"Emperor Panlong."
Originally, Jiang Chen had not planned to draw upon the power of the other Emperors of Glazed Royal City. But Emperor Panlong had volunteered himself, insisting on repaying Jiang Chen for saving his life.
The other Emperors from the various lineages of Glazed Royal City had likewise expressed their desire to join, but Jiang Chen had politely declined every one. In the end, this was merely the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain — there was no need to mobilize such a massive force.
"Young Master Jiang, shall this old man lead the vanguard?" Emperor Panlong was raring to go.
"Haha, I'll give you just one task: lead the eight lords and surround the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain completely. No one enters, no one leaves. Can you manage that?"
"That's a trivial matter — what's hard about it?" Emperor Panlong was somewhat disappointed. "Actually, I'd like to go devour the Scarlet Cauldron Imperial Capital."
Jiang Chen laughed. "Taking the Imperial Capital is naturally something I'll handle personally."
"Emperor Wushuang, you take a contingent and serve as backup for Emperor Panlong. Wherever help is needed, rush to reinforce. It's a fairly grueling assignment."
"Emperor Canghai." Jiang Chen's gaze shifted to Emperor Canghai. "You'll lead your contingent and be responsible for suppressing the three Third-Rank sects of the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain. Any problems with that?"
The strongest cultivators in a Third-Rank sect were at most around the sixth or seventh level of the Emperor Realm. Although Emperor Canghai's lineage had fallen on hard times, the strength of the old retainers under his banner had not diminished much. With Jiang Chen's orders, there was naturally no issue to speak of.
"Heh heh, Canghai accepts the command. I guarantee the task will be completed. However — this suppression: do we slaughter every last one of them? Or...?" Emperor Canghai asked.
"Those who submit prosper; those who resist perish!" Jiang Chen offered only four words.
"Good. Then I'll kill off a batch of their key figures first. The rest — if they refuse to submit, wipe them out entirely. Those who surrender, keep alive and wait for the Young Master to decide their fate." Emperor Canghai let out a sinister laugh.
Jiang Chen nodded. "Huaishan Jiao Brothers, you two will follow me to the Scarlet Cauldron Imperial Capital."
"Yes!" The Huaishan Jiao Brothers were ecstatic. For them, this was the best possible news. The Scarlet Cauldron Royal Capital — that was the root of all their suffering. This trip was sure to result in rivers of blood. What the two brothers loved above all else was battle. For Jiang Chen to hand them this opportunity, how could they not be thrilled?
"That's the assignment for now. Everyone, make your preparations and depart in groups. This time, we are only permitted to succeed — failure is not an option. When the time comes, follow my commands. Should there be any changes on the fly, I'll notify you."
With a sweep of his hand, Jiang Chen settled the matter.
Palace Master Danchi, standing off to the side, asked: "Young Master Jiang, what about the dozen or so Fourth-Rank sects in the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain?"
"No need to worry. Once the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain is surrounded, they'll be turtles in a jar. After I personally take down the Scarlet Cauldron royal family, we'll turn our spears and pay each of them a visit one by one. Especially the Thunder Sound Sect and the Giant Kun Sect — those two were the direct culprits behind the assault on Dan Qian Palace..."
"Please take us along, Young Master Jiang." Both Palace Master Danchi and Elder
"Haha, naturally I'll bring you all. Everyone will come with me to the Scarlet Cauldron royal family. The thrill of personally cutting down one's enemies — how could I leave any of you out?"
...
The Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain had seemed calm of late, but beneath the surface, turbulent undercurrents churned. During this period, all manner of news from Glazed Royal City had been pouring steadily into the ears of the Scarlet Cauldron Imperial Family.
At first, only the Scarlet Cauldron Empire's royal court had received the intelligence. But later, through the channels of rogue cultivators, the news had spread throughout the entire Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain.
"Have you all heard? The Young Master of Glazed Royal City is actually Jiang Chen from the Dan Qian Palace of the Myriad Domains!"
"Everyone's been talking about it lately. Could it really be true?"
"I heard that Emperor Panlong of Glazed Royal City personally confirmed it."
"This is terrible. The way our Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain treated the Myriad Domains back then... If Young Master Zhen really is Jiang Chen, then he'll—"
"Definitely take revenge on the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain."
"So what! We small rogue cultivators have nothing to worry about — revenge or no revenge. We never invaded the Myriad Domains. Grievances have their source, debts have their debtor. It's not our turn to take the fall."
"True enough. I've heard that Young Master Zhen is a man of principle. He certainly wouldn't take his anger out on us innocent cultivators."
Conversations like these were erupting and fermenting in virtually every corner of the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain.
Inside the Scarlet Cauldron royal palace, the Scarlet Cauldron Emperor had been living in extreme unrest these past days. He had suffered insomnia for several consecutive nights, his hair falling out in clumps.
The spies he had dispatched kept returning with intelligence, each report further confirming the truth of the rumors.
"Your Majesty, this old servant has received reports from all our spy networks. Emperor Panlong of Glazed Royal City has indeed made that declaration — that the Young Master Zhen of Glazed Royal City is none other than Jiang Chen from the Dan Qian Palace of old."
The one speaking was Steward Guo, the Grand Steward of the Scarlet Cauldron Imperial Palace.
"Have the agents sent to the Myriad Abyss Sect returned with any news?"