"Young Lord, are you truly going to the Nine Suns Heaven Sect?" When Xue Tong heard that Jiang Chen planned to visit the Nine Suns Heaven Sect, he couldn't help but feel a measure of concern.
In Xue Tong's memory, the Nine Suns Heaven Sect was a formidable organization that held old grievances against the Young Lord. Back in the days of the Treasure Tree Sect, the Nine Suns Heaven Sect's patrol envoys had sided with the Purple Sun Sect against the Treasure Tree Sect in a bitter conflict. Later, the Young Lord had even killed disciples of the Nine Suns Heaven Sect.
"Xue Tong, you are my brother — there's no need to address me as Young Lord. I'll have four Great Emperors accompanying me on this trip to the Nine Suns Heaven Sect. What is there to worry about? Oh, while I'm away, there are many matters at the Young Lord's estate that you'll need to discuss with the senior members. Especially Madam Yun and the Four Sovereigns — is that clear?"
Xue Tong bowed respectfully. "Don't worry, Brother Chen. I'll keep a good watch over the estate."
…
"Chen'er, you're going on another journey?" In the secluded courtyard behind the mountain, Jiang Feng learned that his son was setting off once more, and his concern was palpable.
"Father, while I'm away, please focus on your cultivation within the Young Lord's estate. Spend time with your friends from the Dan Qian Palace, and with Liu Zhen and the others. I'll be back before long."
"Ha! Now you're worrying about your old man, are you? Don't worry — this time I absolutely won't leave without saying goodbye. And I won't step foot outside the Young Lord's estate. I know countless eyes across the whole world are watching the Peacock Sacred Mountain, watching you, the Young Lord. As your father, if I can't help you the least bit, the very least I can do is not cause you trouble or hold you back, right?"
Jiang Feng was an easygoing man, and now that he knew his wife and daughter were safe, his worry had transformed. It was no longer the desperate anxiety of not knowing whether they lived or died.
What he felt now was more akin to anticipation.
But Jiang Feng understood well enough — this was something that could not be rushed.
"Chen'er, everything you've accomplished over the years — your father has been proud of you every step of the way. By rights, I shouldn't ask anything more of you. It's just... *sigh*... about your lost brother — please keep an eye out, ask around. Right now, he's the one I worry about most."
Parents will always worry for each of their children. Back when Jiang Feng and Jiang Chen had depended on each other in Jianghan Territory, Jiang Feng had doted on his son far too much.
Now, his concern for his younger son — the one he had never once laid eyes upon — was just as deep.
Jiang Chen caught that faintly wistful look in his father's eyes and understood the weight of paternal love behind it. In that moment, memories of the old days in the Eastern Kingdom flooded his mind, filling his heart with a gentle warmth.
"Father, rest assured — I will do everything in my power to find my brother." It was a promise Jiang Chen made to his father.
Jiang Feng forced a smile. "I just pray the Heavens have eyes, and that he still lives — that he is still out there somewhere."
"Father, put your mind at ease. The children of the Jiang clan are blessed with great fortune, and Heaven will surely watch over them." Jiang Chen consoled his father.
Jiang Feng sighed softly, gazing at his son's increasingly chiseled features — as steadfast and towering as a mountain. His paternal love surged through him once more.
"Chen'er, Huang'er is a fine girl. I know everything about her situation. You must not lose heart. A real man, no matter how dire the circumstances, must never let the woman he loves suffer. I was useless back then — I couldn't prevent your mother from leaving my side, couldn't turn the tide. I hope... that kind of tragedy never befalls you."
Jiang Chen nodded. He said nothing, but the unwavering resolve in his eyes said everything.
…
Two days later, Jiang Chen departed the Peacock Sacred Mountain in quiet secrecy, heading for the Nine Suns Heaven Sect. He was accompanied by the Peerless Great Emperor, the two Jiao brothers from Huaishan, and the Ocean Great Emperor.
The Nine Suns Heaven Sect was located in the central-western reaches of the Upper Eight Regions, deep in its heartland. Though far from the Peacock Sacred Mountain, it was still considerably closer than the trip to Pill Fire City.
Jiang Chen kept a low profile throughout the journey and avoided drawing any trouble. Within a day, they arrived at the gates of the Nine Suns Heaven Sect.
As a first-rank sect, the Nine Suns Heaven Sect occupied a land steeped in incredibly dense spiritual energy.
"Young Lord, this is your first time visiting the Nine Suns Heaven Sect, isn't it?" the Peerless Great Emperor asked with a smile.
"That's right. Have you been here before?" Jiang Chen asked, curious.
"Once." The Peerless Great Emperor sighed softly. "I came to the Nine Suns Heaven Sect years ago, hoping to obtain a divine weapon. Unfortunately, my wish went unfulfilled."
Jiao Yun remarked, "The Nine Suns Heaven Sect is a first-rank sect, and they've never had much regard for us rogue cultivators. When it comes to arrogance, the Celestial Dragon Sect ranks first among the first-rank sects, and the Nine Suns Heaven Sect is at least a close second."
It was plain that Jiao Yun harbored no fondness for the Nine Suns Heaven Sect.
The group stood before the gates of the Nine Suns Heaven Sect, gesturing and chatting, which immediately drew the attention of the sect's mountain patrol disciples. Several of them transformed into streaks of light and shot toward the visitors at breathtaking speed.
"Who goes there? Creeping about in the forbidden grounds of our Nine Suns Heaven Sect?" A middle-aged swordsman in a saffron-yellow robe stepped forward, flanked by six younger disciples, and marched up to Jiang Chen and his companions with a fierce, aggressive bearing.