Chapter 704

After their large group left the town gate, Jin Chen and Jiang Zhu spurred their horses back to Nine Abyss.

The Nine Abyss Devil Palace has complex terrain, hidden within Shan Lin, and is filled with Qimen formations.

Those unfamiliar with this place will, upon entering, wander around inside until they die.

This is also the so-called place where the righteous sects are helpless against them.

「Father. 」 「Adoptive father. 」

Both entered the Sect Leader's courtyard simultaneously, dropping to one knee to pay respects.

「You two still know how to come back! 」

A plate of snacks was thrown out, and immediately a rough, angry voice sounded.

The two dodged extremely quickly and in perfect sync, obviously having practiced this move countless times.

Jin Chen stood up and entered, patting the dust off his clothes, sighing repeatedly, 'Your aim's been off lately, Dad—you must have drunk too much and your hands are shaking.'

「You're even lecturing your old man now. 」

The interior was decorated exquisitely and luxuriously; on the long couch ahead, a tall, handsome middle-aged man reclined sideways. Though he looked unkempt, his noble bearing was still evident.

「How are things going in Yunshu Town? 」

Jin Fengxu took another sip of wine and asked his son.

Jin Chen casually found a seat and gestured for Jiang Zhu to sit closer to his father.

Soon, it won't be me getting beaten.

Jiang Zhu Stared Jin Chen, thinking he couldn't see this person's thoughts.

Jin Chen pretended not to notice and replied, 'The missing children in the town have all been found alive; it's the work of the Earth Evil Palace, which is using the children to refine blood demon children.'

The two recounted everything that had happened in the town during this period.

Jin Fengxu straightened his expression, brows furrowed. 「The remnants of the Earth Evil are truly shameless, playing dirty behind the scenes! 」

Still, our Nine Abyss is open and aboveboard; we do our evil deeds openly.

「Jiang Zhu, have the Leader of the Clear Sky Sect come see me, and send people from the Information Pavilion to inquire about the remnants of the Earth Evil. 」

「Yes. 」 Knowing that his adoptive father wanted to send him away to speak with Jin Chen, Zhixiao immediately withdrew.

Jin Chen also poured himself a cup of wine.

「Dad, do you have something to ask me? 」

「If this matter truly involves imperial court power struggles, don't get involved anymore. 」

「Also… regarding Mu Huaizhi, how did you end up liking him? 」

Jin Fengxu felt utterly helpless.

「Why? 」

Jin Chen felt puzzled; when the Inspector earlier mentioned the conflict between the Second Prince and the Crown Prince, he could also sense Jiang Zhu's gaze occasionally drifting onto him.

「Why can't I participate in court affairs? Why can't I like Mu Huaizhi? Dad, you owe me an explanation. 」

After speaking, Jin Chen's drinking motion paused slightly; his long fingertips tapped the rim a few times, he raised his eyes and asked, 'Is this related to the nineteen years of memory I lost?'

Jin Fengxu did not deny it.

「You were once controlled by the Earth Evil Palace's gu poison, but not two years ago—it was in your childhood; the refining of blood demon children was something the Earth Evil had been doing even before it was eradicated. 」

「You are the Young Lord of Nine Abyss, with my bloodline in you; they deemed your physique extraordinary, the ideal vessel for refining, and went to great lengths to abduct you—only something went wrong along the way. 」

Recalling those events, Jin Fengxu's face broke into an uncontrollable smile.

「The Earth Evil dispatched three teams, respectively tasked with kidnapping you, the Second Prince inside the palace, and Mu Huaizhi of the Heaven Sword Alliance, 」

「It was only when they met at the Ke Zhan that they mistakenly swapped you and Mu Huaizhi; that child undeservingly received the Earth Evil Devil Cult's subjugation punishment in your place. 」

One had been raised since childhood in the Heaven Sword Alliance, the other trained in Nine Abyss from birth and never ventured out; both were equally noble, so Xiao Huaizhi undeservingly suffered hardship and nearly lost his life.

Xiao Jin Chen knew he had been mistaken for someone else; he knew Xiao Huaizhi had taken the punishment in his place, yet he refused to utter a sound to save him.

He did not want to be punished, so he just watched helplessly.

But Xiao Jin Chen didn't know that Xiao Huaizhi himself was also aware of all this.

He merely watched his younger brother, thinking that being mistaken was fine—at least his older age let him bear it; his father had said, a gentleman cultivates the sword, and must consider the common folk.

The Second Prince was punished even more severely; raised in the palace since childhood, he had never encountered such despicable people, yet he also wanted to protect the youngest brother, and ended up being beaten black and blue.

When Jin Fengxu found the Ke Zhan, he rescued the mistakenly identified Xiao Huaizhi, who was already on his last breath.

He then brought all three children back to Nine Abyss to treat their wounds; only after spending time together did they finally learn the full truth.

After Xiao Jin Chen escaped danger and his gu poison was cleared, he alone grabbed a sword and slaughtered all the Earth Evil Devil followers in the Ke Zhan.

Then, holding the heads of those few people, bloody and dripping, he threw them outside Little Huazhi and the Second Prince's doors to let them vent their anger.

The Second Prince, already in poor health, was frightened and his condition worsened considerably; Little Huazhi was so angry he couldn't stand it.

He had no idea he had saved not an ordinary child, but a member of the Nine Abyssal Demon Sect, and with such superb martial arts!

Once the Second Prince recovered, he wanted to return to the palace; before leaving, he left his final words, hoping never to see that little rascal Jin Chen again.

Meanwhile, the Grand Elder also led people to attack outside the Nine Abyssal Gate; when Mu Huaizhi left, he and Jin Chen mutually loathed each other, and they ended up fighting before parting.

But who would have thought that after the lingering poison was cleared, aside from the eldest Second Prince, both Little Huazhi and Little Jin Chen lost their memories.

Recalling this, Jin Fengxu suddenly laughed.

"Who would have thought you two would still be sworn enemies when you grew up, and now even better, you've become lovers."

Jin Chen: "......"

He remained silent for a full ten or so seconds.

The original self really... from a little rascal to grown up.

【Hahahaha!】0731 laughed till they hit the ground.

【Fortunately the Main God doesn't remember, otherwise your pursuit of a wife would be another 108,000 li long.】

「I…have grown up, I won't be messing around with Mu Huaizhi like before. 」

Jin Fengxu didn't want to comment too much on their relationship, 「If you like someone, go after them yourself, I don't care. 」

「It's just that the chief elder of the Sky Sword Alliance just died, and the current alliance leader is someone stubborn to the core; if you want to openly seek marriage, it'll be difficult. 」

Jin Chen shook his finger, full of confidence, 「I have my own ways, but Dad, you need to contribute some treasures. 」

He reached out his hand to Jin Fengxu, 「Storehouse key. 」

「Get lost, get lost, get lost, this lifetime I've only accumulated this much treasure, and it's almost all been squandered by you. 」

Jin Fengxu kicked him.

「There's so much gold in that manor, I don't even know to bring some for your dad. 」

「Hey, that's official silver, you're really shameless. 」

Jin Chen sidestepped to dodge, leisurely walking out.

If you don't give him the key, then we'll pry open the door!

Just as they stepped out the door, they saw the Left Protector coming to report matters; Jin Chen's eyes lit up, and the two brothers slung their arms over the Left Protector's shoulders.

「Left Dage, have you found any Earth Fiend spies inside our Nine Abyssal Demon Palace? 」

The Left Protector stopped his steps, nodded, 「There are three, already killed, preparing to report to the Sect Leader. 」

「Ah… like that, then do you know which of the Earth Fiend Seven Garb Assassins is best at disguise? 」