Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

The Cui family is a well-known great clan in Quanzhou, producing talents generation after generation, standing as one of the foremost prestigious families in the locality. The magnificent houses and the crowd entering and leaving the gates unmistakably showcased the glory and status of this family.

The gatekeeper held his head high, his eyes gazing arrogantly skywards. Indeed, it was no wonder he was so haughty, given the saying, "Even a seventh-grade official stands prominent before the Prime Minister's gate," anyone wanting to enter the Cui Mansion had to curry favor with him.

At the moment, he was frowning as he stared ahead, where two scruffy lads were supporting each other as they approached. His heart was filled with disdain for these beggar-like boys; such a clean and majestic gate surely wasn't a place for such filthy folk to get close to.

Unexpectedly, however, these two seeming beggars didn't appear to be aware of their inappropriateness. Instead, they approached the Cui Mansion with a spring in their step.

"Where do these beggars come from? This is the Cui Mansion in Quanzhou, no place for such dirty riff-raff to come near," the gatekeeper, with his nose in the air and a tone full of impatience, declared.

Cui Heming had been in high spirits, introducing the illustrious deeds of his family to Chen Xiang, contemplating how to treat his friend properly, only to be scolded by someone just as they reached the gate.

When he turned and saw the gatekeeper's condescending face, a nameless rage burst forth. On his journey here, he had faced numerous hardships, brushed with death. If not for Chen Xiang's rescue, he might have been long parted from his head.

Never had he thought he'd be humiliated at his own family's gate, and what's worse, he had just been boasting about his household's merits. Suffering such a setback now was like a slap to the face; how could he not be furious?

Anger rising from his heart, he cursed, "You blind servant, too arrogant for your lowly duty, merely a gatekeeper yet displaying such behavior, you've completely disgraced the Cui family!"

His words were far from polite, touching a nerve for the gatekeeper, who, filled with rage, shouted loudly, "The nerve of you! Two little beggars dare to insult a member of the Cui family! Steward Geng, come quick, there's trouble here!"

No sooner had he spoken than the great doors of Cui Mansion swung open, and a pair of ferocious-looking stewards rushed out. The leader, wielding a wooden club with a deep scar on his face, shouted as soon as he appeared, "Who has the audacity to cause trouble at the Cui Mansion's door?"

The gatekeeper, jubilant at heart, pointed towards Chen Xiang and the other and said, "Steward Geng, it's these two lads!"

Steward Geng instantly turned his gaze to the two, his face revealing a look of surprise as he said, "These two lads?"

His tone was full of disbelief, considering that the pair, after their long journey, looked ragged and shabby, both slim and weak, hardly seeming to be daring enough to cause trouble at the Cui Mansion.

"Yes, these two lads, especially that one, who dared to speak rudely and even insulted the Cui family!" the gatekeeper blurted out accusingly towards Cui Heming and Chen Xiang.

Hearing this, Steward Geng gestured for the men to advance, saying, "What audacity, to have no idea what sort of family the Cui Mansion represents here in Quanzhou, and yet they dare to provoke us. Lads, show these youngsters how formidable we are, and see if they ever dare speak ill of the Cui family again."

Cui Heming was now completely embarrassed, feeling belittled in Chen Xiang's presence due to his inadequate appearance and the menial servants' treatment towards him.

"I am Cui Heming, who dares harm me!" Cui Heming shouted, faced with no choice but to reveal his identity.

Yet as soon as he had finished, the gatekeeper burst into loud laughter, declaring, "Would you look at that, this thief even dares to impersonate our Cui family's young master, with such a look, go take a good look at yourself in a puddle before trying to impersonate."

Steward Geng, who had initially lowered his weapon, picked it up again. He had met the young master of the Cui family several times, who was naïve and frivolous, whereas the two standing before him seemed rather composed, showing no trace of the young master's demeanor. He cursed himself internally for being cowardly, frightened by a beggar.

Infuriated, he ordered his house servants to crowd around, ready to teach these two ignorant brats a lesson.

"Chen Xiang, it looks like I'll need to rely on you again this time. But they are after all from my family, so please be a bit gentler!" Cui Heming said to Chen Xiang with a wry smile.

He had seen the extent of Chen Xiang's skills; if Chen Xiang were to use his full force, the men in front of them wouldn't withstand a single move.

Chen Xiang gave a reassuring smile to the somewhat embarrassed Cui Heming, nodding to indicate he understood. He then pulled Cui Heming behind him as he alone faced the oncoming crowd of Cui Mansion's family servants.

Today, Chen Xiang's strength was at the pinnacle of humanity. With continuous training in the nameless technique, the Divine Spirit Blood within him kept awakening, and he had long transcended mundanity.

With a gentle punch, an immense force surged out, and the wind from his fist carried such a powerful impact that the surging house servants were knocked to the ground.

Steward Geng leapt high, swinging his wooden club down towards Chen Xiang's head. But Chen Xiang simply sidestepped with ease, avoiding the attack. With a light flick of his finger on Geng's head, the steward involuntary flew outwards until he crashed against the gate with a dull thud, and only then came to a stop, lying on the ground wailing in pain.

The gatekeeper was so startled by this scene that he was left gaping, never in his life had he seen such a formidable expert. A mere two moves had laid out all the stewards.