Book 2: Chapter 35: Former dust
Jiang Wang was helpless.
Since entering the mansion, Chong Xuan Sheng had never let go of his hand.
Of course, there was no problem with showing respect and being close friends.
Chong Xuan Sheng had to do this, even though he and Jiang Wang were already so friendly. There would still be people secretly trying to get close to Jiang Wang.
And once he showed a slight distance from Jiang Wang, there would probably be a long line of people trying to undermine him outside the Tianfu City.
This was a future Divine Talents Inner Palace! In the world, the Divine Talents Inner Palace was considered a powerful force, a hero of its own!
Chong Xuan Sheng had to dispel the dirty thoughts of those people. He didn't even mind if they had dirty misunderstandings.
So he held Jiang Wang's hand even tighter.
Let them misunderstand as much as they want!
"Old Jiang, you've helped me a lot! We agreed before entering the Tianfu Secret Realm that if we fail, we won't mention anything. But if we succeed, we will celebrate together and share the good fortune!"Chong Xuan Sheng's saliva flew as he spoke, "Techniques, secret arts, wealth, women, whatever you want, just ask!"
"First, let go of my hand."
"Hahaha." Chong Xuan Sheng didn't feel embarrassed at all. He insisted on pulling Jiang Wang to sit at the table before letting go of him, saying, "I've been busy preparing for the Tianfu Secret Realm, always on thin ice. I haven't had the chance to entertain you properly. Come, try the delicacies of Daqi!"
At this moment, the mansion was decorated with colorful lanterns, brightly lit, and bustling with prosperity.
However, only those who noticed the solemn and silent eyes outside the door could truly understand the meaning of Chong Xuan Sheng's words "always on thin ice."
Who knows if today's raging fire and boiling oil will turn into withered flowers tomorrow?
There weren't many dishes on the table, but each one was exquisite and unique in flavor.
Jiang Wang's favorite was the Five-Flavored Jerky, which tasted excellent with a rich broth. It was said that the broth used to make this dish required pounding and boiling the bones of cows and sheep, skimming off the impurities, and finally adding it to the dish.
As for the Mingcai that Qi people favored, Jiang Wang was not accustomed to it. Mingcai was a dish made with tea, which had a certain elegance. However, it was inevitable that it had a bitter taste.
He thought, it's too bitter. An An definitely wouldn't like it.
After three rounds of wine, Chong Xuan Sheng brought up the old topic again.
Perhaps it was because of the alcohol, but his words seemed more sincere and less artificially greasy this time, "Brother Jiang, you came all the way to Qi country to help me. Before entering the Tianfu Secret Realm, I asked you to swear on the Heart Demon Curse. Brother, I didn't handle this matter properly. But the Tianfu Secret Realm is too important to me! I can't take any more risks."
As he spoke, he moved closer to Jiang Wang, "Brother Jiang, if you have any requests, just say it. Let me show my gratitude. Otherwise, I will feel guilty."
Jiang Wang shook his head, "There's no need to thank me. The Divine Talents Inner Palace itself is already my reward. You don't owe me anything."
Only Jiang Wang and Chong Xuan Sheng were dining at the table, while the fourteen stood outside the door like statues, silent. They were always wearing armor, always ready for battle.
If Chong Xuan Sheng spoke from the bottom of his heart, Chong Xuan Zun might have the qualifications to relax or even indulge. But where did Chong Xuan Sheng have the qualifications to "celebrate" so extravagantly?
Now he barely had the qualifications to stand in front of Chong Xuan Zun.
The extravagance he displayed now and in the future was just a necessary show.
He had to show his confidence, otherwise he wouldn't be able to gain the trust of others.
The struggle for the inheritance of families like the Chong Xuan family was as intense as that of a small country.
"Brother Jiang, I'm not just talking. I've opened up the situation now, but it's still difficult. I don't have many trustworthy subordinates, and I'm in great need of talents like you. I hope you can be my retainer and help me!"
"You said you wanted to travel the world and cultivate your skills. But in the Chong Xuan family, if you stand by my side, you will encounter more and more intense challenges! Both Chong Xuan Zun and Wang Yiwu are top-notch geniuses! You don't need to travel the world to hone your skills."
"And I will fully support your cultivation resources!"
This fat man had a way with words, turning bad things into good things and dangers into honing.
But for Jiang Wang, it seemed acceptable.
Seeing Jiang Wang still pondering, Chong Xuan Sheng said again, "You mentioned before that something happened in your hometown and you don't want to go back for now. I didn't ask what it was. Although you are nominally my retainer, in reality, I treat you as a friend. If one day you need my help, no matter how far, I will definitely not refuse!"
Helping Chong Xuan Sheng explore the Tianfu Secret Realm before could be considered a fair trade. If he left now, there would be no problem. Chong Xuan Zun wouldn't do anything to him either.
But once he became Chong Xuan Sheng's retainer and truly participated in the competition between Chong Xuan Sheng and Chong Xuan Zun, he would undoubtedly be caught in the most dangerous whirlpools of Qi country.
The risks were undoubtedly great, but the rewards were also considerable.
