Chapter 35: Encountering SSR Again

Chen Cong fell into deep thought.

By all accounts, whether it was Wang Ji or Yuan Zhong, both should have been close to the Cao family. No matter who won, it was unlikely that either could challenge Cao Cao’s authority.

So what had happened in between?

“Second Brother, where did you get this information?”

“We men of honor have our own secret codes for communication. As it happens, Yuan An has a retainer named Wei Yong. He’s right here in Qiao County and got in touch with me last night.”

Chen Cong clicked his tongue in admiration—how naïve he’d been!

He’d thought Shi A was just another headstrong swordsman with a flair for the dramatic, never expecting his standing in the martial world to be so high—almost like the leader of the martial arts alliance.

“Is this Wei Yong reliable?”

Shi A replied with certainty, “He once served as my master’s sword attendant. He can be trusted.”

“In that case, you and Han Sheng go delay Yuan An. I’ll consult my father-in-law…” Chen Cong glanced up at the sky and continued, “Let’s meet at the Cao residence at noon, no later.”

Shi A hesitated. “Brother, if we all leave together, it’ll draw too much attention.”

Chen Cong quickly looked around and had an idea.

He shot a meaningful look at Shi A, swung off his horse, and headed straight for the bridal sedan.

“Oh my!” the matchmaker shrieked, rushing to grab Chen Cong’s sleeve. “My lord, you can’t—you simply can’t go in there!”

“Quiet! I’m tired and just want to take a nap inside.”

The matchmaker was on the verge of tears, clutching his sleeve for dear life.

This was the Cao family’s son-in-law—rumored to be the head of the Chen clan!

If he made a public spectacle of himself, the Cao family would never forgive her.

“My lord, you mustn’t. If you enter the bridal sedan, you’ll become a live-in son-in-law, a laughingstock!”

“Oh?~~”

Chen Cong drew out the syllable, shook off the matchmaker, and cupped his hands to the crowd.

“Fathers and elders, please be my judge! I’m just tired—can’t I sit in the sedan for a moment?”

No matter the era, people love a good spectacle.

As soon as Chen Cong made his scene, laughter erupted from the crowd.

Though most dared not offend the Cao family and stifled their amusement, all eyes were fixed on Chen Cong.

A dashing young man, choosing the bridal sedan over a fine horse—what a sight!

A live-in son-in-law for the Cao family?

“Hahaha, of course you can sit—why not? I support you!”

“That’s right! The young master’s just tired. Matchmaker, you’re being ridiculous. It’s just a sedan, not a priceless treasure. What harm is there in resting inside?”

“Get lost!” roared an elderly man, bursting from the crowd with a cane in hand, chasing after a pair of local ruffians.

Though they were both strapping young men, the old fellow had them running in circles, pleading for mercy.

“Uncle Xu, stop! Please, we’re sorry!”

Chen Cong was stunned for a moment, clicking his tongue in wonder. “The people of Qiao County are so pure-hearted—such respect for the elderly!”

The matchmaker seized the opportunity to drag Chen Cong away from the sedan’s side.

She explained, “Young lord, you may not know. Old Master Xu has two sons. The elder, Xu Ding, is a mighty figure. The younger is even more formidable—Xu Chu, who’s said to have the strength to pull nine bulls backward. Those ruffians aren’t showing respect so much as they’re afraid of the Xu brothers’ revenge.”

Chen Cong could only marvel at the truth of it.

Xu Chu…

After Huang Zhong, here was another legendary figure—a stroke of luck!

Once the ruffians had been chased off, Old Master Xu, still fuming, returned with his cane and aimed a blow at Chen Cong.

Chen Cong dodged. “Have you lost your senses, old man? I’m the groom—why hit me?”

Old Master Xu was furious, his beard and brows trembling, cursing incessantly.

“I’m beating you, you good-for-nothing fop! A true man, lowering yourself to become another’s son-in-law—disgraceful!”

“Old man, I don’t hit the elderly or children, but if you have the guts, call your two sons and we’ll see who’s stronger.”

Stymied by Chen Cong’s words, the old man dropped his cane and sat on the ground, clutching his chest and gasping for breath.

Chen Cong wiped a cold sweat from his brow.

He’d already held back—if he’d gone all out, he’d have become Xu Chu’s mortal enemy!

People in ancient times were certainly hot-tempered…

Of course, with Hua Tuo around, no one was likely to die.

“Hua, go check on him.”

The matchmaker, anxious and distraught, tried to drag Chen Cong away.

“Heavens above, why did you have to provoke Old Xu? Let’s go, quickly, before—”

“Enough, out of my way.” Chen Cong pushed her aside. “If you hadn’t stopped me from resting in the sedan, none of this would’ve happened.”

The matchmaker was on the verge of tears.

How had things turned out like this?

She’d only accepted the Cao family’s payment to handle the wedding arrangements—was it supposed to be this difficult?

…

With such a commotion in the street, someone was bound to notify the Xu brothers.

In no time, the crowd was stirred up.

From a distance, a man built like a bear strode toward them.

He stood over eight feet tall, his waist as thick as a barrel, his presence imposing. In the depths of winter, he wore only a thin tunic, his arms bulging like small mountains.

“So, it’s you, you foolish wretch, daring to curse my father?”

His voice was thunderous, making the crowd shrink back in fear.

“Good heavens! That’s Xu Chu!”

“It’s over—the Cao family’s groom is in real trouble now.”

“Not necessarily. The Cao family is powerful. No matter how reckless Xu Chu is, would he really dare to cause trouble in the street?”

“My son.” Old Master Xu, his breath eased by Hua Tuo’s massage, called out to halt Xu Chu and forced a self-deprecating smile. “Enough—I meddled where I shouldn’t. It’s no one else’s concern.”

“Hmph!” Xu Chu helped his father to his feet, spat in Chen Cong’s direction, and cursed, “You pale-faced fop, count yourself lucky. If not for my father’s word, I’d never let you off today!”

Oh?

Xu Chu might look dense, but he was surprisingly sharp-tongued.

No wonder the famed warriors of Xiliang were so often infuriated by him.

Chen Cong didn’t mind. He’d seen far worse on modern forums—this was nothing.

He grinned. “You mouthy oaf, don’t let me off—my fists are itching for a beating. If you’ve got the guts, kill me right here.”

Xu Chu was about to turn back, but his wrist was caught by his father. Not daring to injure him, he swallowed his anger and stormed off even faster.

He was afraid that if he listened any longer, he’d lose control and kill the man.

“Tut, already running off?”

“Please, ancestor, enough…” the matchmaker pleaded, only to be shoved aside yet again.

Seeing Xu Chu ignore him, Chen Cong upped the ante. “You shouldn’t be called Xu Chu—you should be Xu Dog. The way you’re running off, you really do look like a dog.”

“You bastard, you’re asking for death!”

Furious, Xu Chu’s eyes blazed like a raging bull’s. He looked at his father and cried out in frustration, “Father!”

Old Master Xu sighed and reluctantly let go. “Enough, just don’t kill him.”

Freed from restraint, the bear of a man closed the distance in an instant. He grabbed Chen Cong by the collar and lifted him into the air.

“Bastard, what have you got to say now?”

Chen Cong showed no fear, shrugged, and grinned. “It’s my wedding day—no bloodshed. Let’s settle this with words.”

“What do you propose?”

“Arm wrestling. If you lose, you’ll feed my horse. If I lose, I’ll kneel and apologize to you.”

“You?” Xu Chu sneered.

“That’s right—me.”