What disappointed Jiang Chen was that old man Fei wasnât in the capital but had instead been missing for quite a while. There was no trace of old man Fei in the entire Qingyang Valley.
âIs this old man playing hide and seek with me?â Jiang Chen mused inwardly. But he also believed that even though old man Fei was crafty, he wasnât the sort to run away from his obligations.
If old man Fei was really that sort of person, Jiang Chen wouldnât have given him the recipe for the Renewal Purity Pill. Heâd observed the old man a few times and confirmed his temperament before giving that recipe to him.
âThis old man has been pining after this pill for forever, surely because of its particular use. In that case, he must be furiously collecting materials in preparation of refining this pill?â
It was a good thing that although old man Fei had left, he had given instructions to these disciples that if Jiang Chen came by, theyâd have to serve Jiang Chen as if they were serving their own ancestor.
Therefore, when Jiang Chen arrived, all these associates were incredibly fervent. Jiang Chen handed over the list that heâd prepared earlier and all the items were collected in short order, with the associates refusing to accept any money for the items.
Such ardent zeal made Jiang Chen feel almost a bit embarrassed to have lectured old man Fei.
After lingering for a while inside, Jiang Chen didnât want to while away the time outside with Han Xianke so he drank two small cups of tea before finally making his way out of the door.
At this moment, Tang Long happened to arrive with his younger brother. Large beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
Even though he was part of the army, to make a return trip in such a short amount of time with only his two legs was still a very difficult thing
Han Xianke was a man of his word and didnât put on any airs.
He took a quick glance, flourished his sleeves, and poked a few times at some acupuncture points on Tang Longâs younger brotherâs leg. Then, he took out a few gold needles and poked at various key nerves in his younger brotherâs body.
âAh!â Tang Longâs brother cried out as a mouthful of previously blocked blood sprayed from his mouth. Black blood also started flowing out of the seven orifices of his head.
âAlright.â Han Xianke put away his gold needles. âYou brought him here in time. If you had waited another half a year, not even the gods would have been able to save this man.â
âAl... alright?â Tang Long hadnât even had time to react. âThe treatment is done just like that?â
âIgnore it if you donât believe me.â Han Xiankeâs regular demeanor as a sect disciple once again reared its head.
Tang Long smiled awkwardly as he grasped the Black Spirit Wood in his hands. He wanted to offer it as a reward, but was then worried that he was acting too hastily. What if his brother hadnât truly been cured?
Jiang Chen really wanted to burst out laughing when he saw Tang Longâs hesitant figure.
âTang Long, take your younger brother back. Oh right, before that, go to the Qingyang Valley and obtain some medicine that will strengthen the body. Theyâre not that expensive. Tell them I sent you.â
This time, Tang Long had happened to catch a glimpse of Jiang Chen coming out of the Qingyang Valley office.
âIf you want your younger brother to be able to stand up, you still have to use the requisite medicines. Sir Han also already taken care of the palsy, but itâs still up to him to go through the recovery process. Using better medicine will help him heal faster.â
Jiang Chen actually had good medicine, but those were the ones for practitioners to take when they were injured. The body of Tang Longâs younger brother wouldnât be able to cope with such high-level medicine.
Tang Long was a complete believer this time. He held the Black Spirit Wood in his hands, unsure whether to offer it to Jiang Chen or Han Xianke.
Jiang Chen smiled, âIâve already said that no diagnosis fee is needed. If you find that item cumbersome, why donât you sell it to the Qingyang Valley? Theyâll give you a fair price.â
Han Xianke was the genius disciple of a sect. How could he find any value in a stick of Black Spirit Wood? Only useless trash like that senior brother Kuang would try to steal something like that.
Why would a true sect disciple want something like that?
Taking a look at Han Xiankeâs resolute face, Jiang Chen felt a headache develop. âThen, ah, letâs have a chat. I have no opinion about you wanting to be my follower, but letâs talk about this only after I enter the Precious Tree Sect. How about that?â
âYou want to enter the Precious Tree Sect?â Han Xianke started before becoming overjoyed. âThen what are we waiting for? Iâll recommend you right now.â
âThe time isnât ripe yet.â Jiang Chen shook his head. Recommendation? Jiang Chen didnât want to make it into the sect through someone elseâs power. Besides, he didnât want to start off pathetically as a low ranked disciple. He wanted to make a big entrance in a blaze of glory.
Besides, he hadnât been in the Skylaurel Kingdom for long. His foundations were not yet solid, and he had yet to find suitable positions for those around him.
It was obviously not yet the right timing to enter the Precious Tree Sect.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
He didnât want others to think that heâd gotten in by some under-the-table means as soon as he entered the sect.
Jiang Chen spent a lot of time and effort to finally convince Han Xianke that when he entered the Precious Tree Sect in the future, he would carry out the words he had spoken today and accept him as a follower.
Han Xianke still hadnât seemed that happy, so Jiang Chen had to further promise that he would let Han Xianke visit him once every three months.
Amongst all the followers heâd ever taken, Jiang Chen had never had such a follower forcibly foisted on him before. Han Xianke was the type to never rest until he reached his goal.
âHan Xianke has rather shown me another side of sect disciples.â Jiang Chen sighed lightly. Sect disciples had their eyes on top of their heads and all sorts of eccentric tempers. But, Han Xianke possessed an indefatigable and undying sense of resolution and a type of intelligence that followed enlightenment. This wasnât something that any regular person could measure up to.
Sect disciples werenât useless after all; it was just that they often displayed the awful sides of themselves and made others feel that that all sect disciples were good-for-nothings.
After all, in order to become a sect disciple, all of them surely had that a spark of something special about them.
