Volume One: The Divine Kingdom of the Long Night Chapter 57: The Considerate Mr. Jiang

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The following morning.

A rattan chair had been placed outside the marquis's estate, and Jiang Wang was reclining in it.

Qixia Street had become very different.

An Immortal-Seeker passed by and immediately stopped, bowing respectfully. “Master Jiang, enjoying the sun?”

Jiang Wang nodded in silence.

Another Immortal-Seeker came along and, just as dutifully, stopped to bow. “Master Jiang, have you eaten?”

Jiang Wang replied that he had.

“Master Jiang, you really are handsome.”

“Master Jiang, I just had some tea. It was excellent. I'll buy some for you to try later.”

“Master Jiang, I had a bowel movement this morning, but I was a little constipated...”

The greetings before that were fine, but the last fellow had gone too far!

Why were you telling him something like that?

If you were ill, go see a doctor!

“Master Jiang...”

“Get lost!”

Chai Bi froze where he stood, bewildered. “I have never offended you, Master Jiang. Why are you telling me to get lost?”

“Oh, it's you.” Jiang Wang waved a hand. “I was only joking.”

Chai Bi was touched. “Master Jiang truly is so approachable.”

Jiang Wang: (￣ー￣)

I am also very considerate.

Chai Bi lowered his voice. “Master Jiang said that a great demon was hiding behind the scenes. I believe you completely. I barely slept last night. When I rose this morning, I noticed that it was unusually quiet outside the window. Could that great demon have slipped into Huncheng without a sound?”

“If a great demon appears, I will know,” Jiang Wang said. “You needn't worry so much.”

“With Master Jiang here, there can naturally be no mishaps.”

Just then, Luo Xianshan appeared.

Jiang Wang had been reclining outside the gate precisely because he was waiting for him.

“The Martial God Shrine is some distance from Huncheng. Though I hurried back as quickly as I could, I was still late. I never expected that the threat of the great demon had already been dealt with.”

Chai Bi bowed toward Luo Xianshan. “It was all thanks to Master Jiang. Otherwise, Huncheng would surely have been drenched in blood.”

Luo Xianshan cast Chai Bi a casual glance, then looked at Jiang Wang. “I heard that a great demon of the Bath-Snow realm had appeared, yet the young marquis managed to drive it off. Your strength must already have surpassed mine.”

His gaze toward Jiang Wang grew fervent.

Though the Martial God Shrine had never had a cultivator among its ranks, Luo Xianshan still felt the urge to recruit Jiang Wang.

Besides, if Jiang Wang entered the Martial God Shrine, Xiaoyu would have even less reason to remain at the marquis's estate.

Before the great sects turned their attention to Jiang Wang, Luo Xianshan had to act first. Recruiting a cultivator into the Martial God Shrine already went against convention; if he hesitated, he might not even be able to keep Xiaoyu.

Jiang Wang naturally had no idea what Luo Xianshan was thinking. He said calmly, “My cultivation is shallow. I merely happened to be lucky. How could I possibly compare with Your Excellency?”

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Luo Xianshan said, “The young marquis is still very young, yet he already has the feat of driving off the great demon Wu Hou. This matter will soon spread throughout Kutan, and by then, many powerful figures will surely come to pay their respects.”

“Allow me a little immodesty. I am, in a sense, the young marquis's elder. We have a closer relationship, and with Xiaoyu involved, the two of us ought to visit one another more often.”

Though Luo Xianshan had not said so outright, Chai Bi understood his meaning. If Master Jiang truly had no powerful background, then once news of the demon attack spread, it would not only be the great sects that treated him as a coveted prize. Even the Qingxuan Office would likely come calling.

The Martial God Shrine was made up of martial artists. If it tried to recruit a cultivator, the cultivation sects would naturally object strenuously. Chai Bi could already imagine the great powers of Huncheng converging on the city and fighting over Master Jiang.

Jiang Wang, however, was thinking along an entirely different line.

If powerful figures came to Huncheng, there would be plenty of wool to fleece!

