"A few years ago, I spent some time at the Shang Clan Martial Arts Arena and gained a bit of a reputation, earning the nickname 'Flying Sword Guest.' I wonder if Clan Leader Shang still remembers a small figure like me?" Liu Chen smiled faintly, his tone relaxed, yet revealing a hint of nostalgia for that period.
Shang Yanfei gazed at Liu Chen, and in his mind, the Sword Dao youth who had emerged in the Shang Clan Martial Arts Arena a few years ago quickly appeared. He had a deep impression of Liu Chen, because that youth, armed with Sword Path Gu worms, was almost invincible, making him stand out.
"Flying Sword Guest Liu Chen, of course I remember him," Shang Yanfei replied with a smile. "At that time, I greatly admired your Sword Dao and even intended to recruit you as an external Elder of the Shang Clan. Unfortunately, you quietly left after purchasing a large number of Gu worms, which I found quite regrettable."
Liu Chen chuckled and explained, "At that time, I wanted to travel and see the world of Southern Border, so I chose to leave the Shang Clan. This also allowed me to obtain a Legacy, which led to my current Realm."
Shang Yanfei looked at Liu Chen, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected that in just a few years, Liu Chen would be able to Breakthrough to such a Realm; it was truly unbelievable.
"Then that truly is a loss for my Shang Clan!" Shang Yanfei said with a bitter smile, a hint of helplessness and regret on his face.
Liu Chen picked up his teacup, took another gentle sip, then put the cup down and looked directly at Shang Yanfei, asking straightforwardly, "Clan Leader Shang, why did you act against my companion?"
Shang Yanfei gave a bitter smile and explained, "Brother Liu Chen, I am a Blood Path Gu Master and can sense my own Bloodline. The moment this Young Miss entered Shang Clan City, I immediately sensed that my Bloodline flowed within her."
"Ah!" Zhang Xinci couldn't help but cover her mouth in surprise, her face full of disbelief.
Xiao Die and Zhang Zhu, who were standing by, were equally dumbfounded. Their gazes swept back and forth between Shang Yanfei and Zhang Xinci's faces, as if trying to find some similarities in their appearances.
Liu Chen was also shocked by this sudden news. He turned his head, looking at Zhang Xinci with a suspicious expression, and asked, "Hmm! Is this true, Xinci?"
Zhang Xinci took a deep breath and composed herself, fearing that Liu Chen might misunderstand her, and said, "Brother Chen, my mother did tell me before she passed away that if I couldn't stay in the Zhang family, I could come to the Shang Clan to find my birth father. I didn't mean to deceive you. But I myself didn't know that my father was Clan Leader Shang."
By the end, her tone became a bit distant. In her heart, she had a deeper understanding of what her mother had said back then, because her mother also wasn't sure if that heartless man would acknowledge Zhang Xinci, which is why she told her to only seek her father if she couldn't stay in the Zhang family.
"If this is true, then it is indeed a good thing. How could I be upset?" Liu Chen quickly comforted Zhang Xinci, "However, Clan Leader Shang, is this truly the case?" His gaze turned to Shang Yanfei, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Shang Yanfei did not immediately answer Liu Chen's question. Instead, he fixed his gaze tightly on Zhang Xinci. His eyes were deep and sharp, as if he wanted to see the secrets deep within her through her outward appearance.
Zhang Xinci, being stared at by Shang Yanfei like that, also felt a familiar sense of Bloodline connection.
Shang Yanfei seemed to notice Zhang Xinci's unease. He smiled slightly and said, "May I speak with this young lady alone?" His voice was gentle and low, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
Liu Chen hesitated for a moment, his gaze slowly sweeping over Zhang Xinci, then he asked softly, "Xinci, what do you think about this matter?"
Zhang Xinci's eyes were exceptionally calm. She gazed at Liu Chen, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, revealing a faint smile, and slowly said, "Brother Chen, I can clearly feel that he is my father. Therefore, I am willing to communicate with him. I believe he will not harm me."
With that, Zhang Xinci unhesitatingly stepped out from behind Liu Chen and walked directly in front of Shang Yanfei.
Seeing this, Liu Chen didn't say much, simply nodded indifferently, indicating his agreement.
"Since you have decided, I will wait for your return here." Liu Chen's voice remained as calm as water.
Zhang Xinci nodded slightly, acknowledging, then turned and left with Shang Yanfei.
Shang Yanfei led Zhang Xinci quickly through several corridors, finally arriving in front of a secret room. He pushed open the door, and they both entered.
Upon entering the secret room, Shang Yanfei immediately summoned his trusted subordinates and whispered, "Go find all relevant intelligence, and also bring all the necessary Gu worms."
After receiving their orders, the few trusted subordinates hurried away, leaving only Shang Yanfei and Zhang Xinci in the secret room.
"Lord Liu Chen, the Shang Clan wouldn't harm the Young Miss, would they?" Xiao Die asked Liu Chen with a worried, anxious expression.
Seeing this, Liu Chen smiled faintly and comforted her, "There's no need to worry too much. Since the Shang Clan can become one of the Righteous Path leaders in Southern Border, they naturally wouldn't target a Mortal like Zhang Xinci without reason. Moreover, even if the Shang Clan is vast and powerful, they would at least give some face to a Fifth Rank Gu Master like me. Therefore, Zhang Xinci's trip to Shang Clan City this time is likely to be a blessing, not a misfortune, with more surprise than danger."
After Liu Chen finished speaking, he sat calmly in his chair, appearing confident about Zhang Xinci's safety.
Xiao Die felt a little relieved after hearing Liu Chen's words, but still somewhat uneasy, and pressed on, "But, Lord, Shang Clan City is the Shang Clan's territory after all. What if they harm the Young Miss? What should we do?"
Liu Chen waved his hand and reassured her, "Don't worry, Xiao Die. If the Shang Clan truly intended that, I would certainly not stand by and do nothing. However, in my opinion, the Shang Clan's actions might have a deeper meaning."
"A deeper meaning?" Xiao Die and Zhang Zhu exchanged glances, both showing confused expressions.
Liu Chen nodded and continued, "Think about it, why would Shang Yanfei make an exception and act within Shang Clan City? There's likely a lot more to it. From what I see, there might be a special relationship between your Young Miss and Shang Yanfei."
"Ah!" Xiao Die exclaimed in surprise, her face full of shock.
Zhang Zhu was also stunned, looking at Liu Chen in disbelief and asking, "Lord, do you mean…"
Liu Chen paused, then slowly said, "I reckon your Young Miss is very likely Shang Yanfei's illegitimate daughter."