Chapter 7: Chen Yuan

"Chuyang, what do you think of the Shang Clan's marriage contract?"

Father Chen Yuan found Chen Chuyang and asked him this question face to face; as he looked at his son, his demeanor changed. The first time he saw his son, he thought he had mistaken him for someone else— that aura, that feeling, surprised him for a long while.

It might be because they hadn't met for a long time, or because he didn't know this son well enough, which caused the illusion. Chen Yuan didn't take it to heart; he also cared about the Shang Clan's marriage contract. After all, this son had never been close to him since childhood, moved out early, spending most of his time on Longshe Shan and rarely at home. Chen Yuan's chances to meet Chen Chuyang were already few; the Chen Clan had many affairs for him to handle, and father‑son time was pitifully scarce.

Even when he was at home, it was brief, and he rarely paid attention to this son's affairs. Most of his thoughts were on the elder son, who is the heir to the Head of the Chen Clan and thus requires more effort to cultivate. As for the younger son, his cultivation talent is average, ordinary in all respects; that is actually a good thing, and Chen Yuan let out a sigh of relief.

He only feared that Chen Chuyang's cultivation talent might be excellent, surpassing his elder brother, which could jeopardize the Head of the Chen Clan's position… He does not want internal strife in the Chen Clan, nor see brothers turn against each other. Regarding Chen Chuyang moving out, Chen Yuan approved; unless necessary, he rarely goes to Longshe Shan, because this son dislikes others disturbing him.

This time, it was also unavoidable.

"Father, what do you think?" Chen Chuyang asked his father back, not hurrying to answer. Regarding the marriage contract with the Shang Clan, it is merely an alliance between two families, strengthening their ties to secure their future.

Both the Shang Clan and the Chen Clan share the same view; each is uneasy and needs something to bind them together.

The elder brother Chen Chusheng cannot be married off, nor be sacrificed; therefore, this younger son is naturally the one to be sacrificed.

Chen Chuyang felt little about this; being born into a clan requires such awareness. Moreover, he does not oppose it—Shang Hongchen is quite attractive; if she were an ugly woman, he would have objected to some extent.

"How I see it is irrelevant. Right now, the Shang Clan's Shang Hongchen is dissatisfied with you and wants to break off the marriage. I think she will definitely come after you. Then, I need to know your thoughts?"

"After all, this marriage contract cannot be cancelled casually. If you disagree, then father would never cancel it either."

Chen Yuan wanted to make up for this son. On one hand, a broken engagement would indeed tarnish the son's reputation, disgrace him, and prevent him from getting by in Longshe Cheng. As a father, he could not ignore his son's concerns.

On the other hand, he needed Chen Chuyang's stance; if he also agreed, then the marriage contract could be negotiated to give the son as much compensation as possible.

"What if I also want to cancel?" Chen Chuyang lifted his head, looking at his father for the first time.

In his eyes, his father had never changed; it had been so for many years.

"Do you truly think so?" Chen Yuan was stunned, not expecting Chen Chuyang to have such a thought.

Shang Hongchen, however, is Longshe Cheng's great beauty, the dream woman of many men. Chen Chuyang's engagement to her has made countless people enviously die, and many have taken Chen Chuyang as an enemy, constantly targeting him.

"Hongchen is a good woman; though she's a bit willful now, her heart is still fine."

"Both your mother and I like this girl a lot. If she hadn't been taken by the Heavenly Heart Sect, your mother and I would gladly have her as a daughter‑in‑law."

It was clear the two were very pleased with Shang Hongchen.

Chen Chuyang listened silently, saying nothing.

He caught his father's deeper meaning and said, "Everything, I'll follow father's wishes."

"You don't regret it?" Chen Yuan asked again.

"Once this matter is settled, there's no turning back, Hongchen…"

Chen Chuyang nodded, "Hmm."

He also didn't want another woman to hinder his cultivation; a woman is just a woman—if she's not needed, that's fine.

As the saying goes, with no woman in the heart, drawing a sword becomes effortless.

He only wants to cultivate quietly, strive to raise his cultivation, and aim to achieve immortality as soon as possible.

All other matters come after attaining immortality.

Since he has transmigrated, he naturally wants to explore this world properly and live well.

Having died once, he cherishes his current life and chance immensely; with only one chance, how could he discard it?

Shang Hongchen wants to break off the marriage, which aligns perfectly with his wishes. Chen Chuyang also doesn't want another troublesome woman in the family; the future might not be a good thing.

"Alright then, father has decided this matter; you may not backtrack."

"Everything, I'll follow father's wishes."

"Fine."

Chen Yuan glanced again at his son, finding him increasingly unfamiliar.

He walked a few meters, turned back, and saw his son already with eyes closed, sitting on a large stone, his posture the same as before, his cultivation unknown. Chen Yuan muttered twice, then turned and descended the mountain.

Chen Clan.

Chen Yuan saw his wife coming to greet him; the first thing she said was not to ask how he was.

His wife Long Ming hurriedly said, "You should go to the main hall quickly; Shang Yingnian has arrived."

Chen Yuan was startled, gazing at his wife in surprise.

"Don't delay any longer; Shang Yingnian has been waiting for half a incense stick's time."

"Hmm."

Chen Yuan wanted to speak, to tell his wife Chen Chuyang's thoughts, but Long Ming stopped him, urging him to attend to Shang Yingnian first, as that was more important. Reluctantly, Chen Yuan headed straight to the hall. Long Ming watched her husband's back, sighed deeply; how could she not know Chen Chuyang's mindset? The younger son is always like that, disliking any contest, and this time was no exception.

His temperament is overly detached from worldly matters, or rather, he never puts such things on his mind; it has always been so.

"Hey, Chuyang, you…"

She shook her head, understanding her son, and could only support him.

Inside the main hall.

Shang Yingnian and Shang Hongchen sat together; they saw Chen Yuan arrive.

"Brother Shang, why did you come? You didn't even say a word, we've been waiting long."

"Brother Chen, we just arrived as well; this time, I'm here to make amends and apologize."

Shang Yingnian grasped Chen Yuan's hand and apologized, "My younger sister made you look foolish; I hope you, Brother Chen, won't blame us."

Chen Yuan waved his hand broadly, "It's fine, just children's play, nothing serious."

"Brother Shang, please sit."

"Uncle Chen, greetings." Shang Hongchen rose, gave a graceful bow, her manners were very courteous.

"Hongchen, sit as well."

Shang Hongchen sat down, anxiously looking at Chen Yuan.

The three sat down; Chen Yuan looked at Shang Yingnian and spoke first, "Brother Shang, you're here this time because of Hongchen's marriage contract with the younger son, right?"

Shang Yingnian stood up awkwardly, clasped his hands and said, "I apologize for making Brother Chen look foolish; my younger sister is indeed immature. She… has been taken by the Heavenly Heart Sect and will soon go to the sect to cultivate. The exact duration is unknown. Regarding their marriage, I think it would be better to wait until Hongchen returns and discuss it slowly."

Shang Hongchen opened their mouth, wanting to point out the mistake in their father's words, but was glared back by their father's look, not daring to make a sound.

Chen Yuan saw this, and they said with a smile: "Old Brother Shang, if there's something to say, say it directly; no need to beat around the bush."