Chapter 1559: Good Guy Chen
"Moreover, Winterdraw has patrol teams as well as various factions vigilant against each other. They all want to get off, you see. This place has seen hundreds of millions of prisoners, but less than ten have ever successfully escaped. Do you understand what that means?" The thin man retorted.
Jiang Chen didn't believe what the man was saying. "Is your thin brother over here telling the truth?"
"Pah! I don't have a brother like him. He's spineless, cowardly, and scared of death. On Winterdraw, anyone like that is the first to die!"
The big man glared at Jiang Chen with reddened eyes. "I'm not scared of you. Kill me if you want. I've had enough of this awful place, anyways!"
"If you're not scared of death, why are you afraid of telling me the truth?" Jiang Chen replied coldly.
The big man blinked. "What?"
Jiang Chen frowned. "I asked you if he told the truth."
"Are you crazy enough to think of escape?" the big man mocked. "You better forget about it right now! That monkey exaggerated things a bit, but he's mostly accurate. In the last several dozen millennia, less than ten have managed the feat!"
Though this big man was apparently into sodomy – which in itself was a trait that gave Jiang Chen a ton of goosebumps – he looked much more trustworthy than his thinner compatriot.
Jiang Chen nodded, then let the big man go. "You can leave."
The big man was stunned. "You're letting me go? Aren't you worried I'll do something against you in the future? Or tell on you?"
"That's your business." Jiang Chen shrugged.
The big man was completely lost. Someone on Winterdraw was allowing him to live? This defied all understanding of how things worked here!
The law of the jungle ruled this place.
The big man was rather suspicious that the young gentleman before him was possibly playing a trick. Was the gentleman going to launch heavy pursuit after the fact? Did he enjoy hunting and toying with his prey, perhaps?
"What, you don't want to go?" Jiang Chen frowned. "I guess I won't be opposed to you committing suicide." He seemed completely at ease.
The big man couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You're really letting me go?"
"You can take this thin monkey with you. I don't want to kill him on principle, but he's plainly too disgusting. I really don't like him."
The big man wordlessly strode up.
The thin man shrieked. "Sir, sir, I've said everything I could. Please let me live. Don't kill me. I'll lick your boots!"
Jiang Chen was reviled.
Anger flashed through the big man's eyes. "You've utterly shamed me with your behavior, you bastard."He stomped his sizable foot down.
Crack!
The thin man's head exploded like a watermelon.
"Nicely done," Jiang Chen smiled coolly.
The big man glared at Jiang Chen. "You're really not going to kill me?"
"Do you really want me to?" Jiang Chen asked with a half-smile. "If you're uneasy, talk a bit more about things the other guy didn't talk about. Maybe I'll let you live longer if I'm in a good mood."
The big man let out a long sigh. "Never mind. You probably offended someone in your clan. That's how you got exiled here. Maybe you still don't know how scary this place really is. If you did, you might not be able to laugh any more.
"I can tell you straight that we brothers were just bottom-feeders here on Winterdraw. Someone like me has to flit around the edges here, worrying about my own safety from day to day. We made up the scary name and exaggerated our behavior to intimidate anyone who might mean ill for us."
"If you're at the bottom, what level are the strongest cultivators here? Empyrean?"
"Empyrean for sure. I hear the strongest are great empyrean experts. But that's just rumors… no one has actually seen any. Winterdraw isn't as simple as you think. It's extremely unlikely for you to be able to leave this place. Rather than think about these things, you should first think about how you can safely live here from now on. Only by staying alive will you have future opportunities. If you're not alive, you can't be picked to be deathsworn." These words sounded much more trustworthy coming from the big man, rather than his dead comrade.
He appeared to be a bit grateful for Jiang Chen's mercy. Long periods of dwelling here would harden anyone's heart. However, matters pertaining to things as grave as life and death were sometimes sufficient to soften it.
"Are there really a lot of factions on Winterdraw?"
"Yes! But here, we don't know how many there are exactly. Even the weakest factions don't care about us!" The big man was mildly sad. Clearly, the trio hadn't had a good life here. They had been three sparrows of roughly equal unimportance.
There was little information Jiang Chen could gather from someone as insignificant as this. He waved sadly. "Get out of here. You're a bit more bearable than the other two, so I'll let you go."
Jiang Chen had originally hated the three men equally, but that was before hearing about the environment here on Winterdraw. It was enough to drive any man mad. The big man didn't intrinsically seem to be an irredeemable criminal; Jiang Chen didn't have much interest in killing ordinary people.
