Vol. 1 - Ch. 69 - You Didn't Learn It, Did You?

"Where did you find it? Didn't I hide this fighting technique?"

Chen Xingzhen demanded, his voice taut with frustration.

Chen Qinghe scratched his head sheepishly.

"I found it in the family Ancestral Hall. I thought it was a waste to just leave it there, so I took it out, thinking it would be good for the clan members to learn it."

Hearing this, Chen Xingzhen's beard quivered with anger. He had intentionally hidden the technique in the Ancestral Hall, out of sight, never intending for it to be found.

Who could have anticipated that Chen Qinghe would stumble upon it?

This wasn't about empowering the clan; it was inviting disaster.

However, Chen Xingzhen took a small measure of comfort in the fact that he hadn't heard much about this technique among the clan members.

It seemed it hadn't spread widely yet, and there might still be a chance to contain the damage.

He urgently asked,

"When did you take it? You haven't had time to spread it, have you? The clan members don't know, do they?"

Seeing the tension in Chen Xingzhen's eyes, Chen Qinghe's voice dropped to a murmur.

"I took it about a month ago, when I went to the Ancestral Hall to pay respects. I didn't spread it outside; this is a family skill, after all. I only showed it to the clan members. Most of them should've learned it by now."

Chen Qinghe then added, almost as an afterthought,

"Oh, and Clan Brother Qingyu borrowed it to study for a day just a few days ago."

As Chen Qinghe spoke, pride flashed in his eyes; to him, this was an act of loyalty. But to Chen Xingzhen, each word was like an icy dagger piercing his heart.

The notion that Chen Qingyu had also studied the skill only deepened his dread. If this continued, every clan member would learn it, and in a future battle, each would recklessly sacrifice their organs one after another, leaving the clan in ruins after the conflict ended.

Chen Xingzhen forced himself to stay calm. For now, the clan was stable, and there seemed to be no immediate threat of war. Perhaps there was still time to undo the damage.

"Clan Leader."

Just then, a figure rushed into the room---it was Chen Tianjing. The moment he saw Chen Qinghe, he scowled, muttering,

"I'll deal with you later."

"Tianjing, what's the matter?" Chen Xingzhen asked, pulling himself from his dark thoughts.

A few days earlier, after withdrawing the family's hunting teams, he had tasked Chen Tianjing with monitoring the Liu family's movements.

"Clan Leader, the Liu family seems to be up to something," Chen Tianjing reported, his voice laced with concern.

Chen Xingzhen's expression turned serious. He quickly dismissed Chen Qinghe and Chen Qingmeng, saving the discussion about the martial technique for later. "Tell me more, Tianjing."

"Over the past few days, I've seen Liu family members appearing all over Chaotic Burial Mountain," Chen Tianjing explained.

"They were carrying iron picks, digging as if searching for something. Among them were several warriors in the Blood Coagulation Realm..."

Chen Tianjing paused, hesitant.

"I couldn't get too close for fear of being spotted, but their numbers and movements were unusual."

As Chen Tianjing spoke, Chen Xingzhen's brow furrowed deeper and deeper. Even during the previous conflicts, the Liu family had rarely made bold moves. But now, they were mobilizing with urgency.

What could they possibly be digging for in Chaotic Burial Mountain?

Chen Xingzhen's mind raced with questions. What was the Liu family's goal? Had they conducted similar activities in the past, hidden from the Chen family's eyes?

Years of relentless feuding had left little time for him to observe their behaviour closely. Yet now, their motives seemed shrouded in secrecy, and Chen Xingzhen could not afford to ignore them any longer.

The information about the Liu family's martial strength only added to his worries.

According to Chen Tianjing's observations, there were at least seven or eight Blood Coagulation Realm warriors among the Liu group, with two or three at the late stage. This was just the visible portion of their force, suggesting the true numbers could be even greater.

By contrast, the Chen family's strength was far less formidable. Although one more clan member had reached the Blood Coagulation Realm this month, the family still only had seven warriors in this realm, including Chen Xingzhen himself.

Worse, three of them had only recently broken through, lacking the experience and stability of their counterparts.

As he processed these details, a sense of unease gnawed at him. The Liu family's growing power and mysterious activities posed a potential threat that could not be ignored.

The gap between the Chen and Liu families was stark, both in numbers and in fighting power. Chen Xingzhen couldn't help but feel a wave of concern wash over him. If the Liu family decided to make a move, the Chen family would likely be at a severe disadvantage.

Adding to his worries was the fact that, following the last great war, their family's ancestor had retired completely, his strength now sealed away within a coffin. This significantly weakened the Chen family's overall power.

Chen Xingzhen hadn't expected the Liu family to grow so powerful while lurking in the shadows. It was a disconcerting realization, one that painted a bleak picture for the future.

However, the Chen family still had the Divine Tree---a sacred and powerful entity that had served as their totem for generations. It could potentially compensate for some of the gaps in their fighting power.

But as this thought crossed his mind, Chen Xingzhen's expression shifted to one of shock. If the Liu family had hidden their true strength so well, was it possible that they also possessed their own family totem?

The idea seemed absurd at first, given that the Liu family was still considered a small force within Chaotic Burial Mountain. Yet, their mysterious origins and sudden emergence a few years ago suggested otherwise.

It was entirely plausible that they had brought a powerful totem with them, much like the Chen family's Divine Tree.

If this were true, the advantage provided by the Divine Tree would be nullified, leaving the Chen family even more vulnerable.

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Xingzhen spoke slowly,

"First, withdraw our clansmen from the outside world and stop all spying activities. As long as the Liu family doesn't pose a direct threat to our clan, we should ignore them."

"Mm, I understand," Chen Tianjing replied with a solemn nod.

He too was aware of the deep-seated rift between the two families. If the Liu family indeed had ulterior motives, the Chen family could find itself in an even more perilous situation than during the duel a few months ago.

For now, the best course of action was to play ignorant. Even if the Liu family crossed a line, it was better for the Chen family to remain silent, given the power disparity. It was an unpleasant reality, but one that needed to be faced for the family's survival.

The family's prosperity was at a critical juncture, and they still lacked a high-level martial artist. Chen Xingzhen couldn't help but wonder when Chen Qingyu would have the chance to break through to the Innate Realm.

Chen Xingzhen decided that he would seek counsel from his father, Chen Changming, that evening. As the former head of the family, his father undoubtedly possessed more knowledge and experience.

Perhaps he could provide guidance to Chen Qingyu, helping to pave the way for his breakthrough. In their family, it was customary for elders to pass on their knowledge and experience to the younger generation without reservation. This tradition was a cornerstone of the family's long-term prosperity.

Just as Chen Tianjing was about to take his leave, Chen Xingzhen suddenly stopped him. "By the way, Tianjing, do you know about the clan's new fighting technique?"

"Are you referring to the Five Viscera Ascension Technique, Clan Leader?" Chen Tianjing asked.

"Yes, that's the one. This matter is of great importance. Tianjing, you haven't learned this fighting technique, have you?"

Chen Xingzhen's tone was laced with concern, knowing the potential dangers of the technique.

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