When the Peerless Emperor said the Moon God Sect was blind, he naturally meant they had failed to recognize Jiang Chen as an unpolished gem.
Jiang Chen found it difficult to explain, though he secretly found the whole thing amusing. The Moon God Sect had actually been wronged here. His bloodline during childhood had certainly been thoroughly mediocre.
If he had truly been a genius, the people from the Moon God Sect would have taken him away long ago. Why would they have left him in the Eastern Kingdom?
Jiang Chen smiled awkwardly and changed the subject. "Brother Mo, I'm sure you've guessed most of the details regarding my family's situation. But now there's a new difficulty — the Moon God Sect is keeping my mother and younger sister under very tight watch. If our family is to be reunited, we'll need to come up with some kind of plan."
The Peerless Emperor chuckled. "There are really only two approaches. One is to force your way in. The other is to sit down with them and have an honest conversation."
Forcing their way in was obviously out of the question — it was a fool's approach. Jiang Chen wouldn't even consider it. If it were merely his own affair, he might not have cared.
But this concerned his parents' future happiness, and he could never resort to such an extreme method.
Besides, forcing entry into a first-tier sect was far easier said than done. Even if he managed to get inside, there was no guarantee he could actually bring anyone out safely.
So Jiang Chen dismissed the idea of a forced rescue entirely.
As for talking things out, he also found that rather tricky. How would he even go about it?
Should he reveal his identity as the Young Lord of Peacock Sacred Mountain? That would expose everything. Clearly, that was not a viable option.
His identity was something he could not afford to have revealed just yet. Setting aside the question of whether the situation within Glazed Royal City could be stabilized, once his identity was exposed, the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect and the Immortal Execution Palace would undoubtedly launch coordinated attacks against him. At that point, his position as Young Lord of Peacock Sacred Mountain would very likely crumble.
Until his strength had grown powerful enough to disregard all threats, Jiang Chen absolutely refused to reveal his identity.
Otherwise, instead of solving the problem, he would only create more trouble.
After all, he was currently only the Young Lord of Peacock Sacred Mountain — he had not yet gained full control over Glazed Royal City. The power structure among the Eight Emperors of Glazed Royal City had not yet been overturned.
"Young brother, with your current status, you are entirely capable of having an honest conversation with them," the Peerless Emperor advised.
Before Jiang Chen could respond, Jiang Feng shook his head. "Chen'er's identity cannot be exposed right now. If his identity is revealed, it won't just endanger Peacock Sacred Mountain — it will also jeopardize the grand plans of the Dan Qian Palace. I absolutely cannot let a matter like this derail Chen'er's important affairs. I can wait a few more years. I've already waited this long — what's a few more years?"
Although Jiang Feng longed to see his wife immediately and for the family to be reunited, he also understood that the situation was difficult. Now might genuinely not be the right time.
Just knowing his wife's whereabouts put his mind at ease. He could accept waiting a few more years. In the world of martial cultivation, a few years was really not much at all.
After staying at Gu Xintang's residence for several days, and with his father's injuries nearly fully recovered, Jiang Chen decided to return to Frost Moon City first and then deliberate further at length.
He had also made indirect inquiries of Gu Xintang, asking whether there was any possibility of meeting the Holy Maiden of the Azure Moon lineage. Gu Xintang's expression had changed the moment he heard the question. He stated bluntly that forget about someone of his rank — even the Hall Master of the Cold Moon Punishment Hall had no standing to meet with the Holy Maiden.
The Holy Maiden was a candidate to become the next Sect Master of the Moon God Sect. She was an exceedingly mysterious figure. Apart from the Sect Master's personal guidance, not even the Holy Maiden's own parents could easily meet with her.
The Moon God Sect typically had several Holy Maidens serving as candidates. They would slowly observe the aptitudes of each generation of Holy Maidens, and ultimately select the next Sect Master.
The Moon God Sect had a Grand Sect Master, as well as a Second Sect Master, Third Sect Master, and Fourth Sect Master.
The Moon God Sect had four divisions, and therefore four Sect Masters. These were the Purple, Azure, Blue, and Red divisions — one Sect Master per division, corresponding directly to it.
Of course, this correspondence was not absolute.
But regardless, the Holy Maiden of the Moon God Sect was extremely difficult to approach. Anyone whose status was not sufficiently exalted would never even lay eyes on her.
Unless the Holy Maiden chose to appear of her own accord.
Within the Moon God Sect, the Holy Maiden was shrouded in mystery. Because she was female, she differed from the direct disciples of other first-rate sects — once she entered the mortal world, it invariably caused an enormous sensation.
So, across the Upper Eight Domains, pursuing the Moon God Sect's Holy Maiden was considered the highest honor.
In principle, the Holy Maiden was forbidden from marrying. However, there were exceptions — for instance, when a Holy Maiden was confirmed to have no chance of becoming the next Sect Master, she would in principle be permitted to court and marry.
That said, the requirements for such a marriage were extraordinarily high. Not just anyone was qualified to wed the Holy Maiden of the Moon God Sect.
Even a Holy Maiden who had been eliminated from the race for Sect Master would have towering standards and be incredibly selective. First, the match had to be of equal standing. Second, the suitor had to be exceptional in talent, character, and appearance — all of it.
Furthermore, the suitor was expected to remain faithful to the Holy Maiden for life.
The moment any act of betrayal against the Holy Maiden came to light, that person would inevitably become the sworn enemy of the Moon God Sect.
The Moon God Sect was a first-rate sect led by women, and one of the very few such sects across the Upper Eight Domains. This sect treated such matters with the utmost gravity. Certain rules and regulations were rigid to the point of near-inflexibility.
Take Jiang Chen's mother, Xu Meng. She had been cast into the mortal world as an infant. By rights, she could have been left to her own devices.