Chapter 1375: Departure
However, the second sectmaster had to accept reality after she was done with her rant. Against six incoming great emperors, the Moon God Sect would suffer a painful loss even if it won with a territorial advantage.
If Xu Qingxuan wasn't here, the opposing party was much less likely to descend into actual fighting.
"What do you think, Number Two?" Because Xu Qingxuan was a disciple of the Blues, the senior sectmaster had to hear her second-in-command's input.
The second sectmaster was rather annoyed. "Pillfire City has abandoned all semblance of basic shame. They've thoroughly broken with us in the public eye. What can we do? Do we face them head on, staking all that the Moon God Sect has in the process? Ai, that Jiang Chen kid is a bit irksome, but his advice is correct. Qingxuan would do well to sidestep their inquisition."
The Moon God Sect wasn't qualified to stand directly against Pillfire City. Whether out of fear or apprehension, they could not and would not take on the larger faction in an all-out war.
"I'm not strong enough to protect you, Qingxuan. Thankfully, your brother is proving to be somewhat useful today. But I still bear no goodwill towards him. Without him, Pillfire City wouldn't have targeted you in the first place." The second sectmaster was still stuck on the perception that Jiang Chen was the source of all of Xu Qingxuan's troubles.
"It's my fault, master. Don't blame my brother. Pillfire City's ambition towards the Moon God Sect has never changed. Even without the issue of my brother, they would find fault with us eventually."
Though Xu Qingxuan liked being contrarian with Jiang Chen, that was merely girlish impishness showing through. Deep down, she was very proud of her brother. Thus, she couldn't resist defending him from her master's criticism.
Ordinarily, the second sectmaster would have rebuked or chided Xu Qingxuan. In this moment of parting, she couldn't do much but sigh in helplessness.
"I know that you don't like listening to my disapproval of him because you're family. When your mother was around, you were the same way with her. Never mind, never mind… blood is thicker than water. I'm sure he'll take good care of you. I don't like to admit it, but only Veluriyam Capital can protect you from Pillfire City in all of the human domain."
The second sectmaster was sharp-tongued, not stupid. She knew that truth as much as anyone else did.
"Master, I…" Xu Qingxuan hadn't heard such considerate words from her master before. The memories she'd made while studying with her master welled up to the fore of her mind. Her master, though frigid and almost cruel in front of outsiders, loved her dearly. Despite her routine strictness and occasional harshness of language, she had given her all to cultivate this disciple of hers.
Xu Qingxuan wanted to cry upon remembering her master's grace. Her eyes reddened.
"Alright, that's enough moping. We're cultivators of martial dao and we should act like it. What are tears good for? You don't have much more time. Make a few light preparations, then be off at once." The second sectmaster urged, frowning.
Xu Qingxuan felt razors scrape against her heart. "I don't want to abandon the sect by leaving alone, master. I don't want to leave you."
"Fool! What am I supposed to do if you stay? Give you up? Or fight to the death for you? You tell me!" The second sectmaster berated furiously. "What disciple of the sect will trust us if we do the former? If we fight to the death, how will the Moon God Sect survive beneath the combined might of Pillfire City, the Empyrean River Palace, and the Sublime Chord Temple?"
She spoke purely from a pragmatic point of view. The incumbent situation of Xu Qingxuan staying was far worse than her leaving.
The girl at the center of the affair clutched her face, weeping softly into her fingers. Guilt shot through her heart. She felt that she'd dragged down both her master and her sect.
"What are you still standing around for? Do you want me to die of exasperation?" The second sectmaster huffed. "Have you forgotten everything I've taught you? Why can't you be more decisive or resolute in times of trouble? How will your childishness survive in the cruel competition in the world of martial dao?"
Xu Qingxuan knew that her master really was dismissing her. She was sad, but kowtowed anyway. "Master, I'll be off straight away. I'll be a disciple of the Moon God Sect and your disciple no matter where I go, master. That will never change as long as I live."
The second sectmaster's heart was warmed by the words, but she remained expressionless and dismissive. Her body language was as if she was swatting away a fly.
Xu Qingxuan knew her master's personality well. Bowing several times more to the second sectmaster, she turned and walked gradually away.
The second sectmaster felt an emptiness in her heart as Xu Qingxuan's figure disappeared into the distance. There was a hollowness she could feel throughout her entire person. Her mood took a significant turn for the worse. She had raised Xu Qingxuan ever since the girl was little. Her favorite disciple carried many of her hopes and dreams.
Xu Qingxuan had never let her down. Among the Moon God Sect's holy maidens, she was essentially the unquestioned first place student. But now, she had to let her prized pupil leave into the world. The pain she felt was understandable.
"I appreciate your understanding. It's not necessarily a bad thing for Qingxuan to travel outside. Treat it as a learning experience for her," the senior sectmaster counseled.
"Excuse me, senior sectmaster. My behavior has been a little embarrassing." The second sectmaster was still melancholic; the tone of her sighs reflected how she felt.
Jiang Chen was overjoyed to receive the second sectmaster's agreement. He looked carefully at Xu Qingxuan's reddened eyes. "Qingxuan, I know you care about every moment of your time at the Moon God Sect. You've done more than enough for the second sectmaster and your sect."
Xu Qingxuan stopped weeping, but her eyes were still red. "Master and the sect have supported me for so long, but I'm leaving at a time like this, wuwuwu..."
"Taking a step back may reveal a bigger picture. You leaving is a good thing for both you and the Moon God Sect. There's a saying that a short departure today is the backdrop for a better meeting tomorrow, yes?"
Jiang Chen consoled his sister calmly.
Xu Qingxuan's eyes flared. Tears glittered on her long eyelashes. "Who said that? What a wonderful phrase."
Jiang Chen laughed wryly. How could he possibly remember who'd said that? He had heard it sometime in his previous life.
"Alright, Qingxuan, we don't have much more time. The six great emperors should be almost here. We have to leave before they come, otherwise we'll risk bumping into them."
An empty-handed Jiang Chen wasn't going to wait here to have a fight with those six. The Moon God Sect didn't want to publicly break with Pillfire City just yet, either.
Xu Qingxuan was unwilling to leave, but circumstances were forcing her hand. She cleaned up her emotions and belongings. She'd left the Moon God Sect before now, but she hadn't gone far. She didn't know where she was going to go on this trip of hers just yet.
Veluriyam Capital? Perhaps that was her best destination.
At least the void left by her relationship with her master could be filled by another there. Familial love, for example; her parents were there, and her brother was also the city's young lord.
After some basic touching up of their appearances, Jiang Chen and Xu Qingxuan set off for the city.
A day after they left the Moon God Sect's headquarters, he suddenly pulled Xu Qingxuan to a shaded place off the roadside. "They're here," he whispered.
Six great emperors charged with lightning speed into the Moon God Sect's territory. They barged about with complete lack of decorum, as if they were in their own backyard. They didn't care for anyone in their path.
Jiang Chen and Xu Qingxuan suppressed their cultivation and consciousnesses. When the six great emperors' own swept across them, they found only two 'utterly ordinary' cultivators.
Because the six great emperors had come under clandestine instructions, no one was supposed to know why they had come. Therefore, they weren't at all worried about missing their prey.
Because of this, they hadn't paid close attention on their journey to any anomalies. Passing by Jiang Chen and Xu Qingxuan, they took them for a pair of normal cultivators in Tilted Moon Region, thinking nothing further.
There had been countless cultivators like them scattered along the road. They had seen similar people countless times, and sensed no distinction.
The presence of six great emperors at the same time was extremely terrifying. The entire Tilted Moon Region sank into indescribable terror as soon as the six great emperors entered its boundaries.
"Are those the six bastards, stinky brother?" Xu Qingxuan glared in the direction of the six emperors in flight, her eyes wide with trepidation.
