Chapter 14: Ning Chen, Have You Decided How You Want to Die?
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingcheng’s expression showed great surprise.
“Grandfather, the bodyguards haven’t even made a move just now.”
Xiao Qingcheng frowned, “Besides, Ning Chen doesn’t need the Xiao family’s protection. This shouldn’t count, right?”
Xiao Zhenbang shot her a deep look, his face darkening as he gave a cold snort.
After that, he shifted his gaze elsewhere.
Even though he said nothing, his attitude was already very clear.
Xiao Qingcheng opened her mouth, just about to speak.
Cough, cough!
Xiao Longshan coughed softly, secretly signaling her with his eyes, shaking his head, indicating she shouldn’t say anything further.
Seeing the worried expression of her father, and her grandfather’s gloomy face, Xiao Qingcheng’s eyes flickered a few times before she sighed helplessly.
She understood—her grandfather’s mind was made up. Saying more would be useless.
At the same time.
After retrieving the medal, Xu Deming’s gaze shifted and fell on the middle-aged man beside Ning Chen. Smiling, he said, “This young friend, this medal means a great deal to me. As a token of thanks, how about I gift you this Purple Star Leaf?”
Ning Chen nodded, “Thank you, Elder Xu.”
As soon as he spoke, the middle-aged man quickly presented the box containing the Purple Star Leaf with great respect.
Ning Chen accepted it without refusal.
Then, Xu Deming nodded and swept his gaze across the crowd.
“Today, with everyone present, I have another announcement. In ten days, the new Commander of Jiangbei, Lord Lin, will be arriving!”
Xu Deming’s tone grew more serious, “I have already received word that Lord Lin seems to be searching for medicinal herbs.”
The moment this news was dropped, it was like a bomb exploding, instantly drawing everyone’s full attention!
The new Commander of Jiangbei—he was the pinnacle of authority in the entire Jiangbei Province!
“I know that everyone here wishes to make an impression at the Rising Dragon Banquet. Now, the opportunity has come.”
Xu Deming’s voice rose slightly, “By then, if you can prepare some rare herbs for Lord Lin, the results… I don’t need to say more, do I?”
Hearing this, many of the guests’ breaths quickened, their eyes flashing with excitement.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
If they could seize this chance to cling to Lord Lin’s influence, their future would be limitless!
“The Rising Dragon Banquet is hosted by the Xu family, but the entry requirements were never before revealed. Today, I will share them.”
Xu Deming paused, then continued, “This time, the entry condition will be tied to medicinal herbs!”
“Every family, every company must present three rare herbs that are over one hundred years old. Only after the Xu family reviews and approves them will an invitation to the banquet be granted.”
These words landed like a stone into a calm lake, creating waves of shock!
The once lively hall instantly fell into silence.
Xu Deming seemed to have already expected such a reaction.
“I still have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
With that, he gave Ning Chen a subtle nod, then slowly left with his cane.
The moment he departed, the venue once again became abuzz with noise!
“The requirements for the Rising Dragon Banquet were always unbelievably high. This time, the Xu family actually gave clear conditions!”
“From Elder Xu’s words, it seems that as long as we can produce the herbs, no matter how big or small the family is, everyone will have a chance to stand before the Commander!”
“No matter the cost, we must buy three century-old herbs. The Rising Dragon Banquet cannot be missed!”
…
Xiao Zhenbang frowned and looked toward Xiao Longshan with questioning eyes.
“Three century-old rare herbs… can the family’s stores provide them?”
Xiao Longshan looked troubled. “For now, no. The family stores only have one herb over a hundred years old.”
Xiao Zhenbang’s face sank, his tone displeased, “Only one?”
“Herbs over a hundred years old are extremely rare, priceless and scarce. To be able to casually produce three of them—likely only the Four Great Families have that kind of foundation,” Xiao Longshan explained with difficulty.
Xiao Zhenbang said grimly, “If we don’t have them, then buy them. Think of a way to get them. No matter what it takes, we must obtain the herbs!”
Xiao Longshan frowned, extremely troubled.
“With the Xu family openly stating the conditions, such rare herbs will skyrocket in price. Whether they can even be bought is questionable.”
“After all, who in Jiangcheng doesn’t want to appear at the Rising Dragon Banquet?”
Just as he finished speaking, Xiao Longhai chuckled faintly. “Big Brother, you’re not seeing this clearly.”
