Chapter 208: Follow That Genealogy, Name Them One by One!

"Just skinning the living grass???"

Ming Yining was utterly dumbfounded, almost unable to draw a breath, and stared at Chen Yan in astonishment, "How can you describe such vile deeds so nonchalantly!"

"How could there be anyone in the world as ruthless as you!"

Ming Yining could not imagine what inhuman torment his father had endured before death.....

The harmless‑looking fellow before him was nothing short of a blood‑curdling demon!

"You seldom encounter such oddities; haven't you already seen it?"

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow and retorted.

Immediately, he ignored Ming Yining, turned his head toward the curvaceous figure in black on his left, and said, "Hongye, I have a task for you....."

"Lord Chen Yan, at your command!"

Hongye stepped forward in response, awaiting orders.

"Skin all of Ming Shaoxia's direct bloodline within this mansion!"

Chen Yan lifted his hand, casually pointed at Ming Yining, and smiled lightly, "You think you can do it?"

They say filial piety is the foremost of all virtues; the father has already been skinned, so if the children don't follow suit, wouldn't that be unfilial?

He is a good man and doesn't want them to bear such a cursed reputation!

"Chen Yan!"

"You snake‑and‑scorpion‑hearted, vile and brutal person, may you meet a bad end!"

"The Buddha will surely cast you down to the Avici Hell!"

Ming Yining, held down by the embroidered emissaries on both sides, thrashed wildly in vain, only able to hurl curses toward Chen Yan's direction.

"Can!"

Hongye's gaze was firm, and she uttered a single word decisively.

"Then go ahead...."

"You have the whole night; no rush, take your time!"

Chen Yan waved his hand lightly, indicating she could leave.

"Thank you!"

Hongye bowed her head, her gaze toward Chen Yan soft and deeply moved.

How could Hongye not understand that this arrangement was meant for her to take revenge herself?

To make Ming Shaoxia, who killed his father, cut off his line forever!

The words hung in the air.

Hongye no longer lingered, seized Ming Yining from the embroidered emissary's control, and walked straight out.

Chen Yan stretched lazily and, at a measured pace, ordered, "You Xian, have someone retrieve Ming Shaoxia's family genealogy!"

"Follow that genealogy and name them one by one!"

"Anyone with even a trace of blood relation to Ming Shaoxia must not be left alive!"

It's been ages since we named from a genealogy; I even miss it!

Anyway, it's all the work of the 'Jinghong Society'; we can only blame them for their brutality.....

"Yes."

You Xian responded, turned to the waiting embroidered emissaries at the side, and said, "You two, hurry!"

"As for the Ming family's assets, let our Vermilion Bird Guard split them....."

Chen Yan's gaze swept over those present, including the embroidered emissaries and You Xian, his lips curling slightly as he laughed, "These past days, everyone has worked hard!"

To emphasize, Chen Yan's share is none for himself; he gives it all away to distribute...

He already has no shortage of silver; once the upcoming projects launch, the silver will be abundant beyond spending, and he doesn't even covet this bit of the Ming family's wealth.

Better to use it to buy hearts and reward subordinates!

"Thank you, sir!"

You Xian and the embroidered emissaries exchanged glances and bowed in unison.

Having such a superior is a blessing they've cultivated over eight lifetimes.

How could anyone not be utterly loyal?

"Alright, leave this to you all....."

Chen Yan pressed his hand, leading Zhu Yi outward.

When they reached the doorway, he turned back with a smile and said, "After it's over, remember to set the Ming mansion ablaze with a big fire!"

The next day.

Morning.

County office.

Chen Yan rose early, changed into loose clothing, practiced the Eight‑Section Brocade in the courtyard, while Hongye rested feigning sleep beside him holding a sword, and Zhu Yi sat cross‑legged meditating to nurture Qi.

"Sir, Xue Ji has returned!"

You Xian hurried from outside, came to Chen Yan's side, and reported.

"Who?"

