57: The union of a venomous dragon and a young phoenix.

Chen Chuanwen walked out of the Courtyard House gate and saw Chen Changsheng dismounting his horse in high spirits.

"Dad, you returned so quickly!"

Chen Chuanwen rubbed his nose and said.

Chen Changsheng laughed heartily; if there was one thing he looked forward to most, it was his son getting married and having children, so naturally, he returned quickly.

Besides, getting married early was also Chuanwen's idea, so why did Chen Changsheng detect a faint trace of resentment in his second son's tone?

"Haha, the earlier I return, the sooner I can hold my Grandson!"

Chen Changsheng said with a smile. Ma Yuwen, who had just stepped out of the doorway, heard this and instantly blushed, then quietly retreated back into the room.

Before long, Chuanjie, Yi Lian, and Wang Juan, who was carrying the Eldest Grandson, all appeared. Chen Changsheng was very happy to see his family and teased the Eldest Grandson until the child started wailing, at which point he awkwardly handed the child back to Wang Juan to soothe.

In the evening, everyone enjoyed a harmonious reunion dinner together. Chen Changsheng did not let Steamed Bun and Zhao Song appear before the family, as he had other arrangements for them.

"Chuanwen, come with me for a moment; let's discuss some business!"

After dinner, everyone dispersed. Chen Changsheng specifically kept Chuanwen behind and took him to his study.

Inside the study, Zhao Song and Steamed Bun stood side by side.

Chen Changsheng brought Chuanwen into the study and first pointed at Steamed Bun, saying: "His name is Steamed Bun; he is a Blood Refining Martial Artist. He usually stays by my side and is responsible for training our intelligence personnel."

Subsequently, Chen Changsheng pointed to Zhao Song and said to Chuanwen: "I adopted eighteen orphans in Longkou County as my foster sons, and Zhao Song is their eldest brother. These people are the backbone of the Black Ice Platform. In the future, Zhao Song will report directly to you, and only Zhao Song knows the true identity of the Chen Family behind the scenes!"

Upon hearing this, Chuanwen scrutinized the two men carefully. Steamed Bun went without saying, still as cold as a block of ice, while Zhao Song had a smile on his face, giving off an approachable feeling.

"Steamed Bun, Zhao Song, this is my second son, Chen Chuanwen!"

"I will make things clear today: I went to Longkou County to establish an intelligence agency—the Black Ice Platform—with the goal of finding the Immortal Cultivation Manual hidden by the Military Official Zhao Zhiyi!"

"If you two are willing to help me, you may stay; if not, you may turn around and leave, and I will have no complaints!"

Chen Changsheng told the two the full story directly. Both had already proven their loyalty, and besides, with Howling Heaven holding down the fort on his own turf, Chen Changsheng could act with slightly more freedom.

"My Lord, I will follow your arrangements!"

Steamed Bun said coldly. If there was anyone other than his family whom Chen Changsheng trusted the most, it was certainly the taciturn Steamed Bun, so Chen Changsheng had already anticipated his response!

"Foster Father, I have already said that no matter what you wish to do, I, Zhao Song, will give my all!"

Zhao Song cupped his hands to Chen Changsheng. He knew that Chen Changsheng being so candid and revealing the truth about such major matters meant he truly regarded him as a trusted confidant, and he was deeply moved.

"Good. You two must remember that apart from my orders, only Chuanwen may command you. No one else, not even members of the Chen Family, is to be obeyed!"

"Also, apart from the two of you, do not tell anyone else that you are working for the Chen Family!"

Chen Changsheng set the rules early on. Perhaps it would take a few years for the Black Ice Platform to truly exert its power, but establishing the rules as early as possible could avoid major problems later on.

"Yes, My Lord!"

"Yes, Foster Father!"

Steamed Bun and Zhao Song replied respectively. Only then did Chen Changsheng let them withdraw. As for their integration with Chuanwen, it was still early, and there was plenty of time!

"Alright, Chuanwen. The serious business is done; let's talk about your wedding. What do you intend to do?"

