Three days later, a matter so significant occurred that it rocked the entire Skylaurel Kingdom.
Fourth prince Ye Rong was officially vested as the Crown Prince, becoming the heir to the Skylaurel kingdom.
All the various struggles and interplay regarding the position of Crown Prince became history from then on. Although the clan of Ye Daiâs mother was strong, it was a strength built on the premise of having an heir to the kingdom.
Now that Ye Dai had perished in the maze realm, that so-called greatness had all become but mere smoke.
In order to ensure that Ye Rongâs position as Crown Prince would be stable, the royal family began to strip away the power from the clan of Ye Daiâs mother. They, and even some of the powers behind second prince Ye Qiao, slowly faded out of the capital.
This was to create momentum for the Crown Prince and remove the obstacles in front of his feet, paving the way for him!
Since the Crown Prince had been decided, there was no need for any opposing powers. Those tumors naturally had to be cleared away.
Jiang Chen felt sincerely happy for Ye Rong. Just like Ye Rong had said, he and Ye Rong were actually both gold buried in sand.
Now that Ye Rong had emerged as a piece of true gold from the yellow sands, heâd turned into a sparkling, distinguishable gold.
Ye Rongâs first act as Crown Prince was to reward his confidantes and followers.
As his greatest harbinger of fortune, Jiang Chen was awarded with the position of a second rank noble and enjoyed all accompanying privileges.
To the Jiang family, although their power and influence had yet to reach the peak theyâd had in the Eastern Kingdom, this was already quite impressive for a family whoâd arrived in the Skylaurel Kingdom a mere half a year ago.
After the public investiture ceremony, Jiang Chen and the Jiang family finally officially set foot in the noble circles of the Skylaurel Kingdom and became an existence known to every household throughout the kingdom.
All sorts of versions regarding the relationship between Jiang Chen and Ye Rong arose, making him out to be more impressive even than the gods.
However, the rumor mills didnât have to go to great efforts as merely having the Skylaurel Kingdom Medallion was enough to have everyone in the kingdom pay homage to him.
As for how Jiang Chen had helped Ye Rong to his position, how heâd helped Ye Rong take out his other competitors within the maze realms, numerous versions of those stories abounded. Each was as if the teller had been present and had seen things with their own eyes.
Naturally, none of these tales came even close to the truth.
Naturally, Jiang Chen paid no heed to the rumors from the outside world. Whether it was a fourth rank or second rank noble, in the end, it was only to find a safe place to settle down for the Jiang family.
Jiang Chen didnât give much thought to mundane wealth and fortune.
Jiang Chen had just returned from outside one day when the guard at the door reported, âYoung master, a Dragonteeth Guard is outside and seeks an audience.â
âDragonteeth Guard?â Jiang Chen started. âSend him in.â
The Dragonteeth Guard usually rarely acted alone. Was it Tian Shao? But Tian Shao was a common visitor to the Jiang family, his men wouldâve definitely recognized him.
After coming in, Jiang Chen discovered that it was actually Tang Long who had come!
âYoung master Chen.â Tang Long was actually a bit reserved after coming through the door. He rubbed his hands down his sides, as if not quite sure where to place them.
Heâd been in the Guard for two months now and had finally figured his way around things. He often heard the name Jiang Chen when chatting with his comrades.
However, if anyone asked him about Jiang Chenâs matters, he would usually gloss it over with a laugh and a smile. In his comradeâs eyes, Tang Long definitely had some relations with Jiang Chen to be able to receive the position of a sixth rank Guard as soon as heâd entered the Dragonteeth Guard.
Except, Tang Long knew quite well that he really didnât have much to do with Jiang Chen. To be frank, heâd only ever seen Jiang Chen once. All other matters had occurred because Jiang Chen had casually deigned to offer a helping hand.
The aid from those carefree actions however, had changed his entire life.
Therefore, Tang Long was grateful to Jiang Chen from the bottom of his heart. Heâd always wanted to find a chance to visit Jiang Chen and express his thanks.
However, thanks to his low self confidence, he was afraid that heâd be looked down upon by Jiang Chen and his men if he visited with empty hands.
Heâd hemmed and hawed for two months until heâd managed to scrape some money and buy something. Heâd then finally mustered his courage and come to visit.
âGood man, you look absolutely different with the Dragonteeth Guard uniform on you.â Jiang Chen chuckled. âHowâs your little brother doing?â
âHe... He can walk normally now. He only spends some time on the wheelchair because his body is a bit weak. It will take him some time to completely recover.â
âMm, that would take some time for one to recover and adjust.â Jiang Chen nodded and looked at what Tang Long had brought. He smiled, âDonât bring anything with you next time you come find me, or else Iâll have my men sweep you out the door. You said you earned a bit of money, then buy more stuff for your woman. Sheâs a good woman and you should cherish her.â
âYes, yes.â Tang Long hastened to nod repeatedly.
