"Deputy Steward Yang, right now the wrath of Qianlan Southern Palace, Duobao Dojo, and Qingyang Palace — all three of them — is waiting for us to put out. I'll say it plainly: if you can extinguish the fury of these three powers, I won't pursue the matter of Lü Wuji."
Shangguan Yi laid down his bottom line.
Yang Zhao's face was a mask of bitterness. Put out the fury of those three? He knew perfectly well he wasn't capable of that. He had always been on close terms with Qianlan Northern Palace. As for those other three factions, he had no business dealings with them, and their relationship was lukewarm at best.
Even the Grand Steward's face didn't carry enough weight — who was Yang Zhao to think he could manage? He'd only be asking for humiliation.
Mouth filled with the taste of bile, Yang Zhao forced a stiff smile and couldn't help but ask, "Grand Steward, this time, every mistake in the world is Lü Wuji's fault. But I still have to ask — what exactly is this Jiang Chen's background? Does his face really carry that much weight? Three out of the four great dojos are standing up for him together?"
"You're asking me that? Who am I supposed to ask?" Shangguan Yi replied coolly.
"This matter can't be dragged out. Grand Steward, if those three lose their patience, I'm afraid the longer we wait, the harder it'll be to negotiate." Zhou Gui fanned the flames.
Shangguan Yi fixed Yang Zhao with a gaze heavy with meaning.
Yang Zhao tried to look away but had no escape. He smiled bitterly. "Grand Steward, you know my resources are limited. You want me to smooth things over with those three major powers? My face just isn't that big. It's not that I don't want to try — I genuinely don't know where to start. Could you give me some direction? Should I send an apology? I can have Lü Wuji handle that."
"Send an apology?" Zhou Gui smiled faintly. "Deputy Steward Yang, do you think Shi Xiaoyao and Elder Ning are the kind of people who'd stir up this much of a commotion over a simple apology?"
Yang Zhao was cornered by Zhou Gui's barb but couldn't muster any rebuttal. He was at rock bottom right now and could only endure the mockery.
"Old Qi, you got any ideas? You can't just stand by and kick a man while he's down — you've gotta throw your brother a lifeline." Yang Zhao asked Qi Tiannan in a somewhat flattering tone.
Qi Tiannan thought for a moment and said, "If you ask me, the crux of this whole matter still lies with Jiang Chen. The anger of those three — the whole thing isn't that big a deal on the surface. Sure, Lü Wuji offended them, but the boy was just being young and ignorant. A few disrespectful words — when you get right down to it, once they've cooled off, it'll blow over. The reason they're still holding on so tightly is definitely because Jiang Chen hasn't let it go yet."
Shangguan Yi gave a slight nod. After all that talk, Qi Tiannan had finally hit the nail on the head.
"Old Qi's right. Jiang Chen made his position clear at the time. How we in the Dragon Tooth Guard handle it is our internal affair — he said he wouldn't interfere. But he also made clear that he won't pretend this never happened." Zhou Gui chimed in: "Jiang Chen was thrown into the Black Prison Area by Lü Wuji and was even threatened by him. A young man with that kind of pride — he's certainly not going to let it go easily."
"Elder Zhou and Old Qi make excellent points. Deputy Steward Yang, this matter has to be resolved through Jiang Chen. Once Jiang Chen's anger has subsided and he gives his nod, those three will finally ease up."
Shangguan Yi had no choice but to admit it. Three out of the four great dojos declaring a halt to cooperation with the Dragon Tooth Guard was an absolutely devastating blow.
As long as this situation wasn't resolved, the Dragon Tooth Guard couldn't return to normal — not for a single day.
……
The person at the center of it all, Jiang Chen, was busy as could be yet perfectly composed.
He had already contacted an abandoned winery and begun the process of brewing the Nine Hua Jade Dew Wine. With all the ingredients now gathered, everything was in place.
At the same time, Jiang Chen had also started preparing the Evergreen Pill. Compared to the Nine Hua Jade Dew Wine, the Evergreen Pill was actually easier to refine.
It was a youth-preserving elixir — in reality, simpler to concoct than even the Blue Sea Pill or the Divine Show Creation Pill.
"Bai Shi, you've done well. I can see that Elder Ning thinks highly of you. This is an opportunity for you. You are my disciple, but I also hope you'll find your own path to make something of yourself."
Qiao Baishi was deeply grateful. "Master, this disciple still wishes to work at your side."
"I need you to infiltrate Qianlan Southern Palace. That will also benefit your future development."
Jiang Chen's first pursuit was the martial way.
Alchemy was merely an auxiliary to his martial ambitions. Taking Qiao Baishi as a disciple naturally meant considering his future prospects as well.
Truth be told, if Qiao Baishi could use Qianlan Southern Palace as a stepping stone to eventually enter the Treasure Tree Sect, it would be a perfectly respectable choice for him.
Qiao Baishi was sensible enough to understand that his master had his best interests at heart, and he nodded. "Master, no matter where this disciple goes, you will always come first. If you wish me to go to Qianlan Southern Palace, I will devote myself entirely."
"Bai Shi, you've never let me down." Jiang Chen nodded. "This Evergreen Pill will serve as your stepping stone. I'll pass the formula to you now."
Qiao Baishi was moved and felt a swell of pride. He knew his master trusted him completely and truly valued him.
Jiang Chen transmitted the pill formula to Qiao Baishi and offered some guidance on the finer points of refinement. In truth, even in his previous life, Jiang Chen hadn't refined this particular pill many times.
But according to his memories from that past life, the Evergreen Pill was truly remarkable in the art of preserving one's appearance.
If the ingredients were of sufficient quality, the finest grade of Evergreen Pill could even produce near-instantaneous results.
After handing the Evergreen Pill over to Qiao Baishi, Jiang Chen turned his full attention to brewing the Nine Hua Jade Dew Wine.
Over the next three days, Jiang Chen was completely immersed in the brewing process. No matter who came to visit, they were all turned away outside by Gouyu and the Eight Personal Guards.
A disciple of Duobao Dojo named Feng Yan had been riding high lately. Thanks to the recent upheaval, Shi Xiaoyao had promoted him to the position of Deputy Steward.