Third Young Master Ji sighed: "It's just that exaggerated. Our Glazed Royal City sits in the southern part of the Upper Eight Domains, projecting influence over the surrounding domains. But Pill Fire City is in the northern part, covering the north, northeast, and northwest regions. Their pill trade is truly astonishing. Absolutely wealthy enough to rival nations."
Pill Fire City?
Jiang Chen recalled that the book Huang'er had given him also mentioned this place, though the introductions within were all rather vague.
Jiang Chen's gaze fixed on Shopkeeper Li again: "Which specific faction in Pill Fire City did you sell those two people to?"
Shopkeeper Li replied: "I don't know which specific faction — only that they belonged to Pill Fire City's forces."
Third Young Master Ji said angrily: "If you knew they were from Pill Fire City, you still did business with them? Don't you know that Glazed Royal City is Pill Fire City's archrival in the pill trade?"
"This was decided by the upper echelons of the family. My status is far too low — I had no say."
Jiang Chen and Third Young Master Ji were both speechless. The two pressed on with a flurry of questions but couldn't extract any more valuable leads.
"Brother, now that we know where they went, things are much simpler. How about I send some people to Pill Fire City to look around?"
Jiang Chen nodded: "I'll have to trouble you, Brother Ji. There's one more thing I'd like to ask of you."
Third Young Master Ji nodded: "Let's step outside and talk."
As for Shopkeeper Li, Jiang Chen had no further interest. This kind of person who aided the villain deserved his fate, and Jiang Chen naturally wouldn't interfere — he'd leave the matter to the Panlong Great Clan to handle.
In another private chamber, Third Young Master Ji said: "Brother, whatever else you need, just say it. In the Glazed Royal City, there is nothing the Panlong Great Clan cannot do."
Jiang Chen didn't beat around the bush. He told Third Young Master Ji everything about his father Jiang Feng's situation, in full detail.
Third Young Master Ji pondered: "Regarding your mother's background, do you have any leads, or any keepsakes?"
Jiang Chen shook his head: "No leads at all. I've already searched my old home at Marquis Jianghan's estate, but found nothing."
"Without leads, we'll have to slowly inquire through various channels and contacts. Brother, in that case, efficiency won't be great."
Jiang Chen knew that searching for someone this way was like finding a needle in the ocean.
However, having the Panlong Great Clan's channels was still far more efficient than searching blindly on his own.
After all, in the Upper Eight Domains, he had no foundation to speak of.
Most importantly, he couldn't reveal his true identity right now. Otherwise, using the name Jiang Chen, there were plenty of ways to quickly make a name for himself.
Once his father heard his name, he would naturally come looking.
Unfortunately, his identity couldn't be exposed — both Imperishable Celestial Capital and the Nine Sun Celestial Sect were watching like tigers. If his identity were exposed, he might even bring harm to those around him.
"Brother Ji, how has the Clan Lord been lately?" Seeing how helpful Third Young Master Ji was being, Jiang Chen felt he should offer something in return.
"The same as before. The Clan Lord doesn't dare to cultivate anymore — the moment he tries, his power dissipates even faster. So he's basically resting quietly, trying to maintain his condition." Third Young Master Ji's tone grew heavy on this topic. The matter had become the Panlong Great Clan's collective burden.
Jiang Chen's heart stirred: "Could you take me to see the Clan Lord?"
Third Young Master Ji looked surprised: "Brother, you want to see the Clan Lord?"
"Mm. If I see the Clan Lord and understand his condition, when I meet my master in the future, I can relay the details to him. That way, he can prescribe the right treatment."
Third Young Master Ji nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, that makes perfect sense. I'll go put in the request right away. Brother, please wait here — I'll be back shortly. Let Commander Mo come keep you company."
With that, Third Young Master Ji hurried out, his manner extremely anxious.
Seeing Third Young Master Ji in such a rush, Jiang Chen knew the Panlong Clan Lord's condition must be truly dire.
Otherwise, with Third Young Master Ji's usual composure, he would never be this anxious.
After Third Young Master Ji left, Commander Mo walked in with a smile: "Pill King Zhen, the Third Young Master asked old Mo to come chat with you for a while. I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
"Commander Mo, please don't be so formal. The Third Young Master and I are like brothers, and as our elder, Commander Mo's courtesy puts me to rest."
Commander Mo laughed heartily: "Pill King Zhen, the Third Young Master has made countless friends over the years, and old Mo has met most of them. But honestly, not a single one has earned my wholehearted admiration quite like you. That wager during Taiyuan Pavilion's grand opening was truly a sight to behold."
"Commander Mo flatters me. I merely had some good fortune in my youth. And that wager did involve some clever shortcuts."
"Ha ha, if anyone was taking shortcuts, it was really the Royal Court Great Clan. They came fully prepared while Taiyuan Pavilion fought on the defensive. To turn defeat into victory from such a disadvantaged position — truly remarkable. The Wei family's encounter with Pill King Zhen was truly their good fortune."
Commander Mo clearly held a very high position in Third Young Master Ji's inner circle, and their conversation was relaxed and uninhibited.
The two chatted with great rapport.