The reason Niu Wu had rushed out in such a hurry to greet Jiang Chen was because he had spotted the Silver Dragon Token. He recognized it as a token of the Coiling Dragon Clan — second only to the Gold Dragon Token of the Coiling Dragon Emperor himself.
That was why Niu Wu had no doubts whatsoever about Jiang Chen's claim to be Young Master Ji San. He knew this was someone of enormous influence — a patron who could change his destiny.
Manager Qiu, while noting Jiang Chen's impressive entourage and guessing that this young man was no ordinary figure, only believed about seventy or eighty percent of what Jiang Chen said. A trace of skepticism still flickered in his eyes.
Jiang Chen naturally picked up on this. He smiled leisurely and looked at Manager Qiu. "Manager Qiu, it seems your body has a hidden ailment. On the path of martial arts — did you suffer a backlash of true qi within the past three to five years? Nearly suffered qi deviation?"
The moment these words left his lips, Manager Qiu's entire body trembled, and infinite disbelief shot into his eyes.
This matter was known to hardly anyone, even among those close to Manager Qiu, let alone anyone outside. And yet this Young Master Ji San had merely glanced at him a few times and somehow discerned all of this? What manner of means and eyesight was this?
"It wasn't supposed to be a major issue, but unfortunately Manager Qiu didn't take it seriously and failed to eliminate the hidden danger in time. After a few years, it gradually accumulated into a serious problem. I'd say that in recent months, Manager Qiu has probably realized that every day's cultivation is nothing but wasted effort?"
Niu Wu froze slightly and couldn't help stealing a glance at Manager Qiu.
Manager Qiu's face had gone deathly pale, his expression as if he had seen a ghost.
Jiang Chen smiled, knowing that his words had struck the most sensitive nerve in Manager Qiu's heart, and promptly fell silent.
Manager Qiu's entire body was trembling. In truth, he knew full well that his condition was actually even worse than what this Young Master Ji San had described.
These days, troubles with his cultivation, troubles with business — Manager Qiu was beset by problems on all sides, suffering through every single day.
His expression shifting不断, Manager Qiu couldn't help but ask in a trembling voice: "Young Master, is there... is there still a way to remedy these problems?"
It was plain to see that Manager Qiu was truly frightened.
Jiang Chen regarded him with a half-smile. "There is naturally a way, but..."
Without a second word, Manager Qiu dropped to his knees with a thud. "I beg the Young Master's mercy — please point this humble one toward a path of guidance."
The Flying Horse Inn and the Coiling Dragon Clan had no subordinate relationship whatsoever.
So Manager Qiu could not be considered a subordinate of the Coiling Dragon Clan. Niu Wu, on the other hand, had some connection to the clan and could be counted among its people.
However, because Niu Wu's status was far too low, he rarely had the chance to curry direct favor with the Coiling Dragon Clan.
Now that Jiang Chen was posing as Young Master Ji San, Niu Wu felt a surge of excitement, believing his savior had arrived. That was why Niu Wu kept his posture exceedingly humble — he understood the situation perfectly.
Seeing that Manager Qiu was still being thick-headed, he couldn't help offering a piece of advice: "Manager Qiu, you're a smart man. With your abilities, managing to get this far in Jinzhong City is already no small feat. But with your talents, if you had a better patron, there would be many more opportunities for advancement in the future. Since the Young Master has identified your problem, he has already shown you a clear path — why aren't you seizing it?"
Manager Qiu had always been a clever man. Upon hearing Niu Wu's words, enlightenment struck him like a bolt. He hastily knelt and bowed: "Young Master, this one Qiu has been foolish. If the Young Master could point me toward a clear path, then from now on, my very life belongs to the Coiling Dragon Clan. The Young Master would be this Qiu man's lifesaving benefactor."
Niu Wu's eyes burned with eagerness as he looked at Jiang Chen with great anticipation.
Niu Wu actually held Manager Qiu in considerable regard. They had simply belonged to different camps before. Their relationship was decent enough, but not particularly close.
However, if through Young Master Ji San they could forge a solid alliance, then together they would have far greater confidence in dealing with Dong Sheng, Head Shopkeeper Dong.
Moreover, they would have the Young Master's backing.
"Rise and speak. Your problem is neither grave nor trivial — it depends on whose hands are treating it. Let me write out a prescription for you. Follow the dosage strictly, and in a few years if there are still aftereffects, come find me in Liuli Royal City. There should be essentially no issues."
The great kingdoms and cities under Liuli Royal City all venerated the nobility of the Liuli Royal City proper with tremendous awe.
The Coiling Dragon Clan was already a power of the Emperor level — even back in the era of the First Clan, such forces had been utterly unattainable for other powers.
Therefore, Manager Qiu harbored no suspicion whatsoever toward Jiang Chen's words, and his face immediately filled with joy.
"Thank you, Young Master! This one Qiu must have accumulated immense merit in a past life to receive the Young Master's guidance toward a clear path. From this day forward, I, Qiu, will follow the Young Master's lead."
Niu Wu laughed. "Manager Qiu, others can't even get close enough to curry favor — this truly is a stroke of great fortune for you."
Manager Qiu nodded repeatedly.
Jiang Chen called for paper and brush, then wrote out a prescription for Manager Qiu. "Follow this prescription to the letter. Take the medicine twice a day, and in three months you will certainly be fully cured."