"Qin Chen! How dare you come back? Flee now—Uncle's been hunting you!"
"Upon seeing Qin Chen, the girl rushed to address him, her features taut with urgent concern."
"What's wrong?" Qin Chen frowned.
"Didn't you offend Master Liang Yu at the Artificer Hall days ago? Qin Fen claimed you ruined his deal for Darksteel Ore and humiliated him! Uncle's furious—he's called a clan assembly to punish you!"
Qin Chen's eyes chilled. "Where's my mother?"
"Safe, but—"
Before she could finish, two squads of guards emerged, led by Qin Gang, the clan's Earth Realm guard captain. "Young Master Chen, the Patriarch summons you to the assembly."
Qin Ying bristled. "Qin Gang! Release him!"
"Apologies, Lady Ying. Patriarch's orders."
Qin Chen raised a hand, silencing her. "Take me there."
Grand Hall
Over a hundred clan members filled the cavernous chamber. Patriarch Qin Yuanxiong sat enthroned, flanked by elders and key figures. Zhao Feng and Qin Fen stood nearby, smugness oozing.
Days prior, Qin Fen had spun a tale of Qin Chen "sabotaging" his deal with Liang Yu, costing the clan precious Darksteel Ore. Zhao Feng seized this as leverage, rallying elders to demand expulsion.
Qin Yuanxiong knew better—Qin Fen's incompetence likely caused the loss. But when the Artificer Hall barred Qin envoys, he relented. Expelling Qin Chen would appease Zhao Feng's faction and placate Liang Yu.
Now, Zhao Feng smirked at Qin Yuechi below. Finally, I'll crush your false nobility.