Sovereign Of The Three Realms Chapter 61-65

Sovereign Of The Three Realms

(SOTR)

Chapter 61: Encountering an Attack

“Jiang Han territory... Jiang Chen?” Madame Jade murmured, chewing over this name. Suddenly, a beam of startlingly bright light shot out of those alluring eyes. “Jiang Han Territory! Jiang Chen!”

Madame Jade slapped her thigh and sighed, “Qi’er, you’ve missed out on quite a bit of fortune that would've been the making of you. Could this Jiang Chen be the young duke of the Jiang Han territory?”

“Young duke?” The girls of the Star Argus Palace had all recovered their movement ability by now, and were in no hurry to put their clothes back on since there wasn’t anyone else in the cave.

Upon hearing the words, “young duke”, some of the girls displayed lovesick expressions.

Although they were the disciples of a sect, and even the geniuses of a sect, the Star Argus Palace was after all, just a sect in the Tianhu territory.

The Tianhu territory was ranked in the lower half of the 108 dukes of the kingdom.

Whereas Jiang Han was an upper second rank dukedom, garrisoning the southern border of the kingdom. Its position was high, and its power hefty. When this position was compared to them, the former was in the heavens, and the other was on the ground.

They had all personally seen that person’s methods just now, not mentioning anything else.

Even the Lotus Harvester, who no one on this earth could seem to beat, was as if a child that had just learned how to walk in front of him. One throwing dagger was enough to end the Lotus Harvester, who had rampaged through the Tianhu territory.

“Young duke, really a young duke?” A female disciple on the left rubbed her jade shoulders as her tone turned exceedingly lovesick. “Dammit, why didn’t he look at me a few more times? Honored master, would you say this young duke has heavy tastes? He seems to like looking at you, you old woman?”

Madame Jade’s face darkened, “Am I old?”

“Hehe, a bit older than us at least.” These disciples were obviously very spoiled as they showed no respect for their elder Madame Jade.

As for Wen Ziqi, she had been silent all along and didn’t display any particular lovesick appearance. Her easily embarrassed fair face seemed to be deep in thought.

Madame Jade cast a glance at Wen Ziqi and sighed, “Qi’er, a joke is a joke, you must be more carefree. Don’t sink into it. Some people are destined to be an existence that you and I cannot clamber up to.”

Wen Ziqi’s face flushed red again, “Honored master, what are you talking about! He and us met by chance, like patches of drifting duckweed. He came chasing the Lotus Harvester under orders, and only happened to also simultaneously save us. Your disciple only feels gratitude for him saving our lives, nothing else.

“Is that so?” Madame Jade sighed lightly. “You, the infatuated one, have always had a personality that would sink into infatuation since you were small. As your master, I am afraid that once something takes root in your heart, you will be unable to extricate yourself from it for the rest of your life.”

Wen Ziqi didn’t say another word, but in her mind, a lingering feeling hovered around the image of a dashing and handsome figure.

“Looks like this young duke Jiang is participating in the Hidden Dragon Trials, and has come here to execute one of the missions of the Trials.” Madame Jade was the master of a sect after all, and still had this bit of knowledge.

“Hidden Dragon Trials? What’s that?”

“That is held to determine if all the great dukes in the kingdom can retain their dukedoms. The youths who can participate in the Hidden Dragon Trials are all the cream of the crop. Take Qi’er, who, at six meridians true qi is a genius that appears only once in a hundred years for our sect - it’s said that she would be at the bottom of the ladder in the Hidden Dragon Trials.”

Madame Jade was also full of awe - as if she beheld a high mountain - when she spoke of the Hidden Dragon Trials.

The lovestruck disciple asked, “Honored master, what level is this young duke Jiang?”

“Your master cannot see clearly either. But someone who can kill the Lotus Harvester should be equal in influence and power... so his training must be at least eight or nine meridians. Taking it one step further, he may even be a true qi master!”

“What? True qi master?” The lovesick disciple was utterly dumbfounded, saying gloomily, “Honored master, I wish the young duke Jiang was a frivolous type. That way, I, Ouyang Fei’s, first time, could at least be given to a future true qi master.”

“Hehe, Fei’er, continue to be lovesick. Even if the young duke Jiang wished to grace someone with his presence, he would grace the honored master or junior sister Ziqi. You were completely naked just now and he didn’t even look twice at you.”

“Huh! Qiao’er you’re just jealous. Although I didn’t give my first time to the young duke Jiang, but I, Ouyang Fei can say proudly that the first man to see me naked was an exalted young duke Jiang, a future true qi master. But you? Your clothes were still on your body just now, weren’t they? Do you feel regret? Dejected? Hahaha….”

This Ouyang Fei was indeed a lovesick girl of the first class to actually use this matter to compare, as if having Jiang Chen look at your body was the greatest honor.

Madame Jade could only shake her head and smile wryly. She was the one who knew her own disciples the best.

Except, when the disciple named Qiao’er said that Jiang Chen would grace her, Madame Jade first, her ears grow hot without any cause and it felt as if countless numbers of small insects were crawling all over her body, creating a numbing and ticklish sensation. Several sensitive areas on her body also agitated with hot currents as they all turned as moist as a bog in the span of a moment.

A baffling hint of desire flashed through Madame Jade’s eyes as she thought of those scenes, and she even had the feeling of extreme expectation.

Some terribly embarrassing scenes flashed through her mind, like those of Jiang Chen being as depraved as the Lotus Harvester and taking advantage of their perilous state to take both her and her disciples.

If she hadn’t known of Jiang Chen’s identity, Madame Jade would have surely felt humiliated.

But now that she knew Jiang Chen’s identity, the mindset of worshipping and admiring the strong made her feel that even if she were to service this young genius along with her disciples, it didn’t seem to be an entirely outrageous and unacceptable thing.

When she thought of the moments of passion, her whole body shook lightly as if it had been electrocuted. Madame Jade shook her head forcefully and threw those ridiculous thoughts to the back of her mind.

“Jiang Han territory... Jiang Chen…” Wen Ziqi, on the other hand, was beyond innocent. She repeated this name in her mind many times.

She knew that her honored master had been right about her.

Some seeds were planted unknowingly, and could no longer be cast off once it’d taken root and germinated.

But, why extricate herself from it? Wasn’t this a type of happiness, to be able to sink into it? Strands of sweet emotions floated up in Wen Ziqi’s heart.

There was a dream of a young boyish hero in every young girl’s heart. Particularly when she met danger. This young boyish hero would appear in the nick of time, and make vigorous efforts to turn back the tide.

Wen Ziqi also had the same young girl’s dream.

Therefore, Jiang Chen’s dashing back profile when he left, was destined to become a brand in Wen Ziqi’s heart that would forever be difficult to obliterate.

After completing the first mission, Jiang Chen pushed on his return to the capital without stopping.

Jiang Chen did not relax his guard as he galloped at full speed. The closer he drew to the capital, the more wary he became. He knew that he could employ some methods to shake off his pursuers when he left the capital.

