The Glory of the Tribe

Chen Yuanxuan didn’t understand why Jiang Xuan suddenly said that, nor did she know who he was referring to. Although she was one of the Ten Greatest Innates of Feixue City and had comprehended the Godly Might of Heaven and Earth for many years, a top talent, and even practiced her family's secret perception technique, it was still impossible for her to sense the Hidden Robbery Realm experts nearby.
"Xie Hanjie, he just came by," Jiang Xuan said.
"Huh?" Chen Yuanxuan abruptly turned around, her eyes wide as she scanned the forest. She then turned back and frowned. "Are you lying to me? How come I didn’t feel anything?"

"Your perception isn’t as strong as mine," Jiang Xuan chuckled and continued, "I didn’t notice at first either, but suddenly his aura fluctuated. It seemed like he was very angry. I thought he was going to take action, but... I didn’t expect... he held back."
Jiang Xuan couldn’t understand it.
Seeing the woman he was about to marry throw herself into another man’s arms, eagerly and proactively, and Xie Hanjie could endure that?

Such a thing was unthinkable in the tribe.
Even the weakest man in the tribe, if the ‘female lover’ was several times stronger than him, would fight to the death, and if he died, it would at least earn him the reputation of a true man. But if he shrank back, it would make him the laughingstock, and he would be despised by everyone.
"Really?"

Chen Yuanxuan didn’t quite believe what Jiang Xuan said. "A Robbery Realm expert’s mastery over the power of Heaven and Earth has already reached a new height, at least a hundred times the strength of someone who has reached Perfect Innate Godly Might. I’ve been comprehending this Godly Might for years, but I couldn’t sense a thing... What secret technique did you practice?"
"It’s a family secret," Jiang Xuan smiled.
Chen Yuanxuan didn’t press further. She couldn’t pry into the Jiang family’s secret techniques, just like how Jiang Xuan couldn’t inquire about the Chen family’s secrets. It was an unwritten rule; no one could break it, just like how Wei Baiyun, after marrying into the Jiang Tribe, never leaked any of the Wei family’s techniques.

Leaking techniques would bring death at the hands of the original family! The consequences would be endless!
"You can actually sense Robbery Realm experts..." Chen Yuanxuan looked at Jiang Xuan’s face, her eyes shining. She pursed her lips.
In truth, she had doubts, but she was more willing to believe Jiang Xuan.

She also hoped Jiang Xuan was that exceptional, all-around genius!
"But isn’t the focus supposed to be whether Xie Hanjie can really endure?" Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"Oh right." Chen Yuanxuan’s expression darkened, and she shook her head. "Although Xie Hanjie has a good reputation, in my eyes, he’s nothing more than a hypocrite who knows how to endure, is good at scheming, and likes to cling to powerful people! Back in the day, he worked for months to get Master Zou Kang, who had just been transferred to Feixue City, to take him on as an apprentice. At the time, he wasn’t even the most outstanding at Xingchen Academy, just average, but he managed to get Zou Kang’s favor and became his closed-door disciple... That caused quite a stir!"

"Our Chen family even investigated how he did it. In the end, it was just because he repeatedly appeared in front of Zou Kang, pretending to be casual, but it was all planned beforehand... To climb up, he would do anything!"
"Someone like him, even as a friend, would make you fear being plotted behind your back! Let alone as a spouse!"
Chen Yuanxuan shook her head more vigorously, and with some self-deprecation, she said, "Actually, some of the elders in my family have always rated him highly! The things I see as flaws, in the eyes of the elders, they’re seen as virtues—careful, capable traits."
"He’s someone who overdoes it with his caution," Jiang Xuan agreed. "Always weighing pros and cons, enduring everything, and yet he’s still a full Robbery Realm expert."

"He’s just that kind of person." Chen Yuanxuan spoke, but her expression suddenly changed. She looked at Jiang Xuan and said, "But since he saw and knows about our relationship and still held back, it seems like he’s made up his mind to marry into our Chen family. He wants to preserve his reputation and won’t easily offend me, which means... you’re in danger!"
"Is he going to act personally?" Jiang Xuan narrowed his eyes and asked, "Is he planning to assassinate me?"
"No!" Chen Yuanxuan shook her head. "Given his cautious nature, if he does something, it’ll be done flawlessly. He won’t let your death have any doubts. It’ll look entirely legitimate, without raising suspicion from me, Lei Hong, or even the law."

