Chapter 18 - Dragon Seal

Everyone knew he had only been in the Third Draconic Stage half a month ago. It was unheard of in Baiyang Town to have the talent to achieve breakthrough twice in half a month. Since that was the case, the Yang patriarch would definitely take some effort to keep Long Chen alive!

Long Chen was absolutely confident that his performance that day had shaken everyone. He would be the hottest topic in Baiyang Town for the near future!

This time, his breakthrough to the Fifth Draconic Stage was surprisingly smooth, as if it were a natural progression. In fact, it was much easier than his breakthrough to the Fourth Draconic Stage. He completely used up the medicinal strength of the two demonic ginseng for his cultivation. Unbelievably, he broke through the fifth dragon vein in less than fifteen minutes!

A mighty dragon’s roar shook the heavens and earth!

With the nourishment of the demonic ginseng and his injuries mostly healed, Long Chen shot back to his feet. Everyone noticed a powerful aura radiating from his body and a divine light dancing in his eyes. Now, Long Chen should be able to defeat Yang Lingyue easily! “This guy ... his progress is unnatural ...”

Chen Liu, who had previously bullied Long Chen, quietly hid behind the person next to him, his legs shaking uncontrollably ...

Every person who had once mocked Long Chen or looked at him with contempt gulped, their faces pale. When the Yang patriarch saw that Long Chen had attained the Fifth Draconic Stage, he felt very proud inside despite his stony expression.

Long Chen noticed Yang Lingqing’s gaze in the crowd. Naturally, it was filled with complex emotions.

Long Chen had initially believed that the matter was resolved. He turned to look at the Yang patriarch who was about to retrieve the Dragon Seal. However, a few members of the Bai family walked up to the tournament stage. Their glares were cold.

The Yang patriarch froze slightly and asked, “May I ask why you’re here?”

There was an obvious killing intent in the glare Bai Zhanxiong gave Long Chen. He took a step forward and spoke respectfully to the Yang patriarch. “Uncle Yang, I have no intention of causing trouble at the Yang Family Meeting but there is one thing we must ask him.”

When Bai Zhanxiong’s eyes fell on Long Chen’s ear, Long Chen knew the situation was going to turn bad. When Ling Xi defended me, she exposed the presence of the Ling Xi Sword. Bai Shixun saw the sword that day, he must’ve described it to them. These three people from the Bai family must know that I was the one who castrated Bai Shixun!

The puzzled Yang patriarch looked over as well.

Bai Zhanxiong stared at Long Chen coldly and said, “Everyone, I’m sure some of you know about the tragedy that befell my youngest son half a month ago. The culprit was so violent to the point that I cannot wait to kill him with a thousand cuts!

“According to Shixun, he had been chasing after a black iron sword, only to be robbed by a masked man who caused the tragic incident. What I’m saying is that the black sword that saved Long Chen just now looks exactly like the one my son described!”

“You brat, you must be the masked man!”

“He’s so young but so vicious! You can tell he’s black-hearted!”

All eyes fell on Long Chen after Bai Zhanxiong’s words.

The news about Bai Shixun had already spread through the whole Baiyang Town. However, they kept the chatter down because the Bai family was number one in Baiyang Town.

But they all knew that the aristocratic young man’s life was probably ruined.

Long Chen privately exclaimed, If the truth comes out, the patriarch might give up on me if he’s unwilling to cause conflict between the Bai and Yang families. However, they don’t have proof, and I’ll never admit it!

He lifted his chin and huffed coldly, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. How’s what happened to your youngest son got anything to do with me? Also, all the weapons in this world are pretty similar to each other. How can you judge that this sword is the same one your son saw?”

Bai Zhanxiong was furious to see Long Chen denying his crime. He said coldly, “There are many weapons in this world but there are not many swords that are seventy centimeters long, completely black, two fingers wide, and covered in rust. Are you still trying to defend yourself?”

Long Chen replied mildly, “You’ve already seen my sword, naturally you can describe it. You’re such a prominent figure in Baiyang Town, yet you’re trying to frame a small potato like me. What’s the deal with that?”

Since the bickering was continuing, the Yang patriarch interjected, “Chen’er, do I have your word that you did not do such a thing?”

Long Chen nodded. “I didn’t. I don’t even know what happened to his youngest son. Did someone cut off his limbs, or did they break his dantian?”

