"Hmm?"
Right at that moment, Shang Yanfei suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise and slowly opened his eyes, which had been tightly closed for a long time. He reached into his robes and pulled out an exquisite Information Path Gu Worm, scrutinizing it carefully.
A moment later, when he clearly saw the information carried by the Gu Worms, his expression couldn't help but change slightly.
This information had been sent by Tian Lan, and the message it conveyed left Shang Yanfei even more stunned: that long-missing Liu Chen had actually returned to Shang Clan City and had already met with his daughter.
If he had heard such news under normal circumstances, Shang Yanfei would certainly have been ecstatic!
After all, who wouldn't want their own daughter to form a happy union with such an outstanding figure as Liu Chen? This would not only mean that the Shang Clan would gain a powerful and respected external Elder, but it could also help his beloved daughter—Xin Ci—ascend to the throne of the Family head! In that case, wouldn't it be a joyous occasion for everyone?
However, at this very moment, the situation was completely different. Right now, the battle between the righteous and demonic sides at Yi Tian Mountain was in full swing, and the situation was extremely tense; at the same time, the Supreme Elder of the Family had also assigned an important mission to be completed... and at this exact critical juncture, Liu Chen chose to return! How could this not make Shang Yanfei feel suspicious and start speculating?
He slowly withdrew the Rank Five Blood Blade Valley Worm, which was flickering with a blood-red light, back into his hand. Then, without hesitation, he activated his hand seals, driving a movement Valley Worm to instantly transform into a streak of dazzling scarlet blood-light and shoot out!
...
"Brother Liu, where on earth have you been all these years? The Young Miss has been so worried she's lost her appetite all day!" Xiao Die hurried over to Liu Chen and asked impatiently.
"Xiao Die..."
Seeing this, Shang Xin Ci's face was filled with a mix of shyness and annoyance as she hurriedly spoke to stop her. However, despite her words, her heart also held a thousand words she wanted to pour out, but she found it difficult to speak due to her pride.
Facing Xiao Die's questioning and Shang Xin Ci's complex, indescribable gaze, Liu Chen took a deep breath. After steadying his mind, he slowly replied: "It's a long story. Since we parted at Three Fork Mountain, I resolutely left the Southern Border and headed all the way north to the Northern Plains, where I had the fortune of participating in the Imperial Court contest held once every ten years... My return this time is, for one, to visit an old friend; and secondly, I hope you can leave with me, because in my current situation, I truly need your help! I wonder what you think?"
After speaking, Liu Chen stared intently at the person he had thought of day and night, waiting for her response. At this moment, Shang Xin Ci was clearly at a loss, startled by Liu Chen's sudden words, and stood there dazed like a wooden statue, unable to move.
"Lord Liu Chen, could it be that you've returned this time wanting to elope with our Young Miss?" Xiao Die's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief and surprise, but her tone also carried a hint of playfulness and teasing, her beautiful eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Xiao Die!" Hearing this, Shang Xin Ci's face flushed crimson, and she was so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. She hurriedly covered Xiao Die's non-stop mouth, secretly lamenting in her heart: This girl, how could she speak so recklessly! At this moment, she felt utterly humiliated and had no idea how to respond to the situation before her.
Just then, a burst of hearty laughter suddenly rang out, as loud as a great bell. Immediately after, a streak of blood-red light flashed, arriving in the center of the courtyard in the blink of an eye—the newcomer was none other than Shang Yanfei!
He walked with great strides, laughing loudly: "Hahaha, it seems this old man has arrived at a bad time! Little brother Liu Chen, as soon as you return to the manor, you can't wait to spirit away my beloved daughter. Could it be that you have no regard for me as her father!"
While speaking, Shang Yanfei had reached them, his eyes like torches as he stared at Liu Chen, seemingly trying to see through him.
"I am taking her with me today, and I'll see who dares to stop me!" Liu Chen pulled Shang Xin Ci beside him and held her tightly in his arms, his movements gentle yet domineering. His gaze was like a sharp sword, piercing directly toward the opposite Shang Yanfei, completely unfazed by the other's sharp eyes.
Faced with Liu Chen's arrogant and overbearing attitude, Shang Yanfei was slightly taken aback. He thought to himself: Where has this kid been these past few years? He actually has the guts to challenge me! One must know that for so many years, no one had ever dared to speak to him in such a tone.
Shang Xin Ci, who was suddenly held by Liu Chen, was also startled. Her beautiful face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe apple, looking exceptionally lovely. At this moment, her heart raced, and her breathing became somewhat hurried.
However, Liu Chen did not give Shang Yanfei any time to react. In the blink of an eye, he suddenly activated the primeval essence in his body and unleashed a mortal Killer Move—Infinite Sword Works!
In an instant, he pulled himself, Shang Yanfei, and Shang Xin Ci together into a singular space where the sky was filled with countless sharp longswords.
Each of these longswords shimmered with a cold light, emitting a heart-stopping aura. They converged from all directions like raindrops, forming an airtight sword formation that firmly trapped Shang Yanfei and Shang Xin Ci within it.
As the sword formation took shape, the surrounding air seemed to have solidified. Streaks of sharp Sword Qi crisscrossed, making one shiver with fear. Shang Yanfei, who was in the middle of the formation, looked at the scene before him with a face full of shock, completely unable to believe everything he was seeing.
"Little friend Liu Chen, what is the meaning of this?" Shang Yanfei's face darkened, and he secretly activated the power of the Gu Worms within his body; his originally gentle tone instantly became icy.
Just now, caught completely off guard, he had actually been forced into a strange Killer Move space! This sudden turn of events left Shang Yanfei stunned, but at the same time, a chill rose from his heart—the Liu Chen standing before him might be someone else in disguise, or perhaps he had been bribed by others. Otherwise, with his status as the Shang Clan Leader, who would dare to be so unscrupulous and audacious?
"Brother Liu..." Beside him, Shang Xin Ci was also filled with shock, her beautiful eyes wide open as she looked at Liu Chen in disbelief, looking as if she had suffered a great betrayal and deception.
However, facing their questioning, Liu Chen appeared calm and composed. He gently patted Shang Xin Ci's shoulder and comforted her softly: "Xin Ci, do not worry, I have no ill intent. The reason I brought you here is simply because I feel this place is more safe and secluded, making it easier for us to talk." After saying that, he turned to look at Shang Yanfei and continued: "Having returned this time, I have specifically prepared a generous gift for you, Clan Leader Shang. Firstly, because you are Xin Ci's father, and secondly, I wish to take this opportunity to repay your past kindness."
Hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Shang Yanfei's eyes, but he still nodded, indicating he was willing to listen respectfully.