Almost simultaneously with Chongxuan Sheng's shout, Jiang Chen had already dashed out the door.
His right hand formed a sword seal, stirring violet qi.
The person outside seemed caught off guard, instinctively condensing a shield of heavy water to block his path.
However, the sword qi surged, scattering the heavy water droplets like pebbles.
Jiang Chen's left hand reached in, a Flamebloom blooming at his fingertip, also blooming at the face of the man.
All of this seemed slow when described, but in reality, it was just a single exchange.
Shisi and Chongxuan Sheng were only a step behind in exiting the door, but Jiang Chen had already subdued his opponent.
"Chongxuan Xin?" Chongxuan Sheng frowned.
The one held motionless by the Flamebloom pressed against his face was none other than Chongxuan Xin.
He had a memorable hawk-like nose, but now there was no trace of arrogance to be seen.
Upon seeing Chongxuan Sheng, he actually knelt down with a thud. "Brother Sheng, I'm here to apologize to you!"
Seeing this, Jiang Chen closed his hand, extinguishing the Flamebloom, and stood silently.
Regardless of Chongxuan Sheng's attitude, at least on the surface, he was now Chongxuan Sheng's retainer. Some matters should only be decided by Chongxuan Sheng.
Only after feeling that scorching presence vanish did the cold sweat begin to drip from Chongxuan Xin's forehead.
Only then did he realize how vast the gap between him and Jiang Chen truly was. Only then did he understand why Chongxuan Sheng had insisted on choosing Jiang Chen to accompany him into the Celestial Residence Secret Realm.
"Apologize for what? I don't quite understand," Chongxuan Sheng said, narrowing his eyes.
Chongxuan Xin knelt on the ground, tears coming readily. "It's all my fault, little brother was too cowardly and couldn't handle the pressure. I was threatened by someone and came to oppose you, Brother Sheng. Little brother knows his mistake now. Whatever punishment you see fit, Brother Sheng, I'll accept it all!"
"What are you saying? Who would dare threaten someone from my Chongxuan family?" Chongxuan Sheng's voice dropped, immediately taking on a commanding air.
"It's... it's..."
Chongxuan Xin was startled, but still dared not speak that name.
"If you don't want to say it, then go back."
"Chongxuan Zun! It's Chongxuan Zun!" Chongxuan Xin gritted his teeth and said viciously, "This man is petty and vicious. He disregards family bonds and harbors resentment toward you, Brother Sheng. He's tried every possible method to target you!"
"Nonsense! How could my Brother Zun be such a person?" Chongxuan Sheng kept a straight face. "You mustn't slander people!"
Chongxuan Xin was momentarily stunned, unsure whether to continue cursing.
"Alright." Only then did Chongxuan Sheng's expression soften. "Get up quickly. We're brothers of the same clan. What misunderstanding can't be resolved? Have I ever held a grudge against you?"
"Thank you for your generosity, Brother Sheng." Chongxuan Xin stood up, unable to help but wipe away a bead of sweat. He secretly regretted what foolishness had possessed him to get involved in the competition between these two bastards.
Now he had failed in his task, and Chongxuan Zun's side was full of capable people who wouldn't even look at him properly.
He had also offended Chongxuan Sheng severely. Now Chongxuan Sheng was expected to achieve the divine skill realm of the Inner Fane, his fortunes had turned, and his influence had suddenly risen.
After much deliberation, he decided to come and offer his apology. It was better than waiting for Chongxuan Sheng to settle scores later.
He hadn't expected to be subdued by Jiang Chen the moment he entered the courtyard.
With just a few words, Chongxuan Sheng had Chongxuan Xin completely under control. He had no interest in wasting more thought on him, so he casually ordered, "Then go back for now. If anything comes up later, I'll have someone inform you. If you have any difficulties, you can come find me."
"Brother Sheng, I will surely follow your lead!"
After hurriedly making his pledge, Chongxuan Xin fled the scene as if escaping disaster.
The defection of one Chongxuan Xin was merely a microcosm of the competition between Chongxuan Sheng and Chongxuan Zun in various aspects, not enough to move him.
He smiled at Jiang Chen. "I only just took over this place yesterday and dismissed many servants, leaving the defenses lax. That's why this小子 was able to barge in and cause a false alarm."
