The System Arrives: Leading My Clan to Become the Strongest

116: Chapter 116 Huangfu Jinyuan’s ThoughtsThe spiritual light of the Teleportation Array receded like a tide. Jiang Chen stood in the center of the plaza with his hands behind his back, his black robes fluttering in the evening wind.

The spiritual pressure around him, which had not yet been fully restrained, caused ripples in the surrounding space.

”Clan Leader Jiang, it has only been a few days, but what you did in the capital has already spread throughout the entire Yuan Kingdom.”

A steady voice drifted through the wind. Jiang Chen looked up and saw Huangfu Jinyuan dressed in a plain silk robe, standing before them.

”Brother Jinyuan.”

Stepping out of the Teleportation Array, Jiang Chen looked at Huangfu Jinyuan and called out.

”C-Clan Leader Jiang, you’re back.”

Seeing it was Jiang Chen and his group, Huangfu Jinyuan called out somewhat stiffly.

Since Jiang Chen’s deeds in the capital had spread throughout the Yuan Kingdom, Huangfu Jinyuan had also realized the truth. He hadn’t expected that Jiang Chen, whom he thought was in the Golden Core Realm like himself, would suddenly turn out to be in the Nascent Soul Realm.

Furthermore, Jiang Chen had wiped out the Zhao Family in the capital over a disagreement and had even severed an arm of the Imperial Family’s Old Ancestor Canglan.

”Father.”

At this moment, Huangfu Shenghua stepped out from the side and went forward to greet his father.

”Mhm, it’s good that you’re back.”

Seeing Huangfu Shenghua, Huangfu Jinyuan only nodded, but his gaze involuntarily drifted back to Jiang Chen, his eyes hiding an irrepressible shock and awe.

”Clan Leader Jiang, I have prepared a banquet, both to welcome you back and to welcome Shenghua and the Jiang Family Disciples.”

Huangfu Jinyuan bowed and made a ”please” gesture. His tone was a bit more composed than before, but it still carried a hint of caution.

Jiang Chen’s gaze swept over the travel-worn Disciples behind him. The conflict in the capital had left everyone somewhat exhausted, so he nodded in agreement.

”Brother Jinyuan, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”

The group followed Huangfu Jinyuan to the City Lord’s Manor. In the main hall, the table was laden with delicacies, and the fragrance of fine wine filled the air.

After everyone was seated, Huangfu Jinyuan personally filled Jiang Chen’s cup and raised it:

”Clan Leader Jiang, your display of Divine Might in the capital has not only brought glory to the Jiang Family but has also strengthened the resolve of the forces around Tianfeng City. I toast you!”

Jiang Chen raised his cup, clinked it gently with his, and took a small sip:

”Brother Jinyuan, you’re too kind.”

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Huangfu Jinyuan could no longer contain his curiosity and asked tentatively:

”Clan Leader Jiang, the outside world says you severed an arm of Old Ancestor Canglan and wiped out the entire Zhao Family in the capital. I wonder... how did this all start?”

As soon as he said this, the private room fell silent, and the Jiang Family Disciples all looked up.

Jiang Chen set down his cup, his tone calm and steady.

”It was simply the Zhao Family bullying others, making things difficult for the Jiang Family Disciples participating in the competition, and even trying to assassinate them in secret. As for Huangfu Canglan, he attacked me first without rhyme or reason; I merely gave him a warning.”

”A warning?”

Huangfu Jinyuan sucked in a cold breath, his eyes filled with horror.

”Father, Clan Leader Jiang was truly majestic in the capital. The Old Ancestor couldn’t even block one move before having his arm severed by Clan Leader Jiang.”

Huangfu Shenghua spoke from the side, with no intention of resenting Jiang Chen.

It was true; the three Old Ancestors of the Clan were separated by so many generations that unless they shared the surname Huangfu and the Nascent Soul Ancestors lived long lives, nobody would even recognize each other.

As long as nothing happened to his own ancestor, Huangfu Jinghong, he didn’t care about the others.

”Old Ancestor Canglan is at the Late Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, and rumor has it that his ’Canglan Palm’ is incredibly powerful. To think you could sever his arm... Clan Leader Jiang’s strength is truly unfathomable!”

