The Strongest Dandy in the City Chapter 2361 - 2350: Pushed Too Far

Five days later, the Spirit Boat steered by Cheng Yuanmu descended before a magnificent Cultivator City. This metropolis was known as Lingfeng City. Within its expanse, the Zhou family reigned supreme, while the Cheng family also maintained its presence.

Cheng Yuanmu alighted from the Spirit Boat, Ye Chenfeng in his wake, accompanied by Cheng Yiyao and a middle-aged man from the Cheng Family, who possessed a cultivation base in the Heavenly God Realm. Once all had disembarked, Cheng Yuanmu dematerialized the Spirit Boat into his storage ring.

Even before Cheng Yuanmu and his companions could approach the city gates, an elder garbed in black robes materialized with haste, evidently having awaited their arrival. This elder served as the Cheng family's old Steward, his cultivation reaching the sixth layer of the Initial Stage of the Heavenly God Realm. He was fiercely loyal to Cheng Yuanmu, his current power a direct result of Cheng Yuanmu's assistance.

The sight of the old Steward positioned at the gate caused Cheng Yuanmu's brow to furrow; he surmised that trouble had befallen the Cheng Family.

The old Steward spoke rapidly, "Old Ancestor, a grave situation has emerged. Merely two days ago, that young scion from the Zhou family, emboldened by his direct lineage ancestor's attainment of the Half-step Divine Venerable realm, revisited our Cheng Family. He proclaimed that on the day of the banquet, he demands Miss Yiyao publicly declare her affection for him, or else, he threatens the complete annihilation of our Cheng Family from Lingfeng City."

Hearing the Steward's report, Cheng Yuanmu's aged countenance turned exceedingly grim. The audacity of that Zhou youth was beyond measure! To demand Cheng Yiyao confess her love publicly?

Cheng Yuanmu understood Cheng Yiyao's unyielding nature; such a demand would be a fate worse than death for her. Furthermore, compelling a woman to profess love publicly would undoubtedly turn her into a spectacle of ridicule throughout Lingfeng City.

Standing behind Cheng Yuanmu, Cheng Yiyao's countenance paled considerably upon hearing the Steward's words. She recognized the disparity in power between the Chengs and the Zhous. The Chengs were, in essence, a subordinate branch of the Zhous, with Cheng Yuanmu, at the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm, being their strongest pillar.

Cheng Yiyao bit her lip, reluctant to bring further calamity upon the Cheng Family. Beside her, Ye Chenfeng, having gleaned insights into Cheng Yiyao's plight over the preceding days from another Cheng Family member in the Heavenly God Realm, reflected that such unpleasant individuals seemed to be a universal constant.

Both Cheng Yuanmu and Cheng Yiyao possessed inherently benevolent spirits, making this predicament exceedingly difficult to surmount through their own efforts alone. Moreover, the lingering aura of death and nascent killing intent within Ye Chenfeng had yet to fully dissipate; even if it had, confronting two Half-step Divine Venerables from the Ancient Realm with his current cultivation at the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm would remain a formidable challenge.

When Ye Chenfeng had initially stumbled onto the Spirit Boat, Cheng Yuanmu and Cheng Yiyao had extended a helping hand. While Ye Chenfeng, with his Green Flame, would not have faced mortal peril even without their intervention, their act of kindness was notable, especially since they had presumed him to be an individual devoid of Spiritual Energy.

For Ye Chenfeng, the path forward required careful consideration. In the most dire of circumstances, he could unseal his suppressed meridians, re-entering his Demonization State. Should he face the Half-step Divine Venerables while in this state, his probability of victory would escalate considerably.

Cheng Yuanmu tightly clenched his withered fist, his voice ablaze with indignation, he boomed, "This is utterly preposterous, an outrageous escalation! What stance has the remainder of the Cheng Family adopted?"

The old Steward faltered, his response to Cheng Yuanmu's query conspicuously absent.

