If Jiang Chen hadn't been the successor of the Eternal Sacred Land, if he hadn't accumulated those monstrous accomplishments and built that tremendous reputation, then the moment Commander Ding and Prince Huo learned the truth, they would most likely have turned on him right then and there.
But, as things stood, after learning the truth, what they felt beyond sheer shock was a deep, helpless speechlessness.
They couldn't even muster the thought of retaliation.
Once upon a time, they had gnashed their teeth at the name Jiang Huang. Once upon a time, they had steadily raised the bounty, desperate to capture Jiang Huang and put an end to him. Once upon a time, they had been willing to pay any price to drag him back to the Spring Renewal Island Domain and execute him by a thousand cuts.
Yet now, the very Jiang Huang they had hated for so many years stood right before their eyes, and they could only bitterly realize that they no longer even had the courage to hate him.
The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.
Jiang Chen broke the deadlock with a smile. "Gentlemen, if you wish to settle the score from back then, I'd be more than happy to oblige."
"Absolutely not, absolutely not." Prince Huo shook his head hastily. "Looking back on those events, we were in the wrong ourselves. Our Spring Renewal Island Domain failed to recognize Young Master Jiang Chen's great standing — that was our own doing. It was only fitting that we were punished."
It was plain to see that Prince Huo, at this moment, genuinely harbored no intention of seeking revenge.
Commander Ding let out a bitter smile as well. "In truth, even back then I wasn't entirely in favor of designating Winter End Island as a hunting ground for the disciples of the Divine Kingdom of Duowen to slaughter their prey. But I never could have imagined that Young Master Jiang Chen, such a prodigy, would happen to be on Winter End Island at the time. A genius is a genius, after all. One can only say that it was all the will of heaven."
"Yes, the will of heaven — it was the will of heaven," Prince Huo echoed quickly.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Since you both put it that way, let us consider the matter from back then settled for good!"
Both men were overjoyed upon hearing this. The situation was abundantly clear — the question was no longer whether they would pursue the matter, but whether Jiang Chen would. Hearing him say it was settled, they were only too relieved.
With the strength of the Spring Renewal Island Domain, going after Jiang Chen over past grievances now would be nothing short of courting death. Never mind the Eternal Sacred Land — even Jiang Chen's Vermilion Bird divine beast alone could annihilate their entire domain. Moreover, given Jiang Chen's current standing, even many first-tier powers wouldn't dare offend him, let alone a second or third-tier force like the Spring Renewal Island Domain.
Having been both a ruler in his past life and this one, Jiang Chen was well accustomed to wielding authority from above, and he handled such matters with impeccable judgment.
"I've heard the two of you have been frequenting Winter End Island of late. What's the matter? Could it be that you haven't given up on Winter End Island? Still hoping to meddle?"
The moment this question was uttered, both men broke into a cold sweat.
"You've misunderstood — this is a tremendous misunderstanding. We have come here on multiple occasions primarily to pay our respects to Young Master Jiang Chen and express our admiration for the great sacred land of the Upper Realm."
The Spring Renewal Island Domain had long been scheming to curry favor with the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms — something Jiang Chen was well aware of. Their attempt to ingratiate themselves with the Divine Kingdom of Duowen back then had been a textbook case of flattery gone wrong.
"Drop the empty pleasantries. Speak plainly — what is the real reason you're here?" Jiang Chen said flatly.