Chen Chang'an Enters the Imperial City Alone

“Is he… finally making his move?”

The Third Elder of the Gu Family had been closely observing Chen Chang'an’s every move these past few days. When he saw Chen Chang'an heading alone toward the imperial city, his brow furrowed in concern.

Just himself?

Where were the people he was waiting for?

The Third Elder was puzzled. Didn’t Chen Chang'an worry about his own safety by acting like this?

“Never mind. If it truly comes to a life-threatening moment, I’ll have to step in under the Gu Family’s name to spare his life.”

Chen Chang'an was someone the Gu Family’s ancestor wanted to meet. No matter what, the Third Elder wouldn’t let him die here. Even if he had to die, it would only be after meeting the ancestor.

“What’s this kid trying to do?”

“No idea. Looks like he’s heading to the imperial city?”

“Going to the imperial city this early? Doesn’t he know no one’s allowed near it these days?”

“Maybe… maybe he’s from the imperial family?”

“Doesn’t look like it!”

Chen Chang'an’s actions drew the attention of many bystanders. After all, the imperial family had been restless due to a certain individual. Anyone daring to provoke them now was practically asking for death.

“Halt!”

“This is the imperial city—unauthorized personnel are forbidden to approach!”

“If you take another step, don’t blame—”

Before the imperial guard could finish, Chen Chang'an struck. A flash of sword light, and the speaker was dead before he hit the ground.

“Holy shit!”

“What the hell just happened?”

“Damn, he’s insane! Absolutely insane! Killing a guard right at the imperial city gates?”

“Did I wake up too early? Feels like I’m still dreaming…”

Chen Chang'an’s sudden attack left onlookers in shock. Even the guards at the city gates were too stunned to react.

“Outrageous!”

“How dare you!”

“Men, seize him!”

Seize him?

Chen Chang'an smirked and struck again.

Boom!

A deafening explosion followed as his sword shattered the imperial city’s gates, reducing them—and the surrounding walls—to rubble.

The tremendous noise drew even more attention, especially from those inside the imperial city.

“I, Chen Chang'an… have arrived!”

“Aren’t you coming out yet?”

His voice thundered across the capital like a bolt of lightning.

Chen Chang'an?

Chen Chang'an was really here?

“Heavens, has this day finally come? He actually showed up.”

“We’re doomed. The capital’s about to become a battlefield. Should we flee?”

“Can the imperial family even stop someone as powerful as Chen Chang'an?”

Panic spread like wildfire. Yet, among the chaos, Zhou Lin—who had once spoken with Chen Chang'an—wore an expression of utter disbelief.

“That voice… why does it sound so familiar?”

“Chen Chang'an? Chen Chang'an!”

“Could it be… that man I spoke to that day was really…?”

Zhou Lin’s mind reeled. He never imagined the person he’d casually chatted with—the one who’d asked him for information—was the same Chen Chang'an who had thrown the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty into chaos.

No mistake. That voice—he’d recognize it anywhere.

Meanwhile, inside the imperial city, Yin Gongyu’s face darkened. The moment Chen Chang'an’s voice rang out, every member of the imperial family gathered around him.

The strongest of them had one goal: to oppose Chen Chang'an.

“It’s him. I remember his voice.”

Feng Wuliang’s sudden appearance and his words sent a chill through the crowd. So, this really was the man Feng Wuliang had been searching for?

If so, then he was undoubtedly an Emperor-level expert.

But when had the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty ever offended an Emperor?

“Senior Carefree Wind Emperor, we beg you to act.”

“Chen Chang'an is far too arrogant.” Yin Gongyu pleaded, his expression grave.

Feng Wuliang glanced at him coldly. “I don’t need your prompting. I’ll act when I choose.”

“But how I do so is my own affair. Don’t play games with me.”

“Forgive me, Senior! I wouldn’t dare!”

“Hmph.”

Feng Wuliang snorted dismissively before turning away.

Faced with a powerhouse of his caliber, the other imperial family members dared not speak out of turn, silently standing by.

