Chapter 15: The Mount Tai Magistrate Comes to Kill?

The next morning.

Dew had not yet dried, a bit of sunlight just rose over the mountaintop, illuminating a corner of the peak; at the foot of Longshe Shan a new visitor arrived, and Chen Chuyang rose as usual to work, harvesting spiritual herbs, arranging spiritual medicines, and checking the situation of Longshe Shan.

He gathered the mature spiritual fruits and medicines, also had to deal with some pests—there weren't many, just a few small bugs—but they could not escape Chen Chuyang's eyes. Rising early to work, these things became his daily routine, enriching his life, slowly soothing his mind, and that heart grew ever calmer.

It seemed nothing could interrupt this way of life; the settled life let his mind begin a slow rise—though each day's increase was slight, he could still feel the improvement. The fish in the Yu Tang were as if full, many floating to the surface, not as severe as last night; after pouring Item into the water last night, many fish floated up, turned white.

At first Chen Chuyang thought they were dead, but after checking he found they were not; the fish were drunk, not dead, so he left them alone. After a night, most of the fish woke up and returned to the bottom of the Yu Tang; the remaining fish likely drank too much Item, causing them to still not have awakened.

The fish in the Yu Tang had grown considerably; in just one night Chen Chuyang could feel their growth. It's a pity these spirit fish have not developed sentience—most are ordinary spirit fish, raised for sale and eating; Chen Chuyang breeds only those spirit fish meant for consumption, discarding any that aren't tasty.

After repeated selection, the remaining fish are all tasty.

Feeding the fish, Chen Chuyang caught a fish, examined it, then tossed it back into the Yu Tang; the fish entered the Yu Tang and instantly vanished without a trace.

"Item works well on these fish; they've grown quite a bit, their spirituality increased, but unfortunately they still cannot awaken spiritual intellect."

"Next time when pouring Item, you must pay attention—you must not… pour it all in."

If all the fish in the Yu Tang were poisoned to death, wouldn't that be…?

Good thing he knew Item was non‑toxic; as Chen Chuyang pondered how to blend Item, he looked up in surprise toward the mountain base.

"What is that?"

Chen Chuyang saw a familiar yet somewhat panicked figure; that figure was shouting, telling Chen Chuyang to open the Formation and let him up—clearly he had come prepared, not charging straight up.

The Flowing Water Mist Formation opened a gap; Chen Chuyang knew he could not avoid it, so he could only face it.

Half an incense stick later.

By the Yu Tang appeared another figure.

Shang Yingnian wore a grim face, staring at Chen Chuyang; his eyes locked on him from the moment he began climbing, never shifting. The surrounding spiritual medicines and spirit fish could not draw his interest; his fists were clenched, ready to strike at any moment, but he held back his anger and did not act.

He had come secretly, telling no one—not even his own precious daughter.

He wanted to handle this matter himself.

"Chen Chuyang, speak—how do you want to deal with this?"

Chen Chuyang blinked, looking doubtfully at Shang Yingnian, his former Mount Tai magistrate—now he is no longer that.

He seemed not to need panic, nor need to fear him.

Right oh, Chen Chuyang then realized—what does he have to be wary of?

"What how to handle?"

"You…" Shang Yingnian grew violent, veins bulging.

"Last night, Hongxue returned home late at night."

He spoke, then paused a moment.

His gaze was terrifying, as if he really wanted to devour Chen Chuyang.

"I saw Hongxue's eyes turn red, and she also vomited."

"Is it you who did this?"

Chen Chuyang's eyes widened; it seemed, perhaps, that this matter concerned him, and he instinctively nodded.

Seeing him nod, Shang Yingnian grew even angrier.

"Surely it's you, Chen Chuyang, you little brat—how could you do this? Hongxue… is your… sister‑in‑law, no matter what you say you must not harm Hongxue; are you deliberately taking revenge on my Shang Clan? I know the Hongchen broken engagement affected you greatly—I'm sorry about that."

"I have already discussed it with your parents; they agreed too. My Shang Clan will give compensation, and you also cannot… go back on your word. Since you agreed to the broken engagement, why would you still bring disaster to Hongxue?"

"You clearly know Hongxue is my Shang Clan's precious treasure, yet you still do this—are you still human?"

Now Chen Chuyang was dumbfounded.

He stared blankly at Shang Yingnian.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

It seemed this matter, Shang Yingnian had misunderstood—it wasn't as he said.

I merely boiled a pot of herbal bath for Hongxue that girl to soak in, did nothing else—why, in his mouth, have I become an unforgivable villain?

No matter how I am, I would never lay a poisonous hand on Hongxue.

"Um… Uncle Shang, I think you've misunderstood, I…"

Shang Yingnian raised his hand: "Speak—how do you want to settle this?"

"You've already acted—Hongxue cannot suffer injustice; Chen Chuyang, how do you want to resolve this?"

Chen Chuyang panicked, hurriedly explaining: "Uncle Shang, it's not what you think; let me explain."

"Enough, no need to explain—I'm clear: Chen Chuyang, you now have only two choices."

Shang Yingnian gave Chen Chuyang a deep look, not giving him a chance to speak.

Explanation is unnecessary.

His eyes see clearly, and they will not deceive him.

Shang Yingnian certainly remembers clearly his daughter Hongxue's expression last night—that was a grievance she had never shown before.

"The precious daughter vomited—doesn't that mean she has…?"

And Hongxue—lately she has only been with Chen Chuyang; in an instant he connected the dots.

That's why he came straight to Longshe Shan before dawn; after seeing his daughter like that last night, Shang Yingnian couldn't sleep, lay awake, sat all night in the hall, suppressing his anger—several times he almost exploded.

He wanted Chen Chuyang to pay the price, but in the end, for his daughter's sake, for her future and reputation, he could only personally go to Chen Chuyang to settle the score; this matter must be resolved, otherwise how could Hongxue ever stand in Longshe Cheng?

Chen Chuyang—he will not let him off.

This person actually dared to lay hands on Hongxue—how unreasonable, unforgivable.

Is this revenge on the Shang Clan?

Shang Yingnian coldly stared at Chen Chuyang; if he dared utter a single 'no', he would strike directly—then it wouldn't matter if it was Chen Yuan or all the Chen Clan present here, he would still attack.

"First, that is being beaten to death by me—finished once and for all; my Hongxue cannot suffer such humiliation, nor can she be defiled by you for nothing."

"Things have come to this; you don't need to explain."

Shang Yingnian felt murderous intent.

Chen Chuyang wasn't afraid, but he... until Uncle Shang's thoughts went awry, misunderstanding him.

"That I..."

Shang Yingnian's pupils contracted: "Do you have an objection?"

"No, I..."

"Hmph, you wouldn't dare." Shang Yingnian gave a cold snort, raised a second finger: "The second option is to marry my Hongxue."

Only in this way can we avoid all that follows.

As for Chen Chuyang, it seemed there were two choices, but in fact there was only one.