I Build a Shelter in the Eternal Night

Chapter 150: Chapter 117: "Why Are the People from World Pavilion Here Too?

A woman in a white dress behind Tian Qi spoke up first, a trace of hostility in her voice. "According to local custom, you’re supposed to pay your respects to the leading power when you arrive in Jiangbei. That’s why we went to the Jiangbei Commerce Association as soon as we got here. I hope Domain Lord Chen won’t take offense."

Her voice faded.

The teahouse instantly fell silent.

Everyone stared at the woman with odd expressions. ’Does she have some kind of grudge against the Jiangbei Commerce Association? Leaving aside the question of who’s stronger, the Mortal Realm or the Commerce Association, she clearly said that just to piss someone off.’

"Step back."

Frowning in annoyance, Tian Qi pushed the woman behind him. He took a deep breath before looking at Chen Fan again, a hint of apology in his voice. "She is an Inner Sect Disciple of the World Pavilion. She’s young and doesn’t know any better. Please forgive her, Domain Lord Chen."

"We left in a hurry and were unaware that the Mortal Realm had slain the Ghost King. We only learned of it after arriving in Jiangbei. We didn’t feel it was appropriate to offer congratulations without a gift, so we held back. Once we return to Jiangnan, we will be sure to send a generous gift."

"Don’t bother."

Chen Fan glanced over their faces and waved a hand dismissively. "As if I’m hurting for your little gift."

"It’s fine to be young and reckless."

"Perfectly normal."

"I completely understand."

"I’m young and reckless, too. We can all be reckless together."

He then sat down at the Jiangbei Old Demon’s table and said with a smile, "I usually like to sit by the window, but you’ve taken all the window seats. You don’t mind if I join you, do you?"

"An honor."

The Jiangbei Old Demon looked at Chen Fan with a flicker of anticipation. "Please!"

"..."

The others in the room all shot strange looks at the group from the World Pavilion. There was nothing inherently wrong with what Tian Qi had said. When a subordinate unintentionally offends a senior, it’s common practice to say they are "young and don’t know any better" and ask for forgiveness.

It had become a stock phrase.

But—

’Chen Fan may have high seniority, but he isn’t old. So, she’s allowed to be ’young and reckless,’ but he isn’t?’

’The day before yesterday, he was ’young and reckless’ and killed the Young Master of the Pill Sect.’

’Yesterday, he was ’young and reckless’ and slaughtered the entire Pill Sect.’

’And now you’re standing in front of him, repeatedly using that ’young and reckless’ excuse. Are you really not afraid that he’s about to get ’young and reckless’ all over you?’

...

"Sit down."

Naturally, Tian Qi could feel the odd stares from everyone else. Fuming, he gestured for the woman to sit and hissed, "What do you think you’re doing? We’re here to do business, not to make enemies."

"It’s his fault for screwing up our deal," the woman in the white dress grumbled, pouting.

The day before yesterday, they had gone to the Jiangbei Commerce Association to request a meeting with its president.

They had negotiated for a long time and were close to finalizing a deal. However, the envoy that the Commerce Association President had sent to the Mortal Realm with a gift returned with news: the Mortal Realm was holding an auction in one month. The lots would include... buildings, among other things. So the president politely declined their offer, explaining that he needed to gather funds for the Mortal Realm’s auction.

He also mentioned that since Chen Fan was capable of building the entire Mortal Realm during the rainy season, he might have even better architectural designs to offer.

And that was why she had come to resent Chen Fan.

"Don’t you say another word."

Tian Qi wanted nothing more than to get up and leave, but doing so now would look like he was storming off in a huff. He could only grit his teeth and continue sipping his tea. "The World Pavilion’s Ghost Stone reserves are almost completely gone. We came here to find more Ghost Stones, not to make enemies!"

...

Conversation gradually started up again in the teahouse, as if things were back to normal.

Only now, everyone’s gazes kept drifting, deliberately or not, toward Chen Fan’s table. They had gathered here hoping to see some drama involving him, but now the man himself had shown up in their midst. ’Is there even going to be a show now?’

No one knew whether to stay or go.

They felt like they were sitting on pins and needles.

Just then—

A firework streaked past the window and vanished.

Chen Fan set down his teacup, beckoned to a nearby Xiao Er, and tossed him a Ghost Stone. "Take this letter to the old Chen Family residence across the street."

