Zhang Yue had already speculated that there might be some kind of connection between [Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon] and Chen Jun.
But he didn't expect this: they were actually cousins.
"Chen Jun once approached me, trying to mobilize the Chen Army through me to deal with someone called Zero, the Beast Tamer. I didn't agree."
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon said face-to-face to Zhang Yue, "During the process of seeking my assistance, I vaguely overheard him mention something you once said to him: that you claimed to have fought against a Level 9 Beast Tide to defend Huaxia!"
"And in the history of Huaxia, only one person has ever resisted a Level 9 Beast Tide—a hundred years ago, it was Asura."
Hearing this, Zhang Yue asked curiously, "So you concluded that I am Asura based on that?"
Chen Long laughed heartily, "Of course, I know you're not Asura. The God Asura sacrificed himself a hundred years ago. Could he come back to life?"
"I just wanted to use that as a gimmick to grab your attention."
Zhang Yue replied, "Do you think you're funny?"
Chen Long laughed again, "I might not be that funny, but I consider myself quite romantic."
Zhang Yue then asked, "Why would he seek help from you? Can you mobilize the Chen Army?"
"To be honest," Chen Long said, "I am the former president of the Chen Army. Back then, Chen Jun was just the vice president. However, Chen Jun incited guild members to rebel, nearly causing my death. I was forced to go into hiding and live in anonymity."
"Luckily, I had some savings, so I managed to scrape by decently."
Zhang Yue seemed to understand something. "So, you want me to help you kill the current president of the Chen Army, Chen Jun, in order to..."
"Regain control and revitalize the Chen Army." Chen Long's eyes were filled with determination and hatred. "Even the Demon God's Heart was snatched from me by Chen Jun. He took everything that should have been mine."
"Only by killing him can I reclaim what rightfully belongs to me."
Zhang Yue pointed out an issue, "Would Chen Jun let you live until now?"
"No, he wouldn't." Chen Long replied, "That's why, in the eyes of the world, the Chen Army's former president [Soaring Dragon Across the Sky] is already dead."
At this point, Chen Long removed the mask that he always wore on his face, revealing his true appearance to Zhang Yue for the first time.
"There is no [Soaring Dragon Across the Sky] in this world—only [Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon]."
"There's one more question," Zhang Yue asked. "How did you find out my real-world address?"
Chen Long looked around cautiously before leaning close to Zhang Yue's ear and whispering something.
Zhang Yue remained silent for a moment, then said, "Alright, I understand..."
Next, Chen Long began painting a grand picture: "Don't worry, big brother. I'm not like Chen Jun. Even though I'm his cousin, I'm not as foolish as he is. I would never treat you the way he does."
"As long as you help me take down Chen Jun, once I reclaim the position of president of the Chen Army, I'll grant you half of Tianjing's domain."
Zhang Yue wasn't particularly interested in Chen Jun himself.
What he cared about was just the treasure Chen Jun possessed—the Demon God's Heart.
Thus, Zhang Yue said to Chen Long, "You figure out a way to lure him out. Leave the rest to me."
After saying that, Zhang Yue turned and left.
Following this battle, all members of the Heavens Hall were marked with red names.
Warrior Knight Owl: ["Anyone forming a team to clear red names? I've got 500 sin points—I feel like I won't be sleeping tonight..."]
Knight One Night Stand: ["Damn! I've got 1,500 sin points! Can anyone beat that? I'm asking, who else!"]
Li Yue: ["The president seems to have killed quite a few people. How many sin points do you have, President?"]
"Not much," Zhang Yue replied nonchalantly, "just over 30,000."
At this, the guild chat fell completely silent.
Three seconds later...
Knight One Night Stand retracted a message.
At this moment, Zhang Yue @mentioned Ouyang Ling'er in the guild chat: ["Come here, I need to talk to you in person."]
Not long after, Ouyang Ling'er arrived before Zhang Yue, her big eyes looking at him innocently. "President, what do you need me for?"
"Your salary for the next three months is deducted."
