Chapter 124: Chen Clan Swindling Duo

"That father, mother, could you let my younger brother also refine a spiritual artifact for me?"

"Spiritual artifacts—who wouldn't want one? Chen Chusheng eyed them greedily."

"My parents' spiritual artifact looks nice, its power is not bad; if I had one, wouldn't that be great?"

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "You really want a spiritual artifact?"

Chen Chusheng felt delighted inside; indeed, his father still doted on him—he was the one his father loved most.

He nodded eagerly, looking expectantly at his father; at this moment, fatherly kindness and filial piety.

"It's not impossible; how about this: you first give Father five hundred spirit stones, then Father will consider helping you with this."

Chen Chusheng hesitated a bit; he was afraid of being cheated—his father's reputation, cough cough cough, really not great.

His hesitation was seen by Chen Yuan, who feigned sadness and said, "If you don't trust Father, then figure it out yourself."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"Wait, Father, I'll give it to you."

Chen Chusheng grabbed his father, took out the five hundred spirit stones he had recently earned, half-believing, half-doubting, and handed them to his father; Chen Yuan, upon receiving the spirit stones, immediately put them away, his action so swift it surpassed even Chen Chuyang's; Long Ming's smile grew wider, looking at her husband's demeanor, she shook her head—this husband of hers, even his son's spirit stones he pits.

This is clearly a scam; the eldest son still fell for it—no wonder he's a blockhead, too easy to deceive; a little act and he's taken in.

Compared to the younger son, he's really far behind; with that little brains, he can't outplay his husband and the younger son.

Even the daughter, he's probably no match for her.

Having given birth to such an honest son, Long Ming also feels helpless; if it weren't her own child, she'd suspect he wasn't hers.

"Father, about the spiritual artifact?"

Chen Yuan pretended not to understand, blinking.

Chen Chusheng became anxious.

"Father, I gave you the spirit stones, you can't pretend to be ignorant?"

"What spirit stones? I didn't see any."

Chen Chusheng was dumbfounded.

He stared at his father in disbelief, mouth agape.

"No, you're my father, you even pit my spirit stones—do you have any humanity left?"

"Other people's younger brother scamming me at least let me taste the benefits; it's really useful, boosting body and cultivation; this sum of money, he willingly gave, even though it was a bit more, he gritted his teeth and paid."

"At least he won't settle scores later."

"But Father, openly pocketing his own money, that's just inexcusable."

"The whole Chen Clan—Father is richer than him; his little bit of money is nothing compared to Father's."

"Father, don't be like this—how can you be so shameless, even pitting your son's spirit stones; if it gets out, aren't you afraid people will laugh?"

Chen Yuan shamelessly said, "Son, today Father will teach you another principle—that is what a real pit is."

"Even if you spread it, no one will believe you; Father is the Head of the Chen Clan—how could he possibly pit your five hundred spirit stones?"

"By then, not only will no one mock Father, they'll mock you for being stupid."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Feeling pleased, he had gained five hundred spirit stones for nothing, finally making up a bit of loss.

The younger son's debt he had scammed was roughly balanced.

At this moment he felt refreshed; it turns out scamming people is this enjoyable, especially seeing his eldest son's expression about to cry, Chen Yuan's mood improved even more as he left humming a tune.

Chen Chusheng stared, mouth agape; after a long while he still couldn't believe that person was his father.

The esteemed Head of the Chen Clan, the esteemed father, actually… would pit his money.

This is too…

"Mother, look at Father—how can he do this? Those are the spirit stones the child has saved up for a long time."

Long Ming laughed and shook her head: "Son, it's not that Mother won't help you; it's really that you're too stupid—you can't see through such an obvious scam, you deserve to be cheated."

Then Long Ming also left.

Left behind was Chen Chusheng, at a loss in the wind.

After a long, long time, he still hadn't come to his senses.

Father doesn't dote, Mother doesn't love; it turns out I'm the picked-up son.

He really wanted to cry.

Another place.

Long Ming found Chen Yuan and reached out.

Chen Yuan pretended to be foolish, blinking.

This act can't fool Long Ming; Long Ming bared her teeth in a smile: "Give me half, of course; you can also choose not to—you know the consequences."

Those big white teeth were frightening, cold light flashing.

Chen Yuan gritted his teeth and handed over half the spirit stones.

Long Ming was very satisfied: "That's right; from now on, when we lack spirit stones, we'll keep pitting the son."

If we don't pit the son's spirit stones, we won't pit at all; without a few rounds of pitting, he won't grow.

We do this also for the son's own good.

The son won't just not be angry; he'll even feel grateful to us.

Chen Yuan inwardly sighed: "In this family, the biggest demon isn't anyone else—it's that pretender of goodness, Long Ming."

They've all been manipulated.

……

Shang Clan

Shang Yue looked at his older sister with a helpless look, truly thanking her.

His older sister actually made him go to Longshe Shan for special training, saying it would help him increase his cultivation and, incidentally, lose weight.

Actually, it was just to torment him, to educate him.

Longshe Shan—he would never go there himself, to go and get beaten; he's not that stupid, nor that masochistic.

"Second sister, no need to say more—I won't go to Longshe Shan; beat me to death, I still won't go; if you want to go, you go yourself."

Anyway, he won't go.

Absolutely, absolutely not going back.

That Chen Chuyang can even beat his own father—what more him?

Shang Yue no longer has the vigor he once had; his older sister is gone, so he chooses to keep a low profile.

Unexpectedly, the older sister left, the second sister took over, becoming even harsher.

"Shang Yue, what your second sister does is also for your own good—Chuyang older brother has a way to let you rapidly increase your cultivation and also let you quickly become capable on your own; just go with your second sister, look at how much stronger she has become now."

"I am your second sister—could I possibly deceive you?"

Shang Hongxue painstakingly advised her younger brother, but the younger brother wouldn't buy it.

Just won't go.

Very resistant to Longshe Shan.

"Younger brother, Chuyang older brother is a good person; he won't beat you, nor will he do anything to you—rest assured."

"I've already arranged with Chuyang older brother beforehand; as long as you go to Longshe Shan, he will surely cultivate you well."

Shang Hongxue pulled Shang Yue, about to walk outside.

Shang Yue remained motionless.

That man is only a bit kinder to the sister; toward himself, he won't show any mercy.

Once the second sister arrives at Longshe Shan, she will become a lovesick fool, completely becoming Chen Chuyang's person; then, whatever life she encounters will not be her own—it will be whatever Chen Chuyang says.

Shang Yue is not stupid, nor will he become a guinea pig.

The second sister has been brainwashed, completely believing Chen Chuyang—or rather, her heart and mind contain only Chen Chuyang, leaving no room for others; whatever Chen Chuyang says is what she thinks, with no independent thought at all.

Her elbow has already turned completely outward, unable to turn back.

"Second sister, please—I'm fine at home; can't you stop tormenting me?"

"Wherever I cultivate is the same; just don't force me."

Shang Yue felt the Shang Clan was quite good—he could cultivate in peace, with no one restricting him.

Seeing her younger brother like this, Shang Hongxue felt helpless; only the older sister could keep this family in check—when the older sister was here, Shang Yue dared not utter a word of rebuttal.

"Shang Yue, are you really not going?"

Clenching his fist, a warning.

Shang Yue felt no fear: "Not going."

Taking the opportunity to break free from his restraints, he turned and walked away; Shang Hongxue wanted to chase after him, but helplessly, her strength was inferior to her younger brother's, so she couldn't catch up.