âMm. Iâll accept it this time, but this should not occur again. So, how does it feel after two months in the Dragonteeth Guard?â
âEverything is quite good. My comrades are all very nice to me.â Tang Long started laughing in a silly fashion as he scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. âEveryone thinks Iâm good friends with young master Chen and so gives way to me in many places.â
Jiang Chen chuckled heartily, âYou and I have interacted so many times, itâd be nice to call you my friend. Youâre someone who Tian Shao has recruited into the Dragonteeth Guard. Tian Shao has unlimited potential. He may even advance to the position of grand director of the Dragonteeth Guard. You should follow him closely.â
âYes, Iâll go about my business properly so that I donât lose face for General Tian.â
Tang Long suddenly remembered something as he spoke and gathered his courage to speak, âYoung master Chen, I think thereâs a matter that I should tell you.â
âWhat is it?â
âThe last time we went on an outing to conduct a mission, I happened to hear the disciples of the four great sites discuss something, saying that some sort of heavenly treasure was about to emerge in some mountain valley of the Southern Palace. Itâs said that many Precious Tree Sect disciples know of this matter and are making their moves.â
âHeavenly treasure?â Jiang Chen smiled. âWhat kind of heavenly treasure can exist in this mundane world?â
Tang Long smiled in a simple and honest way, âI donât know either, I only heard them talking about it. But if even the Sect disciples are interested in this, it likely wonât be fake intelligence?â
Tang Longâs intentions were actually quite simple. He purely felt that this intelligence may be of use to young master Chen. Out of a sense of gratitude to him, he felt that he should notify Jiang Chen of this news.
The sound of footsteps rang out on the other side of the door at this moment. Xue Tong walked in.
âYoung master, Qiao Baishi requests to see you.â
Xue Tong also started when he saw Tang Long, âYou?â
Tang Long also had an impression of Xue Tong, but his face changed slightly when he took a look at Xue Tong. âYou... last time I saw you, were you not only a true qi master? Youâre now at the peak of a true qi masters?â
Only a short amount of time had passed, no wonder Tang Long was so surprised.
Xue tong smiled and looked at Tang Longâs uniform. âYouâre also doing quite well for yourself, youâve made it into the Dragonteeth Guard.â
Jiang Chen had merely lifted a finger to help Tang Long, so heâd never mentioned the man to his men.
âTang Long, since youâve come, have a drink with us. Xue Tong, tell Baishi to go to the back yard.â
Tang Longâs emotions had been a bit muddled during this visit and he was feeling rather uneasy. He subconsciously wanted to flee when Jiang Chen invited him in for a drink.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
But Xue Tong didnât allow him to protest as he pulled on his arm, âOld Tang, donât stand on ceremony now that youâre here. To be honest, if it hadnât been for your enthusiastic introduction of the things in the Skylaurel Kingdom when weâd just arrived, we might have really met our downfall at the hands of the Northern Palace.â
Tang Long was slightly embarrassed, âThat was just a small act. Besides, young master Chen gave me such a good pill.â
âDonât be so formal.â Xue Tong patted Tang Longâs shoulder. âCome, all my other brothers are here. You know them as well.â
A banquet held at home was naturally very casual.
Although Tang Long was a bit restrained, the presence of the sillies Qiao Shan and Qiao Chuan in Jiang Chenâs personal guards made it easy to get to know everyone. Not long after, Tang Long had mingled in with the crowd.
Except, Qiao Baishi didnât seem particularly happy.
âBaishi, whatâs wrong? You donât seem very into this. Is it that men in love become more sentimental?â Jiang Chen joked.
Qiao Baishi smiled wryly, âYoung master Chen, to be honest, I hadnât thought that I would develop anything with Elder Ning when you had me go to the Southern Palace. Perhaps it was fate from our past lives that she would look favorably upon someone like me, coming from a small place. However, the head of the Southern Palace has given an edict lately that ordered Elder Ning to cut off all relations with me.â
âWhy is that?â Jiang Chen felt it odd.
âTheyâre probably looking down on me for coming from a small place and without a great backer. They think I have no future and am not a suitable match for Elder Ning.â
âThatâs bullshit!â Jiang Chen was greatly enraged. Qiao Baishi was his disciple. Who the hell was that head of the Southern Palace to disdain one of his disciples?
âIs this head a man or a woman?â
âWoman, and Elder Ningâs birth mother at that. Very few people in the outside world knows this, Elder Ning told me this in private.â
âThis...â Jiang Chen was a bit speechless. If it was only the head of the Southern Palace, then she was merely a supervisor. If it came down to it, Elder Ning could just quit.
But since it was Elder Ningâs birth mother, this made things a bit tricky.
The conflict between a mother-in-law and son-in-law was one of the most difficult problems to tackle beneath the heavens.
âHow does Elder Ning feel about this?â Jiang Chen asked.
âHer attitude has been quite resolute as sheâs continuously fought against her motherâs will.â
âThen thereâs no problem. As long as Elder Ning holds on, all will be fine. Sheâs just a mother-in-law, at the end of the day. Baishi, youâve seen many things in your time, can you not even handle an old hag?â
Qiao Baishi smiled ruefully, heâd never met such a matter before either, so he really didnât know what to do.
âYoung master, I have no clues what to do right now and seek guidance from you.â
âThereâs no guidance to give. Go ask that head what conditions does she want and just handle them! Donât you know to use the Four Seasons Eternal Spring Pill to handle an old hag?â
Qiao Baishi started and a light shimmered in his eyes afterwards, âThatâs right, how did I forget this bit?â
Using the Four Seasons Pill was a trump card against old women!
âOf course, just the pill alone wonât be enough. Just have her list whatever conditions she has. The Southern Palace is just a mundane sect for the Precious Tree Sect. Thereâs nothing about it. Baishi, donât have an inferiority complex. Remember, when you want to have marital relations with the Southern Palace, itâs they who are out of their league, not you. Donât get this backwards, if you do, donât say you know me in the future!â