But his family was waiting desperately for this item. Missing the deadline would be an agonizing regret.
Over the past few days, Tang Long had been debating whether to risk punishment and make the trip home anyway. But he knew that without authorization, sneaking back would count as deserting his post. The punishment would range from being stripped of his honorable position at the light end, to execution at the worst.
Tang Long didn't fear death for his family's sake, but he also knew that without him and without his job, the family simply could not survive.
Tang Long was the pillar holding up his entire household. If he fell, the whole family would collapse.
So over these past few days, Tang Long had been fighting the urge to abandon his post and rush home. He had considered asking someone to deliver the item, but as a low-ranking border defense wyvern rider, his status was insignificant. The dozens of miles he patrolled held no profit or opportunity worth mentioning.
The job, outwardly glamorous, was really just enough to put food on the table and barely keep the whole family alive. In terms of social standing, it was extremely low.
So finding someone to carry the item back was nearly impossible. Either they'd be too proud to bother, or they'd be strangers he couldn't trust.
It had taken considerable nerve for Tang Long to make the request. His earlier enthusiasm in explaining everything to Jiang Chen and the others had been partly to lay the groundwork for this.
Moreover, Tang Long felt at ease knowing that this group clearly spent freely. The item he was entrusting them with, though extremely valuable to him personally, would amount to nothing much in their eyes. Its value was obviously far below that bottle of Blue Sea Pill used for restoring qi and gathering energy.
His only worry was that their equipment was too eye-catching. Passing through territories like the Qianlan Northern Palace and
And the item Tang Long needed delivered had to arrive within seven days. If it was late, delivering it at all would be pointless.
All these conflicting emotions led Tang Long to repeat his instructions over and over.
Jiang Chen patted Tang Long on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I know this is important to your family. I'll make sure it gets there on time, no mistakes."
Tang Long felt a flicker of emotion. As an ordinary martial artist in this line of work, he had always been looked down upon.
Yet this honored guest of the Fourth Prince was so approachable, not only agreeing to carry something home for him, but patting his shoulder so warmly.
"This young master truly has a kind heart. I, old Tang, would like to ask the young master's honorable name."
"My surname is Jiang. We'll meet again. When you return to the Royal Capital one day, I'll treat you to a drink." Jiang Chen smiled and waved his hand, and the group took their leave.
Following the route Tang Long had pointed out, the journey was smooth and unobstructed. Combined with the speed of the Golden-Winged Sword Birds, they covered over a thousand miles in a single hour.
"Everyone, slow down. We should be entering the territory of the Qianlan Northern Palace around here. According to Tang Long, we need to be careful in this area — don't trespass on their domain."
He knew his son Jiang Chen and those personal guards were all young at heart. Flying at such altitude must be exhilarating, but he feared they might be too conspicuous and attract trouble.
Jiang Chen wasn't the type to show off either. He reined in the group, keeping to the designated route and flying at a leisurely pace, which he rather enjoyed.
"Chen Shao, this Tiangui Kingdom really is vast in territory and varied in landscape."
The sights and experiences had broadened his horizons considerably.
"The Tiangui Kingdom's reputation precedes it — it truly lives up to the name." Even Gouyu, proud as she was, couldn't help but offer a word of admiration.
Compared to this kingdom, the Eastern Kingdom really was a step behind in more ways than one.
Jiang Chen smiled but said nothing. When it came to perspective, in this life he hadn't traveled far, but in his previous life he had observed the myriad heavens — there was no great world or grand plane he hadn't seen. The Tiangui Kingdom was at best a little larger and richer in resources than the Eastern Kingdom. In the end, it was still just a mundane kingdom. The difference was merely that between a large country and a small one.
Fortunately, Qiao Baishi and the others were figures of some standing in the Eastern Kingdom and didn't gawk at everything. If Xuan the Fatty had been along for the ride, he would have been shouting and hollering, pouring out his feelings nonstop.
But Xuan the Fatty hadn't come with Jiang Chen. It wasn't that he didn't want to — he wanted to more than anything.
But at the end of the day, Xuan the Fatty was the son and heir of Marquis Jinshan. His father, Marquis Jinshan, would never have let him leave. The current Marquis Jinshan was one of the Four Great Marquises of the Eastern Kingdom. Xuan the Fatty would one day inherit that legacy. If he left, everything would fall into disarray.
Even if Xuan the Fatty was unhappy about it, he had no choice but to dutifully fulfill his role as heir.
Huqiu Yue was in the same position, though his personal ambition was far more resolute than Xuan the Fatty's. Though he admired Jiang Chen greatly, his own ideals always came first.
Of course, Jiang Chen had never insisted on bringing them along. In the end, these two were merely worldly ties from the previous Jiang Chen's life.
The group flew along at a relaxed pace.
Suddenly, Jiang Chen's ears twitched ever so slightly. His Wind-listening Ear caught the sound of rapid qi fluctuations in the distance — the unmistakable signature of aerial travel, moving at tremendous speed, and heading straight toward them.
Jiang Chen's lips moved as he issued a silent command, and all the Golden-Winged Sword Birds slowed down, pulling to either side of the open sky.
He had no intention of letting some reckless flyers crash into them.
Though Jiang Chen wasn't afraid of trouble, he saw no reason to go looking for it.