"Hiss!" A brilliant silver light suddenly appeared, shredding the darkness before it.
"No..." Zhou Chen roared, suddenly sitting up from the bed. His expression was ferocious, his face full of disbelief.
"Pawn, haha, I am just a pawn, it wasn't unjust for me to die!" Zhou Chen clenched his fists unwittingly, a chilling gleam shot from his eyes as he muttered to himself.
In his past life, he was an invincible powerhouse that dominated the universe, known as the "Xuan Thunder True Monarch." He single-handedly pressured many martial arts families and hidden sects, gradually becoming number one in the Eastern cultivation world.
Then, the war between the East and the West broke out; he roamed freely among enemy camps, vanquishing enemies with ease, making his adversaries tremble at his name. Everyone knew him as "Old Demon Zhou."
However, to Zhou Chen's surprise, just as victory appeared within reach, he was betrayed by his own people, treated as a disposable pawn, and died fighting.
"But now, even the heavens don't want to take me. In this life, I shall be your nightmare!" Zhou Chen murmured.
Feeling his weakened body, his once surging Zhen Yuan and strong physique were no longer present, Zhou Chen didn't show any sign of depression. As long as he was alive, reaching the peak would just be a matter of time.
He silently vowed to himself, in this life, he shall stand on the apex, he will not let his loved ones suffer any grievances or allow anyone to trample on him.
Soon, Zhou Chen understood his current situation. He had reincarnated, back to when he was eighteen, the turning point of his life.
Zhou Chen was a third-generation descendant of the Zhou family in Nanjing City. Before he was eighteen, he was in prime of his life, worry-free and living a life of a rich young master, thanks to his remarkable parents.
His father, Zhou Tianyi, was a renowned business tycoon of the Zhou family's second generation. The obscure Tianzheng Group he took over leaped to become one of the three biggest conglomerates in Nanjing city, prestigious in the business world.
His mother, Han Xin Yue, was a business elite. With her assistance, Zhou Tianyi's business thrived.
However, unforeseen misfortunes struck when Zhou Chen turned eighteen. Firstly, Zhou Tianyi died in a car accident, followed by Zhou Chen himself falling into a coma for three days and three nights.
Zhou Chen's mother, Han Xin Yue, was utterly devastated. When troubles arose in the Tianzheng group during her weakness, it led to her illness from which she never recovered. Soon, she too departed from the world leaving Zhou Chen alone in the world with profound regrets. If not for a lucky chance where he met a Master and began his cultivation journey, who knows how his life would have turned out.
"Dum dum dum dum…” A series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door. A professionally-dressed woman quickly scurried in, catching sight of Zhou Chen sitting on the bed. Her face, noticeably paler, was instantly wet with tears.
"Chen, you're finally awake!” "Mom…" Seeing his mother's familiar face and hearing her voice again, Zhou Chen choked with emotion. Now, he was no longer Xuan Ting Zhen Zun, the decisive and ruthless character from his past life. Instead, he was a wanderer returning home after many years.
"As long as you’re awake, as long as you’re alright!" Han Xin Yue, still slightly worried, strode forward to touch Zhou Chen's forehead, laughing and shedding tears of joy.
The shock she had undergone these past few days had been too much for her. Even this sharp, capable woman had been pushed to the edge of collapse. Han Xin Yue’s eyes were now bloodshot, probably as a result of not having rested for a long time.
"Mom, don’t worry, I'm okay now. You should go and have a rest.”
"Right, as long as you’re okay, as long as you’re okay!"
"Clap, clap, clap, clap…"A round of applause from outside interrupted the warm scene between mother and son. A figure came in through the door; it was Zhou Tian En, the general manager of Tian Zheng Group and Zhou Chen's uncle.
Although Zhou Tian En was the eldest of the Zhou family, he was ambitious but incompetent and extremely arrogant. This is why the old master had handed over the Tian Zheng Group to his younger brother Zhou Tian Yi, who had repeatedly disobeyed him. As a result of this, Zhou Tian En had regarded Zhou Chen and his family as enemies.
"What a sentimental scene of motherly love and filial piety. I almost didn't have the heart to interrupt!" At this moment, Zhou Tian En looked at Zhou Chen and his mother, his face full of mockery, obviously pleased with himself.
"Zhou Tian En!" Zhou Chen's eyes flickered with cold light. He had experienced this once before, so how could he not know why Zhou Tian En was here. Family ties meant nothing more than tools to people like them.
Zhou Chen's eyes, like icicles, pierced hearts. The cold vision frightened Zhou Tian En, and it startled Han Xin Yue, who could only look at her son in surprise. But the feeling of unfamiliarity was fleeting.
"Old brother, what brings you here today?" Han Xin Yue once again put on the façade of a strong woman and asked with some authority. The relationship between the two families wasn't good, and there was no need for pleasantries.
"Hehe, drop the act of the chairman. The old patriarch has spoken. He has removed you from your position and I am to take over. From today, I, Zhou Tian En, am in charge of Tian Zheng Group!" Zhou Tian En proudly boasted.
"Impossible, Tian Zheng Group is Tian Yi’s hard work. No one can loot it in the event of a fire. I have to see the old patriarch!" Han Xin Yue turned pale and shouted.
"Hmph, nothing is impossible. The old patriarch also said that you and your son should leave Zhou family. From today, you have nothing more to do with us." "You people have such a ruthless heart. Chen is a bloodline of Zhou family!" Like a bolt from the blue, Han Xin Yue stumbled backward three times before steadying herself.
"He should have never been born into this world. If it wasn't for Zhou Tianyi's extraordinary business talent, do you think you would have ever had the chance to enter the Zhou family? Pack up and get lost already!" Zhou Tian'en said, treating them as if they were a pair of beggars, his eyes filled with disgust as he spoke harshly.
Han Xin Yue seemed as if she had been drained of all her spirit, collapsing weakly on the ground. The string of assaults finally shattered this woman's willpower.
"Mom, are you okay?" Zhou Chen's face turned pale, he hastily stepped forward to check on her. Han Xin Yue's gaze had become hollow, her eyes were unfocused and became completely wooden. Yet, upon hearing Zhou Chen's words, it fluctuated slightly. After all, in her previous life, the blow Han Xin Yue faced now sent her to a serious illness, leading to her untimely demise. It's often the damage caused by family that proves the most fatal.
Feeling helpless, Zhou Chen had no other option but to press gently on an acupuncture point on the back of Han Xin Yue's neck, causing her to fall into a momentary slumber. Not thinking about anything appeared to be the best solution at this moment. He tucked her in carefully, then turned to face Zhou Tian'en.
"Tianzheng Corporation is my father's life's work. I won't allow anyone to get their hands on it. Whoever dares to try, I'll make them suffer a dilemma between life and death. Now, get out!"
