Chapter 9: Thunderous Killing, Shocking the Entire Scene, the Great Profound Empire's Influence

The chilling dagger was less than three inches from Chen Zheng's brow.

Chen Biao, Chen Fu, the yellow‑faced man and the others all thought he was beyond rescue, sighing inwardly, tense.

Yet at that hair‑trigger moment, Chen Zheng wore an indifferent expression, tilted his head slightly, and barely let the dagger skim past him.

Clang!

The dagger slammed into the cabin wall, sparks flared, but it failed to damage the artifact vessel in the slightest; instead it shattered into two pieces and fell to the floor.

"Did… did I dodge?"

The crowd froze, having not expected such a deadly strike to be so easily evaded by Chen Zheng.

"How could that be?!"

Chen Mazi was also stunned; the cold sneer that had just appeared froze on his face.

He is a Physical Body Ninth Layer Spirit‑Communing cultivator!

To assassinate a youngster several realms below his own, and doing so by surprise, yet he still failed?

Can Chen Zheng's reaction really be that fast?

Was it merely good luck that let him slip through?

Nevertheless, there was no time for him to ponder now.

Because behind him, Chen Biao had recovered from his surprise and, roaring, hurried toward him.

Chen Biao is also a Physical Body Ninth Layer cultivator; if he (Chen Mazi) does not act, the rushing Chen Biao will entangle him, dragging him into a grapple and costing him the chance to kill Chen Zheng.

"You, go…"

Chen Mazi let out a bellow, straightened his hunched back, his aura surged upward, and his right arm suddenly rose, about to unleash the Chen family's hereditary martial art Angry Whale Fist to kill Chen Zheng on the spot.

Facing absolute power, he refused to believe Chen Zheng's luck could still be that good.

Unfortunately, his shout was cut off halfway, like a rooster whose neck had been grasped.

The punching motion froze rigidly.

Because his entire gaze and spirit were completely seized by a huge hand, red as cinnabar and fan‑shaped.

The hand slammed onto his chest, like the Nether King's single hand stirring rivers, raising a towering torrent that turned the whole river upside down.

The Nether King True Body's first move, River‑Turning!

"Ah…"

Violent murderous intent surged toward him, casting a deathly shadow over Chen Mazi's mind; startled and horrified, he tried to shout, but his throat felt blocked, not a single word could escape.

Boom—

A blast that rang like thunder!

Chen Mazi was struck squarely in the chest by the cinnabar hand; his body flew backward like a scarecrow, crashing heavily into the wall, slamming the over‑hundred‑zhang‑long artifact great ship into violent turmoil, raising a thousand waves on the sea, and toppling all tables, chairs and benches inside the cabin.

The people on the ship were also shaken, stumbling in all directions.

A short while later.

The crowd barely managed to steady themselves, each staring dumbfounded at Chen Zheng, who stood with his hand withdrawn, a face as calm as the breeze.

Even Chen Biao, the most cultivated and steady‑tempered, froze on the spot, his tiger‑like eyes wide open, staring blankly at Chen Zheng.

The cabin fell into dead silence.

It was as if everyone had been turned to stone.

No one could utter a word, let alone dare to believe what they had just witnessed.

The Physical Body Ninth Layer Chen Mazi was blasted away by a single palm of Chen Zheng!

It smashed his body into a tattered sack, cracking everywhere, blood gushing from the seven orifices, limp on the ground, seemingly near death.

The Physical Body Ninth Layer, yet he was among the top masters of the entire Chen family.

Chen Zheng dealt with him using only one move!

Even those who saw it with their own eyes dared not believe.

Moreover, the martial art Chen Zheng just displayed was so terrifying that everyone felt as if a river pressed down on them; even Chen Biao was nearly suffocated by the pressure.

That could not have been the Chen family's hereditary Angry Whale Fist; where did Chen Zheng learn it?

How did Chen Zheng also fend off the mental‑illusion interference of a Spirit‑Communing cultivator…

The more they thought, the more their scalp tingled, and they could not regain composure for a long time.

"Damn it, I let you try to assassinate my brother Chen Zheng!"

Chen Fu was the first to recover, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead that Chen Mazi had caused, shaking his flabby flesh as he hurried forward, delivering a vicious barrage of punches and kicks to the dying Chen Mazi.

Though he felt shocked and full of doubts inside.

But he knew Chen Zheng possessed a once‑in‑a‑million innate divine power; hearing Liu Fu say he had broken through again yesterday, some strange phenomena on his body were normal.

He had no time now to dwell on that.

It is no exaggeration to say that his fortunes rise and fall with Chen Zheng's.

Chen Zheng is his future hope.

Just now Chen Zheng had been nearly killed by Chen Mazi's surprise attack, so his anger was inevitable.

"Enough, if we keep hitting him he'll die."

Chen Zheng stepped forward, pulling Chen Fu away, looked down at the limp Chen Mazi, and asked coldly, "You are not Chen Mazi; who sent you to kill me?"

In fact, he had long anticipated that someone might attempt an assassination.

