Arrogant!
Too arrogant!
The entire venue was stunned.
Xia Miao was considered a notable figure in Jinling, yet in Jiang Tian’s eyes, he was nothing but an insignificant ant, a speck of dust.
But then, considering how Jiang Tian had pressured Zhao Yuankun into not daring to act out, his pride seemed entirely justified.
After saying this, Jiang Tian didn’t spare Xia Miao another glance, following Zhao Yuankun out of the courtyard.
“Sigh, so he really is this capable. He must be the kind of martial arts expert I’ve been looking for…”
Lin Monong stared at Jiang Tian’s carefree and unrestrained back with a complex expression, her heart roiling with turbulent waves.
“How is Jiang Tian so strong! I wish he could be my boyfriend!”
Gazing at Jiang Tian’s retreating figure, Tang Bao’er clasped her hands over her heart, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she murmured dreamily.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, her face briefly showed a hint of awkwardness before she excitedly grabbed Chu Mengyao’s arm and chattered away, “Sister Mengyao, didn’t Jiang Tian pursue you relentlessly back in the day? Do you think there’s any chance you two could reconcile and rekindle that old flame?”
Hearing this, Lin Monong’s expression changed slightly. She turned her head, intently observing the shifts in Chu Mengyao’s expression.
“What did you say… Jiang Tian?”
Chu Mengyao seemed as if jolted awake from a dream, looking at Tang Bao’er with confusion.
Lin Monong smiled gently, her tone meaningful, “Indeed. If Jiang Tian still harbors such feelings, he would actually be quite suitable for Mengyao…”
“Suitable?”
Chu Mengyao’s gaze was vacant, as if her soul had departed. An intense wave of regret suddenly surged within her heart.
That churning bitterness spread uncontrollably, instantly enveloping her entire being, until even her mouth tasted acrid.
A few years ago, she might have been able to say such things, but now she didn’t even dare to think it.
The present Jiang Tian, who could command the respect and deference of a heavyweight like Zhao Yuankun, a figure who dominated an entire province—what level of power and glory did that represent?
Of course, she wanted to start over with Jiang Tian. Compared to him, Xia Miao, who had been scared into wetting his pants, seemed like a colossal joke.
But Jiang Tian was like a star in the sky—brilliant, yet so distant, utterly untouchable, leaving her only able to look up in admiration.
“That was all in the past. Don’t talk nonsense!”
Chu Mengyao suppressed her turbulent emotions, forcing a smile as she spoke.
She appeared nonchalant and indifferent, but the tip of her nose and the corners of her eyes felt a persistent sting, tears threatening to spill.
“I never imagined he wielded such immense influence, powerful enough to command respect even in Gan Province. Probably only a handful in Jinling could suppress him now!”
Xia Miao wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, staggering to his feet, his gaze filled with fear and bewilderment.
Not a trace of hatred or anger remained in his heart, only endless terror and shock…
…
Inside the main hall of the Assembly of Righteousness, numerous martial arts masters were discussing how to eliminate that villain, Jiang Tian.
“The Grandmaster of Jiangbei—Jiang Tian—has arrived!”
Suddenly, as the usher’s announcement rang out, a figure walked in with his hands clasped behind his back, an air of casual indifference about him.
Instantly, the sounds in the hall were sucked away as if by a sponge, leaving dead silence.
Everyone turned their heads in unison to look at Jiang Tian.
He was dressed in ordinary casual clothes, appeared to be in his early twenties, of average height and looks, only slightly handsome—the kind you’d lose in a crowd.
Some lower-level martial artists present whispered among themselves, “So this is Jiang Taichu? He doesn’t seem particularly extraordinary.”
Meanwhile, members of the Hong Family from Hubei, the Mo Family from Lingnan, the Tang Sect from Sichuan, the Jin Dao Wang Family from Luoyang, and Zhang Wendao, among others, all wore dark, gloomy expressions, gritting their teeth as they glared at Jiang Tian with razor-sharp eyes.
