73: Chapter 73 Stepping on the Swallow Tower

Chen Fan held his beautiful wife, whose breathing had gradually steadied in his arms, and looked at her peaceful sleeping face, feeling a sense of tranquility in his heart.

"You beast, Chen Jinzhong."

In the depths of his heart, he once again delivered his final judgment upon his predecessor.

The next day, Chen Fan opened his eyes, and the bedding beside him was already cold.

He sat up, feeling completely refreshed, the exhaustion of last night swept away.

Lin Wan was already busy in the courtyard.

She wore a plain, washed-out cloth dress, her long, raven-black hair neatly pinned up at the back of her head with a wooden hairpin, revealing a section of snowy, delicate neck.

Her figure was slender; even under the loose cloth dress, the alluring curves were still visible. She did not possess a dazzling, peerless beauty, but she had a gentle and graceful temperament akin to the water towns of Jiangnan. Every movement she made exuded a virtuous nature that put one's heart at ease.

Chen Fan threw a coat over his shoulders, stepped off the bed, walked to the doorway, and just watched her quietly.

The sunlight gilded her with a soft golden edge. A peaceful life, this was likely what it meant.

In the days that followed, Chen Fan completely settled into the life of a salted fish, enjoying the simple pleasures of a wife, children, and a warm bed.

He almost forgot that he was a Martial Artist, and he also forgot about the killing and fighting in the Jianghu.

Every morning, he would wake up early and practice a set of Longxing Sect fist techniques in the courtyard.

He did not practice quickly; every move and stance was performed with extreme seriousness. As his muscles and bones stretched, a crisp cracking sound could be heard.

Nuannuan would sit in her cradle, watching her father's figure with her large, dark, round eyes unblinkingly. From time to time, she would wave her chubby little fists and babble, as if cheering for her father.

Lin Wan would walk out carrying a basin of water, and when he finished practicing, she would hand him a clean towel, her eyes filled with gentle smiles.

After breakfast, Chen Fan would take the initiative to shoulder the burdens of the household.

He would hold Nuannuan and accompany Lin Wan to the East Market for groceries.

A tall, handsome man holding a jade-like baby girl in his arms, accompanied by a gentle and beautiful wife. No matter where this family of three walked, they were an eye-catching sight.

At first, Lin Wan was still a bit unaccustomed to it, always feeling that it was inappropriate for a man to do such public errands.

But Chen Fan insisted, and she gradually acquiesced.

She would walk in front, carefully selecting fresh vegetables, arguing until her face turned red with a vendor over a single copper coin.

Chen Fan would follow behind, holding his daughter, watching her back, his heart filled with warmth.

This was life.

A real and passionate life.

In the evening, after coaxing Nuannuan to sleep, it was time for the husband and wife.

Chen Fan would tell her stories he had "heard," those imaginative and fantastical tales that always kept Lin Wan enthralled.

Then, they would become one.

From her initial shyness and passivity, Lin Wan gradually learned to take the initiative.

She would respond clumsily, using everything she knew to please her husband.

Chen Fan wallowed in this gentle embrace, almost forgetting who he was.

Substitution Rebirth, immortality—at this moment, all of it seemed so distant and unreal.

This peace was broken one morning half a month later.

"Dong, dong, dong."

An urgent knocking sounded on the door.

Chen Fan was in the courtyard teasing Nuannuan and frowned slightly at the sound.

Lin Wan hurried forward to open the courtyard gate.

Standing outside was a Disciple of the Longxing Sect, looking anxious.

"Senior Brother Chen, Teacher Liu has ordered that you immediately proceed to Tayan Tower!"

Tayan Tower.

Chen Fan's heart stirred.

What was meant to come had finally arrived.

He handed Nuannuan to Lin Wan, and looking at her eyes, which were instantly filled with worry, he comforted her softly: "Don't be afraid, I'm just going to take care of some business, and I'll be back soon."

Lin Wan didn't speak, just nodded silently, turned to go into the house to fetch his outer garment, and carefully straightened his collar for him.

A thousand words were contained within these silent actions.

Chen Fan patted her hand, turned, and strode away.

Tayan Tower was the tallest building in the city of Yanzhou.

This tower stood nine stories high, with flying eaves and bracket sets, possessing a magnificent Aura that pierced the clouds. Standing at the top of the tower, it was said one could overlook the entire landscape of Yanzhou and even see the vigorous flocks of swallows soaring on the distant skyline.

It was not only a scenic spot but also the highest-grade venue for the Yanzhou government office to host distinguished guests.

Ordinarily, it was not open to the public at all.

When Chen Fan arrived at the foot of Tayan Tower, it was already heavily guarded.

Squads of government soldiers clad in iron armor, holding long spears, stood solemnly outside the tower, surrounding the entire high building so tightly not even water could trickle through.

The atmosphere was heavy and murderous.

Chen Fan showed his Longxing Sect token and was respectfully led inside by a captain.

As soon as he stepped into the main hall of the tower, a Jianghu scent mixed with various kinds of Qi assaulted his nostrils.

In the spacious main hall, no fewer than thirty people had already gathered.

These people all had steady Qi, their temples bulging high; they were clearly all experts of internal cultivation.

Chen Fan swept his gaze over them and immediately had an assessment in his mind.

Everyone present was at least an 8th Grade Martial Artist.

Among them were even a few with long, unfathomable Qi, who had likely already touched the threshold of the 7th Grade.

These people almost encompassed all the elites of the Schools with any reputation within Yanzhou city.

"Senior Brother Chen, you've arrived."

A burly man walked up with a smile.

"Wang Chong of the Iron Fist School." Chen Fan recognized him; they were nodding acquaintances.

"Brother Wang." Chen Fan cupped his hands in return.

"Senior Brother Chen, you are a rare guest." Another voice rang out, carrying a hint of teasing, "Ever since you settled down, you've been like a dragon hiding its head and tail; the brothers couldn't find you even if they wanted to invite you for a drink."

Hearing this, everyone laughed good-naturedly.

Chen Fan just smiled and didn't offer much explanation.

His current state of mind was no longer suited for the drinking and socializing of Jianghu people.

After a few pleasantries, the topic quickly turned to the main business.

Wang Chong lowered his voice and leaned in close to Chen Fan.

"Senior Brother Chen, do you know what exactly is going on this time?"

"The government office has called all the prominent figures of our Yanzhou city here; this formation is no small matter."

Chen Fan shook his head. "I don't know either, I only heard from my master that there is a big shot coming from the Imperial City."

"From the Imperial City?"

This news obviously caused quite a stir in the crowd.

"Good heavens, no wonder the formation is so big!"

"Who could it be? Could it be some Prince or Duke?"

"Doesn't look like it. I heard that the one coming this time is a eunuch." A well-informed Martial Artist said mysteriously.

"A eunuch?"

The crowd looked at each other, all seeing a trace of gravity on each other's faces.

A eunuch from the Imperial City was not someone to be trifled with.

Especially those in positions of great power; each one was ruthless and wielded overwhelming authority.

"Could it be someone from the Eastern Depot or the Western Depot?" Someone guessed in a low voice.

Once this guess was made, the air in the hall seemed to turn a few degrees colder.

Everyone fell silent.

Everyone knew that those two places were veritable Yama temples that devoured people without spitting out the bones.

Just as everyone was discussing and guessing endlessly.

"Quiet!"

A deep shout came from the staircase.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the Prefect of Yanzhou, a slightly chubby middle-aged official, slowly walking down from the second floor while accompanying a figure.

The main hall instantly fell silent.

Everyone's attention was focused on that figure.