Chapter 1962: Planting the Slave Seal

Chen Youdao not mentioning murder was a little better; once murder was mentioned, Chen Zhiyuan got even more angry.

He immediately narrated the matter: "It was my greed; when I went to capture the absentee workers, I also captured many villagers, and Leader Ye Liuyun intercepted me."

"You…" Chen Youdao hadn't expected that Chen Zhiyuan would actually admit it.

So he instantly changed his tone, shirking responsibility: "So it was you who caused the trouble, making me kept in the dark!"

"Shut up! I'm not asking you right now!"

Chen He, not wanting to hear his rambling, scolded immediately.

Chen Zhiyuan continued: "After being detained, Leader Ye Liuyun gave me a Transmission Talisman, ordering me to report to the family.

I then reported to Chen Youdao.

But Chen Youdao's attitude was extremely hostile, causing Leader Ye Liuyun to decree one person be killed each day until we pay the ransom."

"Did Leader Ye Liuyun previously say we should pay the ransom?"

Chen He asked.

Chen He also wanted to clarify the events and understand Leader Ye Liuyun's character.

"No, he only said to have Chen Youdao come to collect the people."

Chen Zhiyuan replied.

"Hmm, please continue!"

Chen He nodded, saying nothing further.

Chen Zhiyuan went on: "Then, the next day, Chen Youdao led some outer sect elders and disciples, and they were also locked in the cell.

According to them, they came to settle accounts with Leader Ye Liuyun, but were seized.

For those slated for beheading each day, Chen Youdao also assigned our guards to escort them to death! In three days, three of our guards were killed; today is the fourth day.

I, the petty one, only know these."

Chen He asked again: "What about Chen Youdao's claim that they were abused in the cell?"

Chen Zhiyuan bluntly said: "That's just their filthy talk! Our guards weren't beaten at all!"

Chen He nodded, suddenly released Divine Soul Power, surged into Chen Zhiyuan's Sea of Consciousness, startling Chen Zhiyuan into a sudden shiver.

But quickly, his Soul returned to his own Sea of Consciousness.

He merely smiled and explained to Leader Ye Liuyun: "Ha ha, if I hadn't checked, I would have thought this kid was forced to sign some contract!"

Leader Ye Liuyun also smiled and said: "Chief Steward Chen, you may inspect all these people as you wish; I haven't acted improperly!"

Chen He laughed: "Leader Ye, don't overthink; this is just the Chen family's rule."

Inspection is certainly needed, lest any traitor slip into the Chen family.

He was merely puzzled why Chen Zhiyuan was captured yet held no grudge against Leader Ye Liuyun, but seemed to have more issues with Chen Youdao.

It's just that he doesn't possess Leader Ye Liuyun's Soul Searching Technique; no Soul Search.

He only wanted to confirm whether Chen Zhiyuan's Soul was being controlled by someone else.

After confirming, he felt at ease.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Chen He looked again at Chen Youdao.

Chen Youdao, realizing the lie couldn't continue, immediately used the Chen family's banner as a shield: "Chief Steward, even if we were at fault first, he still cannot seize members of the Chen family, let alone kill them!

After all, I'm also an outer sect chief steward; if I don't maintain authority before these mercenary groups, I won't be able to control them later!"

Chen He let out a cold snort and scolded: "The outer sect chief steward is for you to manage the Chen family's outer sect, not to command other people's mercenary groups?"

"You, however, using the Chen family's banner, have learned to act tyrannically!"

Chen He ignored him and directly said to Leader Ye Liuyun: "Leader Ye, I understand the situation; we were at fault first, and we brought this clueless Administrator, causing you trouble.

Please see how many of our Chen family members remain here; I will pay the ransom for each.

However, as for Chen Youdao, I'm too lazy to bring him back, so I ask Leader Ye to handle him directly!"

"Chief Steward Chen truly speaks bluntly!"

Leader Ye Liuyun also clasped his fists and said to Chen He.

Then he ordered Chen Youdao to be seized, released the others, and had them wait outside the Grand Hall.

Chen Youdao wailed for mercy, but a soldier struck his back of the neck, knocking him out, and dragged him down.

Then the other Chen family disciples were also brought up.

Chen He saw that the guards were indeed unharmed.

A few female disciples showed no signs of injury, and only a few male disciples and elders had minor skin wounds, nothing serious, so he relaxed.

He counted the numbers, prepared to pay the ransom to Leader Ye Liuyun, and asked at what rate to pay.

Leader Ye Liuyun waved his hand grandly, smiling: "Chief Steward Chen, you understand so clearly; can I still take money?"

It wasn't a big deal; just retrieving the people would have sufficed! If Chen Youdao hadn't meddled, you wouldn't have had to come yourself.

But since you have already come, I also admire your way of handling things.

If you don't mind, I will invite everyone to taste some wild game and Chen brews, which are absolutely unavailable on this border battlefield!

Moreover, I have recently recruited some artificers and wish to buy some metal ore from you at low price, to forge fifty thousand sets of armor and weapons for the soldiers.

These brothers have also suffered in the cell these past days.

Consider it my atonement to them, some compensation.

I know you are busy and cannot stay long.

It won't take much of your time; at most one or two hours.

What do you think?

Leader Ye Liuyun not only refused the money but also invited them to a feast, saying he still had business to conduct.

Moreover, fifty thousand sets of armor and weapon materials aren't a small deal, and Chen He truly had no reason to refuse.

"Ha ha! All the good words have been spoken by Leader Ye, how could I not agree! Moreover, Leader Ye is looking after our business!"

Chen He also agreed.

So Ye Liuyun immediately had people set up a banquet.

A few tables were arranged inside the Grand Hall, and because the Grand Hall wasn't very large, another dozen or so tables were set up outside.

The dishes served were indeed some beast meat and fine wine.

Ye Liuyun also summoned Lao Wei, Cao Meng and others, and called some soldiers to accompany the Administrator and guards that Chen He brought.

He also arranged many servants and maidens to attend to them, making the scene very lively for a while.

Ye Liuyun also sat with Chen He and started chatting.

He first talked about his own armor and weapon needs.

"These armors may need to be larger than those of ordinary Martial Cultivators, because half‑beast bodies are big.

I wonder what kind of ore Administrator Chen can recommend, and roughly how much is needed,"

Chen He took it seriously and actually gave Ye Liuyun the calculations, while Lao Wei, Cao Meng and the others enthusiastically pulled the Administrator and guards that Chen He brought to toast.

The Administrator and guards, seeing Chen He seriously discussing business with Ye Liuyun, deliberately refrained from releasing Divine Sense to eavesdrop.

On top of that, maidens and servants shuttled back and forth serving dishes and pouring wine.

Ye Liuyun's split‑self seized the chance, directly launched a Spiritual Soul Attack, released his Soul into Chen He's Sea of Consciousness, and planted a Slave Seal on him.

After performing a Soul Search, he immediately withdrew.

The whole process was carried out very covertly.