Chapter 108: Father, I don't even want to hit you

"Father, how are you feeling?"

Chen Yuan glanced at his son, not wanting to deal with him; saying this at such a time— isn't that courting death?

"Son, hear me out: don't keep researching this pill of yours, really, I'm begging you."

Chen Yuan pleaded humbly, kneeling: you can research if you want, but next time just don't let me eat it; you can find others to help or have others test the pill, and only after it's completely safe should you let me try.

Chen Chuyang laughed: "Father, that's not how to put it— any pill comes from nothing, developed step by step. My Hundred Herbs Pill, after several rounds of changes and upgrades, has increased its effect severalfold. What's wrong with a little side effect? As a cultivator, can't you even bear a minor side effect?"

"If you can't overcome even a small difficulty, how will you cultivate in the future?"

"The path of cultivation is crowded; if you don't endure hardship, don't strive, and aren't willing to sacrifice yourself, how can you reach the peak?"

"If you don't want to endure hardship today, you will surely regret it someday."

"Better to endure the hardship now than to regret it later."

"You won't endure hardship, she won't endure hardship— are you expecting me to?"

Chen Chuyang naturally refused; then let Father endure the hardship— this is all for his own good, as the saying goes, 'wish for your husband to become a dragon,' and that's exactly what this is.

"Everything I do, Father will naturally thank me for in the future."

Chen Yuan opened his mouth, looking at his son before him, wondering when his son had become so eloquent.

"Is this still my son?"

"His mouth is full of filth; hearing those words makes one furious."

"Shouldn't he be saying this to his son? Why is it reversed when it comes to you?"

Chen Yuan indicated he wouldn't accept such talk, nor want to hear it; it was truly heartbreaking.

After recovering awhile, Chen Yuan regained a bit of strength; he didn't want to continue this topic with his son, knowing that if anything happened, he'd surely be the one hurt. He realized his son was quite different— he couldn't match him in any respect; he was completely outclassed.

"Son, I heard you want to refine a spiritual artifact for your mother— is that true?"

Chen Chuyang knew Father wouldn't go up the mountain for nothing; it was also to check on him.

"As expected, there's an ulterior motive."

"Did your mother tell you that?"

Chen Yuan said directly: "First tell me if it's true."

"Yes."

"They all have spiritual artifacts; haven't you ever thought about getting one for Father?"

Chen Chuyang gave a grim smile: "No!"

"Brief and to the point."

"A simple, direct, blunt answer, with no hesitation or thought."

Chen Yuan: "……"

Shang Hongxue: "……"

"Brother Chuyang is too blunt; it will really hurt Uncle Chen."

"In the father-son conversation, she couldn't get a word in, only able to watch silently."

"She realized that the people in Brother Chuyang's household are no simpletons, each scheming against the others—not to kill you, but purely to trap you; if someone accidentally falls into the trap, well, sorry, that's just what they deserve."

"After watching the mother‑son battle, the sibling battle, and then Father launching another father‑son showdown, it was truly exhilarating."

"Why?"

"Never thought about it."

Chen Yuan stared again, first silent for a moment, then said: "Why don't you give it a thought? I am your father, after all."

"Don't want to think about it."

"In your heart, am I really this lowly?"

"Being low‑minded is actually praise for you."

"……"

Chen Yuan raised his hand and struck out— this son, who hasn't caused a ruckus in three days, must be properly disciplined, otherwise he can't display his authority as a father.

Then, after a few breaths.

Chen Yuan lay on the ground, like a dead dog.

Chen Chuyang clapped his hands: "Father, it's not that I'm saying this about you— you're too weak; I don't even want to lay a hand on you."

"It's you who threw yourself down; it's not me hitting you."

"From now on, don't do this again; I really don't want to get physical."

"Crouching down, looking at Father, both of us drained— you still want to strike? Isn't that just serving up a meal?"

"My dear Father, you look quite miserable right now."

