Simultaneously traversing: traversing countless heavens

Chapter 105 Sticking Out

The head of the Chen family felt a sudden jolt in his heart, and the veins on his forehead throbbed twice.

Without a doubt, it must be that his good-for-nothing son has gotten into trouble again outside, and he can't handle it anymore, so he runs back to his father to clean up his mess!

This is outrageous! Of all times, why did they have to come when they were entertaining such a distinguished guest as Mr. Huang?

His smile froze for a moment, and he instinctively tried to pretend he hadn't heard and continue chatting and laughing with Huang Rusong.

But the repeated calls of "Father," growing closer and more tragic, were like a demonic cacophony, making it impossible for him to remain calm any longer.

He awkwardly forced an apologetic smile at Huang Rusong, about to say, "Excuse me for a moment, I need to take care of some family matters," but before he could speak—

"Young Master! Young Master! You can't go in! The Master is entertaining distinguished guests and specifically instructed that no one is allowed to disturb him!" This was the butler's anxious voice trying to stop him.

"Get out of my way! All of you get out of my way!" Chen Dashao's almost manic roar followed, his voice filled with desperate panic.

"Bang--!"

With a loud crash, the exquisitely carved nanmu door of the inner hall was violently smashed open by a brute force!

Young Master Chen stumbled in, his hair disheveled, his brocade robe crumpled beyond recognition, his face a mess of snot, tears, and dirt.

His eyes were filled with extreme fear, as if a deadly demon was chasing him from behind.

But before he could even begin to cry—

"You scoundrel!" The head of the Chen family was both shocked and furious to see his son acting so out of control and forcibly barging in. He felt he had lost face, especially since it was in front of Huang Rusong.

He strode forward, raised his hand, and delivered a resounding slap to his son's face, shouting sternly, "You ill-mannered brat! Can't you see your father is entertaining a distinguished guest? This is Lord Huang from the Nangong family!"

The Chen family head, fearing his son might say something inappropriate, directly named Huang Rusong, making his son somewhat hesitant to utter any vulgar words that would earn him contempt.

However, at this moment, Young Master Chen was already terrified and no longer cared about the Nangong family or Lord Huang.

Completely ignoring the imposing stranger in the hall, and disregarding all decorum and etiquette, he scrambled towards his father like a dying man grasping at a straw. He clung tightly to the Chen family head's leg, his face streaked with tears and snot, his voice hoarse and trembling as he wailed incoherently, "Father! Father! Help—someone's trying to kill me! He—he killed Instructor Wang! And—and everyone who went with him! He—he shoved their heads—all of them—into his belly! He—he's right here at our gate! He said—he said he'd raze the Chen family to the ground! Father! Think of something!"

His words were incoherent, but key information such as "his head was pushed into his stomach" and "the Chen family was crushed" struck the Chen family head's heart like thunderbolts.

The head of the Chen family turned deathly pale in an instant, his whole body trembled violently, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

Instructor Wang was a mid-level expert whom he had spent a lot of money and effort to invite. His strength was already among the top in the nearby prefectures. He was usually responsible for protecting this troublesome son, just in case the kid misbehaved and got killed.

But now, Instructor Wang has been slaughtered as easily as killing chickens and dogs?

He even pushed his head into his stomach?

What a brutal and terrifying method this is!

What's even more terrifying is that not only did they kill someone, but they also dared to chase him to the gates of the Chen residence and openly challenge him!

The Chen family head was shocked and furious, but even more so, he felt a chill—what kind of evil spirit had his son offended this time?!

The Chen family head, who was about to slap the brat a few more times, suddenly remembered that there were guests.

He subconsciously looked up and glanced at Huang Rusong, who sat upright to the side, expressionless. His face burned with shame, anger, and fear. He wished he could kick this disgraceful, disastrous son out the door before considering how to deal with the "family-annihilating" demon—

"Brother Chen,"

A calm yet steady voice rang out, breaking the almost stagnant and oppressive atmosphere in the flower hall.

Huang Rusong, who had been sitting quietly in the guest seat like an observer, finally put down the warm celadon teacup in his hand. The bottom of the cup touched the rosewood table and made a soft "tap" sound.

