"Xiao Chen, I didn't expect to see you so soon, and I certainly didn't expect you to come to Dongfang City! I must thank you properly this time." Dongfang Xue said happily, revealing a sweet smile.
"Hehe, Miss Dongfang, you're too polite. What happened last time was just a small favor." Xiao Chen replied with a faint smile, not taking it to heart. Since entering the hall, Xiao Chen had never mentioned saving Dongfang Xue, which showed that he didn't care about the matter and had simply acted out of a sense of justice.
"Xiao Chen, you're too modest. You saved my life, and I must repay you. Otherwise, if Fang Yunchong had captured me, the Fang family would definitely use it to threaten my father, and the position of city lord would be at risk." Dongfang Xue said joyfully, her heart filled with happiness at seeing Xiao Chen.
"Xue'er rarely gets this happy and has no friends. It seems to be because of Xiao Chen. Could it be that Xue'er has taken a liking to him? Well, that's good. Since Sect Master Han praised Xiao Chen so highly, he must be exceptional. Sect Master Han never praises anyone." Dongfang Batian thought to himself, feeling a sense of comfort seeing Dongfang Xue so happy.
"Xiaoxue, we came because of Fang Yunchong." Han Yun said with a faint smile and then recounted the events again.
Upon learning that Fang Yunchong was likely the flower thief, Dongfang Xue immediately exclaimed, "Hmph! I knew Fang Yunchong was no good. I didn't expect him to do something so vile."
Turning to Dongfang Batian, Dongfang Xue hurriedly said, "Father, as the city lord, you cannot sit idly by. Inform everyone in Dongfang City about Fang Yunchong's actions and disgrace the Fang family."
"Xiaoxue, don't be hasty. We were just discussing how to deal with the Fang family when you came in. Let's hear Brother Xiao Chen's opinion." Dongfang Batian said with a bitter smile.
At this moment, Xiao Chen spoke seriously, "The city lord should write a few letters to other families, warning them not to interfere, and then invite the Fang family head and Fang Yunchong to come."
Dongfang Batian nodded and said, "To make the threat effective, we must send elders personally. I will invite Fang Qingde and Fang Yunchong to come."
"If that's the case, it's best. Once Fang Qingde and Fang Yunchong arrive, I have a way to confirm if Fang Yunchong is the flower thief." Xiao Chen smiled. If it's just the Fang family, there's nothing to fear.
"Xue'er, notify the three elders, convey my message, and have them set out immediately. Also, send a leader to the Fang family to invite the family head and young master." Dongfang Batian said to Dongfang Xue.
Dongfang Xue nodded, "Yes, father. I'll go now." She glanced at Xiao Chen before leaving.
"Xiao Chen, why do I feel like Miss Dongfang keeps looking at you? Since she came in, her gaze has been on you. Could it be she likes you?" The Ancient White Tiger transmitted with a laugh.
"Little White Tiger, don't talk nonsense!" Xiao Chen was startled and quickly reprimanded in a low voice.
The Ancient White Tiger grinned mischievously, "Hehe, don't be nervous. I was just saying."
Half an hour later, a guard entered and respectfully reported, "City lord, the Fang family head and young master have arrived and are waiting outside."
Dongfang Batian sneered, "Good, let's go out."
Outside the hall, Fang Qingde and Fang Yunchong were already waiting. Fang Qingde, around 50 years old, wore black brocade, exuding an aura of nobility. He had a gold crown on his head, a square face, and ordinary features, but his eyes radiated a chilling maliciousness.
Seeing Dongfang Batian and Han Yun appear, Fang Qingde's eyes flashed with surprise. He thought to himself, "Why is Sect Master Han Yun of Xinglan Sect here?"
"Hmm? Xiao Chen? How could it be him? Why is he in Dongfang City? Does he know the city lord?" Fang Yunchong was shocked and in disbelief when he saw Xiao Chen.
Upon confirming it was Xiao Chen, Fang Yunchong quickly said, "Father, it's Xiao Chen who injured me last time. He's very powerful, especially his sword technique. I'll never forget that sword light!"
"What? You were defeated by this young boy?" Fang Qingde was shocked and looked at Xiao Chen a few more times.
Seeing the three of them together made Fang Qingde feel uneasy. He whispered, "Yunchong, be careful. I feel something is amiss."
"City Lord Dongfang, I hope you can forgive what happened last time. Yunchong was foolish and made a grave mistake." Fang Qingde said politely, his demeanor very courteous.
Dongfang Batian's face showed some anger, "Fang family head, you're joking."
