Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 177

“Hmph, isn’t it all because of his family’s influence? Otherwise, why would anyone give him face?”

Ye Feng’s clothes were stained with filthy vomit, and he looked utterly disheveled. Yet, even now, he remained stubborn as a mule, his eyes filled with disdain and a refusal to accept Jiang Tian’s superiority.

He had been an orphan since childhood, recognizing only his master and knowing nothing of his parents. He despised privileged young masters like Jiang Tian the most.

“Brother Ye Feng, didn’t you say you were an invincible close-combat master, unmatched across all of China?”

Suddenly, Tang Bao’er pouted her rosy lips and frowned, her face a picture of grievance and disappointment as she asked.

“Haha, I said I was an intimate bodyguard… the kind who maintains ‘zero distance’ with their employer…”

Ye Feng wore a sly grin, deliberately glancing at the alluring cleavage revealed by Tang Bao’er’s full chest.

In truth, he possessed no real martial arts cultivation. His skills were merely at the top level among mercenaries and assassins, completely incomparable to genuine martial artists.

Previously, whenever Jiang Tian cracked such jokes, Tang Bao’er would laugh and playfully call him a “rascal” or a “pervert.”

“Hmph, you’re so boring! Get this straight: you’re a bodyguard. Don’t talk to me like that!”

But this time, Tang Bao’er’s face was cold and tense, her eyes filled with nothing but annoyance. Then she skipped over to Jiang Tian’s side, bombarding him with questions.

“You little punk, just you wait. I want to see exactly what kind of skills you have. I’m going to beat you to death!”

Witnessing this scene, Ye Feng ground his teeth in fury. Jealousy burned wildly within him; he wished he could crush Jiang Tian’s bones to dust, feast on his flesh, and sleep on his skin to vent his rage.

“Grandmaster Jiang, this courtyard, named ‘Listening to the Wind and Water’s Melody,’ has been prepared specifically for you. If you have any needs, just instruct the servants!”

The guard led the group through several gateways and around numerous twists and turns, nearly dizzying everyone. After a good ten-plus minutes of walking, they finally stopped before the entrance to a rather spacious mansion courtyard.

“Excellent, thank you for the trouble!” Jiang Tian replied with a smile.

“In the evening, you can dine here or go to the main dining hall. There will be many fellow martial artists there; it would be good to mingle!” The guard said respectfully, cupping his fists.

“Very well. Li Yang, thank you for your hard work.”

Jiang Tian nodded. Seeing how the guard had been diligent and responsible throughout the journey, and finding his honest and likable character endearing, Jiang Tian casually rewarded him with a small item.

“Thank you, Grandmaster Jiang!”

The guard named Li Yang bowed and retreated from the courtyard. Seeing it was just a small porcelain vial, he didn’t think much of it at first.

However, upon opening it, he was so startled he nearly jumped: “Whoa! A Vitality Pill! This could help me break through a bottleneck! This single pill can’t be bought even for ten million!”

He gazed with reverence at Jiang Tian, who was casually strolling around the courtyard, and said in a trembling voice, “Grandmaster Jiang truly lives up to his name. Such incredible generosity!”

The next moment, he shook his head, his face full of regret. “What a shame… I heard this Martial Alliance conference is specifically about dealing with Grandmaster Jiang. Should I have warned him just now?”

For a while, he was torn. But after a moment of contemplation, he still headed towards a large hall in the northern part of the water estate.

…

Meanwhile, inside a grand hall.

Against the back wall hung a black plaque inscribed with three powerful, silver-hooked characters: “Hall of Righteous Assembly.” Below, in smaller vertical script, were the words: “Written by Ye Zhan Tian.”

The hall was arranged with a circle of official’s armchairs, all occupied by martial artists, men and women. However, all were over forty, each exuding a stern aura with sharp, penetrating gazes—clear signs of profound cultivation.

“What exactly is the background of this Jiang Taichu, causing such massive waves in the martial world?”