This omission only intensified Cheng Yuanmu's fury, as he intuitively grasped the likely undercurrents of the situation. With a forceful sweep of his sleeve, he declared with palpable anger, "This is sheer insolence; I shall return to the Cheng Family forthwith!"

Cheng Yuanmu immediately strode into Lingfeng City, Ye Chenfeng, Cheng Yiyao, and the old Steward following in close succession.

Cheng Yiyao kept Ye Chenfeng close, trailing behind the visibly enraged Cheng Yuanmu.

The old Steward's visage was etched with profound worry, his sighs intermittent, his gaze occasionally flickering towards Cheng Yiyao.

The journey was fraught with urgency.

Cheng Yuanmu and his entourage swiftly reached the Cheng Residence.

Despite their reliance on the Zhous, the Chengs still commanded a certain standing within Lingfeng City, and their residence reflected this status; it was by no means modest.

The entirety of the Cheng Residence spanned a considerable area, and the cultivators stationed at the gates offered respectful salutes to Cheng Yuanmu upon his arrival. They promptly dispatched messengers to convey the news of his return to the rest of the Cheng Family.

Not long after the message of their return had been received by the other members of the Cheng Family, and before Cheng Yuanmu, Ye Chenfeng, and Cheng Yiyao had settled in, numerous figures began to materialize before them.

All these individuals hailed from the Cheng Family, encompassing Cheng Yiyao’s grandfather, her paternal uncles and parents, alongside the younger generation of their clan.

The current patriarch of the Cheng Family was Cheng Yiyao’s uncle, Cheng Tongliang, whose cultivation reached the Initial Stage of the seventh layer within the Heavenly God Realm.

After offering his respects to Cheng Yuanmu, Cheng Tongliang voiced his opinion, "Old Ancestor, truthfully, I believe Zhou Hongjing from the Zhou Family is quite suitable. Considering that Zhou Hongjing's direct ancestor has attained the Half-step Divine Venerable realm, how could such a person not be worthy of Yiyao?"

The Zhou Hongjing referenced by Cheng Tongliang was a member of the Zhou family who had previously shown interest in Cheng Yiyao.

It appeared that many within the Cheng Family were subdued by Zhou Hongjing's pronouncements, refraining from opposing the formidable Half-step Divine Venerable.

Cheng Yuanmu, utterly displeased by Cheng Tongliang's suggestion, puffed out his beard and glared, bellowing, "What absurdities are you uttering? Are you implying Yiyao should pledge herself to that brat from the Zhou family during the banquet? You are Yiyao's uncle; as an elder, you ought to exhibit some decorum. Look at your current state! Do you even still hold the position of Cheng Family Head?"

Cheng Yiyao’s other paternal uncle, Cheng Tongming, stood adjacent to Cheng Tongliang, adding his thoughts, "Old Ancestor, this matter directly impacts the very existence of our Cheng Family. Yiyao marrying Zhou Hongjing would undoubtedly be beneficial. Why not openly declare her intentions to Zhou Hongjing? We cannot afford to gamble with the Cheng Family's survival!"

Standing behind Cheng Yuanmu, Cheng Yiyao’s body stiffened upon hearing her uncles' words, a growing chill pervading her very being.

Ye Chenfeng observed this unfolding scene, a silent shake of his head accompanying his thoughts. As the saying goes, the hearts of men can be cold or warm. In this Ancient Realm, governed by the law of the jungle, individuals like Cheng Yiyao and Cheng Yuanmu, possessing such pure intentions, are indeed a rarity.

The potent aura of the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm surged from Cheng Yuanmu’s physique, his eyes alight with solemn resolve. He roared, "The Zhou family’s audacity knows no bounds, and upon returning home, you still pressure Yiyao like this? Do you no longer regard me as the Old Ancestor? Do I still hold any significance in your eyes?"

"Yiyao is a daughter of the Cheng Family; she is your kin. Is this truly how you treat your own blood?"

... (to be continued. If you appreciate this narrative, kindly cast your votes on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendations and monthly tickets. Your backing fuels my greatest motivation. Mobile users are encouraged to visit m.qidian.com for reading.)