He didn't think the poison in the wine was placed by Chen Biao; otherwise he would have already turned against him.

He had watched coldly, allowing Chen Biao to act, merely waiting for the true poisoner to reveal themselves.

Sure enough, Chen Mazi appeared.

"You… how could you be so strong… how could…"

Chen Mazi stared at Chen Zheng with bloodshot eyes, his lips quivering as he muttered repeatedly; his last breath never rose, his neck tilted, and he died.

"A Physical Body Ninth Layer warrior can't even withstand my single strike?" Chen Zheng raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

He had never encountered a Physical Body Ninth Layer warrior, let alone fought one, so he naturally overestimated the opponent.

To be safe, he used his full strength, unexpectedly killing Chen Mazi outright.

That's way too weak, isn't it?

Hearing that, the others finally recovered from shock, all unable to suppress a twitch at the corner of their mouths.

Chen Zheng's strike just now almost capsized the ship, yet they still thought Chen Mazi was too weak.

Do you not know how strong you are yourself?

"Chen Mazi's strength isn't that great; he must have been impersonated by someone else."

Chen Biao suppressed his shock, hurried forward, bent down, brushed the edge of Chen Mazi's cheek, and a human skin mask fell off, revealing an aged face.

"Chen Yuan!"

A Manager exclaimed in surprise, recognizing the background of the person impersonating Chen Mazi.

"Who is Chen Yuan?"

Chen Zheng looked at the person, his eyes showing inquiry.

The Chen clan numbers ten thousand; he does not know them all.

"Chen Yuan is an elder from my father's generation in the family, but he is reclusive and dislikes dealing with people; few know him," said Chen Fu.

His expression turned grim, and leaning close to Chen Zheng's ear he whispered, "A few months ago I saw Chen Yuan from afar; he happened to walk in through my second brother's courtyard back door."

Chen Mo!

A murderous glint flashed in Chen Zheng's eyes.

He had long suspected this.

Within the clan, only Chen Mo wants to kill him.

From the earlier poisoning incident, it was clear that the one Chen Mazi was to deal with was also him alone.

Otherwise, he would use a deadly toxin to poison an entire table of people.

After drugging the crowd, Chen Mazi would then single out Chen Zheng to kill, sink the corpse in the sea, and the case would die without evidence.

When the others awaken from the stupor, who could know where Chen Zheng went, or who killed him?

Chen Mo's move cannot be called anything but vicious.

Even if it were discovered that Chen Mo arranged this, people would still fear his status and dare not say much.

Moreover, who would go to war over Chen Zheng, a dead collateral relative?

Not worth it. The dead person is not Chen Fu.

"I understand."

Chen Zheng became expressionless, ignored the others, lifted Chen Yuan's corpse, and walked out of the hall.

Chen Mo is definitely going to die.

But that will have to wait until we return to Jin Jin Yu Dao Dao.

"Brother Zheng, when we return from Ban Yue Fang Shi, Chen Yuan's corpse can serve as evidence to accuse my second brother," Chen Fu, thinking Chen Zheng intended to cast the body into the sea, hurriedly ran to catch up and persuade him.

He then promised, "I will definitely report this to my father and give Brother Zheng a satisfactory explanation."

"Explanation?"

Chen Zheng shook his head.

What explanation could Chen Xingye give him?

On one side is his own son, on the other just a collateral relative; it's obvious even with a fingertip that Chen Xingye could not give him any explanation.

This novel you have reached.

Probably just a verbal reprimand of Chen Mo, two sentences.

"I will whip the corpse."

He spoke calmly, as if commenting on the fine weather, then stepped out of the hall.

The others shivered at his words.

…

Chen Zheng returned to his room and began absorbing Chen Yuan's blood for cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, a day passed.

The atmosphere on the ship remained oppressive.

The others, whether unwilling to get involved in the clan feud or still fearing Chen Zheng, basically no one besides Chen Fu approached him again.

Chen Zheng also enjoyed the peace.

After draining Chen Yuan's blood, his strength advanced a small step forward.

He continued to comprehend the Nether King True Body.

The more he comprehended, the more he sensed the Nether King True Body's profound vastness.

Especially upon reaching a certain stage, one can even cultivate an "Undying Body".

As long as the life seal is placed in a void coordinate, even if killed, one can be reborn at that void coordinate.

One can also condense a disaster‑relieving, death‑substituting talisman to resolve a fatal crisis.

Moreover, the Nether King True Body is only the first layer of the True Demon Ten Thousand Aeons Unbreakable Body, with a second… Tenfold.

Until it reaches the unbreakable ten thousand aeons, eternally immortal.

Chen Zheng grew increasingly eager for the mysterious Sheep Skin Scroll in his mind; perhaps once he masters the first layer to a certain extent, the method for the second layer will appear.

With this expectation, his comprehension of the Nether King True Body became even more focused and diligent.

Another day passed.

Nothing special happened on the ship, and there were no encounters with monsters, storms, or pirates.

The Chen family merchant ships have been shuttling to Ban Yue Fang Shi for an unknown number of years, with a fixed route, and they know exactly which places are safe and which are not.

