Divine Emperor of Heavenly Destiny

Cheng Chuming looked at his daughter and future son-in-law, his face filled with emotion. In a hoarse voice, he said, ”You... you shouldn’t have come back.”

It was nothing like what Bai Xin had said. His daughter had come back.

But she shouldn’t have.

”Rest assured, Father. Since I’m back, I’m confident I can protect Xiao Su’er and you.”

Lu Chao’s voice was perfectly calm, completely ignoring the surrounding members of the Cheng and Bai Families as if they were nothing but air.

By now, Bai Wenrong had finally been talked down.

But he raved, ”Cheng Weishan, I can spare his life for now, but I will sever the tendons in his arms and legs!”

Just like two days prior, once Bai Wenrong cooled down, he lost the nerve to actually kill Lu Chao.

He only wanted to make Lu Chao crawl to his own wedding tomorrow.

Cheng Weishan, of course, would not object to this demand, so he no longer stood in Bai Wenrong’s way.

Instantly, the True Qi of a Postnatal Eighth Layer expert erupted from Bai Wenrong and bore down on Lu Chao. His voice was laced with ice as he said, ”My grandson... was Bai Lu.”

Lu Chao gave Cheng Chuming a reassuring glance, then pulled Cheng Yunsu behind him as he turned. ”Who’s Bai Lu?”

At that, Bai Wenrong nearly exploded with rage again.

The man had killed his precious grandson, yet he was acting as if he didn’t have a clue.

Just then, Bai Heng also rushed forward, roaring, ”Life-taking Bone Calamity Star, you remember me, don’t you?”

Lu Chao glanced at him. ”I remember,” he said. ”You ran away quite fast.”

FUCK...

Bai Heng also exploded with rage. Being beaten by Lu Chao when he was only at the Postnatal First Layer and forced to flee like a stray dog—it was the greatest humiliation of his life.

He couldn’t stop himself from saying to Bai Wenrong, ”Father, let me take the tendons from his arms.”

The words had barely left his mouth, and just as Bai Wenrong was about to agree...

Cheng Chugong and Cheng Chuyan also rushed out. It was Cheng Chuyan who spoke, her voice cold. ”Share with us. We’ll each take one.”

Her son, Cheng Gai, still hadn’t recovered enough to even stand.

The last time, Cheng Yunsu had threatened to kill herself, preventing Cheng Chuyan from taking revenge. But now, Cheng Yunsu wouldn’t dare make such a threat, otherwise they would simply cripple Cheng Chuming.

In the blink of an eye, the experts from the Cheng and Bai Mansions, led by Bai Wenrong, surrounded Lu Chao.

Lu Chao’s eyes narrowed...

Now that he had advanced to the Earth Bone and his cultivation had reached the Postnatal Fifth Layer, he naturally paid the people before him no mind. However, today was the day he would truly wed Cheng Yunsu, and he really didn’t want it to be too bloody.

Just as Lu Chao was considering how to make his move...

Bai Wenrong had already closed in on Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu. ”Brat! Even if the Celestial King himself came today, I’m still going to cripple you.”

With that, he prepared to make the first move.

But the next instant, a middle-aged man’s voice rang out abruptly from outside the gate: ”Stop!”

The moment the voice fell, Lu Chao—who had been preparing to make his move against Bai Wenrong—froze, his eyes lighting up.

He knew who had arrived!

No one else, however, had any idea who the newcomers were.

Bai Wenrong spun around furiously, his mood utterly savage. ”Who dares to tell me to stop? Whoever tries to stop me now will be an enemy of my Yangzhou Bai Family...”

However, an elegant female voice then drifted in from outside the gate. ”Oh? Your Yangzhou Bai Family wants to make an enemy of my Hundred Flames Trading Company?”

As the words fell, a man and a woman strode through the entrance.

It was, of course, the woman in orange, Wu Caicai, and her coachman, Uncle Leng.

At her words, Bai Wenrong’s fury was instantly doused as if by ice-cold water. He exclaimed in shock, ”The Hundred Flames Trading Company?”

Cheng Weishan and the others exchanged bewildered glances.