Times had changed. Cultivators of the Cave-Nether realm could hardly catch his eye anymore.

He looked toward Luo Xianshan. “Your Excellency, shall we exchange a few moves?”

Luo Xianshan's expression stiffened. He smiled bitterly. “I am getting old. Go easy on me.”

According to Luo Xianshan's deduction, Wu Hou had been defeated by Jiang Wang and another person working together, rather than killed outright. Jiang Wang's cultivation was therefore likely only a step away from the Bath-Snow realm.

Without the support of a great sect, such talent was unfathomable. If not for that, Luo Xianshan would have suspected that Jiang Wang was already a great cultivator of the Bath-Snow realm.

Naturally, he had exaggerated his praise. He did not truly believe that Jiang Wang had surpassed him, but the young man was certainly very close. To be honest, Luo Xianshan himself had no absolute confidence of victory.

In the entirety of the Sui Kingdom, even looking back a thousand years, the only person to have entered the Bath-Snow realm before the age of twenty had been the master of Mount Mantang. Jiang Wang, however, had already come close to that realm at the age of twenty. His talent was likely second only to that mountain master.

If he broke through within the next few years, Jiang Wang would become the second master of Mount Mantang.

He was precisely the kind of talent every sect and power in the Sui Kingdom would devote everything to cultivating.

Luo Xianshan could not help feeling jealous.

The thought of taking this opportunity to teach Jiang Wang a lesson was rather satisfying.

Chai Bi silently retreated to one side.

A contest between Venerable Luo of the Martial God Shrine and Master Jiang was no place for him. If he stayed too close, he might well lose his life.

Jiang Wang remained sprawled in the rattan chair and extended a hand. “Respecting the old and cherishing the young is a virtue. Please make the first move.”

“Then this old man will not hold back,” Luo Xianshan said.

The martial artist's aura erupted. His entire body thundered like a war drum as he drove out a ferocious punch.

Were it not for Jiang Wang's fondness for the rattan chair and the searing current of energy he sent to protect it, the chair would surely have suffered again. But the force of Luo Xianshan's punch was truly terrifying. The gate behind Jiang Wang clanged loudly, while the wind ripped across his face, making it ripple like water.

He narrowed his eyes and sent out a punch of his own.

Their fists collided, and fierce energy burst in every direction. Even though Chai Bi had retreated a great distance, he was still caught in the shock wave and fled in panic.

Luo Xianshan raised a brow. “You are a cultivator, yet you dared to meet my fist head-on?”

Jiang Wang remained comfortably seated in the rattan chair and smiled. “I may look frail, but when it matters, I am quite strong.”

“You have never practiced martial arts, yet possess such a physique. It seems you are also a prodigy of the martial path.”

“But practicing martial arts is exhausting. Cultivation is more carefree.”

Luo Xianshan shook his head. “Whether one practices martial arts or refines vital energy, everything depends on talent. Take Dong Chongyang, for instance. He possessed uncommon talent in both paths, but the consequence of cultivating both was that he could not reach the Grandmaster realm through martial arts, nor the Bath-Snow realm as a cultivator. For the young marquis to choose only one path was a wise decision. Though I would still prefer you to practice martial arts.”

Jiang Wang smiled. “Your Excellency wants to recruit me into the Martial God Shrine as well?”

“I do indeed.”

Jiang Wang, ever considerate, said, “If I am willing, why should a cultivator be unable to join the Martial God Shrine?”

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Luo Xianshan was delighted. “That is perfectly reasonable!”

Jiang Wang slowly rose from the rattan chair and swept a whip kick toward Luo Xianshan. The latter raised an arm to block and sent out a kick of his own. Jiang Wang pressed lightly against it and drifted backward, landing three zhang away.

“But I need to know what benefits the Martial God Shrine can offer me.”

Luo Xianshan closed in. Jiang Wang immediately retreated, but Venerable Luo still threw a punch. The force of it shattered the air for a hundred zhang and swept Qixia Street clean as he spoke.