The big man hadn't expected this turn of events. After some hesitation, he grit his teeth and nodded before turning to depart.
After reaching safety, he breathed out in relief. But his mood didn't relax because of it. He found it quite ridiculous to have been let go. This was Winterdraw! Was there someone capable of showing mercy?
He hesitated about simply stepping away, losing himself in thought for a while. After a few moments, he turned back towards Jiang Chen.
The young man had taken a seat near his original location. His consciousness noticed the big man returning. Surprised, he furrowed his brow. "Do you think I really won't kill you no matter what you do?"
The big man raised both hands airborne. "I'm not here to start a fight. I already got to a safe zone. I came back because I remembered something."
"You better have a good reason for this," Jiang Chen retorted coldly. If he didn't value a chance at life, the young man wouldn't mind sending him off in a different way.
The man didn't get too close. Instead, he tossed something at Jiang Chen. It landed in the grass.
Jiang Chen discerned with a glance that it was a jet-black jade slip. "What is this?"
"I don't really know. I found it inside the bones of a corpse a few years back. My consciousness is too limited to decipher what it contains. Maybe you'll find it useful."
No one on Winterdraw could possibly be called rich. There was only robbery and no production here. Material goods didn't just appear out of thin air!
Limited resources were gathered in the hands of a few, transferred generally only upon death. Whenever someone died, his murderer received a windfall of possessions. The murderer would sometimes be killed in turn the next day, resulting in another transfer of wealth, and so on. It was impossible to tell where many items had originally come from.
Picking the slip up, Jiang Chen did a perfunctory scan before trying to break into it.
"That's right, another piece of advice. On Winterdraw, you should be as vicious as you can. Don't just let random people live. Here, doing that harms only yourself." The big man continued to remain to offer advice rather than leaving.
Jiang Chen didn't agree with or rebuke the man. He knew that the big man was doing everything he could to repay him for his life.
The big man didn't know whether the young gentleman before him had taken his advice. He sighed helplessly. He suddenly recalled something else. "Sir," he glanced at Jiang Chen once more. "You said you wanted to escape the island?"
"What?" Jiang Chen replied nonchalantly.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not looking to tell on you. If someone else said something like that, I would think his brain was fried. But I can't understand a lot of things about you, and I actually don't think you belong here. Maybe you really will be able to get out one day!"
"Of course I will." Jiang Chen delivered in the same deadpan.
The big man sank down on both knees without any forewarning. "Sir, I have a request."
"What now?" Jiang Chen frowned again.
"I have a daughter in the Rejuvenation Isles, within Six Leaf City. She doesn't know that I've been imprisoned or that I'm here on Winterdraw. I have a few things here. If you manage to escape one day and pass by Six Leaf, can you give my daughter these things along the way?" The big man showed a rare display of emotion when he spoke of his daughter. His eyes reddened, and his lips trembled. Clearly, he loved his daughter very much.
"Why aren't you waiting to give her these things yourself?"
"Me?" the big man shook his head. "I don't have any hope of getting out for the rest of my life. I know how much I'm worth. On Winterdraw, I'm less than nothing. Escape? I can try, but I'd only die faster. Ah! I'm not a good father. My daughter is all alone in the world. I…" He slammed his fist into the ground as he said this and laid face down in the dirt, sobbing.
Jiang Chen was reminded of his father the Celestial Emperor from his previous life.
"What's your daughter called?" He was compelled by an indescribable feeling to ask this.
The big man was overjoyed when he heard the reply. "This means you agree, sir?"
"I'll try my best. Six Leaf City, hmm? I'll remember that." Jiang Chen didn't admire the big man, per se, but the paternal love he radiated was real. He felt it reasonable to oblige on the basis of that alone.
"My daughter lives in Six Leaf City. Her name is Yingying, and her surname the same as mine: Fang," the big man said.
Chapter 1560: Sin City
The towering, manliest of men, giant had revealed his tender side when bringing up his daughter.
Jiang Chen smiled blandly, "Aren't you worried that I'll pocket your items?"
"I must've been stupid or blind to have treated Hou Ole Third like a brother, but my eyes don't lie this time! An extraordinary person like you would never be interested in what I have! Moreover, you're not like the others in Winterdraw!" The towering giant declared.
"I'm no different. I'll wipe out anybody who threatens me." Jiang Chen smiled coldly.
