Chapter 23: Confrontation

In front of Qingmang Mountain.

Seeing Ji Xuanyuan step out of the Imperial Carriage with Chu Yuan, Fang Henian immediately led the surrounding elites to their knees in greeting.

“This humble servant greets Your Highness, the Crown Prince!!!”

Ji Xuanyuan nodded slightly, her gaze falling upon the members of the Chu Clan.

The expressions of every Chu Clan member shifted. They were all surprised. ‘Why would the Crown Prince, who should be far away in the Imperial Capital, suddenly appear at this remote mine? And why is she sharing a carriage with that waste from a side branch?’

Looking at Her Highness’s dignified face, Chu Linfeng grew even more agitated. ‘That waste Chu Yuan! How did he actually manage to get close to Her Highness? What right does he have…’

Chu Linfeng gnashed his teeth in hatred.

Great Elder Chu’s expression was not much better.

Before the Chu Clan could react, Fang Henian spoke up. His voice was not loud, but every word was a stab to the heart. “Great Elder Chu, do you not kneel when seeing the Crown Prince? Do you truly intend to rebel?”

“Of course not!”

Chu Zhenshan’s eyes twitched. He hurriedly led his people to kneel, lifting their robes. “Chu Clan Great Elder, Chu Zhenshan… greets Your Highness.”

With this kneel, the Chu Clan’s original momentum was diminished by three points. Of course, that was not what mattered most.

Chu Zhenshan instinctively probed for information. “Might I ask what brings Your Highness here today?”

Ji Xuanyuan smiled. “Earlier today, I conducted a bit of business with a child of your esteemed family, Chu Yuan. Upon hearing the news, I brought him here to see if there might be some misunderstanding between you all.”

Hearing this, Chu Zhenshan hesitated to speak. He had a faint, foreboding feeling.

On the side, Chu Linfeng grew anxious and quickly looked at Fang Henian. “City Lord, just now you said that as long as this formation can be dispelled, the mine will belong to my Chu Clan?”

Fang Henian stood up triumphantly, hands behind his back. “Indeed! I stand by my words.”

A sharp light flashed in Chu Linfeng’s eyes. “Good, good! The City Lord is straightforward!”

He turned his clouded eyes toward Chu Yuan and commanded, “Brother Yuan, what are you standing there for? This is the formation you set up. Hurry up and dispel it.”

Chu Yuan feigned confusion. “What formation? Great Elder, before this, I knew absolutely nothing about any mine.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Chu Linfeng was stunned. He looked at Great Elder Chu innocently.

Chu Zhenshan frowned and glared at him. “Linfeng, what exactly is going on? Didn’t you say that Chu Yuan discovered the mine first and set up the formation?”

Chu Linfeng felt wronged. “Great Elder, I’ve been framed! If it wasn’t him, how would I have known there was a mine here?”

Great Elder Chu nodded instinctively.

Having lived for hundreds of years, he was clear in his heart: ‘Chu Yuan is just playing dumb. He likely already made a deal with the Crown Prince before they arrived!’

But what of it? The Crown Prince had come in person. The Chu Clan had to show her respect. Therefore, the blame could only fall on Chu Linfeng’s shoulders!

Chu Linfeng had not expected Ji Xuanyuan to come and grew frantic. “Great Elder, in my view, Brother Yuan must have secretly colluded with the Immortal Dynasty to claim credit from the City Lord! He… he is betraying the family!”

His voice grew louder and his face colder. He practically spat out the final words. “Those who betray the family should have their cultivation crippled and be expelled according to the Clan Rules!”

The surrounding Chu Clan disciples looked on, whispering among themselves.

Chu Yuan remained calm, saying indifferently, “Brother Linfeng, watch your words. When did I collude with the Immortal Dynasty? When did I seek credit? If you have evidence, feel free to present it.”

Chu Linfeng choked. Where would he get evidence?

His plan had been to kill with a borrowed knife, using the formation issue to make Chu Yuan offend both the family and the Immortal Dynasty. Who could have known the Crown Prince would accompany him personally? The Chu Clan could not openly question Her Highness.

This instead made Chu Yuan look upright and honest.

Chu Linfeng gritted his teeth. “Evidence? Fine! Then let me ask you! What exactly did you talk about with Her Highness…”

Before he could finish, Great Elder Chu pulled him back, his eyes signaling: ‘Some things are better left unsaid!’

