Chapter 80: Strength is the Ultimate Truth
"People from Chen Family Village?"
"Are they from Chen Family Village?"
"What's Chen Family Village?"
Most bystanders looked puzzled.
"One of the villages east of Song Family Fortress. Damn, what rotten luck did they trip over this time? How'd they bag so much game?"
"Four entire horned antelopes? That's enough to trade for serious supplies!"
"Must be worth three or four thousand yuan!"
The group hauling such bounty already drew attention, but now became the market's focal point. Murmurs rippled through the crowd—some recognized Chen Family Village, others didn't, but all remembered the name now.
Liu Yong and the others' eyes flashed with anger.
"He's doing this deliberately," Chen Fan glared at the smirking man who'd spoken, noting his mocking expression.
"Chen Guodong! Your village hit the jackpot, eh? How'd you scrounge up this haul?"
"Remember when we tossed you that rabbit last month? Guess that charity was wasted!"
"Congratulations! Rolling in cash now? Don't come begging next winter!"
Sarcastic jabs rained from Zhao Family Fortress's ranks like hailstones. It mirrored a wealthy man's outrage upon seeing his pauper neighbor suddenly cruise by in a luxury car.
Wei Tiangong's group exchanged worried glances. They hadn't expected to cross paths with Chen Guodong's team after concluding their trade—let alone have their origins exposed publicly.
Chen Guodong's expression tightened. After lingering on Wei Tiangong and his companions, he turned to the Zhao group's leader. "Third Brother Zhao," he said quietly, "might I discuss something?"
The marketplace noise died instantly. Even Zhao Lao San looked startled.
"Oh?" The fortress leader's lips twisted mockingly. "What could you possibly have to discuss?"
"Our village... we've had recent luck with hunting." Chen Guodong kept his tone deferential. "I wish to bring Tiangong and Tianyuan back home. Would that be permissible?"
He had no choice—Wei brothers' families remained under Zhao control. Without consent, retrieval was impossible.
The Zhao ranks erupted in muted reactions—gasps, jealous mutters, derisive snorts.
Wei Tiangong's eyes glistened. Chen Guodong hadn't forgotten them. The moment their home village improved, he sought their return—exactly what they secretly yearned for.
Wei Tianyuan jerked forward to speak, but his elder brother yanked him back, eyes flashing warning. The Zhao brothers ruled through brutality—offense meant retaliation.
"Take them back? To your pathetic Chen Village?" Zhao Lao San drawled.
"Yes, I wondered if—"
"Are you brain-damaged?" Zhao cut him off. "Whether trash wants to crawl back to its dumpster—why ask me? Ask them!"
Silence gripped the square... then exploded in raucous laughter.
"Hah! Exactly! Check his head—might be worms!" A Zhao member tapped his temple. "Since when do we chain our dogs? If mutts want to flee, let them!"
"Wasted decades teaching this fool basic manners!"
"Wei Tiangong! Wei Tianyuan! Your master calls! Bark your answer!"
Rage burned through Liu Yong's group. This public humiliation of their entire village...! Yet despair followed—Zhao Family Fortress's strength made retaliation suicidal.
Chen Fan breathed deeply. Anger now would only feed their enemies' amusement. Moreover, the Wei brothers were being roasted alive—no chance they'd accept.
As predicted, Wei Tiangong forced a smile. "Guodong, your care warms us. But we're content here."
"Truly," Wei Tianyuan added, smile cracking. "Third Brother Zhao treats us fairly—always shares hunt profits."
"We want for nothing," the younger Wei brother lied through trembling lips.
"Tiangong..." Chen Guodong's mouth worked soundlessly.
"See?" Zhao Lao San spread his hands. "Their choice—not my restraint. Anything else?"
"Then clear the road. We've business."
Chen Guodong stared at the Wei brothers a long moment before stepping aside with defeated sigh.
"Enjoy your windfall," Zhao sneered as his group swaggered past. "Next hunt... accidents happen."
"Guodong, they had no choice," Liu Yong muttered as Zhao men departed.
"Their families..."
"Damn that cursed day they joined Zhao's ranks!"
Chen Guodong nodded numbly. He'd hoped for negotiation, but Zhao's contempt left no opening.
"Father." Chen Fan's voice cut through despair. "I'll bring Uncle Wei's group home."
Chen Guodong startled. "You have a plan?"
Others crowded close, hope rekindling.
"No plan." The youth watched Zhao's retreating backs. "Only truth. Their arrogance stems from strength—Tempered Flesh Realm warriors backing them."
He turned, eyes blazing. "When I reach Tempered Flesh Realm—no, Energy Activation Stage—they'll deliver everyone personally, begging forgiveness."
The group straightened as if electrified.
"Right! Strength is the ultimate truth!"
"Once we surpass them, they'll grovel!"
"Fuck yes! I'll train till my feet imprint on Zhao Lao San's face!"
Gu Ze watched the transformed morale in bewilderment. Mere words... could they truly work?
Chen Fan turned away. Reality check: Zhao's warriors likely neared mid or late Tempered Flesh Realm. Even if he broke through now, victory wasn't assured.
But time favored him. He'd reach that stage soon—and if any harm came to Wei's group before then...
Zhao Lao San's entire line would burn.
(End of Chapter)