"Those guys, yes. Some of them are from Pillfire City and some from the Sublime Chord Temple and the Empyrean River Palace."
"Are they all here for me?" Though she knew the answer already, the girl couldn't resist asking. Her residual feelings of guilt refused to be shaken off.
"I suppose that's half true. However, Emperor Pillzenith also wants to take this opportunity to intimidate the Moon God Sect. At the end of the day, he wants your sect's unconditional submission."
Xu Qingxuan gritted her teeth. "In his dreams! The Moon God Sect has an incredibly long history. We'd rather perish than become his subordinates!"
The young lord's sister respected her sect's heritage a great deal. Every first rank sect began brainwashing their geniuses from a very young age about the importance of their own heritage.
Xu Qingxuan had evidently been a victim of this. She saw her sect's own heritage as sacrosanct.
"Don't worry," Jiang Chen chuckled. "The Moon God Sect is a first rank sect, after all. It should be able to deal with these six no problem. Come, I have someone to show you. Perhaps you'll let off some steam after seeing him. If not, you can beat him up to get it out of your system, too."
"Who?" Xu Qingxuan blinked.
"You'll see very soon." Jiang Chen set off once more, his sister in tow.
Chapter 1376: A Month-Long Deadlock
Before he'd visited the Moon God Sect, Jiang Chen had told the Goldbiter Rat King to hide Tian Lin underground, somewhere deserted. This was where he was taking his sister.
Xu Qingxuan observed the surroundings, mildly surprised by the absence of human activity within a hundred miles. "Stinky brother, cultivators would never deign to come to a place with such scarce spirit energy. Who are we meeting?"
"Hehe, you'll know soon."
When the young lord's consciousness contacted the rat king, the latter immediately drilled out of the ground. "Young lord, it seems everything went without a hitch."
Xu Qingxuan had traveled the world and seen her share of strange monsters, hence she wasn't shocked by the sight of a golden rat as tall as an older child.
"This big rat can dig underground. How interesting! Stinky brother, is that your contracted beast?" Like a little child, she instantly forgot her previous sadness.
The rat king naturally understood human language after following Jiang Chen for so long. He bared his teeth at the girl, making her giggle.
"Stinky brother, is it trying to scare me?"
Jiang Chen smiled. "Qingxuan, don't tease Ole Gold. He's usually even-tempered, but you don't want him angry."
The girl tilted her head. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Is it really that powerful?"
The rat scrunched his face, as if in protest.
Jiang Chen mediated, "Ole Gold, don't mind her. She's my younger sister.
"Qingxuan, Ole Gold is the Goldbiter Rats' leader. When his countless descendants swarm out of their nest, they can destroy entire countries. You tell me if he's powerful or not!"
Despite slight surprise, his sister still looked half-skeptical.
"Never mind that. First, let's take a look at our Tian Lin." Jiang Chen smiled lazily.
"Tian Lin?" The young girl shook. "What did you just say? Tian Lin? W-Where?"
"Ole Gold, bring him here."
With an odd squeak, the giant rat scurried underground, coming back with the prisoner.
Tian Lin lay paralyzed like a feeble dog, his eyes vacant. Like the living dead, he showed no reaction to external stimulus. Even his consciousness had been sealed.
"Qingxuan, do you know him?" Jiang Chen asked, smiling.
"Of course I do, he… he's Emperor Pillzenith's younger son."
"Correct. To think that Pillzenith has such a young son!"
Qingxuan stared, flabbergasted. "Stinky brother, where did you find him?"
"In Pillfire, of course. This guy never leaves his lair, so I went through fire and water to smuggle him out." Jiang Chen smiled. "Let's see if Pillzenith still throws his weight around now! The old thing wanted to kidnap you, so I had no choice but to strike first."
The shameless Pillzenith had wanted to use Jiang Chen's sister against him, so despite a distaste for such methods, the young man had paid him back in his own coin.
Xu Qingxuan stood speechless. Despite her brother's casual tone, she knew capturing Tian Lin alive in Pillfire was next to impossible. The task required great skill and courage.
She'd always had the urge to challenge her brother, but now, she couldn't deny the gulf between them.
"Stinky brother, this man is a hot potato," she said after some consideration.
"Hehe, I'm not afraid of burns, or else I wouldn't have captured him. That reminds me. You go back first to our parents in Veluriyam."
"What about you? You're not coming?" The young girl blinked in surprise.
Jiang Chen smiled leisurely. "Pillzenith is waiting for me. How can I disappoint him?"
"Waiting for you?" She found herself speechless. Her brother really did seem to be on another level.
Qingxuan's horizon and competitiveness were limited to young geniuses of the region. However, despite his age, her brother already stood at the pinnacle of the Upper Eight Regions.
She took pride in her own talent. Yet, even if she loathed Pillzenith, such a personage was a senior, a future goal to chase. But her brother was facing him as an equal, even cornering him, creating endless trouble that left the great emperor helpless.
…...
Somewhere in the Eternal Celestial Capital.
Pillzenith and his group were still keeping watch in the palace half a month later.
Shouldn't we have gotten news from the Moon God Sect already? Pillzenith remained calm, but his men's morale declined by the day.
They'd tried every method possible to force Jiang Chen out. Yet they hadn't even spotted the young lord's shadow. Were they being paranoid? Perhaps the kid wasn't inside at all? Or perhaps he'd already snuck away.
"Your Majesty, shouldn't Emperor Cloudsurge have captured Xu Qingxuan by now?" Tallpeak asked.
Pillzenith snorted. "It might not be so easy if the Moon God Sect persists with its foolishness and mounts a last ditch resistance."
A first rank sect with homeground advantage was a tall order even for six great emperors.
"There's been no sign of Jiang Chen for so long. Is the kid really inside?" Tallpeak sighed. He too had lost some confidence.
"This must be a dirty trick of his!" Pillzenith snorted. "This palace is definitely his. No matter. Once Xu Qingxuan falls into our hands, let's see if he can continue holing up!"
The girl was now his last hope.
…...
Jiang Chen sent off his sister back to Veluriyam via a detour through Great Yu Skysword Sect territory. As for himself, he returned to the Eternal Celestial Capital and slipped back inside his palace. With a trump card like Tian Lin, there was little pressure on him.
It's been a long time, but Pillzenith's bunch's still here. Well they're certainly quite dedicated. However, they didn't look very focused. Pillzenith was as resolute as before, but the rest seemed impatient, including those from the Heavenly Dragon Sect.
Jiang Chen didn't show himself. There was no need to, now that he had ace up his sleeves. He could simply wait until Pillzenith got wind of his son's disappearance.
…...
An entire month flew by.
On this morning, Pillzenith suddenly stood up, a little fretful as he had a bad premonition. He murmured, "It's been a month, why aren't they back yet?"
This was outside his expectations. A month should have been more than enough to bring back Xu Qingxuan.
Yet, there had been no news.
"Your Majesty, we can't continue sitting back like this," someone urged.
"Hehe, Your Majesty, I admire your patience, but the Heavenly Dragon Sect can't keep wasting time here." The discontented Long Baxiang requested to leave.
"I've already told you, Long Baxiang. This emperor will be fine without your sect. You may leave if you wish, but it will void our agreement," Pillzenith responded coldly.
"Hehe, there's wiggle room in any agreement! I don't mind waiting if the kid's really here. But who can say for certain he is? What if he's already made his getaway?" Long Baxiang advised, "Instead, we should gather our forces and mount a direct attack on Veluriyam. That's more like it!"
His daring and fearless idea appealed to many people's violent sides. They hadn't spotted Jiang Chen for an entire month and needed an outlet through which to vent their frustrations.
The holy emperor's eyes also twinkled with excitement. "Your Majesty, the suggestion isn't without some merit. Why waste our energy in complicated schemes? Why make life so difficult for ourselves? Let's make a beeline for Veluriyam!"
