The honored tutor couldnât help but sigh internally when he saw Elder Iron jeer and taunt in that manner. It was such a shame that the Precious Tree Sect had such a elder like him.
That a vaunted senior executive of a sect would lose his composure this way in a mundane kingdom and lose so much face to a young man, Elder Iron was quite a unique character alright.
In comparison, Jiang Chen had remained the same throughout in maintaining his cool composure.
Elder Iron looked like he was wasting his years of experience in contrast.
When Elder Iron noticed Jiang Chenâs noncommittal posture, directionless rage surged in his heart. The calmer Jiang Chen was, the greater of a provocation that appeared in Elder Ironâs eyes.
Youâre just a brat who still reeks of your motherâs milk. What right do you have to act like youâre above others in front of me?
Elder Iron stared viciously at Jiang Chen, âJiang Chen, donât you think you can relax after escaping today. Yang Zhao isnât Lu Wuji!â
Yang Xiaoqian also bit off her words, âMy brother wonât let you off the hook for killing my nephew! Jiang Chen, you best pray that you donât end up in our hands! Weâll have you begging for death but denying you mercy!â
Jiang Chen smiled faintly, âYang Zhao? I hope he has the chance to do so in his next life.â
âWhat did you say?â Elder Ironâs eyes narrowed into slits.
Yang Xiaoqian started laughing coldly, âHave you gone crazy that you actually want to fight my brother? You want to go against a spirit realm expert with just that bit of training? Donât you think...â
A figure shot up from below before Yang Xiaoqian had a chance to finish her words.
The person was the third director of the Dragonteeth Guard, Qi Tiannan. Panic was written all over his face, as if the sky was caving in and like heâd seen a ghost.
He hurriedly walked up to Shangguan Yi, âGeneral director, something has gone terribly wrong. Vice director Yang, he... he...â
Shangguan Yiâs face grew frosty. âWhat has he done now?â
His first thought was that Yang Zhao had rebelled against the Dragonteeth Guard.
Qi Tiannanâs expression was like heâs seen a ghost. âHeâs... heâs dead, and he died a gruesome death at that!â
âWhat?!â
Elder Iron and Yang Xiaoqianâs faces abruptly changed drastically.
Elder Iron was even more agitated as he shot over and clutched Qi Tiannanâs chest, screaming out of control with a wild expression, âWhat did you say? What did you just say?! Say that again!â
With Elder Iron holding him with a death grip, it was a given that Qi Tiannan was unable to move even a muscle.
Yang Xiaoqian also squirmed over as anxiety was written all over her beautiful face. âWhat did you just say? What happened to my brother?â
Qi Tiannan had a wry expression written all over his face. His teeth were almost chattering as he looked at Elder Iron and Yang Xiaoqianâs vicious expressions. He was afraid that Elder Iron would beat him to death for speaking the slightest wrong word.
Shangguan Yi snorted, âElder Iron, let go of vice director Qi before you ask your questions. Your behavior is unfitting of your status!â
Elder Ironâs tone and expression was ugly as he roared, âShangguan Yi, shut your blathering mouth! If anything has happened to Yang Zhao, youâre also an accomplice!â
Shangguan Yi had finally snapped; he could no longer tolerate this unreasonable fellow any longer. âElder Iron, I could only endure in silence when you threw your weight around arrogantly because you have a much bigger backer than me. But if youâre going to slander and frame me, youâll find that I, Shangguan Yi, am not a pig or a dog for you to slaughter so freely!â
âWhat, do you want to rebel against me?â A cruel light dawned in Elder Ironâs eyes.
Shangguan Yi wasnât afraid in the slightest, âElder Iron, all things have their limits, donât drive others too hard.â
Elder Iron was about to really erupt when Yang Xiaoqian glanced at Ye Chonglou and saw that he was hinting Shangguan Yi to not be impulsive.
âIron dear, let go of him first. Letâs decide what to do after we get some answers.â
Elder Iron snorted and loosened his grasp, shouting, âJust what happened? Describe everything in detail and donât leave out a single crucial bit!â
Qi Tiannanâs face was ashen as he stammered and spoke slowly, âThis was what happened. Vice director Yang came to the headquarters this morning and summoned a few generals for a private conversation. Anyways, the generals came out but the vice director stayed within the secret room. He said he wanted some time to himself and think about some things. But then both Xin Wudao and Qi Fengxian were killed, causing a large disturbance. Some of the men were in a hurry to report in, but the vice director wouldnât open the door no matter how they knocked. Finally, a vice general worked up the courage to open the door and discovered...â
âDiscovered what?â Yang Xiaoqianâs voice was a bit panicked.
âWe discovered that the vice director was lying in a pool of blood. It looked like something had nibbled all over his body and his face was destroyed. Apart from the head, almost everywhere else was nibbled down to the bones. We could only identify him through his head, his clothing, and some personal items...â
âHow is that possible?â Yang Xiaoqianâs expression changed drastically. She covered her ears with both hands as she cried out hoarsely, âThis is impossible! My brother is a earth spirit realm practitioner. Exactly who in the Skylaurel Kingdom would be able to kill him? You mustâve been mistaken!â
Elder Iron also shook his head. âRight, you must be mistaken. Xiaoqian, come, weâll go take a look ourselves!â
He turned back and glared viciously at Jiang Chen, âJiang Chen, youâll be the enemy of my Iron family if youâre behind this! We wonât be able to live under the same sky and this will never be resolved unless one side dies!â
Jiang Chen smiled faintly as he was completely unmoved by Elder Ironâs threats. This elder had long since had a bone deep hatred of him, even without Yang Zhaoâs matter.
