Since ancient times, medicine and poison have been inseparable. The Dongwang Valley follows both paths, making it an ancient sect with deep heritage.
Its sect headquarters is not within the State of Qi, but directly north of Qi, operating independently with its own territory.
The State of Yang is northwest of Qi. Geographically, Dongwang Valley is relatively closer to Yang.
Under the influence of the Flower Sea, Shuanzi once said that the depletion of the Azure Stone mine seemed to be related to the Xi family.
Logically speaking, even though Qingyang Town is under Jiacheng's administration, the mere city lord of Jiacheng should not be able to conflict with the Chongxuan family.
Perhaps it was precisely because of Dongwang Valley's background that the Xi family dared to reach out for the Chongxuan family's mine?
Azure Cloud Stone was indeed precious, but according to Jiang Chen's review of past records, its production wasn't that high. And ordinary Azure Stone's value was greatly reduced.
Could this level of profit blind the Xi family's eyes?
Jiang Chen didn't know.
He was deep in thought when he suddenly felt a gaze upon him. He looked back and saw Xi Zichu, riding a tall horse and moving slowly down the main street.
Jiang Chen smiled gently.
But Xi Zichu seemed to have merely glanced over casually, his gaze shifting away again.
The frenzied cheers never faded, accompanying the man's figure as he moved further and further away.
With his cultivation level, he could have entered the city without disturbing anyone, completely silent.
But he rode a tall horse, strutting arrogantly, even having an army clear the path—an exaggerated display.
Good looks alone wouldn't necessarily achieve such an effect. Even Zhao Yan's handsome appearance hadn't received such fanatical adoration in Maple City.
First, his status as the city lord's son and a Dongwang Valley cultivator made him absolutely the most prominent young person in Jiacheng, with boundless prospects. Second, his cultivation had already reached the Soaring Dragon realm, fully qualifying him as a powerhouse.
These were all very attractive aspects.
But these alone weren't enough.
There must have been some element of hype, supplemented by methods like phantom arts.
At first, Jiang Chen couldn't understand what meaning this kind of hype had.
But now, watching the crowd's frenzy, he suddenly realized.
With such an extremely popular person appearing, the Xi family's rule in Jiacheng probably wouldn't be shaken for a hundred years.
This reason was sufficient.
Young Master Xi was already far away, but the women on the street lingered, reluctant to leave.
Jiang Chen called for Xiaoxiao and Shuanzi, preparing to return to the inn first.
He planned to stay one night in Jiacheng and visit the City Lord's mansion tonight.
Just then, a man dressed as a guard suddenly pushed through the crowd, walked up to Jiang Chen, and whispered, "Our young master invites you."
"Your young master is?"
The guard smiled proudly: "Young Master Xi."
Jiang Chen's heart stirred.
What does he want with me?
Does he recognize me?
Was it at the Celestial Residence Secret Realm or in Nanyao City?
Turning these thoughts over in his mind, Jiang Chen casually instructed Xiaoxiao and Shuanzi to return to the inn first.
He told the guard: "Lead the way."
No matter what reason Xi Zichu had for inviting him to meet privately, he had no reason to be afraid.
If Xi Zichu didn't recognize him, he didn't need to worry, because with his current strength, even if he couldn't easily defeat a Soaring Dragon realm cultivator, escaping was no problem. Xi Zichu wouldn't possibly ambush a Heaven-Piercing realm cultivator with four or five Soaring Dragon realm powerhouses without knowing who he was—the entire Xi family might not even have that many experts.
If Xi Zichu did recognize him, then he worried even less. He now represented the Chongxuan family, and no matter how brainless Xi Zichu might be, he wouldn't dare openly kill someone from the Chongxuan family.
...
Following the guard through winding paths in the city, they finally entered a small courtyard.
The guard stopped at the courtyard gate, and a graceful maidservant took over as guide.
From the outside it looked like an ordinary residence, but inside it was a different world.
Rockeries, delicate water features, flowers and vines climbing trellises—the owner of this place must know how to enjoy life.
Upon reaching a pavilion, the maidservant withdrew.
Inside the pavilion, Young Master Xi sat alone in the main seat, wiping his face with a warm towel, looking as though he had just arrived.
A beautiful woman attended carefully beside him.