A moment later, Cheng Weishan reacted. ”The Hundred Flames Trading Company... it’s you?”

He naturally recalled the night two days ago, when they had intercepted a carriage from the Hundred Flames Trading Company and seen that Orange Fire Order.

Bai Wenrong recovered as well and asked, ”Holder of the Hundred Flames Trading Company’s Orange Order, what brings you here?”

In truth, what he really wanted to ask was why she had told him to stop.

Smiling faintly, Wu Caicai said, ”I’m here to do business, of course.”

As she spoke, she led Uncle Leng through the gates of the Cheng Mansion and called out to Lu Chao, ”Hero Lu, I’ve delivered the goods you purchased. Can you settle the remaining balance now?”

Lu Chao took two steps forward, pulling Cheng Yunsu with him. ”Once I’ve inspected the goods, I can pay!”

Lu Chao felt a surge of excitement and anticipation. What kind of Heavenly Destiny Bone from an Innate Demon Beast had the Hundred Flames Trading Company brought him?

This item offered a chance to restore Xiao Su’er’s True Qi.

Wu Caicai nodded at Lu Chao, her gaze sweeping over the members of the Cheng and Bai Mansions. ”Hero Lu,” she asked again, ”are you handling a family matter? Should we perhaps find a quieter place to do business?”

Her words sent a chill down everyone’s spines.

Cheng Weishan and Bai Wenrong, leading all their men, stepped forward and tightened the circle around Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu.

Cheng Weishan then barked, ”Hundred Flames Trading Company, I don’t care what business you have—this man isn’t going anywhere.”

’A quieter place? In your dreams.’

Bai Wenrong added with a bone-chilling glare, ”I still have to sever the tendons in his arms and legs. Once I’m done, you’re free to conduct whatever business you please.”

Although the Hundred Flames Trading Company was powerful, this was the Cheng Mansion. No matter how domineering they were, they couldn’t act so brutishly and without reason.

As he spoke, Bai Wenrong turned his glare back to Lu Chao, unwilling to wait another moment.

But Wu Caicai shouted again, ”Stop!”

Bai Wenrong whirled around in a rage. ”Hundred Flames Trading Company, you’re meddling in our family affairs? Aren’t you afraid it will damage your reputation?”

Being told to stop a second time put him on high alert.

’Could it be... that the Hundred Flames Trading Company are bodyguards hired by the Life-taking Bone Calamity Star?’

Shaking her head, Wu Caicai said, ”Don’t be so quick to make accusations. I would never interfere in your family matters, of course. However, Hero Lu’s final payment is a Martial Technique. If you cripple him now, how am I supposed to collect?”

Her words left everyone stunned. A transaction for a Martial Technique?

Wu Caicai continued, ”Once I’ve collected the balance, you can do whatever you like. But until then, absolutely not.”

Then, she looked at Lu Chao...

”Hero Lu...”

”It seems your current situation makes it impossible to transact business elsewhere. I wonder, what’s your proposal?”

”If we can’t complete the transaction, I can’t give you the item, and the deposit is non-refundable, mind you.”

She stared at Lu Chao, a faint smirk playing on her lips.

’So, this Lu Chao wants to use my influence to resolve this deadlock. But does he think I’m so easily used? Still, if he were to offer more goodies and plead with me a bit, I might reconsider. Although I can’t openly hold a grudge about him threatening me with his sword, I’m still not happy about it. If he wants to borrow my power, he’ll have to offer something good in exchange...’

Just as Wu Caicai was feeling certain that Lu Chao would ask for her help, he shook his head and said, ”No need. I’ve already written and illustrated the verbal formulas for the Martial Technique you want. We can make the trade right here.”

Wu Caicai froze on the spot, confused. ’Why isn’t this going the way I thought it would?’

’He... isn’t trying to use me?’

Unable to voice her confusion, Wu Caicai simply nodded. ”Uncle Leng, give the item to Hero Lu for his inspection.”

At her command, Uncle Leng started walking step by step toward Lu Chao. But Lu Chao was still blocked by the men of the Cheng and Bai Mansions, and standing at the very forefront were none other than the two Patriarchs, Cheng Weishan and Bai Wenrong.