Third Master Jing had always been a ruthless figure in Frost Moon City. He was ruthless to others, and just as ruthless to himself. Seeing which way the wind was blowing, he didn't hesitate for a second. He strode up to Jiang Chen and said with a face full of apology, "Friend Shao, it was I, Jing, who was blind. For any offense I caused, I offer my sincere apologies."
If not for the bigger picture, would Jiang Chen have accepted this from Third Master Jing?
Besides, this man could bend and stretch with the situation — clearly a tough character. He was only yielding now because the tide had turned against him. The moment things swung back in his favor, he'd betray you just as quickly.
For someone like this, the best approach was to cut the weeds and dig up the roots — eliminate the threat entirely. But this time, he had important business in Frost Moon City, and making a complete enemy of this local power broker might not serve him well. Better to take the opening and see if he could squeeze some information out of the guy.
Wasn't this man the deputy leader of the Moon God Sect's first branch?
At this thought, Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Third Master Jing, there's a saying — no friendship without a fight. If our little scuffle here leads to a lasting bond, that would be quite the tale."
Third Master Jing noticed that Jiang Chen's tone carried little blame. Though somewhat puzzled, he eagerly climbed the ladder Jiang Chen had offered and laughed, "Exactly, exactly! Old Jing may be a bit of a scoundrel, but you know how it is — in a place like Frost Moon City, being too soft just doesn't get things done. With such generosity from Friend Shao, I consider you a friend for life."
As they talked, the two ended up chatting and laughing together — not at all looking like bitter enemies who had wanted each other dead just moments ago.
This spectacle made Long Xiaoxuan curl his lips in disgust. He clearly found it incredibly boring. He had been gearing up for a real fight. It was obvious that wish wasn't going to come true.
Before long, Third Master Jing's men had returned all of Jiang Chen's spiritual medicines, along with the two hundred million Holy Spirit Stones.
Third Master Jing personally placed them in Jiang Chen's hands. "Young Master Shao, as the saying goes — you don't make friends without a fight. Consider that Laughing Bodhi a meeting gift from Old Jing. As for these other items, I absolutely dare not keep them. Please, take them back."
Jiang Chen didn't stand on ceremony. He took back the two Heaven-grade spiritual medicines. "I do need the Laughing Bodhi urgently. The two hundred million Holy Spirit Stones and the two Earth-grade spiritual medicines are roughly equivalent in value. Keep them, Third Master Jing. That way neither side loses out, and we can meet on good terms down the road."
Third Master Jing gave a thumbs-up. "Good! Straightforward!"
A conflict that had seemed destined for bloodshed ended in this manner. And both sides tacitly dropped the matter of those people who had disappeared earlier, as if they had never existed.
Once everything was settled amicably, Third Master Jing excused himself and enthusiastically invited Jiang Chen and his companions to visit his first branch as guests.
Watching Third Master Jing leave with his men, Long Xiaoxuan curled his lip and tossed out a barb. "Hypocritical. Too hypocritical. If he hadn't left soon, I would've thrown up."
He truly couldn't stomach it anymore.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "That fellow can bend and stretch — he's no simple character. Oh, Brother Long, come — let me introduce you. This is the Peerless Emperor, my sworn elder brother."
"And Brother Mo, this is my sworn brother, Long Xiaoxuan."
After all, the Peerless Emperor had never met Long Xiaoxuan before. Seeing him appear out of nowhere was somewhat surprising, so naturally Jiang Chen had to make the introductions.
The Peerless Emperor didn't ask why Long Xiaoxuan was here. He figured this fellow had probably been in Frost Moon City all along.
Long Xiaoxuan glanced at the Peerless Emperor and said with a smugness that practically oozed off him, "Brother Mo, you're quite powerful. Very impressive."
The Peerless Emperor chuckled. "My brother certainly isn't ordinary. The friends he makes are all remarkable. Young Brother Long looks so young, yet his cultivation runs remarkably deep. And if I'm not mistaken, Young Brother Long's blood and vitality are exceptionally vigorous — you must be a martial artist with powerful bloodline strength. Such warriors usually possess extraordinary martial talent."
Long Xiaoxuan was of the True Dragon Clan, so his blood and vitality were naturally abundant. Though he had restrained himself well and didn't let it show, the eyes of an Emperor-level powerhouse were razor sharp.
Seeing that the Peerless Emperor had seen through him at a glance, Long Xiaoxuan reined in his arrogant demeanor. He recognized that this Brother Mo was genuinely formidable.
Proud as he was, Long Xiaoxuan respected the strong. He knew that even as a member of the True Dragon Clan, even having broken through to the Imperial Realm — the gap between himself and this Brother Mo was still considerable. In a direct confrontation, he'd have no chance of winning. His only option would be to flee.
"Brother Mo, go treat your wife's poison. Brother Long and I will stand guard."
The Peerless Emperor didn't refuse. "Good. You've worked hard this time."
Jiang Chen carefully explained the key points of treating the injuries and neutralizing the poison. The Peerless Emperor nodded repeatedly, and only after confirming there was nothing he'd overlooked did he head upstairs.
Once the Peerless Emperor was gone, Jiang Chen turned to Brother Long. "Brother Long, keep watch for a moment. I'm going to check outside. How is it that with all this commotion, not a single person from the inn — not the owner, not the staff — has come to see what's going on?"
Jiang Chen wasn't actually worried about the innkeeper or the staff. He was worried about his spirit beast cub, which was still being boarded at the inn.
He went outside and looked around, only to be stunned. The entire inn had been emptied. Apart from their small group, everyone — from the owner to the staff to every last guest — had vanished without a trace.