Without anyone making an effort, their distance to the Panlong Great Clan had been drawn closer. This was precisely the sort of development Wei Tianxiao had been hoping for.
He hastened to say, "I'll go make arrangements right away. Jie'er, come with me. Now that Pill King Zhen and Third Young Master have sworn brotherhood, they'll surely have much to discuss between themselves."
Watching how considerate this father and son pair were, Jiang Chen nodded to himself. For Wei Tianxiao to have risen to the position of patriarch of a ninth-tier great family, he was clearly no ordinary man.
He understood that once Jiang Chen and Third Young Master Ji became sworn brothers, the former's identity would inevitably come to light. So he had proactively made himself scarce, giving Jiang Chen room to explain the situation privately to Third Young Master Ji.
That way, their absence would spare everyone any awkwardness.
Third Young Master Ji hadn't thought that deeply about it. His eyes sparkling with excitement, he said, "Brother Zhen — I, Ji Laosan, am known throughout Glazed Royal City for my free-spirited and unrestrained nature, and I do love making friends. But over the years, while I've made plenty of friends, the ones I can truly entrust my life to, the ones I can bare my heart to, are few and far between. And sworn brothers? I've never had a single one. I don't know why, but with you — an outsider — I feel I can open my heart completely. Maybe it's simply fate that our eyes met. Brother, I swear to you — I'm not doing this because of your master..."
Third Young Master Ji was clearly afraid Jiang Chen might misunderstand his motives.
Jiang Chen smiled. In truth, he rather admired Third Young Master Ji's bold and forthright personality. Compared to
Having lived two lives, Jiang Chen was no stranger to reading people. Third Young Master Ji was the kind of man who could be trusted as a true brother.
"Third Young Master, hearing you say that puts me to shame. Now that we've sworn brotherhood, there are some things I can no longer keep from you," Jiang Chen said with a sigh.
"What is it?" Third Young Master Ji looked taken aback.
"In truth, my surname isn't Zhen. My surname is Jiang — Jiang Chen."
Third Young Master Ji froze for a moment. "Jiang Chen? That name sounds awfully familiar... Wait — you're Jiang Chen? The Jiang Chen that Immortal Phoenix Palatine has put a massive bounty on?"
Jiang Chen smiled bitterly. "I didn't realize my reputation was this widespread. Even the scions of great clans have heard my name?"
Third Young Master Ji stared at him in astonishment. "Brother, you... you can't really be Jiang Chen, can you? This isn't a joke?"
Jiang Chen said solemnly, "It's the absolute truth. Circumstances forced me to wear a different face to the world."
"Unbelievable — truly unbelievable! Even if you smashed my skull to pieces, I never could have imagined something like this. Jiang Chen? Haha, this is far too interesting."
Then, raising his voice, Third Young Master Ji declared, "I don't care whether you're Zhen Shi or Jiang Chen — you are my, Ji Laosan's, brother. From now on, in Glazed Royal City, you are under the protection of the Panlong Great Clan. If Immortal Phoenix Palatine dares cause trouble in my Glazed Royal City, I'll make sure they come and never return!"
This wasn't Third Young Master Ji bluffing. As the foremost great clan, even though the Panlong Great Clan had been keeping a low profile in recent years, that hardly meant they lacked the power to follow through.
Seeing Third Young Master Ji like this, Jiang Chen felt genuinely moved. Regardless of whatever reasons motivated him, at the very least, Jiang Chen could see Third Young Master Ji's sincerity — the earnest, wholehearted spirit with which he forged bonds. That was something a cold-hearted, calculating man like Wang Teng could absolutely never achieve.
"Brother, don't worry. Within the territory of Glished Royal City, Immortal Phoenix Palatine has no right to cause trouble!" Third Young Master Ji said, as if afraid Jiang Chen might not believe him.
Jiang Chen nodded. "Glazed Royal City's reputation precedes it. Immortal Phoenix Palatine wouldn't dare cause trouble openly. But covertly, the truth is they've already infiltrated the city."
"Oh?" Third Young Master Ji raised an eyebrow, curiosity coloring his expression.
"This time, the Imperial Great Clan's grand opening of Taiyuan Pavilion, with Myriad Spirit Pill as their flagship product — that's undoubtedly the result of a collusion with Immortal Phoenix Palatine. The Myriad Spirit Pill is a formula that Immortal Phoenix Palatine plundered from my Dan Qian Palace. And the shamelessness of it — they use my Dan Qian Palace's own creation to oppress a Dan Qian Palace disciple."
Third Young Master Ji knew something of Dan Qian Palace's circumstances and cursed under his breath. "Immortal Phoenix Palatine's invasion of the Myriad Realms Domain this time has drawn some criticism even in the Upper Eight Realms. Brother, with your talent, as long as you keep a low profile and bide your time, there's no reason you couldn't revive your sect within a few centuries. Whatever you do, don't lose heart!"
"Rest assured, Brother Ji — I will never lose heart. Whatever Immortal Phoenix Palatine did to my Dan Qian Palace, I will repay them double in the future."
Jiang Chen's tone brooked no doubt.
"That's my brother — what spirit! The day I become patriarch of the Panlong Clan, I will certainly lend you a hand, to fulfill the oath between brothers. If I ever go back on my word today, may I die a wretched death!"
Third Young Master Ji made his pledge without hesitation.
"Then I thank you in advance, Brother Ji. However, this matter involves great consequences. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I'd rather not draw you into it. A gentleman's revenge is never too late. Let Immortal Phoenix Palatine be arrogant for a while longer. When the time comes, I will collect everything — with interest."