Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting with brother's wife and young sister Chapter 950 497: The Stone Race Attacks!
Nearly half an hour had passed.
Zhan Tian at last strode boldly into the main hall. Once he sat down, he demanded impatiently, "What business do you have with this old man?"
With Xiaoqi remaining in the Star Hall, he had gained some leisure moments lately.
While occupied with caring for the fruit trees planted in his courtyard, word from his subordinates about Shen Chong seeking him instantly spoiled his fine mood.
That explained his unfriendly expression too.
"I caught wind of a rumor. Shen Chong isn't certain of its truth, so he came especially to notify Elder Zhan."
Shen Chong gave a gentle smile as he spoke in a mild tone.
Despite being a military leader, he had ruled the Imperial City for years and mastered the art of diplomacy.
"Rumor?"
Zhan Tian arched his brow, detecting mischief afoot, "Spit it out, fart it out, this old man has no patience for your drivel—he's occupied!"
Were it not for Shen Chong's role as Commander of the Imperial Guard, he wouldn't have deigned to see him.
Could he entertain every tomcat and stray dog that demanded an audience? Life couldn't proceed like that.
"Hehe!"
Aware of his fiery temper, Shen Chong got straight to the point, "It's news that reached Shen Chong's ears!"
He stressed it deliberately before continuing, "Word has it the Chief Eunuch departed the Imperial City and was spotted in the Stone Cave with a companion. Shen Chong deemed it crucial, so he hurried to alert Elder Zhan."
His words had barely landed!
The hall's air turned tense at once, though Zhan Tian's face stayed unchanged, his gaze pierced fiercely at Shen Chong.
In that instant!
An overwhelming pressure burst forth abruptly, sending a shiver through his heart.
"Elder Zhan!"
Shen Chong uttered hoarsely, his internal spiritual power starting to circulate.
Yet the next instant saw the pressure dissipate, as Zhan Tian inquired coolly, "So?"
That single query inexplicably rattled Shen Chong's core.
His bearing remained utterly steady and serene.
"Given his ties to Liu Sheng, this reaction seems off!"
His thorough probe revealed Liu Sheng in seclusion—slipping away from the Imperial City to show up at the Stone Cave amounted to grave misconduct.
Still, doubts began creeping into his mind.
"Shen Chong is just inquisitive, that's all."
The thoughts stayed unspoken; Shen Chong restrained himself, unnerved by Zhan Tian's bizarre conduct.
"Unclear if others got wind of this intel, I made a point to come here."
At those words, Zhan Tian stood up gradually.
"The Shen Family's foothold in the Imperial City didn't come easy over these years. As a vital official of Great Yu, this old man urges you to avoid trouble!"
"Moreover, this old man spared the Shen Family last time, so... don't court death!"
The moment 'death' escaped his lips!
Killing intent erupted from Zhan Tian's form in a flash, chilling Shen Chong to the bone despite his Dao Realm Level Seven cultivation.
"Is Elder Zhan issuing a threat?"
"Interpret it however you like!"
Zhan Tian owned it outright, "Furthermore, people hold varying worth—like yours, it exists but isn't unique. Others, though, stand irreplaceable."
"Certain matters lie beyond your clearance for now. Comply, and this old man will station watchers at the Stone Cave. Defy, and this old man can wipe them all out there in moments!"
Shen Chong truly served as Grand Commander of the Imperial Guard, wielding substantial authority.
Yet to titans like Zhan Tian and his peers, it amounted to little.
Swapping such a figure posed no challenge.
Such was the gulf in influence.
Dao Realm Level Seven qualified as solid, but far from elite.
In truth, forget Liu Sheng—even Chen Xuan now outstripped him.
"Boom!"
Each of Zhan Tian's declarations hammered deep into Shen Chong's soul.
Bitterness tugged at the edge of his lips.
Now assured: Liu Sheng lurked in the Stone Cave, yet Zhan Tian betrayed no flicker of concern—this defined a giant's poise.
He'd viewed himself as a power player in the Imperial City, and truly he was!
Context determined everything!
Before behemoths like Zhan Tian, he was merely one man.
"May Elder Zhan grant mercy!"
"Out of loyalty to Great Yu, this old man refrains from fatal blows—otherwise, last time would've ended differently. As for the Stone Cave, fate dictates survival or doom!"
"I understand!"
Shen Chong departed the Three Judicial Departments, face etched with defeat; he'd fancied bargaining with Zhan Tian, only to realize his folly.
Maybe he'd inflated his own importance.
The Grand Commander of the Imperial Guard at Dao Realm Level Seven—shockingly trivial in Zhan Tian's eyes.
That's why he avoided the Three Dukes—it would be pointless!
On key issues, the Three Dukes stand firmly with them.
Titans clash only among their own kind, yet he... lacks the standing to compete.
He came to this harsh truth today.
Inside the grand hall of the Three Judicial Departments, disdain flickered across Zhan Tian's face.
How dare he barge into the Three Judicial Departments to confront me? He actually believes he's someone important!
"Damn fool, how did it get exposed?"
Zhan Tian spat out a curse.
Merely days later, and he's already dragging me into fixing his blunder—damn it all!
....
Stone Cave!
While Wu Guang handled military duties, his loyal subordinate slipped in and murmured, "General, Elder Zhan dispatched a message—he wishes to meet you!"
"Elder Zhan?"
He lifted his head faintly, baffled by Zhan Tian's sudden summons.
Refusing to waste time, he swiftly exited the tent.
Within the Stone Cave, standard Communication Spirit Talismans fail; all links rely on Arrays.
Just then, Wu Guang stepped into a tent.
"Everyone, withdraw!"
"Yes, General!"
The Guard Army protecting the Array promptly cleared out of the tent.
Next, Wu Guang unleashed threads of spiritual power to seal off the exterior, then moved to the heart of the space.
In the center, a bronze sphere hovered suspended in mid-air.
This setup was a custom Array for outer-world contact, restricted to predefined spots alone.