Chapter 109: Chen Tongyuan's Choice, Weighing Two Evils and Taking the Lighter

"I.... I....."

Chen Tongyuan, in an instant, fell into a double dilemma.

On one side was the wife he had loved for so many years, on the other was the relic left by his revered father.

He truly understood what it means that one cannot have both the fish and the bear's paw...

"Father, what are you hesitating about?"

"Save Mother!"

Chen Gubai saw Chen Tongyuan frozen, not knowing how to choose, stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and urged anxiously.

Do these two choices still require hesitation?

"Should we really... for a pile of useless dead things..."

Chen Yan, seeing this, seized the moment, continued to press, saying: "And to abandon the wife who bore you sons and daughters, Duke of Wei, you must think this through!"

He paused, then added: "Meng Wan Yi's life and death rest on a single thought of yours!"

Obviously, Chen Yan also wanted to see what decision this scumbag father would finally make...

"Father, dad, will you just stand there and watch Mother die?"

Chen Cijiu could no longer contain himself, grabbed Chen Tongyuan's other arm, his voice hoarse, "Do you know how tragically Uncle died?"

"He was roasted to death alive in a huge vat!"

The manner of Meng Yinbing's death is still vivid in memory.

Chen Cijiu dared not imagine, once his mother fell into Chen Yan's hands, what inhuman torment she would endure...

His mother had never been sparing in harshly tormenting him in various ways.

Especially since Chen Yan, at the Meng Mansion, even said he would sell her into a brothel; it was no joke!

"Indeed!"

Chen Gubai nodded, echoing: "Is Mother, in your eyes, still worse than a pile of useless dead things?"

"If Chen Yan wants it, then give it to him!"

In these past ten-plus years, Chen Gubai rarely agreed with Chen Yan.

How could mere dead objects compare in importance to his mother's life?

No one expected that these three brothers-in-arms, who were always harmonious, would achieve such unity for the first time, yet on this issue...

"Exactly!"

Chen Yan snapped his fingers, his gaze sweeping over the two who came to assist, finally resting on Chen Tongyuan, and said meaningfully: "Duke of Wei, think carefully—if your wife is implicated, will the reputations of your two beloved sons be affected...?"

When it comes to finding a weak point to apply pressure, Chen Yan is a professional.

This scumbag father might disregard the woman on the ground, but he could never disregard the future of the son he has high hopes for!

No matter which I choose, he will gladly see it happen... Chen Tongyuan said nothing, his eyes sharp, staring intently at the unhurried Chen Yan.

How could Chen Tongyuan not be clear about this schemer's intent?

Either way, he profits...

Chen Yan turned, leisurely walked back to his seat and sat down, then called to Steward Chen standing not far away: "Hey, have some insight—Mirror Master Chen has been here so long, not even a cup of tea?"

"Hurry and get the finest tea leaves!"

"Yes." Steward Chen cast an inquisitive glance at Chen Tongyuan, and after receiving permission from his own Old Master, replied respectfully.

He then went to brew tea.

A quarter hour passed silently.

Inside the hall of the Duke of Wei's mansion, there was a deathly silence...

After another half hour, after much deliberation, Chen Tongyuan finally spoke, breaking the awkward atmosphere: "Damn... Chen Yan!"

"What?"

Chen Yan, hearing this, lifted his eyes lightly, still pushing the hot tea with the cup lid in his hand, asked calmly: "Duke of Wei, have you decided?"

Chen Tongyuan's whole body tensed, veins bulging, as if suppressing something; with difficulty he forced three words from his teeth: "You win!"

He paused, then continued: "The items are yours!"

Chen Tongyuan actually did not wish to compromise.

But when weighing two evils, one must take the lesser...

Even if he could sacrifice that pile of dead objects, abandon Meng Wan Yi entirely, he still had to consider his two sons!

This is the hope for the future revival of the Duke of Wei's mansion!

"That's right, we each take what we need..."

Chen Yan nodded satisfactorily, took a sip of hot tea, and smiled: "Duke of Wei, you preserve your beloved wife's good name; Mirror Master Chen will reclaim Old Master's wish!"

He paused, his tone shifting sharply, urging: "Since you've made the choice, why are you still hesitating?"

