27: Chapter 27 Brother, I have my reasons.

The next morning, Chen Shanzhi arrived at the dining hall for his meal.

Chen Rou sat in the main seat as usual, elegantly sipping bird's nest porridge.

But the moment Chen Rou saw Chen Shanzhi walk in...

The smile on her face gradually vanished, replaced by an irrepressible shock.

She put down her silver spoon, hurried over to Chen Shanzhi, and placed her hand on his wrist to sense him carefully.

"Shan'er, you... you've had a Breakthrough to the Xuanguan Seven Apertures?"

Chen Rou's voice trembled, and the shock in her gentle eyes gradually transformed into pure ecstasy.

In less than a month, from the Xuanguan Five Apertures to the Xuanguan Seven Apertures. Such a Cultivation speed was simply unheard of!

"Good, good, good! This is wonderful!"

Her eyes reddened with emotion as she tightly gripped Chen Shanzhi's hand:

"If your late parents knew about this, they would surely be proud of you."

"Our Zhenguo Marquis Mansion finally has a successor."

Although she had hoped Chen Shanzhi would work hard, she hadn't actually held much hope, thinking it was just a temporary burst of passion from a young man.

But she never expected that this child would actually do it!

"It's all thanks to Auntie's excellent guidance."

Chen Shanzhi smiled modestly, not taking the credit for himself, but instead timely shifting the topic:

"Auntie, since I've made a Breakthrough, about the matter of the Marquis Mansion's Secret Realm..."

Hearing the words "Secret Realm," Chen Rou's expression turned solemn.

She dismissed the servants, leaving only Chen Shanzhi.

Then, from a silk pouch she kept close, she took out an ancient-looking key that seemed to be cast from bronze and solemnly handed it to Chen Shanzhi.

"Shan'er, since you've done it, Auntie won't go back on her word."

"This is the key to open the Secret Realm. The entrance is in that small pavilion in the backyard."

Afterward, she explained the details of the Secret Realm to Chen Shanzhi.

"This Secret Realm was formed from a treasure your grandfather accidentally obtained at the border years ago; it contains its own small world."

"A treasure?" Chen Shanzhi toyed with the key, lost in thought.

"Correct."

Chen Rou nodded. "Your grandfather didn't specify exactly what treasure it was."

"According to your father, your grandfather was busy suppressing the Demon People and the Wu Clan at the border, so he left the object in the mansion and hurried away."

"Your father entered it once when he was young. According to him, it's a world of its own and exceptionally perilous."

"It's a place like a trial ground with three stages in total. Each stage has a powerful guardian; once defeated, you can obtain generous rewards..."

"The first stage is a Yao Beast illusion; the second stage is a Puppet proficient in various martial arts; as for the third stage..."

Chen Rou paused, her expression grave.

"Even your father wasn't able to clear it back then."

"When he failed and was teleported out, he saw an altar behind that guardian."

"Something seemed to be floating above it, but it was too far away to see clearly what it was."

"However, even though he only cleared the first two stages, your father's strength increased greatly after he came out, and he benefited immensely."

Chen Shanzhi nodded inwardly as he listened.

This was almost exactly like the settings in a game.

This Secret Realm had three stages in total; after defeating each stage's boss, one would receive a reward.

If you failed, you would be teleported out directly and could never enter again.

And the Blood Bracelet that recorded the Wu Clan's Body Refining Cultivation Technique wasn't a stage reward, but something like a hidden reward.

This Blood Bracelet was hidden in a cabinet behind the final stage boss.

"I understand, Auntie."

Chen Shanzhi put away the key and said seriously:

"I'll be careful."

"Mm, remember not to overreach yourself."

Chen Rou urged, "If things become impossible, even if you have to give up, don't lose your life."

"The Secret Realm is good, but in Auntie's heart, your safety is what matters most."

"Don't worry, Auntie, I cherish my life very much."

...

For the next two days.

Tang Liu discovered that his sister no longer went to the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion at night.

Although he didn't say it out loud, he was actually relieved in his heart.

It seemed that whatever transaction there was had ended with his release from prison.

Although the thought of his sister being taken advantage of by that playboy heir just to save him...

...made his heart ache as if cut by knives, and he wished he could tear Chen Shanzhi into ten thousand pieces.

But he was even more grateful that his sister had finally escaped that fiery pit.

"As long as Xiaowu is back, it's fine."

Tang Liu thought to himself, trying to find comfort.

Thus, during these two days, the siblings seemed to have returned to their former days of relying on each other.

Tang Liu deliberately avoided mentioning those unpleasant matters, trying every way to make Tang Xiaowu happy by buying her delicious food and chatting with her.

Although Tang Xiaowu had things on her mind, she began to beam with laughter in the face of her brother's efforts to please her.

Everything seemed so warm and beautiful.

Until the afternoon of the third day.

A rapid knocking at the door broke the peace of the small courtyard.

Tang Liu opened the door, and seeing the figure standing there, his face instantly darkened.

Chen Shanzhi fanned his signature folding fan, followed by Coachman Zhao Da and Zhao Er.