After the two withdrew, Chen Changsheng poured a cup of jasmine tea and looked at Chuanwen with a smile.

"A wedding is just a formality. Xiao Wen and I have decided that as long as the Chen Family members are present, that will suffice; we will not invite anyone else!"

Chuanwen relayed the result of their discussion. Chen Changsheng nodded; it seemed Ma Yuwen also understood her own situation and had made the right choice!

"There is one more thing I want to ask you: does Ma Yuwen really have designs on our family, and does she not mind about their ancestral Immortal Cultivation Manual?"

Chuanwen narrowed his eyes. Every word and action of Ma Yuwen from this period flashed through his mind, and then he said in a low voice:

"Ma Yuwen is a very smart woman. She did not treat her Immortal Official father, whose whereabouts are unknown, as her only lifeline. She intentionally revealed the Immortal Cultivation Manual to cooperate with our Chen Family!"

"Actually, regardless of whether this partner was our Chen Family or not, she would have thrown out the Immortal Cultivation Manual as bait. Her true goal is to topple Zhao Zhiyi or find her missing younger brother."

"I have been pondering this for a while and feel that Ma Yuwen is quite deep and calculating. She told our Chen Family about the Immortal Cultivation Manual not just because of her feelings for me, but simply because she felt our Chen Family was the most trustworthy, which is why she placed her bet on us!"

Chen Changsheng tapped his index finger lightly on the table. Ma Yuwen's actions were indeed the best choice she could make at the moment. From the time Chuanwen overheard that the Immortal Cultivation Manual was in her possession, she had no other path to choose but to cooperate with the Chen Family.

"Chuanwen, Ma Yuwen is not as simple-minded as Juaner. Even after you are married, you must keep a card up your sleeve regarding our secrets!"

Chen Changsheng advised him in a low voice, unsure whether bringing Ma Yuwen into the Chen Family would be a blessing or a curse in the future.

"Dad, I know what I am doing. If there is nothing else, I will go prepare for the wedding; we will be married tomorrow!"

Chuanwen took Chen Changsheng's words to heart, and seeing that Chen Changsheng had no other arrangements, he left the study to prepare for the wedding.

The night passed, and the sun rose over the mountains.

Inside the Chen Family Courtyard House, there were no festive decorations, but all the Chen Family members were present.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth..."

"Second bow to the high hall..."

Chen Changsheng and Yi Lian sat in their chairs, watching the newlyweds below bow to them, smiles on their faces.

Yi Lian looked at her second son getting married, tears shimmering in her eyes. She did not know the Chen Family's plans; she only knew that her second son was marrying a woman with a questionable background, which was why the wedding was being kept low-key, and this made her feel very sorry for her second son.

"Bow to each other..."

Eleven-year-old Chuanjie, imitating the demeanor of an adult, shouted loudly. Perhaps because it was his first time acting as the master of ceremonies, he was putting in extra effort.

Chen Chuanwen was in an exquisite suit, looking noble and distinguished, while Ma Yuwen wore a red wedding dress, which made her look as beautiful as a flower.

Watching the two bowing to each other, Chen Changsheng vaguely saw the union of a Poisonous Flood Dragon and a Fledgling Phoenix!

Before Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, ascended the throne, he also married the beautiful Lü Zhi, whose entire clan had bet on him; they were also both deep, calculating, and highly intelligent people.

As for Chuanwen, his ruthlessness and viciousness went without saying, and Xiao Wen was equally intelligent and scheming. With these two walking together, what would the future outcome be, and where would this pair lead the Chen Family?

"Sigh!"

Chen Changsheng couldn't help but sigh softly, only hoping that after Chuanwen, this Poisonous Flood Dragon, successfully transformed into a Black Dragon in the future, Xiao Wen would not turn from a Fledgling Phoenix into an Evil Phoenix!

Would today's union of the Poisonous Flood Dragon and the Fledgling Phoenix turn into a Black Dragon and an Evil Phoenix trapped in a sea of hatred? Chen Changsheng did not know; perhaps only Heaven knew!