When he first met Jiang Chen, he had always thought the other was just a promising young man, like himself, at most in the Golden Core Realm. He hadn’t expected that after just a few days, Jiang Chen would have reached such a level, even defeating a Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator in a single move. His gaze toward Jiang Chen became increasingly reverent.

Jiang Chen rubbed the rim of his wine cup with his fingertip and gave a faint smile at Huangfu Jinyuan’s wonder.

”Although Huangfu Canglan’s cultivation is high, he lost his sense of propriety, acting as an elder to bully the younger generation. Losing an arm serves as a lesson for him and lets those arrogant forces in the capital know that Jiang Family Disciples are not soft persimmons to be toyed with.”

Though his words were light, they carried an unquestionable confidence.

Hearing this, the Jiang Family Disciples straightened their backs, their faces full of pride.

That day in the capital, Zhao Kun of the Zhao Family had made things difficult in every way. If not for the Fifth Elder, and if Zhao Kun hadn’t been unable to deal with them, they might not have been so lucky. Looking back now, the Clan Chief sweeping through the Zhao Family and intimidating the Imperial Family single-handedly truly made their hearts race.

Huangfu Jinyuan nodded repeatedly in agreement.

”Clan Leader Jiang is right! Those noble families and the Imperial Family in the capital are used to being overbearing; it was about time someone took them down a notch. However...”

He changed the subject, his tone carrying a bit more concern.

”Old Ancestor Canglan is, after all, an Old Ancestor of the Imperial Family. You severed his arm; didn’t the Imperial Family seek more trouble?”

”There was trouble, of course.”

Jiang Chen took a sip of wine, his tone remaining calm.

”However, they are people who know how to adapt to the situation.”

He paused and spoke slowly.

”Just yesterday, they immediately came to find me. Not only did they apologize, but they also offered many resources, only seeking to settle the matter peacefully.”

Hearing this, Huangfu Jinyuan almost choked on his wine.

He felt like Jiang Chen was humblebragging to him, but he had no proof.

”That’s good then.”

Huangfu Jinyuan could only smile awkwardly.

”Thank you for the hospitality. We’ve been away from the Jiang Family for many days and are eager to get back. I’ll come visit Brother Jinyuan again next time.”

After the meal, Jiang Chen stood up, not planning to stay much longer.

”I’ll see you out.”

Huangfu Jinyuan didn’t insist on them staying and saw Jiang Chen and the others out of the City Lord’s Manor.

”Brother Jinyuan, please head back.”

Jiang Chen waved to Huangfu Jinyuan and led his Clan Members toward the city gate.

Watching Jiang Chen and the others disappear from view, Huangfu Jinyuan’s expression became somewhat grave.

Jiang Chen was too strong, seriously threatening the ruling position of his Huangfu Family.

”Father, what are you thinking about?”

Seeing that his father hadn’t moved and seemed to be in deep thought, Huangfu Shenghua couldn’t help but ask.

”Mind your own business and stay out of adult matters.”

Hearing Huangfu Shenghua’s call, Huangfu Jinyuan snapped back to his senses and then scolded him.

”Heh, Father, you aren’t thinking of dealing with Clan Leader Jiang, are you?”

Huangfu Shenghua looked at his father and couldn’t help but sneer.

”What do you know?”

Huangfu Jinyuan scolded sharply, his face turning as dark as a thundercloud.

He pressed his hand against the Black Jade Pendant at his waist, his knuckles turning slightly white.

”Jiang Chen is now in the Nascent Soul Realm. He can wipe out the Zhao Family and heavily injure an imperial ancestor with just a wave of his hand. This kind of strength has already exceeded the scope of a ’friend’. His Qingyun Mountain is adjacent to my Tianfeng City. Today he can tolerate us, but what if tomorrow he has a change of heart? Wouldn’t my Huangfu Family’s century-old foundation be gone in an instant?”

Hearing this, the sneer on Huangfu Shenghua’s face deepened.

”Father, you’re worrying over nothing. I’ve seen clearly what kind of person Clan Leader Jiang is during these past few days in the capital. He protects his own but isn’t overbearing; he is powerful but not bloodthirsty. The Zhao Family brought about their own destruction, and Old Ancestor Canglan got what he deserved. He has never taken the initiative to provoke others.”