Jiang Tian ignored them completely. With a cupped fist salute, he smiled and said, “I’ve heard that the Martial Alliance has gathered martial arts masters from across the land for this assembly. Although I dare not claim to be a master myself, I have a request for my fellow martial practitioners. My arrival is presumptuous; I beg your forgiveness!”
As he spoke, he gave a slight bow, his demeanor graceful and polite.
The more respectful Jiang Tian appeared, the more everyone suspected he harbored some grand scheme. Their eyes darted around, exchanging glances. Some were already on full alert, secretly circulating their inner energy.
Wei Feilong returned the salute with a cupped fist, saying, “Grandmaster Jiang, please, take a seat.”
A disciple brought over a chair and placed it down—positioned directly facing all the martial artists.
If Jiang Tian sat, it would be as if he were a prisoner on trial.
Jiang Tian frowned slightly but couldn’t be bothered to comment. He sat down gently, with Tang Linglong and Ghost-Foot Kick standing behind him.
Wei Feilong’s plan was to start with courtesy before resorting to force. He smiled amiably and said, “Grandmaster Jiang, what brings you here? I’ve heard of your astonishing talent and formidable cultivation. Surely, it must be for the position of the Martial Alliance’s chairman?”
At these words, everyone looked at Jiang Tian, waiting to see how he would respond.
The moment he showed the slightest hint of such ambition, they were ready to berate and humiliate him.
In the past, Jiang Tian might have scoffed at this, but today he was here to inquire about the Empress Flower for Qing’er’s path of cultivation. He didn’t want to sour relations too much.
He shook his head gently and said politely, “Chairman Wei, you flatter me. I am but a mere wandering rogue of the martial world. My cultivation is weak, my status lowly, and my knowledge shallow. How could I dare covet the position of the Martial Alliance’s chairman?”
Wei Feilong felt slightly relieved and smiled, “Then, Grandmaster Jiang, what is your purpose here?”
Jiang Tian gave a slight nod. Ghost-Foot Kick stepped forward, distributing rendered images of the Empress Flower to everyone present.
Jiang Tian surveyed the crowd and said with a faint smile, “I am looking for a spiritual herb called the Empress Flower. Of course, it might go by another name, but it generally looks like this…”
Wei Feilong was greatly astonished.
Originally, it wasn’t uncommon for the Martial Alliance assembly to facilitate exchanges of cultivation resources like martial arts manuals, spiritual herbs, or rare medicines.
But at this moment, everyone was plotting to capture or kill Jiang Taichu, yet this man, accused of countless murders and universally despised, had walked right into their midst. It was truly unbelievable.
He examined the image of the Empress Flower up and down. Despite his vast experience, he had never seen or heard of such a thing.
Then, they heard Jiang Tian say with utmost sincerity, “Esteemed fellow martial practitioners and heroes, if anyone possesses this Empress Flower, I am willing to offer a substantial reward—or any other condition you propose. I can agree to anything!”
Pfft!
A martial artist in the crowd sneered disdainfully, “Grandmaster Jiang, you boast quite boldly. I am at the peak of the Iron Body realm. I wish to break through to the Transcendent Realm within three months. Can you help me achieve that?”
“What’s so difficult about that? If you have the herb, I can make that dream come true for you!”
Jiang Tian picked up his tea, took a sip, and replied with a faint smile.
Hiss!
The crowd collectively drew in a sharp breath, looking at Jiang Tian in disbelief. They all thought this man must be insane.
The gap between the Iron Body realm and the Transcendent Realm was like a vast chasm, often taking twenty years of arduous cultivation to cross. Yet Jiang Tian had the audacity to claim he could achieve this breakthrough in just three months.
Even if you were a Transcendent Realm grandmaster yourself, you wouldn’t have that capability!
After a moment, many began to look down on Jiang Tian a little.
This person simply didn’t understand martial arts! He must be a fraud!
After all, the deeper one’s martial arts cultivation, the more one should understand the difficulties of martial cultivation and the more humble and cautious one should become.
Could it be that his fearsome battle records were actually fabricated or exaggerated through rumors?