"No no no! That's precisely why you're different! You only retaliate when provoked and won't initiate a fight. You're not hostile like a ravenous wolf! At the very least, there's still some humanity inside of you, but that's not a good thing to have. This is a place where only beastly instincts can help you survive and prosper!"
Jiang Chen frowned. "That's enough. This isn't the first time you've warned me of this. I have my bottomline. If I abandoned all of my humanity in return for beastly instincts, it'd be better that I don't leave for the rest of my life."
That was the honest truth.
He'd ventured to Myriad Abyss Island in the first place to find his lover. Like the sun, she filled his life with light and hope. If he had to lose his humanity and become a beast so that he could leave this place, what was the point of finding Huang'er?
What difference would it make if Huang'er was freed from House Xiahou's clasp, only to fall into the claws of a beast?
Humanity was literally the only line separating humans from beasts.
"Hand over your items. If I manage to escape this place, I'll pay Six Leaf City a visit."
The towering giant stared at Jiang Chen for a long time as though he was seeing a monster. When he came back to his senses, he brought forth a storage ring and handed it to Jiang Chen.
"My daughter should be twenty-three this year. She was only five when I was exiled to Winterdraw," the towering giant muttered to himself. "She's much more talented than I. It's a pity that she hadn't been born to a better life. She definitely would've been a peerless genius if she'd been born to a noble household…" He lamented as he staggered away from Jiang Chen's sight.
Jiang Chen couldn't help but feel a little woeful upon seeing the giant's towering back.
He didn't check the contents of the ring, but it was most likely cultivation resources. When fathers risked their lives for their children, it was usually to bring home better cultivation resources.
Putting the ring away, Jiang Chen collected his feelings and mediated to put himself in an impertable mentality.
About an hour passed before he picked himself up and continued forwards.
Winterdraw was extremely vast even though it was merely an island. Even with the God's Eye, Jiang Chen could see nothing but rows after rows of mountain ranges, the end nowhere in sight.It might not be as vast as one of the Upper Eight Regions, but it's definitely comparable to a lower region.
To think that the sole purpose of this island was to incarcerate criminals. What a luxurious gesture!
Myriad Abyss Island is a lot more complicated than I thought. Jiang Chen had imagined as a single collection of islands with countless cultivators living on them. By the looks of it, he'd underestimated its vastness. It was definitely no smaller than the mainland in the Divine Abyss Continent.
And worst of all, nobody knew exactly how many isles there were in Myriad Abyss, and how far out it spanned. This was a most frightening aspect.
The Divine Abyss Continent was extremely vast, but the lands and borders had been mostly defined in the ancient age.
Of course, the human domain was merely the tip of the iceberg compared to the rest of the continent. If Rejuvenation Isles' penitentiary island was already so vast, one could only imagine how vast the entire collective was.
And it was only a second to third rate faction in Myriad Abyss Island! Isles of this caliber were extremely common and aplenty. All Jiang Chen could do was calm himself down to ensure that he wasn't overly hasty.
Escaping Winterdraw won't be easy and I don't have an abundance of time to waste. Huang'er is waiting for me and Veluriyam still needs my counsel. All will be lost if I'm trapped here for too long.
Without those considerations, Jiang Chen might've chosen more wary and conservative method. He'd at least get to the bottom of the situation before making any moves.
Unfortunately, time waited for no one. He'd have to be a lot more proactive from now on.He didn't hide his speed for the rest of the journey. It wasn't because he wanted to show off or anything, he simply wanted to avoid any more encounters. Just as Hou Old Third had said, almost everyone on this island would leap to take his life.
The best way to deal with this issue was to avoid all everyone. Even if he did encounter someone, he could simply frighten and deter any pursuers with his overwhelming speed.Hundreds of miles later, he finally made it out of the mountain ranges and spotted some buildings in the horizon. It seemed to be a city.
A city? Jiang Chen was moved. Cities were often densely populated, making it much easier to gather information. He decided to pay the city a visit.
Sin City? He spotted the signboard hanging on the city gate from afar. He couldn't help but crack up at the name. As expected of an island of exiles! Even their city's name is full of character!
The name didn't matter. He'd venture in even if it was called Hell City.
"Halt." A ferocious guard standing at the city gates blocked Jiang Chen's way. He became even more hostile after spotting an unfamiliar face. "Do you have a residency seal?"
"A residency seal?" Jiang Chen was taken aback. What in the world was that?
"Does that mean you don't have one?" A guard captain asked. The eyepatch on his face made him that much more menacing.
Jiang Chen shook his head. "Indeed I don't."