At the head sat a man in his sixties, ruddy-faced, slightly plump, and with an amiable demeanor. Although he was still smiling genially, a hint of gravity lurked deep in his eyes.

This person was Wei Feilong, the Chairman of the Martial Alliance. His cultivation had reached the Minor Achievement stage of the Transforming Jin stage. While his strength might not match Ye Zhan Tian’s, he had fought alongside him in the past. Now, as the Chairman of the Martial Alliance, his power was considerable.

“Chairman Wei, this Jiang Taichu acts far too ruthlessly. Hong Tianzhao was my sworn brother, yet he was still eliminated by him!”

Seated right next to him was a man in his fifties, with a resolute face, sharp sword-like eyebrows, and starry eyes. His entire aura surged like deep, vast oceans, and he radiated sharpness like an unsheathed treasure sword.

He was the Grandmaster from Jiangxi Province, Zhao Yuankun.

His face was full of grief and resentment as he said solemnly, “Brother Tianzhao was public-spirited and generous, freely helping others. Who in the martial world didn’t respect him somewhat? His death is truly a tremendous loss for our martial arts community!”

“Chairman Wei, you must uphold justice and avenge Tianzhao!”

The old master of the Hong Family, Hong Junshan, shakily rose to his feet, his eyes slightly red, his face a mix of sorrow and indignation as he bowed and pleaded.

“That Jiang Taichu is utterly vicious! My grandfather and the old immortal Wei were also killed by him!”

Another person stood up and left their seat, kneeling on the ground. With tears streaming and through gritted teeth, he accused Jiang Tian of heinous crimes. This was Mo Linhai, grandson of the Southern Lingnan Grandmaster Mo Haoxiong.

“What? Old Master Mo and Elder Wei were also killed by him? This man is truly audacious!” Wei Feilong slammed the table, his expression turning grim.

Over the years, with Ye Zhan Tian in seclusion, the focus of China’s Dragon Group had primarily been on international hostile forces with supernatural abilities.

The heavy responsibility of suppressing evil martial artists domestically and maintaining order had fallen upon Wei Feilong’s shoulders.

Generally speaking, over the past five years, the domestic martial forces had reached a state of relative balance, with few conflicts—peace had reigned. But just as he was about to step down, such an arrogant and rampant individual had emerged.

“And that’s not all! Jiang Taichu also killed members of our family…”

“We must eliminate this scourge of the martial world!”

At this moment, members of the Sichuan Tang Clan, the Luoyang Golden Blade Wang Family, and the practitioners of Splitting-Hanging Fist all stood up, shouting righteously and indignantly.

“Who gave him the courage to disregard martial ethics, kill indiscriminately, and bully the weak with his strength?!”

Wei Feilong’s face flushed red with anger, his teeth grinding audibly. He wished he could tear Jiang Tian limb from limb.

“Indeed! If he has skill, he should go abroad and defeat those hostile forces. What’s the point of being a bully at home?”

“All martial artists under heaven are one family! This Jiang Taichu may have some skill, but he’s far too ruthless. He’s practically a calamity!”

“A calamitous demon! Jiang Taichu acts perversely and like a madman. If we don’t eliminate him, there will be no peace in the martial world!”

Seeing Wei Feilong’s anger, many martial artists below gnashed their teeth in hatred, filled with righteous fury.

“Alas… Chairman Wei, what you may not know is that this man is no ordinary person. He once served as the martial arts consultant for the War Dragons!”

Suddenly, from among the seated guests, Zhang Wendao spoke up, his voice strained: “He has official backing, so he acts without fear. Isn’t that why he runs amok?”

“What? He was a War Dragons consultant?”

Many martial arts figures present were greatly shocked, exclaiming in surprise.

The combat power of the War Dragons was second only to the Dragon Group, but their military coloring was even stronger. Becoming their martial arts consultant meant his status was extraordinary!

“When did he serve as the War Dragons consultant?”

Wei Feilong blinked, his eyes flickering uncertainly as he asked solemnly.