They were ultimately only a side branch of the Chu Clan. Although they held absolute power in Xuanji City, when royalty from the Immortal Dynasty arrived—especially the Crown Prince—they had to swallow any grievances.

Chu Linfeng was indignant. During the standoff, another Imperial Carriage approached from the horizon.

With his sharp eyes, he immediately perked up and shouted, “That carriage… could it be Young Master Yunlan?”

Inside the carriage, Gu Qingwan was puzzled. “Young Master Yunlan, what is happening?”

Chu Yunlan suppressed a smile and acted confused. “I’m not sure either! Let’s go down and see!”

The carriage landed slowly, and the curtains were pulled back. Chu Yunlan, dressed in brocade robes, stepped down gracefully with Gu Qingwan.

At this, Fang Henian’s heart tightened. ‘Chu Yunlan is the only son of the Chu Clan’s main line, the Holy Lord’s sole offspring! If he gets involved, the ownership of this mine becomes even more uncertain…’

After Gu Qingwan stepped out, her gaze instinctively swept through the crowd and landed on Chu Yuan. Seeing him unharmed, her eyes flickered slightly before she looked away, maintaining a composed expression.

Chu Linfeng rushed forward and bowed. “Young Master Yunlan! You’ve arrived at the perfect time! This matter…”

He recounted the situation with heavy exaggeration, casting a meaningful glance at Chu Yuan at the end.

After listening, Chu Yunlan nodded with a smile and turned to Chu Zhenshan. “Great Elder, you should be the one to decide this. If there is a need, I will certainly do my best to help.”

His tone was gentle and his posture humble, but every word implied that he stood with the Chu Clan.

Gu Qingwan spoke up then. Her voice was soft, but it went straight to the heart of the matter. “Linfeng, you said Yuan asked you to inform the Great Elder about the mine? Why didn’t he inform him personally? Why did he need you to do it for him?”

Chu Linfeng’s expression changed slightly, then he spread his hands and laughed. “Qingwan, how should I know? Perhaps he had urgent business. Besides, I was merely passing on the message; I didn’t steal his credit. Are you questioning my friendship with Brother Yuan? Or are you questioning my character?”

Gu Qingwan’s beautiful eyes swept over him. She understood clearly: ‘Chu Linfeng is obviously framing Yuan.’

She turned to Chu Zhenshan and bowed slightly, her voice gentle. “Great Elder, I embolden myself to say a word. This matter has not been cleared up. If we convict Yuan based solely on Linfeng’s word, would that not be too hasty?”

Gu Qingwan’s tone held a hint of tension. She knew well that Chu Yuan was not favored in the family, and she feared the Great Elder would use this chance to strike his name from the records.

Chu Zhenshan stroked his beard in contemplation.

Chu Yunlan’s eyes flickered, but he remained smiling. “Everyone, may I say something?”

Chu Zhenshan replied, “Please speak, Young Master!”

Chu Yunlan emphasized the main point. “Since this is a dispute over a mine, and the City Lord said ‘whoever can break the formation gains ownership,’ let us make a bet. Our Chu Clan will send one person. If they can successfully break the formation, the mine belongs to the Chu Clan…”

As he spoke, he looked toward the red-haired beauty. “Your Highness, what do you think?”

Everyone held their breath, looking at her.

Ji Xuanyuan’s gaze was indifferent. “Very well! If Great Elder Chu can personally break the formation, the mine belongs to the Chu Clan. I will personally guarantee it; there will be no further argument. If he cannot break it…”

She didn’t finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Fang Henian clapped his hands and laughed. “The Crown Prince is wise! Great Elder Chu, what do you think?”

Chu Zhenshan was overjoyed. Outsiders thought he was merely an administrative Great Elder, but in reality, his mastery of formations was his true trump card.

Years ago, when Xuanji City was invaded by a demonic tide, it was his solo effort in setting up the [Demon-Trapping Formation] that held it back. The formation master Fang Henian had hired was nothing more than a novice who had just scratched the surface in his eyes.

Now that the bet was made, Chu Zhenshan had no fear of the other party backing out. “Since Your Highness is so straightforward, this old man shall show his humble skills!!!”