Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 94

Hotel Restaurant

After the group had left, Jiang Lin walked up to Jiang Tian and said gratefully, “Jiang Tian, thank you for helping me out earlier…”

“No need.” Jiang Tian waved his hand dismissively. A few insignificant pests—what did it matter if they were killed?

“Still, you can’t be this reckless next time! How could you possibly stand a chance against someone like Chen Bo?” Seeing Jiang Tian’s arrogant expression, Jiang Lin inexplicably grew irritated and scolded him in her usual domineering tone. “You were lucky Miss Mange was there today—otherwise, you’d have been beaten to death!”

“My master saved you, and this is how you repay him?” Tang Linglong couldn’t hold back, her face flushed with anger.

“I’m just telling the truth!” Jiang Lin shot Tang Linglong a glare. This girl is so pretty, but what a fool—she actually believes Jiang Tian’s lies and even calls him ‘master.’

“Jiang Tian doesn’t know the first thing about fighting. Back in Jinling, how many times has Chen Bo humiliated him?” She sneered. “Now we’re thousands of miles from Jinling. If something happened, do you think the family could help in time? Hmph! Jiang Tian would be crushed like an ant—he wouldn’t even have time to scream!”

“Jiang Lin, perhaps in your eyes, Chen Bo is some invincible figure who must never be provoked.” Jiang Tian sipped his tea leisurely, his tone indifferent. “But to me, he’s nothing more than an insignificant speck of dust. If I wanted to crush him, a single finger would be enough.”

“You—!” Jiang Lin stared at him in disbelief, then looked at him as if he were an idiot. “Jiang Tian, you’ve really grown some nerve, haven’t you? Now you’re bragging that Chen Bo isn’t even worth your attention? You’re not even fit to lick his boots!”

“You’re arrogant, impulsive, and completely out of touch with reality. You’re nothing but a curse on the Jiang family—you’ll drag us all into ruin!”

“Just like when you provoked that powerful family in Yanjing years ago!” With that, she turned and stormed off.

“Jiang Lin!” Jiang Tian called after her.

“What now? Can’t even call me ‘elder sister’ properly? You’ve really grown up, huh?” Jiang Lin stopped but didn’t turn around, her voice icy.

“I don’t blame you for looking down on me.” Jiang Tian’s voice was calm.

“I know you’re determined to restore our family’s glory. Regardless of our past, I respect you for that.”

“If you ever run into trouble here, just come to me. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

Jiang Lin burst out laughing, her eyes filled with disdain. “Oh my, my little Tian-Tian has really grown up, hasn’t he? Now he can protect his dear elder sister!”

“But forget it. The best thing you can do is stay far away from me. I’m more worried you’ll piss someone off and get me killed! Just focus on not getting yourself killed—that’s enough!” With that, she stomped away angrily.

Tang Linglong’s face burned with fury. “That ignorant, arrogant woman! Master, why even bother with her?”

“She’s still family…” Jiang Tian sighed, then turned to Qiu Gong. “Qiu Gong, who is this ‘Miss Mange’? What’s her background?”

“Master, her name is Shen Mange. She’s from the Shen family, a prominent clan in Yanjing. Currently, she’s the chief disciple of the Shennong Sect, under the tutelage of its current leader, Zuo Zimu.”

Qiu Gong bowed slightly.

“They say she’s highly skilled in diplomacy, handling people and situations flawlessly. She’s deeply trusted by the sect leader and manages all of Shennong Sect’s external affairs and secular businesses. This medicinal exchange conference is also under her supervision.”

“I see…” Jiang Tian nodded, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

“Master Jiang, tonight there’s a small-scale exchange for medicinal pills and artifacts at the Hundred Herbs Manor in the city. Would you like to take a look?” Qiu Gong suggested.

“A small-scale exchange?” Jiang Tian raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. This event is open to both martial artists and wealthy merchants.”

Qiu Gong explained, “The official conference tomorrow is invitation-only—no tickets are sold. Even with Boss Feng’s influence in Donghai, we could only secure passes for this smaller event.”

“Alright, let’s go take a look.” Jiang Tian smiled faintly.

Tang Linglong drove them to the outskirts, where they soon arrived at a secluded manor nestled against the mountains.

The Hundred Herbs Manor was rustic and ancient, surrounded by dense woods. A low yellow mud wall, topped with straw, encircled the property. Outside, young mulberry, elm, and other trees twisted naturally, forming two rows of green hedges.

Beyond the hedges, on a slope, stood an old well with a wooden pulley. The courtyard was filled with medicinal herbs—ginseng, angelica, rhodiola, gastrodia, nightshade, rehmannia, and countless others, their fragrance permeating the air.