“About a month ago…”

Zhang Wendao gave a bitter smile. “This man acts ruthlessly and without mercy. When my son crossed hands with him that day, Jiang Taichu actually used silk to condense a long blade and struck him so hard his internal organs were severely injured. He still hasn’t recovered!”

“Qitian is an outstanding talent among the younger generation! He was injured that severely?”

“Brother Wendao was once a bladework instructor for the War Dragons. Your nephew Zhang Lang and that Jiang Taichu could be considered comrades-in-arms. Yet he still dared to strike so heavily? He’s truly insane!”

Hearing this, many of the powerful figures present felt profound distress and anger burning in their hearts, their hatred for Jiang Tian growing even deeper.

“That Jiang Taichu is already the most outstanding young martial grandmaster of his generation in China. Being able to condense Qi into a weapon and injure from a distance is no small feat! But why is he so ruthless and cruel, obsessed only with killing? Does he want to become the sole tyrant under heaven?”

Some martial artists also shook their heads and sighed with regret.

Upon learning of Jiang Tian’s connection to the War Dragons, everyone felt the situation had grown more complex and the matter more significant. The discussion gradually died down, and finally, all eyes turned to Wei Feilong, awaiting his decision.

“If Jiang Taichu were merely a rogue from the rivers and lakes, that would be one thing…”

Seeing this, Wei Feilong fell silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh and said slowly, “But he is Brother Wendao’s comrade-in-arms. Shouldn’t we show some consideration, appeal to his emotions, reason with him, and persuade him to turn from evil to good?”

“When a true man acts, he should prioritize major principles. Even bonds of comradeship must sometimes be set aside!”

At this moment, Zhang Mingli, gathering her courage and tightening her already clenched fists, stood up from behind Zhang Wendao.

She stepped forward, her full chest thrust out slightly as she declared in a clear, firm voice: “Chinese martial arts are already in decline. Which renowned hero doesn’t possess unique skills? But now, those killed by Jiang Taichu have their legacies severed. If this continues, won’t Chinese martial arts be doomed?”

Originally, she had no right to speak on such an occasion. But thinking of her brother Zhang Qitian’s tragic state, she couldn’t swallow the resentment in her heart and felt compelled to speak out.

When she first started, she was extremely nervous, sweating on her forehead. But the more she spoke, the bolder she became, and her words flowed more smoothly.

Her pretty face flushed with anger as she spoke passionately: “Even if our Zhang family has some ties with him, we cannot let personal favor override public righteousness. As the saying goes, ‘Place righteousness above family loyalty.’ Besides, he was only a temporary martial arts consultant for the War Dragons and has already left that post!”

As soon as these words fell, the hall erupted in applause.

Seated in slightly more rear positions, the invited guests Qiu Gong and Li Zhenwei grew angrier and more filled with resentment and fury with each word they heard.

At this point, Qiu Gong could no longer bear it. He rose to his full height and said solemnly, “Gentlemen, do you recall that Grandmaster Jiang also eliminated the Big Circle Gang’s Xing Shanhu? That Xing Shanhu represented the Big Circle’s desire to infiltrate the mainland. It was Grandmaster Jiang who turned the tide when all seemed lost. Otherwise, the Jiangbei region would have long fallen into outsiders’ hands!”

“Indeed! The reason Southern Lingnan’s Elder Mo and Wei Shuofeng were eliminated by Grandmaster Jiang was because Wei Shuofeng first plotted to seize the Jiangbei territory. Grandmaster Jiang is the martial leader of Jiangbei. How could he stand idly by?”

Even facing many Transforming Jin stage experts and knowing he was no match, Li Zhenwei still stood up to speak for Jiang Tian.

Martial arts in Southern Lingnan were not flourishing. This time, only the two of them had been invited, making their side truly weak.

“Hmph! Jiang Taichu acted for Jiangbei merely out of personal gain, to fight for territory!” Zhang Mingli dismissed it with a sneer.

“Hmph, exactly! It’s only you spineless people from Jiangbei who kiss up to him! But our Hong family will fight Jiang Taichu to the death, no holds barred!” Hong Hetu also roared angrily.