After leaving the Coiling Dragon Great Clan's estate, Jiang Chen returned to the Taotian Pavilion — where, naturally, another lively scene awaited him.
Nowadays, the Wei father and son had become nothing more than green leaves providing a backdrop at the Taotian Pavilion. They understood this clearly and harbored no intention of competing with Jiang Chen. Instead, they showed admirable awareness of their place.
At this point, the Wei family existed entirely by riding on Jiang Chen's coattails.
Everyone in Crystal Pagoda City knew this. If not for the sudden appearance of King Pill Zhen, the Wei father and son would likely have died without even a proper burial.
Jiang Chen serving as a judge in the Pill Tower Competition was itself an immense honor. After all, every other judge came from the direct lines of the Seven Great Emperors. Jiang Chen, known as King Pill Zhen, was the only one affiliated with the Taotian Pavilion — and thus had undeniable ties to the Wei family.
Moreover, Jiang Chen had stolen the spotlight during the Pill Tower Competition, overshadowing every other judge and earning the undisputed title of the foremost figure in the Dao of Pills.
It could be said that in the field of alchemy within Crystal Pagoda City, Jiang Chen — in terms of both capability and bearing and reputation — was now the unchallenged leader.
After chatting with the Wei father and son for a while, Jiang Chen noticed that their attitude had grown ever more humble, their posture ever lower.
It made him somewhat uncomfortable.
But Jiang Chen understood that as his status continued to climb, such a mindset from the Wei father and son was only inevitable.
When people stood at different heights, equal conversation became nearly impossible. Though Jiang Chen felt a measure of helplessness over this, he had no intention of trying to correct it.
Looking at the humble smile on the Wei family patriarch's face, Jiang Chen spoke up: "Patriarch Wei, the Wei family is thriving now. You should start making preparations for your eventual promotion to a Great Clan."
Wei Tianxiao was taken aback. "Promotion to a Great Clan? I… this old Wei wouldn't dare entertain such thoughts yet."
It wasn't that he lacked ambition. The current situation was delicate — it wasn't even certain whether the Peacock Great Emperor would continue to rule Crystal Pagoda City. As a faction within the Peacock Great Emperor's lineage, the Wei family's future was inextricably tied to whether the Peacock Great Emperor stayed or departed. Until that question was resolved, the Wei family's prospects remained unclear.
"Patriarch Wei, don't be blinded by surface appearances. When the time comes to take a step forward, you must take it." Jiang Chen couldn't say too much more.
The Wei family was the first faction he had befriended upon arriving in Crystal Pagoda City, and naturally he hoped to help them along.
Wei Tianxiao pondered these words carefully, sensing they carried deeper meaning, yet try as he might, he couldn't quite grasp it.
Just as they were speaking, a servant announced from outside: "Patriarch, King Pill Zhen — there is someone here to see you. He says he is King Pill Bu, white-bearded, and claims to be a disciple under King Pill Zhen's banner."
Jiang Chen smiled at the news. This King Pill Bu was a top-tier pill master from the Shura Great Emperor's lineage, and during the Pill Tower Competition, Jiang Chen had outmaneuvered him.
It seemed the old fellow had no intention of welshing on the bet.
"Let him in." Jiang Chen wasn't the least worried about King Pill Bu trying to renege — the Heavenly Oath stood between them. If the old man harbored even a trace of rebellious intent, the Heavenly Oath would deal with him accordingly.
King Pill Bu entered with a heavy heart, and upon seeing the Wei father and son, he gave a bitter smile. Ordinarily, a ninth-ranked clan like the Wei family — though respectable by worldly standards — would have been beneath his notice. But now, King Pill Bu understood his own position. He offered the Wei father and son a nod in greeting, nothing more.
Wei Tianxiao saw the usually lofty and untouchable King Pill Bu looking so meek and contrite, like a child caught misbehaving, and felt a quiet thrill of satisfaction. Still, he didn't dare gloat. Tugging at Wei Jie's sleeve, he said: "Jie'er, let's step out for a moment. Give King Pill Zhen and King Pill Bu some space to talk."
Once the Wei father and son had left, King Pill Bu stood there awkwardly, his hands rubbing together ceaselessly. Despite having accepted his defeat, his pride as someone of his stature made it exceedingly difficult to grovel.
After a long pause, he finally squeezed out a sentence: "King Pill Zhen, this old man admits defeat fair and square. Set the rules for how you intend to use me. As long as you don't humiliate me, I won't utter a single word of complaint. Point me wherever you wish, and I'll strike."
At the end of the day, having spent the better part of his life in the world of pills, a man of King Pill Bu's caliber still cared about one thing above all — his face. Everything else was secondary.
"Humiliate you?" Jiang Chen chuckled. "A man must humiliate himself before others can humiliate him. If you hadn't brought it upon yourself, I couldn't have humiliated you. But now that you're under my banner, there's no need for me to take my anger out on you. Tell me — if you leave the Shura Great Emperor's side, will he retaliate? If so, let me know, and I'll settle it for you."
King Pill Bu gave a bitter laugh. "This old man has devoted his entire life to the Dao of Pills. No wife, no children, nothing to worry about. What is there to retaliate against? The worst he can do is take these old bones of mine — he's welcome to them anytime. But ask me to go back on my word? That, this old man cannot do."
Seeing the old man's earnest expression, Jiang Chen knew he meant every word. King Pill Bu would rather offend the Shura Great Emperor than become the sort of man who broke his promises. That kind of gambling integrity was commendable.
"Welcome to them anytime?" Jiang Chen's voice turned cold. "You're under my protection now. Taking you won't be so easy for him. But let me warn you as well — since you've pledged yourself to me, don't even think about keeping one foot in this camp and one in his. Serve two masters, and the consequences will be dire."
King Pill Bu bristled, feeling the remark was an insult to his character, and declared loudly: "Rest assured — even in death, I will not become a fickle, vacillating man."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly, as if the old man's pledge neither convinced nor particularly moved him.