But this was the only portion that must be passed upon returning to the capital, and couldn’t be avoided.

“It’s most likely that an opponent will lay an ambush for me here, if he wishes to scheme against me.”

This was a mountain pass with a dark mass of trees and shrubbery on the sides, an exceedingly easy place to set up an ambush.

Jiang Chen highly deployed his Ear of the Zephyr as he galloped on the horse, partnering it with the mental strength of “Boulder’s Heart”. Although he was galloping swiftly on the back of a horse, he could fully take in all the potential dangers around him within a thousand meters.

Suddenly, Jiang Chen’s arms pressed down lightly on the saddle as he flipped himself like a hawk, his body suddenly shooting towards the sky from the saddle.

Under habitual urging, the steed actually didn’t stop and continued rushing forward.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

More than ten sharp arrows shot out from the sides of the mountain pass, and they all landed on the steed, covering almost all possible angles.

The horse gave one long scream and fell down with a thud, meeting a violent death then and there.

The long whip in Jiang Chen’s hand shuddered as this specially made long whip was suddenly flung out. It was about ten feet long and coiled like a dragon.

The whip oscillated and gave rise to layers of true qi ripples, rippling out with Jiang Chen as the center. The oscillating true qi expanded through the long whip and caused strings of sonic booms to sound in thin air.

“What scoundrels are there, show yourself!”

Jiang Chen stood in the middle of the path with the long whip in his hand, with his aura growing steadily by itself.

With him as the center, the true qi given rise by the long whip had actually formed currents in a true qi vortex, protecting himself.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…

Five black clad killers leapt out from the sides of the road.

“He’s the one, kill him!”

The five black clad killer were obviously well trained, as they didn’t waste time talking with Jiang Chen. They didn’t waste a single word as they locked onto their target, and rushed towards him without a care for their lives.

Jiang Chen’s long whip danced again as it gave rise to circles of true qi, blocking these five people and keeping them outside the circle.

“Don’t be afraid everyone! At most we’ll be hit once, the long whip can’t kill all of us!”

These people were indeed exceedingly fierce and brave. They actually ignored the damage brought upon by the long whip, and, whilst wielding the weapons in their hand and protecting their vitals, pounced on Jiang Chen with extreme speed.

Bang, bang!

The long whip simultaneously hit two black clad killers.

The two were exceedingly fierce and brave, and they actually entwined the long whip around their arms after being hit and thoroughly hampered the whip’s movement.

“Brothers, go, chop him to death with random blows!”

The two hit by the long whip were spewing out blood, but still grimaced in a smile as they waved their companions forward. They absolutely had the posture of pitting their lives against Jiang Chen’s.

“A bunch of crazies!”

Jiang Chen apparently hadn’t anticipated just how foolhardy the others would be.

However, Jiang Chen had actually already made his preparations before the five had started their attacks. He completed ignored the three’s attacks.

His body moved like lightning to evade the attacks from the three, the nameless saber in his hand never made it out of its scabbard, instead materializing its cutting edge out of true qi, flashing past the necks of the two injured killers.

First form of the “Vast Ocean Current Splitter” - Wave Slash!

Pfft, pfft!

Two excellent heads were harvested and repeated by Jiang Chen.

In the switch off between positions, Jiang Chen had executed two, and the remaining three had ended up behind Jiang Chen.

“Being able to activate the blade’s edge without drawing it from the scabbard, this kid is also of the advanced realm of true qi?” The other three killers were all startled.

“Kid, you killed my companions, you must die today!”

“Kill him!”

The three killers had already deployed vanishing body forms as they formed a 品 formation, attacking towards Jiang Chen.

“Huh.”

Jiang Chen laughed coldly as his body wavered, bounding ahead to the front. He darted on without looking back.

“Kid, where are you going?”

Jiang Chen’s body abruptly halted as he smiled faintly, “Do I need to tell someone who’s about to die where I’m going?”

“Someone who’s about to die? Kid, do you think with just you-”

“Oh no, I can’t bring up my true qi.”

“Poison? The kid had already laid down poison with the first true qi activation of the long whip?”

“Tell me, are you working to the death for the duke of Soaring Dragon?!” Jiang Chen said coldly. “If you answer straightforwardly, then I will also deal with you straightforwardly. Otherwise, you can wait to see each part of your body rot away and turn putrid, dying in slow agony when the poison activates.”

 

Chapter 62: Sharply Counterattacking the Long Family

These three men were all trained warriors who were willing to die for their mission from the Soaring Dragon manor. They were, ordinarily, wholly unafraid of dying - but there was a sense of terror in Jiang Chen’s smile that made them shiver all over, yet not from cold.

“Jiang Chen, why ask if you know everything? Deal with us straightforwardly!”

“Kill us!”

“You want to die? It’s not that easy. Tell me, how many are there in your operation this time, and who’s in charge?” Jiang Chen had no doubt that all of this had something to do with the duke of Soaring Dragon.

Except, what was most important was how many people the duke of Soaring Dragon had sent out.

“You won’t be able to escape anyways, so what’s the harm in telling you? The person leading the operation to kill you this time is a true qi master. Jiang Chen, although you got rid of us, you’re destined to die!”

“True qi master?” Jiang Chen hadn’t thought that he would occupy such weight in the duke of Soaring Dragon’s heart for him to send a true qi master!

But, the more the duke of Soaring Dragon was thus, the more it incited Jiang Chen’s pride.

“So what if he’s a true qi master?”

As strong as a true qi master was, it wasn’t as if he, Jiang Chen, was completely without advantage. The “God’s Eye” and the other two abilities he had, gave him many advantages that true qi masters did not boast of.

Not to mention many of the numerous preparations he had made before hadn’t even been employed yet.

When these preparations and personal advantages were combined, Jiang Chen was confident that he could also contend with a true qi master. If he employed them well, it wasn’t impossible for him to kill a true qi master!

After coaxing out the information, Jiang Chen naturally didn’t leave the three of them alive. After executing them one by one, he selected a death warrior that was built vaguely like him.

Jiang Chen began disguising himself at the scene. His powers of disguise were not empty bluster.

Very quickly, Jiang Chen had made himself mostly like this person with a shake of his body. He then conveniently took possession of the person’s black colored clothing and facial mask.

After completing his great transformation, an idea grew in Jiang Chen’s heart. He disposed of the four corpses and cleaned up the area, continuing on his way.

“This can’t be the only ambush, but I don’t know if the true qi master will be waiting for me up front... I must catch him unawares, if I’m to take on a true qi master.”

However, if it was his purposeful intent against someone else’s unformed planning, and he was able to catch the other by surprise, then he would have a sixty to seventy percent surety of this working.

After all, the technique “Moonshatter Flying Daggers”, accompanied by the nine unpredictable Layered Feather Throwing Daggers, was most adept at catching an opponent by surprise, and in obtaining the upper hand by catching someone unawares.

After walking roughly fifteen to twenty five kilometers, he had drawn even closer to the capital.

