Chapter 33: Emperor Gaozu and the Taoist!

Although Jiang Chen felt he was in the wrong, his inherent arrogance prevented him from yielding.

"Father, do you truly believe that Chen Feng possesses an Immortal Treasure? How many years has it been since an Immortal Treasure has appeared in the State of Yue? How could such a person possibly have one? Perhaps he has some other means."

"Besides, even if he does have an Immortal Treasure, so what? Our Jiang family has so many Xiantian experts; dealing with a single Chen Feng would be child's play."

On the surface, the Jiang family had only four Xiantian experts, but in reality, there were eight.

This was the foundation of the Jiang family.

With Jiang Xiao dead, there were still seven Xiantian experts remaining.

Jiang Yaotian glanced at the high-and-mighty Jiang Chen and then asked

"Do you know how the Founding Emperor of our State of Yue rose to power?"

Jiang Chen had not expected his father to suddenly ask this. He answered without hesitation

"Of course I know. Hundreds of years ago, the Founding Emperor was merely a destitute scholar. On his way to the capital for the imperial examinations, he encountered a Taoist. The Taoist spoke only a few words to him and then left behind an immortal technique before stepping into the void and departing."

"From then on, with the help of the immortal technique, the Founding Emperor raised an army and wiped out the State of Jiang, leading to the creation of our State of Yue."

Jiang Chen had heard this story since he was a child.

At the time when the Founding Emperor met the Taoist, the man was just a destitute old Taoist asking the Emperor for food.

Back then, the Founding Emperor only had enough rations for three days, but he still shared some with the Taoist.

Upon learning that the Founding Emperor was heading to the capital for the examinations, the Taoist asked

"If you fail the examinations, will this thousand-mile journey not have been in vain? What will you do if you fail?"

The Founding Emperor replied

"Unless I die of old age, I shall never give up."

The Taoist greatly admired the Founding Emperor's willpower and thus bestowed the immortal technique. This was the widely circulated legend of the State of Yue.

However, Jiang Yaotian let out a cold laugh.

"That is merely a story the imperial family uses to fool the world. The reason the Founding Emperor obtained the immortal technique was not because his willpower impressed a Taoist."

"It was because that Taoist was heavily injured when the Founding Emperor encountered him. To help him heal, the Founding Emperor first slaughtered his entire family to take their blood to aid the immortal's recovery."

"Then, to guide the immortal, he sacrificed the lives of entire populations from three great cities of the State of Jiang just to exchange for that immortal technique!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Chen froze in place, a chill rising from the depths of his heart.

He had never imagined that the truth would be so different from the legend, let alone so gruesome.

"Father, is this true?" Jiang Chen asked, his face full of disbelief.

The clan elders and elders in the main hall remained silent.

Clearly, they had known about this for a long time.

Jiang Yaotian did not answer Jiang Chen's question, but instead said

"Chen'er, although cultivation is the path to immortality, immortals view us martial artists and mortals as nothing more than blood-food and ants. With a single thought, they can turn us to ash."

"When it comes to immortals, if our Jiang family mishandles even one detail, it will inevitably lead to a crisis of clan extermination."

"But if that Chen Feng truly possesses an Immortal Treasure, our Jiang family will absolutely not give up. However, we must commit the full strength of the entire clan, rather than just sending a few people as you previously suggested."

As soon as Jiang Yaotian finished speaking, the various elders and clan elders in the hall bowed in unison.

"We shall follow the Family Head's arrangements!"

Clearly, these elders understood the gravity of the situation.

Looking at the clan elders and his father, Jiang Chen realized that he was still far from the level of these old foxes.

"Father, you decide," Jiang Chen said, finally setting aside his arrogance.

"I have already notified your aunt. She will arrive from the Imperial City in a few days. Once she arrives, we move!"

Jiang Chen was shocked. His aunt was an expert above the Xiantian realm.

She held a high position in the Imperial City and was the Jiang family's greatest patron, rarely returning home even once in a decade.

Jiang Chen had not expected his father to summon his aunt for this matter.

He had vastly underestimated the value of an Immortal Treasure.

"I understand, Father. I will immediately gather the personnel stationed outside. When the time comes, we shall sweep through the Hengduan Mountains in one fell swoop!" Jiang Chen bowed respectfully.

Jiang Yaotian nodded.

"This matter must remain secret. If we truly obtain the Immortal Treasure, everyone involved—aside from those present in this room—must be silenced."

Everyone nodded; no one thought Jiang Yaotian's decision was problematic.

If they truly obtained the Immortal Treasure, it would be the opportunity for the Jiang family to rise to greatness.

As for everyone else, they could be sacrificed.

This secret could never be known by other factions, otherwise, the Jiang family would immediately fall into a state of crisis.

***

Modern World, Eagle Nation.

Chen Feng appeared in a black market bar, holding a glass of whiskey.

The entire bar was filled with smoke and chaos, a melting pot of all kinds of people.

A person looking like a student, such as Chen Feng, seemed quite out of place here.

Yet, no one in the bar came to cause trouble for him.

Those who frequented the bar knew that this Dragon Country man was Jack's most valued guest.

Even the barmaid was very polite to him.

"Sir, are you free tonight?" the barmaid asked in a soft, flirtatious voice.

As she spoke, she pulled her collar down significantly.

Chen Feng took a glance. The white woman was indeed well-endowed, but the tattoo on her neck gave him no interest in appreciating her.

"I'm busy," Chen Feng refused directly.

He wouldn't touch a woman like this; she might very well be a biological hazard.

The barmaid's face immediately showed disappointment.

She had hoped to get something going with this Dragon Country man; it would make her life easier here.

Unfortunately, he seemed uninterested.

"Chen, my friend! It is truly great to see you again!"

Not far away, Jack approached with a group of subordinates. Even before he arrived, his voice echoed throughout the bar.

The music stopped as Jack approached.

Jack came up to Chen Feng, intending to give him a hug.

Seeing this, Chen Feng immediately waved him off. "Jack, no need for such formalities with me."

Chen Feng had no desire to hug this Black man; Black men often carried a pungent scent of sweat.

Jack didn't mind and said with a smile

"The shipment you requested this time is quite large; it's no longer something I can decide. Our boss wants to see you."

Chen Feng had already told Jack the quantity of equipment he needed over the phone.

The amount he wanted this time was indeed substantial—enough to equip an entire special forces squad.

This was beyond the decision-making power of a gang sub-leader like Jack.

"Where is he?" Chen Feng stood up.

He didn't want to waste time here; the sooner he got the gear, the sooner he could return to the Scroll World.

As for Jack's gang, Chen Feng had done some research.

The gang was called "Limp and Blood," spanning several states in the Eagle Nation, and they had connections to the Mafia.

They were considered a relatively large gang in the Eagle Nation.

"On a ship in the harbor. There are also a few important clients joining us this time. I'll take you there myself."

An irrepressible smile played on Jack's face.

Chen Feng was a client he was trying to recruit; if this deal succeeded, his status within the gang would rise significantly.

"Fine, take me there."

It didn't surprise Chen Feng that the gang leader was on a ship.

After all, such gang leaders were top targets for the FBI.

They were less safe on land than on a ship, as they could sail into international waters at any time.

Conversely, doing business with such a gang leader increased the danger; once the ship entered international waters, no one knew what might happen.

(End of Chapter)