Pan Hong staggered back several steps and crashed into the dining table. He panted heavily, glaring daggers at Chen Yang. "You… you won't even spare my family?"

Chen Yang's calm gaze fell upon him.

Pan Hong, his insides burning with agony, pleaded, "Yangzi, for Ren Tong's sake, could you spare the Pan Family just this once?"

"I can't," Chen shook his head.

In truth, he had already given them a chance. After Pan Yang and Pan Haizhuo had arrived, if they had shown even a hint of integrity—not even needing to take a side, just standing in the middle and speaking a single fair word—Chen Yang would not have considered annihilating their entire family.

After all, the crime lay with Pan Xue.

But who would have thought the Pan Family was a nest of vipers, all acting in cahoots and reveling in oppressing others with their power.

Given the circumstances, Chen Yang could only eliminate them, which he considered pest removal for the Martial Department.

Pan Hong collapsed to the ground, laughing miserably.

Ji Ping sneered, "You even tried to assassinate the Governor. What's next for the Pan Family, ascending to the heavens?"

The residents hiding in their homes felt a chill run down their spines, not daring to make a sound.

What kind of existence did they offend?

Soon, the lights in the small buildings went out one by one, making the already quiet neighborhood deathly still, as if it were a realm of the dead.

Chen Yang gazed toward the door and said grimly, "The position I hold today was won with blade and blood. I crawled my way out of piles of corpses, but I take no pride in it."

A single general's triumph is built on ten thousand withered bones.

Chen Yang never felt pride or arrogance in his achievements.

He turned, fixing his gaze on Pan Hong. "And I certainly won't bow to anyone."

Pan Hong was speechless.

Such indomitable will, standing so tall and proud. He offers no flattery, seeks no favor. What a man of integrity.

The wind was a biting cold, and the moonlight was chillingly clear.

Chen Yang thanked the Ten Thousand Martial Guards, then turned and left.

However, a chorus rose behind him.

"Thank you, Governor, for protecting our citizens!"

"Thank you, Governor, for expelling the Barbarians and expanding our territory!"

"We wish the Governor good health and continued glory!"

The sound rolled like thunder across the land, rousing the spirit. These words came straight from their hearts.

Chen Yang slowly turned around. "I wish for a world without war!"

"We wish for a world without war!" they repeated, their voices brimming with vigor and spirit.

Chen Yang smiled and strode away.

…

Back at home, the dining table was laden with steaming hot dishes, while Zhou Yufei, Yang Hu, and Ren Tong were chatting casually on the sofa.

Chen Yang touched his nose awkwardly. "Why is everyone sitting here? Were you waiting for me?"

"Humph!" Ren Tong snorted coldly. "Only you get this kind of treatment. If you'd been any later, this old man would have starved to death."

"I was just out buying liquor!" Chen Yang said, holding up a bottle of strong spirits.

After leaving the Pan Family's estate, Chen Yang had stopped by a liquor and tobacco shop outside the neighborhood before heading home.

Ren Tong's eyes instantly lit up. He stood, rubbing his hands together. "Hehe, it's been a while since I've had this kind of drink. Shall we not go home until we're drunk?"

"Elder, we're already at home. How can we 'not go home until we're drunk'?" Yang Hu corrected with a laugh. "You should say, tonight, we drink until we drop!"

SMACK.

Ren Tong slapped him on the back of the head, his eyes wide. "You little brat, always have to have the last word, don't you? Did you really think I was going to let you stay the night?"

Caught completely off guard, Yang Hu nearly fell to the floor.

Weren't we just having a nice chat? Why the sudden hostility?

He clutched his forehead, grimacing as tears threatened to spill.

Where does this old man get such monstrous strength?

I really can't let my guard down around him! In the end, this was the only way Yang Hu could console himself.

Once they sat at the table and a few glasses of wine were down, Ren Tong patted Chen Yang's shoulder in admiration. "Yangzi, you've found a good one. Not only is she beautiful, she's capable, too! In one afternoon, she tidied up this pigsty of mine until it was spotless and even cooked this whole feast."

"You're a lucky brat."

A faint blush appeared on Zhou Yufei's cheeks. She raised her glass to Ren Tong and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Elder. I'll toast to you."

"Haha!" Ren Tong laughed with delight. "I'd be overjoyed to have a daughter-in-law like you!"

"Elder, you've misunderstood. Chen Yang and I aren't…" Zhou Yufei hurriedly tried to explain, but Ren Tong waved her off.

"You don't have to say another word. I understand how you young people are. You just got together and are afraid you might not make it in the long run, so you're keeping it quiet for now, right?"

Ren Tong spoke with the air of an expert before glaring fiercely at Chen Yang. "Yangzi, let me tell you this right now. It's fine if Yufei dumps you. But if you dare wrong her, I'll break your damn legs!"

Chen Yang was speechless.

This is taking 'siding with an outsider' to a new level. Is he really my father?

Seeing Chen Yang's dark expression, Zhou Yufei struggled to suppress her laughter. She quickly changed the subject. "Elder, could you tell me stories about Chen Yang's childhood? I'd love to hear them."

"Oh, there are plenty of stories!" Ren Tong's spirits lifted. "When Chen Yang was ten, he came to live with me in the Martial Department. For the entire following year, he was constantly trying to steal my service pistol to shoot birds; his backside got whipped for it more times than I can count."

He rambled on and on, specifically picking the most embarrassing stories.

Chen Yang's face turned green.

Don't I get to save any face?

"Haha!"

The meal lasted until midnight.

Ren Tong was completely passed out from drinking again. Yang Hu had also had too much and was lying under the table, dry-heaving nonstop. Chen Yang spent a great deal of effort getting them settled.

When he saw Zhou Yufei cleaning up by herself, he stopped her. "Don't bother with that. I'll get a cleaner tomorrow. Go wash up and get to bed early."

"By the way," he added, "which room am I in?"

Zhou Yufei took off her apron and pointed to a room on the left of the second floor.

Chen Yang nodded, quickly washed up, and entered the room.

About half an hour later.

CREAK.

Just as Chen Yang was drifting off to sleep, he bolted upright in bed, his sharp eyes fixed on the doorway.

There, walking into the room, was Zhou Yufei in her pajamas.

Chen Yang said, bewildered, "Fairy, this is my room. Did you make a mistake?"

"It's my room, too!" Zhou Yufei replied calmly. "There are only three rooms here, after all."

Chen Yang was speechless.

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