The official road would start after this bit of mountain pass, and if the others wanted to start something, they would have to think twice before engaging him on the official road.

Therefore, this last obstacle would be sure to appear before he circled around this mountain ridge.

Indeed, as he closed within one thousand meters of the mountain ridge, Jiang Chen’s “Boulder’s Heart” detected a hint of an opposing sensation.

This kind of pressure was concealed quite well, almost to the point of being undetectable.

If Jiang Chen hadn’t trained in “Boulder’s Heart”, he would’ve never discovered this with purely the instinct of a martial dao practitioner alone. Even a true qi master would have been hard pressed to notice, not to mention his mere seven meridians true qi.

However, the ability of “Boulder’s Heart” trained one’s mental strength, making Jiang Chen’s instinct abnormally sensitive and much stronger than many true qi masters.

“Forget it, if it’s a face to face conflict, I’m out in the open whereas the other is concealed. There’s no chance of winning. I can only take a risk and make a gamble. I only hope that the other has sent just one true qi master. If there are two true qi masters, then I can only make my getaway and escape to the depths of the mountain.”

Jiang Chen had settled on a plan,and didn’t drag his feet, sprinting towards the front.

When he’d reached about three hundred meters from the ambush site, a few figures shot out with whooshing sounds from the shadows, halting him in his path.

“Old Ge, number five, why are you alone?”

The person speaking had a tone that cut like the edge of a blade. His eyes seemed to be that of a keen edge which could penetrate metal and stone as it raked over Jiang Chen’s body.

“My Lord, I have intelligence of that Jiang Chen.”

“What intelligence?” The leader was the duke of Soaring Dragon’s confidante, Long San, and the main organizer of the operation to kill Jiang Chen.

“We’ve discovered something along the way.” Jiang Chen respectfully handed over with both hands a package he’d long since prepared.

The leader was obviously quite circumspect as he unwrapped the package with a flick of his longsword.

At this moment, Jiang Chen’s body suddenly moved and his hand tremored, a current of true qi flinging the package directly at the leader.

At the same time, his left hand moved with a powerful, continuous motion.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The Layered Feather Throwing Daggers transformed into five beams of cold light and shot towards the five on the side.

With the properties of the Layered Feather Throwing Daggers and the mysteries of “Moonshatter Flying Daggers”, attacking at such a close distance added wings to the tiger that was the throwing daggers.

Apart from one person who was slightly further away and flinched instinctively when he saw the flash of cold light, the other four didn’t have any reaction at all.

When they felt a cold draft on their necks, their throats had already been pierced.

The one who evaded this calamity hadn’t dodged all of it. The Leathered Feather Throwing Dagger shot into his left shoulder.

Of course, Jiang Chen had merely incidentally attacked these five.

His main target was still locked on the leader’s body. The second the package had shook itself open, he had used true qi to agitate the streams of smoke inside to spread out in the span of a moment.

The leader Long San had witnessed many large happenings before. When he saw the smoke percolating through the air, he knew something was amiss with this smoke, and hastily covered his nose, slight emotion flickering in his eyes. His body rapidly backed up until he was a hundred steps away.

He then took a look at his five underlings. Four were already down, and one was injured.

“You… You’re Jiang Chen!” Long San roared lowly, his eyes like those of a violent beast’s shooting out thick killing intent.

“You’ve guessed correctly.” Jiang Chen stared faintly at Long San. “I saw you in the Soaring Dragon manor.”

“Huh. So what. Your Jiang family is setting yourself against the duke of Soaring Dragon. That’s bringing destruction down upon yourself.” Long San didn’t conceal his identity in the slightest.

“Bringing destruction down upon myself?” Jiang Chen laughed contemptuously. “Do you think that you, someone who’s about to die, has the right to say such things to me?”

“What do you mean?” Long San’s gaze grew nervous.

“You must surely think that you evaded the poisonous smoke because you covered your nose.”

The edges of Jiang Chen’s lips moved slightly as they revealed some hints of mockery. “However, my poison is all pervasive. You covered your nose, but did you cover your ears?

Even if you could cover your ears, could you cover every single pore?

Unless you were prepared well in advance, and prepared a defense of true qi within your body, defending yourself while the poison invaded and used the true qi to force it out.”

Jiang Chen’s tone was diffident and remote. Whether it was a true qi master or an ordinary practitioner, anyone who allowed Jiang Chen within ten meters of themselves was equivalent to laying half their life in Jiang Chen’s hands.

Long San’s pupils contracted rapidly as they shot out the violent, brutal light of a wild beast.

Jiang Chen however, was in no hurry to walk up to him. Rather, he stayed a hundred meters away from Long San, walking in circles.

Out of Long San’s five underlings now, four were dead and one was injured. A peculiar poison had invaded Long San’s body. Jiang Chen would naturally not attack brashly.

He had all the time in the world to dawdle.

However, Long San didn’t have the luxury of wasting time. The more time he wasted, the more the poison would seep through his body.

He continually fished out various antidotes from his self, but they were all useless to a fault.

“Zhang Qi, are you a death warrior under the command of me, Long San, or not? Have you lost your will to fight after your shoulder was hurt?” Long San knew that continuing to waste time like this was not the thing to do.

His only point of reliance now was on this injured underlying. An injured shoulder was not a fatal injury.

That Zhang Qi kept circling not too far and not too close.

When he heard Long San’s admonishment, he roared lowly, “Lord San, I will return to pass on this information and bring reinforcements to avenge you!”

When he’d finished, this Zhang Qi actually sprang off the balls of his feet and leapt towards the depths of the trees and shrubbery, making a clean getaway.

Jiang Chen laughed softly, “Why don’t you stay.”

Two Layered Feather Throwing Daggers, one taking the left and the other taking the right, sealing off Zhang Qi’s escape.

Pfft!

Moonshatter Flying Daggers could scatter the sun, moon and the stars.

Although this Zhang Qi was of eight meridians true qi, his will had been seized from him and he was fleeing in abject panic. He was a walking target in Jiang Chen’s eyes.

Add to that Jiang Chen’s “God’s Eye” scanning the surroundings, he could make exceedingly accurate judgements about Zhang Qi’s escape path and his next move.

Therefore, there was absolutely no chance of missing the mark this time!

Long San’s face was ashen as he muttered, cursing, “Coward, coward. To think that I, Long San, would raise such a coward as a death warrior.”

After half a day, some wandering practitioners riding a horse carriage stopped in front of the door to the Soaring Dragon manor.

“Who are you to dare loiter in front of the manor of the duke of Soaring Dragon?” The manor’s guards immediately appeared and sought to banish these wandering practitioners.

One of the middle aged practitioners smiled apologetically, “Don’t be mad sir, don’t be mad. We haven’t come to act wildly on this trip. We’re purely helping a fellow deliver someone here, fulfilling the spirit of helping each other while in the outside world.”

“Deliver someone? Deliver who?” The manor guard’s tone was quite unfriendly.