He raised his eyes, a perfectly timed, reserved smile appearing on his face. His gaze swept over the enraged Chen family patriarch and the trembling young master Chen on the ground. His voice was unhurried, carrying the composure of someone long accustomed to a high position, looking down on trivial matters, and a barely perceptible hint of disdain for the "country bumpkin's" overreaction: "He's nothing but an arrogant madman who doesn't know his place, who thinks he's above everyone else after learning a few meager skills. Why the panic and loss of composure?"

"It's just that the methods sound intimidating."

Huang Rusong came here on the orders of Nangong Batian, relying on the local power of the Chen family to find people. His intention was to show off his strength, intimidate the locals, and make the Chen family more "sincere and willing" so that he could be better controlled in the future.

Now that this "madman" has come knocking on the door, causing chaos in the Chen family, isn't this a golden opportunity?

This will allow the frogs in the well, the nouveau riche and the wealthy of this small town to witness firsthand what the methods of a true aristocratic family's retainers are like, and what the majesty of a second-rank minor grandmaster is like!

It will also make them understand what kind of support and confidence it means to climb up the high branch of the Nangong family!

Huang Rusong's move was not without brains. Given the vastness of the Northern Wilderness martial arts world, there are indeed very few masters who can make a dignified second-rank minor grandmaster like him wary and need to deal with them carefully. Most of them, even if he has never met them in depth, have at least heard of their names or characteristics.

Even if the "madman" outside the door is indeed quite skilled and I might not be able to defeat him easily, as long as I show the "Nangong Family" brand, in this Northern Wilderness, whether it is a bandit chief or a government official, who would dare not give me some face?

At that time, whether through pressure or negotiation, the other party will likely have to weigh the consequences of offending the Nangong family.

With this thought in mind, Huang Rusong had already made up his mind to stand up for the Chen family father and son, who were as frightened as stray dogs.

He slowly stood up, straightened the hem of his brocade robe which was without any wrinkles, and a calm aura belonging to a second-grade minor grandmaster was naturally revealed. Although he did not deliberately exert pressure, it had already given the still-shaken Chen family head a slight boost in spirits.

"Master Chen, please rest assured. Although your son is young and impetuous and has caused some trouble, since he has some familial ties with the Nangong family, and I, Huang, am here, have no reason to stand idly by." Huang Rusong's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty. "I will go out and meet this 'friend' to find out who this person is, daring to act so presumptuously in the territory protected by the Nangong family."

Upon hearing this, the Chen family head, as if possessed by a theatrical genius, reacted like a drowning man grasping at a piece of driftwood. His deathly pallor instantly flushed with a flush of excitement. He abruptly pushed away his son, who was still clinging to his leg, and hurriedly bowed deeply to Huang Rusong, his voice choked with emotion: "Lord Huang! Lord Huang, your righteousness is boundless! I—I am eternally grateful! My son was ignorant, provoking a powerful and ruthless man, bringing ruin upon our family. If it weren't for Lord Huang's righteous assistance, my Chen family would likely be in grave danger today! I will never forget this kindness and virtue!"

The young master Chen, sprawled on the ground, was genuinely terrified. He scrambled towards Huang Rusong as if grasping at a straw, tears streaming down his face, pleading, "Lord Huang, save us! Lord Huang, save us! That villain is incredibly cruel! You—you must do us justice!"

Huang Rusong's demeanor exuded an even stronger air of arrogance and composure befitting a member of the Nangong family.

He said calmly, "Master Chen, there's no need for such formalities. It's my duty. You and my son come with me, and I will seek justice for you."

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his tall, straight back, as if coating him with a reassuring halo.

The head of the Chen family straightened up, let out a long sigh of relief, and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. It felt as if half of the weight in his heart had been lifted.

He turned around, glared at his son who was still trembling on the ground, and muttered, "You good-for-nothing! I'll settle the score with you later! Get up now!"

Then, he hurriedly straightened his clothes, composed himself, and quickly followed them out.

He wanted to see firsthand how Lord Huang dealt with the thug, lay the groundwork for the event, demonstrate the power of the Nangong family, and ensure that his "gratitude" to Lord Huang afterward was substantial enough.

What was unexpected was that after the two left, Young Master Chen rolled off the ground and got up, not daring to waste a moment, and headed straight for the back door.

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