Chapter 2: Clues to the Massacre, Twists and Turns

"We won't pay a single cent of this fabricated protection fee!"

Jiang Chen said coldly to the tattooed man, "Not only that, but you also have to kneel down, admit your mistake, apologize to us, and kowtow in front of my parents' tombstone to atone for your sins!"

"Fuck, you little brat, I dare you to say that again! Do you believe I can cripple you right now?"

The tattooed man's face darkened as he pointed at Jiang Chen's nose and cursed.

"Don't, don't be impulsive! Let's talk this out!"

Jiang Qing instinctively shielded Jiang Chen behind her, trying to reason with the tattooed man.

"Screw you! Get the hell out of my way!"

The tattooed man cursed loudly and swung a slap toward Jiang Qing's face.

Terrified, Jiang Qing closed her eyes. However, before the slap could land, Jiang Chen grabbed the tattooed man's wrist.

"Since you dared to raise a hand against my sister, you don't need this hand anymore!"

Jiang Chen's voice was ice-cold as he directly crushed the tattooed man's wrist.

"Ah... my hand..."

The tattooed man screamed in agony and roared his command, "Kill him for me!"

His four lackeys raised their fists and lunged at Jiang Chen.

*Thud, thud, thud... Crack, crack, crack... Argh!*

With a single punch for each, Jiang Chen sent the four lackeys flying. Their ribs shattered, and they crashed to the ground, wailing in pain.

The tattooed man's face paled in horror. He hadn't expected Jiang Chen to be such a formidable fighter, let alone so ruthless. Had he run into a real tough customer?

Masking his fear with bluster, he threatened, "Kid, we are from the Mighty Martial Hall! Are you trying to cross the Mighty Martial Hall?"

"I don't care about any Mighty Martial Hall or Cowardly Bear Hall. If anyone dares touch my sister again, I'll break their legs!"

Jiang Chen adjusted his sleeves and said disdainfully.

"You... Fine! Just you wait! Let's go!"

The tattooed man nodded with a venomous glare, cradling his broken hand as he prepared to leave.

The four lackeys scrambled up from the ground, limping after him.

"Did I say you could leave?"

Jiang Chen's voice rang out coldly.

"Kid, don't push us too far!"

The tattooed man gritted his teeth in anger.

"I will count to three. Anyone who hasn't knelt down to apologize will have both legs broken!"

Jiang Chen held up three fingers and began the countdown: "Three, two..."

*Thud!*

Before Jiang Chen could finish, the tattooed man and his four lackeys dropped to their knees in unison and began kowtowing in apology. They were truly terrified that Jiang Chen would ruthlessly break their legs.

"If I ever catch you collecting protection fees again, I'll beat you every single time. Get lost!"

Jiang Chen pointed at them and warned.

The tattooed man and his lackeys fled as if granted a royal pardon, scrambling away in panic.

"Chen, the Mighty Martial Hall is one of the three major underground factions in Linzhou. Now that you've offended them, you must be careful!"

Recovering from her shock, Jiang Qing quickly warned him, deeply worried about his safety.

"Don't worry, Sis. A mere underground faction can't harm your brother."

Jiang Chen comforted her before saying solemnly, "I came back this time to avenge our parents!"

"Avenge our parents? Have you found out who the killer is?"

Jiang Qing quietly clenched her fists and asked.

"I'm still investigating," Jiang Chen shook his head and asked, "Do you have any clues?"

"I did find one lead... but she might not be willing to help."

Jiang Qing hesitated.

"Who is it?"

Jiang Chen pressed immediately.

"The young mistress of the Chu family and the CEO of the Chu Group, Chu Yan!"

Jiang Qing answered truthfully, "When our Jiang family was massacred, Chu Yan happened to pass by our house. She must have seen who the killer was!"

"What?! Chu Yan?!"

Jiang Chen was startled. How could it be her?

"You know Chu Yan?"