First and foremost, he could see the resources that belonged to Chong Xuan Sheng himself. Jiang Wang was currently penniless, without a sect or a backer. He was traveling alone, armed with only a sword and a Tai Xu Illusory Realm. He needed resources.
Secondly, he needed power. Whether facing the White Bone Path or Zhuang Ting, unless he could rise to power and become a ruler, seeking revenge on his own would be hopeless.
If he could help Chong Xuan Sheng secure the position of the Chong Xuan family's heir, then the power Chong Xuan Sheng would possess could also be used by him. Of course, this was the most difficult goal to achieve, but it was also the most tempting.
With this thought in mind, Jiang Wang no longer hesitated and said directly, "I came to Qi country because I believe in you. I'm helping you today, and if I need your help in the future, please don't refuse."
"But if I have a request, you must fulfill it!" Chong Xuan Sheng promised earnestly.
Their wine glasses clinked, both voices filled with youth.
...
...
Chen country.
Wu Hui Valley.
The creek flowed gently, the yellow dog lay lazily, and the little chicken pecked at the rice.The woman wearing a faceless mask floated down to the creek, casually tossing a man in front of a small cabin, as casually as if she were discarding a piece of trash.
She shouted, "Old man! Old man!"
An aged roar echoed from the cabin, surprisingly full of vigor, "Who are you calling old man? You have no respect for your elders! I'm still in my prime!"
The woman couldn't help but mutter, "Damn, he heard that loud and clear."
She approached him, raising her voice, "You insisted on cooperating with the Bone Path. Now the Bone Path is gone, and Ouyang Lie is nothing but bones! Who am I supposed to find?"
The old man took his time before emerging from the cabin, yawning leisurely before asking, "What Bone Path?"
The woman had already resigned herself to the situation, continuing loudly, "The sect with the skeleton symbol! They had an elder, the one who always rolled his eyes!"
"Hahaha, are you confused, Yanzi? That's not eye-rolling, that's a natural Nether Eye!"
The woman, veins popping in her forehead, said, "The point is, Xiong Wen is dead, you should go and see! The entire Maple Forest City has fallen into the crack between the Netherworld and the mortal world, all clues are gone! I just picked up a random person outside the Maple Forest City."
"Sigh." The white-haired old man waved his hand, sighing, "If he's dead, he's dead. What's there to see?"
"You were the one who asked me to go."
Her voice inexplicably lowered.
Even the slow-moving white-haired old man felt a chill.
He couldn't help but shrink his neck, changing the subject, "Who is this person?"
"I don't know, I don't recognize him. I just picked him up randomly." The woman was no longer angry, just stating facts in a resigned tone.
But after all, the man in front of her was her boss, the leader of the Nine Great Human Demons.
She couldn't help but add, "He should be the only surviving human from the Maple Forest City."
"Oh. Then let's keep him." The old man's reaction was very casual.
"Why don't you just soul search him and ask a few questions, why keep him? He has taken the Blood Elixir. His foundation is ruined. Unless he disperses his cultivation and starts over."
"Then let him disperse his cultivation and start over." The old man said indifferently, "Forget about soul searching. What can such a weakling know?"
"Can he bear the pain of rebuilding his cultivation? I don't have high hopes."
"Don't underestimate the power of hatred."
"And don't underestimate the power of a waste. Some wastes, no matter how you whip them, will never have strength." The woman seemed to have a hidden meaning in her words.
The old man didn't seem to understand, he just sighed, "Let's just give it a try. Sigh, it's about time someone filled Xiao Hu's vacancy."
"Boss, Xiao Hu has been dead for a long, long, long time! The last Ninth Human Demon was Xiao Xiong! Ah, no, it was Xiong Wen!"
The white-haired old man had already squatted down next to the man lying on the ground, seemingly oblivious to the woman's words, he asked, "What's the situation with this man?"
"Oh, he seems to have gone mad."
The woman kicked the man on the ground with her foot.
The man suddenly rolled over, shouting loudly, "I'm not a waste, I'm not a waste!"
His eyes were dull, his expression manic.
The white-haired old man simply waved his hand in front of him, and he calmed down.
"He's not completely mad. He just couldn't handle the shock for a moment. It's easy to solve."
The woman shook her head, she wasn't interested in these things, "Well, I'll leave him to you, I'm leaving now."
"Yanzi."
The old man turned his head as he spoke, but the woman had already disappeared.
She was indeed swift and decisive.
He couldn't help but slap his forehead, "What was I going to say?"
"Never mind."
It seemed that in this world, there was nothing worth his concern.
Nothing that couldn't be dismissed with a "never mind" or "forget it".
He slowly turned around, standing still for a while, seemingly lost in thought.
The old yellow dog lying at the door suddenly barked.
The old man seemed to wake up.
He looked down at the man lying on the ground with a dull look, extending his wrinkled, thin finger to tap on his forehead.
The man froze for a moment, his dull eyes gradually becoming lively.
Disgust, hatred, sadness, torment... It seemed as if all emotions were squeezed together, appearing in those painful eyes.
"Kid, what's your name?"
"Fang! Fang... He Ling!"