Jiang Chen didn't really understand matters like political maneuvering and managing subordinates, nor had he ever had the chance to receive such education.
So he asked, "Is this man reliable?"
"He's definitely not reliable."
"Then why use him?"
"Brother Jiang. The gap between me and Chongxuan Zun exists in every aspect. This gap cannot be bridged for a very long time to come. He has the luxury of picking and choosing, but I don't."
Chongxuan Sheng spoke quite frankly. "Moreover, in this world, no matter who or what it is—even a piece of charcoal, a scrap of paper—everything has its use. The reliable have their use, and the unreliable have theirs."
Jiang Chen nodded thoughtfully.
He had never had his own force before, nor had he ever received teaching in these matters. Chongxuan Sheng's words had undoubtedly opened the door to a new world for him.
"Brother Jiang." Chongxuan Sheng smiled again. "The heroic sight of you charging out with your sword just now reminded me of someone."
Jiang Chen's heart stirred. "Who?"
"Also with hair as white as frost, also with such sharp sword qi." Chongxuan Sheng said, "One of the masters of the Nandou Hall, the Seven Kill Real Person Lu Shuanghe."
Chongxuan Sheng shook his head. "We're still far from that kind of great figure."
"Yes," Jiang Chen agreed.
Chongxuan Sheng didn't notice the hint of bitterness in his tone, for it was after all too faint and too distant.
"From now on, focus on your cultivation and open the Gate of Heaven and Earth as quickly as possible to explore the Sea of the Body. The sooner you can realize your potential, the more you can help me."
He encouraged him, "Lu Shuanghe also rose from our current realm!"
Jiang Chen smiled. "Alright."
Only after Chongxuan Sheng and Shisi had left the courtyard did Jiang Chen look up at the now fully bright sky, and let out a wistful sigh.
Only those who reach the Dongzhen realm can be called true immortals in this world. The Seven Kill Real Person Lu Shuanghe.
If only back then... he hadn't been pushed into the river. Would he already possess the power for revenge?
...
Walking out of Jiang Chen's courtyard, Shisi followed silently behind.
Chongxuan Sheng suddenly asked, "Are you very puzzled about why I value Jiang Chen so much?"
Shisi still didn't make a sound.
But Chongxuan Sheng understood, so he rephrased, "Am I a genius?"
Shisi nodded. That was beyond doubt.
If Chongxuan Sheng were a mediocre person, no one could have pushed him into opposition against Chongxuan Zun.
"He's more of a genius than I am," Chongxuan Sheng said. "When I first met him in the Ethereal Realm, even with his strength restricted, defeating him required no effort at all. But not long after, I had to fight with my full strength. And after that, even with full power, I only had a slight advantage."
"I don't remember what happened in the Celestial Residence Secret Realm. But just based on how he handled Chongxuan Xin just now, he might already be no weaker than me."
"I have the full backing of the Chongxuan family's resources, access to the top cultivation knowledge. What does he have? If he had resources and means, he wouldn't have traveled ten thousand miles to risk danger with me. Although we had a great time interacting in the Ethereal Realm, that wasn't enough to make him come to the State of Qi."
"His speed of progress gives me great confidence in his future."
Chongxuan Sheng and Shisi's way of interacting seemed to always be Chongxuan Sheng talking to himself, while Shisi silently listened, occasionally nodding or shaking his head.
"Of course, that's not the most important thing."
Chongxuan Sheng said, "The most important thing is that this is a very reliable person. Take the matter with Lian Que for example. His choice seemed very foolish, and I even risked offending Lian Que to tell him the value of that life-bound token. But he only returned Lian Que's life-bound token based on a reason that sounds utterly ridiculous."
"You won't find people like that in the Chongxuan family."
"If my securing the Longevity Fruit for him was a major investment in his talent, then my persistent effort to get him to stay and help me is precisely because of this 'ridiculousness.'"
"This person's word is far more reliable than a Heart-Devouring Curse."
"The only person in this world I can trust without reservation is you. But if there were a second person, I think Jiang Chen would be worth trusting."
"Shisi, just wait and see. I will win, step by step."