“The man who entrusts us to deliver this man said this man’s name is Long San. He said this is a strong practitioner in your Soaring Dragon manor, and that he was poisoned in the course of executing a mission outside. This is most urgent for us to bring him back. He said to ask the strongest poison master within the manor to take a look. We are also trying our best to do what someone else asked us to do.”

“Lord San?” The manor guard was dumbfounded when he heard Long San’s vaulted name. “Where is he?”

“In the carriage, please take a look sir guard, and see if he’s someone in your manor. If not, then we were the ones played for a fool.”

The manor guard jerked at the curtain on the carriage and took a look inside. His expression changed drastically upon seeing the person inside as he hollered, “All of you, wait here. I’ll go in and make a report!”

A group of those notable people with power in the Soaring Dragon manor soon surged out. Although Long San was merely a hired thug for the duke of Soaring Dragon, he was one of the strongest five people within the duke of Soaring Dragon’s manor.

Although he was just a leader of the guards, he had committed many covert actions for the duke of Soaring Dragon, and thus the duke of Soaring Dragon relied heavily on him.

And now, this Long San had been poisoned and sent back by some wandering practitioners, his status unknown. How could this not bewilder and shock the entire Soaring Dragon dukedom?

Long San was a true qi master! The number of people who could harm him in the Eastern Kingdom could basically be counted on one hand!

Chapter 63: An eye for an eye

Within the manor, even the Duke of Soaring Dragon himself was startled and bothered.

The spiritual alchemists in the manor all came forward one by one, including the senior executives of Pill King Garden who had newly given themselves up, to go upstairs and discern Long San’s condition.

As for the one whom the Duke of Soaring Dragon relied most heavily on, Courtmaster Wang was also similarly at a loss of what to do.

“Your Lordship, this is not simple. The poison has seeped in through the pores and can be labelled as a tyrant amongst poisons. it’s my view… eh, what’s this?”

Courtmaster Wang was thinking of ways to excuse his incompetence when he suddenly discovered that there was a small strip of cloth inside the front of Long San’s garment.

There were even four words on it - fight poison with poison.

Script as tiny as the heads of flies could also be seen on the back of the cloth - Let the strongest poison master in the manor try this poison.

The Duke of Soaring Dragon was about to reach towards the strip of cloth when Courtmaster Wang hastily stopped him, “Your Lordship, don’t touch it. I’m afraid that there’s poison.”

The entire manor was akin to birds being startled by the merest twang of a bow string. Upon hearing Courtmaster Wang’s words, the Duke of Soaring Dragon also retracted his hand, and stared at the cloth with a scary expression.

“Your Lordship, you sent this Long San to kill Jiang Chen, and this piece of cloth seemed to insinuate at something. Can it be that this Long San has fallen into Jiang Chen’s hands?” Courtmaster Wang felt quite a measure of dread when it came to Jiang Chen.

“Impossible! How old is that Jiang Chen? In terms of training, at the very most, he can only be at the advanced realm of true qi. How could he have injured Long San to this degree?” Long Zhaofeng shook his head.

“However, it says ‘fight poison with poison here. This plainly means that he won’t suffer losses for more than one night. This is must be revenge for the poison that Jiang Feng fell victim to, no?”

Long Zhaofeng still shook his head. “I thoroughly investigated the inner secrets of the Jiang family. Whether it’s Jiang Feng or Jiang Chen, both of them don’t have such strength. Long San is a true qi master, and not an ordinary one at that. I suspect that someone is secretly helping the Jiang family. Furthermore, it’s very possible that it’s someone from the Eastern family clan.”

The Jiang family and Eastern royal family clan were walking very closely together now. It was not an impossible thing to say that the royal family had sent strong practitioners to secretly aid him.

It wouldn’t conform with logic at all if it was Jiang Chen himself who had the ability to harm Long San.

“Old Wang, you’ve blathered on for so long. Do you have the ability to cure Long San of his poison or not?” The Duke of Soaring Dragon truly did value Long San highly.

“Your subordinate is merely adept at spirit medicines and truly doesn’t have much right to speak when it comes to using poisons. We can now only wait for Master Violet to emerge from training to even have a ray of hope.” Courtmaster Wang knew more than anyone as he spoke that there was no way Long San would survive long enough for Master Violet to emerge from training.

Not to mention, the poison was already close to attacking the heart. Even if Master Violet lent a hand, Long San may not even be saved. Besides, although Master Violet was quite adept in using poisons, he may still not be able to penetrate the mysteries of this poison in a short time and resolve it in a timely manner.

The lamp of Long San was obviously expiring as it had run out of oil.

“Jiang family!” A frightening light sparkled in Long Zhaofeng’s eyes.

“Your Lordship, what should we do about those wandering practitioners who sent Lord San back?” A core guard captain of the manor asked.

“I don’t want to hear wild rumors outside.” Long Zhaofeng said faintly.

“Understood.” The guard captain nodded, comprehending Long Zhaofeng’s meaning. The duke apparently didn’t wish for details of Long San’s matter to be spread widely.

What kind of men could keep secrets the best? Dead men, of course.

After returning to the capital, Jiang Chen dressed up a bit and and returned to the Jiang Han manor. This back and forth trip had taken precisely half a month.

The first mission had been completed to perfection.

However, Jiang Chen was in no rush to report the completion of his task. Rather, he first explained to his father, Jiang Feng, the matter regarding Long San.

“Long San?” Jiang Feng’s eyes shot out looks beyond belief after listening. “Chen’er, you’re saying that you used poison to cripple Long San?”

“To be more accurate, he should be dead.” Jiang Chen was an alchemy master of all planes beneath the heavens in his past life - an unorthodox branch such as employing poison was a piece of cake.

He naturally had calculated precisely when he had sent Long San back.

He would absolutely not allow the possibility that the others would be able to save him!

Jiang Chen wasn’t a particularly grudge carrying person, but he also wasn’t someone at the mercy of others. Today, Long San was merely the first step in his counterattack forwhat the Soaring Dragon dukedom had done to his father last time. This could at most only be counted as interest. He would be sure to present even more of the principal in the future!

He had purposefully put the words onto the small strip of cloth in order to take a jab at the Soaring Dragon dukedom.

As for those wandering practitioners, Jiang Chen would naturally not send innocent people to their deaths. Those fellows had all fooled around together on the outskirts of the capital. They appeared to be wandering practitioners on the surface, but had in actuality raided homes and plundered houses covertly, committing acts of murder for personal gains.

To put it frankly, they were a bunch of robbers and bandits.

Jiang Chen had sent them to the Soaring Dragon manor because he was betting that the Soaring Dragon manor would kill anyone who might become an eyewitness against them.

“Chen’er, Long Zhaofeng is a fierce and ambitious person who will seek revenge for the smallest of grievances. Long San is one of his confidantes that he relies most heavily on. Long San’s strength can also absolutely be ranked in the top five of the Soaring Dragon dukedom. If this man dies, then the duke of Soaring Dragon will inevitably visit an even more ferocious vengeance upon you.”

