Chapter 195: Sister Qing'er Is Numb

Shang Hongxue haughtily lifted her head; only my brother Chuyang could devise such a scheme and carry it out.

Second Uncle Chen Chen's predicament is merely one among those who were duped; different people need different tactics, chiefly to make them feel at home and willingly part with money.

The focus is a forced, mutually willing arrangement, which has never been Chen Chuyang's style, nor what he desires.

"Second Uncle, take them; these pills will last you a while. If you think it's insufficient, I can sell you more. By the way, how many do you need? Your nephew is refining some for you now."

Hearing that, Chen Chen hurriedly shook his head: "No, that's enough, I've had enough."

Now he's shouldered debt again; if it happens once more, wouldn't that truly mean he's about to die?

From being financially free to now being heavily in debt, he also feels humbled, as if life has returned.

"What a shame, my nephew's pills aren't for just anyone; only you, Second Uncle, are qualified to purchase them. If others want them, I won't sell them."

Chen Chen: "???"

Shang Yue: "???"

That remark seems genuinely accurate—it can't swindle anyone else, only one's own.

But they dare not voice it, only mutter in their hearts.

Chen Chuyang secured the money and rushed to refine a detox pill for younger sister Qing'er; it could not be delayed. The pot's heat was nearly perfect, and the rest didn't need his supervision—he handed it to Second Uncle to watch over. The girl Hongxue would know what to do, so he gave Hongxue a command and returned to his room to continue refining the pills.

Longshe Shan finally fell silent.

Chen Chen stared at the pills in his hand, then at the daughter in the pot; her breathing was even, the prior pain and discomfort gone, and she slept soundly.

After confirming that his younger brother had entered seclusion to refine pills, Chen Chusheng slowly spoke: "Second Uncle, you're feeling depressed from being scammed, aren't you?"

Second Uncle Chen Chen gave him a glance, irritably saying, "Since you know your second uncle was scammed, why didn't you step up just now to warn me?"

"Second Uncle, it's not that the nephew didn't warn you; it's that the nephew dared not. Chuyang is here, I can't ruin his good deed. If I speak up, he'll definitely trouble me; then it won't be that easy."

"Moreover, you're not the only one who was duped; the nephew, like you, carries a lot of debt and will likely have to work for Chuyang for the coming year, sigh."

Having said that, Chen Chusheng let out a deep sigh.

He was also helpless; his younger brother's deeds for him, and all those treasures, are worth a considerable sum.

Now the younger brother hasn't asked him for money; they're just waiting, and later will surely collect payment.

He toils on the mountain, not only for training but also to repay some debts, hoping his younger brother will be lenient and not make a lion's‑big demand.

The benefit is obvious—seeing his power rise significantly—so Chen Chusheng thinks that money ought to be given, yet he has no clue how much.

Having witnessed Second Uncle's tragedy, he realized he was not far behind.

"Eh?" Chen Chen lifted his head, a trace of compassion in his eyes.

"Are they all like you?"

Chen Chusheng gave a wry smile, shook his head and said, "It's different—only me. No, also this kid; he's like me."

"That's not the Shang Clan's kid; how did he get onto the mountain?"

Second Uncle Chen Chen stared at Shang Yue in astonishment, only then realizing the issue.

Both the Shang Clan's son and daughter were present, and the bond between Shang Hongxue and Chuyang's nephew seemed far from superficial.

He recalled that Chuyang's nephew was betrothed to the Shang Clan's eldest sister, seemingly involving these two.

"Could it be?"

Chen Chusheng quickly explained, "This is how it stands, Second Uncle."

He recounted everything that had occurred during this period in detail, and after Chen Chen finished listening, his mouth gaped.

He remained dazed for a long while, unable to regain his composure.

He had only just left Longshe Cheng, yet so many events had already unfolded.

Thus, Shang Hongchen is not Chuyang's wife; the Shang Hongxue present here is.

No wonder their relationship is so close, no wonder the two of them…

"That's probably it, Second Uncle. From now on, you should note that sister Hongxue is Chuyang's wife."

"Mm, I understand."

Chen Chen instantly smiled at Shang Hongxue, nodded, and acknowledged her identity.

Shang Hongxue's cheeks flushed shyly; she nodded, then glanced into the pot.

Shang Yue, noticing nothing pertained to him, turned around after Chen Chusheng shouted for him to help.

He sat beside Second Uncle, and the two whispered to each other.

Chen Chusheng spoke at length, recounting everything he knew.

Second Uncle listened attentively, never having imagined that so many things had transpired during his absence from the Chen Clan.

"No wonder Longshe Shan has changed so dramatically; Chuyang's nephew has also changed a lot. If he didn't look like your older brother, I would have thought I had mistaken him for someone else."

"Chuyang has indeed changed a lot; had I not always been at the Chen Clan, I might have ended up like you, Second Uncle."

Chen Chusheng lowered his voice and whispered, "Listen, Second Uncle, Chuyang is now extremely formidable; you mustn't provoke him."

Second Uncle Chen Chen instinctively replied, "How powerful could he be? He can't be condensing a pill, can he?"

Chen Chusheng remained silent, but gazed intently at Second Uncle.

As far as he knows, even the father never mentions the younger brother's cultivation level, and says nothing about the older brother's affairs.

He only instructed him to be obedient, not to speak carelessly, and not to disseminate any knowledge he might have.

"Second Uncle, I've said all that should be said; what shouldn't be said, I cannot tell you—please figure it out yourself."

Chen Chusheng rose to work, leaving a bewildered Chen Chen behind.

Chen Chen stood there, pondering for a long while, gazing toward the house.

He glanced again at Shang Hongxue.

Finally, his eyes settled on daughter Qing'er.

Time passed swiftly.

Half a day passed.

Chen Chuyang came out, holding an antidote pill, and shoved it straight into Qing'er's mouth.

The motion was so fast, the pill didn't look like a proper pill.

Chen Chen saw his daughter after she took the antidote pill, and her body began to tremble.

"Pfft-pfft-pfft."

The detox process began, and a layer of poison gas quickly enveloped his body.

That smell was terribly embarrassing and frightening.

"This?"

Smart Chen Chuyang and Shang Hongxue immediately distanced themselves, leaving the Second Uncle drenched.

His body was covered with the pot's Item, the smell mixed with the toxins from Qing'er's body, making the odor quite potent.

"……"

Second Uncle Chen Chen lowered his head to look at himself, and for a moment stood frozen in place.

"Cough cough, Second Uncle, hurry up and wash clean, you reek."

"……"

The Second Uncle, embarrassed beyond measure, turned and left.

By his ears came the Second Uncle's cursing.

Qing'er in the pot woke up as well, saw where she was, and also smelled the foul odor on her body, leaving her stunned for a moment.

Shortly after, she regained her senses and then let out a loud wail.

"Ah ah."

The wail shook Longshe Shan, and her scream caused her body to expel even more toxin.

"Pfft-pfft-pfft."

Three farts came out directly, and the scene fell silent.

Qing'er blushed, turned her head, and met the eyes of Chen Chuyang and Shang Hongxue.

A blink.

Chen Chuyang waved and smiled: "Qing'er, you're full of spirit."

"Ah ah ah."

Again a wail, and again…… a scream.