Chapter 141: The Wishing Tower
The Wishing Tower was located on the west side of the
Skylaurel Kingdom. This side had always been one of the most bustling areas of
the capital.
The Wishing Tower was indeed a tower, and was also one of
the sacred places of the Skylaurel Kingdom.
The Wishing Tower would always be quite lively every year
during holidays, especially during the Mid Autumn Festival. The Wishing Tower
was thronged with people then. In the Skylaurel Kingdom, the laurel tree was
the national tree and it had much to do with the Mid Autumn Festival.
Laurel trees had been planted in abundance around the
Wishing Tower, and the laurel flowers had already bloomed and were exuding a
faint fragrance that wafted through the air for ten li.
The Mid Autumn Festival was almost here, and the half month
before and after this time was the most happening, most interesting, part of
the year for the Wishing Tower.
Jiang Chen finally understood what the Wishing Tower was all
about, after asking around.
It turned out that the Wishing Tower was a ceremony that had
been passed down in the Skylaurel Kingdom for a thousand years. Anyone from the
royal family, to the most impoverished citizens, could place their unresolvable
wishes in the Wishing Tower.
A reward would be promised for every wish.
Whomever helps to materialize the wish would receive that
reward. Of course, every wish placed into the Wishing Tower would be strictly
reviewed to ensure that it deserved the corresponding reward.
The Wishing Tower was open once a month.
But during the Mid Autumn Festival, it would be continuously
opened for half a month, and the levels which were open would be very high.
There were sixteen levels in total for the Wishing Tower.
On an ordinary day, dependent on the month, the Tower would
be opened up to the sixth level, with the eighth level being open at the
highest.
During the new year, the Tower would normally be opened to
the tenth level, or even the twelfth level.
The Tower would be opened everyday during the month of Mid
Autumn, with the highest level being the tenth, eleventh, twelfth, and even
higher levels being opened.
Even the sixteenth level would be opened on Mid Autumn’s
day.
Of course, no one had ever been up to the sixteenth level.
No one was even sure if there were any wishing scrolls on the sixteenth level.
Even if there were, that would be a wish that stretched up
to the heavens, with basically no one able to resolve it. It was all abstract
representation at that level.
If you handed in a wish scroll to the Wishing Tower, you
needed to pay a fee. However, the fee wasn’t high, and wishes could be handed
in everyday with no restrictions.
If you wished to select a wish scroll, you’d have to wait
until the Wishing Tower was open for business.
Today for instance, was an opening day with the advent of
Mid Autumn’s day, and the scene was quite animated and stirred up.
Of course, it wasn’t just anyone who could select a wish
scroll. Fees had to be handed in for selecting a scroll, and were much higher
than those for handing in a wish scroll.
Ten silver had to be forked over for entering the first
level.
Twenty silver for the second.
Fifty silver for the third.
A hundred for the fourth.
The fifth…
Ten thousand silver for the tenth level, with it becoming
even more expensive as the level increased.
One had to say, the Wishing Tower was very interesting, but
also very pricey.
“Who thought of the Wishing Tower? This is a furious
accumulation of wealth by unfair means!” Qiao Baishi sighed in appreciation.
A sea and mountain of those who wanted to go in and select
scrolls had formed in front of the Wishing Tower. It was apparent to see that
the revenue from just one day of being open was astounding.
Qiao Baishi had always thought that the Hall of Healing made
good money, but this Wishing Tower made even more, and made it quite easily to
boot.
When the doors opened, the crowd surged forward with cries
and yells, eager to send their money inside.
“Young master, let’s go have a gander?” Qiao Baishi thought
that with the honored master’s temperament, he would be rather interested in
this.
“Let’s go and take a look.”
Since Jiang Chen wanted to play, he naturally wouldn’t
consider anything below the tenth level. He took the direct path up, and
arrived at the tenth level.
Ten thousand silver would allow you to select one wish
scroll at the tenth level.
If you were unable to complete the scroll you selected, the
ten thousand silver wouldn’t be refunded.
Of course, if you were able to complete the wish, then the
rate of return would be at least a hundred or a thousand times greater than
this fee, or possibly even greater.
One had to say, there really were plenty of people with
money in the Skylaurel Kingdom. There were still quite a few people at the
tenth level.
Banknotes worth tens of thousands of silver were
continuously handed over.
Some even threw their lot in with one cast of the die, and
handed over several tens of thousands of silver, buying a heap of scrolls, and
then looking them over one by one in a corner.
These people were normally merchants and the big fish in the
business world.
These kinds of people had money but low status in society.
They were unable to receive any recognition, and couldn’t make it into the
upper class circles — they were completely unable to make it into the circle of
nobility.
They were trying their luck in coming to the Wishing Tower,
trying to see if any prominent character had handed in a wish here that they
could help fulfill.
Of course, this possibility was quite low. Normally
speaking, the higher level a wish was, the harder it was to fulfill it. If it
was a mission that even high officials and noble lords couldn’t fulfill, then
these big fish in the business world likely had no hope of materializing them
either.
Jiang Chen observed for a moment at the door to the tenth
level and lifted his head to look up, “What’s the highest level that’s been
opened today?”
“Greetings, the Wishing Tower is opened up to the twelfth
level today.”
Jiang Chen nodded, “Let’s go to the twelfth level.”
Jiang Chen wasn’t short on money. Although he’d cooperated
with the Hall of Healing for a short period of time, it had also helped him
accumulate a lot of wealth.
The price of selecting a scroll in the twelfth level was
already as high as fifty thousand silver.
“Honored guest, would you like to try your luck?” The
administrator of the twelfth level greeted them quite courteously.
Jiang Chen took out a banknote for a hundred thousand
silver. “Let’s play for a round or two.”
There were large banks within the alliance of the sixteen
kingdoms and thus banknotes could be circulated between kingdoms. A note for a
hundred thousand silver was enough for two scrolls on a twelfth level.
A sexy hostess led Jiang Chen and the others into the inner
lobby.
The interior of the Wishing Tower was sumptuously furnished,
with each level possessing its own unique character. The twelfth level of the
Tower was simple and unsophisticated, boasting of an antique flavor that was
permeated with a stately bearing.
Many racks were set up in the lobby. Different areas and
different racks represented different wish origins.
There were scrolls from the government, the military, the
four great sites, and all sorts of major agencies and organizations.
The wishes that were placed on the twelfth level were all of
a very high level. Basically, any that could be fulfilled would bring
astonishing rewards.
Jiang Chen had listened conscientiously along the way. He’d
heard that someone had selected a wish and had received the status of a fifth
rank noble from the identity of a commoner.
It wasn’t that Jiang Chen valued the identity of a noble,
but that within the Skylaurel Kingdom, particularly the capital, it was
difficult to take even a single step without the status of a noble.
He didn’t even have the right to purchase a manor, to speak
of nothing else.
Take Tang Long for instance. He’d joined the military
already and had become one of the border patrol Wyvern Knights. But he lacked
the status of a noble, and thus could only stay within the slums.
This was the reality of the Skylaurel Kingdom.
Even if Jiang Chen viewed fortune and riches as dung and
dirt, he was still unable to avoid this reality.
How should he obtain a noble’s position in a short amount
time? He was wholly uninterested in the status of a noble of the ninth or
eighth rank.
He should at least obtain one of the fifth rank, if not
third or fourth, right? Even if the fifth rank posed a bit of difficulty, then
one of the sixth rank was his bottom line. He would have no interest in
anything lower.
Jiang Chen would absolutely not select a scroll from the
military. He was completely uninterested in matters of war. He’d already become
weary of mobilizing the million strong Swordbird Army to fight the Darkmoon
Army just once or twice. At the end of the day, the circumstances had called
for such action.
He temporarily didn’t want to have anything to do with the
government.
Jiang Chen had gotten tired of matters of politics in the
Eastern Kingdom. He knew that that was a minefield — that a slight move on one
part might affect the whole.
If he intervened brashly, he would very possibly draw the
fire onto himself. Although he wasn’t afraid, he’d come to the Skylaurel
Kingdom to develop himself, not to raise trouble.
What remained would be the four great sites, the great
agencies, and the organization.
Although these powers didn’t seem as impressive as the
government or military, they actually secretly held the life of the kingdom in
their hands.
Jiang Chen paced back and forth for a bit. These scrolls
weren’t divided up carefully, and thus it was impossible to know who had handed
in which scrolls.
Jiang Chen selected two at random.
The contents of the first one made him laugh involuntarily.
It was obviously from a woman. Her wish was to always appear
young, and hope to maintain the looks of a twenty to thirty year old for the
next thirty years.
The origins of this scroll was an a Ning surnamed elder in
the Azure Heaven Southern Palace.
The rewards of this scroll were indeed quite eye popping. If
this wish could be fulfilled, he would directly become the elder’s follower and
receive the status of a sixth rank noble.
Jiang Chen sighed in resignation. This fifty thousand silver
had been a fruitless endeavor. It wasn’t impossible to appear young forever,
and there were indeed many pills to retain youthful looks.
However, Jiang Chen had no desire to spend so much time and
effort on a silly woman. He was about to throw the scroll back when he suddenly
flicked a glance at Qiao Baishi at his side.
His hand pausing slightly, and he threw the scroll at Qiao
Baishi. “Baishi, this may be suitable for you.”
Jiang Chen had no time to concoct some pills for retaining
looks, but Qiao Baishi had the time to.
Qiao Baishi took the scroll and also laughed wryly. “Young
master, I know nothing of the art of looking young. Besides, being a follower
for this elder, I can already imagine that she must be an excessively
narcissistic bitter woman in the throes of early menopause. I think I’ll pass?”
“Haha, you can avoid being a follower, but being a noble of
the sixth rank is not bad.”
Just as Jiang Chen had said, there was no benefit in being
the follower of an elder. This kind of narcissistic female elder would also be
very difficult to serve.
However, the status of a sixth rank noble had quite an
allure. Quite a few number of people had come with Jiang Chen to the Skylaurel
Kingdom this time.
They had to be settled somewhere.
The more noble identities they obtained, naturally the
better. Approaching this from many venues, if this method didn’t work, then
perhaps another would.
The most important thing was to temporarily assure
themselves of a noble’s status so that they could establish a foothold within
the capital.
They couldn’t very well continue to live in hotels everyday.
Chapter 142: The Wish Scroll
Jiang Chen was also similarly stunned when he opened the
second scroll.
He had thought that after reaching the twelfth level, the
level of wishes within the Tower would be high end, high class, and grandiose.
He discovered that he’d been sadly naive.
The two scrolls that he’d selected had been enough to
thoroughly destroy his illusions.
The first one was from some narcissistic female elder from
the Azure Heaven Southern Palace who fantasized about retaining her youthful
looks. That wish had been from a self-absorbed woman who was exceedingly
sentimental about being youthful and beautiful.
The second wish scroll was actually from an alcoholic.
This person had once tasted a kind of wine somewhere called
the Nine Magnificence Dew Wine. He’d only had a small bit, a mere half cup and
had never tasted it again after traversing a thousand mountains and ten
thousand bodies of water.
He’d reminisced over the taste of the wine continuously, and
it nearly turned into an internal demon of his after decades.
Therefore, this wish scroll was to once again taste the Nine
Magnificence Dew Wine and resolve his many years of yearning.
Anyone who could help him resolve this wish could find him
at the Myriad Treasures Palace, and the identity of this wisher was actually a
vice head of the Myriad Treasures Palace.
The reward that he’d promised was actually a middle to upper
management position within the Myriad Treasures Palace and the bestowment of
the identity of a fifth rank noble. These motions were even more generous and
ostentatious than those of the female elder from the Azure Heaven Southern
Palace.
The two wishes made Jiang Chen speechless beyond belief.
Women were born with a love for beauty and alcoholics a love
for wine.
“What in the seven hells. All random things exist alright.
I’d thought that on the twelfth level of the Wishing Tower, the wishes
contained would all be quite high class. Geez, I was seriously too naive.”
Jiang Chen sighed.
Qiao Baishi and Gouyu were equally speechless when they saw
the scroll.
They’d also discovered at the same time, that the lifestyles
of those with power and those without were completely different in the capital
of the Skylaurel Kingdom.
Those who could issue such a boring wishes were undoubtedly
those with exceedingly high amounts of power. They would certainly wield large
amounts of resources in their hands and control an extremely strong level of
influence.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t portion out one of their
appointments for nobles onto such a boring wish.
Even though this wasn’t considered extremely extravagant,
but the operating styles of the powerful and influential were truly on another
level.
“Young master, how about we select a few more?” Qiao Baishi
was also someone who wasn’t short on money.
“Let’s go with these two.” Jiang Chen waved his hands. These
two wishes were personal in nature, and thus a bit easier to fulfill in
comparison to those that were embroiled in the conflicts between power and
influence.
“These two?” Qiao Baishi was slightly startled. “But we…”
“It’s just refining pills and making wine, that won’t be a
challenge for us.” Jiang Chen stuck the two scrolls beneath his armpit and
walked towards the front counter.
“Greetings sir, what can I do for you?” The receptionist at
the front counter was also exceedingly polite. He spoke in soft tones that were
quite pleasing to the ear.
“I can fulfill both of these wishes, is there a time limit?”
Jiang Chen asked.
“Hello, there is theoretically no time limit, but naturally
the faster the better as others may also select the same wish, giving rise to
potential competition. When there is competition, whoever fulfills it first
will receive the reward.”
“That is to say that I can’t take these scrolls with me?”
Jiang Chen nodded.
“Yes, my apologies, but you cannot remove these scrolls.
Please come back if you fulfill a wish. We will review it strictly through
various extensive methods. Of this you can be rest assured of. The Wishing
Tower is a tradition that we’ve passed down for a thousand years and have always
maintained a standard so high that not even a drop of water could pass through.
We’ve never ever had errors committed.”
“Most excellent, then let’s decide on these two wishes.”
“Very good, I’ll register them, please wait a moment.” The
various procedures were completed shortly.
“Sir, please store these documents away carefully, they will
be your proof of validity later on. In addition, do you require any other
services?”
Jiang Chen chuckled, “I’ll take a look around.”
In all matters, more than enough is too much. Jiang Chen
naturally had much more advantage than the others in selecting wish scrolls,
but if his performance was too heaven defying, it would attract much too much
attention and that wouldn’t lead to anything good.
He only wanted to obtain a noble’s status to settle down
within the capital. Making a name for himself could only come after his
foundations had been laid firm.
Otherwise, if his repute was too eye catching, it would
attract the attentions from various sides and incur unnecessary trouble.