Tens of thousands of imperial guards filled the city, yet none dared step forward as Chen Chang'an advanced unimpeded.

At the same time, one question gnawed at them:

How could Chen Chang'an be so young?

“Impossible!”

“It’s him?”

When Yin Gongyu finally laid eyes on Chen Chang'an, his mind went blank.

Not because of his youth—but because this was the same young man who had walked out of the auction house that day.

Meaning… Chen Chang'an had been in the capital all along?

But why had he waited so long to act?

Wait—

The Gu Family!

Chen Chang'an had acquired the message brought by the Gu Family’s ancestor. Did that mean he had ties to them?

If so, how could the imperial family possibly contend with that?

The Gu Family was a top-tier force in the Central Heaven Domain, with a peak-level Emperor among their ranks. Even Feng Wuliang would have to tread carefully around them.

“Chen Chang'an, do you remember me?” Feng Wuliang asked, smiling faintly.

Chen Chang'an studied him briefly before recognition dawned.

“Ah, it’s you. So, you’re the Yin Family’s hired help?”

“Tell me—do you think you can win?” Chen Chang'an replied with a smirk.

“Uncertain. But I’d like to try.”

Facing Chen Chang'an again, Feng Wuliang felt none of the confidence he once had. Compared to their last encounter, Chen Chang'an now seemed even more unfathomable.

“Try?”

“Fine. Then… try!”

Chen Chang'an wasn’t concerned. While killing Feng Wuliang outright might be difficult at his current strength, the reverse was pure fantasy.

“Senior Da Huang, is that man truly an Emperor-level expert?”

High above the capital, Da Huang observed the imperial city alongside Gu Xian'er and Wu Mingdao.

“Indeed. That’s the Carefree Wind Emperor, Feng Wuliang.”

“An actual Emperor… Senior, can Brother Chen really defeat him?” Wu Mingdao asked nervously.

“Relax. He’ll be fine.”

“Oh? You sound quite confident.”

The voice came unexpectedly, but Da Huang wasn’t surprised—he’d long sensed this person watching Chen Chang'an… and now approaching them.

“Third Elder of the Gu Family?”

“Gu Fengyao?”

Gu Xian'er recognized the newcomers at once.

The Third Elder, meanwhile, grew increasingly intrigued. When had this yellow dog appeared? And why did it feel… unusual?

Da Huang didn’t bother looking at him, replying indifferently, “Whether I’m confident or not, you’ll see soon enough.”

“If you’re here to watch, then watch quietly. No need for commentary.”

Da Huang didn’t spare any courtesy, but the Third Elder of the Gu Family didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he observed Da Huang with great interest.

How strange. Truly strange. I can’t even discern its true form?

The Third Elder refused to believe that an ordinary yellow dog could achieve such a feat—it must be a high-level demon beast in disguise.

Yet, despite being at the half-step Emperor realm, he couldn’t see through its true nature. That was far too shocking.

Could it be that the one backing Chen Chang’an is this yellow dog?

Even now, the Third Elder refused to accept that Chen Chang’an truly possessed the power of an Emperor-level expert.

"By the way, where has Brother Lin gone?"

"Why isn’t he here?"

Wu Mingdao remembered clearly that Lin Xiangliu had set out with Chen Chang’an in the morning. Yet now, only Chen Chang’an had gone to the imperial city, with no sign of Lin Xiangliu.

"Lin Xiangliu has other matters to attend to. You’ll find out soon enough."

"For now, let’s see how Chen Chang’an plans to deal with Feng Wuliang."

"My guess? Probably the same old method."

The same old method?

Hearing Da Huang’s words, everyone looked puzzled. After all, they had no idea what Chen Chang’an’s "old method" even was.

Within the imperial city, this was now a battle between Emperor-level experts in the eyes of onlookers.

The Yin imperial family could only retreat to the sidelines, placing all their hopes—for the moment—on Feng Wuliang.

"Aren’t you going to make your move?" Feng Wuliang asked Chen Chang’an, somewhat perplexed.

"I don’t want to bully you."

"You strike first."

"After all… you’re nothing more than a former loser of mine!"