Chapter 2

Gold Feather Island's outskirts are vast spirit fields planted with Gold Feather Grass, which, like light feathers, sway gracefully in the sea breeze.

Inside the spirit fields lie the residences of tens of thousands of Chen clan branch members and some attendant staff.

Going further inland is the residence of the Chen clan's main line, far more luxurious than where the branch members live.

At the very center lies the Jia Zhu Fu, covering a thousand mu, with pavilions, terraces, towers, halls, artificial hills and gardens—everything one could need.

Chen Mo – Chen Mo

Gold Feather Island – Gold Feather Island

Gold Feather Grass – Gold Feather Grass

Back when Chen Zheng studied martial arts at the Martial Arts Institute, he frequently interacted with Chen Fu; the two had been childhood playmates.

Actually, as an adult, Chen Zheng does not need a child as a playmate.

Chen Family Main Line – Chen Family Main Line

Thus Chen Zheng crafted a few small trinkets from his past life, recounting some classic sayings from that life, and duped Chen Fu into a dazed state, successively obtaining more than twenty Qi-Blood Pills from him.

Chen Fu also liked to follow behind Chen Zheng, calling him Zheng Ge in every breath, and asking him all sorts of odd questions.

Third Young Master – Third Young Master

Family Head Position – Family Head Position

Nether King True Body – Nether King True Body

Chen Fu is one of the clan's Young Masters, while Chen Zheng is merely a branch descendant; as time passed, the status gap became evident, so naturally they no longer played together.

Physical Body Ninth Layer – Physical Body Ninth Layer

Physical Body Sixth Layer – Physical Body Sixth Layer

Physical Body Ninth Layer (explicit) – Physical Body Ninth Layer

It seemed to hear footsteps; the courtyard gate opened from inside, and a plump figure in fine silk robes, with a hint of childishness on his face, stood on the threshold.

This person was Chen Fu.

"Zheng Ge." Chen Fu rushed out from the courtyard, the flesh on his body trembling slightly.

"Third Young Master, sorry for the disturbance." Chen Zheng smiled and clasped his fists.

"Zheng Ge, don't stand on ceremony; just as before, call me by my name directly."

Chen Fu feigned displeasure, grabbing Chen Zheng's arm and heading into the courtyard: "I've already ordered the food and drink prepared; we two brothers ought to catch up properly."

"Good."

Seeing Chen Fu's enthusiasm just as before, Chen Zheng felt somewhat reassured, and together they entered the courtyard and walked toward the hall.

This time he came to Jia Zhu Fu to find Chen Fu, in order to obtain the demon beast blood needed to cultivate the Nether King True Body.

As for whether the matter would succeed, he couldn't be sure. Although they had been on good terms before, that doesn't mean they still are.

After all, people do grow up.

Chen Zheng also braced himself for the possibility of being rejected by Chen Fu and having to think of another way.

In the hall, the two took their seats as host and guest.

Chen Fu personally brewed tea for Chen Zheng and remarked, "Zheng Ge, come to think of it, we haven't seen each other in over two years, right?"

"Yeah." Chen Zheng's eyes also showed a hint of sentiment.

"Time really flies; thinking back to those days, we two brothers…"

Chen Fu recalled some amusing past incidents, gradually dispelling the slight sense of unfamiliarity between them.

Chen Zheng smiled, nodding at times and shaking his head at others.

During this time, the elderly man who had earlier brought Chen Zheng here led a group of maidservants to bring up the food and wine.

After three rounds of drinks, Chen Zheng saw that the mood was about right and prepared to bring up the matter of the demon beast blood.

Chen Fu, however, spoke first: "Zheng Ge, do you know how I've managed these past two years or more?"

"I'm about to be unable to breathe."

"Some people always whisper behind my back that I idle away my days, good for nothing but eating and waiting to die, a worthless playboy unworthy of the title of Third Young Master…"

"My two elder brothers no longer treat me affectionately as before; they've grown distant, even hostile toward me…"

"Even my father looks down on me, refusing to let me contribute to the family…"

Chen Fu seemed drunk, his face flushed and neck thick, as he poured out his grievances and resentment to Chen Zheng.

Chen Zheng let out a soft sigh: "The Chen main line—dark currents surge!"

From Chen Fu's words it's not hard to hear that the struggle for the next generation's Family Head position in the Chen family has already begun.

Family Head Chen Xingye had three sons.

The eldest son, Chen Lie, was steady in temperament and outstanding in martial talent; before reaching twenty, he had already cultivated to the Physical Body Ninth Layer, his martial prowess unrivaled among his peers.

Chen Xingye also favored this eldest son; two years earlier he entrusted Chen Lie with full responsibility for teaching the younger generation's martial arts. Chen Lie thus became their instructor; once the juniors grew strong enough to be a force to be reckoned with, most clansmen considered Chen Lie the strongest candidate for the next Family Head.

