"You... I..."
Monk Jingli was stunned for a long while, before suddenly clasping his palms together. "Benefactor, you speak truly. This humble monk was too attached to appearances."
The monk's dazed manner made it difficult for Chongxuan Sheng to vent the frustration he'd accumulated over Chongxuan Zun.
He was just about to soften his tone when he heard Monk Jingli speak again. "This fat benefactor has such wisdom root. Why not become a disciple under my master as well, a final disciple, to study the supreme Dharma with us? It would be far better than struggling in this mortal world of dust!"
His face was full of sincerity. "Master says, 'A goose sent a thousand li—a gift heavy with sentiment.' How about I give you the dharma name 'Jingzhong'?"
"Get lost!" Chongxuan Sheng roared.
Monk Jingli blinked blankly. "That was an insult, wasn't it?"
"So what if it is?" Chongxuan Sheng began rolling up his sleeves. "If you don't leave, I'll beat you!"
Jingli lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "You can't beat me."
"Heh!" Chongxuan Sheng would never accept such talk, and reached his hand forward.
Of course, he wouldn't truly kill or injure the monk over such a minor spat, so he hadn't used his heavy arts—only intending to scare him.
But where his hand reached, the monk's figure had already vanished.
Only a voice remained, saying, "I must set a good example for my junior brother. I won't fight you today."
The reception hall fell silent for a moment.
This unremarkable-looking young monk, with his restrained aura, could appear and disappear without a trace—it was truly astonishing.
Jiang Chen exclaimed, "You really might not be able to beat him!"
"Darn it!" Chongxuan Sheng couldn't help but curse. "Such an idiot has such high cultivation? Are we worse than idiots?"
The two exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat ashamed.
Setting aside actual combat power, Monk Jingli's cultivation was undoubtedly a tier above theirs.
At that moment, Jingli's voice sounded again in Jiang Chen's ear. "Junior brother, I'll come to see you another day!"
Jiang Chen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"What's wrong?" Chongxuan Sheng asked warily.
"That monk was whispering to me!" Jiang Chen said, holding back laughter.
Chongxuan Sheng immediately struck a defensive stance. "That monk is still here?"
Having just cursed at the monk again, with such high cultivation, if they actually fought, it would be troublesome.
"He should have left," Jiang Chen said with a smile.
It was rare to see this fat man get nervous, and quite amusing.
"Alright, business here is done, nothing worth staying for. I'm heading back to Linzi. We'll contact each other separately!"
During this period, Chongxuan Sheng had been in Baichuan City, busy with the position of Rizhao Garrison Commissioner, which was why he could travel to Qingyang Town so quickly. Now that the matter was settled, he needed to rush back to handle matters in Linzi.
As for the contact he mentioned, it would naturally be within the Ethereal Realm.
Jiang Chen had no objections. He could foresee that how he handled his relationships with Huang Yixing and Tian Antai would be one of his priorities in the Yang territory for the coming time.
But plans rarely go as expected. Just then, the guards Chongxuan Sheng had stationed outside the courtyard suddenly rushed in, and without saluting, handed over a letter.
"Urgent news from Linzi!"
Jiang Chen knew this was Chongxuan Sheng's shadow guard, which had been gradually growing in scale. Such urgency meant it was an important matter.
Chongxuan Sheng didn't exchange pleasantries. He opened the letter directly, read it with rapid eyes, and his face immediately darkened.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Chen asked.
The matter was confidential. Chongxuan Sheng handed the letter over while glancing at Dugu Xiao.
Dugu Xiao didn't wait for orders. "Master, I'll go handle the town hall affairs first."
Jiang Chen nodded, letting her go.
If it's not kept secret, it's lost—this was a simple principle. It wasn't that he didn't trust Dugu Xiao.
After Dugu Xiao left, only Chongxuan Sheng, Jiang Chen, and the shadow guard remained in the room.
Only then did Chongxuan Sheng burst into fury: "That scoundrel dares to deceive me!"
Jiang Chen had also read the letter by now and understood why he was so angry.
