Chapter 159: The Chen Family Tragedy

At Caili's repeated urging,

Jiangnan finally, alone, returned to Grass Mountain Village.

However, he also made an arrangement with Caili that he would send people to rebuild the Gu Tribe Land.

Outside Grass Mountain Village,

Jiangnan had just stepped into the bounds of Grass Mountain Village when he sensed a familiar aura. He looked up and saw Xia Yurou standing at the village entrance, her gaze blankly fixed on the distance.

She had become much thinner; her once plump cheeks had sunken, and she appeared utterly gaunt.

"Yurou," Jiangnan called softly.

Xia Yurou abruptly turned her head, and upon seeing the newcomer, tears instantly welled up.

"Jiangnan!" she shouted, as if using all her strength, then rushed toward Jiangnan heedlessly.

Jiangnan steadily caught her, allowing her to sob in his arms. He could feel Xia Yurou's body trembling, and the deep, unforgettable longing.

"You finally came back... I'm so scared, scared that I might never see you again..." Xia Yurou sobbed, her voice choked.

Jiangnan gently patted her back and soothingly said, "Don't be afraid; haven't I already returned?"

Xia Yurou lifted her tear‑blurred face and carefully examined Jiangnan's features, fearing she might miss any detail.

"Where have you been these past days? Why was there no news at all?" she asked, her voice trembling with tears.

Jiangnan sighed and briefly recounted his experiences during that time.

"What?" Xia Yurou exclaimed, "That dangerous a place, how could you go alone?"

Jiangnan did not mention Caili's existence; he simply said lightly, "Don't worry, I know my limits. The Holy Sect's threat has now been lifted."

Xia Yurou clutched him tighter, her voice still tearful: "No more of this in the future, understand? I was really worried about you."

"Alright, I promise you," Jiangnan said softly, "I won't do that again in the future."

Only then did Xia Yurou break into a smile, wiping her tears with her sleeve.

Jiangnan looked around and asked, "Where is Zhou Hexuan?"

"He received news from home two days ago that there was an urgent matter, so he went back," Xia Yurou explained.

Jiangnan nodded, deep in thought. He knew it was time to return. The matters here had reached a conclusion, and Di Jiang Group still had many affairs awaiting his handling.

"Yurou, pack up your things; we should go back," Jiangnan said softly.

Xia Yurou obediently nodded, her eyes full of attachment: "Alright, I'll tidy up right away."

Watching Xia Yurou's hurried departing back, Jiangnan felt a mixture of emotions. He recalled Caili in Nanjiang and also Murong Wan in the city.

His flirtatious debts seemed to keep mounting!

…

Xishuang State, International Airport,

Xia Yurou's private plane had been waiting for a long time.

Jiangnan stepped onto the plane, feeling a bit surprised.

Strange, didn't Xia Yurou say that the Chen Family had some influence in Yun Province? It's unexpected that they didn't come seeking revenge.

Half an hour later,

Accompanied by the roar of the aircraft engines, the private plane slowly rose.

On the private plane, the flight attendants, well‑trained, poured red wine for the two.

Xia Yurou lifted her glass and gently swirled it; the red liquid rippled in the cup, mirroring her current mood.

"Jiangnan, on this return, I'd like to treat you to a meal, may I?"

She raised her head, her gaze full of anticipation, with a faint, barely noticeable nervousness.

Jiangnan took the glass, took a gentle sip, and the rich aroma spread in his mouth.

"Sure," he said lightly, his tone revealing no emotion.

Xia Yurou's face instantly blossomed with a radiant smile, like a fully opened rose, dazzlingly fresh.

"It's settled then, no backing out!" she teased, winking playfully, like a child who'd gotten a beloved toy.

Jiangnan looked at her, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

"Hmm, I won't back out," he said, his voice low and resonant.

Xia Yurou's heartbeat suddenly quickened; she felt her cheeks warming.

She hurriedly lowered her head, gently sipping the red wine, trying to conceal her nervousness.

Jiangnan looked at her, a flash of complex emotion passing through his eyes.

He knew Xia Yurou's feelings for him, but his heart already held Caili and Murong Wan.

He didn't know how to handle this feeling, so he could only temporarily choose to avoid it.

The plane threaded through the clouds, the view outside the window an endless blue sky and pristine clouds.

Inside the cabin, both harbored thoughts, the atmosphere somewhat delicate.

Xia Yurou covertly observed Jiangnan; his handsome face, bathed in sunlight, appeared even more captivating.

She felt an inexplicable surge of impulse, wanting to get close to him and feel his warmth.

But she was also afraid that her initiative would frighten him, so she forced herself to endure the flutter in her heart, silently drinking the wine.

Jiangnan closed his eyes to rest, appearing calm while his inner sea roiled.

He recalled the myriad experiences in Nanjiang, remembering Caili's tenderness and Murong Wan's thoughtfulness.

He didn't know how to choose, nor how to face the road ahead.

The plane slowly landed at Jinghai City's International Airport, and Jiangnan and Xia Yurou stepped off.

"I'll take you back,"

Xia Yurou said, her voice tinged with reluctance, but Jiangnan shook his head to refuse.

No need, I can go back on my own.

"Alright then." Xia Yurou felt a bit disappointed, but she still respected Jiangnan's choice.

The two part ways at the airport, and Jiangnan left the airport alone.

……

Meanwhile, Yun Province, Chen Family Villa.

Chen Haonan stood at the villa's entrance, stared at the wreckage before him, and was completely stunned.

He could not believe his own eyes; was this still his magnificent home?

The villa's main gate had been violently smashed, the panels riddled with cracks, resembling a snarling ghost face.

In the courtyard, flowers, grasses, and trees were uprooted, and the artificial hills and fountains were smashed to pieces.

The ground was covered with rubble, wood chips and glass shards—a chaotic, unbearable sight.

Chen Haonan trembled as he entered the villa, and the scene inside shocked him even more.

The expensive furniture was smashed to pieces, antique calligraphy and paintings torn into fragments, and blood and corpses lay everywhere on the floor.

Chen Haonan's parents, brothers, sisters, and the household servants were all brutally killed on the ground.

Their faces bore expressions of terror and despair, their deaths extremely tragic.

"Ah!" Chen Haonan let out a gut-wrenching scream, his knees gave way and he fell to his knees.

He could not accept the reality before him; his home, his relatives, all were gone!

"Who? Who did this?" Chen Haonan's eyes reddened, like an injured beast, and he let out a low growl.

He frantically searched the villa for clues, hoping to find even the slightest trace.

Suddenly, he discovered a note on a shattered table.

The note bore a line of text: "Blood Debt Blood Repayment!"

Chen Haonan immediately pictured Jiangnan in his mind, recalling Jiangnan's cold gaze when he left.

"Jiangnan! It must be you! It must be you who did this!" Chen Haonan spat, his eyes blazing with hatred.

He clutched the note tightly, his nails digging deep into his palm, blood trickling down his fingers.

"Jiangnan, I will definitely kill you! I will make you pay Blood Debt Blood Repayment!"

Chen Haonan roared toward the sky, his voice echoing through the empty villa.

He swore to avenge his family, vowing that Jiangnan would pay a painful price!