"Go, bring it to him!"

Chen Tongyuan inhaled deeply, steadied his anger, gritted his teeth, and ordered Steward Chen: "Send someone again to summon the Physician!"

Steward Chen nodded, without hesitation, and turned away at once.

After a incense stick burned.

Steward Chen led a group of servants, carrying the items once belonging to Old Master Chen, and respectfully said: "Sir... Mirror Master Chen, the late Duke's relics are here!"

The old golden armor, Chang Qiang, horse spear, pendant sword, and seal were all present.

Chen Yan stood up, walked forward, seized the horse spear hoisted by the three, then thrust it forcefully; the spear shot like a sea dragon, carving a sharp arc in the air, stirring a whooshing wind.

Old Master truly lived up to the mountain of corpses and sea of blood, a foe capable of slaying ten thousand; even though this horse spear has lain dormant for ages, it still gleams with a chilling light, its murderous intent still rampant!

Chen Yan felt the bloodied aura emanating from the spear and couldn't help but sigh.

The spear's shaft was jet black, exuding a forest‑cold chill; its tip was razor‑sharp, flashing with a cold gleam.

I don't know how many heads have been cut off.....

Could he be trying to kill me?....... Chen Tongyuan stared at Chen Yan wielding the horse spear, felt a sudden thud in his heart, instinctively stepped back a few paces, steadied his mind, and asked, "Chen Yan, everything is as you wish—are you satisfied?"

"Not bad!"

Chen Yan steadied his horse spear, nodded, and laughed, "I suppose the Duke of Wei also doesn't want to keep my dinner, so I won't disturb your family's reunion!"

"Farewell!"

Saying so, he tossed the horse spear in his hand to Zhu Yi, then turned away gracefully.

Several embroidered‑cloak envoys hurried forward, took Chen Laoyezi's relic, and followed closely.

Just as he reached the doorway, Chen Yan seemed to recall something, stopped, turned his head back and said, "Duke, since the final outcome is the same anyway, be more straightforward next time...."

"That wastes my time!"

Having said that, amid hearty laughter, Chen Yan swaggered away.

"You!" Chen Tongyuan glared angrily, his heart pierced.

Half an hour later.

Wei Guogong Fu.

Inside.

"Physician, how is my lady's condition?"

Chen Tongyuan saw Ye Dafu, who was by the bedside, finish taking the pulse, and asked impatiently.

Ye Dafu stood, bowed respectfully, and replied, "The Grand Duke's Lady was overly frightened, then suffered a great shock, and a sudden fire in her heart caused her to faint....."

"The wound on her forehead, I, the old man, have already bandaged."

"I will write a few prescriptions to settle her Qi and calm her spirit, and treat the lady properly!"

Meng Wan Yi's injuries looked horrifying, but were actually not serious, merely trivial superficial skin wounds.

Because at that time Chen Yan deliberately restrained his strength; he couldn't kill his own asset.....

"Much obliged, Physician!"

Chen Tongyuan nodded, relaxed, and signaled Butler Chen to see Ye Dafu out.

"Father, Chen Yan that brat keeps stepping on my nose, his methods are extremely cruel—should we keep tolerating him?"

After ensuring no outsiders were inside, Chen Cijiu could no longer restrain himself, stepped forward, and said angrily.

Repeated humiliations have already twisted him....

He wishes Chen Yan would die quickly, to be torn apart a thousand times, to relieve his hatred!

"Do you think a father would be willing to endure?"

Chen Tongyuan furrowed his brows and retorted.

He paused, then continued, "We received word from Elder Zhao, the former Pillar of State, telling us not to act rashly, but to wait for the right moment!"

Chen Tongyuan understood the two elders' meaning....

Either do nothing, or strike a fatal blow!

Now we let that kid bounce around for a few more days, then we'll reclaim everything with profit!

"Since we can't make a big move, we can at least cause trouble for Chen Yan in the shadows, right?"

A trace of malice flashed in Chen Cijiu's eyes as he sneered, "I don't believe he has no weakness!"

"Cijiu, what do you intend to do?" Chen Tongyuan asked.

"Make Chen Yan develop a gambling addiction, let him lose his ambition!"