Zhang Chen slowly strolled out of the house, his eyes gazing towards the distant sky: "Today is a sunny day."
After speaking, Zhang Chen executed an escape technique, his figure heading towards Chongzheng Academy.
The atmosphere at Chongzheng Academy remained lively, with countless travelers coming from all directions, either staying in Jinling City or directly visiting the academy.
Zhang Chen saw the steward Chen Qi standing at the gate, welcoming the guests, yet there was no sign of Zhou Zhen, which made him feel a strange unease.
Logically, Zhou Zhen should be at the mountain gate to greet the guests. Fondling the letter in his embrace, Zhang Chen’s thoughts from that night intensified: "Could it be? Zhou Zhen is a scholar, he wouldn’t do such a thing, would he?"
In fact, Zhang Chen was overthinking. As he pondered, he saw the weary-faced Zhou Zhen slowly approaching from a distance, standing at the gate to welcome the guests.
Zhou Zhen’s wedding required notifying the distant guests in advance, as many needed to arrive early and stay at the academy.
Upon seeing Zhou Zhen, Zhang Chen felt he’d overthought it, then turned to help arrange the mountain decor and assist in hosting the guests.
Zhou Zhen, being an Eleventh Tier powerhouse in Jiangnan, was the Sea Calming Force of the Great Victory Court in Jiangnan. His cultivation was earth-shattering, marking him as one of the top experts in Jiangnan Dao. His son’s wedding made the nobles of Jiangnan Dao dare not slack off.
Zhang Chen busied himself all day, and at night continued his journey through the vast Yellow Sand. A night passed quietly.
The next day was the same; Zhang Chen’s days became peaceful as everything seemed to return to normal.
Recently, many guests, including people from Confucianism, came to the mountain, often discussing Chen Sanliang’s doctrines in Jiangnan. Zhang Chen discreetly eavesdropped using his Thousand-Mile Ear.
Chen Sanliang was unstoppable in Jiangnan, no one could debate with him for even an hour wherever he went. Everyone was persuaded by his doctrines, and dozens of academies had already submitted to him, becoming his lackeys.
Meanwhile, the Demon Race fiercely crossed the Yellow River, already rampaging in Jiangnan Dao. They were brutally washing Jiangnan Dao in blood, with their motto "prosper if you submit, perish if you resist". Countless nobles, to survive, had no choice but to pledge allegiance to the Demon Race.
The various nobles came here, one to congratulate Zhou Zhen, and two, to probe Chen Sanliang’s strength, to assess how confident Zhou Zhen was in overcoming Chen Sanliang, so that everyone could make plans early on.
Unfortunately, Zhou Zhen went into seclusion, and when everyone arrived, they couldn’t see him at all.
On the wedding day itself, accompanied by the sound of firecrackers, a joyous atmosphere filled Chongzheng Academy, as Chen Sanliang finally emerged from seclusion to mingle with the guests.
The entire Chongzheng Academy was bustling with the sound of drums, with an opera troupe performing at the mountain base, creating a lively scene.
Zhang Chen and his fellow disciples were in charge of welcoming and entertaining the guests. As Zhou Qiucheng’s main disciple, Zhang Chen naturally had to help manage everything.
As time passed, it soon reached the time for the ceremony. The officiant shouted: "Please, groom and bride, come forward."
With that call, a maid escorted Jiang Nan, dressed in a red robe, from the back courtyard. Stepping onto the red carpet, she entered the hall, wearing a headscarf, quietly standing there awaiting the ceremony.
"Where is the groom? Please, groom, come forward," the officiant called out.
Despite the officiant’s call, there was no response, which caused Zhang Chen, witnessing the ceremony, to feel a rush of anxiety.
"Where is the groom?" the officiant called out once again.
Seated at the top, Zhou Qiucheng slightly frowned, expressionless, unclear about what he was pondering. Hearing the officiant, he spoke to the steward nearby: "Go to the young master’s room and urge him not to miss the auspicious time."
The steward hurriedly left but soon returned, sweating profusely, whispering to Zhou Qiucheng: "Master, there’s bad news! A servant reported that the elder master stripped off his wedding robe and left the mountain."
Though the servant’s voice was low, who were the people present? With keen senses, it was impossible for them not to hear such words.
Everyone looked at each other, and suddenly, the whole hall fell into a deathly silence.
Zhang Chen noticed Jiang Nan’s grip tightening on the red silk, the sound of teeth grinding coming from under her veil.
It was clear to everyone that Zhou Zhen had run away from the marriage.
At this moment, the guests turned their gazes to Jiang Nan, curious about her reaction. The bride sat there blankly, like an unresponsive wooden stake.
Then, Zhang Chen glanced at Zhou Qiucheng, who stood up expressionlessly: "Everyone, due to unforeseen events, the wedding is temporarily postponed. Let’s treat this as a friendly gathering and drink to our heart’s content."
After speaking, he instructed a maid: "Please escort the bride back."