Shangguan Yi didnât know whether to be happy or sad when he suddenly heard this news.
Generally speaking, Yang Zhaoâs confederates would naturally flee in all directions with his death and become a pile of scattered sand from henceforth. This great power within the Dragonteeth Guard would be thoroughly dissolved, just like this.
This was definitely a good matter for Shangguan Yi as it meant that he had exterminated this tumor without expending a single soldier.
This was the good aspect.
It would naturally be followed by a bad aspect.
With Elder Ironâs expression, Shangguan Yi knew that if Yang Zhao was truly dead, then with Elder Ironâs personality, he would naturally vent out his feelings on Shangguan Yi.
He would then have Elder Iron as an enemy for the rest of his life.
âForget it, Elder Iron wouldâve transferred his anger on me regardless, no matter what role I played in this matter. I have a clear conscience. Even if his familyâs influence is able cover the sky with one hand, he canât suppress me for no reason. Besides, his family doesnât own the Precious Tree Sect!â
âOld Qi, letâs take a look as well.â
Shangguan Yi summoned Qi Tiannan. Now that Yang Zhao was dead, the internal hierarchy of the Guard would be reformed. Heâd still have to make sure that Qi Tiannan was on his side.
Qi Tiannan also shot him a grateful glance. The former had truly been afraid that Elder Iron would slap him to death in his anger just now.
It was a good thing that the general director had stepped forward and resolved the matter for him.
Shangguan Yi cupped his fists towards Ye Chonglou, âNoble tutor, I will express my apologies later to you for making you watch such a farce together with me..â
Ye Chonglou only responded faintly, âShangguan, youâre the general director of the Dragonteeth Guard and this power has been bestowed upon you by the kingdom. You just need to be yourself and have the bearing of a general director. Why look ahead into the future or back into the past? Youâd before afraid of the wolves in front of you and tigers behind you. The more you consider, the more you want to keep matters in balance, the less you wish to offend anyone, the more you will offend in the end as you fail to please both sides.â
Shangguan Yi started. The noble tutor was obviously not just casually saying these words. He patently wanted to give Shangguan Yi some advice and enlighten him.
As Shangguan Yi reflected, hadnât his previous attitude been a wishy washy one of wanting to please both sides?
This was much easier said than done.
And now, Jiang Chen may not think all that favorably of him, and heâd thoroughly offended Elder Iron.
With a bitter taste in his mouth, Shangguan Yi sighed lightly and responded fervently, âMy deepest appreciation to the noble tutorâs advice. I was indeed thinking too much before.â
He then cupped his hands at Jiang Chen, âJiang Chen, although I didnât protect you just now, I still look greatly favorably upon your potential. I have no right to give you any pointers with the honored tutor guiding your way, I just hope that you take some care.â
Jiang Chen didnât blame Shangguan Yi. As the general director of the Guard, he had no relationship with Jiang Chen. From the perspective of relations, it was natural for him to lean towards Yang Zhao and fear Elder Iron.
Smiling faintly, Jiang Chen also cupped his hands in return. âGeneral director, the honored tutorâs words are worthy of deep contemplation. I rather think that the general director would be well served by thoroughly considering them.â
âI am ashamed.â Shangguan Yi looked at Tian Shao again. âTian Shao, not bad, not bad at all. In terms of responsibility and charisma at least, you put me to shame.â
Tian Shao grew fearful and hastily said, âThe general director is noble and lofty, with each move and gesture affecting many. Iâm just a small general and have no other choices available to me.â
Indeed, Shangguan Yi was different from Tian Shao.
Tian Shao could openly declare his allegiance and stand on Jiang Chenâs side because he was Ye Rongâs confidante and on the same boat as Jiang Chen.
If Yang Zhao rose to power, then Tian Shao wouldnât even have a resting place for his corpse.
As a result he, chose Jiang Chen because he had had no other choices.
Shangguan Yi was different. As the general director, he had to consider the greater picture. However, he was vaguely regretful at this moment because he felt that heâd tried to balance too much and pleased neither party in the end.
Ye Chonglou chuckled when Shangguan Yi and the others left, âJiang Chen, you kid, I feel that I can see through less and less of you.â
The old tutorâs intuition had been quite strong. Heâd deducted that something was about to happen when he saw the hint of Jiang Chenâs smile just now.
However, he never wouldâve thought that such a huge matter would occur!
Yang Zhao had died without any movement or sound at all, completely without reason. There had been no foreshadowing at all. No one even knew when or how he died!
The most important thing was, although anyone could suspect Jiang Chen, there were no evidence to accuse Jiang Chen with.
This was because Jiang Chen had been in the air above the headquarters during the time that Yang Zhao had died. With so many pairs of eyes watching him, there was no way he couldâve slipped away no matter how strong he was
Besides, with Jiang Chenâs level of training, no one would believe that heâd be able to kill the earth spirit realm practitioner Yang Zhao!
However, if it wasnât Jiang Chen, how did Yang Zhao die?
Speculations abounded, but Ye Chonglou wasnât the sort to pursue something to the very end. When he saw Jiang Chenâs noncommittal demeanor, the old tutor knew better than anyone else that Jiang Chenâs secrets were much more than those that heâd revealed.
Even the old tutor couldnât help but be deeply curious about a young man like this. This young man had assaulted the old tutorâs jaded heart time and time again.
The old tutor had seen countless people in his life and witnessed innumerable so-called geniuses, but none of them had given him the feeling of being unable to define them.
The only one was Jiang Chen!