432: Chapter 432 Chen Xiaodao Expresses His Full Support Without Reservation

The morning light had just climbed the slope of the East Ridge, and the wind still carried the chill of the night.

On the training ground, the final move, "Star Falling Nine Heavens," was unleashed. Sword Qi roared, splitting the ground three feet deep, and dust flew up like waves.

Chen Xiaodao sheathed his sword, caught his breath, and raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his temple. Just as he was about to turn back to his room to change clothes, he caught a glimpse of someone standing on the slope.

It was Chen Wuwang.

He didn't move, nor did he speak. He just stood there quietly, his back to the rising sun. His long, silver-white hair fluttered slightly in the breeze, the Mechanical Prosthetic Eye in his left eye emitted a faint, cold light, and the three old scars on his right cheek were exceptionally clear in the morning light.

Chen Xiaodao's footsteps faltered.

He knew this man too well.

Having spent over thirty years together day and night, he could tell something was wrong at a glance—it wasn't anger, nor was it urgency, but that look of deep, sinking gravity, like dark clouds pressing down on a city before a storm, making one's heart tighten with stifling tension.

He immediately reined in the relaxed mood from his sword practice, straightened his collar, and strode forward.

"Brother." He stood still, his voice lower than usual, "Did something happen?"

Chen Wuwang then turned his head, glanced at him, but did not answer immediately.

His gaze rested on his face for two seconds, as if confirming something, or perhaps weighing whether a certain sentence should be spoken.

The wind blew between them, kicking up a few fallen leaves.

After a long while, Chen Wuwang finally spoke, his voice kept very low, yet every word was clear: "The Family is going to take a new path."

Chen Xiaodao frowned: "Which path?"

"The peak of technology." He stared at him, "It is right before us. But once this step is taken, it will not be peaceful."

Chen Xiaodao did not make a sound, only looked at him.

He knew this wasn't idle chatter, nor was it a pep talk. This was the Family Head telling him something—something capable of changing the destiny of the entire Chen Family.

And he, as the Young Lord, had to make a choice at this moment—support, or wait and see?

Yet, he didn't even need to hesitate.

The next instant, his right hand slammed onto the hilt of his sword, and with a click, he drew it out half an inch.

A cold light suddenly appeared, reflecting off his young face, while his eyes were as cold and firm as tempered iron.

"No matter what kind of Breakthrough it is, I support it." He said each word clearly, his voice not loud, but it struck the ground like a nail, "Whoever dares to hinder the Chen Family's technological development, my sword—will not agree!"

The blade stopped at the mouth of the scabbard, the humming vibration not yet dispersed.

Chen Wuwang looked at him, looking at this face he had watched grow from childhood, from the frail child he had carried out of the ruins when he was five, to the way he stood before him now with a straight back, his heart suddenly warmed.

He didn't speak, just curled the corner of his mouth slightly, then raised his hand and patted his shoulder heavily.

"With your support, this matter will surely succeed."

That slap was extremely heavy, shaking Chen Xiaodao's shoulder until it sank, but he didn't move; instead, he laughed—a laugh that was straightforward and bright.

The two stood side by side just like that, neither speaking again.

In the distance, the workshop clusters of Qiming Plain began to wake up; spiritual energy conduits started up one after another, the humming sound traveling from far to near.

From the direction of the Artifact Refining Workshop came the crisp sound of metal striking metal, a steady rhythm that sounded like some kind of silent drumbeat.

Over by the Medicinal Field, young clansmen were already running about to spread the news, their footsteps hurried, their voices drifting over faintly:

"Level one combat readiness!"

"The R&D group starts working tonight!"

"I heard there's going to be a big move!"

But all this clamor was far away from them.

At this moment, there was only the wind, only the light, and only two figures standing quietly on the slope—one with silver hair and a prosthetic eye, the other in blue robes with a sword at his waist—like two mountains standing side by side.

Chen Xiaodao suddenly turned his head to look at him: "Do you trust me?"