Jiang Nan stumbled, supported by two maids, as she made her way out of the hall.
Zhang Chen looked at Jiang Nan’s back and couldn’t help but sigh softly: "What an utter humiliation!"
On the day of the wedding, the groom actually ran away; how could Jiang Nan face the world after this?
She might as well have no face to live in the world!
Zhang Chen, having mastery over the Blood Dao, was most sensitive to blood. He could sense Jiang Nan’s nails digging into her palms, with blood slowly seeping out.
"Zhou Zhen, that kid, is really unscrupulous," Zhang Chen muttered to himself.
The feast continued, though the atmosphere had subtly changed.
When night fell and all the guests had left, Zhang Chen made his way to Zhou Qiucheng’s room, knocked on the door, and respectfully said from outside: "Sir!"
"Come in," Zhou Qiucheng said from inside the room.
Zhang Chen entered and saw Zhou Qiucheng sitting inside, soaking his feet.
"Disciple pays respects to sir." Zhang Chen made a courteous bow.
"Zhang Chen, is there something you need?" Zhou Qiucheng inquired.
"Three days ago, Senior Brother left me a letter to pass on to you after the wedding," Zhang Chen said, taking out a letter and handing it to Zhou Qiucheng.
Zhou Qiucheng did not seem surprised. He took the letter, glanced at it, and his expression remained unchanged.
After reading it, Zhou Qiucheng sighed softly: "As expected, he ran away from the marriage."
Zhang Chen looked at Zhou Qiucheng; instead of seeing sadness on his face, he saw a hint of relief.
Noticing Zhang Chen’s gaze, Zhou Qiucheng said, "Actually, I knew all along he didn’t like Jiang Nan."
"Since you knew he didn’t like Jiang Nan, why did you arrange this marriage?" Zhang Chen asked, puzzled.
Zhou Qiucheng took out a towel, dried his feet slowly, and replied unhurriedly, "In your opinion, if I debate with Chen Sanliang, what’s my chance of winning?"
"I don’t know," Zhang Chen hurriedly replied.
Of course, he knew Zhou Qiucheng had no chance, but even if he understood, he couldn’t say it; truth is often bitter and people don’t like to hear it.
Zhou Qiucheng glanced at Zhang Chen: "I purposely forced him to go down the mountain so he wouldn’t perish with the Academy. I’ve heard that Chen Sanliang is very domineering—those who follow him prosper, those who oppose him perish. He is firm and unyielding, and if he stays on the mountain, he will surely die. If I persuade him to leave, he will certainly refuse, so it’s better to use the opportunity to force him."
Zhang Chen was shocked, not expecting such a scheme behind it all.
"But Jiang Nan???" Zhang Chen tentatively asked.
"She has suffered," Zhou Qiucheng sighed softly: "This woman is cunning and unsuitable for marrying Zhou Zhen. I will arrange for her and Shen Qiu."
"But hasn’t Shen Qiu already left?" Zhang Chen asked.
"Who said Shen Qiu left?" Zhou Qiucheng replied meaningfully.
Zhang Chen was stunned upon hearing this and couldn’t help but marvel at Zhou Qiucheng’s foresight.
"I’m telling you this because we are not outsiders, and Zhou Zhen also trusts you. I hope that when you go down the mountain, if you have the chance, you will take good care of him. Your Senior Brother is a simple-minded, straightforward person, and who knows how much trouble this character will cause in the future. I hope that if you encounter him in the future, you will take good care of him on my behalf." Zhou Qiucheng said, his voice full of gravity: "This is my request, not an order."
"I do have a good relationship with my senior brother; if we meet in the future, I will naturally take care of him. But I feel that sir is worrying a bit too early; although Chen Sanliang is domineering, it’s not impossible to find a way to cooperate," Zhang Chen comforted Zhou Qiucheng.
Zhou Qiucheng shook his head without speaking, then slowly put down the towel and stood up to a cabinet, taking out a box from inside.
The box was large, like a medical kit sold online in a past life.
Zhou Qiucheng placed the box on the table and pushed it in front of Zhang Chen: "This box contains my life’s savings. Take half for yourself, and if you meet your senior brother in the future, please give the rest to him. Of course, if you encounter difficulties, feel free to use it; there’s no need to save it for him."
"The box contains my wealth accumulation. As for my theory, my Dao... If I win the debate, I can teach you later. If I fail, a failed path is not worth studying, and it will vanish in the sands of time," Zhou Qiucheng said to Zhang Chen:
"After you go down the mountain tonight, leave Jinling City quickly; there’s no need to return to the Academy. If I survive the debate with Chen Sanliang, the news will spread all over the country, and you can return when you hear it. If I die, I’m afraid Yellow Heaven Dao and the White Lotus Sect will sweep through Jinling City again, causing chaos, and without protection, you would surely die."
Zhang Chen looked at the box, then at Zhou Qiucheng, completely stunned, his eyes filled with astonishment. He opened and closed his mouth several times, unsure of what to say.