“The Shennong Sect has quite the refined taste—very classical.” Tang Linglong marveled. “Compared to this, my uncle’s manor looks downright tacky!”

“The Shennong Sect does have some foundation.”

But Jiang Tian’s divine sense detected over a dozen Iron Body or Inner Strength experts hidden around the estate.

Linzhou had no Inner Strength masters. Donghai only had Qiu Gong. Even in Lingnan, they were rare.

Yet this single manor had so many experts—proof of the sect’s strength.

After presenting their tickets, they were let in and guided by a host into a courtyard.

The surroundings were simple yet elegant—paper windows, wooden beds, stone tables, and artificial hills, all exuding an unpretentious charm.

The spacious courtyard was already filled with dozens of wealthy merchants and martial artists from all over.

The martial artists wore modern clothing—some in designer suits like tycoons, others with earrings and nose rings, sporting rock or hippie styles.

Jiang Tian shook his head inwardly at the sight.

Some chatted animatedly, while others quietly set up stalls selling herbs and artifacts.

“Sigh… Today’s martial artists are nothing like the old days. So frivolous. The ancient spirit is lost.” Qiu Gong sighed.

“Hey, if it isn’t the Great Ape Fist master, Qiu Gong—Yuan Qiuqiu! Long time no see!”

Someone recognized Qiu Gong and greeted him warmly. “Who’s the guy behind you? Your disciple or grandson?”

Qiu Gong jumped in alarm and snapped, “Shut your filthy mouth, ‘Ox King’! This is Young Master Jiang from Linzhou—a true expert!”

Though Jiang Tian had warned him to keep a low profile, Qiu Gong couldn’t help but elevate him—the memory of Jiang Tian killing Li Feihu with a single qi-infused punch on the Blue Whale casino ship was seared into his mind.

Realizing his slip, Qiu Gong didn’t elaborate further and introduced the man. “Niu Bowen, master of the Splitting Fist. He’s reached minor Inner Strength.”

Jiang Tian gave a slight nod.

Niu Bowen was tall and burly, wearing a black vest that exposed his hairy chest. His nose ring added a comical touch.

“Linzhou, huh?” Niu Bowen walked over, grinning. “Rare to see folks from Linzhou here. Rumor has it you’ve got a ‘Grandmaster Jiang’ over there, supposedly at the grandmaster level. Any truth to that?”

“Hah! Niu Bowen, don’t believe everything you hear. They say this ‘Jiang Taichu’ is only twenty-five and already a transcendent grandmaster? Ridiculous!”

A young martial artist in an Armani suit scoffed.

“True. Must be exaggeration.”

“People from Linzhou love to boast.”

“Tang Guozhu had some talent, but he never even reached Inner Strength in his lifetime!”

“Lingnan’s martial arts scene is weak. Even Li Zhenwei, Foshan’s top fighter, is just Inner Strength. No wonder they resort to tall tales!”

The crowd murmured in agreement.

These martial artists had trained since childhood, enduring countless hardships, yet the strongest among them barely reached Inner Strength.

A twenty-something claiming to be a grandmaster? Absurd.

“What do you know?” Tang Linglong couldn’t resist arguing, but Jiang Tian gestured for her to stop.

“Imperial Physician Zhang Yanghao of Yanjing and Shennong Sect’s chief disciple, Miss Mange—have arrived!”

A host’s announcement rang out, and the crowd immediately forgot about Jiang Tian, rushing forward eagerly.

Most of them were buyers, while the real sellers were concentrated in the Zhang family and the Shennong Sect.

Zhang Yanghao was in his eighties, with a long white beard, dressed in a traditional Tang suit and cloth shoes. He twirled an antique enamel ivory snuff bottle, exuding the aura of a medical grandmaster.

Behind him were several disciples—and the woman Jiang Tian had seen at the hotel, Miss Mange.

“Zhang Yanghao—a former imperial physician who treated national leaders! Incredible!”

“They say he’s a master of acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage—you name it!”

“That’s nothing. He can channel qi into his needles, healing even martial artists’ severe injuries!”

The crowd buzzed with admiration.

“Thank you all for traveling so far to attend this exchange!” Zhang Yanghao clasped his hands warmly.

“To meet the legendary Physician Zhang, we’d walk barefoot if we had to!”

The flattery poured in like a tidal wave, elevating him to near-deity status.

“Oh, I’m no legend. I’m just a humble servant under Sect Leader Zuo.”

Zhang Yanghao feigned modesty, but a trace of pride flickered in his eyes. “After twenty years of begging, I finally joined the Shennong Sect as an outer elder!”

“Congratulations, Physician Zhang! Twenty years of perseverance finally rewarded!”

“With your new position, your medical skills must be even greater now!”

The crowd erupted in praise once more.