"Such methods?" Jiang Xuan froze for a moment.
"Yes..." Chen Yuanxuan pondered for a moment, concern appearing on her face. She knew that her relationship with Jiang Xuan would bring him trouble, but she hadn’t expected it to come so soon.
Jiang Xuan suddenly raised his hand, gently brushing Chen Yuanxuan’s cheek and tilting her chin.

"What are you doing?" Chen Yuanxuan snapped back to attention and looked up at him.
"Are you worried about me, sister?" Jiang Xuan suddenly leaned forward and whispered in her ear.
"Ah—!" Chen Yuanxuan sucked in a breath, her body going stiff, as the masculinity of Jiang Xuan’s presence hit her. The way he called out "sister" in such a wild, tribal manner almost made her lose control. Her legs instinctively pressed together, and her mind flashed with absurd thoughts, but she quickly shook them off.

No! It’s too absurd this early in the morning!
Whoosh!
Chen Yuanxuan became a blur, instantly rising and retreating, putting a distance of ten feet between herself and Jiang Xuan, who was shirtless on the animal skin mat. She stood there coldly, her expression haughty, and said, "Who’s worried about you! If you die... it’s because you’re weak! If a Robbery Realm expert wants to kill you and you’re scared, just tell me, and I’ll sever ties with you, so no one can say I caused your death. You think I want to sleep with you and take on the risk? Dream on! Go, leave!"

Her self-esteem forced her to speak these words. After all, they had only just established their relationship less than a day ago.
She didn’t want to appear overly proactive in her emotions.
In truth, Chen Yuanxuan had never openly admitted that she liked Jiang Xuan or admired him. She had always been "forced" into this!

Whoosh!
After speaking, Chen Yuanxuan quickly vanished into the distance.
"Stubborn," Jiang Xuan smiled, his grin slowly fading as his gaze sharpened.

"Xie Hanjie... Xie Hanjie... Robbery Realm..." Jiang Xuan walked to the communication stone and called, "Senior, are you there?"
In the Earth City courtyard.
Chen Yuanzhou was still practicing his sword.

Whoosh!
The blur entered the courtyard, and as soon as Chen Yuanzhou called "Sister," the figure flashed past him. The door opened and closed with the figure’s movement... she went directly back to her room.
A moment later, Chen Yuanxuan came out of her room, now dressed in her morning practice robes, which appeared much simpler and looser compared to her usual attire.

It was routine for the siblings to practice swords together.
"Sis, you’ve practiced all night. Shouldn’t you rest first?" Chen Yuanzhou asked with concern.
"I'm not tired," Chen Yuanxuan replied coldly.

"By the way, Sis, Xie Daren came by." Chen Yuanzhou added, "He originally said he was going to the back mountain to say goodbye, but after a while, he came back and said he didn’t want to upset you, so he stopped at the forest's edge and didn’t go to the back mountain. He told me not to tell you because it might make it seem like he was trying too hard to show his face... He told me to let you know that he’s returning to Feixue City."
Chen Yuanzhou never went against his words.
No matter what Xie Hanjie told him, Chen Yuanzhou still told Chen Yuanxuan everything.

This cleared up Chen Yuanxuan's final doubts. Xie Hanjie had indeed gone to the back mountain! And Jiang Xuan had sensed it! He had seen him!
Chen Yuanxuan stood there, her face changing several times.
"Sis, what’s wrong?" Chen Yuanzhou walked a couple of steps closer, asking in confusion.

"Yuanzhou, am I really your sister? Will you do whatever I ask?" Chen Yuanxuan asked seriously, staring at her brother.
Again with this! Time to show loyalty!
"Of course, Sis! You're like my mother! If you want me to go fight Xie Hanjie now, I’ll do it without a second thought!" Chen Yuanzhou immediately swore with a raised hand.

