Chapter 1789: Eunuch Wei Doesn

Chen Chen Guanlou sipped tea and sang tunes in the heavenly prison, living a carefree life.

He suddenly received word that Eunuch Wei wished to see him.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, thinking: Master Liao had indeed distrusted him, unwilling to keep his secret.

Wang Hai Eunuch was restless and anxious, "Master, how can you still smile? Eunuch Wei suddenly wants to see you—this matter is far from ordinary. It's likely a trap! Aren't you worried?"

"There's nothing to worry about. Go back and tell Eunuch Wei I'll await his arrival at my home."

"You won't go meet him?" Wang Hai Eunuch stared in shock—where did he get such nerve?

"No! If he wants to see me, must I go? That would be a loss of face. Don't worry—nothing will happen. Just reply as I said. If he's serious, he'll come to me."

Wang Hai Eunuch simply sat down before him and waved his hand in front of Chen Chen Guanlou's face.

Chen Chen Guanlou looked disgusted. "I'm not insane!"

"Then why deliberately provoke Eunuch Wei? Don't you know his temper has been terrible these days? As far as I know, several eunuchs and maids have been executed for failing in their duties."

"So what?"

Chen Chen Guanlou sneered.

It was still the first month of Yuan Ding Sixth Year, and Marquis Pingjiang was still alive and well. He didn't believe the Wei man dared kill him.

Even if the Wei man had gone mad, he wasn't afraid.

A Master facing a Master—even if he couldn't win, he could escape. As long as it wasn't two against one, he had full confidence.

Wang Hai Eunuch couldn't persuade him and didn't know what leverage he had, so he could only fret helplessly.

Back in the palace, he truthfully reported to Eunuch Wei.

Wei Wubing let out a light laugh, his eyes filled with anger and contempt. "He really said that?"

Wang Hai Eunuch knelt on the ground, obediently replying, "It's still the first month; Chen Jiang Yucheng has many engagements and simply can't spare time. He also doesn't wish to draw attention, so he invites Your Excellency to gather at his small courtyard—he awaits your arrival."

Wei Wubing snorted coldly, clearly displeased. "Get out!"

Wang Hai Eunuch felt as if freed from death's noose and hurriedly withdrew. In Eunuch Wei's presence, even breathing felt like inviting execution.

Two days later, Wei Wubing went to Chen's small courtyard.

Chen Chen Guanlou had indeed long prepared tea and snacks. As he brewed the tea, he called toward the empty air: "Freshly brewed tea—Eunuch Wei, please partake!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than Eunuch Wei sat calmly across from him.

"Boy, you've got guts! You're not afraid of me!" Wei Wubing scrutinized him anew. He had never once taken the Chen boy seriously before—now he realized he'd misjudged him.

Chen Chen Guanlou smiled lightly, meeting his gaze directly. "Why should I be afraid?"

Wei Wubing paused. "Boy, you secretly ascended to Master rank, hiding it from everyone. Don't you fear I'll kill you?"

Chen Chen Guanlou sneered. "Go ahead and kill me. I'm right here—I never planned to leave Jingcheng, never hid. If you want to kill me, do it anytime. Life brings no joy; death brings no fear!"

"Bold! Since I became a Master, no one has dared speak to me with such courage and composure. No wonder you're a Master."

Chen Chen Guanlou followed his words: "A Master must carry the dignity of a Master! If I showed fear, wouldn't that tarnish the Master's name? Besides, you haven't fought me—how do you know you can kill me? Who's to say I won't kill you?"

"Bold indeed!" Wei Wubing suddenly laughed. "You and Zhou Zhou Mobai might actually get along."

"Senior Zhou is insane—I'm not." Chen Chen Guanlou's eyes showed disdain—he didn't want anyone comparing him to that madman Zhou Zhou Mobai.

He hadn't killed Zhou Zhou Mobai because he'd underestimated the madman's recklessness. Had Zhou not been insane, perhaps he'd truly had a chance to kill him.

"That night at Daxiang Temple—it was you, wasn't it?" Wei Wubing asked directly.

"I don't know which night you mean."

Wei Wubing ignored his feigned ignorance, speaking plainly: "That night, Zhou Zhou Mobai suddenly went mad—you caused it. He bore sword wounds—you provoked him."

Chen Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow and smiled, lifting his teacup to drink. "Say so if you wish."

"Chen Chen Guanlou, are you truly unafraid of death?" Wei Wubing eyed him suspiciously.

"Eunuch Wei, are you afraid to fight me?" Chen Chen Guanlou suddenly struck, lunging straight for his forehead.

Since the other wouldn't move, he wouldn't hold back.

He needed to gauge the strength of three Masters—to know his limits.

He wouldn't fight two against one, but he was confident in one-on-one. With the Xiao Changsheng Dao Fruit, Wei Wubing had no Heavenly Eye—he had nothing to fear. Just like when he once challenged Master Qi at a lower level.

Wei Wubing hadn't expected Chen Chen Guanlou to strike first—like a calf unaware of the tiger's might, admirable courage.

"Youngsters are always impatient."

Wei Wubing sat still; tea from his cup leapt upward, forming a curtain of water that blocked Chen Chen Guanlou's attack.

Chen Chen Guanlou smiled. Water? Who couldn't play with water?

He summoned the same tea, shaping it into a dozen water blades that shot forward.

The two streams of tea met midair like twin water dragons, roaring, entwining, clashing. Dust swirled around them, their chairs, their table—swirling into a dense veil that concealed all within, leaving no one able to glimpse the depth of their battle.

Chen Chen Guanlou was holding on.

He had only entered Master rank a few years ago.

Compared to Wei Wubing's decades of cultivation, he was still inferior.

A gap was fine—he accepted it.

He used the Xiao Changsheng Dao Fruit to rapidly heal his body, pushing himself to the limit, fighting head-on. Even as he spat blood, he showed not a single sign of weakness.

Wei Wubing was stunned!

How could someone so young possess such profound cultivation? He'd already spat blood, his heart meridian damaged—yet he still held out so long, showing no sign of fatigue.

Something's wrong!

This isn't normal!

He suddenly recalled Master Wu's words: Chen Chen Guanlou's life force flowed endlessly—strange indeed.

"Boy, what strange power do you have?"

Chen Chen Guanlou sneered. "Eunuch Wei, are you trying to kill me and steal my treasure? My treasure—I already gave it to you long ago. How can you be so greedy?"

"Nonsense! The Record of Ascension is indeed wondrous, but there is no way it could let you endure for so long. Boy, you didn't speak the truth back then."

"Did Eunuch Wei speak the truth to your master and elders? Besides, you are not my master or elder."

"Boy, you seek death!"

"Master Qi also said I sought death back then. What a pity; in the end, he was the one who died." Chen Chen Guanlou was clearly mocking him.

Wei Wubing's anger surged. "I will finish you off tonight."

Chen Chen Guanlou sneered, "Wait until you have the ability to finish me off before making such empty boasts."

The two, with unspoken understanding, flew into the sky simultaneously and fought directly in the air.

In the Chen family's small courtyard, there was a table, two chairs, a pot of tea, and two teacups. Two water dragons poured in together, steady and secure, as if nothing had happened.