Chapter 5, Dragon's Lair

"What do you think you are?" Chu Yunjie exclaimed in anger, taking a step forward and grabbing the front of Chu Yanqi's clothing, scolding, "You should take a look at yourself in the mirror; do you think you are worthy?"

Such talent has undoubtedly made countless disciples of the Chu family envious and jealous

"I am fine." Chu Hua smiled bitterly, gazing nostalgically at Chu Yanqi's face, and sighed softly. Today, he was imprisoned in the dungeon. If Chu Zhengming could obtain the elixir and successfully enter the Danling stage, perhaps in a moment of joy, he might even release him. Otherwise, he feared that he would have to spend the rest of his life in the dungeon.

Since you share a deep bond with your master, you should serve your young master well from now on. Chu Yunjie glanced at Hao Qiang, a faintly cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth

"There is such an intention." Chu Zhengming let out a strange laugh and cast a sinister glance at him

What does the landlord want?" Chu Yanqi took a deep breath, then turned around and asked Chu Zhengming, "You aren't planning to lock up Hao Qiang as well, are you?

Hao Qiang's injuries are all his own doing. In the Chu family, he is considered a rare talent. Chu Zhengming has even spared no expense in purchasing elixirs and spirit stones for his cultivation. Even so, he and Tu Shu have only barely managed to break through to the Great Perfection of the Spirit Refining Stage, entering the first layer of the Yuan Spirit Stage.

Although it is not him, but rather the body he seized and took over, it is now him, and there is no difference.

"I need someone to attend to me," Chu Yanqi said. "If you don't allow Hao Qiang to take care of me, are you planning to have Chu Yunjie look after me instead?"

"Of course, I will send you back!" Chu Yunjie said with a strange smile, "You are about to become the son-in-law of the Sang family, which is of utmost honor. How can you manage without anyone to take care of you? Therefore, I have arranged for a few people to take good care of you."

In any case, with Chu Hua in the hands of Chu Zhengming, it is impossible for him to escape, whether or not there is someone supervising him makes no difference

Chu Yanqi wanted to speak, but did not know where to begin. He learned from Chu Hua that a person named Hao Qiang existed, yet he had never met him. Now—this stranger, whom he had never known, had also been implicated because of him

I will naturally take good care of the young master," Hao Qiang said proudly. Although the young master possesses a useless physique that cannot cultivate immortality, he himself is capable of doing so. Ultimately, one day, when he achieves great mastery in his cultivation, he will make those who have humiliated the young master pay them back in full.

Just as she stepped out of the main gate of the Chu residence, she saw Chu Yunjie approaching with several servants. Chu Yanqi came to a halt and said, "What else do you want to do?"

It seems that bringing him back was indeed the right decision. Chu Zhengming nodded and instructed Chu Fu to unlock the shackles on Hao Qiang. He then slowly said, "I will release him to take care of you, but if you engage in any improper behavior, I will not punish you directly. However, I will double the punishment for him." As he spoke, he pointed at Hao Qiang.

Take Chu Hua to the dungeon! Chu Yun Jie commanded

"I originally planned to end it all, naturally not wanting to burden him." Chu Yanqi spoke calmly and indifferently, "Now that I am not dead, and I do not wish to die at the moment, I naturally still need someone to attend to me."

Chu Hua is merely at the ninth level of the Spirit Refinement stage, slightly stronger than an ordinary person, yet unable to withstand such punishment. Chu Yanqi has studied this; if one cannot enter the Danling stage, they cannot be considered as truly cultivating immortality. The first level of the Spirit Refinement stage is merely a foundation, serving the purpose of strengthening the body.

If Chu Yanqi truly dies, his elixirs will naturally be unattainable, and the threat must be just right

That grassroots servant has surprisingly cultivated to the Great Perfection of the Spirit Refinement Stage solely by relying on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, without using any medicinal pills or spiritual stones. If he were given a small spiritual stone, he would likely be able to break through immediately

Standing at the entrance of the Chu family, he looked up at the two large characters—Chu Family! In his heart, Chu Yanqi harbored an indescribable hatred. Having just arrived in this world, he was subjected to such humiliation. In his previous life, who would have dared to show him such disdain?

Thinking of this, he did not engage in further chatter with Chu Yunjie and simply supported Chu Yanqi as they walked away

Chu Yanqi merely cast him a cold glance, then walked over to help Chu Hua. Upon seeing the tattered clothes he wore, stained with spots of blood, and the whip marks visible through the torn fabric, it was a shocking sight.

Father, do not worry. Chu Yanqi, feeling helpless, could only release her grip on Chu Hua's hand

In this regard, Chu Hua is merely an ordinary person, and naturally should not endure such torment

However, he is helpless! Unable to cultivate, he is destined to be a waste.

Chu Yanqi also did not want to stay in the main house of the Chu family for long; this place made him feel uncomfortable even for a minute. Hao Qiang, covered in injuries, also needed to clean his wounds and apply some medicine.

Dragon's Lair

"I know I am unworthy, so I want Hao Qiang," Chu Yanqi said. "Master of the house, since you have already imprisoned my father, you have enough leverage to threaten me, so there is no need to keep Hao Qiang locked up any longer"

Several servants responded affirmatively, and before long, Chu Yanqi heard the sound of iron chains clattering against the ground. Then, several servants escorted a strong young man into the room

This time, Hao Qiang fell into his hands, and naturally, he did not escape suffering. However, Chu Zhengming stated that keeping Hao Qiang would be useful, and that they should not excessively pressure Chu Yanqi to avoid him taking any extreme actions again

Turning around, Chu Yanqi suddenly froze. In the distance, the Kunlan Mountain Range twisted majestically. Near the town of Kunlan, a completely different scene emerged, revealing the shape of a dragon's head. As if that were not enough, looking into the night, one could see dragon energy emanating from the dragon's eye.

I am fine!" Chu Hua looked at Chu Yanqi's worried expression, fearing that he might do something extreme again, and immediately busied himself with comforting him

A few servants came in from outside, grabbed Chu Hua, and were about to leave.

You—Hao Qiang was furious. Although Chu Yunjie did not imprison Chu Yan and him together in the dungeon, the implication was that their freedom of movement was to be restricted

Upon seeing Chu Yanqi, Hao Qiang suddenly struggled with all his might, breaking free from the several servants, rushing to his front, and calling out: "Young Master..."

Chu Yanqi gently patted Hao Qiang's hand, signaling him not to get angry, and then slowly said: "If you wish to follow, then follow."

"Haven't you already terminated the slave contract with him and let him go?" Chu Zhengming asked deliberately

In fact, in earlier years, Chu Yunjie had wanted to buy Hao Qiang from Chu Yanqi, but Hao Qiang was unwilling and even harshly scolded Chu Yunjie, resulting in a grudge between the two.

Chu Yanqi looked up and was instantly filled with rage, trembling with anger. Hao Qiang had heavy iron chains around his neck, wrists, and ankles, his upper body bare and bloodied from the beating. Despite this, his eyes still sparkled with an unyielding cold light as he gazed at Chu Zhengming

Go bring Hao Qiang here," Chu Yunjie instructed

Chu Yanqi nodded slightly. Chu Zhengming was indeed ruthless; in front of him, he whipped Chu Hua and then imprisoned him in the dungeon, which was tantamount to holding him hostage. Furthermore, he brought back Hao Qiang and arranged for him to be by his side. If he encountered any issues, Hao Qiang would be implicated.