It required a certain amount of courage to lie to the Yang patriarch. He had just performed well and the Yang patriarch appreciated talent greatly. Although Bai Zhanxiong had made his accusations, the Yang patriarch was still unwilling to hand the piece of meat he’d just received to the Bai family’s chopping board. That was the reason why he’d questioned Long Chen.

Long Chen only dared to lie because he guessed the patriarch’s intentions correctly.

With Long Chen’s confirmation, the Yang patriarch turned to Bai Zhanxiong and said, “Xiong’er, you must investigate this matter more closely; you cannot make rash conclusions like that. Go home today and talk to your father. Brother Bai and I have been lifelong brothers, and Brother Bai trusts me. I will talk to him too. As for the rest, there is no need for further discussion.”

This was the Yang Family Meeting and the Yang patriarch was the most respected figure present. Relations between the two great families were complex and Bai Zhanxiong was also going to be connected to them through marriage soon. Bai Zhanxiong frowned but he could only nod. “If that is the case, I will obey you, Uncle Yang. My father has helped the Yang family a lot since its establishment; you and my father have a relationship like brothers. I trust you to deal with the matter, Uncle Yang ...”

Bai Zhanxiong looked at Long Chen, then left. The Yang family ... Hehe, I’ll let you go, for now, brat. But the day is approaching when everyone will know that the Bai family is the true ruler of Baiyang Town!

Bai Zhanxiong walked off the stage but Bai Shiji remained. He sneered at Long Chen and asked the Yang patriarch, “Grandfather Yang, he’ll participate in the Demon Hunting Tournament, won’t he?”

The Yang patriarch’s gaze grew sharper. He didn’t reply but he knew that the young brat was making a threat. If Long Chen participated, it would not bode well for him.

Bai Shiji then walked up to Long Chen and smirked. “There will be a Demon Hunting Tournament soon, but it’s best if you don’t go. You’re probably going to end up dead.”

A powerful aura of a Seventh Draconic Stage warrior radiated from him.

Is he trying to intimidate me ...

Bai Shiji’s eyes were filled with contempt. Long Chen smiled coldly. He knew this would be his next opponent.

When the Bai family left, all the other major attendees excused themselves too. Finally, the Yang Family Meeting came to an end.

It had been an eventful day.

There was an inscrutable expression in the Yang patriarch’s eyes. “Come with me.”

The Yang patriarch’s tone was mild. He led the silent Long Chen following away. Everyone watched them leave, including Yang Lingqing. You were the catalyst of such a large conflict. What kind of person are you...

Long Chen’s performance that day was like a sudden storm that passed through every handmaiden and guard’s ears. Everyone who’d treated him badly couldn’t help but feel a pang of fear.

...

The eyes he met along the way were filled with fear and awe.

Long Chen smiled. This was the life he wanted.

When they reached the Yang patriarch’s small wooden house in front of the Martial Scroll Palace, the Yang patriarch sat on the floor, folded his legs, and looked at Long Chen mildly. “Let me ask you a question first. You were the one who did it to Bai Zhanxiong’s youngest son, right?”

Long Chen nodded.

This was within the patriarch’s expectations. He eyed Long Chen from head to toe, then sighed after a long while. “You brat, I’ve never seen you this energetic. Your performance today shocked me. You guessed that I would block Yuntian and Bai Zhanxiong because of my appreciation for talent. That’s very clever but also very dangerous. But you made the right bet. That is why you’ve survived.”

Long Chen wasn’t surprised that the old man had seen through his intentions. All he could say was, “I had to scheme in order to keep myself alive, I hope you won’t take it to heart, Grandfather.”

Long Chen knew that even though he didn’t have much of a history with the old man, he was dealing with the top brass of the Yang family, the man who controlled the family’s fate. He could never offend him.

The Yang patriarch was silent for a while, then he said, “If this had happened when I was younger, considering my temper, I wouldn’t have let you go easily if you used me like that. However, there is something I need help with urgently. If you do it right, I will let this go. You must know that there aren’t many people in Baiyang Town who would dare use me like this.”

“What would you like me to do?”

The patriarch stared at him, his eyes bright. A long time passed, then he sighed. “Let me tell you the history of Baiyang Town. Thirty years ago, the Yang family didn’t exist. It was just the Bai family in Baiyang Town. At the time, I was only a somewhat-talented martial artist. I got to know the current Bai patriarch and we went out on many adventures together and forged a deep friendship. In the end, we both returned to Baiyang Town. I set up the large Yang business as you know today and had a family.