"What are you doing here?"

Tang Liu blocked the doorway and asked coldly, killing intent surging in his eyes.

"Yo, brother-in-law... oh wait, Brother Tang, don't be so angry."

Chen Shanzhi looked at him with a smile and said leisurely:

"I'm here for Xiaowu."

"Xiaowu?"

Hearing this name, Tang Liu instantly bristled.

Boom!

The Aura of the Xuanguan Seven Apertures suddenly erupted as he pointed at Chen Shanzhi's nose and roared:

"Shut your filthy mouth! Who are you to call her Xiaowu?"

"Get out! You're not welcome here!"

Seeing this, Coachman Zhao Da immediately stepped forward, blocking Chen Shanzhi with a vigilant look.

Meanwhile, the usually silent Zhao Er gave a cold snort, and the terrifying Aura of the Xuanguan Peak was instantly released, pressing down on Tang Liu like a massive mountain and locking him in place.

The atmosphere instantly became tense, like drawn swords and bent bows.

"Tsk tsk, don't be so serious."

Chen Shanzhi poked his head out from behind Coachman Zhao Da and waved his hand:

"I have serious business with Miss Tang. Just let her come out; what's with all the hostility?"

"Serious business? What kind of serious business could you possibly have?"

Tang Liu gritted his teeth, staring intently at Chen Shanzhi while enduring Zhao Er's pressure:

"Tell me whatever it is. I'm her brother; I'll relay it for you."

"That won't do."

Chen Shanzhi shook a finger with a mysterious look:

"This matter is a secret between Miss Tang and me; I can't tell you."

"If you really want to know, you can ask Xiaowu yourself."

"You..."

Tang Liu trembled with rage and was about to make a move.

"Sixth Brother!"

Just then, an exclamation came from behind him.

Tang Xiaowu, hearing the commotion, hurried out of the house.

Seeing the scene, her face changed drastically. She rushed over to grab Tang Liu's hand, blocking him from Chen Shanzhi, and said anxiously:

"Sixth Brother, don't be impulsive. This is the Capital City; you can't start a fight here!"

She glanced at Chen Shanzhi, a complex look flashing in her eyes, then took a deep breath and whispered to Tang Liu:

"Sixth Brother, calm down first."

"There's... there's nothing between him and me."

"Just listen from the side; I won't hide anything from you."

Tang Liu looked at his sister's pleading eyes and then at the watchful Zhao Er, knowing that now was not the time to act.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed his anger, and nodded.

But his body remained tense, ready to explode at any moment.

Seeing this, the corners of Chen Shanzhi's mouth curled up slightly.

He looked at Tang Xiaowu with a playful gaze and, in front of Tang Liu, deliberately said in an extremely suggestive tone:

"Miss Tang, about that matter we discussed before... I've made up my mind."

"Hehehe..."

He let out a low chuckle that invited all sorts of wild imaginations:

"Tonight at midnight, at the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion, be there or be square."

After saying that, he didn't give Tang Xiaowu a chance to explain, nor did he care about Tang Liu's burning gaze; he turned around and waved his hand:

"Let's go!"

With those words, he swaggered away with Coachman Zhao Da and Zhao Er, leaving the two of them with only a dashing view of his back.

"Xiaowu, what was that idiot talking about?"

As soon as Chen Shanzhi left, Tang Liu could no longer contain himself.

He grabbed Tang Xiaowu's shoulders, his voice trembling from suppressed rage:

"What kind of nonsense was he spewing?"

"What does he mean he's made up his mind? What does he mean by tonight at midnight? And that 'hehehe'?"

"Xiaowu, tell me, are you still hiding something from me?"

Tang Xiaowu's face was pale; Tang Liu's grip was painful, but she didn't dare cry out.

She hadn't expected Chen Shanzhi to pull such a stunt.

This was clearly intentional!

Intentionally saying such things in front of her brother to drive a wedge between them.

He was banking on the fact that she couldn't explain these things to her brother.

"Brother... don't listen to his nonsense."

Tang Xiaowu bit her lip and lowered her head, not daring to look into Tang Liu's eyes, her voice weak:

"It's... it's nothing, just... just a small transaction..."

"A small transaction?"

Seeing her guilty expression, the fire in Tang Liu's heart grew even larger.

"What kind of small transaction requires going to the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion at midnight? What requires a man and woman to meet alone like that?"

"Tang Xiaowu, do you even consider me your brother?"

Tang Liu's eyes were bloodshot as he shouted:

"Does he have some kind of leverage over you?"

"Tell me! Even if I have to risk my life, I'll get justice for you."

"Even if I have to appeal to the Emperor, I will never let you suffer such a grievance!"

"Brother, stop talking!"

Tang Xiaowu suddenly looked up, interrupting him, tears already welling in her eyes:

"Please stop, I... I have my reasons. This matter... just don't get involved, okay?"

"Don't get involved? How can I not get involved?"

Tang Liu laughed out of pure anger, pointing at his own chest:

"You are my sister, my only family!"