"Right away, sir!"

The Xiao Er joyfully accepted the Ghost Stone and the letter, then hurried downstairs. A waiter like him only earned three Ghost Stones a month, so a one-stone tip was a huge sum. He didn’t know who these people on the second floor were, but they were clearly a cut above the rest.

’Talk about a big spender!’

...

Before long.

The main gate of the Jiangbei Chen Family’s old residence was pushed open.

An old man with a ramrod-straight back and meticulously combed silver hair strode alone to the second floor of the teahouse. He stopped not far from Chen Fan, his expression unreadable.

"Chen Fan."

"I’m proud of you for making it out of the rainy season."

"But the blood of the Chen Family flows in your veins. I’ve read your letter, and I don’t understand what you mean, but I sincerely invite you to cast aside our past grievances and return to the embrace of the Jiangbei Chen Family."

"Of course."

"This doesn’t mean you need to abandon the Mortal Realm. You only need to rename the Mortal Realm to the Jiangbei Chen Family. I am willing to abdicate my position and assist you wholeheartedly."

The teahouse was utterly silent.

Only the voice of Patriarch Chen could be heard.

The surrounding onlookers silently lowered their heads to their tea, but their ears were pricked. Every family has its drama. When it’s your own, it’s a pain, but when you’re just a spectator, it’s incredibly exciting.

"Hmm..."

Chen Fan set down his teacup, looked up at the strange yet familiar old man before him, tilted his head, and said with a smile, "And if I don’t?"

"This has no downside for you. The Mortal Realm will still be yours; it’s just a name change. Since you already changed the name from Mortal Sect to Mortal Realm, what great impact would it have on you to change it again to the Jiangbei Chen Family?"

"None."

"Does that mean you agree?"

"But I don’t want to."

Patriarch Chen stood his ground, silent for a long moment before continuing, "Everything I have done in my life has been for the family. You are still young and may not understand many of my actions, but you will when you’re older."

"I once again sincerely invite you. Please, return to the embrace of the Jiangbei Chen Family."

"Not going back."

"..."

Patriarch Chen met Chen Fan’s gaze. After a long moment, he suddenly laughed, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "An ungrateful wolf pup. If that’s how it is, then there’s nothing more to talk about. You are still young, after all."

"The moment you set foot in Jiangbei City, you lost the right to refuse."

"Perhaps you think I would be swayed by our father-son relationship."

"But today, I’m going to teach you a lesson."

"A man must be ruthless to achieve anything."

The next instant—

The Ghost Blood filling the gutters of Jiangbei City flared to life. Pillar after pillar of crimson light shot toward the Firmament. The sudden turn of events instantly shocked the gawking crowd.

"This is bad!"

Elder Xu, standing guard by Qi Feng’s side, paled instantly. He grabbed Qi Feng and bolted out of the teahouse. ’Someone’s set up a Grand Array in Jiangbei City! I don’t know what it does, but it can’t be anything good!’

"Too late."

Patriarch Chen stood his ground, glancing at Qi Feng and his protector as they fled the teahouse. A glint of madness and excitement shone in his eyes. "Once the 「Ten Thousand Spirits Blood Transformation Array」 takes form, no one can escape. And it has already been activated!"

"No one in the city will survive."

"I’ve waited so many years for this moment!"

"The Jiangbei Chen Family will inherit all of the Mortal Realm’s resources. As for you, if I kill you now, your backers won’t be able to get here. By the time the rainy season in Jiangnan ends, I’ll be long gone from Jiangbei City. I’ll find a new place and strengthen the Chen Family!"

CLANG!

A youth in white clothes, his face grim, leaped into the air. He swung his Heavy Ruler down hard on Patriarch Chen’s head. It was a powerful blow, but the impact only produced the sharp clang of colliding metal.

Patriarch Chen didn’t even budge. A Red membrane of light around his body had perfectly blocked the attack. He looked at the youth with a mocking glint in his eyes.

"The Jiangbei Chen Family spent over a decade laying this array."

"Until the array falls, no one can harm me."

Seeing this, the youth in white gritted his teeth and abandoned his attack. Instead, he slung the Heavy Ruler onto his back, leaped out the window, and fled toward the city gates.

Everyone else in the teahouse had already scattered and fled.

Only the Jiangbei Old Demon, Chen Fan, and their companions remained.