"Ha ha, brother, you've finally shown your face. If you'd stayed hidden any longer, I would have gone looking for you myself." The Peerless Emperor broke into hearty laughter upon seeing
It was clear that both the Peerless Emperor and Madam Yun were thoroughly enjoying their stay at the Young Lord's manor. Thanks to the restorative effects of the Pine Crane Pill and the baptism of the Wood Spirit Spring, Madam Yun's injuries had nearly healed completely.
Days like these, blessed and serene as a fairy tale, were something both the Peerless Emperor and Madam Yun cherished deeply.
Ever since they had fallen in love, Madam Yun had been plagued by injuries. That affliction had been the heaviest burden on both of them, keeping them apart far more than they were together.
Throughout the years, the Peerless Emperor had roamed far and wide, searching for remedies to cure her wounds.
After all those years of searching, the solution had finally come through Jiang Chen. The Peerless Emperor was endlessly grateful for this.
Both the Peerless Emperor and Madam Yun were the kind of people who valued loyalty and righteousness above all else.
Having received Jiang Chen's tremendous favor, growing close to him in bond, and genuinely coming to love the Glazed Glass Royal City, they had both begun to entertain the thought of settling down here.
"Brother Mo, sister-in-law's injuries are essentially behind her now. From this day forward, you two can live freely as the celestial couple you were always meant to be."
"Heh heh, we have you to thank for that, brother. I won't waste breath on empty pleasantries — a man like me repays kindness with actions, not words. I've heard that things haven't been going too well in the Glazed Glass Royal City lately. Someone's been trying to challenge your authority — is that true?"
Jiang Chen knew that such matters couldn't be concealed from someone of the Peerless Emperor's stature.
He let out a soft sigh. "No matter how frantically they leap about, they're nothing more than clowns on a stage."
"Good! I love that confidence of yours, brother. If anyone else said those words, I'd think them an arrogant fool. But you — you have every right to say them!" the Peerless Emperor praised. "I haven't met the Asura Emperor yet, but I've heard enough about him. His martial strength is beyond question, but when it comes to vision, composure, strategy, and resolve, he falls far short of the Peacock Emperor. And in my estimation, brother, your potential will one day surpass even the Peacock Emperor's. So as long as the people of the Glazed Glass Royal City aren't complete fools, they'll ultimately choose you — not some Asura Emperor!"
Madam Yun nodded in firm agreement. "A powerhouse at the Asura Emperor's level exists in every major faction across the Upper Eight Regions. There's nothing particularly extraordinary about that. The Glazed Glass Royal City became one of the most prominent powers in the Upper Eight Regions not because of the Asura Emperor, but because of the Peacock Emperor."
This was something even an outside observer could see with perfect clarity.
The Asura Emperor ranked only third among the emperors of the Glazed Glass Royal City. Above him stood the Nian Emperor.
The Nian Emperor was a man of low profile who rarely involved himself in such disputes. That was precisely why the Asura Emperor's reputation within the city far eclipsed his.
But from the outside world's perspective, the Glazed Glass Royal City owed its prestige entirely to the transcendent presence of the Peacock Emperor. Without him, the city would be no different from any ordinary first-tier sect.
"Brother, I think your sister-in-law's suggestion is a fine one. The Feudal Lord Assembly will bring lords and vassals from every corner to the Glazed Glass Royal City. You may be the Young Lord, but your foundation is still relatively shallow. This is the time to make your rounds, win hearts, and consolidate support. It would be best to accomplish something truly significant — let everyone know that the Young Lord of Peacock Sacred Mountain didn't earn his title for nothing!"
"Brother Mo speaks wisely." Jiang Chen nodded in agreement.
"Ha ha, with the city in such turmoil, I'm worried someone might move against you. So from now on, every single day, I'll be sticking right by your side — your personal bodyguard. Ah Yun, you don't object, do you? Ha ha ha!" the Peerless Emperor said with a laugh.
Madam Yun replied with perfect seriousness. "That's exactly as it should be. Even if you hadn't suggested it, I would have urged you myself. This is a critical period for our brother — if you, as his elder brother, don't step up now, when will you?"
Madam Yun's grasp of the bigger picture moved Jiang Chen deeply.
A heart for a heart — Jiang Chen had saved Madam Yun's life without expecting anything in return, but the way she and the Peerless Emperor treated him filled him with genuine gratitude.
Having a sovereign-level powerhouse at his side would indeed make things far more convenient.
"Add the Geng brothers to the count as well," the Peerless Emperor added with a hearty laugh. "They're both loyal brothers to me, and they admire you greatly as well."
"In that case, I'll drop the pretense of modesty." Jiang Chen's face brightened at the news.
The Geng brothers' strength was nothing to scoff at. They hadn't reached the emperor level, but their cultivation was comparable to that of the Four Great Sovereigns.
With the Peerless Emperor, the Four Great Sovereigns, and the Geng brothers, his side's strength would be truly formidable.
And that wasn't even counting Sovereign Ji Mie and Sovereign Pan Long — both of whom commanded considerable forces of their own.
"Brother…" The Peerless Emperor hesitated for a moment, then suddenly spoke again. "Forgive my bluntness, but there have been rampant rumors throughout the Glazed Glass Royal City of late. The Peacock Emperor's whereabouts — that is what concerns me most."
"What are your thoughts?" Jiang Chen's gaze sharpened.
"I suspect that even if the Peacock Emperor hasn't perished, he must have encountered some serious trouble. Otherwise, where would the Asura Emperor get the audacity to spread those rumors? What I'm worried about is this — could these internal struggles within the Glazed Glass Royal City involve interference from outside forces?"
The Peerless Emperor was a sovereign through and through, and his instincts were razor-sharp. His words made Jiang Chen's expression turn grave. After a long pause, he let out a quiet sigh.
"Brother Mo, to be perfectly honest, I share the same concern. A few days ago, when I returned from outside, I discovered that the pill shop opened next to the Taiyuan Pavilion was actually run by people sent from Myriad Abyss City. I can't yet determine whether Myriad Abyss City exploited the opportunity to meddle, or whether the Asura Emperor himself invited the wolves through the front gate."
The Peerless Emperor's brow arched sharply. "Myriad Abyss City?"