He set down the towel, waved his hand to dismiss the beautiful woman, and looked at Jiang Chen: "Please sit, brother."
A small table in the pavilion held a jug of fine wine, two jade cups, and three plates of appetizers.
It was pleasing to the eye.
Jiang Chen sat down casually, observing this man skilled at creating hype up close.
He noticed the man's bright, spirited eyes and unique temperament.
A faint fragrance emanated from his body, making Jiang Chen somewhat wary—the scent reminded him of the Dao art Flower Sea.
Facing Jiang Chen's scrutiny, Xi Zichu was unconcerned. He lifted the jug and poured two cups of wine, and without caring whether Jiang Chen drank, took a sip himself.
"Let me guess..." he said with a smile. "You're from the Chongxuan family?"
Jiang Chen neither confirmed nor denied: "What makes you think so?"
"Throughout Jiacheng's territory, I know everyone your age who has reached the Heaven-Piercing realm, but I've never seen you before. So you're not a local."
"Throughout Jiacheng's territory, no one doesn't know me. And the way you look at me carries curiosity. That means you recently arrived."
"From your bone structure, you should be between eighteen and nineteen years old this year, hmm, it seems your lifespan has been compromised. That probably means you've experienced many things. Jiacheng is a small place, and the State of Yang is a small country. How much turmoil could there be?"
"Most importantly, you're only at the Heaven-Piercing realm, yet you subtly make me sense danger, which means you're very strong. In all of Jiacheng's territory, where else could someone threaten me? Connecting this with the depletion of the Azure Stone mine at Hu's mine, I guess you should be someone sent by the Chongxuan family."
"Furthermore, the Chongxuan family's affairs in the State of Yang should now be handled by Chongxuan Sheng."
Xi Zichu reached this point and seemed to have thought of something, frowning: "However, I thought you would be a white-haired youth."
Jiang Chen almost applauded him: "You probably didn't learn medicine at Dongwang Valley, but rather learned some divination and deduction methods. As you thought, I am Jiang Chen. The hair matter has other reasons."
"That's it." Xi Zichu clapped his hands and laughed.
"A doctor's four diagnostic methods—looking, listening, asking, and touching—the eyes are extremely important." He pointed to his own eyes and said confidently: "If I couldn't even see through your strength, I wouldn't be worthy of saying I cultivated at Dongwang Valley."
It seemed necessary to learn a secret technique for concealing one's true strength. Just controlling Dao essence to mask it wasn't enough to escape those keen eyes, Jiang Chen thought.
He asked aloud: "Since you know why I've come, I wonder if you specifically invited me here to tell me something?"
"I only wanted to tell you after seeing you that the Azure Stone mine at Hu's mine has nothing to do with my Xi family. Even regarding all of Qingyang Town's affairs, apart from collecting a small amount of taxes, we never interfere."
Xi Zichu spoke in an unhurried manner: "Please believe in my wisdom. The small achievements I've gained at Dongwang Valley aren't enough to make me this arrogant. Although Dongwang Valley is powerful, it's far to the north. And the Chongxuan family is right before us. A Soaring Dragon realm powerhouse charging at full speed could reach here from the State of Qi within three days, to say nothing of those even stronger."
Jiang Chen already believed three-tenths in his heart, and said: "Besides this, is there anything else you want to warn me about?"
Xi Zichu interlaced his fingers before him, looking enigmatic: "That's something for you to consider yourselves."
Jiang Chen nodded: "That's true."
"Since you are Jiang Chen, one of the victors of this Celestial Residence Secret Realm, then next, why don't we chat about something interesting." Xi Zichu continued slowly: "I have a friend named Ji Xiu, who also participated in the Celestial Residence Secret Realm. Unfortunately, he failed. Do you have any impression of him?"
"You're quite good at guessing. Why don't you continue guessing?"
Jiang Chen smiled and left the small courtyard.
His purpose had been achieved.
Knowing that Xi Zichu wasn't a fool was enough.
As the son of Jiacheng's city lord, a Dongwang Valley cultivator with Soaring Dragon realm cultivation, he definitely had significant say in the Xi family. As long as he wasn't stupid, he couldn't possibly agree to the Xi family targeting the Chongxuan family's mine.
Before more conclusive evidence appeared, the Xi family's problem could be temporarily ruled out.
Le Wen