Yan Jinnan's servile posture was so cringeworthy that Jiang Chen could hardly stand to watch.
But this was not something he had any intention of interfering with. He simply kept his attention on the thin young man from the Yan family. This youth was clearly acting under duress; after making a round of toasts, he set down his cup and cupped his fists. "Gentlemen, I have some matters to attend to and must excuse myself."
With that, the thin young man set down his cup and rose to leave the table.
Yan Jinnan's face darkened. "Qingsang, what do you think you're doing?"
This thin young man was named Yan Qingsang, a rising talent of the Yan family whose standing was perhaps even lower than Yan Jinnan's within the clan.
But he seemed to have an upright temperament, and watching Yan Jinnan debasing himself like this was more than he could stomach. He had been looking for an excuse to leave.
"Brother Jinnan, my mind has been unsettled these past few days — it feels as if a heart demon is stirring. I hope you'll forgive me, but I must take my leave."
Yan Qingsang was seething inside, but he knew this was not the place to let it show. He swallowed his anger and spoke with a lowered posture.
Yan Jinnan was practically apoplectic. He had gone through enormous trouble to invite Xiahou Xi here — and for what? To protect their social circle, of course! To keep the Yan family's young talents from being shut out of the Eternal Divine Kingdom's elite circles, to prevent them from being pushed to the margins!
And now Yan Qingsang, this obstinate fool, was refusing to play along and throwing a wrench into everything at the last moment. The thought made Yan Jinnan's blood boil.
"Sit down!" Yan Jinnan barked in a commanding tone.
Xiahou Xi smiled faintly and indifferently. "Yan Jinnan, it seems your authority in the Yan family really isn't what it's cracked up to be. You can't even manage your own family's affairs, so why bother inviting all of us here? To watch your family make a spectacle of itself?"
The others erupted in laughter.
That remark was like pouring salt on a wound, and Yan Jinnan's expression grew even uglier.
The scions of the other families were happy to watch the drama unfold and watched Yan Jinnan with half-smiles, clearly with no intention of stepping in to smooth things over.
Yan Qingsang's face was ashen. He stood rooted in place, his chest rising and falling slightly.
The other two Yan family members were glaring at him, clearly adding to the pressure.
Inside, Yan Qingsang was wrestling with himself. After a moment, he let out a soft breath. "Brother Jinnan, I'm sorry. Everyone, my apologies."
Yan Qingsang cupped his fists once more and turned to leave, heading downstairs without looking back.
Yan Jinnan's fury surged to the surface. He shot to his feet, ready to chase after him. Just then, the door to a private room from the Duowen Divine Kingdom's side swung open.
Ye Zhou of the Duowen Divine Kingdom emerged, leading a group of that kingdom's young talents.
He offered a slight smile. "What a lively gathering. So it's the talented youths of the Eternal Divine Kingdom. The name's Ye Zhou."
Ye Zhou?
When the Eternal Divine Kingdom group heard the name, their expressions changed one after another. Even Xiahou Xi could not help but rise to his feet.
Ye Zhou — that was a prodigy of the Ye family, the most powerful clan in the Duowen Divine Kingdom. And Ye Zhou was a figure spoken of in the same breath as Xiahou Zong, Xiahou Xi's own elder cousin.
Even Xiahou Xi himself had to show deference in front of Ye Zhou.
"So it's Brother Ye Zhou." Xiahou Xi's previous arrogance vanished in an instant, replaced by a tone of the utmost humility. "I am Xiahou Xi. It's an honor to meet you, Brother Ye Zhou."
"An honor to meet you, Brother Ye Zhou." The talented youths of the Eternal Divine Kingdom all cupped their fists in greeting.
Ye Zhou smiled gently. "We're all people of the jianghu — there's no need for such formality. It's a pity Brother Xiahou Zong of the Xiahou family couldn't make it this time. It's been years since we parted, and I've thought of him often."
Xiahou Xi answered with an ingratiating smile. "Brother Zong often speaks of you, Brother Ye Zhou. He says you're one of the very few in this generation across the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms that he truly admires."
Ye Zhou was clearly a man who kept his composure. He did not let Xiahou Xi's flattery go to his head, merely smiling with equanimity. "He's too generous with his praise."
The gathering of the two groups provided cover for Yan Qingsang's departure. Though Yan Jinnan was still stewing, his current standing no longer afforded him a voice. He stood off to the side, thoroughly humiliated.
When Jiang Chen saw the two groups come together, he had no interest in listening to their pleasantries. He glanced at Ye Zhou and quietly committed the man to memory.
Then he left payment for his drinks and slipped away without a word.
Jiang Chen moved quickly and soon spotted Yan Qingsang already several li ahead. He caught up with rapid steps.
"Please wait, friend."
At this point, Jiang Chen could not afford to stand on ceremony. He quickened his pace and called out to Yan Qingsang.
Yan Qingsang was in a foul mood and turned, startled, when he heard the call. "Who are you?"
Jiang Chen smiled. "I was a patron at Nongyu Tower just now."
"Are you following me?" Yan Qingsang glared, a flash of anger crossing his face. He was normally an even-tempered person, but his mood was already terrible, and discovering that someone actually had the audacity to tail him only stoked his fury further.
"Please don't misunderstand!"
Jiang Chen hastily waved his hands and laughed. "I took the liberty of catching up because I have a business proposition and I'm looking for a trustworthy partner."
"Not interested." Yan Qingsang was a scion of a great family — what did he care about some business deal? He was still fuming over Yan Jinnan's disgraceful display, feeling that the Yan family had fallen to a truly pitiable state.
Jiang Chen sighed. "So this is how the so-called geniuses of the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms carry themselves — with such disdain for everyone else? What a shame. I have a tremendous opportunity, and yet I can't find a single person with the sense to recognize it."
Yan Qingsang heard his lament and scoffed coldly. "What kind of opportunity could you possibly have?"