Attack Veluriyam? Pillzenith had already considered the option, but the city was some distance aways.
One wrong step could trigger a century-long war and forever alter the situation in the human domain. Such a decision involved countless unseen ramifications. No matter how ambitious he was, it necessitated careful consideration.
Chapter 1377: A Crazy Proposal
An invasion on a grand scale? Certainly, Pillzenith could blow off some steam if he ordered one. Alas, he was Pillfire's master and had to consider other aspects
A word from him could spark a no-hold-barrels clash between the two strongest factions of the human domain, creating an enormous maelstrom engulfing the entire domain. He wasn't worried about the fortunes of humanity, but rather, that he might become public enemy number one. All the factions might find common cause and take up arms against him.
After the perverse Jiang Chen's rise, the young man had taken a series of measures and won the favor of many parties, stealing much of Pillfire's thunder. If war broke out, many wandering cultivators might lean toward Veluriyam.
Wandering cultivators weren't the greatest of threats, but it'd be a disaster if their entire community stood against Pillfire. For one thing, they were the city's biggest customers rather than the various great factions. The city's business and cash flow depended on them.
Long Baxiang's suggestion was tempting, but Pillzenith remained collected. Perhaps the Heavenly Dragon Sect wanted to goad both sides into a deadly confrontation, then profit when both suffered heavy wounds.
Long Baxiang smiled strangely at his silence. "Your Majesty, I'm quite disappointed with you. Everyone lauds your grand resolve and ambition, but the reputation of a hero of our times seems undeserved."
Tallpeak humphed. "Do you think we're afraid? You're too naive if you're trying to scheme against us and profit from the conflict. Do you think no one sees through your plan?"
Long Baxiang chuckled eerily. "No matter how you put it, your Pillfire still lacks charisma!"
Pillzenith snorted. "Long Baxiang, I should conquer your sect first before attacking Veluriyam. That would actually be the best choice, to prevent you from stabbing us in the back."
He was pulling no punches either. If Pillfire wanted to attack the Heavenly Dragon Sect, few could stop them.
Hence, Long Baxiang was actually still wary of, and loath to fall out with Pillzenith. He laughed immediately. "Your Majesty, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Our blade is pointed at Veluriyam too. How could we stab our allies?"
Something abruptly registered on Pillzenith's consciousness. "Someone's coming."
Indeed, Emperor Cloudsurge and the other five had returned. Battered, each of them were riddled with injuries. Two among them sported particularly heavy wounds and looked very dispirited.
Leading at the front, Emperor Cloudsurge exhibited no lethal injuries, but his abject expression betrayed his failure.
"Cloudsurge, what's happened? Where's Xu Qingxuan?" Restless, Pillzenith looked left and right, but couldn't see the girl.
Cloudsurge sighed with shame. "Your Majesty, please forgive our incompetence. We've betrayed your trust. When we reached the Moon God Sect, it was already ready for battle. They'd even activated their formidable territorial defense formation. We thought they wouldn't dare defy your authority, but they seemed determined to break all ties with us. They treated us like enemies as soon as we arrived."
"What of Xu Qingxuan?" Pillzenith's face darkened. Rather than excuses, he only cared about her.
Cloudsurge stammered, "Your Majesty, she wasn't in the sect. It seemed they'd seen through our plans and had long been prepared."
"What do you mean, not in the sect? Did you investigate?!" Pillzenith shouted.
"We did. They let us inside to prove their innocence. We searched but found no trace of her.
"Since persuasion didn't work, we threatened them. But instead of caving in, these harridans became more and more excited. We even ended up fighting.
"Their formation is extraordinary. With an inheritance like the Moon God Precious Tree at the core, it creates a perfect defense. We attacked without cease for ten whole days, but we made no headway. So… So we decided to report back to Your Majesty."
What a bunch of trash! Pillzenith fumed. He wished he could swear at them, but most of them were from Pillfire.
Admonishing his own men in front of outsiders would be unwise. He restrained himself and murmured, "Perhaps I've looked down on the Moon God Sect? Should I have sent more men? Do I need to go there in person?"
They did all they could. Seeing the six great emperors' exhaustion, he couldn't rebuke them too harshly. Without Xu Qingxuan, he had no way of forcing out Jiang Chen.
Long Baxiang cackled sinisterly. "Look, isn't my way the most straightforward? Why should we care about the girl? Let's just attack Veluriyam. Just like when the Eternal Celestial Capital invaded Myriad Domain, we'll burn them to the ground and exterminate their experts to the last."
Inside the palace, Jiang Chen eavesdropped on their every word. He frowned at Long Baxiang's malicious proposal and silently added the Heavenly Dragon Sect to his blacklist
"He's nursing such a deep grudge because I refused to hand over a true dragon? I have to watch out for his sect in the future." He was gaining a new understanding of the vindictiveness of these sect giants.
"Your Majesty, my Eternal Celestial City is firmly in favor of an attack. Didn't Veluriyam invade Great Scarlet? With a little propaganda, they'll become every cultivator's enemy." That was the holy emperor of the Eternal Celestial Capital
"Your Majesty, if we don't act now, no one will be able to oppose Jiang Chen once he grows into his own. His word will be law in the human domain and will be the greatest blow for all of us."
"Your Majesty, the kid's killed Big Horn and Old Ma. We have a perfect reason for our actions."
"Indeed. He can buy favor, but his foundation is shallow. Once things become rocky, who will truly stick their necks out for him?"
"That's right. Your Majesty, we should proceed with this plan."
Everyone urged Pillzenith for an invasion, even Pillfire's own. The long wait had been a depressing one. For great emperors, every day was precious. Whether they caught Jiang Chen or not, to waste time was to waste their lifeforce. No one wanted to persist with a pointless task.
"Tallpeak, what do you think?" Pillzenith asked after some deliberation.
Tallpeak hesitated. "Pretext and motive are no issue. However, there are three unanswered questions."
"Which three?"
"First, how deep is the kid's relation with Myriad Abyss Island? If they're only casual acquaintances, the island naturally won't fly to his rescue. Second, how deep are Veluriyam's foundations? How certain are we of victory? It would a joke if our entire force fails to conquer them. Finally, do the wandering cultivator titans have a vested interest in the kid? It'd be troublesome if they take his side. If by any chance public opinion tilts in his favor, all the wandering cultivators in the human domain could band together against us."
Words flowed from Tallpeak's tongue, each striking at the core of the issue, echoing Pillzenith's deepest concerns.
They could use revenge or justice as a reason to invade. The problem was whether Veluriyam could call upon on Myriad Abyss Island. Also, how many trump cards was the kid hiding?
In fact, he was deeply wary of Jiang Chen after seeing the kid's seemingly inexhaustible bag of tricks. If his invasion failed, his own men could end up dead or captured.
What was the right choice?
Chapter 1378: Dividing The Spoils
Pillzenith wasn't an irresolute man. On the contrary, once he made a decision, he followed it through to the end. He simply needed to consider every possible angle. Once he mobilized his troops, it would be too late to change his mind.
He thought for a long while. A vicious glint flashed through his eyes as he raised his eyebrows and scanned the crowd.
"Gentlemen, I've never been afraid of decisions, however difficult they are. Only, how staunchly will you stand by me? Do you plan on fishing in troubled waters, or do you genuinely desire an alliance against a common enemy?"
This was the most pressing issue.
The latter would be for the best. A sincere alliance born out of common interest made for the most solid of relations. On the flip side, he could do without a coalition that merely wanted to sit by and watch both sides crash and burn.
If they proceeded just along their current path, it'd be a case of all sides rejoicing if they won, but him being the scapegoat in the event of failure. The other factions could easily withdraw whenever they pleased.
Veluriyam's destruction would be an earthshattering event never seen in millennia. No one could predict the course of events. Were they brave and resolute enough to persist until the end? He needed to ascertain their trustworthiness.
