After hearing all that Lian Que had to say, Jiang Wang felt a pang of shared sorrow.
All things in the world, as long as they possess a spirit, yearn for freedom.
Even a lone wolf would starve itself to death, and even a solitary eagle would kill itself by striking its head against a pillar, let alone a person.
"So you..." Jiang Wang waited for him to continue. He had a vague sense of what Lian Que intended to do.
"Before, although I thought this rule was rotten and outdated, I also knew that the entire Lian clan was burdened by deep-seated problems. The rules formed over hundreds of years are not something that can be easily shaken."
"But today, I've truly and clearly realized that the Lian clan is rotten to its core. Its honor and faith have all vanished."
"Change must be made, no matter how painful the cost. Because if we continue like this, the Lian clan will be gone! The ancient fireseed passed down for so many years will surely be extinguished."
"That is why I have made my decision today."
A determined, almost sacred light now shone on Lian Que's homely face.
"I want to change all of this."
"What do you plan to do?" Jiang Wang asked.
"Before, I had no desire to compete. But now, I want to vie for the position of Lian clan head." He looked at Jiang Wang and said, "Previously, I was wholly dedicated to forging weapons and had few connections or friends. So, I want to ask for your help."
"I know you are currently working for Chongxuan Sheng. Chongxuan Sheng is competing with Chongxuan Zun for the succession. I am willing to join you. I only hope that when the time comes for me to change the Lian clan, you will be there to help."
Jiang Wang realized this was a very substantial source of power.
Given Lian Que's current reputation for forging a Masterwork weapon, he already possessed sufficient capital to vie for the clan head position in a weapon-forging family like the Lians.
The Nanyao Lian clan was a family coveted even by imperial princes. If not for the current Qi Emperor's great prestige and strict control, it would not have been the Fourteenth Prince, Jiang Wuyong, who made contact.
Unlike the struggle for the throne, the Lian clan's involvement in the Chongxuan family's internal power struggle did not carry as great a risk. In other words, if Lian Que controlled the Lian clan, Chongxuan Sheng could deploy more power and have fewer misgivings in his competition with Chongxuan Zun.
For Chongxuan Sheng, this was undoubtedly help in a time of dire need.
Having an ally like the Lian clan was enough to let him close the distance with Chongxuan Zun much faster. Of course, all of this was predicated on their ability to help Lian Que achieve his goal.
Jiang Wang thought for a moment and chose not to offer empty words.
He said with great sincerity, "You and I are friends. I can speak for myself and offer to help you unconditionally. But I cannot make decisions for Chongxuan Sheng."
"And I must tell you, the situation we currently face is extremely difficult. Whether in personal strength, influence, or connections, Chongxuan Zun far surpasses Chongxuan Sheng. He has been the first-in-line heir for a long time, while Chongxuan Sheng has only just begun to develop. Although we desperately need your help right now, I don't want you to make a rash decision."
"Jiang Wang," Lian Que said earnestly. "I have no trust in either Chongxuan Zun or Chongxuan Sheng. So those things are not for me to consider. I only know that you are trustworthy. That is why I will stand on your side. Whoever you help, I will help."
"Alright. I will ask Chongxuan Sheng."
Right in front of Lian Que, Jiang Wang took out the Voice-Return Jade and sent a message to Chongxuan Sheng at the restaurant.
He realized this matter was not small. To rashly let Lian Que and Chongxuan Sheng speak privately was likely not a good idea. In the environment of Nanyao City, the Voice-Return Jade he had prepared for the Heavenly Treasury Secret Realm came in handy.
As Jiang Wang had said, he could only represent himself. He could not, and would not, make decisions for Chongxuan Sheng.
However, during his discussion with Chongxuan Sheng, the fat man's decisiveness still took Jiang Wang by surprise.
"I agree to the cooperation. Pass this message to the Iron-forge Kid: 'I, Chongxuan Sheng, will never mistreat an ally. If you help me control the Chongxuan family today, tomorrow I will help you overthrow the Lian clan!'"