"How dare you barge into Sin City without a seal? Do you think I wouldn't dare execute you in public?!" The guard captain yelled belligerently.
Other city guards flooded in in groups when they heard his raised voice. They'd guessed that Jiang Chen was a newcomer due to his youth and unfamiliarity. Those in their profession were often very adept in identifying and scamming newcomers.
Jiang Chen remained nonchalant. "Does everyone in Sin City have a residency seal?"
"Obviously! Without the seal, how can we know that you're not a spy sent by an opposing faction?" The guard with an eyepatch answered impatiently.
"How do I apply for such a seal?" Jiang Chen kept his calm.
He wasn't here pick a fight as his primary goal was to enter the city, to gather information. There was no need to escalate matters with the city's lackeys unless necessary. Killing them would be as easy as killing a fly, but what about the consequences? Entering the city after a murder spree would be suicide.
The mighty dragon doesn't contend with the local snake. Unless the situation called for it, he didn't wish to rile up the hornet's nest.
"How to apply?" The guard captain sized Jiang Chen up and smiled ambiguously. "Do you wish to apply for one?"
Jiang Chen answered without moving as much as a single muscle on his face. "If that's the city's rule, then I shall apply for one. However, if I ever find out that you've lied to me…" He stared deep into their eyes. "I will remember all of you."
The guard captain smoldered with rage. He was extremely pissed off by Jiang Chen's attitude. "You're a tough talker, aren't you? So what if you remember our faces? Do you really think we'll be threatened by a brat that's still wet behind his ears?"
Jiang Chen smiled coldly. "Cut the crap. Where and how do I apply for a residency seal?"He didn't want to waste any more time. The seal was most likely used for identification purposes. That shouldn't be too difficult.
"It'll be a total of one million sky spirit stones. You'll be given a seal when you pay up." The guard captain glared at Jiang Chen.
One million sky spirit stones?
Jiang Chen crowed with laughter. "One million for a seal? Are you sure there's nothing wrong about the price?"
"Why would it be wrong? Get one if you want!" The guard captain yelled while making rude and dismissive gestures. "Either pay up or scram!"
Jiang Chen's face darkened. He activated the Evil Golden Eye and pierced deeply into the depths of the guard captain's soul.
The latter trembled all over. It felt like his soul had suddenly turned into ice, his mind drawing blanks.
Fortunately, Jiang Chen showed him mercy and retracted his glare. He resumed his indifferent consideration of the captain.
Having escaped from the maws of death, cold sweat poured down the captain's forehead.
"Are you absolutely sure that the seal costs one million spirit stones?" Jiang Chen's cold and icy tone sounded again.
The guard captain's lips quivered. The panic in his eyes were quite apparent. He'd realized that the youth before him wasn't someone he could afford to offend, at least for now. A gaze alone had costed his life. The youth was clearly not an ordinary person.
"One million can buy you the gold-amethyst seal. In this city, gold-amethyst residents aren't just permanent residents, they can also be involved in the city's plans and decisions." The guard captain's arrogance had vanished in the face of Jiang Chen's threatening glare.
"What about the other residency grades?"
"For one thousand spirit stones, you can get a temporary residency seal which will last for one to three months. For ten thousand, you will get a bronze seal which gives residency for ten years. For fifty thousand, a silver seal which gives residency for up to one hundred years. And lastly, for two hundred thousand saint spirit stones, you get a gold seal which gives you residency for a millennia." The captain was extremely sincere this time round, going into every single detail and price.
Chapter 1561: Selling Oneself To Save Their Father
"A temporary residence seal will do," Jiang Chen requested after hearing the explanation.
The other types were admittedly very good and he could pay the price. But even the ten years granted by a bronze seal was too much for him. He couldn't possibly stay on the island for that long.
Three years would be an intolerable stretch, to say nothing of ten. His one objective was to leave Winterdraw, the sooner the better. One to three months would be enough. And if not, he could just request another. In any case, there were no possibility for a longer stay.
Captain eye-patch relaxed, but then couldn't help complaining. A temporary seal? This kid is really a bit too stingy!
Yet he didn't dare express his discontent in the face of Jiang Chen's intimidating aura. "That'll be a thousand sky spirit stones." He soon returned with the seal after taking the money. "There you go. Don't lose it now. Otherwise, don't complain if you run into trouble in the city without a residence seal!"
Jiang Chen took it silently. With a short nod and a light step, he'd floated past the city gates and into the city.
Looking at his departing figure, the captain sighed in relief.