The Empyrean River Palace's head stepped forward first. "Your Majesty, we're naturally like-minded in our determination to put to death the brutish Jiang Chen, uphold righteousness, and restore peace and clarity to the human domain!"
His flattery had somehow transformed Jiang Chen into mankind's enemy, while they were the embodiment of justice.
"My Sublime Chord Temple will follow Your Majesty through thick and thin." This sect expressed their intentions as well.
"My sect's enmity with that kid is as deep as the sea." The Eternal Celestial Capital sighed after a moment. "There's no reason for us not to stand by Your Majesty. Count us in."
The Empyrean River Palace and the Sublime Chord Temple were Pillfire's loyal sycophants. Put bluntly, without Pillfire's backing, they wouldn't have maintained their position as one of the eight first rank sects in Upper Eight Regions. They might've been replaced long ago. Therefore, they would never waver in their support.
The Eternal Celestial Capital's relation with Pillfire was shallower, but a common enemy ensured the firmness of their partnership. With their addition, three out of the present four factions had expressed their stance.
Only the Heavenly Dragon Sect was left. Their presence here was due to nothing else but Pillzenith's promise of a true dragon. In other words, they were the weakest link. It would be a predicament if that link were to break.
The war would only have a single outcome: one side falling, or even exterminated.
"Long Baxiang, you were the loudest earlier. Why are you silent now that you have to take a side?" Tallpeak coldly mocked.
Long Baxian laughed. "What do you want me to say?"
"Does your sect pledge to do its utmost against Veluriyam?"
"That depends on the benefits." Long Baxiang smiled leisurely.
"Hmph, how greedy!"
"Right back at you. They say a ruler doesn't neglect his soldiers' welfare. Do you want to rope us in without giving us benefits? What a cute little fantasy!"
Pillzenith waved Tallpeak silent and gazed at Long Baxiang with indifference. "You'll naturally have your share as long as you don't betray us."
"Oh? Your Majesty, does that mean you've decided?" Long Baxiang's lips curved in a supercilious smile.
"What kind of benefits will buy your diligence? I'm listening."
If the Heavenly Dragon Sect and three other first rank sects fully supported Pillfire, there'd be no suspense left about the outcome they went all out against a Veluriyam without Emperor Peafowl. Pillzenith was confident he'd destroy Jiang Chen in the blink of an eye.
"The true dragon is ours. No one else is to touch it. We also want all of the kid's pill recipes." Long Baxiang made incredulous demands. Of course, Pillfire wouldn't agree to this daylight robbery, but it was common sense to start negotiations with sky-high proposals.
Pillfire's great emperors shouted at this display of impudence.
"Long Baxiang, did I hear that right? Why don't you ask for all of Veluriyam's treasures while you're at it?!"
"This is pure extortion. Have you no shame?!"
"Your Majesty, do we truly need them? Such shameless people are never reliable."
Long Baxian remained unflappable and didn't lose his lazy smile.
Frowning, Pillzenith fixed him with a cold stare. "Your sect can't afford such avarice. Ask for something more reasonable."
Long Baxiang laughed. "Hehe, is greed reserved only for Pillfire? Fine, I'll make some concessions. The true dragon, plus one recipe: either the Emperor Supremacy Pill or the Pinecrane Pill. Also, if the kid has that kind of supreme pills stowed away, we must be given one first. If there's more than enough to go around, we'll discuss again how to split them..."
Pillzenith frowned with displeasure at the lowered, yet still shocking conditions. "A true dragon is worth as much as the Pinecrane Pill's recipe. You're asking for the lion's share."
"That's my sect's bottom line." Long Baxiang leered. "If it's not feasible, we'll take our leave. Who knows, maybe we'll befried Veluriyam and get some benefits from Jiang Chen, just like the Great Yu Skysword Sect and the others."
This was blatantly a thinly veiled threat. I'll withdraw if you refuse, and I'll even notify your enemy.
Killing intent flashed through Pillfire's heart. At this very moment, he was truly tempted to kill Long Baxiang. However, he ultimately resisted the urge. No matter how shameless, the man was a prominent figure of the Heavenly Dragon Sect.
He wasn't the sect head, but his influence was outstanding nonetheless. His death would turn a top first rank sect into an enemy. Of course, Pillzenith wasn't afraid of them, but dealing with them would weaken Pillfire.
"Long Baxiang, I'd heard of your sect's shamelessness, but you still managed to surprise me. Here you are, plotting to kill Jiang Chen. Do you think you can still mend fences with Veluriyam?" He sneered.
The great emperor cackled in answer. "But we haven't killed him. Moreover…"
Pillzenith cut him short. "The true dragon is yours, the Emperor Ascension Pill's recipe is yours. Forget about the rest."
Long Baxiang shook his head with a chuckle. "Hehe, that won't do. We want the Pinecrane Pill and the Emperor Supremacy Pill as well"
"If we find more than five of them, I'll assign one to your sect. That's my last offer. Don't test my patience." Pillzenith had already made consecutive concessions because the Heavenly Dragon Sect was the most powerful out of the four sects. He could use their strength against Veluriyam.
However, he would settle his accounts with them once the war was over. He'd make them spit out everything they'd eaten.
Long Baxian remained unperturbed. "One last thing. After conquering Veluriyam, Pillfire can't doublecross us for any reason. We'd rather not give up what we just earned, and then some."
As a crafty old fox, of course he'd think of this possibility.
Did he see through me? Pillzenith quavered inwardly, but his face betrayed none of his surprise. "How devious. My goal's Jiang Chen, not your sect. Don't be paranoid."
"Haha, the world is full of danger. A man can't be too prudent." Long Baxiang sniggered. He obviously didn't trust Pillzenith at all.
All of a sudden, a derisive laugh interrupted their haggling.
"Each of you is an old monster who's lived for thousands of years. Daydreaming in broad daylight doesn't become you." Filled with taunting mockery, the voice naturally belonged to Jiang Chen.
He'd been eavesdropping while these old fellows shamelessly boasted about invading his city and haggled over the loot. How could he sit still?
The crowd froze. Pillzenith in particular, turned murderous.
"Kid, you were really hiding here!" he swore ferociously. "You've killed two of my great emperors. This debt can only be repaid by bathing Veluriyam in blood!"
"Hahaha, why stop at two? What about the fellow who came in before?" Jiang Chen laughed lazily.
Without exception, everyone froze.
Chapter 1379: Jiang Chen Slaps Faces
Jiang Chen's intrusion in the midst of their spoils discussion was a bucket of icy water doused on their heads.
According to him, Big Horn and Old Ma had both fallen at his hand. Moreover, Emperor Heartcloud was also dead. Most of those present had come to those conclusions already, but Emperor Heartcloud's death nevertheless created a sliver of caution. So, Jiang Chen did have the ability to easily kill great emperors!
And yet he was so young! Was it really wise to become a mortal enemy of a genius such as him?
"Pillzenith, you say that I killed Pillfire's great emperors. Why don't you talk about your collusion with Shura against Emperor Peafowl? Why don't you talk about how those emperors' presence in Myriad Domain made them necessary targets? Why don't you understand that your ambush was what led to Emperor Heartcloud's death?" Jiang Chen spoke at a slow but rhythmic pace.
His body flickered, then reappeared only a hundred or so yards away from the great emperors. Alas, it was difficult to make him out across that short distance. His form was indistinguishable, almost as if he wasn't entirely there. Was it really possible to reach him? He almost seemed a world away.
Emperor Pillzenith was on the brink of exploding. "You rascal!" he huffed, "the feud between Veluriyam Capital and Pillfire City is irreconcilable, no matter how sharp your tongue is!"
"That's what I wanted to say," sneered Jiang Chen.
