Honestly, judging by Commander Yong's expression, Jiang Chen didn't think the man was putting on an act. Otherwise, he never would have agreed. After all, if he went and the other party harbored ill intentions, he would essentially be walking right into the trap.
When Commander Yong saw that Jiang Chen had finally agreed, he was overjoyed.
"Young Master Jiang, please, please—allow me to lead the way."
Commander Yong was clearly a man of understanding. He turned to the other city guards and said, "All of you, head back. There's no need to follow me. I'll remember the favor you've done me today."
These city guards, who normally scrambled to curry favor with Commander Yong and flatter him at every turn, were only too eager for a chance to do him a good turn. How could they possibly dare let the Commander owe them a debt of gratitude?
One by one, they hastily declared they wouldn't dream of such a thing and took their leave.
"Young Master Jiang, I'm imposing on you," Commander Yong said, thanking him profusely.
Jiang Chen gave a slight nod. "I've seen that most of the people on Dongyan Island are heartless and ungrateful sorts. The fact that Commander Yong can care so devotedly for his beloved wife tells me you're no faithless or fickle man, and that's why I respect you. That's why I agreed to this trip. Whether it succeeds or not—that will be left to the heavens."
Commander Yong assured him repeatedly, "Whether it works or not, I, Yong, will be forever grateful."
Commander Yong's residence was not the lavish estate Jiang Chen had imagined. It was plain to see that in this City of Sin, every inch of land cost a fortune. Even for a commander serving under the City Lord, the living quarters were far from the sprawling mansions of the wealthy.
That said, though the courtyard was not large, it was meticulously kept and had a warm, homely feel to it. The moment they stepped through the gate, a boy and a girl—young children—came scurrying toward them, calling out "Daddy!"
Commander Yong's eyes filled with tender affection as he scooped both children into his arms.
"Zhen'er, Li'er, this is Uncle Jiang. Daddy invited him to come and treat your mother."
"Uncle Jiang!" The two porcelain-doll children were wonderfully well-mannered, approaching him with sweet voices and cheerful greetings.
Seeing these two children, Jiang Chen was suddenly reminded of his own daughter back in the Duomei Domain of the Peacock Sacred Mountain—she had been about this age at the time.
In that instant, Jiang Chen's heart softened.
"Uncle Jiang, Daddy invited you here, so you must be able to cure my mother, right?"
"Uncle Jiang, you can save my mother, can't you?"
Looking into those eager, hopeful eyes, Jiang Chen couldn't bring himself to refuse. He nodded. "Uncle will do everything he can."
In any place, children were innocent.
The purity and naivety in their eyes—no concealment, no pretense, no cunning, no calculation.
It was precisely this kind of gaze that Jiang Chen found hardest to resist.
Commander Yong gently stroked the tops of their little heads. "Zhen'er, Li'er, why don't you go play for now? Let Uncle Jiang go see your mother first."
The two children reluctantly nodded and toddled off to the side, their eyes still brimming with pleading and hope. It was clear they had placed all their faith in Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen followed Commander Yong deeper into the house.
Commander Yong said bitterly, "I've invited several Grandmaster Alchemists before, but perhaps my wife's illness is rather unusual—even they were at something of a loss."
"Every time, the children are full of hope, and every time they end up disappointed." He sighed with anguish. "They're still so young. I'm terrified that if they lose their mother, their little hearts won't be able to bear it."
"Commander Yong, let me take a look at your wife first."
Jiang Chen had never been one to make empty promises. But after seeing those innocent children, his mind was already made up.
He would give it everything he had.
Commander Yong led Jiang Chen toward the inner chamber.
"A-Tang, A-Tang! I've brought a Grandmaster Alchemist to look at you!" Commander Yong called out excitedly before he even reached the door.
A faint voice answered from inside, followed by a weak, sighing feminine voice: "Brother Yong, I'm afraid I'm at the end of my rope. Stop wasting money on me. These past months, this illness of mine has drained the entire household dry. The children are still small, and your line of work is dangerous—we can't afford it anymore..."
"A-Tang, what nonsense are you talking?" Commander Yong said, a note of irritation in his voice. "As long as you're here, this family holds together. Without you, it's no longer complete! If the money's gone, I can earn more. Don't worry about that—just focus on recovering."
Though Commander Yong was scolding her, his tone was laced with deep tenderness. It was clear he loved his wife profoundly and would never allow her to give up on herself.
Jiang Chen, following behind, felt a measure of respect for the man.
Someone willing to go all out—to spend every last coin to save his wife—couldn't be a bad person. Since ancient times, married couples were said to be birds of the same forest who scatter when disaster strikes.
This couple, especially in a place as steeped in evil as the City of Sin, managing to love each other so deeply—it was truly rare.
Jiang Chen felt that this City of Sin had far too little beauty in it. Such rare, precious things as this could not be allowed to wither and die.
They entered the room. On the sickbed, a woman lay propped up at a half-recline. Her complexion was ashen, devoid of all vitality, and even her pupils had grown dull.
One look was enough to tell that this woman was nothing like a healthy person. Even the most untrained eye could see she was gravely ill.
Her naturally delicate features, drained by sickness, had lost much of their life, making her entire appearance look terribly unwell.