Chapter 40: The hidden mastermind

"Zhan Chen, calm down. None of your family is hurt", Liu Nanxi looked at Zhan Chen and spoke. The earlier murderous aura of Zhan was frightening. It managed to shake her a little.

"How much this guy has killed to emit such a murderous aura", Liu Nanxi thought inside her mind.

The tense nerve of Zhan Chen relaxed after he heard the confirmation from Liu Nanxi. "What happened?", he muttered and looked at Liu Nanxi.

"The Zhan family estate was attacked in yesterday night. The attackers were formidable as they had eight true essence realm experts. Zhan family had hidden experts as six true essence realm experts emerged to fight off the enemies. The attack was a stalemate but the enemies managed to severely injure two of the Zhan family True essence realm masters.

A old Core Condensation realm master emerged from Zhan family estate. He managed to kill one of the true essence realm expert of enemies. The attackers retreated after the appearance of the core condensation realm expert but the loss was enormous as the true essence realm attackers had killed five of the storm guards of Zhan family", Liu Nanxi spoke slowly as he looked at Zhan Chen.

"Is there any Core Condensation realm experts from the enemy side?", Zhan Chen inquired.

"I think Yes. From the look of the things, there seemed to be Core Condensation realm experts in the enemy ranks but they decided to not appear", Liu Nanxi replied in a deep voice.

Zhan Chen nodded his head and stayed silent. There was a pondering expression appeared on his handsome face. Shen Ruyan and Liu Nanxi did not disturb and waited for him to speak.

Zhan Chen tapped his fingers on the arm rest as he pondered silently. "Seems like I have to start cultivating the soul related skills. Zhan clan need power and with my strength, it wouldn't be difficult to make some True essence realm soul slaves", Zhan Chen thought inside his mind.

"But before that I need to know about my enemies. What is actually happening? Eight true essence realm experts? Such a line up was enough to destroy any powerful families of the Redcloud city", Zhan Chen thought inside his mind.

Zhan Chen looked up and turned his head towards Liu Nanxi. "Aunt Liu, do you know the identities of the attackers?"

A hint of hesitation appeared in the eyes of Liu Nanxi as she looked towards Shen Ruyan. Zhan Chen understood the meaning of Liu Nanxi's gaze and turned towards Shen Ruyan.

Shen Ruyan's eyes flickered after noticing the gaze of Zhan Chen on her. There was a moment of struggle in her eyes but a determined look appeared in her eyes after she saw the serious look on the face of Zhan Chen.

"Aunt Liu, please help me watch over the Zhan family. I will talk with him about this", Shen Ruyan spoke.

Liu Nanxi nodded her head and vanished from the main hall.

"Thank you Ruyan", Zhan Chen threw a grateful glance at Shen Ruyan. Her concern for him was genuine as she didn't hesitate to send Liu Nanxi to protect his family. Zhan Chen felt emotionally moved.

Shen Ruyan looked at the serious looking Zhan Chen and a hint of concern appeared in her beautiful eyes.

"Dear, do you really want to know the identities of your Zhan family enemies?", Shen Ruyan asked with a serious voice.

Zhan Chen nodded his head seriously as he really needed this peace of information. Without finding out the identities of enemies, he couldn't solve the current problems of Zhan family. This piece of information was very important to him. Zhan Chen looked at Shen Ruyan with a serious gaze.

"Actually there was s a reason why I have not told your mother about the enemies of Zhan family. Still now, I believe in my judgement. It will be better if you don't learn about them", Shen Ruyan said gravely.

"Why are you saying so?", Zhan Chen felt bewildered and asked Shen Ruyan.

"The identities of the Zhan family enemy is very special. It is no big deal for me to deal with them but the power backing them is the true concern. Your Zhan family is not a match for them. Even our Shen family have to spend a huge effort if we want to fight it out with the power behind them", Shen Ruyan spoke seriously.

"Do you still want to learn the identities of your enemies?", She Ruyan asked and looked towards Zhan Chen.

Zhan Chen nodded his head without hesitation. There was a determined look in his eyes as he looked towards Shen Ruyan. The warning of Shen Ruyan had no effect on him.

"Ok, I will inform you about them but I need a promise from you", Shen Ruyan spoke.

"Speak, what do you want?", Zhan Chen asked.

"I just need one promise from you. That is to not act recklessly no matter what is the condition", Shen Ruyan replied. There was deep concern in her eyes as she looked at the visage of Zhan Chen.

"Ok, I can promise you this. Now, please tell me everything you know about them", Zhan Chen spoke.

"Have you ever heard about the Ming family of Golden sun kingdom?", Shen Ruyan looked at Zhan Chen.

Zhan Chen thought for a while but couldn't recall any family surnamed Ming. He shook his head and said, "I don't know any family with Ming surname".

"Then, do you know who is the current ruler of the Golden sun kingdom?", Shen Ruyan asked.

"Is not it the Gongsun family?", Zhan Chen asked with confusion. According to his understanding, the royal Gongsun clan was the ruler of Golden sun kingdom and it had a deep foundation which was eight hundred years older than the Red cloud kingdom.

"No, Gongsun clan had already submitted to one of the family of Golden sun kingdom. They are still the ruler in the surface but the control is not in their hand now", Shen Ruyan spoke.

"The true ruler of Golden sun kingdom is now Ming family", Shen Ruyan announced.

Zhan Chen felt confused and looked at Shen Ruyan. "What is their relationship with my Zhan family?", Zhan Chen spoke with confusion.

"I think they are the the mastermind behind the current predicament of Zhan family. They are controlling the Gu family from shadow", Shen Ruyan replied and threw a profound gaze at Zhan Chen.