There were simply too many examples of shooting down the
bird who takes the lead.
Jiang Chen had no desire to become the center of attention
after arriving at a foreign environment and having not yet stabilized his
foundations. Roasting himself on the rack brought no advantages to him.
After selecting his wish, Jiang Chen took a spin around the
various levels of the Wishing Tower, deciding to leave after seeing
increasingly greater amounts of people pour in.
They left the Wishing Tower with some difficulty. After
Jiang Chen made it to the bottom of the tower and breathed in the refreshing,
faint laurel fragrance in the fresh air, he sighed involuntarily, “To think
that this country would be so fervent about the Wishing Tower!”
After being passed down through a thousand years, the
Wishing Tower was no longer a simple location for fulfilling wishes. It was a
type of heritage and a type of psychological support.
Just like many kingdoms celebrated the new year for a
justified reason, this was a type of cultural inheritance.
Everyone from the monarch down to ordinary citizens were
willing to be a part of this. This was also why the public was so enthusiastic
when the Wishing Tower was opened.
After returning to the hotel, Jiang Chen locked himself in
his room and took out brush and paper, putting down some sketches and words.
The millions of years of memories ingrained in him from his
past life had encompassed almost all professions, with winemaking also one of
the professions that he’d spent quite some time researching.
This was because many practitioners were very interested in
the contents of a cup. The life of a practitioner was long and endless, and the
long road of training sometimes passed by arduously.
Therefore, wine was naturally an item that practitioners
could not do without.
Drinking wine, tasting wine, and appreciating wine were a
particular affection shared by many practitioners.
But the most important thing was, many pill masters like to
connect making wine and refining pills, perfectly combining the two types of
art.
Infusing spirit medicine into wine would make the end
product both satisfy a craving and have the effects of medicine.
Jiang Chen had conducted quite a bit of study in this regard
in his past life.
He wasn’t unfamiliar with the name of Nine Magnificence Dew
Wine. In reality, this had been a wine that he’d oft created in his past life.
Except, the Nine Magnificence Dew Wine of his past life was
naturally not something that the vice head of the Myriad Treasures Palace had
the right to sip. The Nine Magnificence Dew Wine was divided into the common,
spirit, saint, earth, and heaven ranks.
In Jiang Chen’s past life, he’d studied the history of this
wine quite a bit as well as all its ranks.
What he was curious about now was whether the vice head of
the Myriad Treasures Palace had tasted the common rank or spirit rank of the
wine?
It was naturally impossible for him to have tasted any
greater.
Jiang Chen suspected that it was very likely the spirit
rank. If it’d only been the common rank, it wouldn’t have been enough for the
vice head to yearn after constantly. He was a vice head after all, and wouldn’t
have such a limited breadth of experience.
The Nine Magnificence Dew Wine could be more accurately
named as the Nineflower Dew Wine. The heart of this wine was combining the
essence of nine flowers to create an exceedingly wondrous wine that was
unforgettable after the first sip.
This type of wine had a unique fragrance, making it
difficult for one to forget after one taste.
Jiang Chen could understand the sensation that the vice head
had described, because the taste of the Nine Magnificence Dew Wine was truly
very unique, making one unable to forget it for the rest of their lives after
the initial sip.
Drinking wine was a sort of addiction at the end, and this
Nine Magnificence Dew Wine was the kind to make someone unknowingly yearn for
it. The drinker would always pine after it after having it once.
It would seem that the vice head of the Myriad Treasures
Palace was surely one who enjoyed fine wine. Otherwise, he wouldn’t pay such an
exorbitant price and yearn for a mouthful of the Nine Magnificence Dew Wine
with his every thought and breath.
Jiang Chen wrote out the crafting recipe for the common and
spirit rank Nine Magnificence Dew Wine, recalling it from his memory. As for
saint level, that was temporarily unnecessary.
The ingredients for the Nine Magnificence Dew Wine were
difficult to collect.
Even if he did collect nine kinds of flowers, if he didn’t
pick the right supplementary ingredients and they slightly conflicted with the
main ingredients, then the wine would turn out to be a complete waste.
The ingredients for the common rank Nine Magnificence Dew
Wine and spirit rank Nine Magnificence Dew Wine were completely different.
Of course, the ingredients for a common rank Nine
Magnificence Dew Wine weren’t those of rare or precious plants. It wouldn’t be
that difficult to collect them.
It was the nine main ingredients of the spirit rank Nine
Magnificence Dew Wine that would take some effort in gathering. The selection
of supplementary ingredients would even more so it would be a true test of
skill.
The supplementary ingredients of the Nine Magnificence Dew
Wine were to enhance the fragrance of the nine types of flowers. They were to
fuse the scent of the nine kinds of flowers and fully assimilate their scent
into the taste of wine, so that they wouldn’t be separate from the taste of the
wine.
Each flower needed one supplementary ingredient, but more
than due care had to be taken in the selection of every supplementary
ingredient. They absolutely couldn’t conflict with any of the other main
ingredients.
This was a true test of skill.
The knowledge and skill contained within was something that
many crafters were unable to gain a complete handle on for the entirety of
their lives. This was also the reason why this wine was rarely passed down
through the ages and why there was almost none of this wine in existence.
An ordinary person would be able to enable his offsprings
and generations of descendants to enjoy eternal fortune and prosperity if they
could simply grasp this skill.
The wish scroll gave Jiang Chen some inspiration.
If he wanted to establish a foundation within the capital in
the short term, perhaps the art of crafting wine would be a good decision.
All other venues would more or less become embroiled within
all sorts of struggles. The art of crafting wine was relatively simple.
The practice of drinking was quite prevalent within the
Skylaurel Kingdom. All men tended to drink, and drink fine wine at that. Even
the majority of the women had a sip or two.
The eight personal guards came back later that night, all
bringing back some useful information, more or less.
One could see that they had tried quite hard today.
Of course, Jiang Chen knew that they needed this kind of
training. Having been born from such a small place, there would be no place for
them in a place like Skylaurel Kingdom if they didn’t go out and train for a
bit.
Over the next few days, Jiang Chen delegated the eight
personal guards to buy ingredients separately. He chose mid-sized spirit
medicine shops, instructing them to avoid the large-sized ones if possible.
Most of the ingredients had been purchased after a day.
There were still two supplementary ingredients that were unavailable even in
the large stores.
Jiang Chen felt it a bit odd. Although these supplementary
ingredients were a bit uncommon, they weren’t to the point of being
unpurchasable everywhere.
He asked around privately and finally understood that it
wasn’t that there were none of the ingredients available, but that all major
storefronts had hidden them and weren’t selling them.
The reason was simple. The Azure Heaven Southern Palace
planned to hold a great exhibition in the capital in a few days. The contents
of this exhibition would be rich, with the Southern Palace sending out many
spirit alchemists at that time.
Apart from the public clinic, there would be all sorts of
transactions and pill medicine exhibition displays.
It would seem then that many of the best items wouldn’t be
sold in the lead up to the event. The shopkeepers all wanted to see if they
could sell them for even higher prices due to storing them up previously for
the transaction fair.
Chapter 143: To Slap or To Be Slapped?
As one of the four great locations of the Skylaurel Kingdom,
the Azure Heaven Southern Palace had an enormous reputation. Its influence was
almost unmatched within the southeastern region of the Skylaurel Kingdom.
In comparison to the tyrannical reputation of the Azure
Heaven Northern Palace, the Southern Palace appeared much more practical and
friendly.
Of course, this had something to do with its location as
well.
The capital of the Skylaurel Kingdom was in the southeastern
region of the kingdom. This region was where the core of the royal family’s
power was located.
It was obviously impossible for the Southern Palace to be as
domineering and bratty as the Northern Palace.
Within a kingdom, the power and influence of the royal
family was still paramount. If the Southern Palace didn’t keep a low profile to
the side of the royal family, how would the latter tolerate their existence?
How would an outsider be allowed to snore next to your bed?
Therefore, in stark contrast to the tyrannical domination of
the Northern Palace, the Southern Palace had an exceptionally good reputation,
and was the location out of the four that was most willing to enter society.
The Qingyang Valley kept as low a profile as they could.
Their members almost never made an appearance in society, and very rarely
formed relationships with those in the outside world.
Apart from recruiting, they had almost no business with the
outside world.
The Myriad Treasures Palace both spanned the greatest
breadth of all of the locations and was involved in every field, but emphasized
doing business.
As opposed to saying that the Myriad Treasures Palace was a
site for conducting rituals, it would be more accurate to say that it was a
place that the Precious Tree Sect had established to do business within a
common kingdom.
In addition, the areas that the Myriad Treasures Palace were
involved with were quite broad.
Pills, spirit medicine, spirit weapons, martial methods,
secret arts, talismans and seals, spirit creatures…
All sorts of popular fields, non mainstream fields — there
was almost no business that the Myriad Treasures Palace didn’t partake in.
Since the two supplementary ingredients he needed could be
obtained in a few days at the exhibition, Jiang Chen wasn’t in a hurry because
of just a few additional days.
These merchants were simply trying to raise prices by not
selling their wares now. Although Jiang Chen could still purchase them by
bidding a high price, he stuck to his principles of keeping a low profile, and
didn’t wish to draw overt attention.
He wouldn’t be able to start making wine the instant he’d
purchased these two supplementary ingredients anyways.
After all, making wine required the use of a wine distillery
and all sorts of equipment.
Equipment was easy to take care of, but finding a wine
distillery would take more time. It was a good thing that the atmosphere of
enjoying wine within the Skylaurel Kingdom was quite prevalent, and that there
were many wine distilleries up for rent.
Over the next couple of days, Jiang Chen sent out his people
to ask around, finally finished negotiating with a wine distillery that had
come down in the world, and signed a short term lease agreement with it.
After everything had been readied, the great exhibition from
the Southern Palace proceeded as planned.
Jiang Chen brought his followers to the exhibition location
early that morning.
Apart from the Myriad Treasures Palace being right outside
the capital, none of the core territories of the other four locations were in
the capital. But as great powers within the kingdom, they all had their own
turf within the capital.
The Azure Heaven Southern Palace was no exception.
Jiang Chen had thought that he’d come quite early, but
discovered that he wasn’t the earliest when he arrived. When they arrived,
there were already many present.
All sorts of booths and transaction counters were decked out
in full array, and the entire scene was bustling.
Jiang Chen’s goal this trip was the two supplementary
ingredients.
When he arrived at the transaction area though, there were
so many rows of booths that it was difficult for his eyes to take in.
However, he also knew that the two supplementary ingredients
were relatively uncommon, and thus ordinary booths wouldn’t have them. Only
those belonging to the great powers would have them in stock.
Therefore, he made directly for the VIP area.
The VIP area was filled with the influential powers and
great merchants of the Skylaurel Kingdom.
Anyone who could have a booth in the VIP area was basically
at an awesome level of existence.
It went without saying that the Southern Palace would have
spots. The other three locations had also received invitations and sent many
representatives.
When Jiang Chen and the others neared the VIP section, a
pair of eyes immediately discovered them from a spot inside the transaction
area.
This person was a disciple of the Northern Palace, and had
participated in the battle pursuing Jiang Chen’s group. However, this person
was only of the true qi realm, and wasn’t too conspicuous.
When this person saw Jiang Chen, his head retracted
slightly, and he lowered his head. He walked to the side of one of the people
in charge on the Northern Palace side and murmured a few words next to the
person’s ears.
This person was also roughly twenty or so years old, and had
look of cunning shrewdness on his face. When he heard the words of his peers,
his eyes formed into a long slit as he glanced semi-unwittingly in Jiang Chen’s
direction.
He only gave a hasty flick and retracted his gaze, obviously
afraid of acting rashly and alerting the enemy.
He then said a few words to his peer and nodded his head
slightly, speaking a few words in exhortation — plainly already formulating
some sort of scheme.
Jiang Chen’s attention naturally didn’t take heed of all of
this.
“Do you have Bluelily Grass and Wooden Pellets?”
“No!”
“Boss, how much are you selling these Bluelily Grass and
Wooden Pellets for?”
“Eh, this is just a sample, it’s not for sale.”
“Brother, what price are the Bluelily Grass and Wooden
Pellets going for?”
“My apologies, someone’s already reserved these items and I
can’t sell them!”
“Boss…”
“My apologies, I don’t have any Bluelily Grass or Wooden
Pellets.”
Jiang Chen only discovered that something was afoot after he
started inquiring about the two ingredients. He could’ve brushed it off as the
merchants stockpiling and not selling if he hadn’t been able to purchase these
two items two days ago, the merchants wanting to obtain a high price.
But the transaction fair had started already... then, did
they still wish to raise their prices? Business had never seemed to be done in
this fashion, starting from ancient times.
The items were right there, but they had all sorts of
excuses for not selling.
If everyone was doing so, then he’d let it go. But everyone
was conducting their purchasing and selling of all sorts of spirit medicines
quite smoothly. Although their prices veered on the high side, no one had run
into the same baffling treatment that Jiang Chen had run into.
Every store he walked into would either not sell, or would
find all sorts of excuses.
This was truly strange. Jiang Chen hadn’t thought that he’d
be able to draw such hatred, being a newly person arrived in the capital, such
that all the merchants would unite against him.
The first being that Jiang Chen thought of was the Azure
Heaven Northern Palace.
He took another look at the Northern Palace booths. They
appeared quite busy and crowded, with plenty of people standing in front of
them and bustingly with activity.
Qiao Baishi walked up at this moment and said lowly, “Young
master, your subordinate just handed over some silver and asked these
merchants. It seems that… the merchants have formed an accord in that they
won’t sell anything that you wish to buy to you.”
“Why is that?”
“I think the Azure Heaven Northern Palace is purposefully
making life difficult for you.” Qiao Baishi speculated.
“The Northern Palace?” Jiang Chen’s gaze turned cold. He
hadn’t fully collected on the debt for the Northern Palace irritating him last
time — did these fellows want to give him trouble within the capital?
Old and new grudges surged up together as a bit of killing
intent flashed through Jiang Chen’s eyes.
“Mm. Who else is there apart from the Northern Palace? It’s
impossible for these merchants to not give the Northern Palace face. It’s
rather normal for the four great sites to give each other face. After all, we
have no influence or power within the capital, and no one would be willing to
offend the Northern Palace over this small matter.”
Jiang Chen also felt that Qiao Baishi’s analysis made a
great deal of sense. But the Northern Palace was truly being too childish by
playing this hand.
“If they’re unwilling to sell to me what I want to buy, will
they still refuse to sell if someone else buys for me?”