...
When he returned home, Jiang Chen discovered that he had an unexpected visitor...
Dan Fei!
She was Tutor Yeâs half granddaughter, half disciple, and the woman that Jiang Chen was currently most afraid of bumping into.
But, sheâd come knocking on his door. He couldnât very well turn his head and walk away now, could he? He could only force himself to walk up and greet her with a wry expression, âLook who the wind blew in! Sister Dan Fei, what brings you here?â
Dan Fei looked like she was in a good mood today as she wore a light green robe, with the appearance a quietly elegant apricot berry, giving others a very refined impression.
Except, her skirt emphasized her wondrous body, making her appear even more alluring. The skirt rippled like water and billowed slightly, complementing her snow white skin and exquisite features, and even adding a few ethereal traces to her face.
âJiang Chen, I had thought that Iâd need to wait half a day for you.â Dan Fei put down the tea cup on the table with a shadow of a smile.
Seeing that she was smiling, Jiang Chen felt that she likely wasnât here to interrogate him. Almost a month had passed since the birthday banquet so thereâd be no point in holding a grudge about it anymore.
Although heâd turned down the old tutorâs good intentions, heâd also explained his reasons for doing so. Even if those reasons were made up, he had still taken care to spin them into sincere white lies.
âYoung master, youâre back. Miss Dan Fei has waited a long time for you.â Gouyu had been keeping her company, but it seemed that these two women who had similarly beautiful features, the same impressive body, and same proud natures were destined not to become friends.
The two remained silent for a long time while staring at the empty air.
âMm, Gouyu, entertain our guest first. Iâve just been out and am incredibly tired. Iâm going to take a shower and get a change of clothes first.â Jiang Chen wanted to make use of the opportunity and run away.
Dan Fei laughed softly and said leisurely, âTo think that Jiang Chen, renowned throughout the capital and unafraid of even the countryâs princes would be this afraid of seeing me, a weak woman?â
Jiang Chen smiled ruefully. This woman was a strong character alright. Although she didnât have malice written all over her face and wasnât threatening, but several of her noncommittal words had made it so that he could neither retreat nor advance.
However, Gouyu responded, âMiss Dan Fei, the young master of my house is only treating you with all due respect. Heâs not afraid of you.â
Dan Fei smiled leisurely again, âWhat a loyal gal. Jiang Chen, to think that you were keeping a young wife in a golden house. You rather know how to enjoy yourself.â
Gouyu refused to admit that she was inferior. âWho are you calling gal? Who knows whoâs the older one?â
Dan Fei smiled, âAt least my age wonât be smaller than you?â
Gouyu stuck her chest out proudly and said with burning fighting spirit, âWho knows whoâs smaller if we donât compare ourselves?â
Those who knew what they were talking about would know that they were referring to age. Those who didnât would likely think that they were comparing chest sizes instead after seeing Gouyuâs gesture.
These two women had vastly different personalities. Gouyuâs enthusiasm raged like fire, whereas Dan Feiâs intelligence sparkled with exquisite elegance.
One was a fiery red tree peony in full bloom, and the other a graceful camellia that was still friendly.
These two different women had created a battlefield in the living room, with a battle that saw neither the light of the blade nor the shadow of a sword commencing.
âAlright, alright. Are all women roosters that like to fight?â Jiang Chen was quite depressed as he plopped into a chair. âSister Dan Fei, speak whatâs on your mind and donât mind that Iâm stinking with sweat.â
Dan Fei smiled in satisfaction as her red lips curled slightly upwards, making a small gesture that was an indication of her power at Gouyu.
Gouyu laughed coldly and walked behind Jiang Chen, âYoung master, youâve had a long day. Let me rub your shoulders and pound your back.â
Jiang Chen discovered that these two women were dead set on facing off against each other.
âJiang Chen, the Four Seasons Eternal Spring Pill you gave me last time was quite nice. I heard that Elder Ning of the Southern Palace immediately shaved twenty years off her looks after taking it. Your personal maid is so dutiful, so why donât you give her one as well?â Dan Fei chuckled as she asked her question.
Gouyu smiled, âWho says I donât have any? Our young masterâs given me a ton. Iâll have enough to use from when Iâm forty years old to when Iâm four hundred.â
Dan Fei was a bit depressed that her blow had no effect whatsoever.
Jiang Chen hastily changed the topic when he saw the situation. âSister Dan Fei, what of the honored tutorâs Phoenix-Dragon?â Heâd wanted to ask if itâd been castrated, but that really wasnât the sort of thing to ask in front of two beautiful women.
âItâs all been taken care of and the lordmaster is quite happy. Heâs told me to come ask you to meet him for a drink. Look, youâve kept him waiting for so long. Arenât you an awful person?â
Jiang Chen didnât believe that Dan Fei was merely here to invite him to go drinking. He rubbed his nose. âOrdinary people arenât able to drink the lordmasterâs wine. Sister Dan Fei donât try to act dumb, please speak candidly.â
Dan Fei shot a swift smile of beauty, âIâll only tell you if you promise me first.â
âI promise Iâll definitely do it if itâs something I can do. But how can I agree to something that I canât do? What if you tell me to run naked through the streets? That I definitely wonât do.â Jiang Chen started joking around with her as well.
âWho wants you to go streaking? You dratted person.â Dan Fei hectored, but she wasnât really angry. âHave you heard of the Maze Realm Autumn Hunt? I have a few spots at my disposal, are you interested?â
âEh...â Jiang Chen was speechless.
âWhat? You were just saying that youâd do it for sure if you could do it. You canât even do this?â Dan Feiâs charming face was a bit unhappy