The discernment of the enforcers, and the level at which they handled matters, was absolutely top-tier. In such a short span of time, Captain Qiu had already made his decision — and it was, by all current measures, the most advantageous judgment possible.
Even
He had expected that once Captain Qiu stepped in, there would be new entanglements, all manner of complications and meddling. He hadn't anticipated that Captain Qiu would cut through the mess with a swift blade, without the slightest drag or fuss.
This gave Jiang Chen an entirely new appreciation for Golden Oriole Valley — and for the standard of governance in the Blue Smoke Island Domain.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. Since the outcome was this favorable, he naturally had no intention of pressing his luck. He cupped his hands. "Captain Qiu has spoken, and this young master is naturally convinced. This resolution is fair and just. Golden Oriole Valley has left quite the impression on me!"
Captain Qiu offered a slight smile and said mildly, "Golden Oriole Valley only cares about reason. And in the Blue Smoke Island Domain, we uphold the principle that reason will carry you anywhere."
These were pleasantries, of course, and Jiang Chen wasn't about to take them entirely at face value.
Still, he was satisfied with the way things had been handled.
As for Shopkeeper Kang, though the ruling was somewhat embarrassing for him, it was not unacceptably so. After all, this was hardly the worst outcome.
The worst outcome would have been a brawl breaking out inside his shop, with him held responsible afterward — that would have been the real disaster.
Under this resolution, the most it cost was some discomfort among the Five Heroes of Beimian. But that displeasure came from the enforcers and the young master, and had little to do with the shop itself.
Though the hawk-nosed cultivator was arrogant and unruly, he did not dare to cause a scene in front of the enforcers. His expression shifted between dark and light, and in the end he barked out, "Captain Qiu has rendered his judgment, and I naturally accept it. However, I am still curious — just what is this friend's background? The Five Heroes of Beimian stumbled today, and we at least deserve to know who bested us."
From his tone, it was clear the Five Heroes of Beimian were still not truly convinced.
Captain Qiu's brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing, turning his gaze toward Jiang Chen instead.
Jiang Chen, however, wore a look of faint disdain. "My background is not something the Five Heroes of Beimian are worthy of knowing. Next time, keep your eyes open. You're nothing but stray cultivators — in this world, there are far more people you cannot afford to provoke."
With that, Jiang Chen parted the crowd and strode straight toward the exit.
This sort of minor skirmish was not something Jiang Chen cared about in the slightest. Even if the Five Heroes of Beimian tried to settle the score later, he would not fear them in the least.
After all, the Five Heroes of Beimian had no Heavenly Domain cultivators among their ranks.
And even if, hypothetically, one or two of them had been Heavenly Domain cultivators, Jiang Chen would still not have batted an eye. It wasn't as though he hadn't fought Heavenly Domain powerhouses before.
Heavenly Domain cultivators who had died at his hands were far from few.
He followed behind Jiang Chen as they walked out, and noticed that the gazes of the people on either side no longer held their usual contempt and dismissiveness. In its place was a kind of unmistakable wariness.
For Hua Ming, this feeling was an absolute first — an enjoyment he had never experienced before.
He trailed behind Jiang Chen for a good distance before he finally mustered the courage to catch up. "Brother, I'm truly convinced this time. Your presence alone was enough to cow even the enforcer captain — ha ha ha! Convinced, truly convinced."
Jiang Chen slowed his pace and regarded Hua Ming with an amused half-smile. "You look positively delighted. Quite enjoying yourself, are you?"
"Oh, absolutely," Hua Ming said with refreshing honesty, not bothering to deny it. "In all my years, people have always looked down on me, treated me like air. I've never had a moment like this — never once felt this grand!"
"Have you considered," Jiang Chen couldn't help but remind this slightly carried-away youth, "that after this, you might not be able to stay in Golden Oriole Valley?"
"Doesn't matter! A real man makes his mark wherever he goes. I, Hua Ming, refuse to spend my whole life in Golden Oriole Valley — and I won't be staying here forever, either!"
Hua Ming spoke with a burst of vigor, as though his dim and dreary life had finally found a clear direction.
Jiang Chen looked at the young man's spirited expression and chose not to dampen his enthusiasm. Who hadn't been bold in their youth? Who hadn't harbored dreams?
A young person's ambition should never be belittled.
Hua Ming suddenly glanced toward the roadside and made a tentative request. "Brother, could you wait for me for a moment?"
"What for?"
Hua Ming pointed at a clothing shop nearby. "I'm supposed to be following you now, and looking like this — filthy and unkempt — isn't that bringing you shame? Let me go in and change into a proper outfit, tidy myself up a bit."
For some reason, as though a switch had finally flipped in his mind, Hua Ming had decided to take stock of his appearance for once.
Jiang Chen chuckled. "When did you start following me?"
Hua Ming suddenly dropped to his knees. "Brother, I, Hua Ming, have no family and no connections. I've lived a humble life, but I have never once knelt to anyone. But today — I feel that you, Brother, are a guiding light in my life. I don't know why, but there's a voice inside me telling me that you are my benefactor, and if I, Hua Ming, am ever to rise above my station, I must stay close to you. I have nothing else to offer, but I have a loyal heart. Please—"
Jiang Chen regarded the earnest youth and let out a soft sigh.
"Get up. Go inside, change into a proper outfit, wash yourself clean, and get put together."
He casually tossed Hua Ming three thousand Heavenly Spirit Stones. "Take these Spirit Stones. If it's not enough, let me know later."
Jiang Chen noticed that Hua Ming had a certain quick-wittedness to him, and thought that here on Myriad Abyss Island, he could use a few loyal people. The boy seemed like someone worth shaping. His mind turned over the matter briefly, and he did not refuse.
Hua Ming saw Jiang Chen's generous gesture and was overjoyed, though he did not take all the Spirit Stones. He picked up only five hundred, then said nervously, somewhat sheepishly, "Master, I'll just be a moment — I'll be right back!"