Qiao Baishi smiled ruefully, “I seemed to hear that the
Azure Heaven Northern Palace has released word that they’re buying Bluelily
Grass and Wooden Pellets at a high price. They’re buying up all of these two
items today, and will pay double.”
“Tsk tsk, they’re willing to pay a high price.” Jiang Chen
smiled coldly. “This is to say, they’re going to buy whatever I want?”
“Ai, come come come. We’re purchasing Bluelily Grass and
Wooden Pellets at high prices. Our Azure Heaven Northern Palace is willing to
buy as much stock as there is!”
A fellow suddenly cupped his hands by his mouth and started
hollering and yelling by the booths of the Northern Palace.
He smirked and winked in Jiang Chen’s direction as he
yelled, obviously purposefully displaying his strength.
“Damn it!” Gouyu couldn’t help it but want to grip her sword
handle.
“Don’t be rash.” Jiang Chen flung out his sleeve and halted
Gouyu’s action of fumbling for her sword
“They go too far in their bullying!” Princess Gouyu was
indeed quite ticked off as her chest heaved, obviously heavily angered.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly, as he walked over with slow steps
and stood in front of the Azure Heaven Northern Palace booth.
“You’re planning on cornering the market aren’t you? If I
recall correctly, this is a transaction fair held by the Southern Palace, when
was it the Northern Palace’s turn to behave wildly?” Jiang Chen asked faintly.
“Kid, you can eat out of the wrong bowl but you can’t say
the wrong words. This is normal purchasing behavior. What cornering the market?
Don’t spew blood from your mouth.” The person in charge smiled coldly at Jiang
chen.
“Tsk tsk, isn’t it said that the Northern Palace won’t dare
admit to their deeds? You guys even dare do things like killing and looting
others, but don’t dare admit to these sort of acts? Normal purchasing behavior?
Doesn’t your face flush red when you utter these words?” Jiang Chen laughed
contemptuously.
The face of the person in charge darkened, “What? Do you see
a rule that says we can’t make our purchases? Make your own if you have the
skills to. This is fair competition!”
“Fair competition?”
“Indeed.” The person in charge strutted. “It isn’t that I,
with the Zhang surname, hold you in contempt, but if you can buy the Bluelily
Grass and Wooden Pellets here today, I’ll crawl out from here!”
The person in charge had a sharp eye and he could tell that
Jiang Chen likely didn’t have much of a position within the capital. Otherwise,
he wouldn’t use this sort of method to purchase these two items.
A person who utterly lacked methods like this fellow was on
a completely different level to his Northern Palace. How would the merchants of
the transaction fair today not give face to his Northern Palace and sell the
two items to Jiang Chen instead?
Therefore, the person in charge felt greatly assured when he
spoke these words. He wanted to leverage his actions in this matter to suppress
Jiang Chen and curry favor with his senior brother Liu who was already in the
spirit realm.
Although senior brother Liu hadn’t come today, if he did
this matter well, it would surely travel to senior brother Liu’s ears.
The person in charge had committed these actions to fawn
over a spirit realm practitioner, and had raised such a fuss.
He also firmly believed this because he’d been in this line
of business for so many years and had deep and vast connections. Those who’d
appeared here today were all old faces. They all met regularly and frequently,
therefore who would deny him this face?
Besides, this kid looked like a foreigner. Even if they
weren’t his old pals, these merchants wouldn’t offend him, a disciple of the
Northern Palace, for a foreigner.
Jiang Chen looked at this person and then looked at the
expressions of the merchants surrounding them, watching them with the look of
enjoying a good show. A trace of a smile appeared on the corners of his lips.
“Crawl out? Are you sure?”
The person in charge puffed out his chest, “Yes. If you can
buy them, I’ll crawl around this transaction area three times. What will you do
if you can’t buy them?”
Since he was going to suppress Jiang Chen, the person in
charge didn’t want to simply ban him from the market. The more he humiliated
Jiang Chen, the more capital he’d have in the future for currying favor with
senior brother Liu.
Not only did he wish to force out Jiang Chen, he also wanted
to make use of the opportunity to thoroughly stomp on him, utterly shaming him,
and making it so that he had no face to stay in the capital anymore.
Chapter 144: A Crude and Simple Way of Face Slapping
At the end of the day, Jiang Chen was someone who’d lived
two lifetimes. Therefore, how could he possibly be provoked by such childish
tactics, and from someone who was jumping around like a clown to boot?
Jiang Chen smirked disdainfully, “I’ll be unable to buy it? Is
there anything that isn’t for sale beneath the heavens?”
The person in charge scoffed coldly, his eyes sweeping
across all of the other merchants, obviously warning them to not sell to Jiang
Chen at any cost. Otherwise, it’d be a denial of face for him and for the
Northern Palace.
Except, Jiang Chen ignored his small moves, as a hint of a
meaningful smile clung to the corner of his lips throughout all of this.
His leisurely gaze swept across all of the merchants. They
either averted their gazes, didn’t even lift their heads, or smiled ruefully
and shook their heads.
It was apparent that if they were to choose, they wouldn’t
stand on the side of a foreigner.
Even if they weren’t necessarily on the best of terms with
this person from the Northern Palace, and weren’t of the same mind as this
person in charge.
However, the circumstances demanded thus. These were the
hidden rules.
The Northern Palace representative was obviously well aware
of this. His confidence was bolstered even more upon seeing everyone’s
reactions, and he smiled arrogantly at Jiang Chen in a display of power.
The meaning was obvious: Well? Why don’t you try and buy
something?
Jiang Chen remained as noncommittal as the wind and clouds,
barking out a laugh as he took a slight step into the center.
He raised a single arm, a pill bottle appearing in his hand.
His voice was level, a smile teasing the corners of his mouth as he said
calmly, “I have a supreme rank Vast Ocean Pill here that can instantly recover
seventy percent true qi. I don’t need to elaborate more on the value of this
pill. With this pill, I will trade it for ten blades of Bluelily Grass and twenty
Wooden Pellets. First come first served, with no waiting around after the time
limit.”
Those small moves and tricks, and so-called hidden rules of
business were actually all extremely weak, having only to do with personal
considerations.
There were no hidden rules that couldn’t be broken in the
face of absolute profit. Besides, those hidden rules weren’t dependable at all.
A supreme rank Vast Ocean Pill could instantly recover
seventy percent true qi.
In the qi replenishing pill realm of the entire sixteen
kingdom alliance, pills apart from the Vast Ocean Pill could at most recover
forty percent of true qi.
A pill master could occasionally go above and beyond and
produce a pill that recovered fifty percent true qi.
However, recovering seventy percent was unheard of.
The Hall of Healing had actually started producing the Vast
Ocean Pill in the Eastern Kingdom a few months ago, but its production numbers
weren’t high yet and a pitiful amount had trickled into the Skylaurel Kingdom.
But once the Vast Ocean Pill had made its entrance, it had
made exceedingly great waves in the Skylaurel Kingdom. It’d become the height
of fashion, and it was difficult to find even a single pill in the entire upper
class society of the kingdom.
This was no wonder. After all, the amount produced by the
Hall of Healing wasn’t even enough to satisfy demand within the Eastern Kingdom
itself. There were countless orders.
The numbers of pills that had made their way into the
sixteen kingdoms was incredibly low.
Therefore, although the Vast Ocean Pill had a great
reputation within the Skylaurel Kingdom, the number of people who possessed
this pill were exceedingly few.
Plus, no one had ever heard of a supreme rank Vast Ocean
Pill that could recover seventy percent true qi.
The entire transaction area suddenly became deadly quiet
after Jiang Chen had spoken, and a solemn stillness reigned supreme at the
scene.
Everyone seemed to shut their mouths with great accordance.
“Supreme rank Vast Ocean Pill? Spontaneously recover seventy
percent true qi?” Someone’s mind finally started moving again.
“In exchange for only ten blades of Bluelily Grass and
twenty Wooden Pellets? This… is this a joke?”
“No way? The value of ten blades of Bluelily Grass and
twenty Wooden Pellets aren’t even worth an ordinary Vast Ocean Pill? A supreme
rank? Is this really right?”
“Could this young man have gone mad and is speaking crazy
nonsense?”
Words could be nonsensically spoken, but there was no faking
a pill. Jiang Chen didn’t indulge in meaningless boasts, but merely tipped the
bottle so that a supreme rank Vast Ocean Pill landed in the heart of his palm.
When the pill appeared, everyone’s eyes simultaneously
focused on him.
In the span of an instant, everyone’s breathing became
hurried and their eyes became fervent.
It really was the Vast Ocean Pill!
The color and luster, the presence, the purity, and that
appearance that was full of spirit power, it was like a pill filled with the
presence of life, full of heart moving vigor and vitality.
This kind of temptation was like a beautiful woman with a
lithe figure and wondrous curves, wearing only a thin veil of clothing and the
splendor underneath moving in and out of sight, making it almost impossible for
someone to resist and made one’s blood vessels involuntarily pump out blood.
Could anyone withstand such temptation?
For some so-called face? So-called hidden rules? To beat
down on a foreigner for that bunch of jerks from the Northern Palace?
That obviously was laughably ridiculous.
Business was business. Profit was always first.
“Brother, do you mean that? I, I’m willing to offer twenty
blades of Bluelily Grass and fifty Wooden Pellets to trade. No matter how much
you need, just tell me and I’ll help you gather it.”
“Don’t listen to him, this is our Southern Palace territory.
There’s no one here with more stock than us. Brother, we can discuss however
much you need.”
“Please, aren’t you fellows ashamed of yourselves to be
talking about spirit medicine in front of us Qingyang Valley disciples? Don’t
you feel shamefaced? Who amongst you lot has higher quality Bluelily Grass and
Wooden Pellets than our Qingyang Valley?”
Qingyang Valley?
Jiang Chen couldn’t help but look in that person’s
direction. It was a middle aged man who was dressed like a farmer and was the
type who couldn’t be able to be picked out in a crowd.
However, this person’s eyebrows were currently dancing with
pleasure as he had a face full of ardent eagerness. When he saw Jiang Chen’s
gaze land on him, he nodded and bowed even more fawningly, giving off the
appearance of being overwhelmed by an unexpected favor.
“This fellow probably doesn’t know of the agreement between
me and Elder Fei? Otherwise how could he have dared joined forces with the
Northern Palace earlier and refuse to sell to me?”
Jiang Chen paid no heed to small matters such as these at
this moment but smiled faintly. He didn’t say yes or no, but merely watched
this group of people.
“Brother, how about this. Give my Southern Palace some face
and you can come find me whenever you need any spirit medicine, and I’ll give
you ten percent off everything.”
“I will say it again. All of you need to step aside when it
comes spirit medicine in the Skylaurel Kingdom. What does the Qingyang Valley
do? We specialize in cultivating spirit medicine, that’s our trade.” The
farmer-esque Qingyang Valley middle aged man said with a look of pride.
“Psht! Look at you strutting around! What precious thing
hasn’t our Myriad Treasures Palace seen? You only grow some spirit medicines,
why don’t you compete in some other area with our Myriad Treasures Palace?” A
Myriad Treasures Palace disciple opened his mouth to retort and then
immediately faced Jiang Chen, his face wreathed in smiles. “This brother,
surely you’ve heard of the Myriad Treasures Palace’s reputation. We do great
business, particularly in appreciation of exotic and bizarre treasures such as
this supreme rank Vast Ocean Pill. This pill is hard to obtain within the
Skylaurel Kingdom, and it’s not worth it for you to trade it for mere Bluelily
Grass and Wooden Pellets. How about this, my Myriad Treasures Palace will give
these items to you for free. Treat it as a sign of friendship. I only have one
request, and it’s to consign your supreme rank Vast Ocean Pill. If we auction
it off at the auction fair this autumn, we may be able to obtain an extraordinary
price. What do you say? Not only do you not lose, but you also stand to profit
greatly. And by attracting such a VIP to the Myriad Treasures Palace, I can
gain face and revenue. It’s a win-win situation!”
This disciple was most definitely from the Myriad Treasures
Palace. One could see that he was adept at doing business. His words were
logical and reasonable, and paid heed to personal considerations and business.
This made even Jiang Chen feel a bit tempted.
At this time, the one who was the worst off was that person
in charge of the Azure Heaven Northern Palace. His face was as dark as if
someone has splashed ink onto his face.
All of the merchants had betrayed him in the midst of
battling and vying with each other to offer benefits to that person,
practically wishing to serve themselves up on a silver platter.
What was this?
This was slapping his face, leaving not the slightest shred
of face for him, a disciple of the Azure Heaven Northern Palace!
But he also knew the reason for these people losing their
composure. If it was anyone else, he would’ve surely done the same thing.
Who could resist a supreme rank Vast Ocean Pill?!
Seeing that the atmosphere at the scene was becoming more
and more fervent, his face burned with increasing heat. He wanted to slip away
before anyone paid attention to him to avoid losing more face.
One had to know, he had spoken great words just now. If
Jiang Chen could purchase Bluelily Grass and Wooden Pellets here, then he’d
crawl around the transaction area three times!
Now, under these circumstances, not to mention selling,
there was a huge group of people crying and wailing to pounce on the offer by
giving it to Jiang Chen for free. He’d truly lost a lot of face this time.
“Eh? Brother Zhang, where are you going?”
It was a damned pity that a piercing voice traveled to him
when he was halfway out of the door.
Someone had snitched on him!
This disciple of the Northern Palace dearly wished to crawl
into a crack in the ground. His entire being stiffened where he stood. He could
neither walk on nor retreat.
His expression was like someone had clapped a basin of feces
and pee onto his face, the epitome of being bedraggled.
“I… I’m going to the latrines.” The person in charge with
surname Zhang spoke with a bitter face and a conflicted expression.
This repressed excuse resulted in a wave of sarcastic
jeering from all those assembled. Since the hidden rules had been broken now,
people no longer had anything they were concerned about.
Jiang Chen smiled, “Your brave and lofty words just now
don’t seem to have much use. I’d really thought that your Northern Palace could
corner the market in a domineering fashion. It looks like you only wrapped
yourself in tiger skin to intimidate others.”
“You… brat, don’t you get uppity!”
“Who’s being uppity? Who was throwing his weight around just
now? Who was it who said that if we could buy these two items, he’d crawl three
times around this area?” Gouyu couldn’t help but take a step forward, plant her
hands on her waist and hector, “Now, are you going to crawl around the
transaction area three times by yourself, or should I find a rope and lead you
around for three circles?”
“I...” As a disciple of the Northern Palace, it was the
first time that this person in charge with surname Zhang had lost so much face.