On the third day, as the morning sun rose, the merchant ship finally arrived at its destination, Ban Yue Fang Shi.

Ban Yue Fang Shi is far larger than Jin Jin Yu Dao Island.

Seen from above, the island looks like a curved crescent moon, surrounded by dock after dock, with large ships constantly coming and going, countless warriors hauling cargo, a scene of great prosperity.

In fact, for the whole Great Northern Ocean, places like Ban Yue Fang Shi, even the hundreds of thousands of li of sea around it, are merely a drop in the ocean.

The sea of the Mysterious Yellow Great World is so vast that a mortal cannot traverse even a corner of it in a lifetime.

Otherwise, Chen Zheng would have long since tried every means to go to sea, find a faction among the Ten Paths of Immortal Dao, and attempt to join it.

Now back to the main story.

The Chen family merchant ship raised the family banner and smoothly entered the dock of the Treasure Gathering Hall.

Chen Biao led Chen Fu and five ship Managers ashore, beginning to hand over cargo with the people of the Treasure Gathering Hall.

Soon, dozens of Chen family members moved box after box of Jin Jin Yu Dao Grass to the location designated by the Treasure Gathering Hall.

Another series of boxes of goods traded from the Treasure Gathering Hall were loaded onto the ship.

Half an hour later.

"Brother Zheng, the matter is settled; the Treasure Gathering Hall has allowed our ship to stay at their dock for seven days. Uncle Biao said he wants to take me to the island to see more and buy some things. Are you interested?" Chen Fu's slightly excited voice came from outside the gate.

"Hmm."

Chen Zheng had already intended this; he opened the cabin door, left the ship with Chen Fu, gathered the Managers, and under Chen Biao's lead disembarked and entered Ban Yue Fang Shi.

"Swords for sale—master Ma's personally forged treasure swords, cutting iron like mud, five hundred Mysterious Yellow Coins each."

"Sir, this is the shell of a Green‑Furred Spirit Turtle, top‑tier defense; as long as you wear it, even a Physical Body Ninth Layer master cannot harm you a bit. The dense hair can also absorb force, for only two thousand Mysterious Yellow Coins…"

Chen Zheng walked along the bustling street, with stalls on both sides; many vendors shouted energetically, displaying all kinds of items—divine weapons, martial arts manuals, monster furs, bones, sharp teeth, or spirit pills, everything imaginable.

Some even sold male and female slaves.

However, the currency used here was not gold or silver, but Mysterious Yellow Coins forged from a strange metal.

"The Great Xuan Empire's influence is truly terrifying; it truly is the number one dynasty under heaven," Chen Zheng thought, gazing at it all.

He of course knew what Mysterious Yellow Coins were; they were currency issued by the Mysterious Yellow Great Empire's court.

The Mysterious Yellow Great Empire lies in the middle of the Mysterious Yellow Great World, more than hundreds of millions of li away, yet Mysterious Yellow Coins circulate here, a testament to its vast influence.

But, on the other hand, Mysterious Yellow Coins are only usable among mortals; once one ascends to the Divine Path Secret Scripture, even truly entering the cultivation world renders the coins worthless.

Among cultivators, most trade goods directly, or use pills for transactions.

A cultivator's wealth is often judged by how many pills he possesses, or how many and how powerful artifacts he has.

"Third Young Master, this is Chunxiang Courtyard; the girls inside are quite enticing, each with round breasts and fair skin that feels like water when pinched."

"The most crucial part is that there are twin sisters to choose from…"

Chen Biao and the others ahead suddenly stopped, their faces flushed, staring at a sign‑posted brothel not far away, chuckling.

Especially Chen Fu, who, at the brothel's entrance, was almost drooling under the teasing of several girls striking poses and flashing seductive glances.

Because Chen Zheng was nearby, Chen Fu forced himself to hold back his impulse, trying hard to appear respectable.

"I'll browse on my own."

Chen Zheng glanced at the women at Chunxiang Courtyard's entrance, then at Chen Fu and the others, shook his head helplessly, gave them a brief instruction, and left alone.

Chen Fu and Chen Biao's group had only this desire.

Just a bunch of mediocre, worldly folk—nothing as important or enjoyable as cultivation.

Seeing Chen Zheng's back recede, Chen Biao and the others silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Since witnessing Chen Zheng's ferocity, everyone regarded him with both respect and fear.

When facing Chen Zheng, they felt as if confronting Family Head Chen Xingye; even a casual glance from him would make their hearts race.

Even Chen Fu felt this way and no longer dared to joke with Chen Zheng.

Chen Zheng leaving was for the best, lest they become nervous while doing that, and nervousness saps their strength, and without strength…

"Let's go!"

Chen Biao, with the frantic Chen Fu and the others, rushed into Chunxiang Courtyard.

On the other side.

After several twists and turns, Chen Zheng arrived before a golden‑and‑emerald splendid hall, resembling a palace.

This was the Treasure Gathering Hall, one of the largest guilds in Ban Yue Fang Shi.

(End of chapter)