"What?" Zhang Zhu's eyes widened, as if he had heard the most preposterous thing in the world.
Xiaodie was even more astonished, her mouth agape. It took her a while to recover, and she stammered, "Sir... Sir, how... how is that possible?"
Liu Chen smiled slightly and explained, "This is just a speculation of mine; there's no conclusive evidence yet. However, from various signs, this possibility is quite high. Do you know who your Young Miss's biological father is?"
Xiaodie shook her head and said, "I was bought by Madam when Young Miss was six years old. Madam never spoke of her husband, and I never dared to ask."
Zhang Zhu also chimed in, "Yes, Sir. Back then, Young Miss became pregnant before marriage and gave birth to Young Miss Xinci. Despite the Family's pressure, Madam never revealed the man's name, which also caused Young Miss's status in the Family to plummet to rock bottom. If it weren't for Young Miss being a Three-Cycle Gu Master, they probably wouldn't have let it go."
"In that case, the matter is almost certain. You two can rest assured," Liu Chen immediately comforted them.
With such a series of revelations, Zhang Zhu and Xiaodie hadn't recovered and found it hard to accept such a fact... "Reporting to Clan Chief, after numerous verifications, it can be confirmed that Zhang Xinci's Bloodline is pure and completely normal. There are no signs of Soul Path Possession or Wisdom Path control..." The words of his trusted subordinate were like a clear spring, flowing into Shang Yanfei's ears, finally allowing a huge stone in his heart to fall.
Shang Yanfei slowly raised his head, his gaze falling upon Zhang Xinci, who was arranged in another room. She sat there quietly, like a blooming lotus, fresh and refined, yet exuding a hint of delicate vulnerability that made one pity her.
Shang Yanfei gazed at Zhang Xinci, the guilt in his eyes surging like a tide. The years of shortcomings towards Zhang Xinci and her mother now flooded his heart, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
Shang Yanfei took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart. He knew that no amount of apology or compensation could erase the harm he had caused Zhang Xinci and her mother. But he decided that from now on, he would use actions to prove his repentance and to make up for past mistakes.
"What information do we have on that Liu Chen?" Shang Yanfei looked at his trusted subordinate with a solemn expression, then pressed on.
Seeing this, the trusted subordinate quickly bowed and respectfully replied, "Reporting to Clan Chief, the latest intelligence on that Liu Chen indicates that he seems to be hiding his true identity, traveling among the various Families of Southern Border. Furthermore, according to our investigation, during the fierce battle on Qing Mao Mountain two years ago, Liu Chen intervened and saved Divine Catcher Tie Xue Leng, earning the favor of the Tie Family. However, he did not stay with the Tie Family, choosing instead to travel Southern Border. He possesses an excellent stealth Gu worm, and only a few people can detect his whereabouts."
At this point, the trusted subordinate paused slightly, seemingly organizing his thoughts, then continued, "Additionally, five years ago, Liu Chen came to our Shang Family and sold a Wood Path Legacy. At that time, relying on the Sword Path Gu worm in his hand, he dominated the Martial Arts Arena without a single defeat. Afterward, he purchased some Gu worms and then hastily left the Shang Family. As for his whereabouts after leaving the Shang Family, we are currently unable to ascertain them precisely. We sincerely apologize, please forgive us, Clan Chief!"
The subordinate's words revealed a hint of worry; clearly, the intelligence they possessed regarding Liu Chen's experiences over the years was quite limited, with many key pieces of information appearing incomplete or even vague.
"Alright, you may leave," Shang Yanfei waved his hand expressionlessly, signaling that the trusted subordinate could depart.
The subordinate respectfully affirmed, "Yes," then vanished instantly like a ghost, as if he had never appeared.
Only Shang Yanfei remained in the room. He sat silently in his chair, his heart tangled like a ball of yarn, unable to unravel.
News of Liu Chen constantly lingered in his mind. This Liu Chen was truly too mysterious; even the Shang Family's vast intelligence network could only gather fragmented information. What worried Shang Yanfei even more was that Liu Chen's identity was unknown, and he was also a powerful Rank Five Gu Master. Having such a person by his daughter's side was simply too dangerous.
However, as an experienced person, Shang Yanfei could clearly see that his daughter had already developed affection for Liu Chen. This greatly troubled him, as he knew that love was often something that could not be controlled by reason.
But a Rank Five Gu Master was not so easy to investigate; even a large Family like the Shang Family could not casually cross their bottom line. Shang Yanfei thought long and hard and concluded that the only feasible approach at present was to adopt a conciliatory policy.
If his daughter could truly end up with Liu Chen, it might even add a Rank Five combat strength to the Shang Family. Moreover, with a powerful backing like Liu Chen, his daughter might even be able to become the Clan Chief of the Shang Family through his strength.
Thinking of this, Shang Yanfei finally made up his mind. No matter what, he had to give Zhang Xinci the best compensation, and this compensation was the position of Clan Chief of the Shang Family.
What's more, as a super force, the Shang Family could not be hollowed out or its millennia-old foundation seized by just one Rank Five Gu Master.
A super force also meant that above the Clan Chief, there were Rank Six Gu Immortal Grand Elders, who were the true foundation of a super force.
"Xinci, how have you been all these years?" Shang Yanfei quickly walked up to Zhang Xinci, looking at her with a face full of guilt, his voice trembling slightly as he said, "From now on, you are my daughter, Shang Xin Ci. I have truly wronged you and your mother all these years! In a few days, I will definitely announce your identity to the Family, and I will compensate you with the best of everything!"
Shang Yanfei's words were like a warm current, slowly flowing into Zhang Xinci's heart. However, facing this sudden change, Zhang Xinci felt somewhat at a loss. She hesitated for a moment, then softly replied, "Clan Leader Shang, I have been doing well all these years."
Shang Yanfei seemed to sense Zhang Xinci's hesitation. He quickly explained, "Xinci, I know it might be difficult for you to accept this fact all at once, but please believe me, I will prove it to you with my actions. Moreover, I can already tell that you have developed affection for that Liu Chen."
Upon hearing the name "Liu Chen," Zhang Xinci's face instantly turned red. She lowered her head, not daring to meet Shang Yanfei's gaze.
Seeing this, Shang Yanfei smiled slightly and continued, "However, how could a Mortal be worthy of a Rank Five Gu Master? But if it were the Young Lord of the Shang Family, or the future Clan Chief of the Family, that would be a different matter."