He looked around desperately in all directions, sending out all sorts of pleas
for help, hoping that someone would lend him a helping hand.
But who would help him out of a bind in this moment?
Everyone was but an acquaintance to each other in setting up
booths here to do business. They could help him bully a foreigner. But now that
they knew that not only could they not bully the foreigner but should fawn on
him instead, whoever spoke up for disciple Zhang would be have to be missing
half a brain.
When a wall is about to collapse, everyone gives it a push.
Although no one was stepping forward to give it a push, the expressions on
their faces clearly showed that they were watching a good show which was not
too much different from pushing down a wall together.
“Forget it, forget it. A bunch of people who forget honor at
the prospect of profits and have no loyalty to speak of. I, the disciple of the
Northern Palace, would rather die than be humiliated.”
The fellow stiffened his neck and simply decided to play the
rogue, jeering at Jiang Chen, “Either you chop off my head with one stroke or
forget about making me, a disciple of the Northern Palace, bend my knee and bow
to you! That’s completely impossible!”
Chapter 145: Hitting Someone in Addition to Slapping Face
“You’re making a fool of yourself!”
Just as everyone was thoroughly speechless at this Northern
Palace disciple’s shameless tactics, a cold admonishment traveled in from afar.
A middle-aged man walked out with large strides, wearing an
apricot colored robe shortly thereafter.
All of the representatives of various powers had gazes
filled with hints of both respect and fear when they saw this person. Some even
looked at that Northern Palace disciple with the air of delighting in his misfortunes.
They all knew that this fellow was about to be punished..
An apricot colored robe represented that one was an
administrator of the Azure Heaven Southern Palace. There were also three short
swords embroidered onto the chest of this administrator’s robes. It was obvious
that he was one who was in charge of penalties and punishment, and was someone
with great power and influence.
That disciple of the Northern Palace hastened to greet the
administrator, saying in a fawning tone, “Sir Bei, you’ve arrived.”
Sir Bei was expressionless as he shot cold looks at the
Northern Palace disciple, “I’ve always heard that the Northern Palace had an
insufferable style in the western part of the kingdom, a style as if no one
could beat them. It now looks like the rumors are true. To think that you even
dare to cause trouble at a grand exhibition that my Southern Palace is holding
in the capital, beneath the feet of the royal liege. Your boldness knows no
bounds!”
“I, I…” The Northern Palace disciple’s face turned ashen as
his legs trembled from fright, and he almost cried out in his anxiousness.
“Come!” Sir Bei’s face was darkened.
Several disciples enforcing the law immediately surged out
from the back like wolves and tigers.
“Take him away and cane him a hundred times. If he dies,
feed him to the dogs. If not, tell him to get the hell out of the capital! Kill
him and his friends on sight if they are seen again at one of my Southern
Palace’s pill exhibitions!”
Sir Bei coldly gave the cruel order.
“Ah, Sir Bei, don’t beat me, don’t beat me!” The Northern
Palace disciple started crying in his desperation. “I’m the nephew of Elder
Huyan of the Northern Palace, don’t beat me…”
“Another hundred strokes!” Sir Bei’s expression was wooden.
“Sir Bei, you are… you are slapping Elder Huyan’s face!” The
Northern Palace disciple screamed shrilly. Another hundred strokes made for two
hundred in total. At best, he’d be crippled if not dead.
A trace of a cold smile appeared on Sir Bei’s frozen face as
he waved his hand, “Haul him out and beat him until he’s dead!”
The disciple that had faced off with Jiang Chen along with a
couple of his followers were hauled out like dead dogs amidst a din of dreadful
howls.
Sir Bei’s gaze was severe as it swept the scene. “Remember
this, whoever dares to cause trouble at a grand occasion held by the Southern
Palace will pay the price.”
“No matter how great your status or your backer, I am the
keeper of the law for the Southern Palace. Threatening me with your patrons?
That’s meaningless to me.”
This Sir Bei’s thunderous methods displayed to everyone his
coldhearted impartialness.
Some fellows who were not quite on the straight and narrow
also proceeded forth cautiously.
Sir Bei’s gaze fell onto Jiang Chen’s body and he nodded
slightly. “Young man, you’re not at fault for the matters of today. My surname
is Bei, if you run into any more difficulties here, you can directly report it
to me. I represent the Southern Palace and apologize to you for the matters of
just now.”
This Sir Bei was incorruptible and unmoved by entreaty.
Jiang Chen was slightly surprised to see Sir Bei apologize to him.
“Sir Bei speaks too gravely. The bad eggs of the community
still number amongst the few. However, I rather admire Sir Bei’s just methods
and impartialness.”
“Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards. The
reputation of my Azure Heaven Southern Palace is at stake. How would I let it
be ruined by an evildoer?”
Jiang Chen nodded. One had to say, he had quite a bit of
goodwill towards this Sir Bei. It had been particularly satisfying to see the
Northern Palace fellows dragged out like dead dogs.
“No matter the case, I still thank Sir Bei for administering
the law justly.” Jiang Chen cupped his hands.
Sir Bei waved his hands, “Buying and selling fairly is the
most basic matter. Be at ease, no one will dare to be up to anymore shenanigans
here. However, although they won’t look to me for an answer after killing a
disciple of the Northern Palace today, it’s very likely that they’ll come
looking for you. You must be prepared.”
Jiang Chen was rather touched that a senior executive of the
Southern Palace, a keeper of the law, could speak so candidly without
reservation.
“Sir Bei is right in your reminders. I will pay attention.”
The Northern Palace causing trouble for him? Flames of anger
rose up from his heart whenever he thought of the four words, ‘Azure Heaven
Northern Palace’ and of that group of disciples that had attempted highway
robbery that day when they were heading for the capital.
Jiang Chen hadn’t forgotten this old grudge. He was only
waiting until after he found his footing in the Skylaurel Kingdom. When he did
so, he would surely make the Northern Palace pay ten times over.
One had to say, Sir Bei’s influence was quite frightening.
After making an example of the Northern disciple, everyone was much more honest
within the transaction area.
Although they all knew of the extreme temptation from Jiang
Chen’s Vast Ocean Pill, no one dared threaten Jiang Chen at this time.
Jiang Chen finally decided to purchase the needed Blue Lily
Grass and Wooden Pellets from the Myriad Treasures Palace disciple.
The disciple didn’t wish to take Jiang Chen’s money, but
Jiang Chen insisted on paying.
Jiang Chen was a particular person. He didn’t wish to
receive another’s largesse for no reason at all. Not to mention that this bit
of money was as simple and easy as pulling off a hair off his thigh to him.
He had decided to transact with this disciple of the Myriad
Treasures Palace because the disciple was a smart person, and Jiang Chen liked
dealing with smart people.
After obtaining the items he needed, Jiang Chen wasn’t
willing to waste anymore time in the transaction area. He walked out with Gouyu
and the others, heading outside.
The Myriad Treasures Palace disciple also followed him
outside, calling out to Jiang Chen, “Brother, please hold for a moment.”
Jiang Chen stopped. He knew that the Myriad Treasures Palace
was one of the great powers within the capitals, and was one of the four great
sites that the Precious Tree Sect had established within the Skylaurel Kingdom.
It was also the only one out of the four great sites to be entrenched within
the capital.
Since he wanted to operate within the capital, there would
only be benefits from having a good relation with the Myriad Treasures Palace.
“Brother, I’m called Feng Yan, a disciple of the Myriad
Treasures Palace. I’m truly sorry about what happened just now. Although the
four great sites compete against one another, in the shadows, no one is willing
to offend each other. So when the Northern Palace fellow wanted to buy the
Bluelily Grass and Wooden Pellets, we…”
“It’s alright, it’s not your fault.” Jiang Chen also knew
that this was part of the hidden rules of the transaction area.
“I feel even more ashamed now that you’ve spoken as such.
Brother, you’re quite generous. I, Feng Yan, would love to have you as a
friend. Why don’t we find a place and I’ll treat you to some good wine?”
“Let’s not for now, I’ll remember Brother Feng’s good
intentions. I’m sure I’ll have more dealings with the Myriad Treasures Palace
in the future, and will need Brother Feng to take care of me in the future.”
Jiang Chen also said politely.
“Haha, if brother is willing to honor the Myriad Treasures
Palace, the Palace would surely be graced by your presence. Oh right, we’ve
chatted for so long, but I’ve yet to ask your name.”
“I’m called Jiang Chen.”
“Jiang Chen.” Feng Yan nodded slightly. “A good name.”
He then seemed to suddenly recall something as his
expression changed slightly and he asked hoarsely, “Jiang Chen? Brother, are
you from the Eastern Kingdom?”
Jiang Chen was privately startled. Had his reputation
already traveled to the Skylaurel Kingdom? This Feng Yan was just a disciple of
the Myriad Treasures Palace, how could he already know of him?
Jiang Chen wasn’t sure whether to be happy or depressed, but
he still smiled. “To think that Brother Feng has heard of my name?”
Feng Yan was even more enthusiastic. “Brother Jiang, do you
know how great your reputation is? The Skylaurel Kingdom is amongst the top in
the alliance of the sixteen kingdoms and thus naturally knows everything that
happens within the alliance. Due to its business needs, our Myriad Treasures
Palace needs intelligence from all aspect, so brother Jiang’s name is like a
thunderclap piercing our ears within the Myriad Treasures Palace.”
To say that his name was a thunderclap piercing their ears
was obviously a nicety, but Feng Yan’s desire to become friends with Jiang Chen
truly did become stronger when he heard Jiang Chen’s name.
In all honesty, all the intelligence reports from the Eastern
Kingdom had molded Jiang Chen into a mythical figure. He had suppressed the
Long family’s rebellion single-handedly, annihilated the Darkmoon Kingdom’s
million strong army, and shot down the first general of the Darkmoon Kingdom…
All sorts of rumors made Feng Yan have no choice but to
value Jiang Chen highly.
Feng Yan was a smart man. He didn’t think that he, a
disciple of the Myriad Treasures Palace and a upper class level personage
within the Skylaurel Kingdom, had any sort of right to look down on this genius
who had come from the Eastern Kingdom.
Although the Skylaurel Kingdom was many times stronger than
the Eastern Kingdom within the alliance of the sixteen kingdoms, even the
weakest countries had geniuses.
Jiang Chen’s genius was obviously not something that he,
Feng Yan, could dismiss. On the contrary, Feng Yan had put together the
observations of just now and his combined intelligence to think carefully and
felt even more so that he should strike up a friendship with Jiang Chen.
“Brother Jiang, I still repeat what I said earlier. If you
consign the Vast Ocean Pill to our Palace and place it on auction, you will
surely receive an excellent price for it and heighten your fame at the same
time.”
Jiang Chen knew that Feng Yan was indeed sincere and nodded,
“Brother Feng, I’ll be sure to come visit you at the Myriad Treasures Palace
when I’m done with the things at hand.”
Feng Yan was even happier after receiving Jiang Chen’s
assent.
The two were chatting when a shout sounded from the side.
“Damned bitch, why don’t you say another word? Trying to bluff me with a broken
piece of wood?”
“Stop immediately!”
Feng Yan and Jiang Chen couldn’t help but look over when
they heard the yelling.
They saw a young man in a red colored robe that was
embroidered with blue lines hectoring loudly. A fragile and delicate girl was
kneeling down in front of him.
The young girl sobbed as she stubbornly hung onto the
youth’s calf and refused to let go.
“Return my Black Spirit Wood to me.” The young girl’s voice
was low and her voice shook, but her demeanor was abnormally stubborn, as if
she would never let go before having taken her item back.
“Didn’t I already return that broken piece of wood to you?
Do you not believe that I’ll beat you to death right now if you don’t let go?”
The young girl only shook her head, “You didn’t take this
one away. Return the one you took.”
“Screw you, dumb bitch. I’m a vaunted disciple of the Azure
Heaven Northern Palace, why would I want your broken piece of wood? Look at you
dressed up in rags like a begging slut. Are you trying to blackmail me?”
“Him again!” Jiang Chen hadn’t even spoke before Gouyu,
behind him, was already groping for the shortsword at her waist. That fellow
who hailed from the Northern Palace was the senior brother Kuang who had wanted
to rob them last time.
Jiang Chen also felt his killing intent increase greatly
when he saw this person. When he looked again at the young girl, he discovered
that the young girl was Tang Long’s fiancé.
Both sides were his acquaintances.
Senior brother Kuang’s eyes glared when he saw someone
approach, but his expression changed greatly when he saw that it was Jiang
Chen. He flung Tang Long’s fiance away with a slap.
“Get the hell out of my way. I don’t have the time to waste
here with you.” He lifted his feet up and planned on running further in.
“Brother Feng, can the Northern Palace also rob others in
broad daylight in the capital?” Jiang Chen asked faintly.
Feng Yan started and said, “Security within the capital is
quite good. If the Dragonteeth Guard knew of such robbery, the culprit would
either be thrown in jail or executed immediately.”
Jiang Chen nodded and lifted off his toes, swooping down
like a falcon as he blocked senior brother Kuang’s way. “This world is such a
small place, to think that we’d meet again.”
Chapter 146: Not Just Beating Someone, But Also Killing
Someone
Although senior brother Kuang had just displayed a malicious
looking face towards Tang Long’s fiance, when it came to Jiang Chen, he was not
the slightest bit ferocious. Senior brother Kuang had already almost died twice
beneath Jiang Chen’s hand.
The first time had been because Jiang Chen didn’t wish to
make enemies and didn’t deal a fatal blow due to a desire to merely issue a
warning.
The second time, Jiang Chen had intended for senior brother
Kuang to die, but the latter had been saved by his senior brother Yi Qiansui.
He hadn’t died from his great misfortune , and senior
brother Kuang had forgotten this matter altogether a few days later. But who
would’ve thought that he’d run into Jiang Chen again today?
“Get out of the way!” Senior brother Kuang roared lowly.
“Kid, you have offended my senior brother Liu, and he’s also in the capital
right now. If you recognize the circumstances you’re in, you still have time to
get the hell out of here.”
“Hand over the item.” Jiang Chen said faintly.
“What item?” Senior brother Kuang played dumb and asked.
“Cut your blather, the Black Spirit Wood.”
“Black Spirit Wood? I don’t know what you’re talking about!
If you don’t get out of my way, I’m going to sue you for robbery!” Senior
brother Kuang grimaced with a smile. “This is the territory of the Azure Heaven
Southern Palace. My Northern Palace is of the same breath and branch as the
Southern Palace. We are as dear to each other as members of the same family. Do
you believe that with just one word from me, there will be several hundred
Southern Palace disciples rushing out to attack you?”