"You want me to just stand by and watch you jump into a fiery pit?"

"What reasons? You keep saying you have reasons, so tell me already!"

He suddenly stepped closer, staring intently at Tang Xiaowu, his gaze becoming unfamiliar:

"Or is it... that your 'reasons' refer to the two of you hugging in that idiot heir's room every night?"

Boom!

These words were like a bolt from the blue, leaving Tang Xiaowu completely stunned.

Her face turned deathly pale as she looked at Tang Liu in disbelief, her voice trembling:

"Brother... you... you followed me?"

"Heh."

Tang Liu sneered, his eyes filled with disappointment and pain:

"If I hadn't followed you, how would I have known?"

"My dear sister is actually just like the rumors say."

"Going to have private trysts with that playboy heir every single night!"

Tang Xiaowu felt as if her heart were bleeding.

So Sixth Brother also believes I'm that kind of person?

"Brother... even you don't believe me?"

Tang Xiaowu felt overwhelmed with grievance, tears falling like rain as she choked out:

"I really have my reasons... I haven't done anything to compromise my chastity... I..."

"Enough!"

Tang Liu waved his hand sharply, cutting off her explanation.

He didn't dare look at Tang Xiaowu's grief-stricken eyes any longer, fearing he would soften.

He turned around abruptly, his back to Tang Xiaowu, his voice as cold as ice:

"Xiaowu, there's something I've never told you."

"I have a blood feud with that Chen Shanzhi; we cannot coexist under the same sky!"

"If you go tonight..."

Tang Liu paused, the words he spat out like ice from the deepest Hell:

"...then from now on, I will act as if I don't have a sister!"

Having said that, he stroded into his room and slammed the door shut.

Bang!

The sound of the door slamming was like a blow to Tang Xiaowu's heart, shattering it to pieces.

She stood in the courtyard, staring at the closed door, her vision long since blurred by tears.

...

Night fell, and midnight approached.

Creak.

Tang Xiaowu's door opened, and she slowly stepped out.

Her once-vibrant eyes were now red and swollen from crying, and her face still bore the marks of undried tears.

She went to Tang Liu's door and stood quietly for a while, listening to the steady sound of breathing from within.

"Sixth Brother... I'm sorry."

Tang Xiaowu said silently in her heart.

Then, with a flash of green light in her hand, an imperceptible tiny insect crawled through the crack in the door.

This was their Wu Clan's Somnolence Gu; anyone afflicted by it would fall into a deep sleep and wouldn't wake for twelve watches.

After finishing this, Tang Xiaowu gently pushed open the door and walked in.

By the moonlight, she looked at the sleeping Tang Liu, her eyes full of attachment and reluctance.

She reached out, wanting to stroke Tang Liu's face, but for some reason, her hand stopped in mid-air.

Then she whispered:

"Sixth Brother, Xiaowu has the mission of saving our people and reasons that I must act upon."

"Regarding tonight, I must go so that my people no longer suffer."

"But I promise you, there is nothing improper between Chen Shanzhi and me."

"All of this is just a transaction."

"In my heart, you are the only one who matters most. No one else can ever enter my heart."

"Once this matter is over and we've left the Capital City..."

"...I'll find a suitable time to tell you everything."

At this point, Tang Xiaowu sniffled and said with a smile:

"I believe that when the time comes, Sixth Brother, you will surely forgive me, right?"

"Sixth Brother, sleep for a while. When you wake up, I'll be back."

After speaking, Tang Xiaowu stood up and then resolutely turned around, walked out of the room, and closed the door.

She headed toward the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion...

...

Inside the room.

Not long after Tang Xiaowu left.

Tang Liu, who should have been in a deep slumber, slowly opened his eyes.

In those eyes, the anger and coldness of the day were gone, replaced only by deep complexity and emotion.

Having cultivated the Divine Turtle Art, he had a strong resistance to common Gu insects; the Somnolence Gu was actually useless against him.

He had heard Tang Xiaowu's heartfelt revelation just now loud and clear.

"Mission for the people... reasons..."

Tang Liu muttered to himself, the anger in his heart long since dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of self-reproach and heartache.

So Xiaowu really did have her reasons.

As her brother, he hadn't trusted her at all and had even treated her that way during the day.

He was truly a scoundrel.

"Silly girl."

Tang Liu sat up, looking at the pitch-black night outside. His fists clenched, and a bitter smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"You should have told me sooner."

"No matter the mission or how difficult it is, I would have faced it with you."

"Whatever help that Chen Shanzhi can give you, I can give as well—even more."

"But if you don't tell me, how can I help you..."

Tang Liu took a deep breath, a firm light flashing in his eyes.

Since he knew she had her reasons, he could not just sit by and do nothing.

"Chen Shanzhi..."

"Tonight, I'll go and see exactly what you're up to!"

"If... if you dare take the chance to bully Xiaowu..."

Killing intent was laid bare in Tang Liu's eyes:

"...even if I have to risk my life, I'll drag you down to Hell with me!"