The second son, Chen Mo, was not much inferior in martial talent to the eldest; likewise, two years ago Chen Xingye entrusted Chen Mo with managing the family's spirit fields, giving him a certain hope of inheriting the Family Head position.

The youngest son, Chen Fu, was quite ordinary; up to now Chen Xingye has not entrusted him with any important duty.

No one in the clan believes that Family Head Chen Xingye will ever pass the Family Head Position to Chen Fu.

There is not the slightest chance.

Moreover, people fear comparison the most.

Chen Fu himself is lackluster, and with two outstanding elder brothers ahead of him, his mediocrity gets magnified, reducing him to a target for comparison and disparagement.

Even Chen Zheng has heard more than once the rumors about Chen Fu, saying he is "mud that cannot support a wall."

Chen Zheng expressed his agreement.

As one of the Young Masters of the Chen main line, Chen Fu commands resources dozens of times greater than most branch clansmen, yet he has only cultivated to the Physical Body Sixth Layer.

Chen Zheng estimates that if he had as many resources as Chen Fu, he would have already reached the Physical Body Ninth Layer, on par with Chen Lie.

This novel you have arrived.

So, what does it mean that Chen Fu isn't mud?

Of course, as a friend, Chen Zheng still feels relatively sympathetic toward Chen Fu's situation.

He encouraged, saying: "As the saying goes, a great peng rises with the wind in one day, and soars straight up ninety thousand li. As your elder brother, I believe you will sooner or later make a name for yourself and gain approval from all above and below in the clan."

"Senior Brother Zheng, what did you just say?" Chen Fu suddenly grabbed Chen Zheng's arm.

"I said, as your elder brother I believe you..."

"Not that sentence, the previous one, what was the great peng day line again?"

"A great peng rises with the wind in one day, and soars straight up ninety thousand li." Chen Zheng repeated patiently.

"Good, good a great peng one day! This saying isn't exactly me?" Chen Fu slammed the table in admiration, his small eyes seeming to sparkle.

"You?" Chen Zheng looked surprised.

Seeking a favor, his original intention was to cater to Chen Fu's preferences so he could later easily ask for monster beast blood.

Back then, Chen Fu would fall for this.

Didn't expect Chen Fu to really get into it.

"It's me!"

Chen Fu stood up, sweeping away his previous listless demeanor: "Senior Brother Zheng, you may not know, not long ago my father had a sudden insight and announced seclusion. However, before entering seclusion, my father already declared that the family's transport ship carrying Gold Feather Grass to Ban Yue Fang Shi would be handed over to me to manage!"

A flicker of surprise flashed in Chen Zheng's eyes.

It seems Chen Xingye is also not giving this little son any chance.

He patted Chen Fu's shoulder, delighted: "Congratulations, you finally have your uncle's esteem; as your elder brother, I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zheng."

Chen Fu gazed intensely at Chen Zheng: "I just need to manage the ship, but I'm not familiar with the personnel aboard, lacking trustworthy people to help; Senior Brother Zheng, are you interested in helping me?"

"Help you?"

Chen Zheng narrowed his eyes, locking gazes with Chen Fu, not answering, his thoughts racing.

Chen Fu is no longer as simple as before.

He saw in the other's eyes something previously unseen—the ambition to vie for the Family Head position.

This matter is worth paying attention to.

Once agreeing to help Chen Fu, one will inevitably stand opposed to his two older brothers and be drawn into the vortex of struggle for the next Family Head position.

The Family Head governs the Chen Clan numbering tens of thousands, dominates the island, equivalent to a local emperor on the sea; for this position, one fears they'd do anything.

If it were before, Chen Zheng would refuse Chen Fu without a second word.

Because the risk and reward are not balanced.

Chen Fu is just a broken boat; following him is tantamount to walking a dead-end road, sooner or later it'll fail.

But now is different from before.

The Sheep Skin Scroll was lost and then regained; possessing the True Demon Ten Thousand Calamities Indestructible Body, having a foundation to stand on, Chen Zheng's mindset and courage have changed somewhat, and his choices will also change.

Moreover, Chen Fu holding power in the clan is also not an opportunity for him to cultivate the True Demon Ten Thousand Calamities Indestructible Body?

Having thought this through, Chen Zheng already had a decision in mind, yet he did not immediately speak to agree to Chen Fu.

"Senior Brother Zheng..."

Seeing Chen Zheng remain silent for a long time, Chen Fu grew anxious, gritting his teeth: "As long as Senior Brother Zheng is willing to help me, I'll agree to any condition."

He is not as talented as Chen Lie and Chen Mo, who can easily attract many followers; therefore, he values Chen Zheng all the more.

Chen Zheng smiled: "Good."

Chen Fu also smiled, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

(End of chapter)