"What are you going on about, you scoundrel? You're faced with countless great emperors here! Pillfire City has allied itself with four first rank sects of the Upper Eight Regions in a coalition against Veluriyam. When our army arrives, Veluriyam will be reduced to smithereens. Let's see how stuck-up you are then!" One of the great emperors behind Emperor Pillzenith crowed.
Jiang Chen was perfectly serene. "I've always been 'stuck-up', as you put it. What's Pillfire going to do about it? You don't need to make everything sound so grand, Pillzenith. If Pillfire wants my Pinecrane Pill and Emperor Supremacy Pill, you should just say so. Why hide your desires? Is your hypocrisy growing at the same rate as your age?"
"Bull!" Emperor Pillzenith snorted. "Veluriyam treasures those pills. Do you think that the entire world does the same?"
"What, you're not interested in the Pinecrane Pill?" Jiang Chen laughed.
"Not one bit," Emperor Pillzenith retorted proudly. "Veluriyam Capital won't catch up to Pillfire City in pill dao even in another three thousand years. You think that one or two miracle pills will close the vast gulf of difference between us? In your dreams!"
"Tsk tsk, Pillzenith, you're so very shameless in your old age." Jiang Chen couldn't help but chuckle. "Those who don't know better would actually believe you. But I wonder how the Pinecrane Pill that the Sublime Chord Temple won ended up in Pillfire hands?"
Emperor Pillzenith's heart tensed. This was a secret between only Pillfire City and the Sublime Chord Temple. How did the kid know about it?
The great emperor had used every available effort against the Sublime Chord Temple in order to obtain the pill, including a few veiled threats. The Temple had practically been forced to give it up.
Of course, Emperor Pillzenith hadn't gone overboard in the matter. He returned the same number of spirit stones as the Sublime Chord Temple had spent in the auction rather than forcing it to take a painful loss.
But still, the Temple was none too happy about the turn of events. After all, they had offended the Heavenly Dragon Sect during the auction for the sake of the pill.
Because of the underhanded way in which he'd procured the pill, Emperor Pillzenith was extremely surprised that Jiang Chen was able to point out his possession of it. The Sublime Chord Temple's great emperor was just as astonished.
The ruler of Pillfire turned his eyes to the Temple's expert. Clearly, he suspected that his sect was responsible for leaking the info.
The Temple's expert tasted bitterness in his mouth. "Your Majesty Pillzenith," he messaged hurriedly, "my Sublime Chord Temple definitely kept the secret!"
Emperor Pillzenith felt doubtful. "You're making things up, kid," he harrumphed. "I couldn't care less about a mere Pinecrane Pill." He was stubborn to the bitter end.
"What about the Pinecrane Pill that the Temple of Cleansing Fire's pill emperors are studying? Where'd that come from then, hmm?" Jiang Chen's tone became exaggerated. He clucked his tongue in mock disapproval.
What? Emperor Pillzenith was stunned. That the pill emperors from the Temple of Cleansing Fire were researching the Pinecrane Pill was a well-kept internal secret.
Aside from Emperor Pillzenith, very few of the city's great emperors knew about it. The emperor had especially put his youngest son in charge to give the boy some credentials and momentum, preparing for the day that he might inherit his father's position.
Originally, Emperor Pillzenith's pill dao heir was Pill King Ji Lang. Martial dao went to his young son, young master Tian Lin.
But Pill King Ji Lang's perfect performance pre-Jiang Chen had turned into loss after loss after meeting the young man. He'd disappointed the great emperor's expectations time and again. Therefore, Emperor Pillzenith decided to pin his hopes for both pill and martial dao upon young master Tian Lin.
The Pinecrane Pill's research was the first step for his young son on his path to the throne. The revelation of the clandestine subject was like having one's secret found out by a huge crowd.
"Surely you won't deny this, will you, Pillzenith?" Jiang Chen smiled coolly.
Emperor Pillzenith was in a bad spot. He was both scared and astonished, and above all, completely confused. How did Jiang Chen know something so well-guarded? Did the Temple of Cleansing Fire have a traitor in its halls?
Everyone saw that Emperor Pillzenith was at a loss for words. Was the kid right this time? Was Emperor Pillzenith researching the Pinecrane Pill behind everyone's backs?
"No need to waste words on the brat, Your Majesty. The more we talk, the deeper we fall into his trap. We just need to attack Veluriyam Capital as planned," advised Emperor Tallpeak.
Emperor Pillzenith inclined his head slightly, struggling to choke down his fury. "I have no interest in wasting words on you, petty thief!" He raised an eyebrow. "When my conquering force arrives, Veluriyam Capital will be utterly crushed. Let's see you escape from my grasp then!"
He was content to admit defeat in a war of words. That didn't mean he had given up!
Jiang Chen roared with laughter when he heard the threat.
"I'd like to know when you're setting off, Pillzenith." Jiang Chen's grinning expression showed that he was unafraid of the great emperor's coercion.
Emperor Pillzenith sneered. "You think your fake calm will make me change my mind, kid? All four of these first rank sects here hate Veluriyam Capital to the bone. Your city has incited mass outrage against it across the human domain. You shall become dust under this natural course!"
"That's right, you crook. You'll pay for your crimes as Veluriyam's young lord, Jiang Chen!" The lord of the Eternal Celestial Capital screamed.
Jiang Chen tossed him a dispassionate glance. "You're right, crimes must be paid for. Payment will be collected from the Eternal Celestial Capital soon enough."
As the head of a sect, the emperor of the Capital was disturbed by the frigidity of Jiang Chen's words. He felt an irritating tug on his heartstrings. Swiftly, he turned his thoughts to the fact that there was no reason Pillfire and the four first rank sects couldn't take down Veluriyam.
"Young lord Jiang Chen," Long Baxiang cackled. "I remember when I asked you for your true dragon the easy way. You wouldn't give it up for your life, eh? Well, that'll show you not to snub me. The Heavenly Dragon Sect won't give Veluriyam an inch, either!"
"If you're stupid enough to plot alongside a tiger like Pillzenith, I'm too lazy to encourage your repentance. Forget about the true dragon. The Heavenly Dragon Sect will never get its grubby hands on it. If your sect is so set on opposing me, perhaps it's time for a re-shuffling of the eight first rank sects in the human domain. I guarantee the Heavenly Dragon Sect will disappear, at any rate!"
"Hmph. Ignorant child! You sure talk big." Long Baxiang was incensed. "I'd like to see whether Veluriyam or the Heavenly Dragon Sect disappears first."
"Don't you see, brat?" Emperor Pillzenith stated icily. "This is the will of the people. When the army gets here, both you and Veluriyam will be history!"
Jiang Chen roared with laughter. "I see, I see. Let me know when you decide to depart, eh? I'll give you a human sacrifice as a present."
"Hmm?" Emperor Pillzenith furrowed his brow, uncertain of what Jiang Chen meant.
A human sacrifice? As a present?
Jiang Chen smiled with some indifference at the perplexed emperor. "Didn't you send people to the Moon God Sect to try to capture the holy maiden Xu Qingxuan?"
Emperor Pillzenith's eyes widened. That kid knew about that too? Then he remembered that they'd decided it within the residence. It was quite reasonable for the brat to have overheard it given the location.
"Hmph, she can't run forever. One day, I'll capture your entire family and and cut their flesh off strip by strip. They'll taste all of the tortures known to mankind. Your collective destination is the grave. Hahaha!" The emperor spat all of this out through gritted teeth. He had been provoked to utter irascibility by his young nemesis.
His state of displeasure amused Jiang Chen to no end.
"Excellent, Pillzenith, excellent. I was wondering how I should get rid of the guy. You gave me some great ideas." Saying so, Jiang Chen hoisted young master Tian Lin in his hand and smiled superciliously. "Shall I torture him right now by cutting his flesh off strip by strip? Or shall I pick another day? The day your army departs perhaps, as a superb sacrifice?"