Jiang Feng’s tone was prudent. He already wasn’t using conventional vision to measure up this son.

“Mm. One cannot be without a cautious heart.” Jiang Chen nodded. “However, we cannot halt in hesitation merely because they wish to take revenge, right? I will train for a few days first and fight to breakthrough eight meridians true qi this time, thereby taking another step forward towards increasing my strength!”

In the training of martial dao, one would sometimes face bottlenecks if he relied solely on training behind closed doors.

Traveling in the outside world and toughening up from experience would often lead to new inspiration and understanding, priming the pivotal turning point for a breakthrough.

This time’s travels in the outside world for executing the mission had also resulted in a greater step of improvement for Jiang Chen, both in terms of mentality and experience. The knowledge and experiences that he had encountered during his travels had all been distilled down to their essence for him to absorb, providing great benefits, becoming the catalyst for his martial dao breakthrough.

Jiang Chen successfully broke through three days later.

After breaking through, Jiang Chen had the capabilities of eight meridians true qi. He could clearly feel that his strength had risen yet another level again.

After entering the advanced realm of true qi, the difference between increasing each meridian true qi and improving each personal level would become more and more apparent. One would be able to feel the distance increasing with each additional step taken upwards.

Along with Jiang Chen breaking through to eight meridians true qi, he also indistinctly comprehended many of the mysteries of the techniques that he was training in by drawing parallels from inference.

Of course, Jiang Chen had still only trained up to the second form of “Vast Ocean Current Splitter”. It would take some time of contemplation and a critical turning point for him to train to the third form.

As for “Divine Aeons Fist”, Jiang Chen had still halted on the third level of reincarnation, in the third cycle of blooming and wilting. But he had a better comprehension of the true meaning of this boxing technique.

If these comprehensions and advancements were used in actual battle, they would greatly enhance his personal battle capabilities.

That day when Jiang Chen was on the path of returning to the capital and met the first wave of ambushes, Jiang Chen hadn’t even unsheathed his nameless saber when he’d chopped off the other’s head.

This was the true meaning of the martial dao contained within, and also the astounding mysteries of, the “Vast Ocean Current Splitter”.

And now that he possessed eight meridians true qi, Jiang Chen was confident that even if he confronted Long San face to face now, he would absolutely not be afraid of the other.

Whether it was “Vast Ocean Current Splitter” or employing “Divine Aeons Fist”, either would be enough to directly contend with Long San, someone at the true qi master level of training.

The benefits brought to Jiang Chen from breaking through to eight meridians were quite apparent.

“God’s Eye” and “Ear of the Zephyr” both smoothly broke through to the fourth level. As the “Boulder’s Heart” that had previously progressed at a slow level, also showed signs of loosening up in the second level, allowing for a greater likelihood of advancing to the third level.

Jiang Chen would absolutely not become lax about these three abilities. Not only were these three abilities highly useful in actual combat, but they were also prerequisites for the training of “Moonshatter Flying Daggers”.

Jiang Chen had basically fully grasped the initial steps of “Moonshatter Flying Daggers” by now.

However, the strength of “Moonshatter Flying Daggers” lay in the mysteries of those unpredictable and constantly changing moves, and Jiang Chen had currently only practiced some foundational movements.

As of now, he didn’t even possess the qualifications to begin practicing and comprehending the profound meaning of those truly strong moves.

In order to practice the first move of “Moonshatter Flying Daggers”, he would have to train “God’s Eye” and “Ear of the Zephyr” to the seventh level.

“Boulder’s Heart” would also have to be at least the fourth level.

The most profound ability “Psychic’s Head” would have to be trained to the second level.

The current Jiang Chen was still a long shot away with his four abilities. Particularly the “Psychic’s Head”, he hadn’t even started that yet.

When he reviewed his personal strength, Jiang Chen felt a sense of urgency.

“It looks like in order to receive the qualification to train in the mysteries of the moves of ‘Moonshatter Flying Daggers’, I must first practice these four accompanying abilities to a satisfactory level.”

Although Jiang Chen felt a certain urgent need, he would also not do something utterly beyond him, like forcing a duck onto a perch.

On the road of martial dao training, going about things steadily and surely was the only proper way forward.

The next day, Jiang Chen went to the testing site for the Hidden Dragon Trials to turn in his first mission.

“Jiang Chen, mission of the first rank, to kill the rapist Lotus Harvester in the Tianhu territory.” An organizer for the Hidden Dragon Trials started to verify his mission.

“According to verification, this head is indeed that of the violent and wicked Lotus Harvester. This short sword and these personal effects are all authentication tokens that are up to standard.”

The organizer nodded and proclaimed, “Jiang Chen, first mission of the first rank, complete!”

Following this organizer’s proclamation, Jiang Chen’s first mission was thus completed.

“Jiang Chen, according to the rules, you still need to complete two more missions of the first rank to be able to enter the first rank. The remaining two missions are both fixed.”

These were old rules and Jiang Chen didn’t have too much to stress about. He conveniently picked up the scroll for the second mission and prepared to leave.

“Jiang Chen, a moment.”

Jiang Chen didn’t even need to turn his head to know that Princess Gouyu had arrived.

In actuality, his “Ear of the Zephyr” had already captured Princess Gouyu’s unique breathing when he had first set foot into the Hidden Dragon Trials testing site.

In the entire testing site, this was the only unique breathing that belonged to a true qi master of eleven meridians true qi.

“Your Highness, what instructions do you have?”

“Come with me.” Princess Gouyu acted with a bit more reservation in front of others.

After he’d followed Princess Gouyu into a private secret room, a ray of astounding splendor shot out from her phoenix eyes. “Jiang Chen, I’ve heard that something’s happened to Long San?”

“Is that so? What does that have to do with me? Who’s Long San?” Jiang Chen riposted with three questions in a row and had a face of complete disinterest.

“Ai!” Princess Gouyu was a bit disappointed. She had really wanted Jiang Chen to thump his chest and admit to this matter.

Chapter 64: The Second Mission

Upon seeing that Jiang Chen was noncommittal, Princess Gouyu didn’t overly compel him. She also knew that he could be persuaded by reason, but not cowed by force.

She herself had suffered many losses in front of him before, in this regard.

“Jiang Chen, the amount of time you’ve taken to complete the mission of the first rank counts amongst the faster candidates, you’ve spent only twenty or so days. Up until now, only the two candidates from the Soaring Dragon dukedom have completed their first mission, and that was just two days ago.”

This was to say, Jiang Chen was the third to hand in his first mission amongst the group vying for first rank.

“Heh heh, initial success doesn’t mean one will succeed in the future, only one who succeeds in the end has the true ability. It doesn’t mean much to allow them to be first. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now.”

Jiang Chen was indifferent to the question of who came first. If he hadn’t shut his doors for training at home for a few days and broken through to eight meridians true qi, stabilizing his martial dao foundations, he could have actually reported in three days ago. These rankings of who was early or late actually had no significant impact on the greater picture.