"Are you Xiao Chen? You seriously injured my son. We will settle this later!" Fang Qingde said coldly, his eyes flashing with a sinister killing intent.
Hearing this, Xiao Chen sneered, "If you want to settle accounts, let's do it now."
Xiao Chen stepped forward and took out a jade pendant, smiling coldly, "Fang Yunchong, is this your jade pendant? It fell in Hundred Flowers Town during our fight."
Seeing the jade pendant in Xiao Chen's hand, Fang Yunchong quickly checked his belt and found the pendant missing. He hadn't noticed its absence.
"It is indeed my jade pendant. Xiao Chen, are you here just to return it?" Fang Yunchong asked coldly, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
"If I'm not mistaken, this jade pendant is very important to you, isn't it?" Xiao Chen smiled coldly.
Fang Yunchong was about to speak, but Fang Qingde quickly interrupted, giving Xiao Chen a deep look before sneering, "It's just an ordinary jade pendant. The Fang family has many. If you like it, you can have it."
"Yunchong, be careful. Xiao Chen was in Hundred Flowers Town and is now here with Han Yun. Things are not simple. They might suspect you." Fang Qingde transmitted to Fang Yunchong, whose expression changed slightly.
"How could this be? Xiao Chen couldn't suspect me because of the jade pendant, could he?" Fang Yunchong wondered.
"This old fox is cunning! Xiao Chen, it seems he knows about this." The Ancient White Tiger transmitted.
Hearing Fang Qingde's words, Dongfang Batian and Han Yun frowned slightly. Fang Qingde's statement lessened Fang Yunchong's suspicion.
"This old fox is really cunning. He has already noticed something! No wonder he's the head of the Fang family, not simple at all. But his actions make him more suspicious, trying to cover up the truth. This confirms that Fang Yunchong is the flower thief!" Xiao Chen thought. Although things got complicated, it didn't deter him.
Xiao Chen threw the jade pendant to Fang Yunchong and sneered, "The jade pendant is too valuable for me to accept. But since the Fang family head has given it to me and I don't like it, I will just destroy it."
As he spoke, Xiao Chen raised his hand to smash the jade pendant. Fang Yunchong's face changed drastically, and he shouted, "Xiao Chen, stop!"
"Good, Xiao Chen! You do suspect Yunchong. I must get rid of you today!" Fang Qingde thought angrily, his expression darkening with a subtle killing intent.
"What? Just a jade pendant, no need to be so nervous, right? The Fang family has plenty." Xiao Chen sneered and ignored Fang Yunchong's protests, smashing the jade pendant on the ground. It shattered with a crack.
"Xiao Chen! You bastard!" Fang Yunchong roared with rage, his killing intent soaring.
"Fang Yunchong, you are so angry. Is this jade pendant important to you? Your father said the Fang family has many. Are you saying the wealthy Fang family is stingy? If you're angry, blame your father." Xiao Chen sneered, ignoring Fang Yunchong's fury.
Dongfang Batian and Han Yun, seeing Xiao Chen's brilliant performance, almost laughed, secretly admiring his cleverness.
"This is a jade pendant left by my mother!" Fang Yunchong roared furiously, his face twisted with anger.
"Yunchong!" Fang Qingde immediately scolded, his face darkening further.
"Oh? A jade pendant from your mother, meaning it's the only one. Madam Fang shouldn't have given it to her son." Xiao Chen said, his heart leaping with joy. Since it was left by Madam Fang, it was unique, confirming Fang Yunchong as the flower thief.
"Fang Yunchong, I can now confirm you are the flower thief! Do you remember the night in Hundred Flowers Town? After I injured you, you fled to Xinglan Sect to frame them. When I chased you into the forest, you disappeared. The next day, on our way to Xinglan Sect, I saw blood on a tree, coming from the top. I wondered how you disappeared. When you brought Fang family guards to seek revenge, using wood attribute true essence to bind me, I realized you hid inside the tree using wood attribute true essence, creating an illusion of disappearing."
Fang Yunchong was startled and frowned, "Xiao Chen, stop making baseless accusations. These things don't prove anything."
Xiao Chen sneered, "Do you remember Zhang Xiaorou from the Zhang family in Hundred Flowers Town? She saw this jade pendant and said it belonged to the Flower Thief. Coincidentally, you were wearing this jade pendant that day. With your father trying to cover up the truth just now, I became even more suspicious of you. When you mentioned that this jade pendant was left by your mother, it confirmed that you are the Flower Thief!"
Dongfang Batian immediately shouted, "Fang Yunchong, you are indeed the Flower Thief! Guards, seize him! Our Dongfang City will never allow such a vile creature to roam free!"