“The leader follows the Tyrannical Way and is fiercely protective of his own. Even if the young marquis causes trouble, the Martial God Shrine can withstand nearly anything for you.”

Jiang Wang drew his blade and cleaved straight through the force of the punch. “Other sects, or the Qingxuan Office, can do the same. That cannot be considered an advantage unique to the Martial God Shrine.”

“But the Martial God Shrine has far fewer rules,” Luo Xianshan said. “Given the young marquis's temperament, you would not wish to act according to the orders of a sect or the Qingxuan Office. In the Martial God Shrine, you may do whatever you wish.”

Jiang Wang smiled. “That is indeed very appealing.”

Luo Xianshan let out a breath. “No more. I am getting on in years, and my back and waist already ache.”

Jiang Wang sheathed his blade as well. There had been no reaction whatsoever from his divine kingdom.

Could it be that only a fight to the death would work?

Ever since he had first revealed the power of his divine kingdom while facing the demon Ao Yin, he had either fought with all his strength against the threat of death, or faced an enemy who truly meant to kill him. When he merely controlled another person's body, there had indeed been no significant change.

His thought of finding the man surnamed Xiao for another sparring match died on the spot.

Unless that man actually intended to kill him.

With his enthusiasm gone, Jiang Wang began to pant as well. He naturally reclined in the rattan chair once more. As expected, nothing compared to lying down when it came to fighting.

Luo Xianshan also took the opportunity to sit on the threshold.

The exchange had seemed like nothing more than a friendly contest, but every punch and kick had been delivered with intent. Though their movements had not looked particularly elaborate, the force behind them had been immense. Luo Xianshan's aching waist and back had nothing to do with genuine old age.

Jiang Wang glanced at him.

His formidable physique was naturally the result of the divine kingdom's power clinging to his body. To reach a level where he could contend with a Grandmaster, he had expended no small amount of strength. Even if the consumption had been comparable, a sparring match like this clearly could not make the divine kingdom's power grow stronger.

“If the young marquis enters the Martial God Shrine, you need not worry about Xiaoyu anymore. It would be good for you, good for me, and good for her. Everyone would be happy.”

If only battles against those who harbored hostility toward him could nourish the divine kingdom, then cultivators and demons of the Cave-Nether realm would clearly no longer be enough. At most, they could fill him six-tenths of the way. Yet provoking even stronger enemies would create many problems, while having a powerful backer could indeed avert a great deal of trouble.

The Martial God Shrine could serve as a backup plan.

He had merely given Luo Xianshan the impression that he was favorably disposed. He had not promised that he would definitely join the Martial God Shrine.

But Jiang Wang's consideration made Luo Xianshan feel that the matter was essentially settled, and his mood improved greatly.

After chatting a little longer, Luo Xianshan entered the marquis's estate, preparing to teach Xiaoyu some more formidable martial techniques.

Chai Bi watched Luo Xianshan's figure disappear into the estate, then came to the side of the rattan chair and said in a low voice, “Master Jiang is a cultivator. What resources could you possibly obtain by joining the Martial God Shrine? You cannot be planning to abandon cultivation and take up martial arts, can you?”

“After what happened with Wu Hou, surely the great sects of the Sui Kingdom, and even the Qingxuan Office, will extend an invitation to Master Jiang. Any of them would be a much better choice than the Martial God Shrine.”

Jiang Wang smiled. “It does not matter which one I choose. Not choosing any of them would be fine too. You are worrying about this now, but what if those great sects have no intention of recruiting me? Wouldn't that be humiliating? I am a lazy man. I like nothing more than lying down. If a place intends to bind me with rules, then it is not a good place for me.”

Chai Bi reflected that truly talented people were indeed overbearing. For anyone else, an invitation from a great sect would be an occasion for their ancestors to blaze with glory; even an ordinary small sect would be a tremendous honor. Who would refuse?

If a great sect were willing to recruit him, Chai Bi would gladly present himself on a platter.