"Stop acting cute! I’m serious," Chen Yuanxuan insisted.
"Sis, what’s wrong? Just tell me, don’t you know me? Even Father isn’t as close to me as you!" Chen Yuanzhou became serious, sensing that this time, his sister wasn’t joking and that something big was happening!
"I need you to mobilize the family’s Shadow Guard." Chen Yuanxuan looked into her brother's eyes, "Investigate what Xie Hanjie did after returning to Feixue City, who he met!"

"This—" Chen Yuanzhou was startled.
The Shadow Guard was a type of intelligence operative with absolute secrecy. In families with a long legacy, their Shadow Guard developed into a large and complex system, with many agents deployed everywhere!
The Chen family’s Shadow Guard reports directly to the Elders’ Hall.

Even Chen Yuanxuan couldn’t directly mobilize them.
But Chen Yuanzhou could.
Because he was male! He was the family’s greatest genius! Essentially, he was being groomed as the next head!

Chen Yuanzhou was also the only young family member who could mobilize the Shadow Guard without going through the Elders’ Hall!
What shocked Chen Yuanzhou was not the idea of mobilizing the Shadow Guard, but... that Chen Yuanxuan wanted him to investigate a Magistrate!
Magistrates were officials! Officials of the Robbery Realm!

They had immense power!
Private investigations of imperial officials, if discovered, could cause huge problems for the Chen family! It could bring down the wrath of the Demon Castle Lord!
"Sis... it’s not that I don’t want to help you... this... it’s risky... If discovered, I’m not afraid of punishment, but the family might get implicated..." Chen Yuanzhou hesitated, speaking cautiously. He was willing to obey his sister, but didn’t want the family to be dragged down.

"The family arranged for me to marry, and Xie Daren intends to marry in. The family needs to confirm his character, whether he’s keeping mistresses or anything else. Investigating him is perfectly reasonable, isn’t it?" Chen Yuanxuan said seriously.
Chen Yuanzhou paused for a moment, then understood!
"Hahahaha, yes, yes, you're right! Sis is right! As your brother, I’m duty-bound to take care of this for you!" Chen Yuanzhou laughed, understanding the reasoning.

Having a legitimate reason made all the difference!
Even if it were accidentally discovered and made a fuss in front of the Demon Castle Lord, the Chen family wouldn’t be afraid! It was perfectly reasonable!
"Take care of it as soon as you return to Feixue City. Go quickly and keep me updated," Chen Yuanxuan said.

"Got it, you can rest assured, Sis," Chen Yuanzhou said, turning to leave. He then stopped and looked at Chen Yuanxuan with a serious expression, "Sis, you mean... you’re not leaving?"
"I asked Jiang Xuan. He said I could comprehend the Robbery Realm Swordsmanship earlier, thanks to Lei Hong’s guidance. So I’ve decided to stay for a while longer to continue learning from Lei Hong. This must remain confidential. Lei Hong is a Magistrate, and being too close to the tribe leaders could harm his reputation."
"I understand, I understand."

Chen Yuanzhou nodded, hesitating for a moment. He wanted to persuade his sister to leave, but in the end, he didn’t say anything more.
It was fine to let his sister stay here, as if in seclusion for cultivation.
He didn’t know what problem his sister had discovered with Xie Hanjie to cause her to mobilize the Shadow Guard for an investigation!

That morning, Xie Hanjie left the Jiang Tribe Earth City with his men in grand fashion. The talented individuals from Xingchen Academy who accompanied him also left with their guards.
In the afternoon, east of Feixue City, Eastpan Camp.
This was the permanent camp of Feixue City’s standing army, the Feixue Army. The regular forces numbered over three hundred thousand, with most being at the Post-Heaven realm. There were about 20,000 at the Innate level and more than a hundred at the Robbery Realm, directly under the command of the Demon Castle Lord.

Years had passed without war, yet the Eastpan Camp’s western gate remained heavily guarded, showing no sign of easing up.
Whoosh!
Xie Hanjie’s figure suddenly appeared before the western gate.

"Who goes there?"
The soldiers with flaming crossbows on the city walls aimed at him immediately.
"It’s me." Xie Hanjie looked up at the gatekeeper.

"It’s Xie Daren!" The gatekeeper recognized him and immediately relaxed. "Open the gate, quickly! Don’t you know? He’s the youngest Magistrate of Feixue City! Zou Kang’s personal disciple! Hurry up!"
The western gate slowly opened.