Jiang Qing asked in confusion.

"Sis, to tell you the truth, I took on a master. Four years ago, when I was being hunted and jumped into the river to survive, my master saved me. Later, he arranged a marriage contract for me, and the other party is Chu Yan of the Chu family!"

Jiang Chen explained briefly.

"So that's how it is!"

Jiang Qing nodded, her expression filled with worry. "Ever since our family was wiped out, your childhood sweetheart immediately distanced herself from us and even found a new boyfriend right away."

"I'm worried that once Chu Yan learns about your situation, she might also call off the engagement to distance herself from the Jiang family."

Jiang Chen's expression remained calm. Just as his master had predicted, when disaster struck the Jiang family, his girlfriend would become his ex. The arranged marriage contract was a fallback plan left for him.

"I'll go to the Chu family and see. Even if Chu Yan wants to call off the engagement, I can understand. I just hope she can tell me the clues about the killer who wiped out our family."

Jiang Chen made his decision. After paying his respects to his parents at their tombstone and settling Jiang Qing in, he headed to the Chu family residence to find Chu Yan.

The Chu family, one of the five major families of Linzhou, resided in a grand and luxurious villa that exuded nobility and elegance.

When Jiang Chen arrived at the villa entrance, he was stopped by the Chu family's bodyguards.

"Who are you? Who are you looking for at the Chu residence?"

"My name is Jiang Chen. I'm looking for Miss Chu Yan. Please give this letter to her."

Jiang Chen didn't mention he was her fiancé. He had simply placed the marriage certificate inside the envelope. Once Chu Yan saw it, she would surely meet him.

"Wait here."

The bodyguard took the letter and went inside to report.

A moment later, Chu Yan walked out, following the bodyguard.

She had long hair that cascaded like a waterfall down to her slender waist. Her delicate features were flawless, her fair skin was as smooth as snow, and her proud figure traced alluring curves. With her shapely, long legs, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Are you Jiang Chen, the apprentice of the old divine doctor?"

Holding the letter, Chu Yan sized Jiang Chen up to confirm. He had a handsome face, a tall and straight posture, and was dressed simply. Was this the fiancé her grandfather had chosen for her?

"Yes, I am," Jiang Chen nodded.

"Come inside with me."

Chu Yan led Jiang Chen into the villa, asking as they walked, "How are your medical skills?"

"No weaker than my master's," Jiang Chen answered honestly.

"Good. If you can cure my grandfather's illness, I will marry you!"

Chu Yan looked into Jiang Chen's eyes and said seriously.

"Ah?"

Jiang Chen was taken aback.

She's not calling off the engagement?

Wait a minute!

Old Master Chu is sick?

"What are you 'ah'-ing about? Didn't you say your medical skills are no weaker than your master's? Or do you lack the confidence to cure my grandfather?"

Chu Yan frowned slightly, her voice somewhat cold.

"That's not it. I just didn't know Old Master Chu was ill."

Jiang Chen explained and said seriously, "Treating the illness is the priority. Take me to see Old Master Chu first."

It might be inappropriate to ask Chu Yan about the clues to the Jiang family's massacre right now. Once he cured Old Master Chu, he would surely get his answers from her.

Inside Old Master Chu's room, a middle-aged couple and a young woman were keeping vigil.

"This is my second uncle and second aunt, and their daughter, my cousin."

Chu Yan introduced the three of them after bringing Jiang Chen into the room.

"Hello, everyone," Jiang Chen greeted them politely.

"Chu Yan, who is he?"

The middle-aged man, Chu Lihan, stared at Jiang Chen and asked Chu Yan.

Chu Yan replied, "He is the doctor I invited to treat Grandfather..."

"Nonsense!"

Before Chu Yan could finish, Chu Lihan cut her off sharply, "The Old Master's condition is so severe, and even many famous doctors have failed to improve it. Can a green youth like him cure it?"