Senior brother Kuang was well versed in the art of strutting
around on borrowed influence. Except, he hadn’t entered the transaction area
just now and hadn’t known what had happened.
“Of the same breath and branch? Dear to each other like
members of the same family?” Jiang Chen laughed contemptuously. If they really
were as dear to each other like members of the same family, then how would Sir
Bei have given the order to cane that Northern Palace disciple to death?
“I don’t want to talk empty nonsense. Are you handing over
that Black Spirit Wood or not?”
Senior brother Kuang looked at Jiang Chen and then looked at
the young girl, thinking, “Can it be that these two know each other? Just where
does this kid come from that he knows such a downtrodden girl? Judging from the
girl’s looks, she should be at the very bottom of the totem pole. How much of a
background can this kid have?”
When his thoughts travelled here, senior brother Kuang
hardened his heart, “Stop spewing out blood. I have a stick of Black Spirit
Wood here that I dug out from an old forest deep in the mountains. Who the hell
do you think you are to make me hand it over? Do you want to rob someone in the
capital? Does law and order exist anymore?”
When a petty fellow bites you, only death awaits.
“A robber crying ‘catch the thief’!” Jiang Chen’s brow
creased faintly, but he broke out into a smile instead. “Good, very good. I had
been worrying about what excuse to use to tally up our old debts. However,
you’ve rather helped me resolve this difficult problem.”
“What… what do you want to do?” Senior brother Kuang’s
facial expression changed greatly.
“Do what?” Jiang Chen advanced forward in a threatening
manner. “Stopping someone to rob them, if I recall correctly, you can be
executed where you stand? Brother Yan, such a regulation exists within the
kingdom’s laws, correct?”
Feng Yan opened his mouth and had wanted to speak a
conciliatory word when a notion flashed through his mind. He said instead,
“Such a regulation does exist within the kingdom’s laws. Except, brother
Jiang…”
“Then things are easy with this law.”
Jiang Chen smiled beatifically as he stomped down with both
feet, struck out with two fists to both the left and right and sent two punches
flying out.
One was as if a hundred flowers had blossomed, and the other
was as if ten thousand souls laid in hibernation.
It was the boxing mysteries from the “Divine Aeons Fist”.
Senior brother Kuang’s strength was far below that of Jiang
Chen’s, and fear grew within his heart now that Jiang Chen had backed him up
against a wall.
Senior brother Kuang had no time to even react to these
incredible boxing techniques before he’d taken both fists to the chest, flying
out backwards like a kite with a broken string.
Jiang Chen leapt up and dashed up to senior brother Kuang,
and was about to extend a hand and take back the Black Spirit Wood.
A harsh yell sounded from behind him, “Stop!”
Whoosh whoosh whoosh sounded out in the next second as six
Dragonteeth Guard members, dressed in light yellow robes, shot to the scene
like sharp arrows.
The six Dragonteeth Guard surrounded Jiang Chen.
“Who are you and how dare you kill someone in broad
daylight?” A Dragonteeth Guard interrogated.
“In response to you sir, this person was committing robbery
in broad daylight and I was forced to make a move to take back what is mine.”
“A robbery in broad daylight? Do you have any proof?”
“There’s a stick of Black Spirit Wood in his possession,
that’s the evidence. The owner of the Black Spirit Wood is still here, she’s
the witness.”
“You’re the witness? Are you sure that this person stole
your Black Spirit Wood?” The Dragonteeth Guard pointed at senior brother
Kuang’s body and asked.
Tang Long’s fiance looked at Jiang Chen with a face full of
gratitude as she lightly bit her lip, nodding very firmly, “Yes, this was the
villain that stole my Black Spirit Wood.”
Since a murder was involved, the deputy of the Dragonteeth
Guard didn’t dare to make an easy judgement. Not to mention that his eyes were
keen and he recognized that the accused was a disciple of the Northern Palace.
He likely couldn’t listen to a one-sided story.
He immediately said, “A case involving a human life should
be treated with the utmost of care. The rights and wrongs are convoluted, and I
cannot listen to only your side. I feel that you must come back to the Dragonteeth
headquarters with me and wait there to regain your innocence until a full
investigation of this matter is conducted. If the truth is not as you’ve said,
then murdering someone is a heinous crime.”
Jiang Chen smiled faintly, “There’s no problem for me to go
back with you, but can I be allowed to leave behind a few words?”
Jiang Chen also knew that since the Dragonteeth Guard had
appeared, he would be defying the law if he refused to make this trip with them
which would undoubtedly give rise to greater conflict.
Since he’d just arrived in this place, he had no need to
create such a great disturbance.
When the Dragonteeth Guard saw that Jiang Chen was unrushed
and unhurried with an uncommon air, he didn’t dare to offend Jiang Chen either
and nodded.
Jiang Chen walked up to Feng Yan, “Brother Feng, although
you’re an eyewitness, but I wouldn’t untowardly ask you to be a witness.
There’s a list here, please give it to your vice head Shi of your Myriad
Treasures Palace. If he won’t receive you, tell him that it has something to do
with the Wishing Tower.”
“Oh?” Feng Yan was startled. He had indeed been worried that
Jiang Chen would ask him to be a witness, and had been quietly calculating if
it was worth it to offend the Northern Palace in order to gain Jiang Chen as a
friend.
Seeing that Jiang Chen didn’t intend ask him to be a
witness, his heart lightened, but also felt slightly disappointed at the same
time. Jiang Chen only wanted him to deliver a list, that wasn’t anything
difficult.
“Brother Jiang, please be at ease. I will, rest assured,
deliver this list with the fastest speed possible to vice head Shi.”
“Baishi, take this list and conceal the key ingredients. Go
have a chat with Elder Ning of the Azure Heaven Southern Palace.” Jiang Chen
gave another list ot Qiao Baishi.
This list contained a pill recipe that Jiang Chen had
prepared previously, called the “Four Seasons Eternal Spring Pill”. It was
precisely what Jiang Chen had prepared for Elder Ning.
Elder Ning had made a wish of everlasting youth in the
Wishing Tower. Although Jiang Chen hadn’t had much interest in this matter to
begin with, he then immediately thought about how he could give this
opportunity to Qiao Baishi.
By now, Qiao Baishi was Jiang Chen trusted confidante and
knew the deep meaning behind Jiang Chen’s action. He nodded slightly as he took
the recipe. There was no longer a need for heroic utterances now to prove his
loyalty to Jiang Chen.
Having concluded his instructions to Gouyu and Qiao Baishi,
Jiang Chen turned to Xue Tong, “Xue Tong, go find the Qingyang Valley’s
stronghold within the capital and pass on a message to old man Fei that I’ve
been invited in for a spot of tea by the Dragonteeth Guard. He can do what he
sees fit to do. If he’s still thinking about the Renewal Purity Pill, then he
needs to get the hell into the capital immediately.”
Jiang Chen also knew that he’d just arrived in the Skylaurel
Kingdom and was unfamiliar with the people and the territory. He had yet to
build up his networks. If he was taken away by the Dragonteeth Guard and if the
Northern Palace intervenes, he, Jiang Chen, would more or less end up with the
short end of the stick.
The Dragonteeth Guard may decide cases according to the law,
but that was with the one caveat that the Azure Heaven Northern Palace didn’t
intervene.
Once the Northern Palace intervened, if Jiang Chen didn’t
have any other methods, then with his identity as a newly arrived foreigner, he
was sure to end up with a terrible fate.
At this moment, Jiang Chen naturally didn’t mind making use
of someone else’s strength.
Jiang Chen had reincarnated not as someone who went about
with brute force. He was combining all of his advantageous factors to eliminate
all disadvantageous factors. He of course knew the value of leveraging other
people’s strength.
Having concluded his instructions, Jiang Chen gallantly
returned to the side of the Dragonteeth Guard and smiled faintly, “Let’s go.
I’ll also say this, I hope you can decide the case according to the law. This
young girl is a witness, I also hope that she doesn’t suffer from any unfair
treatment.”
The deputy of the Dragonteeth Guard didn’t dare lose his
alertness when he saw Jiang Chen’s uncommon demeanor. “My Dragonteeth Guard is
impartial and objective when deciding cases. You don’t need to worry about
this.”
….
In some luxurious apartment within the capital.
Some youths wearing the robes of the Azure Heaven Northern
Palace were drinking toast after toast and having a great time.
Suddenly, a subordinate walked in and murmured a few words
into the ear of a scar-faced youth. The youth’s face immediately changed.
“What?” The scar-faced youth surged to his feet, his eyes
full of a violent light, and his face darkened so much that it was like he
wanted to eat someone. “What did you say? Say that again?”
The subordinate was so frightened that his expression
changed greatly and he stammered, “This... is the news that’s just come back,
senior brother Zhang Meng was caned to death by the lawkeeper of the Southern
Palace at the transaction area, and senior brother Kuang was also beaten to
death with one punch by someone on the street.”
“What did you say?” A youth whose gender was hard to
discern, dressed in a fey manner, shot out a violent beam of light from his
eyes. “Zhang Meng was beaten to death?”
“Speak clearly, what exactly happened?”
The subordinate strived valiantly to control his nervous
emotions and said, “This was what happened, senior brother Zhang Meng saw the
brat that you senior brothers attempted to take down last time… and then…”
This subordinate stammered and finally clearly explained all
that had happened.
The womanly youth was indeed the senior brother Liu, Liu
Can, who had chased Jiang Chen into the Qingyang Valley and had almost been
slapped to death by Elder Fei. This person’s training had broken through the
ranks of half step spirit dao and had now entered into the first level of the
spirit realm. He was now the leader of the group.
Liu Can didn’t mind the fact that senior brother Kuang was
dead, but Zhang Meng was different. Zhang Meng was Liu Can’s younger cousin,
and the two had entered the Azure Heaven Northern Palace together when they
were small.
Zhang Meng was also quite gifted in the area of business.
The path of training could not be walked without money. The fact that he, Liu
Can, had had such accomplishments in the field of training, could not be
overlooked by Zhang Meng’s contributions in the area of money.
Liu Can had always treated Zhang Meng as his own younger
brother. When he suddenly heard that Zhang Meng had been beaten to death by the
lawkeeper, even he was dazed, despite being a spirit realm practitioner.
“That kid again.” Liu Can ground his teeth as the flames of
anger danced in his eyes. “You were lucky last time and fled to the Qingyang
Valley. If you’d cowardly hunkered down in the Qingyang Valley, I wouldn’t have
been able to do anything to you. Now that you’ve come to your death in the
capital, I’ll write my damn name backwards if I can’t kill you!”
The scar faced youth, Yi Qiansui, was one of the killers
that had originally pursued Jiang Chen.
He said, “Senior brother Liu, this fellow is a bit strange.
How could he emerge unscathed after falling into old man Fei’s hands in the
Qingyang Valley?”
“Yes. Old man Fei is renowned for being tricky to handle. He
doesn’t even give face to our Northern Palace head. How would he let this kid
swagger into the capital like this and not be a medicine servant for twenty
years?” The person speaking was one of the half step spirit realms that had
also been chasing Jiang Chen originally, that triangular eyed youth.
Liu Can snorted coldly. “Old man Fei can throw his weight
and power around in the Qingyang Valley, but his broken rules are of no use
within the capital. This time, no matter who this fellow’s backer is, I’m going
to be the death of him.”
Yi Qiansui also chuckled. “I’d thought that this fat meat
had flown away, but who knew that we’d regain it right after losing it. Looks
like we made the right choice in coming to the capital this time around.”
Chapter 147: The Matter Grew Big
“Senior brother Liu, we’re here this time to support the
first prince. If we handle this matter through the first prince and the
Dragonteeth Guard exerts some pressure, we can absolutely swallow that kid.
When that happens, his goods…” The triangular eyed youth volunteered this plot
to Liu Can.
When they, practitioners of the half step spirit realm,
fought ceaselessly over splitting up the spoils of battle, it had instead given
Jiang Chen the opportunity to slip through the cracks and get away.
Now that Liu Can had risen to the first level of the spirit
realm and that his training had greatly increased, he had overwhelming power
and thus the others had naturally made him their head. They no longer dared to
talk about equal division.
Liu Can nodded his head viciously, “The first prince has far
reaching ambitions and is not terribly interested in money. However, there’s
two beauties among that kid’s followers, and their looks are indeed not bad.
They’ve got quite an exotic air about them. The first prince likes this sort of
thing. If we can offer those two to the first prince, this would be quite a
favor.”
“Alright, it’s settled then. The beauties will be given to
the first prince, and we’ll still split up the kid’s items according to our
agreement last time. How about that?” Yi Qiansui slapped the table and called
out.
Everyone’s gazes looked towards Liu Can in unison. All was
empty talk if senior brother Liu didn’t nod his head.
Liu Can had also considered the needs of the people, and
that he must give them some reward if he wanted them to do everything in their
power. He immediately nodded, “Alright, we’ll proceed according to last time’s
agreement. All of you will receive two spirit beasts, and everyone can make a
copy of any martial methods or secret arts.”
There was a fundamental difference between a half step
spirit realm and first level spirit realm after all. Everyone was overjoyed to
hear that Liu Can had agreed.
“Senior brother Liu, this matter should not be delayed.
Let’s go visit the first prince right now!”
…
Two hours later, at the manor of the first prince of the
Skylaurel Kingdom.
“Liu Can, this person you speak of, do you know his
background?” First prince Ye Dai smiled faintly.
“Background?” Liu Can started. “We rushed to the capital
after receiving the first prince’s summons and truly haven’t had the
opportunity to inquire this matter. Can it be that this kid has a mighty
background?”
First prince Ye Dai was the prince with the greatest repute
amongst all the princes in the Skylaurel Kingdom, the favors of tens of
thousands focused on him alone. He was one of the hottest contenders to be the
next king.
His complexion was as clear as jade, his gaze as clear as
the stars. His every movement and gesture appeared graceful and dapper.
“He doesn’t have much of a background, but is indeed a bit
interesting. It’s a pity that he’s meant to be an enemy and not a friend.”
“Your Highness, why do you say so?” Liu Can was vaguely
startled.
“This person comes from the Eastern Kingdom, and is a
legendary figure within the Eastern Kingdom a while ago. His name is Jiang
Chen, and he once suppressed the attempted uprising of the Long family within
the Eastern Kingdom.”
“Eastern Kingdom?” Liu Can had been worried that he’d
antagonized someone he couldn’t afford to. His heart lightened when he heard
the Eastern Kingdom. “That tiny ass kingdom? As legendary as he could’ve been
in a small kingdom, that should be his limits.”
