Emperor Danji's sudden move caught Jiang Chen somewhat off guard.
He never imagined that Emperor Danji would be so absurd—capturing the Second Sovereign of the Moon God Sect and using her as leverage against him, Jiang Chen?
Jiang Chen laughed in exasperation: "Danji, so you're telling me you intend to use the Second Sovereign of the Moon God Sect as a bargaining chip to get your son back?"
Emperor Danji said coldly: "You started this. I'm just finishing it!"
"Hahaha." Jiang Chen burst into laughter. "Danji, you really are shameless beyond measure. The Moon God Sect was at least a neighbor of your Dan Fire City—and at one point even quite close to you. To burn your bridges like that, aren't you afraid of chilling the hearts of your so-called allies?"
As he spoke, Jiang Chen cast a meaningful glance at the various sect leaders flanking Emperor Danji.
"Jiang Chen, there's no need to sow discord. You destroyed the Boundary Stele realm and conspired with foreign races—a crime beyond redemption, making you an enemy of the entire human race! If you know what's good for you, surrender immediately. With your blood alone, you can atone for the sins of the Glazed Glass City and spare the common people. Otherwise, when our army descends, the Glazed Glass City will drown in a river of blood!"
The speaker was the Palace Master of the Heavenly River Palace—Dan Fire City's most loyal lapdog among the powers. His stepping forward wasn't the slightest surprise to Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen regarded the Palace Master with a half-smile and mocked him without the slightest courtesy: "Your Heavenly River Palace is at least a first-rate sect, yet you're content to be one of Danji's dogs. If you enjoy being a dog, that's your business—everyone has their own way of living. But being a dog with such poor judgment, that's where you've gone wrong. Tell me, do you really think that with Emperor Danji bringing this entire crowd, he's got the Glazed Glass City by the throat this time?"
By all rights, the Palace Master of the Heavenly River Palace was one of the great powers of the human domain—a sect master of one of the Eight Great First-Rate Sects, and a man of considerable authority and weight.
But in Jiang Chen's eyes, such a man deserved no respect whatsoever. Speaking politely to him would be an insult to himself.
The Palace Master's face flushed red with fury, murderous intent blazing in his eyes.
Emperor Danji waved a hand, signaling the Palace Master to step back.
"Jiang Chen." Emperor Danji said evenly, "You've always been fond of parading your righteous loyalty. Don't think for a moment that I'm unaware of the dealings between your Glazed Glass City and the Moon God Sect. This old woman is none other than the personal master of your own sister, Xu Qingxuan. She raised your sister from childhood—their bond is like mother and daughter. If you can stand by and watch her die, then surely I, for the greater good of the human race, can sacrifice a single son without hesitation?"
Though Jiang Chen despised Emperor Danji, he had to admit the man's brazenness was truly staggering.
It was said that even a ferocious tiger would not devour its own cubs.
Emperor Danji might not go quite that far, but he was gambling with his own son's life. If Jiang Chen were provoked into refusing the exchange and executed Tianlin Gongzi right there on the battlefield, then Danji's own provocation would have been the indirect cause of his son's death.
Jiang Chen's first instinct was to refuse Emperor Danji's proposal outright. But the moment that thought flashed through his mind, his sister Xu Qingxuan's face and voice surfaced in his thoughts.
"If I stand by and do nothing, a rift will inevitably grow between us siblings." Jiang Chen deliberated. The chance to kill Tianlin Gongzi would always come. But once a rift formed between him and his sister, their bond would develop cracks—and such cracks were often impossible to mend.
"Fine. That old woman's temper is truly terrible—there was even a time I wished I could kill her. But she is still Qingxuan's master. In Qingxuan's heart, her master's standing probably isn't much lower than that of her own mother."
Jiang Chen could afford to offend anyone in the world, but he absolutely did not want to offend his own family. For the sake of his loved ones, he was willing to endure any grievance.
So what if Tianlin Gongzi lived or died?
Once his mind was made up, Jiang Chen stopped agonizing over it.
He raised an eyebrow slightly and said lightly: "Danji, I underestimated your shamelessness. Fine. I'll make the exchange."
Jiang Chen opened his Evil Golden Eyes wide, fixing Emperor Danji with a piercing stare: "But you need to swear an oath. You absolutely have not placed any tricks on the Second Sovereign or planted any hidden curses. Otherwise, I will never agree to this exchange—even if my sister resents me for the rest of my life."
Emperor Danji froze for an instant. He had in fact placed certain measures on the Second Sovereign. If the exchange went through, he could use a secret technique to torment her afterward—making her wish for death but be unable to die.
Such an intent was truly sinister.
However, Jiang Chen had long been on his guard against his character, and this countermove instantly shattered Emperor Danji's carefully laid plans.
Jiang Chen didn't press him, merely saying in a calm tone: "The moment you return to me a complete and unharmed Second Sovereign, your precious son will be back in your arms."
Emperor Danji suppressed his rage and demanded: "Jiang Chen, you want me to swear an oath—then can you guarantee that you haven't placed any tricks on my son either?"
In truth, this was a matter of mutual suspicion.
When all was said and done, Emperor Danji still feared Jiang Chen.
After a period of preparation, Emperor Danji had no choice but to remove the small measures he had placed on the Second Sovereign. Once a scheme had been exposed, it was no longer a scheme.
A quarter of an hour later, Emperor Danji returned with the Second Sovereign and called out from across the battlefield: "Jiang Chen, the Second Sovereign has been fully restored, completely unharmed. I swear on my honor that there are no aftereffects on her person."
Jiang Chen, however, replied: "You'd better think carefully. Besides the Second Sovereign, is there anyone else from the Moon God Sect still in your custody?"
Emperor Danji snorted coldly: "That is a bit beyond the scope of this matter, don't you think?"
Jiang Chen replied with effortless composure: "Whether I ask or not is my prerogative. Whether the exchange proceeds is also my decision. No matter how you posture, all you want is to save your son. Until he is safely back at your side, you had better cooperate honestly."