Ouyang Ling'er's eyes widened. "Huh? Why?"
"Think about it yourself."
As Zhang Yue turned and walked away, Ouyang Ling'er recalled the earlier interaction between Chen Long and Zhang Yue. Suddenly, it was as if something clicked.
She quickly sent a message to a contact labeled [BOSS] on her Feixin app: ["Boss, did you sell me out?"]
Not long after, Chen Long replied, ["Ahem... For the greater good, I had to sacrifice you!"]
Ouyang Ling'er grabbed her hair, her expression collapsing. ["Ah! I'm doomed..."]
Meanwhile, Zhang Yue sighed. "Ouyang Ling'er, you're not simple, are you?"
"Who would've thought that from the very beginning, you approached me with a purpose?"
However, Ouyang Ling'er didn't have bad intentions.
When she was a child, she experienced a car accident that took her parents' lives. She was saved by Chen Long, who happened to be passing by. Ever since, everything she did for him was to repay that debt of gratitude.
Moreover, after using her advanced skills to locate Zhang Yue's address, Ouyang Ling'er didn't even disclose it to Chen Long. She simply followed his instructions and sent a letter to Zhang Yue.
Chen Long, having learned about Zhang Yue's extraordinary strength from Chen Jun, had targeted him from the start to help him fight against the Chen Army.
Afterward, Zhang Yue went to a wilderness area to kill monsters and clear his red name.
Hearing that Zhang Yue had come to Tianjing and had gotten red-named while helping the Tian family, the Tian family's patriarch, Tian Ying, personally assigned a large group of newly advanced professionals to assist Zhang Yue and his team in clearing their sin points.
He even arranged for Zhang Yue and the Heavens Hall members to stay in a five-star hotel after they cleared their red names.
Inside and outside the hotel, he stationed hundreds of martial arts experts as bodyguards to ensure their safety.
Accompanied by his granddaughter Tian Xiner, Tian Ying even visited Zhang Yue personally at the hotel.
As the head of one of Tianjing's three great families, Tian Ying didn't care about his high status and went to meet Zhang Yue himself. Naturally, Zhang Yue didn't put on airs either.
A few people sat in the moon-viewing hall, chatting while enjoying the moonlight.
The long table was filled with desserts, drinks, and other delicacies.
Wu Haotian and Ouyang Ling'er were too busy eating to pay attention to anything else.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yue chatted with Tian Ying and Tian Xiner.
"Chairman Tian, you're too kind to go to such lengths for us."
Tian Ying chuckled, "This is what we ought to do. If you need anything while in Tianjing, just let Xiner know."
As he spoke, Tian Yu noticed Tian Xiner sitting on the sofa, propping her chin with her hands and smiling foolishly as she stared at Zhang Yue.
He waved his hand in front of her. "Stop staring—your drool is about to fall."
Tian Xiner snapped out of it, glared at Tian Yu, and said, "You're so annoying!"
Then she noticed Zhang Yue looking at her, and her face instantly turned bright red.
This scene made even the usually reserved old patriarch burst into laughter.
He could already tell that his granddaughter liked Zhang Yue.
And he himself had a very good impression of Zhang Yue.
If Tian Xiner had feelings for Zhang Yue, Tian Ying would undoubtedly support it.
———
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
In Tianjing, at the Chen Army Guild Headquarters, Chen Jun convened guild officials for an emergency late-night meeting.
"Who is this Beast Tamer? How can he be so powerful?"
"Information found online says he's known as the newly risen strongest in Zhejiang Province."
"Just the strongest in Zhejiang Province, and he dares challenge the three great families of Tianjing?"
"But the data shows... this kid indeed has a grassroots background with no strong backing."
Chen Jun slammed the table hard, snorted coldly, and said angrily, "A mere commoner dares to provoke the Chen Army? I'll make him pay a hundredfold price!"
"I'll apply to the higher-ups right now to allocate 30% of the guild's funds to enhance our combat strength."
"Zero, prepare to be buried with the Tian family!"
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