"A moment of carelessness, I..."
In the course of her narrative, Chen Yuan had come to understand the situation. These people had targeted her for some reason and had been plotting for several months,
step by step leading her here.
She had several attendants with her originally, but they had all fallen in the process of being pursued.
The identities of these pursuers were still a mystery, the only clue being the use of the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle by that Dan Realm Master earlier; such an item was quite rare.
It was generally used by the experts of the Tang Sect from Shu Central, but it wasn’t unheard of for outsiders to possess it.
It could only be said that it might somehow be related to this Tang Sect.
After some investigation, the two didn’t uncover much. Apart from that Dan Realm Master, the other Reach Profound Martial Artists seemed more like death soldiers, their cultivation enhanced through the use of Demon Secret Techniques.
But considering that Shuzhou borders Blood State, the appearance of some demon folks from the Demon Dao here was quite normal. The investigation had to continue slowly. Shangguan Hong had already sent a message earlier,
and it was estimated that it wouldn’t take long for strong members of the Shangguan Family to arrive.
In casual conversation, Chen Yuan inquired about Shangguan Yu’s affairs. Overall, since his Core Formation, Shangguan Yu’s status within the clan had been on a swift rise.
He had begun to gradually take over the family’s powers.
Once he broke through to the Heavenly Core or underwent Yang Transformation, the position of Clan Leader of the Shangguan Family would be transferred to him, with his father stepping back into the shadows as a symbol of his growth.
As such, the Shangguan Clan had already begun looking for potential wives for him.
Either the legitimate daughters of aristocratic families or daughters of Sect Masters from other powers within Jianghu.
For such families, appearance was secondary; they could always take concubines afterwards. What really mattered was that the social standings matched.
Chen Yuan asked her when she planned to marry.
She said she would wait for the right person to come along, and if not, she would spend her life pursuing the Martial Arts.
Chen Yuan looked at her, nodding slightly, commenting that she had the courage and ambition, and that she was bound to become a powerful figure in Jianghu that would rival any man.
Shangguan Hong didn’t seem to want to dwell on this topic and began asking about what had happened since they had parted in East Sea Martial Emperor City. Chen Yuan did not hide anything and answered each question.
"So, Brother Chen, where do you plan to go from here?"
Shangguan Hong asked again.
Chen Yuan pondered for a moment, then said softly:
"Jiangdu Prefecture."
"Could it be that you are attending the Grand Ceremony of Sect Leader Tang Xianzhuo’s deceased wife on behalf of Tang Sect, following an invitation?" Shangguan Hong couldn’t help asking.
Chen Yuan was puzzled. What was this Grand Ceremony about?
"You don’t know, Brother Chen?"
"I don’t, how could I have been invited when I don’t even know the Sect Leader of the Tang Sect?" Thɪs chapter is updated by novelFɪre.net
"Oh, then it must be my misunderstanding."
"What is this ceremony all about? Could it be there’s some ulterior motive?" Chen Yuan couldn’t help but ask.
He knew of the rituals following someone’s death, especially those for the elderly, which included memorials at the time of death and then at the one-year and three-year anniversaries. But such ceremonies were normally attended by close relatives.
What was so special about this Sect Leader of the Tang Sect?
"I’m not too sure about the details, but I’ve heard that for this Grand Ceremony, Sect Leader Tang Xianzhuo of the Tang Sect is holding a big event. He has invited many from Jianghu, including great masters on the Fengyun List and Grandmasters from Jiangdu and nearby areas. It’s turning out to be quite the grand occasion in Shu Central. Many are attending; I thought you were headed there for this reason as well."
"A three-year Grand Commemoration, a grand occasion in Shu Central?"
Chen Yuan slowly shook his head; festivities would have been understandable, but this seemed truly out of the ordinary.
This Sect Leader Tang must have really loved his wife...
"My brother said it’s all just a spectacle, and in reality, it’s likely Tang Sect is trying to expand their influence. After thinking it over, I suppose he’s right. After all, Sect Leader Tang’s reputation in Shu Central is good, and his strength is formidable. He probably isn’t content with just staying confined to the region of Jiangdu," Shangguan Hong explained.
This fit with Chen Yuan’s own conjecture; a three-year commemoration wasn’t worth making such a big fuss about unless there was a deeper reason behind it.
"Will Brother Shangguan be attending?"
"If all goes as expected, he should be going. He’s beginning to take charge of our family’s power, and he will definitely take this opportunity to forge connections with the masters in Shu Central,
especially the strong ones on the Fengyun List."
Chen Yuan pondered for a moment before he could continue, when suddenly, like a flash of inspiration, he casually asked:
"This three-year Grand Ceremony hosted by the Sect Leader of Tang Sect, is it being held within their Mountain Gate?"
"At the Minjiang Estuary, Dujiangyan. I heard that the deceased wife of the Sect Leader of the Tang Sect loved that place, so..."
Chen Yuan’s eyes lit up instantly.
He had suspected as much from earlier, and now it seemed confirmed. It was likely... the opportunity indicated by the Qi Fortune Altar had something to do with the Tang Sect after all.
He wondered what miraculous use this so-called Holy Pond actually had.
"Is the event the day after tomorrow?"
"Indeed, and you claim to be unaware, Brother Chen?"
Shangguan Hong chuckled.
Chen Yuan said with narrowed eyes, in a low voice.
After chatting for a while, Chen Yuan managed to glean the story of the Tang Sect Leader and his deceased wife from Shangguan Hong, truly touching indeed.
Whether it was true or not remained to be seen.
After waiting a long time, Chen Yuan suddenly stood up, as if he sensed something, and said:
"It seems that the people from the Shangguan family have arrived; Chen will take his leave first."
Although she wished to keep him longer, such words weren’t something she could utter.
"And, Miss Shangguan, it would be best if you didn’t reveal too much about Chen..."
"Don’t worry; since Brother Chen wishes to keep a low profile, I naturally won’t say too much,"