High Martial World: I Gain Passive Skills Daily-Chapter 145 - 108: Life Is Often Carefree—What Can Hinder a Smile? (Double-Length)
Chen An’s expression was exceptionally uneasy, and upon hearing those words, he was momentarily stunned, then took a deep breath with a hint of daze.
He looked again at his older brother.
Regarding this matter, he had actually prepared himself psychologically all night.
Before Chen Kuang fell unconscious, he had already asked him this question, wanting him to consider carefully whether he should become the leader of Cao Bang.
The first reaction Chen An had upon hearing this question was absurd.
Such a large Cao Bang, filled with countless experts, how could it be his turn to become the gang leader?
Unless all these people were dead!
But soon, Chen An realized that the greatest expert in Cao Bang, the gang leader Fan Hailong, was now dead at the hands of his big brother, and in front of everyone, his head was offered to the True Dragon King.
Moreover, he now knew that the only A-level Token from the "Earth Official" was in Chen Kuang’s possession, meaning, in other words... he was actually under Chen Kuang.
Chen An remembered how he once asked Pei Xiu to help investigate Chen Kuang, and how the latter beat around the bush, repeatedly dodging the issue, refusing to reveal any information.
Yet despite this, Pei Xiu still judged, based on "his own judgment," that Chen Kuang posed no threat to the Chen Family.
And now, Pei Xiu stood humbly behind Chen Kuang, serving as a background element... it all made sense, damn it.
Overall, now in Jishao County, the Governor was gone, and the local leaderless snakes were in a state of chaos.
If Chen Kuang were to speak, who in Cao Bang would dare defy him?
The only obstacle was that lingering doubt in Chen An’s heart.
After all, previously he had been boasting in front of Chen Kuang, always suspecting his possible impersonation.
Even though Chen Kuang seemed indifferent, Chen An felt the urge to find a pillar to crash into, as shame and embarrassment surged to his brain.
Chen Kuang was sold years ago, wagering his life to save the whole family, but upon returning home, he was treated as a fraud, with only his mother willing to genuinely believe in him.
In the end, the wealth of the Chen Family nearly vanished like a fleeting bubble, needing him to save them once again.
Chen An was relatively fine, but Chen Rong hadn’t spoken a word since last night until now, and this time hadn’t even taken the main seat, instead sitting beside Gan Tang.
The main seat’s recipient was obvious.
Unfortunately, Chen Kuang seemed unappreciative, only discussing business matters upon entering, without even planning to take a seat.
Regardless, Chen An had contemplated a very practical issue last night.
That was, he himself had only opened up to his second acupoint, the so-called Eight Meridian Enlightenment Realm.
Even if Chen Kuang now spoke, for Cao Bang to temporarily bow, what would become of Cao Bang after he left for a month, a year...?
Plus, he was only seventeen.
Though he’d been a branch president for two years, managing the entire Cao Bang... felt daunting. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Or rather, precisely because he’d witnessed the scale of Cao Bang, he felt his abilities were somewhat insufficient.
Yet then Chen An remembered his older brother... this year was only nineteen, just two years older, still not yet at the age of capping ceremonies.
Single-handedly confronting the Moon Embrace Realm, killing into the Governor’s Mansion in a rainy night... decisively slaying and leaving with three heads from the Governor’s Mansion—those of Cao Bang, what Deputy Gang Leader, what Innate, wouldn’t dare utter a word!
Such boldness was exactly what Chen An aspired to and wished to become.
With this thought, Chen An instantly comprehended.
Chen Kuang willing to entrust Cao Bang to him indicated he hadn’t lost hope in Chen Family.
He still trusted Chen Family, trusted his younger brother Chen An.
If Chen An couldn’t even handle this matter well, how could he deserve that trust? How could he repay those two life-saving benevolences?
Chen An stepped forward two steps, facing Chen Kuang directly, and clasped his hands with a deep bow, solemnly saying:
"I will not fail the mission!"
Chen Kuang smiled: "I hope when I return, you’ll be able to stand on your own."
He understood Chen An’s caution right from the start. Initially there was only a temporary stay for a sanctuary, with just a lingering obsession preventing further explanations.
What truly dissolved that obsession was in the illusion, when Chen Kuang was pursued by Di Wu, and Chen An risked his life wanting to escape with Chen Kuang.
Chen An had no hacks.
A normal Enlightenment Realm facing the pressure of a Half-Step Grandmaster, exerting all efforts to save someone, essentially equated to sacrificing oneself!
Having gone through the illusion’s cycles many times, he knew how real the evolution of that illusion was.
The real Chen An, under such scenarios, would likely make the same choice.
This was Chen An’s futile effort.
But for Chen Kuang, it was a moment where the heart knot truly untied.
Chen An didn’t say much more, just nodded heavily.
Gan Tang walked over, took Chen Kuang’s hand, and with reluctance said: "Kuang’er, are you still leaving?"
Since Chen Kuang returned, she hadn’t stopped crying, almost every day wearing a sorrowful, tearful expression, worried about Chen Kuang leaving.
Yet this time, facing another separation, she appeared much more composed.
Chen Kuang nodded, saying: "I still have something to do temporarily, don’t worry, I’ll be back, and then I’ll play a beautiful tune for you."
Gan Tang pulled out a cloth doll from her sleeve, smiling, saying: "I made this recently, take a look."
Chen Kuang took it and looked; the doll was precisely in his likeness.
