Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest-Chapter 959: Sending Off a Daughter

Trade routes were severed, businesses halted, and with the arrival of the Blood Cloak Guard of the Capital Guard Yamen, the bustling Guangping County town fell into a state of lockdown, both internally and externally, overnight.

Two fifth-tier Martial Ancestors personally took command, summoning the elite troops stationed at Xilao Pass to seal off the entire county, launching a large-scale comprehensive investigation.

One of the Martial Ancestors also brought a special Magic Artifact for demon identification.

Wang Chen hadn’t expected the Capital Guard Yamen to take the case so seriously, their approach was almost to digging three feet into the ground, not stopping until every suspect was unearthed.

It was only later that he learned, it was precisely because he had discovered the Demonic Ascension Pool underneath the Peony Pavilion that the Capital Guard Yamen took extreme measures, sending elites as they reported up to the Imperial Capital.

The severity of the situation exceeded everyone’s imagination!

But after completing his report on the case, Wang Chen was excluded from the investigation and reconnaissance team, despite demonstrating keen Insight into demons, and did not participate in the subsequent work.

He didn’t mind, instead felt relieved.

However, families big and small within Guangping city, including local powerhouses and merchant families, all suffered.

No matter how prestigious they were usually, under the pressure of the joint strike from the Blood Cloak Guard of the Capital Guard Yamen and the Xilao Pass troops, they couldn’t stir up even a small wave, and could only lay flat, obediently, for confiscation.

In fact, many families were not clean, and it was quite normal for forbidden items to be confiscated during searches.

In such situations, they could only accept their misfortune; in general, they would bleed heavily, make some reparations, and it would be over.

But there were a very few who valued money more than life, trying to argue, or even to resist, and then they were immediately met with an iron fist of suppression!

Among them, some harbored notorious outlaws and wanted criminals, or colluded with Rebel Factions and Heretical Sects.

Their fate was even more miserable.

In short, the turmoil did not subside with time, on the contrary, it seemed to escalate further.

It even affected regions adjacent to Guangping.

Causing countless people to shudder in terror.

As the instigator of this great turmoil, Wang Chen stayed in a house provided by Duan Yongfeng, not leaving for several days, focusing intently on the practice of his martial arts.

Even though his task had been completed, because he was deeply involved, he could not leave Guangping County yet without further edicts from above.

Three days passed in a flash.

That morning, Wang Chen was practicing the Slaying Demon Spear Technique in the small courtyard when suddenly, someone knocked on the gate, and a respectful voice came from outside, "May I ask if the Thousand Household is at home? Guangping Zhong Family has come to visit."

The Guangping Zhong Family?

Wang Chen was slightly startled.

He had no personal relations here and knew nothing of any Guangping Zhong Family. This temporary residence was arranged by Duan Yongfeng; he was puzzled about how they found him.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Chen put away the long spear and went to open the door.

Before him stood three people, in the middle was a middle-aged man in a brocade robe, with a powerful aura; to his left and right stood a ravishingly beautiful young woman and a white-haired elder carrying a box, respectively.

Oh?

Wang Chen didn’t recognize the middle-aged man or the white-haired elder beside him.

But he remembered the ravishing woman; it was none other than Zhong Yingyao, whom he had gambled against at the Hundred Victories Gambling House!

Only, that day, the Zhong Yingyao he had seen was beautiful and cool, with a wild and unruly air, while the Zhong Yingyao before him now was like a frightened rabbit, with red-rimmed eyes and a pitiful demeanor.

This made Wang Chen suspicious if she was indeed the same person!

The contrast was too great.

Wang Chen couldn’t help but take a second look.

However, this act was caught by the middle-aged man’s eye, who immediately brightened and hurriedly bowed, saying, "Lord Wang, I am Zhong Zhenshan, the Family Head of Guangping Zhong Family. Today, I have taken the liberty of visiting and ask for your forgiveness."

Saying this, he gave Wang Chen a very deep bow, his demeanor extremely humble.

Zhong Yingyao and the white-haired elder also bowed in turn.

"No need for such formalities."

Wang Chen spoke indifferently, "Come in and we’ll talk."

Although Wang Chen was unclear about the visitor’s purpose, it was evident that they did not come with ill intentions.

He led the visitors into the living room, gestured for them to take a seat, and then cut straight to the point, "Family Head Zhong, what brings you here?"

His home had no maidservants, which spared them the step of brewing tea for guests.

Zhong Zhenshan, who had just sat down, hesitated for a moment and then nodded at the white-haired elder standing beside him.

The latter immediately placed the box he was carrying on the table.

Zhong Zhenshan swallowed hard and said cautiously, "Lord Wang, my daughter acted ignorantly and offended you a few days ago at Peony Pavilion. It’s all due to my poor upbringing; truly, I deserve death for this crime!"

He opened the box lid, revealing that it was filled with all kinds of glittering gold, silver, and jewelry.

"This is my tribute of apology, and I hope you can forgive generously!"

Wang Chen didn’t speak but simply grabbed a handful of jewelry and put it back down, feeling quite bemused inside.

He had long forgotten the incident with Zhong Yingyao, not having taken it seriously at the time. How then could he hold a grudge?

Unexpectedly, the Family Head of the Zhong Family had made a special trip to offer an apology with his daughter.

There must definitely be a reason for this!

Considering the Blood Cloak Guard’s recent city-wide search by the Capital Guard Yamen, Wang Chen was somewhat enlightened.

Seeing him silent, Zhong Zhenshan gritted his teeth and added, "I heard that Lord Wang is living here in seclusion without close attendants. Why not allow my daughter to serve you? She could do chores like cleaning and making the bed."

Beside him, Zhong Yingyao’s beautiful face turned red, which made her look all the more stunning.

To be fair, although she was not a breathtaking beauty, both her appearance and figure were noteworthy. How Zhong Zhenshan raised such a daughter, different from the usual sheltered young ladies, was beyond anyone’s guess!

By now, Zhong Zhenshan’s intention was very clear.

He obviously hoped to use the offer of his daughter to curry favor with Wang Chen, and it was likely that the Zhong Family had encountered trouble. They must have resorted to this measure to extricate themselves from their predicament.

And surely, Zhong Zhenshan had approached through Duan Yongfeng’s connections.

Wang Chen’s thoughts raced, and he quickly grasped the situation before speaking, "I will accept your tribute of apology, but take your daughter back with you. I don’t need anyone here to serve me."

He meant no difficulties for the Zhong Family. Accepting the gift was merely to ease their worry and prevent other issues from arising.

As for Zhong Yingyao, he politely declined.

Zhong Zhenshan clearly did not expect Wang Chen to take the money but not the person, not desiring his charming and alluring daughter.

He was stunned but dared not voice any objection, promptly offering a forced smile, "Yes."

Wang Chen smiled and said, "I will have a word with General Flag Duan."

Wang Chen didn’t promise anything, but as long as the Zhong Family was not implicated in any rebellious crimes, saying a word for them was not out of the question.

Now, Wang Chen certainly had the clout to do so!

Zhong Zhenshan was immediately overjoyed, quickly standing up to bow deeply, "Thank you, Lord Wang!"

Meanwhile, Zhong Yingyao beside him cast a complicated look at Wang Chen, her eyes carrying a hint of grievance.

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The first chapter is delivered.