In the end, the final rankings were determined by the martial arts demonstration.

Gouyu didn’t say much upon seeing Jiang Chen’s indifferent attitude. She knew very well that beneath that seemingly completely unconcerned exterior, his heart had more magnanimity than anyone else’s.

Gazing at the figure that had already left, Princess Gouyu suddenly obtained courage from some unknown place, “Jiang Chen, our agreement from earlier still stands!”

Jiang Chen’s body halted briefly as he laughed involuntarily, thinking, “This lass is stubborn alright! If Zhiruo, that little girl, knew that her idiotic aunt had already promised her to Jiang Chen without obtaining her approval, I wonder if the girl would be at a loss of whether to laugh or cry?”

The second mission was more complicated in comparison to the first mission, but it looked to be a bit more interesting.

Mission of the first rank: Recruit eight personal guards.

Mission requirements: Each personal guard had to be at six meridians true qi or higher, with the potential to continue ascending.

Age requirements: No lower boundary, but may not exceed twenty years old.

Identity requirements: Member of the personal guard must be a practitioner from the Eastern Kingdom, with no other nationality.

Mission criteria: An inspection will be conducted when the mission is over and personal guards must pass the final martial arts exam.

Jiang Chen found this mission rather innovative.

At least this wasn’t a mission that could be completed through brute force and acting rashly. Due to the peculiarities of this mission, candidates weren’t barred from revealing their identity.

This was to say, candidates were strictly barred from revealing their identity, mobilizing family and personal connections in other missions.

However, this mission was quite unique in that it was a mission open the public. One had to reveal their identity and use their network and connections. Otherwise, with the pride and motives of a practitioner, who would be willing to be a personal follower of an unknown somebody?

“Chen’er, this mission isn’t a simple one. Of course, if you want to assail the position of a first rank duke, you must have this kind of personal guard.”

Every duke needed to have a batch of death warriors who were willing to offer their lives up for him.

And this lot of death warriors was basically the equivalent of the core layer of power beside the duke in future days. The duke’s power would continuously expand from this core.

As for the age requirement of not exceeding twenty years, that was only par for the course. Any person with six meridians true qi over twenty years old wouldn’t have much potential.

And as for the identity requirement, that was even easier to understand. Identity verification was nothing but to guarantee that spies from another country wouldn’t permeate the people who were by the side of the dukes.

This mission wasn’t as simple as merely recruiting eight personal guards.

At the conclusion of the mission, these eight personal guards would have to go through a strength examination, and specific tests at that. If they didn’t pass these tests, this mission would count as a fail.

‘Chen’er, our Jiang family has managed the Jiang Han dukedom for hundreds of years, we have quite a bit of local prestige. I have strong relationships with some local powers, and they support and endorse me a great deal. Although your mother passed away early, there are also some fine young disciples on her mother’s side. Make a trip back to the Jiang Han territory and I can help you fill four or five places.”

It was as Jiang Feng said, his mastery over the Jiang Han territory was quite well. In the few hundred years of the Jiang family ruling over the Jiang Han territory, they had long since forged the local territory into a solid sheet of iron support.

Jiang Feng had great prestige in ordinary times to begin with - no matter which local power engaged in a conflict, they were sure to ask the Duke of Jiang Han to make a ruling.

Jiang Feng conducted himself in an upright manner and was honorable and impartial. His judgements oftentimes compelled not just mere obedience, but submission with good grace.

Therefore, although Jiang Feng was greatly suppressed by the Duke of Soaring Dragon in the capital, he was a greatly beloved leading personage in the Jiang Han territory with high prestige.

If the next Duke of Jiang Han was recruiting for his personal guard, there would undoubtedly be innumerable volunteers answering the call. After all, coming under the Duke of Jiang Han’s banner meant forming a relationship with an absolute power, and was the equivalent of taking a step into layer of the core power in the Eastern Kingdom. This was a completely separate matter from being an absolute local power.

The exceeding power and influence of a duke of the nation was not something that a local power could imagine.

The time allotted for completing each mission was one month.

Jiang Chen had saved ten days out of his first mission. That meant he had forty days during this second mission. There seemed to be quite the sufficient time, yet that might also not be the case.

“Looks like you and I need to make a trip back to the southern frontier.” Jiang Feng had also left the Jiang Han territory for quite a while, and he felt rathernostalgic about his home.

“Father, the situation in the capital is quite complicated. A slight move in one part may affect the situation as a whole. Why don’t you stay in the capital, your son can make the trip back.”

Jiang Feng was startled briefly, then thought of something immediately after. He smiled, “Chen’er, you wish to go back alone?”

“I will go back alone.” Jiang Chen nodded very firmly.

“Alright, I have always respected your wishes as your father. Then, you shall go back alone, and make use of this opportunity to test your control of the greater picture.” Jiang Feng chuckled.

A true Duke of Jiang Han was very different from being a young duke.

The Duke of Jiang Han was very illustrious in his territory, but that didn’t mean that the young duke would similarly received the same treatment. Particularly as the previous Jiang Chen was a rather useless dandy. His reputation of having neither learning nor art was renowned, not only in the capital, but also quite famously in the Jiang Han territory.

Therefore, for Jiang Chen, there would be a certain degree of inherent difficulty for him to achieve certain deeds and successfully recruit eight personal guards in the Jiang Han territory without his father coming forward on his behalf.

“Chen’er, I’ve decided to hold a private banquet tonight and invite some dukes we have friendly relations with, in the hopes that they will advertise a bit for us and cast a wide net when recruiting talent.”

It would actually be quite difficult to suddenly find eight promising youths with six meridians true qi in a mere Jiang Han territory.

It wouldn’t be difficult to merely find eight youths with martial dao potential.

But to recruit personal followers, strength and potential weren’t the only questions to be asked. One had to also consider temperament, willingness, and competency, amidst a host of other questions.

Putting all of these factors into consideration made for a more difficult search. Asking a few dukes that they were more friendly with to spread the word in their territories would actually be an ideal channel.

Jiang Chen didn’t object. After all, the more venues the better now. As for what type of person they recruited and whether or not they were dependable, that would still be up to him.

That night, the Duke of Jiang Han held a banquet and invited seven or eight dukes with whom their friendships were quite solid and firm.

It was a common thing for dukes to visit frequently with each other and to have harmonious dispositions.

Even when they knew that the relationship between the Duke of Soaring Dragon and the Duke of Jiang Han wasn’t good, it still hadn’t affected the relationship between these dukes and Jiang Feng.

After all, there was a large number of conflicts between the dukes. It wasn’t as if the Duke of Soaring Dragon would be able to shut out the heavens with one hand.

Not to mention that the situation regarding the Jiang family was lost in the mist and clouds, and many didn’t understand it. The always good-for-naught Jiang Chen had suddenly shot to the skies with one amazing feat, and had continued to commit many astonishing acts.

Many even suspected that the Jiang father and son had long since harbored ambitions, and had concealed their strength in order to not attract attention. They were actually aiming for the position of the four great dukes!