The first prince Ye Dai smiled, “Intelligence indicates that
the first one that this person visited in the capital was number four from our
family.”
“The fourth prince, His Highness Ye Rong?”
“Indeed, our number four usually reveals nothing of himself
and seems exceedingly low key. But you’d be gravely wrong if you think he’s
someone who’s accepted his lot in life. Why did this Jiang Chen come to the
Skylaurel Kingdom? Number four must be up to something in the background.”
Liu Can was deep in thought, “Your Highness, do you mean? We
should…”
Liu Can paused and raised his right hand, making a downward
chopping motion.
“Jiang Chen killed a disciple of your Azure Northern Heaven
Palace, the law of the land will not condone his actions. Your Northern Palace
won’t just roll over and play dead, will it?
Liu Can beamed happily. Although the first prince didn’t say
it literally, but this was already a very clear indication. This was hinting
for them to make an issue out of this and assign Jiang Chen to death.
“Please be at ease, Your Highness. Where would my Northern
Palace put our face if we let some outsider brat strut around within the
Skylaurel Kingdom? We’ll lodge a serious complaint with the Dragonteeth Guard
and ask them to arbitrate with justice, blood for blood!” A sinister smile was
displayed on Liu Can’s face.
“There are many of our own on the Dragonteeth Guard’s side.
I will instruct the others to pay attention to this matter. The four great
sites are strongholds that the Precious Tree Sect has set up within the
Skylaurel Kingdom. Beating one of the disciples of the four great sites to
death is a slap in the face to the Skylaurel Kingdom, and even more so, a slap
to the face of the Precious Tree Sect!” Ye Dai’s tone was grave.
Liu Can rejoiced privately. He was greatly reassured with
the first prince’s guarantee.
“Heh heh, Jiang Chen is it? The legendary character of the
Eastern Kingdom is it? Now that you’ve come to my Skylaurel Kingdom, you have
to sit even if you’re a dragon, and lie down even if you’re a tiger. This time
I’m going to humiliate you slowly, torture you, and then kill you. I’ll take
your women and steal your fortune!”
…
Jiang Chen sat on a chair with his eyes closed. It’d been
about two hours since he’d been brought here.
This room had bright windows and a neat chair, the chair was
even made of high quality golden rosewood.
No one had come to question him or talk to him since he’d
been brought here.
Jiang Chen knew that this was the silent treatment.
Before the Dragonteeth Guard had sussed out his background,
they could only use this kind of method that neither offended nor kissed up to
him.
He also knew that after these two hours had passed, everyone
on all sides would start making their moves. What needed to be investigated
would also pretty much be investigated.
What happened next would absolutely not be as peaceful as
things had been.
Flinging all those random thoughts to the back of his mind,
Jiang Chen calmed his mind according to the art of Boulder’s Heart and
organized the happenings of the past couple of days in his mind.
The door was pushed open with a creak.
A group of Dragonteeth Guard rushed in. The person at the
head had a particular pattern embroidered on the chest of his pale yellow
Dragonteeth Guard robes. His looks were a bit sinister and his mouth drooped
down slightly. His eyes in particular had a gloomy look that made one shiver
all over, but not from cold. He gave others the terrifying feeling of one’s
hair standing on end, as if one was facing a viper.
All the other Dragonteeth Guards automatically stood to the
side or behind this person.
“General Lu, this is the one.” One of the captains spoke
fawningly in front of this person like he was currying favor.
“You’re called Jiang Chen? You’re from the Eastern Kingdom?”
General Lu, who possessed a sinister expression, asked in a gloomy tone.
“Indeed.”
“You beat a disciple of the Northern Palace to death, did
this occur?”
“I beat to death a criminal who was committing a robbery in
the street.” A trace of wariness rose in Jiang Chen’s heart when he heard the
other’s tone.
“Bullshit! The identity of a Northern Palace disciple is
noble and lofty, why would he possibly commit robbery in broad daylight?”
“A noble identity means one won’t commit robbery in broad
daylight?” Jiang Chen flicked a light glance at the other person. “Please
forgive me for not fully comprehending your logic.”
“Kid, this is our General Lu, you better behave yourself!
What are you being cocky for?” A Dragonteeth Guard behind General Lu shouted
out.
“Being cocky? Dealing with the matter as it stands is called
cocky?”
Bam!
General Lu slammed his fist onto the table. “Jiang Chen, I
don’t like to waste time in empty blather. You beat a disciple of the Northern
Palace to death and now they are asking me for the killer. You better admit to
your guilt and submit to whatever judgement there will be so that we can handle
this matter fairly and impartially. If you continue to put up a stiff
resistance…”
“General Lu, is it?” Jiang Chen spread out his hands,
cutting the other off. “Don’t you give me this spiel either. It was proper self-defense
for me to beat a criminal to death. I acknowledge no guilt. In addition, your
words have already shown your bias, what further talks will there possibly be
of handling this matter impartially? Aren’t you embarrassed from saying such
things?”
“This means that you intend to stubbornly resist to the
end?” General Lu laughed coldly in succession.
“Jiang Chen, we can give you one last chance. You killed
someone in broad daylight, do you admit to that or not?”
Jiang Chen shook his head lightly. “I have nothing to admit
to.”
“Very good! It looks like you won’t give up your false hopes
until all is over, and have hardened your heart to fight against the
Dragonteeth Guard. Take him away and place him into the Black Dungeons!”
The Black Dungeons were where the Dragonteeth Guard kept the
repeated offenders of severe crimes.
Once someone was sent to the Black Dungeons, they almost
never made it back out alive again.
There was basically only one possibility of being able to
walk out of the Black Dungeons, and that was being dragged out to be executed.
The other possibility was that one went in on their two feet
and laid down to become a corpse on their way out.
Several of the Dragonteeth Guard held Jiang Chen under guard
and arrived at the Black Dungeons’ area.
“Damn it, this place always feels sinister whenever we walk
close to it. The back of my neck and head are tingling with cold.” One of the
Dragonteeth Guard complained.
“Sigh, stop complaining. Hurry up and throw this kid in
there so we can report back to General Lu.”
“I say kid, is there anything valuable on you? Hurry up and
hand it over. Perhaps if we’re in a good mood, we’ll carry a few messages for you
with your last words.”
“Indeed, indeed. When you’re in the Black Dungeons, not even
your bones will be left to you, much less your valuables. You’d be bringing a
gift in for those scum if you brought in anything good.”
Their words were already treating Jiang Chen as a dead man.
Jiang Chen kept as cool as a cucumber as he smiled faintly.
The Dragonteeth Guard in charge of escorting him were all obviously small
characters. There was no point in verbally sparring with them.
“Yo, kid! You have some courage huh? Don’t blame me for not
reminding you. Even if you were born and raised in the Skylaurel Kingdom, the
only path for you would be death once you’ve offended the Northern Palace,
moreover you’re actually a foreigner. Unless you’re one of the disciples of the
three great sites and had a great patron backing you up, you’re dead.”
“Number seven, stop talking nonsense with him! Would he be
sent to the Black Dungeons if he had a great patron? General Lu himself is
personally presiding over this case, doesn’t that make this case quite
apparent? Them on top want him dead, there’s no way he would be allowed to
continue living.”
“Heh heh, this kid is quite tough when it comes to it. He’s
not begging for mercy even now.”
“Alright, we have arrived at the Black Dungeons area. Let’s
stop for a moment.” The captain waved his hands and looked at Jiang Chen,
sizing him up. “Kid, let’s speak frankly. There’s no way you can leave after
having arrived here. You have two options. One, quietly hand over anything
valuable on you and save us the effort of searching you. The second choice will
be a bit offensive. If you don’t quietly hand things over, then we’ll have to
do it ourselves. I’ll warn you beforehand, things won’t be that civilized if we
have to take things into our own hands.”
“Are you sure that you’re the Dragonteeth Guard and not
disciples of the Northern Palace?” Jiang Chen asked faintly.
“What do you mean?” The captain asked blankly.
“The disciples of the Northern Palace are skilled in
committing robbery. Does what you’re doing count as blackmail and extortion? Or
is it just blatant robbery?” Jiang Chen asked leisurely.
“Kid, looks like you’ve thoroughly hardened your heart!” The
captain flourished his sleeves, “Then don’t blame us for being unkind. Number
six and seven, strip him!”
“Halt!” A stately voice sounded at this time.
Chapter 148: Undercurrents Billow and Surge
A tall and enormous figure strode in from outside the door
as soon as this voice had resounded. Judging from his uniform, he was placed at
a noticeably higher rank than those present. His eyebrows were as thick as
silkworms, and he exuded a feeling of justice despite not having expressed
anything.
“Commander Tian?”
When the Dragonteeth Guards saw this person, their faces all
changed slightly as they instantly cleaned up their previously scoundrellousy
act, and stood in a line with their gazes lowered, saluting the person who’d
arrived.
“Tsk tsk. You guys are becoming too big for your britches
eh? Blackmail and extortion. You’re my troops alright. Definitely showing off
the pride of the lofty Dragonteeth Guard.”
“Commander, we…” Beads of sweat had gathered on the
captain’s forehead as he was frightened to the point of almost peeing himself.
“What? Still want to argue? Do you think I’m deaf and
haven’t heard anything?” Commander Tian’s gaze turned cold.
“No no, Commander Tian, we were wrong. We deserve to die.”
The captain’s legs bowed as he abruptly kneeled down.
“Commander Tian, we were wrong. Please forgive us this once
on the basis that we have followed you for seven to eight years.” Several of
the Dragonteeth Guards also kneeled down and continuously knocked their heads
against the ground.
It was said that nothing is like having a man on the spot to
give orders.
Although General Lu’s position was high, a full level higher
than a commander’s, but even his high position was of no use in keeping these
fellows in line.
Commander Tian was the person who kept them in line and
their real supervisor. Of the people in this group, whether it was the captain
or team members, they all fell within Commander Tian’s jurisdiction.
How could they not be afraid that the commander had stumbled
upon this ugly matter? Besides, they were very well aware that he abhorred evil
as a deadly foe, and was renowned for being coldly impartial.
Once Commander Tian wanted to levy a punishment on them,
even pleas for leniency from those in even higher positions wouldn’t
necessarily be useful, much less than one from General Lu.
Commander Tian had a fiery temper. When ignited, he would
butt heads with even a general, not to mention that General Lu was actually
only a vice general.
“All of you, get the hell up! Are all my men as cowardly and
timid as you guys?” Commander Tian roared.
When the Dragonteeth Guard heard Commander Tian roar at
them, they were rather happy instead. They knew that if the commander was
yelling at them, this meant that he wasn’t thoroughly enraged.
Once the Commander was thoroughly enraged, there wouldn’t
even be a chance for him to roar at you even if you wanted him to.
The group of people meekly got up and carefully stood to the
side, not daring to even breathe too loudly.
“Put this person in the single holding cell first.”
Commander Tian instructed calmly.
“But…” The captain was a bit hesitant.
“What? Is there a problem?” Commander Tian rolled his eyes
and asked in return.
“General Lu is personally handling this case, and…”
“What? Do you think that you can ignore my commands now that
you’ve latched onto General Lu?”
The so-called single holding cell was a separate area within
the Black Dungeons.
This has been readied for special individuals, and was
equivalent to a VIP room within the Black Dungeons. Once within the single
holding cell, this meant that this person was under a protected status within
the Black Dungeons.
Otherwise, when held with another group of desperados within
the Black Dungeons, anyone would lose at least a layer of skin, if not die
outright.
Although the single holding cell wasn’t too large, it was a
separate space and could bypass harrassment from other prisoners. It was indeed
VIP treatment within the Black Dungeons.
“I’ll say this one last time. Take him to the single holding
cell.” Commander Tian said emotionlessly. “You can choose to listen to General
Lu and bear the consequences yourself.”
The Dragonteeth Guards looked at each other and were quite
conflicted. General Lu’s position was higher and his backing was greater. This
was a foregone conclusion.
However, Commander Tian was their real superior and treated
them quite well normally. Out of the one hundred commanders within the
Dragonteeth Guard, Commander Tian was renowned for favoring his own people, and
often talked back to even generals for the benefits of his own men.
They truly did support a supervisor like him from the bottom
of their hearts.
If they listened to General Lu and threw Jiang Chen into the
Black Dungeons, they would then be thoroughly offending Commander Tian.
Afterwards, if Commander Tian wrote up their extortionist
tactics displayed just now and handed it to a supervisor for the Dragonteeth
Guard, what awaited them would be stern military punishment.
At the very least, they would lose their title as the
Dragonteeth Guard, and at the very worst, they would be executed!
The matter of extortion and blackmail could be a small or
large matter. If no one pursued it, then nothing would come of it. As soon as
someone seized upon it however, then it’d become a great matter.
It’d be even worse when it was one’s own supervisor doing
the investigating.
Everyone knew that Commander Tian was renowned for shielding
his men’s shortcomings and taking care of his troops. If there was a
subordinate that even he himself was publicly accusing, how disgusting and unpalatable
would this person be?
Anyone who could make it to be a member of the Dragonteeth
Guard couldn’t be a fool.
After hesitating for a slight while, the captain said
hastily, “Commander Tian, we’re all your troops. Of course we listen to you.”
“Commander Tian, please be at ease. We won’t speak of this
matter outside, and definitely won’t let General Lu know.”
“Yes, we listen to Commander Tian.”
Commander Tian had been listening with narrowed eyes. If
these fellows had hesitated too long, he absolutely wouldn’t have minded using
the coldest and cruelest methods to kick them out of his team and use military
law to ensure that they could never receive another chance.
Seeing that they hadn’t hesitated too long in the end,
Commander Tian nodded his head slightly. “Even if you guys don’t speak of this
matter, this can’t be kept under wraps for too long. However, if General Lu has
any opinions whatsoever, tell him to come find me. You guys were in charge of
this case in the beginning, right? That Lu person is simply stretching his hand
out too far.”
“Yes yes, regardless, we won’t run our mouths when we leave
from here.” The captain promised.
They definitely wouldn’t speak of this. If they spoke of it,
they would displease both sides and create further trouble for themselves.
Of this, Commander Tian was quite assured.
“I’ll take over. All of you are dismissed.” Commander Tian
waved his hand and sent the fellows on their way.
When the Dragonteeth Guard had left, Commander Tian said to
Jiang Chen, “Jiang Chen, I won’t speak unnecessary words. I owe a great debt of
gratitude to the fourth prince. You are his honored guest and so I won’t let
you suffer here. I’ve just taken a look at this case just now and it’s quite
complicated. There’s certainly someone up to something behind the scenes. If
the Azure Heaven Northern Palace hangs onto this matter with a death grip, I’m
not sure if the fourth prince can hold up beneath the pressure.”