A closer look rendered Emperor Pillzenith on the verge of collapse. The person Jiang Chen had in his hand was his dearest son!
Young master Tian Lin hung lifelessly in Jiang Chen's hand like a ragged robe. The great emperor was about to cough up blood.
Chapter 1380: Pillfire City Submits
Emperor Pillzenith couldn't possibly have imagined such a dramatic reversal of circumstance. Shouldn't his son be in Pillfire City right now, protected by countless experts? Why had he inexplicably appeared here instead, in that dastardly Jiang Chen's hands no less?
Am I hallucinating? Or perhaps Jiang Chen had found an innocent doppelganger, and dressed him up in the same likeness of his son? However, a closer glance revealed that it was quite likely to be Tian Lin in the flesh rather than a fake.
Emperor Pillzenith's head spun. His ambitious couldn't prevent him from panicking. The tables had turned several times over, and he couldn't accept reality just yet. The other great emperors from Pillfire were just as flabbergasted as him.
Why was young master Tian Lin in Jiang Chen's hands?
He had seen his father off personally upon their departure from the city. Every Pillfire emperor had witnessed this in person. Had that kid captured young master Tian Lin en route after leaving the Moon God Sect, when he was passing by Pillfire City?
What a preposterous thought!
If Jiang Chen had taken the detour to Pillfire City, why hadn't any news come from there? That was assuming of course, that he had the ability to capture the young man in the first place. The timing made no sense.
It had been a long time since their ambush of Jiang Chen. The people they'd sent to the Moon God Sect to cut off Xu Qingxuan had returned by now. Why hadn't there been any messengers from Pillfire City if something really had happened?
Though Pillzenith had been a cocksure rooster a moment earlier, Jiang Chen's critical act deflated him like a balloon. His throat gurgled, unable to accept what he was seeing. The emperor's mind was utterly blank. How had Jiang Chen captured his son?
The time didn't match up at all!
Can it be… Suddenly, Emperor Pillzenith's brain whirred. A terrifying thought flashed across his mind. Did the kid leave the residence midway? Can it be that he visited Pillfire City and warned the Moon God Sect as well?
A look of horror flickered across the emperor's face.
If that was the case, the kid was a real force to be reckoned with. Emperor Pillzenith was filled with regret. Why had he plotted so brazenly within the residence? Why hadn't he avoided giving away information instead?
It didn't matter what he was thinking at this moment. He could do very little to help the situation. Emperor Pillzenith's heart burned with a reckless fire whenever his eyes passed over his collapsed son.
It was difficult for him to open his mouth after the harshness of his prior words.
Was he supposed to beg? The emperor wouldn't do so if someone killed him.
Take a hardline stance to the end? If he did that, Jiang Chen really could slice young master Tian Lin to bits. Emperor Pillzenith was out of ideas and desperate.
Emperor Tallpeak felt rather guilty. After all, he had suggested that Xu Qingxuan be captured. The fact that young master Tian Lin was in Jiang Chen's hands meant that the young lord had a hand upon his liege's vitals.
Would Emperor Pillzenith take his anger out on the strategist? Emperor Tallpeak couldn't imagine what would happen. Is it really a good idea to oppose this kid?
Did Pillfire City really have to fight Jiang Chen to the death?
Emperor Pillzenith was ashen-faced. He didn't dare to spew forth a single threat out of all the ones he was thinking. Any unnecessary provocation meant that the hot-blooded Jiang Chen could kill young master Tian Lin right away.
He glanced at Emperor Tallpeak through his peripheral vision. The gesture tipped Tallpeak off to the fact that Emperor Pillzenith was interested in conceding.
It wasn't any permanent or honest sort of concession, but one driven by the circumstances. Young master Tian Lin's death at Jiang Chen's hands would be unmitigated disaster.
Having received the hint from Emperor Pillzenith, Tallpeak called out loudly, "Jiang Chen, the only hostilities that exist are between Pillfire and Veluriyam. Getting innocents involved goes against the common principles of morality and righteousness, no?"
Morality and righteousness?
Jiang Chen burst out laughing. "I've seen a lot of shameless people, but you're definitely the cream of the crop! You're the one that suggested to Pillzenith to capture Xu Qingxuan, correct? What? Is Pillfire City the only party allowed to use such underhanded techniques? A counterattack on similar terms is somehow forbidden?"
Tallpeak's face colored with embarrassment and uncertainty. He had no good response to the accusation. He knew that nothing he said would be particularly useful.
"Alright, Jiang Chen! Your intellect has triumphed this day. Pillfire City admits defeat! Why not forgive and forget? Tell me, what do we need to do for you to release young master Tian Lin?"
He didn't want to use any abrasive words. Any provocation against Jiang Chen meant that young master Tian Lin's death was possible. If things came to that, he would be despised by Emperor Pillzenith for life.
The experts from the other sects were depressed just the same. If Emperor Pillzenith's son was in enemy hands, that was a chokehold over the city's pulse. How were they supposed to fight Jiang Chen or Veluriyam Capital?
The attack on Veluriyam Capital was probably dropped, unless Emperor Pillzenith was willing to sacrifice his son as preamble. Alas, everyone present knew that young master Tian Lin was Emperor Pillzenith's most favored son. Furthermore, the emperor also had superbly high hopes for him.
Even the Heavenly Dragon Sect's Long Baxiang didn't dare mouth off. He knew very well how much Pillzenith treasured this son of his. If the Heavenly Dragon Sect was responsible for the youth's death, Pillfire would instantly likely turn on the sect over its feud with Veluriyam.
Though the lord of the Eternal Celestial Capital deeply wished to kill Jiang Chen on the spot, the circumstances before him told him that that was already unrealistic.
The Empyrean River Palace and the Sublime Chord Temple were allies of Pillfire City to begin with. It was completely understandable for them not to mess with Emperor Pillzenith's son considering his status and their own.
The atmosphere became rather odd.
That almost thirty great emperors had been made fools of by a single youth depressed all Pillfire's emperors a good deal. None of them was satisfied with the current state of affairs.
Jiang Chen smirked. "Let him go? You think that I'm just going to let my hard-earned prey go? Just like that? Would you let someone from Veluriyam go just like that?"
Jiang Chen's rhetoric stopped all possible retort. If they were in his shoes, they would take full advantage of a captured Xu Qingxuan to blackmail Jiang Chen to no end. There was no way they would've let her go. Simply threatening Jiang Chen was use enough. The reverse of that – Xu Qingxuan missing, young master Tian Lin stuck in Jiang Chen's hands – evoked a sense of absurdity in all of the experts from Pillfire.
Even the traditionally clever Tallpeak, master of a hundred stratagems, didn't know what to say. What could he even do in this spot? Was it possible to force his opponent to back off by swearing vengeance and escalating?
He couldn't actually do nothing, though.
"You have the upper hand, Jiang Chen," sighed Tallpeak. "You can be as proud as you like. You should know very well, though, that although young master Tian Lin is a good card to play, much of his value is determined by how you use him. If you do so poorly, a battle to the death between the two giants isn't necessarily to your benefit."
"To the death?" Jiang Chen laughed. "Wasn't that what you were planning on? I'm fulfilling your wishes, aren't I?"
This was a resounding slap to both emperors. The verbal blow stung their faces, and both men wanted to find a deep fissure to dive into.
"Jiang Chen, we're not at that point yet. You should know that if Pillfire and Veluriyam do fight to the death, it's extremely likely that your city will be utterly destroyed. Do you really want that to happen? If you release young master Tian Lin, we can discuss an alternative."
Tallpeak was trying to win Jiang Chen over through reasoning. He wanted the youth to go with what he perceived as the flow.