Chen Wuwang glanced at him sideways: "The day I picked you up, you were clutching half a wooden sword and wouldn't let go. I knew then that for you, once you've set your mind on something, not even nine oxen could pull you back."

"And what about you?" He asked again, "Are you afraid of taking the wrong step? What if... what if the Family can't hold on?"

Chen Wuwang was silent for a moment, his fingers tapping unconsciously on his cuff, as if typing on a keyboard.

Then he said: "Thirty years ago when I crawled out of the ruins, the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was the Zerg devouring human corpses."

"I understood then that the Cultivation World does not care for reason, only strength. If we don't use our brains and don't use technology, we will sooner or later be trampled to death like blades of grass."

He paused, his voice dropping lower: "But I am not walking alone. I have you, Uncle Tiezhu, and all the clansmen who are willing to believe in me. So I am not afraid."

Chen Xiaodao listened and suddenly grinned: "Then feel free to charge forward; I'll guard your back. Whoever wants to touch you must first ask if this sword of mine agrees."

"You say that as fiercely as you did last time when we tested the 'Laser Sword Fusion'." Chen Wuwang snorted, "That time you almost blew yourself into charcoal."

"That was an accident!" He said unconvinced, "Besides, didn't you say it yourself? Failure is not scary; what's scary is not daring to try."

"You've certainly learned how to use my own words to shut me up now." Chen Wuwang shook his head, but there was a smile in his eyes.

The two looked at each other and laughed out loud at the same time.

The laughter scattered into the morning breeze, startling a flock of birds.

Chen Xiaodao looked up at the sky; the sun had fully leaped over the mountain ridge, casting golden light across Qiming Plain. He slowly sheathed his sword completely with a deft motion.

"What are you going to do next?" He asked.

"Gather the people." Chen Wuwang withdrew his gaze and cast it toward the distant square, "There are some things that everyone must know."

"Then I'll wait for you at the training ground." Chen Xiaodao loosened his wrists, "And I'll call those kids up while I'm at it. They shouldn't think that practicing the sword is everything all day long. Once technology rises, mechs can hack people too."

"Are you still thinking about sparring with a mech?" Chen Wuwang glanced at him.

"Of course." He raised his eyebrows, "When you guys create the first 'calculated' mech, I must personally test how hard its defense is."

"Alright." Chen Wuwang nodded, "If you win then, I'll make you the first 'Chief Instructor of the Tech Guards'."

"It's a deal!" He reached out his hand.

Chen Wuwang looked at that hand, not immediately grasping it, but suddenly said in a low voice: "Xiao Dao."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you." His voice was very soft, yet exceptionally clear, "For all these years, always being by my side."

Chen Xiaodao was stunned, then smiled and shook his head: "Brother, you're being a stranger by saying that. I have no home; you are my home. Wherever the Chen Family is, that's where I am."

He kept his hand extended; sunlight shone on his palm, the lines clearly defined.

Chen Wuwang finally raised his hand and grasped it firmly.

The two hands clasped tightly together, just like that rainy night thirty years ago when he pulled him out of the ruins.

The wind grew stronger, blowing their robes until they snapped and fluttered.

The two let go of their hands and walked side by side down the slope.

Ahead was the main road leading to the Family's core area, and beyond that was the square. It would soon be crowded with clansmen, waiting for an order.

Chen Xiaodao walked a few steps, then suddenly stopped and looked back at the training ground.

It was empty, with only a deep sword mark carved into the ground, extending from the starting point to the end, straight as a line.

He smiled, didn't say anything, turned, and continued walking forward.

Chen Wuwang walked in front, his pace steady.

Sunlight fell on his shoulder, the Mechanical Prosthetic Eye flashed slightly, the System interface in his Sea of Consciousness was running quietly, and the three heavenly secret instructions had yet to refresh.

But he no longer needed to look.

He knew that in this battle, there was someone carrying it with him.