The influence of Bingcheng City Lord Geng Weibin and Sucheng Spirit Hunter Guild President Ming Yan could not be underestimated. Under their machinations, Jun Wuchen's affairs quickly became the talk of the town, known to all.
At this point, even if the Jun family wanted to protect him by any means, they would not be able to. In the end, the Spirit Hunter Guild became Jun Wuchen's destination.
The status of the Jun, Qin, and Yan families plummeted in the capital. In fact, the Yan family was not greatly affected because their reputation was already at rock bottom, and further public opinion was inconsequential. However, matters concerning apostles still led to significant punishment for the Yan family.
The power structure of the capital was reshuffled. Jun Youguang temporarily took over as the Head of the Spirit Hunter Guild, with Qin Youliang assisting him. Both had proven instrumental in exposing Jun Wuchen, so no one else had any objections.
As for the other presidents of the Spirit Hunter Guild who were colluding with Jun Wuchen, they were all removed, without exception.
Following this incident, Yan Qiuren found a new "backer"—Duan Chen. The Yan family had no objections to this, and in fact, considered it only natural.
After all, their principle was to follow whoever was strongest.
Meanwhile, Jun Ci and Qin Nanyuan had ended their exile. Their current status in the Jun and Qin families was vastly different from before. Conversely, Jun Wuyou and Qin Wuji, who were previously treated as young masters, were now having a difficult time. Jun Youguang and Qin Youliang were discussing whether to exile these two hot-blooded young men as well.
Especially Jun Wuyou, as Jun Wuchen's brother, it was deemed unsuitable for him to be too close to Jun Wuchen, making him a dangerous individual.
These matters were beyond Duan Chen's concern. He was preparing to pack up and return to Sucheng.
Speaking of which, it had been quite a while since he had returned, and he was indeed starting to miss it.
"Captain, aren't you staying in the capital a bit longer?"
Qin Nanyuan tugged at his arm reluctantly.
He could understand Qin Nanyuan's feelings, but Jun Ci also made the same gesture… which Duan Chen found difficult to comprehend.
He subtly withdrew his arm.
"Yes, I must return, so I won't be staying long. If you need anything in the future, you can always find me. As long as I have time, I will help you."
He smiled.
"Oh, Yuan Qingqing and her brother left for a mission, and now even you, the great idler, are leaving."
Yuan Qingqing and Yuan Yuan had left by plane early in the morning due to a guild assignment. Before leaving, they had cried for a long time while hugging Duan Chen.
He suspected that Yuan Yuan and Jun Ci still hadn't fully transitioned from their "female" identities.
It was truly bizarre.
"I'll come back later, it's not like I'm never returning," Duan Chen said with a wry smile.
"Captain, take care."
"Mm."
"Nanyuan, Ah Ci, and… Mr. Duan?"
Qin Youran had come looking for Qin Nanyuan and Jun Ci. These two had now rejoined the Jun family and officially become senior agents of the capital's Spirit Hunter Guild, requiring quite a few procedures. Jun Youguang had asked her to hurry them back.
"Hello, Miss Qin."
"Hello."
"Did Uncle Guang and Uncle Liang call us back again?" Jun Ci asked helplessly. He had originally intended to see Duan Chen and the others off, but it seemed there wasn't enough time now.
"Yes, Uncle Guang wants you back to complete the procedures."
"Perhaps I can escort them."
"That would be good. Then, Captain, we're off?"
Duan Chen waved his hand, "You don't need to call me Captain anymore, just call me Duan Chen."
"I'm used to it, I won't change," Jun Ci smiled and took Qin Nanyuan's hand to leave.
"Mr. Duan, I'll take you to the airport."
"Then I'll trouble you."
This was a gesture of goodwill from the Qin family, which Duan Chen found inconvenient to refuse.
Following behind him were Du Qingyi, Xier, Tu Feiyuan, Jia Yunlian, Tian Qi, and Yan Qiuren. Compared to when they arrived, their numbers had halved. Du Qingyi's flight was in the opposite direction; she was returning to Bingcheng.
"It's been a week. If I don't go back, things will pile up. If you have any problems in the future, you can always contact me."
Du Qingyi gave Duan Chen a lollipop.
"Mm, thank you then."
Duan Chen accepted it solemnly.
Upon arriving at the airport, she parted ways with Duan Chen and his group. Qin Youran was also about to leave when her expression suddenly turned strange.
"Mr. Duan… are you… perhaps…"
She hesitated to speak.
"What is it?" Duan Chen was taken aback.
"Mm…" she still seemed hesitant, finding it difficult to say.
Duan Chen sighed, "Miss Qin, please speak freely, there's no need to be so reserved."
"Then I'll speak directly. You should be careful on this flight."
"Huh? Why?"
He couldn't understand what she meant by saying this.
Saying something like this to someone about to depart was rather inauspicious. He understood why Qin Youran had hesitated earlier, but… why did she tell them to be careful?
"Come here for a moment."
Qin Youran called Duan Chen aside privately.
"What is it?"
"Aren't you very curious about my abilities?"
"Yes, I am very curious. I feel your abilities are very unusual, and I have a premonition… we will meet again in the future," Duan Chen nodded and said earnestly.
"Actually, my ability has a name, something even my uncle, Qin Youliang, doesn't know. But I feel it's necessary to tell you."
Duan Chen did not reply.
"To be honest, when I saw you, I felt a sense of familiarity, as if we had known each other for a long time. Our meeting in the secret realm felt like a reunion after a long separation."
Qin Youran seemed a little embarrassed. Her words sounded like she was hitting on Duan Chen.
"Then our feelings are mutual." Duan Chen was also puzzled. They had never met before, so why did he have such a feeling?
"Yes. Since that's the case, I believe you are definitely someone I can trust, and I have already seen our future meeting."
Qin Youran said this with utmost certainty, yet it sounded like a riddle. Duan Chen was utterly confused.
"To be frank, my ability is…"
She leaned close to Duan Chen's ear and whispered four words.
Duan Chen's eyes widened gradually.
"What is Master doing?" Yan Qiuren frowned. When she was Jun Wuchen's assistant, she always arrived at her destination half an hour early. It was a bit unaccustomed now that it was Duan Chen.
"Why do you call everyone Master?" Tu Feiyuan asked with disdain.
"It's called professionalism, what would a cat like you understand?"
Yan Qiuren shot him a glare.
"Alright, stop arguing. I feel like Duan Chen's soul is being stolen by Qin Youran!"
"Nonsense," Jia Yunlian twitched her lips.
"Look, he's even giving her a gift," Tian Qi pouted.
Indeed, Duan Chen gave Qin Youran something unknown, then walked back to them.
"Qin Youran was right, we should still be careful."
"You believe her that much?"
Duan Chen had no choice but to believe her.
Qin Youran's ability was to foresee the future.