Jiang Wang infused the jade with Dao Yuan and placed it before Lian Que.
Lian Que was unfazed by the nickname "Iron-forge Kid." He glanced at Jiang Wang and said, "The agreement is made."
From the other side, upon hearing the response, Chongxuan Sheng immediately said to Jiang Wang, "It's not convenient to talk in detail now. I will establish a secret contact with the Iron-forge... uh... Lian Que later. You should leave there immediately, come find me at the restaurant, and we will leave the city right away."
Jiang Wang was not foolish; he was simply limited in his experience with such matters due to his background. At Chongxuan Sheng's words, he immediately understood.
The fewer people who knew about the cooperation with Lian Que, the greater its potential impact in the future.
To make a great show of it now would be all downside with no upside, and could turn a good thing into a bad one.
As the only weapon smith in the Lian clan to have forged a Masterwork weapon in nearly fifty years, Lian Que had a boundless future. As long as he was willing to cultivate his influence, he could quickly build it up. In this regard, Chongxuan Sheng could offer considerable covert assistance, including the political and strategic experience that Lian Que himself most lacked.
But if he truly wanted to seize control of the Lian clan, his opponents would not just be the other Lian clan heirs vying for succession. They would be the existing vested interests—the family elders... and even the current Lian clan head, Lian Zhuping!
Lian Que's current status was of great help to Chongxuan Sheng. But on the other hand, Lian Que also had many competitors within the Lian clan.
If Chongxuan Sheng were to openly ally with Lian Que, it would, in a sense, be tantamount to pushing Lian Que's competitors over to Chongxuan Zun's side.
There was no need to wonder if Chongxuan Zun would do such a thing.
He himself was already doing just that. Of all Chongxuan Zun's allies and connections, as long as there was any competition with Chongxuan Zun, Chongxuan Sheng had made contact with them.
Otherwise, how could he have built up his power so quickly?
And if this cooperative relationship remained hidden, it could serve as one of his trump cards. When the time came for a head-on clash with Chongxuan Zun, it might just be the move that decided victory or defeat.
The more such leverage he held, the more confident he would be when the final outcome was revealed.
Chongxuan Zun's side, of course, knew that Lian Que and Jiang Wang were kindred spirits. But he would not have imagined the extent of the cooperation between Lian Que and Chongxuan Sheng.
Through Jiang Wang, Chongxuan Sheng and Lian Que had forged a pact of mutual, unstinting support!
Chongxuan Sheng, in fact, wanted to leave immediately. The faster he left, the better, so that people would think he and Lian Que couldn't stand the sight of each other.
...
Back at the restaurant, Chongxuan Sheng's subordinates had already prepared the carriage. Jiang Wang got directly in and they set off.
Even though the carriage was luxurious and spacious, Chongxuan Sheng alone took up nearly a third of the space.
The clan elder who had accompanied Chongxuan Sheng to Nanyao sat opposite Jiang Wang with his eyes closed, resting.
Fortunately, he was only slightly portly, or Jiang Wang would not have known where to squeeze in.
Chongxuan Sheng lifted the carriage curtain to observe the situation in Nanyao City while explaining to Jiang Wang, "I am not afraid of him having conditions or making demands. If I lose, everything is over. If I win, every problem will have a solution."
"Jiang Wuyong was not wrong about one thing—you do have a gambler's nature."
The contradiction in Chongxuan Sheng was very pronounced. On one hand, he was cautious and meticulous, and lifting the curtain to look outside was, in fact, a display of his vigilance. On the other hand, he had a strong gambler's instinct, often placing bold wagers.
Hearing Jiang Wang's words, he merely smiled.
"I am already inferior to Chongxuan Zun in every way. If I were to lose the courage for a final, all-or-nothing gamble, what else would I have to compete with him?"
Hearing these words, the clan elder opened his eyes and said with a chuckle, "What makes you stronger than him is not courage."