So Commander Tian was actually one of fourth prince Ye
Rong’s men, Jiang Chen smiled with understanding. “Tell the fourth prince that
if he’s not at liberty to intervene in this matter, he can just wait and see. I
won’t blame him. I’m rather curious though, just who is General Lu? What
relations does he have with the Northern Palace?”
Commander Tian sighed lightly, “It’s a long story. The
Northern Palace has always been domineering amongst the four great sites and
have always subtly styled themselves as the first amongst the four. Whether
it’s the Northern Palace or General Lu, they’re all quite close to the first
prince. The first prince is one of the hot contenders to be the next ruler and
the one with the highest amount of support.”
Jiang Chen had an overall understanding after Commander
Tian’s simplified summary.
Whether it was the Northern Palace or General Lu, the great
backer behind them was the first prince of the Skylaurel Kingdom and a
contender to be the future Crown Prince.
“This is to say that my careless execution of a robber
unintentionally triggered both veiled strife and hidden struggles between the
princes?” Jiang Chen couldn’t help but laugh ruefully. He hadn’t thought either
that the situation within the Skylaurel Kingdom was this sensitive, and that a
small matter could cause such large ripples.
“It would likely be a small exaggeration to say that this
gave rise to a conflict between the princes. But it’s obvious that the first
prince wishes to make use of this opportunity to suppress the fourth prince.
This has been clearly indicated from various details.”
Suppress the fourth prince?
Jiang Chen was a bit ticked off. Make an example of me
because of conflicts between you princes? So what if you’re the first prince?
It wasn’t that Jiang Chen liked to cause trouble, but that
the Northern Palace had been the one to start this entire matter.
“Does this count as beating the dog before the lion? I’m
that poor dog and the fourth prince is the lion?” Jiang Chen laughed coldly.
Commander Tian stared dumbly for a second and also laughed
ruefully. “The first prince kills decisively. In his eyes, there’s no one who
cannot be sacrificed. If he wishes to kill someone, it’s as easy as stepping on
an ant for him.”
“An ant?” Jiang Chen smiled in his anger. “Good, very good.
What a fantastic show of beating the dog before the lion. However, even if he
views me as a chicken waiting for the slaughter, I’m afraid he’s going to be
disappointed this time.”
“Oh?” Commander Tian’s eyes gleamed.
Jiang Chen laughed faintly before he sat down crossed legged
with a flourish, simply deciding to close his eyes and speak no further.
Commander Tian opened his mouth but ultimately decided not
to ask further. He cupped his hands to say, “Brother, my power is limited with
regards to matters above me and I cannot intervene. Here however, even if
General Lu makes an appearance to suppress me, I still won’t let you suffer one
iota. My power can only reach this far.”
“Alright, Commander Tian has a great heart. I, Jiang Chen,
will remember this favor.” Jiang Chen nodded calmly. He also knew that
Commander Tian spoke truly and was a person of solid character.
…
A female disciple was standing outside the door of a certain
room within one of the strongholds of the Southern Palace within the capital.
She spoke respectfully, “Elder Ning, there’s a man around 30 or so years old
who petitions to see you.”
“A man?” A gentle yet somewhat lazy voice traveled out from
within. “Who is it?”
“Your disciple has ignorant eyes and couldn’t recognize him.
It looks like he’s not one of the nobles of the kingdom.”
“Did he say why he wished to see me?” Elder Ning asked
again.
“He did, it seems to have something to do with the Wishing
Tower. However, he didn’t go into specifics on precisely what. He only wanted
your disciple to notify you as soon as possible and was afraid that a delay
would bungle matters.”
“The Wishing Tower?” Elder Ning’s originally noncommittal
voice suddenly became a little unsettled. “Are you sure you’ve heard
correctly?”
“Your disciple heard very clearly. He did indeed mention the
Wishing Tower.”
“Hurry, bade him come in. And, no one is allowed to disturb
me while I receive my guest.” Elder Ning threw off her usual lethargy and gave
hasty orders.
“Yes.” The disciple was a bit baffled. Why did Elder Ning
turn into someone else when the Wishing Tower was mentioned?
Footsteps sounded outside the courtyard after a moment. An
exceedingly magnetic voice rang out, “Foreigner Qiao Baishi petitions to see
Elder Ning.”
“Come in.”
The lazy voice caused Qiao Baishi’s body to shudder vaguely,
involuntarily reacting in a way that he shouldn’t have.
Chapter 149: Ordering Around Two Heavyweights
Qiao Baishi recollected his senses and pulled himself
together before pushing and entering through the door. What greeted him was a
fragrance that gladdened his heart and refreshed his mind, giving him the
feeling of having mistakenly stumbled into a lady’s boudoir.
He lifted his head to see a well arranged room. It was akin
to the room of an unmarried girl from a respectable, cultured family. There
were several hints of the charming playfulness of a young girl amidst luxurious
opulence.
If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, Qiao Baishi would’ve
been hard pressed to believe that this was the room of a middle aged female
elder.
“Qiao Baishi? Hehe, can it it be that I know little of what
goes on in this world recently? When did our Skylaurel Kingdom gain another
young, handsome genius in the world of pills?”
Qiao Baishi was thirty some years old and it wasn’t quite a
stretch to label him as a young, handsome genius.
Qiao Baishi cupped his hands and chuckled, “Your praise is
far too high, far too high. It’s rather Elder Ning who is a national beauty and
possesses the wondrous reputation of an unaging legend. Although I’ve always
humbly abided in the Eastern Kingdom, I too have long admired your name.”
That so-called “unaging legend” was naturally fulsome
flattery.
But these two words had flair and innovation to them. They
were different from the usual tripe.
Indeed, when Elder Ning heard these words, she was naturally
pleased and a smile like spring blossomed on a face from which age was impossible
to discern.
“An unaging legend? Who said that? How come I’ve never heard
it before?” Elder Ning’s exquisite eyes danced. Light rippled through her
naturally mesmerizing eyes, as though water would drip out at any point.
“Eh? Elder Ning has never heard of this before? But of
course, elder, you are a sage, indifferent to wealth and fame, aloof and
detached from public opinion. You no longer care about your reputation in the
outside world.”
Another wave of fulsome flattery came crashing over and the
smile on Elder Ning’s face became even more unconcealed.
“Hehehehe…” Elder Ning smiled. “Qiao Baishi, is it? You are
truly an interesting person. Did you say you come from the Eastern Kingdom just
now?”
“Yes.”
“The Eastern Kingdom is quite far from here, what brings you
to the Skylaurel Kingdom?”
“Would you believe me if I said I was attracted by your
fame? You probably don’t know that in the noble circles of the Eastern Kingdom,
all of us admire your sketches in private. The noble circles take pride in
collecting your sketches. Although I too desire to collect them, unfortunately,
my funds are low and I have no way of competing with those great nobles. I
truly hold regrets within my heart. However, now that I’ve been received by you
in person, I will have much to boast about when I go back this time.”
Qiao Baishi scratched his head quite “honestly” when he
spoke of this and laughed dumbly.
One had to say, women should never listen to men’s lies.
Qiao Baishi’s lies had reached the level of being truer than the truth, giving
Elder Ning no choice but to believe his words.
Elder Ning was obsessed with beauty and was exceedingly
narcissistic. Add that to the fact that she did possess uncommon beauty and was
talented at dressing herself up, she looked twenty years old even at an age
greater than forty.
This was what she’d always been proud of.
She’d had a stiff face on originally and wanted to see what
this foreigner had come for, but now that Qiao Baishi had flattered and teased
her, she was all giggles and a flutter, unable to remain reserved even if she
wanted to.
Retracting her smile with some effort, she patted her chest,
“Alright, Qiao Baishi, I admit that I’m starting to admire you a bit. Did you
say you were here on behalf of the Wishing Tower?”
“Yes.” Qiao Baishi didn’t deny this at all. “I’m here to
grant Elder Ning’s wish.”
“What?” Elder Ning found it even more difficult to remain
reserved. She surged to her feet and padded over with her bare, jade-like feet.
“You can grant my wish? Do you know what wish I’ve made?”
“Of course! You wish to remain ever young and maintain an
unaging appearance for the next thirty years.”
“You… you really have the methods to do that?” Elder Ning’s
eyes widened greatly as fervent expectation suffused her charming eyes. Her
expression was one anxious for a personal favor and worried that she would lose
it, as if deathly afraid that Qiao Baishi would give a negative answer.
“If I didn’t have the ability to, how would I dare call upon
you?” Qiao Baishi smiled.
“But, why me?”
Qiao Baishi spread out his hands. “There are not that many
why’s and how’s. There’s a saying in our Eastern Kingdom that women are in
charge of appearing as beautiful as flowers, whereas men are in charge of
earning money and supporting the family. Women exist to be beautiful and to
pursue beauty is both part of their innate nature and their responsibility. Men
have the heaven sent task of thinking of various methods to protect a woman’s
beauty.”
“Haha what!” When had Elder Ning ever heard such refreshing
words before? She was so delighted that flowers were blooming in her heart. She
was also filled with curiosity towards Qiao Baishi at the same time, but she
spoke in false, cute anger, “Don’t you tease me and exaggerate as if we’re
husband and wife.”
“Heh heh, I spoke in error. However, should it not naturally
be the greatest wish of all men beneath heaven to fulfill Elder Ning’s wishes?”
Elder Ning was so amused by these words that she couldn’t
stop smiling and laughing as she completely discarded the image of a demure
lady. She was beside herself with joy and was almost capering with joy on the
spot.
“Mm mm, Qiao Baishi, I realize that I admire you more and
more. I’ve decided that no matter whether or not you can help me fulfill my
wish, I will hire you to be my assistant. And, I will help you obtain the
identity of a fifth rank noble to the best of my abilities. You are simply too
interesting!”
Elder Ning had promised the position of a sixth rank noble
and simultaneous recruitment as a follower on the wish scroll.
But now, the position of follower had turned into assistant
and the sixth rank noble had risen to a fifth rank noble. One could see from
this just how amused Elder Ning was by Qiao Baishi.
Qiao Baishi made use of every single second, sighing, “Elder
Ning, to be honest, this matter had been one hundred percent assured of
success. But, I have a business partner who’s gotten himself into a bit of a
sticky situation. Now, I have a pill recipe in my hands for retaining youthful
looks named the Four Seasons Eternal Spring Pill, but it lacks that last bit of
medicinal lead.”
“What sticky situation?” Elder Ning was a bit panicked when
she heard these words.
“Well, here’s the situation. My friend obtained this recipe
through a fortuitous encounter. He gave me the recipe, but didn’t give me the
last ingredient. He was waiting for me to finish gathering money before giving
me the last ingredient.”
“Money isn’t an issue. How much is he asking for?” Elder
Ning wasn’t short on money at all.
“I’ve already gathered the money, but now he’s been caught
up a matter that seems a bit tricky to handle.” Qiao Baishi said with a bit of
depression.
He was purposely taking this circuitous path to make Elder
Ning’s heart anxious, to make her curious, make her itch in the heart but be
unable to scratch it, and to make her ask voluntarily.
“Just what has happened?” Elder Ning was frantic. “I have
quite a network within the Skylaurel Kingdom. What matters can possibly exist
that my Southern Palace can’t handle?”
“He killed someone.”
“So he killed someone. How big of a matter is this? I’ll
immediately send someone to bring him out. The Dragonteeth Guard locked him up
right?” Elder Ning was quite straightforward.
“He killed a robber.”
“A robber? Since when was it a crime to kill a criminal?
Does the Dragonteeth Guard even know how to handle their cases anymore?”
“The main thing was that the robber he beat to death comes
from quite a strong background.” Qiao Baishi continued to lead her on.
“A strong background? As strong as this background is, is it
bigger than even mine, an elder of the Southern Palace?” Elder Ning snorted
delicately and was a bit displeased.
Qiao Baishi sighed, “To speak candidly, he beat to death a
disciple of the Northern Palace.”
“The Northern Palace?” Elder Ning exclaimed softly, and then
immediately nodded meaningfully. “I truly do believe you now. The Northern
Palace has always had the style of bandits and villainous thieves.”
“Ai, I’ve heard that the Northern Palace is giving the
Dragonteeth Guard a lot of pressure to make this case of justified self defense
into one of murdering someone on the street. They seemed to have sent out the
tough message to discourage anyone of even thinking about going against them in
this issue, no matter who it is who makes an appearance or how much face this
person can command.”
“Such an egotistic tone!” Elder Ning was long since become
drunk on the brew that Qiao Baishi had been offering. How would she possibly
give thought to the idea that the connotations of Qiao Baishi’s words were to
direct her to a certain conclusion and even to purposefully stoke her anger?
“I’d like to see how this is the case. This is still the
land of the Ye family and the territory of the Skylaurel Kingdom. So the Northern
Palace runs rampant in the western region of the kingdom, do they seek to blot
out the sky with one hand in the capital as well?
“Qiao Baishi, I’ll write a note for you. Give it to the
Dragonteeth Guard and have them handle the case impartially.”
Elder Ning was an elder who had actual power within the
Southern Palace. Her position was high and her influence strong. She was ranked
slightly lower than only a few people. Her words held great authority within
the Southern Palace, and she was a notable character within the Skylaurel
Kingdom.
Her note wouldn’t be any less important than those of nobles
and officials holding power at court.
Qiao Baishi was overjoyed upon hearing these words, “Things
will be easy with the elder’s personal note. This is the recipe that I’ve
received. I offer it to you for your perusal first. Once my friend is released
and the recipe is combined with the last ingredient, then the Four Seasons
Eternal Spring Pill will come to fruition!”
Elder Ning happily accepted the recipe, the evaluation of
Qiao Baishi in her heart rising another level again. She thought that Qiao
Baishi was definitely sensible since he didn’t attempt to hide or withhold the
recipe. Who would’ve thought that a man from a small place like the Eastern Kingdom
would have a greater bearing than the men of the Skylaurel Kingdom?
…
The capital, in the Myriad Treasures Palace.
There were two people who held actual power within the
Myriad Treasures -- one of them was the head, Zhuge Yan, and the other was the
vice head Shi Xiaoyao.
At this moment, vice head Shi Xiaoyao was sitting in his
yard and leisurely tasting wine.
This time every day was the moment he enjoyed fine wine. He
had maintained this habit for decades, unshakable under any circumstances. He’d
still have to have his wine even if the sky was caving in.