“The relationship between me and Brother Bai has been great until today. We even played a small part in the match between Qing’er and Xiong’er. However, I’ve been having a headache over something recently.”

Long Chen asked hurriedly, “What is it? Is it that Demon Hunting Tournament?”

The Yang patriarch nodded. “The Bai and Yang families have always been close. It was us against the world. However, everything changed when I received a piece of news ten days ago, and the fact that you castrated Bai Zhanxiong’s youngest son has made things worse. If I hadn’t protected you it might’ve been fine, but I did. The relationship has worsened. I’m afraid Qing’er’s wedding might not even happen.”

The Yang patriarch’s brows were deeply furrowed.

So this man actually planned the marriage. Long Chen had already cursed the old man a hundred times in his heart but he still wasn’t sure about the relationship between the two superpowers in the Bai and Yang families. From what the patriarch said, they had to be on great terms. Might the wedding not happen? That’s great, I’m not needed then. What if I made the relationship between the two families even worse? However, I’m afraid this old man would kill me first ...

Long Chen pursed his lips. “Grandfather, what is the Demon Hunting Tournament you mentioned?”

The Yang patriarch looked at Long Chen with intensity in his eyes. “Baiyang Town is under the jurisdiction of Yuanling City. Ten days ago, the ruling family of Yuanling City, the Lingwu family, commanded the Bai and Yang families to send their progeny into the Desolate Mountains for the Demon Hunting Tournament. The family that retrieves the most demonic cores will receive the right to rule in Baiyang Town for twenty years. At that point, the next generation will compete again for the right to rule.”

“During all these years, Baiyang Town had no true ruler. The other towns are slowly getting their own leaders; our turn has finally come. The right to rule for twenty years holds great importance to both families. Although Brother Bai and I are as close as brothers, I will not let go of this opportunity easily.”

The patriarch sighed. “The tournament will be in the afternoon on the tenth day of the eighth month, and Qing’er’s wedding will be held that night. That is why I’m afraid you young ones won’t have time to attend the ceremony. Naturally, Yuanling City will send people to oversee the tournament. People like me will not be allowed within the vicinity of the Desolate Mountains.”

After listening to his explanation, Long Chen knew what he had to do. “So, Grandfather, you want me to work with the Yang family in the Demon Hunting Tournament to get more demonic cores, right?”

The Yang patriarch nodded. “Among the younger generation, Bai Shiji and Bai Shichen are at the Seventh Draconic Stage and two others are at the Sixth Draconic Stage. The Yang family only has Lingyue and Yang Wu to lead. You did well today; you learned the Meteor Fist, a skill above your level, in three days. You even wield it very well. With you, the Yang family has some hope in the Demon Hunting Tournament.

“The relationships between the younger ones of both families are cordial so they won’t kill each other but you must be careful of the Bai kids. When you enter the Desolate Mountains, go hunt for demonic beasts on your own. You must never fight the Bai family directly. That is the only way for us to get more demonic cores.”

Long Chen nodded, understanding the patriarch’s instructions. He would work alone, and he was the Yang family's dark horse. He was also a ray of hope for the patriarch.

However, would it really pan out as the patriarch imagined? Was it possible for Long Chen to avoid Bai Shiji?

Long Chen nodded and said, “I’ll do as you say, Grandfather.”

The Yang patriarch chuckled and said, “I will help you deal with Yuntian, of course, since you’re helping the Yang family. Also, the Dragon Seal belongs to you. Study well during the next few days to be in your best form in fourteen days.”

Long Chen retrieved the Dragon Seal he’d dreamed about from the patriarch’s hand.

As he stared at the dramatic calligraphy of its title, Long Chen was filled with emotion. “Now that I have the Dragon Seal, my strength will rise again! Father said this Dragon Seal scripture is more than it seems; I must check out what secrets it holds and what a Dragon Warrior is!”

The Yang patriarch took out another pouch. “This contains 500 spirit jade pieces, take it. If you absorb everything, you’ll be able to reach the Sixth Draconic Stage. However, do not be greedy and be rash. You have just entered the Fifth Draconic stage, you must take a few days to familiarize yourself with the Dragon Seal first. Go back and rest.”

Long Chen excused himself. The Demon Hunting Tournament and the wedding are both happening in half a month! What should I do? ... Whatever, I’ll cultivate the Dragon Seal first. Let’s see how powerful I can get!