After hearing Lian Que's account, Jiang Chen felt a pang of sympathy.
All things in the world, as long as they possess spirit, yearn for freedom.
The lone wolf starves itself to death; the solitary eagle dashes itself against a pillar. How much more so for humans?
"So you..." Jiang Chen waited for him to continue, sensing vaguely what Lian Que intended.
"Before, I thought these rules were rotten and outdated, but I also understood that the entire Lian family had become too entrenched to change. Rules formed over centuries could not be easily shaken by anyone."
"But today I truly realized that the Lian family has rotted to its very core. Honor and faith—all have vanished."
"Change must be made, no matter how painful the cost. If this continues, the Lian family will cease to exist! The ancient forge fire passed down for so many generations will surely be extinguished."
"Today, I have made my decision."
On Lian Que's ugly face, there was now a determined, sacred light.
"I want to change all of this."
"What do you plan to do?" Jiang Chen asked.
"Before, I had no desire to compete. But now I want to vie for the position of Lian family patriarch." He looked at Jiang Chen and said, "Previously, I devoted myself entirely to forging and had no connections or friends. So I want to ask for your help."
"I know you are currently working for Chong Xuan Sheng. Chong Xuan Sheng is competing with Chong Xuan Zun for the succession. I am willing to join you. I only hope that when the time comes for me to change the Lian family, you will be able to help me."
Jiang Chen realized this was a formidable source of power.
With Lian Que's reputation now that he had forged a renowned weapon, he already possessed more than sufficient capital to contend for the patriarch position in a weapon-forging family like the Lians.
The Lian family of Nanyao was a clan that even imperial princes eyed with envy. Had the current Qi Emperor not held such immense authority and maintained such strict control, it would not have been the Fourteenth Prince Jiang Wuyong's turn to make contact.
Unlike the struggle for the throne, the Lian family's involvement in the internal power struggle of the Chong Xuan family carried far less risk. In other words, if Lian Que controlled the Lian family, the forces that could be mobilized in the competition between Chong Xuan Sheng and Chong Xuan Zun would be greater, with fewer reservations.
This would undoubtedly be a godsend for Chong Xuan Sheng.
With an ally like the Lian family, it would be enough to help him close the distance with Chong Xuan Zun more quickly. Of course, all of this depended on whether they could help Lian Que achieve his ideals.
Jiang Chen thought for a moment and spoke no empty words.
He said very sincerely, "You and I are friends. I can represent myself and am willing to help you unconditionally. But I cannot make decisions for Chong Xuan Sheng."
"And I must tell you that the situation we currently face is extremely difficult. Chong Xuan Zun, whether in personal strength, personal influence, or network of connections, far surpasses Chong Xuan Sheng. He has been the first-in-line heir for a long time, while Chong Xuan Sheng has only just begun to develop. Although we desperately need your help now, I do not wish for you to make a reckless decision."
"Jiang Chen," Lian Que said earnestly, "whether it is Chong Xuan Zun or Chong Xuan Sheng, I have trust in neither of them. So those matters are not what I need to consider. I only know that you are trustworthy. That is why I stand on your side. Whoever you help, I will help."
"Alright, I will ask Chong Xuan Sheng."
Right in front of Lian Que, Jiang Chen took out a Voice-Repeating Pendant and sent a message to Chong Xuan Sheng, who was at the tavern.
He realized this matter was not small. Allowing Lian Que and Chong Xuan Sheng to speak privately without careful consideration might not be a good thing. In an environment like Nanyao City, the Voice-Repeating Pendant prepared for the Celestial Residence Secret Realm came in handy just as Jiang Chen had said.
Just as he had said, he could only represent himself. He could not, and would not, make decisions for Chong Xuan Sheng.
However, when discussing with Chong Xuan Sheng, this fat man's decisiveness still surprised Jiang Chen.
"I agree to the cooperation. Pass this message to the little blacksmith: 'I, Chong Xuan Sheng, will never mistreat my allies. If you help me control the Chong Xuan family today, tomorrow I will help you overthrow the Lian family!'"