It wasn’t until he’d drank the last drop of wine, put down the
wine cup and smacked his tongue and lips that he sighed, “Fine wine must be
had, but it’s a pity that although there is much fine wine beneath the heavens,
only their taste is good. Those that are fine to the point of striking one’s
heart and soul are as rare as the feathers of a phoenix and horn of a unicorn.
What a pity… a pity… when can I have another sip of the Nine Magnificence Dew
Wine?”
Like a blemish in an otherwise perfect thing, vice head Shi
gave a drunken belch. This kind of life was most satisfying and enjoyable to
him.
Seeing that at last, he had finally finished drinking his
wine, a follower cautiously approached him. “Sire, there’s a Myriad Treasures
disciple called Feng Yan waiting outside, asking to see you. He’s waited for
about an hour upon hearing that you were tasting wine inside.”
“Feng Yan?” Vice head Shi narrowed his eyes. His mind did
seem to remember that there was a such a disciple within the Myriad Treasures
Palace.
Except, there were thousands and tens of thousands of these
sorts of disciples within the Myriad Treasures Palace. Shi Xiaoyao could only
remember his name.
“What, do you think that I have that much time on my hands?
So much so that even an ordinary disciple can come and ask for an audience?”
Shi Xiaoyao’s temper was even more proud and aloof than Elder Ning’s.
“No… not at all. Your subordinate also hinted to him that
with his status, he had no right to directly ask for an audience. But, no
matter what I said, that fellow wouldn’t leave. He seemed quite anxious from
his appearance.”
“When did our Myriad Treasures Palace accept such a disciple
who doesn’t understand the rules?” Shi Xiaoyao’s face darkened as he became
unhappy.
“He said he was so bold as to ask for an audience because of
a Wishing Tower matter.” The subordinate had to respond honestly.
“What? Wishing Tower?” Shi Xiaoyao who had originally been
lethargic seemed as though he had been suddenly been revived and pumped full of
blood. His body sprang up like a spring. “Where is he? Quick, send him in. What
the hell are you guys doing, why didn’t you notify me of such a big happening
earlier?”
Chapter 150: Vice Head Shi is Quite Enraged
“Disciple Feng Yan greets Vice Head Shi. Your disciple is
fearful because he has requested for an audience above his level. I ask that
the vice head’s pardon this disciple’s crime of impoliteness.” Feng Yan immediately
knelt on the floor in fear when he entered, making his posture quite low.
He also knew that the vice head’s temper was erratic, and
that he was renowned for not being easy to get along with; he’d taken a risk in
paying a formal visit. If he angered the eccentric vice head, life wouldn’t be
easy for him.
“Cut your blather, I don’t buy any of this.” Shi Xiaoyao
flourished his sleeves and lifted Feng Yan’s body up. “Stand up properly and
explain to me, what’s going on with the Wishing Tower? If you dare to hoodwink
me, heh heh, do you dare to believe that I won’t skin you alive and pull out
your tendons, right here, and right now?”
This wasn’t a threat. Duping the vice head was absolutely a
towering, heinous crime. There wouldn’t even be a venue for an appeal if he was
killed.
Feng Yan’s position in the Myriad Treasures Palace wasn’t
high, and he had no backer. If this wasn’t true, he wouldn’t go to the
transaction area to conduct business. Any self-respecting disciple would be
contemptful of anything that required him to put his face on the line like
this.
It was precisely because Feng Yan had no status and no
patron, that he’d always liked to take risks, believing that money came from
danger.
He’d chatted up Jiang Chen partially because of his own
consideration of this aspect; he wanted to wrestle a future through his
interactions with Jiang Chen.
Shi Xiaoyao had spoken. Feng Yan thus knew that he was an
arrow that had left the bow already, and that had no possible return.
He simply bolstered his courage and spoke truthfully, “In
response to you, sir, your disciple has met a unique person at the transaction
fair of the Azure Heaven Southern Palace. He gave me a list and told me to
convey it to you sir. He said to mention the Wishing Tower if you weren’t
willing to meet. Your disciple was requested by others to do this thing, and
had originally also thought of this matter as a bit ridiculous. However, this
person took out a Supreme Rank Vast Ocean Pill as if it was nothing to him,
making your disciple unable to dismiss this matter very easily.”
“A Supreme Rank Vast Ocean Pill?” Even Shi Xiaoyao was a bit
startled by this. “Does such a thing actually exist in our Skylaurel Kingdom?”
“Your disciple has little learning, and it was also the
first time that I’ve seen such a thing. That was indeed a Supreme Rank Vast
Ocean Pill, and it could recover seventy percent true qi instantaneously.”
Shi Xiaoyao waved his hands, “This doesn’t count as little
learning. I’ve lived a darned long period of time, and have never seen a pill that
could recover seventy percent true qi in the field of qi replenishing pills.
However, as good as this Vast Ocean Pill is, it’s only useful in the true qi
realm. It’s still of little value in the spirit realm.”
“The Headmaster’s words are logical.” Feng Yan could only go
along with Shi Xiaoyao’s tone.
“Where is this list that you spoke of?” Shi Xiaoyao had
flagging interest. He had walked through countless places over these years, but
had never had another sip of the Nine Magnificence Dew Wine.
He didn’t think that a person who Feng Yan had randomly met
would be able to fulfill his wish for him.
Feng Yan carefully took out the list and handed it over
respectfully to the vice head.
Shi Xiaoyao took the list, flicked a glance at it when he
opened it, and his brows suddenly arching slightly.
As he continued to read further, Shi Xiaoyao’s brows
unconsciously knit into furrowed rows. When he got halfway down the page, Shi
Xiaoyao abruptly surged to his feet and reached out to grab Feng Yan by the
throat.
“Speak, where is this person? Where is he? Hurry and speak!”
This unexpected move greatly startled Feng Yan. He thought
that Shi Xiaoyao wanted to wipe him out.
Upon seeing that spittle was flying wildly from Shi Xiaoyao
in his haste to find out where Jiang Chen was, Feng Yan finally vaguely understood
that perhaps there was something uncommon about this list.
Shi Xiaoyao seemed to have realized that his sudden, abrupt
moves may have frightened Feng Yan. He immediately released his hand lamely and
mumbled, “Don’t be so cowardly will you? I could wipe you out with a flick of
my finger if I wanted to. Not bad, not bad, you’re called Feng Yan is it?
You’ve accomplished a great deed this time. I’ll make you an administrator
after this.”
It was as if Feng Yan had been electrocuted all over by this
small speech, and he was utterly dumbfounded. When vice head Shi had leapt up
just now, he’d thought that everything was over. Who would’ve thought that his
next words would be to make him an administrator?
The great rises and falls of life truly came too abruptly.
Giving an ordinary disciple the position of an administrator
all of sudden was equivalent to suddenly rising more than three levels, like a
carp making its way up a waterfall, hoping to become a dragon.
“What? Are you shocked senseless, or beside yourself with
joy?” Shi Xiaoyao raised his hand, preparing to fling a slap over.
Feng Yan was rudely awakened as he hastily spoke, “He… he’s
been taken away by the Dragonteeth Guard.”
“What?!” Shi Xiaoyao sent the chair next to him flying with
one kick. “What the hell, which f*cking idiot had such nerve? Didn’t you tell
them that this person had connections with me?”
“I… your disciple didn’t dare say. What if he was a fraud?
Wouldn’t that have besmirched your noble reputation?” Feng Yan was also quite
regretful at this moment. Why hadn’t he had a stiffer attitude in the
beginning, and said a few words in Jiang Chen’s defense?
Shi Xiaoyao hopped up on one foot and cursed loudly.
“Useless dunce! Go now and get the hell over to the Dragonteeth Guard! Tell
them to immediately release that person, right now!”
The vaunted vice head of the Myriad Treasures Palace was an
esteemed personage within the Skylaurel Kingdom, especially within the capital.
Any random word from Shi Xiaoyao was enough to send tremors through the
capital. Even the general director of the Dragonteeth Guard had to give him
some face.
After all, the Dragonteeth Guard only took care of things
for the royal family, whereas the Myriad Treasures Palace took care of things
for the Precious Tree Sect.
Although the Skylaurel Kingdom was great, it was still a
kingdom that depended on the Precious Tree Sect. Without the patronage of the
Precious Tree Sect, what right would it have to number amongst the foremost
within the sixteen kingdom’s alliance?
Having received Shi Xiaoyao’s order, Feng Yan was greatly
reassured. He knew that this was a chance. If he could handle this matter
appropriately, then the position of administrator might very well materialize
thanks to Jiang Chen.
“Your disciple will go now and convey your words.”
“Get the hell over there now!”
Although he was being cussed at left and right, Feng Yan’s
heart was as sweet as if he’d drunken honey. He knew that after he’d held on
for so many years, he was finally seeing a glimmer of a chance.
“Just what did Jiang Chen write in that list? Why was it
like the vice head had seen a pill of eternal life when he read it?” Although
Feng Yan was curious, he didn’t dare to ask too many questions. He knew that it
was enough to finish the tasks within his responsibilities. He should never ask
about matters that he shouldn’t know about.
…
The capital, one of the Qingyang Valley’s strongholds.
“Kid, you better take a good look at what this place is if
you want to cause trouble. The territory of the Qingyang Valley isn’t a place
where you fellows can behave as you want to.” A Qingyang Valley disciple said
with a very irked tone.
“Cut your blather. I’ll say this again, I’m here to deliver
a message.” Xue Tong’s brow was also vaguely furrowed.
“Why don’t you stop joking around and look at yourself in
the mirror. The likes of you sending a message to Elder Fei? Do you know Elder
Fei’s status? He’s the head instructor of the Qingyang Palace. Is he someone
you can meet just because you want to?”
Xue Tong was also startled. They’d known that the strange
old man was a senior executive within the Qingyang Palace, but they hadn’t
thought that he’d be the head instructor!
At this moment, Wen Ziqi made a courteous greeting. “Big
brother, we’re really here to bring a message to Elder Fei. How can we make you
believe us?”
“How could we believe you?” The disciple’s tone turned
slightly better when he saw that Wen Ziqi was a gentle beauty. “He just said
that all of you had passed through Qingyang Valley earlier and talked with
Elder Fei. Who are you kidding with these words? Foreigners have to be a
medicine servant for twenty years when they enter the Valley, that’s the rule.
And yet I see that none of you are past twenty years old?”
Wen Ziqi smiled ruefully. No wonder the other didn’t believe
them. That was the rule!
They couldn’t fault him either. None of them were over
twenty years old. No one would believe them if they said that they’d been
medicine servants for twenty years.
“Big brother, the young master of my house isn’t an ordinary
person. He has an agreement with Elder Fei. Besides, your Elder Fei has two
medicine boys called Big Egg and Second Egg. This is true, right?”
“You know Big Egg and Second Egg?” The disciple was
startled. Big Egg and Second Egg had always remained within the depths of the
Valley, and never ventured out. Those who’d never entered the Valley truly
wouldn’t know of them. Could this group of people really have something to do
with Elder Fei?
Upon seeing that he was hesitating, Wen Ziqi smiled
slightly. “I also know that your Elder Fei has been searching for the Mystic
Ruler Grass all these years. This is also true, right?”
“What?” The disciple was greatly startled. “You know even
this?”
“Not only do we know this, but we also know that Elder Fei
wishes to refine the Peaceful Ruler Pill. It’s a pity that the Mystic Ruler
Grass is just too difficult to find, and thus Elder Fei is still empty handed
to this day.”
“This… this… this, can you really…”
Qiao Shan had always been an impatient sort, and couldn’t
hold it in anymore. “This, this, this, what? You’re the one with all the
useless blather. Our young master has said, ‘if Elder Fei is still thinking
about what he wants, then get the hell to the capital immediately.’ If he’s
late, he won’t even be able to find a place to cry.”
Qiao Chuang patted the counter and raised his voice. “Did
you hear that? Do we need to repeat it again? The young master of my house is a
friend of many years with your house’s old man Fei. It’s your house’s old man
who went out on a limb to beg our house’s young master. Don’t go and think that
it’s our young master who’s sucking up to old man Fei. You get my drift?”
These two brothers both had brash personalities. They
swaggered out the door after saying their piece.
As the captain, Xue Tong could only laugh ruefully and shrug
his shoulders, saying to the disciple, “My two brothers are a bit more crude.
However, although their words are a bit piercing to the ears, they speak the
truth. This matter is of great urgency. If Elder Fei wants what he desires,
then he must immediately make it into the capital and tell the Dragonteeth
Guard to hand over our young master.”
“Remember, delays spoil an important affair. You won’t be
able to redeem yourself even if you have ten heads to spare.” Guo Jin also
sighed lightly and walked away, shaking his head.
The Qingyang Valley disciple was completely befuddled as he
watched the strange group of youths walk away. He couldn’t recover for the
longest time.
When he finally sorted out his thoughts, his expression
suddenly changed drastically. “This is bad, these people were so detailed about
Elder Fei’s matters. Their words are likely true. What Dragonteeth Guard, can
it be that their young master has offended the Dragonteeth Guard and they’re
waiting for Elder Fei to go and save him?!”
“Can it be that their young master has what Elder Fei
wants?”
“This is bad, activate the thousand li transmission skill
immediately, and ask Elder Fei to travel to the capital as soon as possible!”
…
The Black Dungeons area of the Dragonteeth Guard.
General Lu was currently in the midst of throwing a fit.
“You dumb animals dare to agree outwardly, but disagree at heart. You dare give
this kid a single holding cell, when I told you to put him into the Black
Dungeons? What? Do you think I want this kid to have a vacation in the Black
Dungeons?”
The faces of the Dragonteeth Guards were all ashen from
their fear as they cowered on the ground.
Commander Tian stood with a ghastly pale face to the side,
“General Lu, don’t beat around the bush. They’re my men, it’s I who had them do
so.”
Commander Tian lived up to his reputation of shielding his
own men alright. He stood out at this moment in order to shoulder all the
responsibility, making the other Dragonteeth Guards feel quite grateful.
“Tian Shao, what do you mean by this? Is it that I, a
general, can’t even command the men beneath you?” General Lu’s tone turned
frosty.
“Vice General Lu, I truly don’t recall that I had a
character such as you as one of my supervisors. The general of my troop is
surnamed Qiu, and the vice general is surnamed Chen. I truly don’t know what
basis Vice General Lu has to command my men on.”
Tian Shao’s tone was neither rushed nor hurried, neither
cringing nor arrogant, and wasn’t stopped in his tracks by General Lu’s aura,
but rather argued with logic and reason.