Jiang Chen’s selection of a first rank mission this time had corroborated the speculations of many sides.

Therefore, when the Duke of Jiang Han summoned them, even those with a previous lack of relations wouldn’t openly deny Jiang Feng face, not to mention those who did have a pre-existing relationship with him before.

When the banquet was over, the news of Jiang Chen recruiting for his personal guard also began to spread.

One had to say, the speed in which news traveled in the capital was a lot faster than Jiang Chen could imagine.

The resulting cascading reaction also came with a swift speed.

Important figures began to call upon Jiang Chen early the next morning.

The first one to arrive was Qiao Baishi.

“Honored master, your disciple has two nephews within his family clan. They’re twin brothers and have always trained within the family, with an occasional bit of guidance from me. With the aid of my spirit medicine, they have also trained to six meridians true qi at the age of seventeen this year. It would be a waste of the prime of their lives if they stayed where they were. Baishi has heard that honored master was recruiting for his personal guard, therefore…”

Jiang Chen understood, Qiao Baishi was recommending candidates to him.

“Twin brothers? This is actually quite nice. It’s rare for you to have such thoughts Baishi. I will leave two spots for your two nephews. Write them a letter and tell them to convene with me at the Jiang Han territory.

Qiao Baishi was overjoyed upon hearing these words. Although he called them nephews from the family clan, Qiao Baishi actually had an ambiguous relationship with their mother. He had committed his share of ridiculous acts when he was young.

Qiao Baishi’s relationship with these two nephews was that of an uncle and his nephews, but in actuality Qiao Baishi viewed them as his sons.

He had the desire to help these two nephews advance in life, but unfortunately these two fellows had not the slightest interest in spirit medicine business. They only wanted to train well and flock to a royal or noble banner in the future, rising head and shoulders above the others.

Jiang Chen’s mind was at ease when it came to the people that Qiao Baishi had recommended. At least there wouldn’t be any problem whatsoever in terms of loyalty.

After Qiao Baishi had left, Princess Gouyu came again. Even she had come to recommend someone to Jiang Chen.

“Jiang Chen, I come to recommend someone with my personal guarantee. He is the eldest grandson of my first martial dao teacher. His family is in an abject financial situation now, but he is an honest, sincere, and tolerant individual.”

Princess Gouyu also came straight to the point.

Chapter 65: First Candidate for the Personal Guard

The Capital, Qingyang Lane.

The morning’s sunshine spilled into a yard, as a youth wearing coarse hemp with sweat pouring down his face trained a set of blade techniques.

The yard was exceedingly roomy, as the red lacquered main door, strong and tall walls, with it’s spacious layout overall, all spoke of the great fortune and prosperity that had once graced this yard.

Except, much of the red lacquer had been chipped away from the main door under the erosion of time, appearing rather in mottled disorder. The strong and tall walls also showed some tattered gaps, and seemed to be unable to withstand the wind and rain from the outside.

The spacious internal layout appeared empty and deserted as well, with no trace of any decent furniture to be found.

No matter how illustrious and wealthy this house had once been, the owner who lived here now had absolutely come down in the world. This was verified by every detail.

Except, the youth in the yard didn’t seem to want to accept this harsh reality. He trained in an exceedingly desperate fashion, with the emotions of his family once again prospering inspiring him. He had practiced this set of blade techniques whenever he heard the rooster’s crow, everyday, for no less than eight years.

He had no other choice. He seemed to wish to regain the lost splendor, and find the illustrious eminence of this house through the blade in his hand once again.

The red lacquered doors were banged open.

A crowd of nefarious servants like a pack of tigers and wolves barged in, gathered around a youth around twenty years old.

“Guo Jin, you’re keeping your poise alright. You’re still in the mood to practice? Today is the final deadline. Are you giving up this house and its surrounding yard or not?”

The youth’s smile was sinister and ruthless, and his tone was that of complete confidence in that the practicing youth was at the former’s mercy.

The youth Guo Jin stopped and rested his blade on his shoulders, saying coldly. “You, with the Zhuo surname, this house and its yards have been passed down from my forefather, and his forefathers, and is the honor and glory of my Guo family. We can discuss anything else, but you should forever drop the idea of having me sell my ancestral home!”

“Not willing?” The Zhuo surnamed youth smiled threateningly. “Then let’s tally up our accounts clearly. You came to my financing house last year to borrow ten thousand silver. It’s been one full year by now. Combining both principal and interest, you need to return fifteen thousand silver. Either you immediately pay up, or I’ll immediately make a statement to the local authorities to impound your house.

Don’t blame me for not telling you that the local authorities will swallow you whole, without leaving not much behind. I, Zhou Tan, am willing to pay eighty thousand silver to you right now. If we go to the local authorities, if there’s even ten thousand or eight thousand silver left to you, it’ll be because you were lucky enough that the auspicious sign of green smoke rising from your Guo ancestral graves appeared.”

This ‘Zhou Tan’ was the young boss of the biggest firm for exchanging and transferring money in the capital, and he had methods for both legitimate and shady ways. He had taken a fancy to this house and had no doubts in his mind that he could handle this friendless and helpless youth whose family fortunes had declined, whether through the local authorities or through other methods.

Young man Guo Jin only shook his head, “Zhou Tan, kill me if you want, but I will never betray my ancestors or give up this house.”

“Betray your ancestors?” Zhou Tan laughed a rather meaningful laugh. “You think too much. You’re a youth who simply doesn’t know any better. How could you still have the face to mention your ancestors with your infamous father, that army deserter? If it was me, I would have left the capital long ago and found a remote backwater location to hide in.”

Deserter!

It was as if that word was like lightning, causing the youth Guo Jin’s body to slightly convulse all over. His originally somewhat restrained eyes shot out killing intent like that of wild beasts gone mad.

“Zhou Tan, just try saying what you said again!”

The hand clasping the blade’s hilt trembled lightly as Guo Jin’s eyes filmed over with red, as if ready to leap forward and fight to his death at any second.

His father was a taboo subject that could not be touched in Guo Jin’s heart!

“Huh. To speak of this matter or not, this reputation already exists in the capital. Even if you forbid me from saying it, can you stopper all the wagging mouths in the capital?” Zhou Tan obviously didn’t take much notice of Guo Jin’s ferocity.

However, he was here to scheme and seize the house, and didn’t wish to fight until one of them died.

“Bullshit, this is all bullshit! I’ve said that my father wasn’t an army deserter, he isn’t a deserter! I’ll fight whoever says he’s a deserter. Zhou Tan, just try saying that one more time!”

The veins on his neck bulged out as the youth roared, his black face flushing scarlet, apparently angry to the utmost.

Zhou Tan’s face darkened, “Guo Jin, I have no interest in your father’s affairs. I’m here today to give you a final ultimatum. Either transfer the house to me or I’ll go through the local authorities to impound your house! You only have these two choices! Don’t think you can fool me by putting up a death defying front. That little bit of fortune and glory your ancestors had is long gone by now. And even if it was still present, so what?