"Father, I still like the you who was just wild and unruly."

"……"

Chen Yuan was furious, but couldn't win; in his current weakened state, if he really fought, he'd still lose.

But he couldn't just let it go— being mocked by his son, he couldn't swallow that anger.

But he had no recourse.

"One word— will you or won't you refine a spiritual artifact for me?"

"This is an ultimatum."

Chen Chuyang saw the joke had gone far enough, replying: "A spiritual artifact can be refined for you— just…"

He glanced at Father Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan instantly understood, saying: "I can send over the materials, but you can't go too far."

"This son isn't honest; he's always looking to profit from the situation."

At least scoop half.

His son has a huge appetite, nothing like the eldest son, who is so honest and sincere—he would never do such a thing.

The two brothers' personalities are completely opposite; one tries every means to work hard for his father and the family, while Chen Chuyang, on the other hand, tries every means to scheme against him.

"How could that be, Father? Don't you still trust my character?"

Chen Chuyang put on an act of being an honest person who wouldn't do such a thing.

Chen Yuan snorted inwardly, then sat up.

He brushed off the dust on his body and said, "There's no rush for the spiritual artifact; when the time comes, I'll have someone send the materials up—you handle it."

"Whether it's a spiritual artifact or not, I'll be anxious with you."

"Got it, a spiritual artifact, right? I'll just refine one for you." Chen Chuyang laughed and cried; his jealous father personally went up the mountain.

Originally, Chen Chuyang had planned to refine a spiritual artifact to protect his parents, but of course he couldn't say that outright; he had to profiteer somehow—if not now against his father, when would he?

Why not take the free resources?

"That's more like it, you brat—you just know how to piss me off." Chen Yuan gave his son a sideways glance and said, "You'd better be careful lately; the Yin Gui Sect might still be making moves, and I fear they're targeting you this time."

"Lately, the commotion outside Longshe Cheng has been growing; many places are starting to show traces of yin ghosts and demonic beasts."

"The dynasty's interior is also unstable."

"You know how to refine pills and artifacts—try not to spread that around. Have the formations on Longshe Shan been reinforced?"

Chen Chuyang nodded: "The reinforcement is done; once the condensed pill arrives, it too will be defeated."

Chen Yuan's eyes lit up upon hearing that: "That impressive—how about the Chen Clan's side?"

"The Chen Clan can't do it; the location doesn't allow it, and besides, the cost is too great—it's not worth it."

The Chen Clan also has formations, just not as good as those on Longshe Shan.

The effect isn't bad, but… the Chen Clan currently lacks sufficient resources to maintain the formations.

At the very least, we must wait until the Chen Clan has fully grown.

As it stands, the Chen Clan is still too weak; we should pour more resources into the clansmen to strengthen their strength.

"You're right; once the Chen Clan has enough resources later, you can set up the formations then."

"Okay."

After chatting for a while, once his body recovered, Chen Yuan prepared to descend the mountain.

"Father, take these; these three pills are not simple—you and Mother and Elder Brother each get one, Little Sister has already taken hers, and you had better not take a pill right away; wait until after you take that step before consuming it."

"This pill's effect is strong, its side effects are not big—you must take it with caution."

"This pill?" Chen Yuan asked.

Chen Chuyang said solemnly: "It's a third-grade Dragon Blood Pill."

"Third-grade?"

"Mm."

Chen Yuan quickly put it away, knowing full well what a third-grade pill signified.

"Son, this pill?"

"Gone."

"You?"

"I have no use for this pill; it's for you."

"Okay." Chen Yuan descended the mountain, satisfied.

Beside him, Shang Hongxue blinked, looking at Chen Chuyang; hearing what she had—third-grade pills, refined by Elder Brother Chuyang? That's too awesome.

Her admiring gaze grew ever more admiring.

No wonder she admires her Elder Brother Chuyang—he's just that formidable.