As he spoke, his gaze deliberately landed on the Purple Star Leaf in Ning Chen’s hands.
“Isn’t the Purple Star Leaf in Ning Chen’s possession exactly a century-old rare herb?”
Xiao Longhai spoke with ill intent: “Count that one, and the Xiao family already has two herbs over a hundred years old. We’d only need one more.”
Hearing this, Xiao Qingcheng’s expression turned cold.
“Second Uncle, you sure know how to calculate. The Purple Star Leaf belongs to Ning Chen. How can you say such a thing?”
Xiao Qingcheng said unhappily, “The family has no right to take his belongings. I don’t agree!”
“I’m only speaking the truth,” Xiao Longhai sneered. “Since you refuse to divorce him, and Ning Chen is living off the Xiao family, giving one herb to the family—what’s wrong with that?”
“Isn’t that what he should do?”
Xiao Qingcheng’s pretty face flushed red with anger. “You—!”
Suddenly, she felt a strong hand rest on her shoulder.
She turned her head to see Ning Chen gazing at her warmly.
“Since the Xiao family wants the Purple Star Leaf, let me say something.”
Ning Chen’s tone was calm yet cold. “The Purple Star Leaf is mine. If Qingcheng wants it, I’m willing to give it to her.”
“But… the Xiao family cannot have it!”
Though his voice wasn’t loud, everyone felt a pressure that couldn’t be resisted.
“I don’t owe the Xiao family anything. You have no right to touch what’s mine.”
With that, Ning Chen shoved the box containing the Purple Star Leaf into Xiao Qingcheng’s hands, speaking gently, “The choice is yours. If you want to give it to the family, do so. If you don’t, no one can force you!”
“Otherwise, don’t blame me for turning hostile!”
The latter half of his words was clearly directed at the Xiao family members.
Xiao Longhai’s eyes darkened.
This useless son-in-law dared to threaten the Xiao family?!
“Ning Chen…”
Xiao Qingcheng held the box, her feelings conflicted.
She never thought that such a precious treasure would really be entrusted to her by Ning Chen.
And that sentence he said earlier—in her heart, it was more moving than all the love words in the world.
Xiao Qingcheng took a deep breath, then firmly shook her head.
“Ning Chen, you should keep this. It was a gift to you from the Xu family. I cannot take it, nor can the Xiao family.”
Hearing this, Xiao Longhai scowled with dissatisfaction and mocked, “You’ve just married, and already you’re siding with your man. You only have eyes for him.”
Xiao Qingcheng smiled lightly. “Second Uncle, you’re right. I am siding with him. I do like Ning Chen. Do you have a problem with that?”
“That’s enough, stop!”
Xiao Zhenbang frowned. “The Xiao family has not yet fallen to the point of quarreling over a single herb. Let’s return home.”
“This time, the qualification for the Rising Dragon Banquet—no matter the cost—the Xiao family must fight for it!”
After saying this, Xiao Zhenbang turned and walked out.
Xiao Longhai quickly followed.
“Ning Chen, let’s go too.”
Xiao Qingcheng held onto Ning Chen’s arm, walking slowly with him.
Just as they stepped out of the hotel entrance—
Ning Chen noticed more than a dozen people waiting across the street.
At the front stood Zhang Hao and Liu Qingsnow, their gazes filled with hostility.
“Stop them!”
With a wave of Zhang Hao’s hand, his bodyguards rushed forward, blocking the path.
“Ning Chen, let’s see where you can run this time.”
Zhang Hao glared at him viciously, his teeth grinding audibly.
Earlier, in front of so many dignitaries of Jiangcheng, Xu Jun had humiliated him completely!
He had even mistaken Ning Chen for some hidden nobleman.
But now he realized this brat was just lucky enough to pick up Elder Xu’s medal.
He couldn’t touch Xu Jun—but dealing with a fool like Ning Chen? That was easy!
“Master Zhang, what do you mean by this?”
Seeing the hostile bodyguards, Xiao Longhai’s face changed, and he forced a laugh.
“Shut up! I’m not after you.”
“One more word, and I’ll crush the entire Xiao family with you!”
Zhang Hao walked with his hands in his pockets, step by step approaching Ning Chen. His tone arrogant:
“You got lucky earlier because Xu Jun backed you up. But now, no one’s here to help you.”
“Ning Chen, have you decided how you want to die?”