Chen Yan, who was performing Essence Refining, froze instantly, first startled, then his eyes lit up and his mouth curved, "What kind of Xue family thing?"

"Invite them quickly!"

The expression on Chen Yan's face was visibly impatient.

"Yes." You Xian replied, without pause, and went to invite.

"Who is Xue Ji?"

"How could she be so excited?"

Hongye, upon hearing the exchange and after slowly opening his eyes to see Chen Yan's expression, felt puzzled and said.

She saw ill intent in that smile....

A moment later.

You Xian led the disheveled Xue Ji, whose clothes hadn't even been changed yet, into the courtyard.

"Brother Xue, long time no see, hope you're well!" Chen Yan stepped forward to greet him, very warmly.

After all, this reckless youngster was his benefactor.....

Without him, the embroidered‑cloth envoy wouldn't have found the path to Wangmu Palace Mountain's Yaochi Peak so easily.

It would have required a great deal of trouble.

"I have met Lord Chen Yan!" Xue Ji clasped his fists in salute, even his address changed, showing no trace of his former arrogance.

His dejected posture was like a wilted eggplant.

There was no denying that on the way into the city, Xue Ji had already heard of Chen Yan's sweeping victory.....

In contrast, he himself, brimming with confidence, charged up Wangmu Palace Mountain, but because of the disparity in forces, was chased away with his head in his hands, losing seventy to eighty percent of his private soldiers and nearly perished there.

Wang Xiong, Dou Luling and others arrived shortly after, their voices preceding their arrival, and they laughed, asking, "Xue Ji, I just heard someone say you have returned?"

"So it really is you!"

Wang Xiong, after stepping in front of Xue Ji, deliberately asked, "How did your detachment fare on that route?"

A few people hurried over, shouting, just to watch the spectacle, the ones tasked with "adding insult to injury".....

"I suppose, given the chance to show off alone, our Brother Xue must have achieved a world‑shaking feat," Dou Luling continued, teasing.

"Are you two doing this on purpose, coming to laugh at my joke!"

Hearing that, Xue Ji felt both ashamed and embarrassed, almost awkward enough to pull out a three‑room, one‑hall layout.

"Where is that?"

Wang Xiong, as if not having seen, continued probing, "Wasn't it you who rushed to propose the detachment and even urged Brother Chen to agree?"

"Lord Chen Yan, Xue here has lost!"

"It is my skill that falls short!"

Xue Ji sighed helplessly and bowed his hand toward Chen Yan.

At that moment, he was convinced in heart and mouth...

Before, his aspirations were sky‑high; now after the fight he realized just how great the gap between them was.

Moreover, among everyone who came to Jingzhou, only he had not achieved any merit.....

Dou Luling exchanged a glance with Chen Yan, then looked at Xue Ji and smiled, "Brother Xue's earlier contest, though there was no wager....."

"But we both come from prestigious families; even in loss we must lose with dignity, right?"

His words were full of insinuation.

Obviously, these people had colluded beforehand, specially invited to play the supporting role.

After all, some things cannot be spoken from Chen Yan's own mouth.....

"Of course!"

Xue Ji jumped into the trap without hesitation, lifted his head and said, "I, Xue Ji, owe Lord Chen Yan a favor!"

"Crossing knife mountains and fire seas without hesitation!"

A sly glint flashed in Chen Yan's eyes; he lightly patted Xue Ji's hand and said, "We're brothers, why would we need any knife mountains or fire seas?"

Half a month later.

During this period, Chen Yan tended to the fallen soldiers, rewarded the meritorious officers, and in his capacity as Chief Historian of Jingzhou performed the funeral rites for the sacrificed Si Tu Hui, fulfilling his promise to personally carry the coffin and escort it to Lieshi Lingyuan; he also introduced a series of policies to pacify the populace, stabilizing the situation in Jingzhou.

The prefectural office.

Chen Yan, together with Liu Yuanjing and Liu Mu Zhi, was overseeing Jingzhou affairs when You Xian hurried over and reported, "Lord, the Court's newly appointed Inspector has arrived!"