Chapter 62: Breaking the Nine‑Lock Jade Loop

Clack!

Before Chen Yan could finish speaking, he rushed forward impatiently, reached for the tray, and grabbed the Nine‑Lock Jade Loop in one hand.

In the stunned gazes of everyone, he smashed it directly onto the floor below the stage.

The sound of jade shattering lingered and echoed in his ears.

Emperor Lingyue had already provided a solution!

"He... he smashed the incredibly rare Nine‑Lock Jade Loop?!"

Xiao Liang's side was left dumbfounded, eyes wide.

Utterly incredulous.

"Chen Yan just smashed it?!"

Chang'an's side was also caught off guard.

Neither side had anticipated such a situation...

Only the parties involved remained composed, as if nothing had happened.

"Chen Yan!"

"What are you doing!"

Xie Ang lunged at the shattered jade loop, ignoring his bleeding hand to scoop it up, looked up at Chen Yan, and questioned him in a near‑roaring tone.

"Breaking the Nine‑Lock Jade Loop!"

Chen Yan spread his hands and said confidently.

He paused, then retorted, "Weren't you the one who wanted me to break this thing?"

"I asked you to unlock it, not to destroy it!"

Xie Ang's hands were bleeding from the pricks, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the turmoil inside; his eyes were Red Eyes, and he hysterically gritted his teeth and said.

"It's shattered; doesn't that mean it's completely unlocked?"

Chen Yan licked his lips, gave a playful smile, and asked back.

He paused again, then thoughtfully added, "It was never mentioned before that there were any restrictions!"

"Congratulations, Brother Xie, you will have no more doubts from now on!"

Saying so, he also pretended to be solemn, bowing his fists toward Xie Ang.

It seemed as if he were sincerely congratulating him.

"Brilliant!"

Pei Suiwan sighed in awe, his tense nerves relaxing, and laughed, "Not only perfectly broke the deadlock, but also killed and schemed..."

Today's Chen Yan gave her far too many surprises.

He was practically no different from a hexagonal warrior.

"Suiwan, you have a good eye for choosing people!"

Pei Xilou pinched his folding fan, tapped his left palm, and praised, "This Chen Yan not only has talent, but also the means and boldness..."

If earlier Pei Xilou merely agreed with Pei Suiwan's idea, adopting a 'whether it works or not, it's fine' attitude.

Now, however, he must strive to make it happen, ensuring Chen Yan becomes a son‑in‑law of the Pei Clan!

He cannot let other Chang'an clans snatch the opportunity first.

Du Jinghuai, who works in the prison department, looked at the pillar‑like Chen Yan and asked from his heart, "Such a qilin child, why did the Duke of Wei personally send him to Tianlao Siyu before?"

Du Jinghuai was puzzled, even more incomprehending.

Raising such a son could be called a family blessing, with green smoke rising from the ancestral tomb.

Any Chang'an clan, if chosen at random, would pour everything into nurturing him, regarding him as the future.

But...

The Duke of Wei's mansion not only suppressed other families' coveted heirs, discarding them like worn shoes, but also personally reported and sent them into Tianlao Siyu?!

"You!"

"You!"

"You!"

Xie Ang was so angry he could not speak.

What did Huan Huan say back then... Chen Yan forced a smile upward, recalled Huan Huan's nonsense, and said seriously, "Jade is a Yin‑dominant object that harms lives and wounds Dark Hawk; by smashing the Nine‑Lock Jade Loop, I performed a benevolent act!"

"Our Great Zhou can hire a skilled craftsman to turn the shattered jade into a gold‑inlaid jade ring, symbolizing wealth and harmony!"

Saying so, he tilted his body slightly and gave Yuwen Heng a glance.

Yuwen Heng immediately understood and replied, "Very good!"

"Men, come!"

"According to Chen Yan's words, gather the shattered jade, refine it, forge a gold‑inlaid jade ring, and return it to the Xie family!"

Between their coordinated responses, they sealed the nature of the matter, closing the case.

Coupled with that near‑perfect argument, no one could find a flaw.

They could only helplessly swallow the bitter result.

The Grand Marshal's Personal Guard hesitated not, immediately rushed forward, collected the jade fragments, including the blood‑stained portion on Xie Ang's hand.

Wang Can saw through the twists, yet was helpless, stared at Chen Yan and sneered, "Chen Yan, you truly are quick‑witted and eloquent!"

Regarding this astonishingly impressive youngster, Wang Can made a thorough note.

He must be eliminated early; he cannot be allowed to grow.

Otherwise, given time, he would become a major internal threat to Great Liang...

"I dare not accept!"

Chen Yan shook his head, turned and bowed to Yuwen Heng and Yu Jie, respectfully saying: "I am but an ignorant fool, wholly relying on the teachings of the Grand Tomb Governor, the Grand Marshal, and Old Pillar of State Yu in my daily life!"

This kid Chen Yan really knows how to speak, smooth on all sides… Yu Jie gave Chen Yan a meaning‑laden look and nodded with satisfaction.

So that's what they call a Master of Serving Water!

Even though he knew it was flattery, Yu Jie felt his body and mind soothed by the words, and Yuwen Heng was no exception.

