked, some were jealous, and some were sneering.
Wei Tiangong and the others’ eyes glistened with tears.
Chen Guodong still remembered them. The moment the stronghold became better, he thought about bringing them back. How could they not want to return?
Wei Tianyuan couldn’t help but speak, but his older brother beside him pulled him back, giving him a stern look.
The three Zhao brothers were ruthless people. If offended, they were capable of anything.
"Oh, bringing them back, huh? Back to your Chen Family Stronghold, is that what you mean?"
"Yes, I don’t know..."
Before Chen Guodong could finish, he was interrupted by Third Brother Zhao, "You are quite funny, aren’t you? Whether they want to go back to your Chen Family Stronghold, you should ask them, not me."
The atmosphere fell silent, followed by boisterous laughter.
"Haha, exactly, Chen Guodong, is there something wrong with you here?" Someone pointed to their head, "Shouldn’t you ask the people involved in such matters? If they want to go back, would Third Brother Zhao actually stop them?"
"Yeah, what a waste of age to be so clueless."
"Wei Tiangong, Wei Tianyuan, did you hear that? They are asking if you want to go back."
"Yes, give an answer quickly, don’t keep them waiting too long."
Liu Yong and the others felt a surge of anger. The people from Zhao Family Castle were too arrogant! They insulted the entire stronghold in front of so many people.
But a sense of powerlessness immediately rose. So what if the Zhao Family Castle was arrogant? They were the strongest stronghold nearby, and that’s why they could act so brazenly without fear of anyone plotting against them.
Chen Fan took a deep breath. Getting angry now would only play into the opponent’s hands, making them laugh at their plight.
Moreover, seeing the situation, it was clear that Uncle Wei and the others, caught in between, wouldn’t agree to come back.
Indeed, the next moment, Wei Tiangong spoke with a smile, "Guodong, your thoughtfulness is enough. We are doing quite well here, no need to worry."
"Yes, Guodong, Third Brother Zhao treats us well. Every time we come back from hunting, he gives us plenty."
"We are doing well, very well actually."
Wei Tianyuan tried hard to keep smiling.
"Tiangong..."
Chen Guodong’s lips moved, not knowing what to say.
"Alright, you saw it yourself. They don’t want to go with you, it’s not that I am not letting them." Third Brother Zhao spread his hands, "Is there anything else?"
"Nothing, just please let us pass. We are in a hurry."
"Exactly."
Chen Guodong looked at the Wei brothers for a long time, sighed deeply, and led the group to clear the path.
"Chen Guodong, you had good luck this time, but you might not be so lucky next time."
Throwing out this remark, the people from Zhao Family Castle swaggered away.
"Guodong, Tiangong and the others have no other choice."
"Yes, their families are all in Zhao Family Castle. They can’t just abandon them, can they?"
"Sigh, if only they hadn’t gone there in the first place."
Liu Yong and the others were both angry and helpless. Gu Jianghai and the others felt the same way; this result was actually anticipated.
"I know."
Chen Guodong felt terribly upset. He thought there might at least be room for negotiation, who would have thought the other side would give no chance at all.
"Dad, Uncle Wei and the others will come back," Chen Fan said firmly, "Leave this to me."
Chen Guodong was taken aback, then overjoyed, "Xiaofan, do you have a way?"
The others quickly looked over, eyes filled with hope.
"It’s not really a method."
Chen Fan looked at the Zhao Family Castle people as they left the stronghold, "The reason the people from Zhao Family Castle are so arrogant is because our strength can’t match theirs, and they have martial artists in the Muscle Refining Realm backing them.
When I also reach the Muscle Refining Realm, or even Entry Force, one word from me and they’ll obediently send the people back."
Everyone’s spirits lifted.
"That’s right, Xiaofan is correct, strength is the hard truth!"
"If our strength surpassed theirs, would they dare speak to us like that?"
"Damn it, when we get back, I will train even harder, striving to one day trample their faces underfoot!"
Gu Ze looked at everyone who had been dejected just moments ago, now full of fighting spirit, with a look of surprise.
This, this works?
Chen Fan silently retracted his gaze.
Those were big words, but the cultivation level of the Zhao Family Castle people, at least mid-stage Muscle Refining, or even late-stage. Even if he broke through now, the odds were not great, one misstep could cost him dearly.
But it didn’t matter, that day wasn’t far off. By then, he hoped Uncle Wei and the others were all safe. Otherwise, even Muscle Refining late-stage or Entry Force would mean nothing.
Third Brother Zhao and the others, they all had to die!