I, Zhou Tan, am giving your Guo family face in taking a fancy to your house. If it was another one, and you were begging me to accept your house, I might not even be willing to!

Kids, get ready. If that kid Guo is insensible like a block of wood, then throw him and the old one out with random blows from your staves. Don't hold back, feed them to the dogs if they die!”

It was apparent that Zhou Tan was pretty much out of patience.

The crew of nefarious servants were all rubbing their fists and wiping their palms upon hearing their master’s order. They started hovering closer with malicious intentions.

Guo Jin gave a great wave of his blade and raged, “Whoever dares come forth dies first!”

Zhou Tan said coldly, “Kid Guo, looks like you refuse to give up until all hope is gone. Rush him, it’s on me if you beat him to death.”

Papapapa!

At this moment, a round of ear piercing applause suddenly sounded from outside the great door.

That was followed up with someone laughing as their clicked their tongue, “Daring to enter someone’s home and kill them in broad daylight. Are we still in the Eastern Kingdom’s territory?”

This scene was outside of Zhou Tan’s expectations. He hadn’t thought that there was anyone who dared to poke their nose in his Zhou family’s business in the Qingyang Lane. Was there someone who felt that they had lived too long?

“Who are you? This is a debt dispute between my Zhou financing house and the debtor. What business is it to you?” It was obvious that Zhou Tan was accustomed to running wild in the capital.

“It originally was none of my business, but now I’m making it my business.” A youth with a confident, unhurried smile, and clear eyes strode in leisurely with four underlings.

This person was naturally the young duke from the Jiang Han Dukedom, Jiang Chen.

Whoosh!

The band of nefarious Zhou servants immediately formed a circle and surrounded Jiang Chen and his Sheng retinue.

Jiang Chen ignored the gleaming of the blades and shadows of their swords. Instead, he remained calm and composed while handling pressing matters, and flicked a glance at Zhou Tan. “How much does he owe you?”

Zhou Tan laughed coldly. “What does it matter to you? It’s not an issue of money now, but that he used this house as collateral and has defaulted on his loan. I’m here to take this house. Sir, no matter your background, I advise you to not meddle in this business. Some businesses, you’re unable to meddle in. Some people, you’re unable to suffer the consequences of provoking them!”

“Oh?” Jiang Chen smiled. “Judging from your tone, you seem to be quite a character.”

“Huh. My Zhou financing house numbers amongst the elites in the entire kingdom. Who are you? Who is your father? Is he an official or in business?”

Jiang Chen completely ignored Zhou Tan’s existence and instead turned his head to ask Guo Jin, “Your surname is Guo?”

Guo Jin was also surprised to see someone flagrantly interfere. Seeing that this person seemed to have quite the intention of protecting him, he nodded honestly.

“Your grandfather is Guo Shun, tutor Guo?”

“Yes.” Guo Jin’s chest puffed out upon hearing his grandfather’s name and a trace of pride flowed through his eyes. There were still people of great ability who numbered amongst the Guo ancestors, and they had once enjoyed riches and honor.

“Alright, how much money do you owe the Zhou financing house?” Jiang Chen asked again.

“I’d originally borrowed ten thousand silver to cure my mother’s illness. Interest compounded, and now, combining the principal and interest, it amounts to fifteen thousand silver.” Guo Jin was also a bit downcast when he spoke of the debt that was as heavy as a mountain.

“Fifteen thousand silver.” Jiang Chen nodded and said to Sheng One by his side, “Sheng One, count out fifteen thousand silver to them.”

In the time that the four brothers from the Sheng battalion had followed Jiang Chen, they had witnessed all sorts of miracles and amazing feats from Jiang Chen. Their relationship with Jiang Chen now had been built up to that of a deeper superior and subordinate relationship.

No longer the mere original relationship of completing a mission.

Notes for fifteen thousand silvers were counted out, and Sheng One directly handed it to Zhou Tan. “Count them up! The young master of my house is repaying the money for him. Don’t come here in the future seeking to make a fuss!”

Sheng One hailed from the army and naturally had a threatening presence.

His step forward caused Zhou Tan’s heart to tighten. He stared at Jiang Chen, the thought occurring to him more and more that this youth seeming to have quite a background.

However, Zhou Tan had never been afraid of anyone since he was small.

He didn’t accept the notes, but rather smiled queerly. “I seemed to have said quite clearly just now that he’s defaulted on a loan. I want the house now, and not silver.”

“Default? Do you have evidence?” Jiang Chen didn’t erupt in anger.

An underling brought out the certificate of indebtedness with a wave of Zhou Tan’s hand. Of course, this certificate was riddled with various traps and had Guo Jin’s signature and personal mark.

Jiang Chen twisted his hands smoothly and directly shredded this certificate. “Now, do you have more?”

Zhou Tan had been completely caught off guard by this motion. He hadn’t thought that this youth who had an uncommon air about him would suddenly be deliberately dishonest and destroy the evidence!

It had always been him, Zhou Tan, committing dog eat dog acts. To think someone would do the same to him today!

“You… you’re courting death!” Zhou Tan’s temper flared completely in that moment.

Jiang Chen walked into the yard without turning his head, saying noncommittally, “Sheng One, take the notes and people and throw them out together!”

The four brothers from the Sheng battalion were all of the advanced realm of true qi and strong men who had long trod the battlefields. They naturally captured these villainous servants easily.

A few rises up and down and they’d thrown the master and his servants outside the great door.

Throwing the notes for fifteen thousand silver after them, “My house’s young duke is a man of reason. Take the silver, if you still want to create a ruckus, think over it again.”

Young Guo’s heart was filled with all sorts of emotions as he watched the Sheng battalion brothers beat the Zhou servants into a hideous state of disorder, as if they were wolves or tigers.

On one hand, he was very grateful that this group of people had offered timely assistance, like offering fuel in snowy weather. Their demeanor was uncommon and caused the malicious looking Zhou group to be completely unable to act wildly in front of these people.

On the other hand, he was anxious and fearful as he didn’t know what motives this group of people from an unknown origin had.

As he looked at the figure of Jiang Chen walking in, a strand of unusual emotion rose in his heart. “They’re both young men, but this is true noble bearing. These are the methods of the truly strong! I, Guo Jin, must be like him and become heads and shoulders above others, causing these powerful local despots to take the long way around when they see me!”

Jiang Chen felt that the surroundings were familiar even though it was his first time visiting. As he walked into the inner courtyard of the Guo house, he saw that the tablets honoring the past succession of Guo ancestors were sitting in front of the hall.

Upon seeing this situation, Jiang Chen walked up and lit a stick of incense, piously paying his respects. When he stuck the incense into the incense burner, he happened to see some dust on the burner. Jiang Chen waved his sleeve and swept away at the burner.

Such a simple ceremonial gesture - just a few very ordinary movements - were enough to cause Guo Jin’s heart to burn up with boiling heat, as a glut of emotion choked his throat, giving him the feeling of being moved to tears.