The kid has both ability and restraint, and can speak—so likable…

Yu Jie finally seemed to understand why Yuwen Hu valued him so highly.

"Ha ha!"

Xie Ang, snapping out of his disappointment, gave a bitter smile and said, "I lost, and I accept it wholeheartedly!"

"Sir Xie's sword, I will deliver it as promised!"

"And that promise—so long as I, Xie Ang, am alive, no matter the mountain of knives or sea of fire, I will never break it!"

Having said that, he let go of his attachment, and, in the posture of a loser, bowed to the victor.

At that moment, Xie Ang's state of mind underwent a tremendous shift…

His arrogance and impetuousness were completely stripped away, yet no sign of decay appeared.

"I graciously accept!" Chen Yan also returned the salute.

This time truly threw away face cleanly… Wang Can muttered under his breath, forced a thin smile, and said, "It's getting late, we won't linger any longer… farewell!"

Saying so, he cupped his hands and bowed to Yuwen Heng and the others.

Without waiting for a reply, he tossed the word "go" at Xiao Liang's group and promptly walked straight away.

He didn't want to linger even a moment.

After all, one defeat after another, repeatedly, a total loss…

"A Yan, well done!"

Yuwen Heng stepped forward, patted Chen Yan's shoulder, his eyes full of praise, and laughed, "Good kid!"

Besides feeling gratified, Yuwen Heng also felt a bit relieved.

Fortunately, that day at Chunman Lou, he discovered Chen Yan's poetic talent.

Fortunately, Chen Yan attended the poetry gathering.

Fortunately, this child Chen Yan is capable of great responsibilities.

Otherwise, today's bitter fruit of Xiao Liang would have been tasted by Great Zhou…

"A trivial achievement, not worth mentioning."

Chen Yan lowered his head and said, "Alleviating the Grand Marshal's worries is my honor!"

Having once stood by the big boss for so many years, Chen Yan deeply understood the consequences of prideful self‑glorification, and had personally witnessed many people's fates.

He dared not become complacent at all.

"No need to be so modest!"

Yuwen Heng grew even more satisfied and loudly declared, "I personally grant you ten thousand taels of gold as a reward!"

He paused, surveyed the surroundings, then continued, "As for the rest, the Grand Tomb Governor will bestow rewards!"

The latter part was emphasized.

Obviously, rewarding Chen Yan was only part of the aim; more importantly, they wanted to set him as a model to win hearts.

By rewarding merit, they hoped to attract more talent willing to serve the Yuwen Clan.

Profit, profit, watching the spectacle and still able to make a fortune… Chen Yan's eyes lit up, excitement overflowing, he forced himself to stay calm and said, "Thank you, Grand Marshal!"

Ten thousand taels of gold!

How many taels of silver that is…

This time truly brought both fame and profit, a blood‑rich gain!

But in the crowd, there was someone even more excited than Chen Yan; Wen Nianshu flaunted to her sides, "Did you see?"

"That's my fiancé!"

"He's my family's son‑in‑law!"

She wore an air of proud confidence.

As if all of this belonged to her.

Immediately, without lingering, she led her maid Qiu Lan toward the Gaotai, heading in Chen Yan's direction.

"Didn't Wen Nianshu rush to Tianlao and break off the marriage contract with Mirror Master Chen?"

"Why is she flaunting it again this time?"

"I don't know!"

"Maybe it's because she's thick‑skinned!"

The aristocratic youths on either side glanced at each other, their faces strange, and began whispering among themselves.

There are no walls that don't leak; the Divorce matter, common folk may not know, but the aristocratic youths are aware.

Especially lately, Chen Yan's fame has risen, drawing countless eyes.

Moreover, there are people behind the scenes spreading it…

Pei Suiwan glanced at the passing Wen Nianshu and murmured, "When in trouble she rushes to clear ties, when rising she rushes to cling!"

"A Yan, congratulations!"

"Greatly crushing Xiao Liang, you restored Great Zhou's face for me!"

"I am proud of you!"

Wen Nianshu hurried to Chen Yan, stopped, visibly excited, reached out to grasp his hand, but he dodged.

"Why did you come?"

Chen Yan saw the situation, frowned, and asked scornfully.

"As the wife engaged to you, of course I'm here to congratulate you!"

"Husband and wife are one; this is our glory!"

Wen Nianshu smiled like a blossom, raised her voice slightly, and said.

It was obvious that these words were spoken to Chen Yan, and also to the people around.

She was asserting sovereignty, rallying support for herself and the Wen Family.

Chen Yan crossed his arms over his chest, tugged at the corner of his mouth, and sneered coldly: "People like you are half money, half wealth!"

Wen Nianshu, not understanding, asked: "What does that mean?"

——

Southern Liang Little Theater.

Wang Zhixu: You call me, the legitimate son of the Langya Wang Clan, Jiangnan's number‑one talent, a mediocre level? A name that doesn't live up to its reputation? My psychological endurance is lacking, I vomit blood at a loss? Then I ask you, why don't you take a look at what Chen Yan actually is?

lookinmyeyes！tellmewhy！whybabywhy！

Is he a carbon‑based organism of this era? Whose poems does he copy? Is he even human? Answer me!

He's dead! The Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect doesn't even have a Chen— that guy is absurd!

What should I use to fight him? Answer me!