Although Xue Dalong's death caused so ripples, it was quickly drowned out by discussions about the Martial Association and debates over the final inheritor of the War God of the State title.
Compared to those two matters, the passing of Xue Dalong, once a top-tier expert, was indeed trivial.
Perhaps this is just the way of the world. It's always been about celebrating the new arrivals; who ever pays attention to the tears of the old?
Driving on Central Avenue, Chen Yang had one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding Qin Qiu's soft, boneless hand. He stared indifferently ahead. If he were to one day die in this mundane world, or perhaps fall on the battlefield, would he, like Xue Dalong, just scatter in the wind?
You've always just been an ordinary person. If you die, you die. Did you really expect the world to mourn you? Chen Yang chuckled softly, shaking his head and dismissing the thought.
Every person is mortal. Don't dwell on the past, cherish the present, and don't fear the future. Perhaps this is the best state of being for a person in this world.
An hour later, Chen Yang's van entered an old community in the southern suburbs of Cangyun City. Twenty years ago, this was undeniably a wealthy district, but now it was completely unrecognizable, a sea of change. The narrow roads and mottled walls all exuded an air of antiquity, tinged with a slight lancholy.
It was the peak of rush hour, and by all rights, the streets should have been teeming with pedestrians. In reality, however, the road leading to the community was deserted, and every household's doors were tightly shut. At a glance, the area was deathly silent.
The warm wind WHIRRED as it blew past, occasionally kicking up sheets of yellow joss paper into the air. The funeral bell and mourning music were intermittent, like the low whimpers of a wounded beast. The scene was desolate to the extre. Even with the sun high in the sky, it gave off a strange, bone-chilling feeling.
After getting out of the car, Chen Yang and Qin Qiu subconsciously glanced at each other before walking hand-in-hand toward the Xue Family Old Mansion in the second row.
In front of the old mansion, white banners, wreaths, a funeral bell, and the smoke from burning joss paper swirled in the air. At the gate stood a girl in her early twenties, dressed in mourning clothes. Her head was bowed slightly as she sobbed softly, occasionally reaching up to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"Her na is Lanlan, Xue Dalong's great-granddaughter. She was also the person this senior couldn't bear to leave behind," Chen Yang explained to Qin Qiu.
Although he had long been accustod to life and death, for so reason, Chen Yang still felt sorrow welling up from his heart when faced with such a scene. Perhaps he was grieving for the anxieties and misfortunes of Xue Dalong's later years?
Opposite Chen Yang, at the other end of the alley, several groups of people arrived one after another. Their expressions were varied, but none showed the solemnity and grief appropriate for the occasion. This was especially true for the woman walking at the very front. Dressed in a purple cheongsam that exuded an air of remarkable grace, her face was brimming with a wide smile as she occasionally bowed her head to say sothing to a teenage boy beside her.
Her steps were delicate, as if she were reluctant to let the dust of this filthy place touch her. She clutched a white, peony-embroidered handkerchief to her nose and mouth, frowning from ti to ti, clearly displeased with the musty air and the pungent sll of burning joss paper. Following her was an old woman completely wrapped in a black robe, leaning on a cane. Whether it was her temperant or entourage, everything indicated that this woman's background was not simple.
"Mother, I heard there's a girl nad Lanlan in the Xue family who is quite good. Can I take her with ?" the teenage boy next to the elegant woman asked, tugging at her sleeve with bright eyes and a playful smile.
The woman, Yu Xiang, caressed the boy's head with doting affection. "That's just hearsay," she said softly. "We'll only know once we see her in person. If she's decent enough, you can certainly take her."
"Eh?" The boy, Yu Zhen, fixed his gaze on Xue Xinlan at the gate. He tilted his head, studying her for a mont before asking in surprise, "Mother, could that be her?"
"Just ask and you'll find out." Yu Xiang held her son's hand and walked straight up to Xue Xinlan. "Girl, lift your head."
"Ah?!" Startled from her daze, Xue Xinlan subconsciously looked up. Just as she was about to bow her head in thanks, Yu Zhen laughed. "Are you Lanlan?"
"I… I am."
Overjoyed, Yu Zhen shook Yu Xiang's arm. "See, Mother? She's really quite good! I want her."
"Alright!" Yu Xiang smiled dotingly. "After we've inspected Xue Dalong's corpse, we'll take her with us."
"HUMPH!" An elder in a white robe caught up from behind, glaring maliciously at Yu Zhen before turning to Yu Xiang. "As the saying goes, 'all who are present get a share.' I, Song Ke, have also taken a liking to this girl."
Facing Song Ke's hostile gaze, Yu Zhen instinctively took three steps back, his face filled with panic.
"How dare you frighten my son? Old fool, are you looking to die?" Yu Xiang stared directly into Song Ke's eyes, not giving an inch. "Everything has an order, first co, first served. If you, Song Ke, want to cut in, then by all ans, try."
The old crone took a single step forward. TAP. A chilling aura instantly erupted from her.
"You..." Song Ke's expression changed slightly. He said no more, simply turning away with a flick of his sleeve. It was just a young girl; she wasn't worth clashing head-on with this woman.
"Alright, she's yours now," Yu Xiang said, patting Yu Zhen on the shoulder with a soft smile.
Yu Zhen giggled and walked toward Xue Xinlan, looking her up and down incessantly. His satisfaction grew, and the smile on his face widened. Xue Xinlan glared at him fiercely before turning her head away, deciding that what she couldn't see couldn't hurt her.
Everyone who ca today is a bad person.
Tears of grievance imdiately burst from her eyes.
Yu Zhen, however, only grew more excited. He took out a seal from his pocket, grabbed Xue Xinlan's hand, and stamped a circular pattern on the back of it. Nodding with satisfaction, he smiled and said, "From now on, you belong to ."
"Alright, let's handle our business first," Yu Xiang said, pulling Yu Zhen back. "Once we get her ho, you can do whatever you want."
"Yes, Mother," Yu Zhen nodded. Before turning to leave, he said to Xue Xinlan, "With this stamp, you are my, Yu Zhen's, private property. Rember that."
As they left, Chen Yang and Qin Qiu reached the doorway.
Having witnessed the entire scene, Chen Yang shot a cold look at the departing backs of the Yu mother and son before squatting in front of Xue Xinlan. He smiled and said, "Don't be afraid. No one can hurt you today."
"You... you are Brother Chen Yang?" Xue Xinlan's eyes lit up as she instinctively clutched Chen Yang's clothes. "Grandpa was always talking about you recently. He said you are the most remarkable person, worthy of everyone's awe."
"Your grandpa is the truly remarkable one," Chen Yang said with a smile.
Xue Xinlan lowered her head as tears of sorrow rolled down her cheeks. Grandpa was indeed a remarkable person, but he was gone now.
"From now on, as long as Brother Chen Yang is here, no one will dare to bully you again." Qin Qiu took out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from Xue Xinlan's eyes, her soft voice filled with unwavering confidence.
"But they..." Xue Xinlan nodded, her expression still fraught with worry. She wasn't a little girl anymore; she understood how things worked. The visitors today each held imnse influence. With so many of them, how could they possibly be easy to handle?
"Let's go." Chen Yang stood up and took Xue Xinlan's small hand. "We'll go inside together."
Xue Xinlan nodded and hurried to keep up.
Just as they entered the courtyard, Yu Zhen returned. When he saw Chen Yang holding Xue Xinlan's hand, his eyes instantly darkened. His childish face twisted with a ferocious and cruel expression.
"I've stamped her; she's mine! You touched my property!" Yu Zhen said coldly. "I will have soone chop off that hand of yours and feed it to the dogs."
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