Jiang Chen activated his Divine Eye and saw several familiar faces. Apart from Prince Huo of Huichun Island Domain, there was even the former Chief Steward of Dongyan Island.
These two people left a particularly deep impression on Jiang Chen.
Especially that Chief Steward — he looked honest and loyal on the surface, yet was capable of doing something like that. And all of it had been done by Huichun Island Domain to curry favor with the Duowen Divine Kingdom.
Over there, one of Prince Huo's subordinates was furious. "Who are you, showing up uninvited? Don't you know that Dongyan Island has always been the territory of Huichun Island Domain? How can you occupy someone else's land and act so self-righteous about it?"
This subordinate was quite sharp-witted.
Lu Che actually knew quite a bit about the affairs of Dongyan Island.
He sneered, "Ever since the disaster that befell Dongyan Island all those years ago, the island has been in a state of having no master. Your Huichun Island Domain gave up sovereignty over Dongyan Island long ago. Now, the formations on this island were restored by my master's own hand — naturally, it counts as my master's territory. What does it have to do with your Huichun Island Domain?"
Lu Che's words hit the mark perfectly in Jiang Chen's estimation — without a doubt, every last sentence resonated with his own thoughts.
Prince Huo's expression darkened upon hearing this. He glanced sideways at the Chief Steward. "Chief Ding, they're practically taking a dump on your head. This is your territory — are you really just going to stand there and watch these people run wild right in front of you?"
Chief Steward Ding furrowed his brow and studied the protective barriers of Dongyan Island from a distance, not rushing to speak.
He was a shrewd man. As the former Chief Steward of the island, he could tell that the formations on Dongyan Island were clearly different now.
Compared to before, the barriers had undergone enormous changes, and their defensive power had obviously increased many times over.
In other words, the entire defensive system of Dongyan Island had undergone a qualitative leap. This was terrifying — and it was the very thing that gave him the greatest pause.
Dongyan Island had been under his management for all those years, and he'd never been able to upgrade its formations. Now a group of strangers had swooped in, claimed the island as their own, and in such a short time not only restored the formations but actually improved them beyond their previous state.
This was something Chief Steward Ding knew he could never have accomplished. In fact, nobody in all of Huichun Island Domain could have done it. So, questions churned in the Chief Steward's mind — who exactly were these enemies? Were they the kind of people his side could afford to offend?
Seeing that Chief Ding remained silent, Prince Huo's expression grew even colder. "Old Ding, it seems after what happened on Dongyan Island last time, your backbone has been completely ground down. Don't you even have the courage to defend Huichun Island Domain's borders anymore?"
Chief Steward Ding let out a soft sigh and transmitted his voice privately, "Your Highness, the enemy's origins are unknown. The way they seized control of Dongyan Island in such a short time — I'm afraid those who come bearing goodwill don't arrive unannounced, and those who arrive unannounced don't bear goodwill."
Prince Huo wasn't about to listen to any of that. He gave a cold laugh. "I've brought over a thousand of Huichun Island Domain's elites. We're standing on our own territory — what exactly are you worried about?"
The Chief Steward's face remained expressionless, and he said nothing more. He knew Prince Huo would never heed his counsel.
Ever since the incident on Dongyan Island last time, Huichun Island Domain had treated him — the island's Chief Steward — with particular disdain.
The only reason he'd been brought along this time was because he'd once served as Chief Steward of Dongyan Island and knew the place well. Otherwise, Huichun Island Domain would never have given him another chance.
Prince Huo's gaze turned glacial as he stared toward Dongyan Island. His voice boomed as he announced, "This prince is a prince of Huichun Island Domain! Dongyan Island has always been Huichun Island Domain's territory! Some time ago, certain accidents occurred on the island, but that does not mean Huichun Island Domain has relinquished control! You exploited our vulnerability and moved in unannounced — that was already outrageous enough! Now the rightful owners have arrived, and yet you refuse to hand over the island? Don't tell me you actually intend to steal Huichun Island Domain's heritage?"
Lu Che burst into hearty laughter. "It used to be yours, so it must belong to you forever? If I recall correctly, many of Huichun Island Domain's current territories didn't belong to you a few thousand years ago! The balance of power in this world shifts ceaselessly. Prince Huo, why don't you just focus on guarding your own little plot of land and stop concerning yourselves with Dongyan Island? My master has a rather short temper — if you keep rambling at his doorstep, you might just upset him."
Prince Huo's rage shot straight up. What kind of people were these? On his Huichun Island Domain's own territory, they dared act this brazenly? Did they not have any respect whatsoever for Huichun Island Domain?
"Your master is here? Perfect — this prince has been meaning to have a few words with him. I'd very much like to see who this great figure is, so domineering that he steals other people's heritage!"
"Your heritage?" Lu Che scoffed. "What on this island has anything to do with your Huichun Island Domain's imperial family? Just because the island passed through your hands at some point, that means ownership belongs to you forever? How naive. How laughable." Lu Che was simply not the type to play by the rules of reason.
If you were shameless, he would be even more shameless.
Prince Huo was incandescent with fury. "Who exactly are you? There's no one this brazen anywhere near Huichun Island Domain! Send your master out here — this prince demands a proper reckoning! This is Huichun Island Domain's territory! Even if this dispute goes before the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms and we litigate through the divine kingdoms' highest authorities, Huichun Island Domain will never lose!"
"My master's background?" Lu Che laughed uproariously. "Prince Huo, what does your Huichun Island Domain even count for in the Abyssal Islands? Take it to the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms? You just need to talk to my master. He happens to be quite familiar with many people across the divine kingdoms."
"Familiar with people in the divine kingdoms?" Prince Huo was half-skeptical, though inwardly he didn't quite believe it. He sneered, "Which divine kingdom's people is your master supposedly close to? Name a few, why don't you? Anyone can brag — I could say all the bigwigs of the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms are my brothers! Hahaha!"
Clearly, Prince Huo didn't put much stock in Lu Che's words.
Lu Che glanced back at Jiang Chen. Seeing him give a slight nod — clearly indicating that Lu Che could go ahead and reveal his identity — Lu Che's hesitation evaporated entirely. He said coldly, "When I tell you my master's name, I hope it doesn't give you a fright, Prince Huo."
Prince Huo laughed heartily. "If your master truly has such a fearsome reputation, this prince would be happy to bow his head and admit defeat. What would that matter?"
"My master bears the name Jiang Chen — the foremost prodigy of the Eternal Sacred Ground on the Abyssal Islands, the supreme genius who single-handedly reversed the fate of the Eternal Divine Kingdom. Tell me, Prince Huo — someone like that... do you think he can't make you bow your head even just a little?"
The moment those words landed, Prince Huo felt his brain buzz — and then completely detonate.
(End of chapter)