Jiang Chen didn't believe a word of it. "Get your facts straight, old man. Firstly, Veluriyam isn't scared of Pillfire one bit. Your patchwork army is held together only by mutual profit. You have no unifying principle behind your forces. An alliance like that is more fragile than glass. Secondly, Pillfire was the instigator of this family-kidnapping scheme. I'm only returning the favor, as I rightly should! Lastly, you should right your attitude if you want an alternative. Do I look like I care?"
In truth, Jiang Chen had no interest whatsoever in any alternative save for war. Still, his own reason told him that full-on conflict with Pillfire immediately was far less advantageous for Veluriyam.
Though Pillfire City was a group of mongrels, it and the four first rank sects presented a surprisingly potent combination. Jiang Chen wasn't scared, but the rest of Veluriyam wouldn't necessarily agree.
Now was not a good time for war. However, his grasp over young master Tian Lin meant that he had the initiative.
Tallpeak sighed. "Pillfire City's attitude is right here. We ask only for young master Tian Lin's safety. Pillfire City can forgive all your prior offenses, given that."
Forgive all prior offenses?
Jiang Chen snickered internally. He and Pillfire wanted drastically different things. Emperor Pillzenith's conspiracy behind Emperor Peafowl's disappearance wasn't going to be forgotten that easily.
Chapter 1381: Jiang Chens Requests
Faced with no response, Tallpeak added, "Young lord, we're at fault for underestimating your strength and charisma. We know now that fighting against Veluriyam would be detrimental to the human domain. Surely, you too realize the chaos it'd create? The flames of war would destroy the entire domain overnight. Senior Peafowl was a peace-loving man. Will you betray his legacy as soon as you inherit his seat?"
Alas, he shouldn't have mentioned Emperor Peafowl. Jiang Chen bristled with rage.
"Emperor Peafowl? Have you no shame? Pillzenith, if you hadn't plotted against him with Shura, would we be here today?" he rebuked.
Pillzenith was indifferent.
"The strong prey on the weak. It's the way of cultivators. His style of martyring himself and bemoaning the fate of mankind was no longer fit for the times. If I hadn't gotten rid of him, would you be Veluriyam's young lord? Jiang Chen, you should be grateful to me. Under his rule, Veluriyam was riddled with internal strife and wallowed in mediocrity. Isn't your city more united now? Aren't you stronger? A ferocious leader like you is better for the region. The process notwithstanding, the result was favorable for you."
The twisted argument angered Jiang Chen so much he laughed. Pillzenith's shamelessness knew no bounds. For him, the ends justified the means. Perhaps he believed everyone to be like him. A man like him was very dangerous.
"Should this young lord thank you then?" Jiang Chen replied with a cold smile.
"No need for thanks. I merely thought to take advantage of your city's momentary weakness. But since you've assumed power, Veluriyam is stronger than ever. The best choice for us both here is to bury the hatchet."
"Hehe, Pillzenith, what a glib tongue. You plot against Veluriyam's riches, scheme against Emperor Peafowl, and think you can bury everything with a few words?"
"Jiang Chen, don't forget you've killed three of my great emperors. That makes us even." If not for his son, Pillzenith would never have tried to placate his enemy.
"Even? Even ten of your great emperors couldn't hold a candle to Emperor Peafowl. He's both a teacher and a friend. You can't begin to fathom the relationship between us. You better pray he's fine, or I will never let this end!" The young man had no desire to trade nonsense back and forth.
"Jiang Chen, do you really want to fight to the bitter end? Do you think I'm powerless simply because my son is in your hands?"
Jiang Chen calmly responded, "Feel free to do whatever you like. I can tell you clearly that you won't be getting him back for now. The moment you take up arms, he dies!"
If not for the palace's powerful restriction, Pillzenith would have charged in regardless of the consequences. He wanted Jiang Chen cut into a thousand pieces! To be so helpless in front of a youngster… This was his life's greatest humiliation. He smoldered with rage.
Tallpeak quietly advised, "Your Majesty, he's purposely provoking you. Please rein in your anger. Allow this subordinate to speak with him on your behalf."
Be calm, keep your composure, Pillzenith continuously reminded himself. However, how could he when his most beloved son was in enemy hands?
Tallpeak cupped his fist. "Young lord Jiang Chen, I'm certain you're ready for battle, but the human domain truly can't bear a clash between us. Are we to forever cling to the past? Let bygones be bygones. What will it take to make peace?"
Jiang Chen had little desire for peace, but now wasn't the right time for all-out war. He replied with a faint smile, "I'm too angry to think of that for now. I can consider the issue once I calm down, depending on your sincerity of course."
"Then, can you release Sir Tian Lin?" Tallpeak couldn't help but ask.
"How naive." Jiang Chen smiled coldly. "Why would you be so humble, if not for him? Should I release him so you can stab me back?"
His stubborn refusal left Tallpeak helpless.
"Jiang Chen, what would it take for you to let him go?" Tallpeak also had some trouble keeping his anger in check.
"It'll depend on my mood. For now, get lost unless you want to fight!" These fellows are afraid of the palace's defenses. No fight is to be had today, it seems.
Tallpeak refused to give up. "Young lord, as long as you release him, we vow never to seek revenge against Veluriyam again. Everything that happened before will be water under the bridge. You're also welcome to any material compensation you want. Gems or pills, it's yours for the asking."
He had obtained Pillzenith's agreement for this offer beforehand.
"Gems and pills. How generous of you. Too bad, these toys interest me very little."
"What do you want then? You have but to ask. Everything's on the table as long as you release Sir Tian Lin."
"Everything?" Jiang Chen's eyes shone, feigning interest.
"Everything, as long as it's within our power," Tallpeak hurriedly added.
"I have but to ask?" Jiang Chen blinked innocently with a teasing smile.
"Please do. We'll do everything we can."
"Fine. I do have some requests, as it happens. And it's also within Pillfire's power." His lips curved in a lazy smile.
"What is it? We're all ears."
"Very simple. You must be aware of my enmity with the Eternal Celestial Capital? Eradicate them and I promise I'll send back Tian Lin unharmed. I won't touch a single hair on his head," Jiang Chen responded in all earnestness.
The holy emperor paled. He looked at Pillzenith, shouting, "Your Majesty, he's trying to drive a wedge between us! Please don't listen to the bastard's malicious drivel."
The kid's ploy wasn't the most subtle one, but it was extremely difficult to counter. It would be child's play for Pillfire to eradicate his sect. He was deathly afraid Pillzenith would agree on the spot for the sake of his cherished son. If that was the case, his sect was in grave danger. With Pillfire's strength, the Capital would be easily wiped out.
Pillzenith smoldered. "Jiang Chen, are you playing me for a fool? The Eternal Celestial Capital is a first rank sect with deep roots and inheritances dating back to ancient times. Each of the eight first rank sects is a pillar of Upper Eight Regions. The collapse of a single one would send the entire region reeling. Do you want Pillfire to be forever reviled?"
"Hahaha." Jiang Chen smiled contemptuously. "Pillzenith, don't be so self-righteous at the drop of a hat. This isn't like you. Veluriyam is also a pillar of Upper Eight Regions. Why didn't that cross your mind when you plotted against us? Why didn't you fear being reviled then?"
The reply rendered Pillzenith speechless.
Tallpeak came to his rescue. "Young lord, please make a more realistic request. The Eternal Celestial Capital is our friend. Would you attack the Celestial Cicada Court if I asked you to?"
"Friend, hmm?" Jiang Chen smiled, looking very accommodating. "What about the Heavenly Dragon Sect then? There's little friendship there, correct? I saw Long Baxiang bicker with you lot repeatedly. Who knows what he's scheming? You must be quite put-out with his sect. After Veluriyam, they must be next on your agenda. See, I'm even giving you a legitimate reason to destroy them. If you do, I swear to the heavens I'll return your son unharmed."
It was Long Baxiang's turn to blanch. He shouted, "Kid, using someone else to do your dirty work? Aren't you afraid of heavens' wrath?"
