"Liu Zhen, come with me." Jiang Chen's tone was grave as he beckoned to Liu Zhen. "I need to ask you — that companion of yours, what exactly is your relationship?"
Liu Zhen stammered, "He really is a martial arts friend I met by chance. We just happened to get along, and after going through hardships together for a long time, we became sworn brothers."
"Just a chance encounter, yet you'd go this far for him?" Jiang Chen was somewhat puzzled.
At this, Liu Zhen's expression grew agitated. "Young Master Shao, I, Liu Zhen, may not have much ability, and I'm no paragon of righteousness. But that companion of mine — even though we share no blood, we've been through life and death together. I, Liu Zhen, don't have many friends in this life, and even fewer brothers. To find a kindred soul who truly understands me — what's a little thing like this compared to that?"
Even ordinary people had their own principles. Even ordinary people had their own moral compass.
This was something Jiang Chen had never doubted.
Looking at Liu Zhen's earnest face, he was now certain that Liu Zhen was not lying.
Being strong didn't necessarily mean a person had good character.
Conversely, being weak didn't mean a person's character was lacking.
In Liu Zhen's case, he wasn't particularly outstanding in any respect. Even in terms of character, he was far from a flawless gentleman.
But an ordinary person who wasn't a gentleman could still have his own emotional logic. He still had things he cared about.
Family. Friendship. Brotherhood.
Jiang Chen took a deep breath. "This companion of yours — do you know his name?"
Liu Zhen eyed Jiang Chen warily, then suddenly shook his head. "I do know his name, but I can't tell you."
"Why not?" Jiang Chen couldn't help asking.
"Can't tell you means I can't tell you. No matter what you ask, I won't say." Liu Zhen's tone was utterly resolute.
Jiang Chen pondered for a moment, then suddenly his eyes flickered as he looked at Liu Zhen. "I'll guess — his surname is Jiang."
Hearing this, Liu Zhen's entire body convulsed, trembling like a sieve. His eyes stared at Jiang Chen as though he were looking at a demon, filled with shock.
That expression had entirely given away Liu Zhen's inner world.
In that instant, Jiang Chen's own emotions surged. "He really does have the surname Jiang?"
The Peerless Great Emperor suddenly fell into deep thought. From the exchange between Jiang Chen and Liu Zhen, he seemed to have faintly caught some thread of information.
But for now, it was only speculation — unverified.
Jiang Chen reached out and grabbed Liu Zhen, lifting him up. His tone was urgent. "Tell me — does he really have the surname Jiang?"
Liu Zhen simply closed his eyes and stopped resisting. "I don't know."
The Peerless Great Emperor spoke up to mediate. "Brother, let's talk this through calmly. Don't rush. Liu Zhen, don't be so stubborn. Our friend here means no harm."
At this, Jiang Chen recalled something and released Liu Zhen, his face apologetic. "Forgive me, I was a bit hasty. Liu Zhen, I admire your loyalty. But this companion you speak of is very important to me. I hope you can share some information. I give you my word — I bear him no ill will. If I'm lying, may heaven and earth destroy me!"
Liu Zhen still hesitated, his gaze flickering uncertainly. "You truly bear no ill will?"
Jiang Chen smiled bitterly. "Do I look like someone with malicious intent? Besides, I don't mean to put myself above you, but with your mere Yuan Realm cultivation, what reason could I possibly have to harbor ill will toward you? Because of your Heavenly Crystal Grass? If I wanted those, would I need to set any trap? Simply snatching them would be far more direct."
Liu Zhen sighed. "Young Master Shao, I'm not trying to keep you in suspense. My companion once told me that his identity is rather special. He worries that someone might use him to threaten his loved ones. So I can't reveal his identity. But you've already guessed it — why must you press so relentlessly?"
"His surname really is Jiang? Is his name Jiang Feng?" Jiang Chen's tone was extremely grave.
"How could you possibly know that?" Liu Zhen was dumbstruck, scarcely able to believe it. He was certain he hadn't given away any information at all.
Jiang Chen's lips trembled faintly, and his expression suddenly became intensely emotional.
"Brother Mo, let's go inside and search. I still don't fully trust the words of the Heavenfall Society. It's entirely possible that Elder Ke is playing some trick."
The Peerless Great Emperor nodded. "Let's go."
Liu Zhen grew anxious. "Young Master Shao, you still haven't told me how you knew!"
Jiang Chen shook his head without saying a word, but his face was taut with urgency as he charged inside first.
Long Xiaoxuan glanced at Liu Zhen and let out a sigh. "Liu Zhen, you did a clever thing. I'll tell you only this — if your companion can be saved, then you've earned a great fortune in this life."
Liu Zhen was stunned, unable to grasp what Long Xiaoxuan meant.
"Young Master Long, what exactly do you mean?" Liu Zhen was completely bewildered.
"I can only tell you this much — the Young Master Shao you speak of, his true identity is also surnamed Jiang."
Liu Zhen's entire body shook. Suddenly it struck him. Staring at Jiang Chen's retreating figure, a look of utter astonishment froze on his face. He stood rooted to the spot, murmuring, "Also surnamed Jiang? Could it… could it possibly be…"