“Grandmaster Jiang, if I had it, I’d want to sell it to you for ten billion. Can you manage that?” someone teased.
“Ten billion? No problem!” Jiang Tian replied with a lazy smile, nodding in agreement.
He dominated Lingnan. With a single word, people would obediently deliver money to him.
Or, by refining potent medicines or crafting magical artifacts for sale, he could earn that amount in just a few days!
Pfft!
Many laughed outright, their faces filled with scorn.
What, are you a printing press? How could you possibly have that much money!
Even if you did have that much money, would you really give it all away for a mere herb? Such empty boasting.
Little did they know that Jiang Tian held worldly wealth in low regard. To help his beloved wife embark on the path of cultivation, he wouldn’t bat an eye at ten billion, a hundred billion, or even a trillion.
Jiang Tian observed the expressions around him and couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed. He said calmly, “A gentleman does not jest. My words today stand firm. If you possess this Empress Flower, whether it’s ten billion or turning you into a Transcendent Realm grandmaster, any condition—I will agree to it…”
As he spoke, he stood up and said lightly, “I ask all heroes to help spread this message. If I obtain what I seek, I will surely offer a substantial reward! If none of you have it, then I won’t trouble you any further. I shall take my leave!”
Seeing him turn to leave, everyone in the hall grew anxious. Wei Feilong stood up and said, “Grandmaster Jiang, please wait!”
“What else is there?” Jiang Tian turned and asked.
Wei Feilong forced a bitter smile and said, “Grandmaster Jiang, I know your cultivation is profound, but your killing has been excessive. You have stirred up storms of blood in the martial world, which is ultimately not a good thing. I must ask you to reflect on your actions behind closed doors from now on and refrain from wandering the martial world, lest you incite further conflict!”
Wei Feilong’s nature was honest and mild, so his words were still quite polite. Jiang Tian smiled faintly and said, “Chairman Wei speaks reason. As long as people don’t deliver themselves to me asking for death, I have no desire to take action either…”
“Deliver themselves asking for death? What kind of talk is that? Are you saying all those you killed deserved it?”
Zhang Mingli’s face turned pale with fury. Unable to bear it any longer, she stood up and pointed at Jiang Tian, shouting sharply.
Originally, seeing Jiang Tian had filled her with trepidation too. But today, with all the heroes of the world present, she felt emboldened.
“Indeed…” Jiang Tian nodded.
“Why did they deserve it? What were their crimes? Give us an explanation!” Zhang Mingli looked at Jiang Tian with contempt, a cold sneer on her face.
“What are you? A mere Iron Body realm cultivator, a young girl barely out of her swaddling clothes. And you want me to explain myself to you?”
Jiang Tian chuckled coldly, then swept his gaze over the crowd and declared:
“In all my actions, I, Jiang Taichu, follow my will as freely as the clouds drift and the water flows. I have no need to explain myself to the likes of you!”
Zhang Mingli was left speechless by Jiang Tian’s retort, her momentum already diminished by a third.
Indeed, in terms of status and strength, she simply wasn’t qualified to converse with Jiang Tian on equal footing.
“Jiang Taichu, you go too far! You’ve killed indiscriminately, yet you refuse to admit your guilt? Apologize to the heroes of the world!”
Seeing Jiang Tian’s such arrogance, martial artists from the Mo Family of Lingnan, the Hong Family of Hubei, the Jin Dao Wang Family of Luoyang, and others were all ignited with rage. They pointed at Jiang Tian in unison and roared.
“And if I refuse to apologize?”
A trace of disdain curled at the corner of Jiang Tian’s mouth as he slowly scanned the crowd. “What do you intend to do about it?”
The crowd was momentarily stunned, never expecting Jiang Tian to remain so defiant in the presence of several dozen martial artists.
Jiang Tian gave a faint smile, his gaze turning icy. “You’ve all gathered here today at the Assembly of Righteousness to discuss how to deal with me—did you really think I was unaware? But tell me, do you truly believe you have the capability to do so?”