"Haha. Long Baxiang, is it any nobler killing and robbing in broad daylight like you? At most, I'm simply giving you a taste of your own medicine!"
Flustered, Long Baxiang turned to Pillzenith. "Your Majesty, this kid is sowing dissension among allies! He's as vile and poisonous as a viper."
Everybody knew what the young lord was doing, but no one could stop him.
However, Pillzenith was a giant of his time. He knew Jiang Chen was simply making things difficult for him with unrealistic demands. Destroying a first rank sect would wreck Pillfire's status and reputation in Upper Eight Regions. More importantly, it would result in unacceptable losses for his city.
Three of his great emperors had already fallen. If more were to die against the Heavenly Dragon Sect, it would harm Pillfire's fundamental strength. Hence, it was impossible for him to accede to Jiang Chen's demands.
Chapter 1382: Back In Veluriyam
"The Eternal Celestial Capital is your friend and you're afraid of the Heavenly Dragon Sect. Fine then. The Empyrean River Palace and the Sublime Chord Temple, I'll let you pick either one." Jiang Chen sensed Pillzenith's hesitation and continued making fun of the great emperor.
Everytime Jiang Chen named a sect, its great emperors twitched and their hearts pounded. Although Pillzenith couldn't possibly agree in public, they all knew how much he loved this son. What if the two parties reached a secret agreement?
Their fear was well founded. For Pillzenith, Tian Lin was worth the destruction of any sect. Why did the damn kid have to ask in front of everyone? The humiliation of today was greater than the shame he'd suffered in his entire life. If not for his son and the palace restriction, he'd have attacked the damn brat long ago.
He took a deep breath and nailed the young lord with a look. "Jiang Chen, I have many sons. It's impossible for me to abandon a cultivator's righteousness for even one of them. Enough with trying to sow dissension. I won't agree to a single demand."
Jiang Chen clapped with a bark of laughter. "Haha, if I didn't know you any better, I'd admire your uprightness. Oh well, I'll raise your son for you in that case. Don't you have many of them? Just pretend you never had this one."
Pillzenith almost spat blood at Jiang Chen's casualness, but he could do nothing but scowl.
"Your Majesty, the kid is clearly afraid of all-out conflict. He won't dare kill Sir Tian Lin. We might as well retreat for now. We can capture one of his people in the future and make a trade," Tallpeak offered.
It's the only option left to rescue Tian Lin. It's impossible to take him back with me today. Pillzenith eased up a little when he came to terms with the idea.
However, he still didn't dare be too rude. He arched his hands. "Jiang Chen, I've lived for several thousand years, but you're the greatest opponent I've ever met, even more so than Emperor Peafowl. The student indeed has surpassed the master. I admit defeat today. However, if you harm a single of my son's hair, I vow to slaughter all million of Veluriyam's citizens. If you endanger his life, I won't spare a single soul in your territory!
"Let's go." He left with a wave of his hand, his great emperors following behind.
Long Baxian shot a cold, conflicted glare at Jiang Chen, his tone treacherous. "Quite a good trump card you've got today. I hope you can hold onto it tight!"
Jiang Chen glanced back, unconcerned. "Just remember, I'm one to hold a grudge."
Long Baxiang left with a snort.
A little fretful, the holy emperor didn't even have the courage to make eye contact before leaving.
The young lord fixed his departing figure with narrowed eyes but made no move to stop him. He naturally couldn't cope with the Eternal Celestial Capital all by himself.
When all of his enemies had left, he sat down cross-legged, meditated, sorted his thoughts, then finally took a peek outside. He was in no hurry to leave. Pillzenith might not have given up hope and could've set up additional traps.
He observed the surroundings carefully, only retracting the palace after being certan that Pillfire's men had truly left. Why hadn't they tried to ambush him? This was a bit odd. Pillzenith he could understand, but what of the Eternal Celestial Capital? Why weren't they trying to steal a march on him?
They shouldn't have let him off so easily, given the depth of their enmity. But Jiang Chen soon understood. Pillzenith must have stopped them.
Indeed, the holy emperor was incomparably depressed. He'd wanted to rally all his sect's powerhouses and kill Jiang Chen while the latter was still in his domain, no matter the risks or losses. Letting this tiger return to his den would spell his sect's future doom.
Alas, Pillzenith had harshly forbidden the plan. The latter hadn't wanted to interfere in the grudge between Veluriyam and the Eternal Celestial Capital, but what if Jiang Chen used his son as a shield? It'd be too late for regrets then.
He'd likewise warned the Heavenly Dragon Sect, but their two great emperors hadn't been confident they could kill Jiang Chen on foreign soil in the first place. Pillzenith's warning extinguished their ambitions completely.
Still, that didn't stop them from resenting Pillfire's master. He'd been the one to suggest killing the kid, but was also the reason why they'd retreated with their tails between their legs.
Jiang Chen had a smooth trip back to Veluriyam.
The city stood as one, ready for war. After he'd dismissed the great emperors, they'd brought word back to the city. From top to bottom, the entire place was on tenterhooks because of the young lord's predicament. Quite a few people wanted to dispatch troops to his rescue.
However, none were ever sent in the end. The young lord certainly had his own plan, or else he wouldn't have sent the great emperors back. The most important was to protect the city well and wait for him to come back.
And come back he did.
The entire city sighed in relief at his safe return. Unknowingly, he'd become Veluriyam's backbone.
Jiang Feng and Xu Meng had returned to the young lord residence quite some time ago. Even their escort had returned to the Moon God Sect. As to Xu Qingxuan, she'd taken up residence with her parents a few days ago.
Her arrival had reassured the city's force. So Jiang Chen hadn't been trapped. Instead, he'd snuck to Pillfire and captured Pillzenith's son!
The young lord hadn't been afraid of these great emperors at all! He'd slipped away despite their siege! No wonder he'd been confident enough to send his men away.
"Father, mother, forgive your unfilial son for causing you worry." Affection welled in Jiang Chen when he saw his parents' concern. His past memories were merged with his current life. For him, these parents were genuine blood kin.
"Chen'er, for our safe return, you've assumed all the risks by yourself. Your mother has been worried sick. Now that you're safe and sound, she'll finally have a good night's sleep." Jiang Feng sighed.
Xu Meng stroked her son's head. "It's my fault. You grew up without your mother's love, yet I made you toil for my sake and brave untold dangers…"
"Mother, it's nothing more than proper filial piety. Stinky brother, don't you think so?" Xu Qingxuan winked at him, making him smile.
"She's right. As a son, how could I face the heavens if I didn't rescue my parents? Mother, don't worry. Few in Upper Eight Regions can corner me."
His mother nodded. "Right, right. To think my beloved son would be so formidable! You bring me so many surprises. But you should thank your father properly. He's spared no effort raising you by himself during all these years..."
Jiang Feng blushed. In truth, he'd play little part in his son's success. In fact, his son's success was just as much a surprise to him. He would have been content to let his son stay a wastrel, as long as he lived ignorant and worry-free.
However, things didn't always turn out as one might expect. To this day, he was bewildered by the young man's transformation. Sometimes, he even wondered whether someone had replaced his child.
However, no one could fake the intimacy between blood relations. Perhaps, when his son had been beaten by Eastern Kingdom's king, the heavens had taken pity on him and enlightened Jiang Chen?
"That reminds me. Father, mother, Qingxuan, you better stay in the residence for now. I've captured Pillzenith's son, so he might send experts to strike at those close to me."
Xu Qingxuan fumed, "Hmph, let them come. I'm not afraid!"
Aware of his sister's aggressive nature, Jiang Chen merely smiled. A curfew or grounding was out of the question. He could only stay vigilant around the city. Fortunately, he could deploy the Goldbiter Rats and detect anyone suspicious within several hundred miles.