Jiang Chen infused Dao essence and placed the Voice-Repeating Pendant in front of Lian Que.
Lian Que did not mind the nickname "little blacksmith." He glanced at Jiang Chen and said, "Then it is agreed."
From Chong Xuan Sheng's side, upon hearing the response, he immediately said to Jiang Chen, "It is not convenient to discuss in detail now. I will secretly establish a covert connection with the little blacksmith—ah—Lian Que later. Leave there immediately, come find me at the tavern, and we will depart the city at once."
Jiang Chen was not foolish; he was merely limited by his background and had little experience with such matters. Once Chong Xuan Sheng explained, he immediately understood.
The fewer people who knew about the cooperation with Lian Que, the greater the role it could play in the future.
Making a public display of it now would bring nothing but disadvantages. It might turn a good thing into a bad one.
As the only weapon-forger in the Lian family to have forged a renowned weapon in nearly fifty years, Lian Que's future was boundless. As long as he was willing to cultivate his position, he could quickly develop his influence. In this regard, Chong Xuan Sheng could secretly provide considerable assistance. This included the experience in political maneuvering that Lian Que himself lacked most.
But if he truly wanted to seize control of the Lian family, Lian Que's opponents would not be just the other Lian heirs competing for succession. They would actually be the existing vested interests within the Lian clan—the family elders... even the Lian patriarch himself, Lian Zhuping!
Lian Que's current status was certainly of great help to Chong Xuan Sheng. But on the other hand, Lian Que also had many competitors within the Lian clan.
If Chong Xuan Sheng openly allied with Lian Que, in a sense, it would also push Lian Que's competitors toward Chong Xuan Zun's side.
There was no need to wonder whether Chong Xuan Zun would do the same.
He himself was already doing exactly that. Every ally and connection of Chong Xuan Zun's that had any rivalry with Chong Xuan Zun's faction—Chong Xuan Sheng had made contact with all of them.
Otherwise, how could he have built up his forces so quickly?
And this cooperative relationship existing in secret could serve as one of his trump cards. When the time came for a head-to-head clash with Chong Xuan Zun, it might just be the decisive move.
The more such bargaining chips he had, the more confident he would be when the final result was revealed.
Chong Xuan Zun certainly knew that Lian Que and Jiang Chen were kindred spirits, but he would never suspect the extent of the cooperation that could be reached between Lian Que and Chong Xuan Sheng.
Through Jiang Chen, Chong Xuan Sheng and Lian Que had established an alliance of mutual, unrestrained assistance!
Chong Xuan Sheng, on the contrary, immediately wanted to leave. The faster he left, the better—making it appear as if he and Lian Que found each other intolerable.
...
Back at the tavern, Chong Xuan Sheng's subordinates had already prepared the carriage. Jiang Chen got in directly and they set off.
Even though the carriage was luxurious and large, Chong Xuan Sheng alone occupied nearly a third of the space.
The clan elder who had accompanied Chong Xuan Sheng to Nanyao sat opposite Jiang Chen, his eyes closed in meditation.
Fortunately, he was only slightly plump; otherwise, Jiang Chen would not have known where to squeeze.
Chong Xuan Sheng lifted the carriage curtain to observe the situation in Nanyao City while explaining to Jiang Chen, "I am not afraid of him having conditions or making demands. If I lose, everything ends. If I win, every problem will have a solution."
"Jiang Wuyong was actually right about one thing—you really do have a gambling nature."
Chong Xuan Sheng's contradictory nature was very prominent. On one hand, he was cautious and careful; lifting the curtain to look outside was actually a vigilance against the environment. On the other hand, he had a strong gambling instinct, often making bold bets.
Hearing Jiang Chen's words, he simply smiled.
"I was already inferior to Chong Xuan Zun in every way. If I also lacked the courage to go all in, what would I have to compete with him?"
Hearing this, the clan elder opened his eyes and said with a chuckle, "What makes you stronger than him is not courage."