The contents all concerned the Jubao Commerce Association, listing several recent business activities, each with different partners. But tracing their origins, they all had the same person behind them—Chongxuan Zun!
In other words, the Jubao Commerce Association had reached a cooperation with Chongxuan Zun.
And what was the Jubao Commerce Association? It was currently the most powerful commerce association in the State of Qi.
More importantly, just recently, Chongxuan Sheng had been cooperating with the Jubao Commerce Association, dealing a heavy blow to their rival, the Four Seas Commerce Alliance.
The two had been closely collaborating, at least before and during the Campaign to Vanquish Yang.
After the campaign, when it was time to aggressively seize market share and squeeze the survival space of the Four Seas Commerce Alliance, Chongxuan Sheng had formulated numerous cooperation plans. These were also one of his fundamental interests!
One could say this was one of his greatest gains from leading the Campaign to Vanquish Yang.
In the campaign against the State of Yang, the Four Seas Commerce Alliance had suffered heavy losses in both reputation and fundamental interests. The Jubao Commerce Association had bet on Chongxuan Chuliang and won handsomely.
And now, they had turned around to cooperate with Chongxuan Zun.
This was naked betrayal, and a devastating blow!
If Chongxuan Zun was going to act, his strike would be lethal.
He had slapped Chongxuan Sheng, who was feeling somewhat complacent after the victory in the Yang campaign, back to reality.
Using Chongjia Island in exchange for the position of Rizhao Garrison Commissioner, nullifying Chongxuan Sheng's fundamental interests in Rizhao Commandery—this was only the first step.
This loss hadn't been made up yet, and now his stronghold had been raided! An important ally with close interests had already switched sides. What would come next?
What else would he do? What other actions would follow?
"No," Chongxuan Sheng said rare anxiety showing. "I need to return to Linzi immediately!"
"Calm down. At the very least, we're much stronger than before the Celestial Residence Secret Realm," Jiang Chen said. "I'll go with you."
Fourteen was still recovering from injuries, still recuperating.
This was also one of the rare occasions since Jiang Chen had known Chongxuan Sheng that Fourteen wasn't by his side.
Chongxuan Sheng steadied himself slightly. "But what about here?"
Qingyang Town was also important. The fruits of victory in the Yang territory couldn't be given up just like that.
"Don't worry," Jiang Chen said. "Leave Qingyang Town to Xiang Qian and Dugu Xiao. They're more than capable."
He patted Chongxuan Sheng. "Go wait outside for me. I'll make some arrangements and come right away."
Chongxuan Sheng didn't hesitate further. He truly needed support right now.
Jiang Chen quickly found Dugu Xiao and Xiang Qian. After a moment's thought, he also called Zhu Biqiong.
"I have business in Linzi and must go. Please take care of Qingyang Town. Dugu Xiao will handle daily affairs, and Xiang Qian will make decisions on major matters. Fellow Daoist Zhu, with your broad knowledge from a major sect, please be responsible for checking for any oversights."
Jiang Chen appeared urgent, and the three didn't make any trouble—they all readily agreed.
He outlined the general strategy for Qingyang Town for the coming time, which was mainly to keep a low profile, maintain good relations with Tian Antai, and watch Huang Yixing's movements.
After thinking, Jiang Chen added to Zhu Biqiong, "If matters in Linzi are complicated, I may not be able to return in time to see you off. When our agreed half-year period ends, Fellow Daoist Zhu may return to the Angling Tower on your own."
Zhu Biqiong rolled her eyes. "I know!"
At this moment, Xiang Qian suddenly asked in a low voice, "It seems the story you told me didn't end well. The protagonist has reached a moment of hopelessness again?"
Only the two of them could understand these words.
Chongxuan Zun's move had turned the situation upside down. Saying that Chongxuan Sheng was now in a dangerous moment wasn't exactly wrong.
Jiang Chen was silent for a moment before asking back, "Do you think he'll give up?"
"Let's wait and see in Qingyang Town!"
With that, he turned and walked out.
In that instant, Xiang Qian seemed to see the moment a long sword was drawn from its sheath!