Chapter 171: Cleverness Beyond All, My Third Uncle

After Chen Chuyang's explanation, which lasted a full quarter of an hour, Third Uncle Chen Shen didn't act; instead he sat down, looking at Chen Chuyang with a puzzled gaze that clearly still doubted him.

"Chuyang, my nephew, don't act recklessly, understand? In a lifetime, meeting someone suitable is rare. Hongxue this girl looks great to me—she's good in every way, without her sister's bad temper and arrogance, and without Shang Hongchen's pretentiousness. She's a good woman; don't miss her."

"Don't follow your third uncle, and don't be blinded by worldly beauties; those people can't compare to Hongxue."

"You must treat Hongxue well; this girl is devoted to you. You really can't act recklessly, or Third Uncle will beat you up."

Being unable to fight is one thing; when it's time to fight, you still have to fight.

Chen Shen values and likes Hongxue a lot, but she must not be refined by his own nephew.

Such matters are not permitted by the old Chen Clan; although the Chen Clan can't claim to be upright, they wouldn't do such things.

Chen Chuyang was at a loss, half laughing, half crying—was this third uncle taking the chance to mock him?

"Alright, Third Uncle, I understand. How could I have done that?"

"Who knows about you? What if you've gone mad?"

"……"

Chen Chuyang couldn't refute that sentence, nor knew how to explain, so he could only smile.

"Third Uncle, this time going up the mountain isn't just about my matter, is it?"

"No, I've recently heard some news—Longshe Cheng might be in chaos."

Third Uncle lowered his voice, looked around, his furtive manner left people speechless.

Longshe Shan is full of our own people; even if they heard it, what could they do?

After scanning the surroundings, Third Uncle Chen Shen lowered his voice again, speaking in a tone only the two of them could hear: "Lately Longshe Cheng has attracted many strangers, most of whom we've never seen, and quite a few disciples from major sects; those disciples are not weak in strength."

"I don't know what treasure these people are after, but they say something was discovered inside Longshe Cheng; I don't know the specifics either."

"Third Uncle also heard some rumors, unsure of their truth and unaware of who spread them."

Taking a deep breath, Third Uncle whispered, "I've heard there are dragons and snakes inside Longshe Cheng."

"Huh?"

Chen Chuyang's heart skipped a beat; the news spreading meant someone had uncovered a clue.

The Longshe Cave Heaven is about to be discovered? That's impossible, right?

Not that quickly, right?

Even if it were discovered, those people wouldn't keep it hidden; they'd spread it, drawing so many here, which defies logic.

Unless someone is playing a grand scheme.

That becomes intriguing; Chen Chuyang couldn't help but start pondering.

"I don't know who spread this news or when, many sects have inquired, no one knows its truth, yet those sects have sent people, and the locals nearby are all moving toward Longshe Cheng."

"Rumor has it Longshe Cheng was named after a Wild Dragon Snake; a Wild Dragon Snake died beneath Longshe Cheng. But that's false news—no one has found it in all these years. This time, why does it attract so many?"

Chen Shen was a bit puzzled; this legend has always existed, everyone in Longshe Cheng knows it, and after all these years, no one has ever found it.

This time, for unknown reasons, so many have come.

This matter reveals something strange.

Very strange.

"Third Uncle, are you saying someone is scheming?"

"That's the only possibility. Regardless of truth, this will attract many, and why would the mastermind do this? To cause chaos in Longshe Cheng? Or is their goal our Chen Clan? Or the Shang Clan?"

"All of those are possible. In recent days, our Chen Clan has become somewhat high-profile, attracting their attention? But that doesn't fit—we've been the same as always, never high-profile."

Chen Shen pondered briefly; the Chen Clan's actions are normal—they've always operated in Longshe Cheng, rarely leaving, never meddling in other towns, and certainly wouldn't reach elsewhere.

Managing their own modest lands, Elder Brother Chen Yuan also knows to develop themselves quietly, and has repeatedly ordered not to provoke others.

Except for the Yin Gui Sect, they should provoke others as little as possible.

After Elder Brother condensed his dantian, everything seemed to have changed.

"Third Uncle, aren't you going to investigate?"

Third Uncle shook his head: "I looked, found no information; this rumor just popped up."

"If someone targets our Chen Clan, there could be trouble."

Chen Chuyang nodded: "Tell my father not to act rashly, keep the Chen Clan in check, let them cause a ruckus, and if anything is truly discovered, don't get involved. The Chen Clan is too weak; even if the Wild Dragon Snake is truly found, don't be tempted."

Chen Shen heard this and nodded: "I understand; I've already spoken to Elder Brother."

"But, Chuyang nephew, do you know some information?"

Chen Shen stared at Chen Chuyang, always feeling this nephew was hiding something.

This matter is a big one, yet the nephew remains calm.

That itself is problematic.

Chen Chuyang spread his hands: "Nothing."

"No, there must be something you're hiding. Chuyang nephew, do you know any news about the Wild Dragon Snake?"

Chen Shen narrowed his eyes, staring at his good nephew; based on his understanding, there must be something.

Chen Chuyang hadn't expected Third Uncle could guess that, and felt a bit surprised.

"Third Uncle, you actually suspect me?"

"Chuyang nephew, you're really odd, and Longshe Shan is also strange."

Longshe Shan has changed greatly; spiritual energy is abundant.

He hadn't thought much about this change before, assuming it was due to Chen Chuyang's shift.

Now, looking back, everything feels off, full of mysteries.

His own nephew's changes are also huge, and the elder nephew's rise—this meeting gave him a strange feeling, unlike before.

It feels as if some wild beast stands before him, its soul and bloodline trembling—he's certain of it.

Although Chuyang, the nephew, hid it well, Chen Shen still sensed it.

Connecting those earlier changes with this nephew's recent reaction, Chen Shen concluded that this nephew definitely had a secret.

"Have you found traces of the Wild Dragon Snake?"

Chen Chuyang had wanted to continue concealing it, but Third Uncle directly exposed it.

I have to say, this Third Uncle is truly smart, much smarter than his father Chen Yuan; if Third Uncle hadn't been slacking off and constantly chasing flowers and willows, the position of Head of the Chen Clan would likely have been his.

"Why do you say that?"

Third Uncle stared at Chen Chuyang and said, "You're very strange, your behavior is very strange, and even the aura inside this Alchemy Furnace is strange; Longshe Shan is strange. Upon hearing that news, your first reaction wasn't to have us intervene, but to tell us not to intervene and to avoid it as much as possible."

"Moreover, you're not at all surprised, which makes me suspicious of you; now I can be absolutely certain that you brat definitely know some news about the Wild Dragon Snake."

"You couldn't have really found the Wild Dragon Snake's corpse, could you?"