"Captain Yue, the kid doesn't look short on money. He didn't strike me as a penny pincher!" A guard mocked despite himself.
"I know, right? Wasting all that time for a simple temporary seal. Captain, he looks like a cash cow."
"That's right, isn't it a pity to let him go just like that?" The guards weren't honorable folks by far. With their status, they'd probably extorted more than one traveler entering the city.
A new face like Jiang Chen who seemed well-off to boot was an especially tempting mark. Their duty as guards? Inside the city proper, men clad in uniforms might be even more nefarious, since their victims were powerless in front of their status.
Someone other than Jiang Chen would've been intimidated by these fellows' manners. The captain had cooperated so willingly because of the fear caused by the Evil Golden Eye. But he now had second thoughts with the immediate threat gone.
He had a hunch the young man was a cash cow. It'd be a regret of a lifetime if he couldn't shave off his share of the fat. So, unbeknown to Jiang Chen, he'd used a little trick earlier despite his apparent respect.
Inside Sin City, the young lord's first order of business was to familiarize himself with the place.
The city wasn't the most prosperous he'd seen. It was far from Veluriyam, a publicly acknowledged metropolis in the human domain. No. Instead, his first impression was, so many people!
Unending tides of men and women filled the avenues, as if the island's entire population had flooded the streets.
"Handsome guy, you must have come from far. Need an inn?"
"Lad, our Spring Pleasure Pavillon has as many girls as you'd like. They'll take the best care of you. Why don't you come on in?"
"Little brother, do you need to a place to rest? Our Rising Teahouse hosts countless cultivators. It's the liveliest spot. You can learn a lot of news here."
Thanks to his unfamiliar face, Jiang Chen was greeted by a flock of various solicitations from the entire avenue. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He'd finally experienced what was called true frenzy.
Sin City was the height of crazied frenzy. Everyone seemed to run off adrenaline and was very passionate. But thanks to God's Eye, he could see clear as day the sinister thoughts hidden behind their hypocritical faces.
Naturally, he refused them and made his way past. His goal was a more proper-looking inn he could stop at for a time.
A shout suddenly exploded from the side, followed by vulgar swearing. "Little bastard, you're half a month late on the money you owe the ninth master. Go on, keep hiding! Let's see you hide beneath the ground if you can!"
A young man wearing ragged clothes slipped out from a side alley in the wake of the voice, people hot on his trail.
He grazed past Jiang Chen and hid behind the young lord's back, murmuring, "Honorable brother, my brother, help me out. Ward them off."
Jiang Chen had never been fond of being used as a shield. He frowned, about to free himself and leave. But the young man clung to his waist with both hands, imploring, "I beg you, help me, alright? Please." His eyes brimmed with desperation.
"Let go." Jiang Chen spread his arms and shrugged off the youngster's hands.
The latter muttered, "Just my luck. To think a big fella like you won't help a guy in danger! I was wrong about you." He turned around to slip away like a rabbit.
But Jiang Chen easily grabbed his wrist. "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. You've taken the wrong thing."
He forcibly pried open the youngster's hand, revealing a storage ring. It wasn't Jiang Chen's, but the one the giant had asked him to give his daughter, Fang Yingying.
Jiang Chen hadn't left the island yet, so naturally hadn't completed this task yet. But since he'd accepted it, he ought to do his utmost. In either case, he wouldn't let a petty thief benefit from it.
Not even sheepish at being exposed, the young man shrugged with a giggle. "You've got it back, so can you let go now?"
Jiang Chen glanced indifferently at him. The burly fellows who'd chased after the young man had stopped in their tracks, staring at the young lord with eyes round as saucers. It was quite obvious that the flashy chase had been a premeditated ploy.
Jiang Chen snorted. His eyes cold, he warned, "Stay away from me!"
The hulks grinned mischievously. It was merely a failed scam. It wasn't their first, nor would it be their last.
The little incident didn't disturb Jiang Chen's mood. Rather, it'd helped him come to a better awareness that even the most innocent-looking do-gooder was filled with evil in the city. Crime awaited at every corner. He had to be fully on his toes.
He continued onwards, undaunted by the interlude. People ebbed and surged in the street ahead. However, a young girl knelt at the intersection, a reed-like item stuck in her hair.
A middle-aged man lay in front of her, looking on death's doorstep, his face waxy yellow. A signboard was erected in front of them: Selling myself to save my father.
The girl looked pitifully tender kneeling on the ground, her head hanging low, quiet sobs racking her body. Now and then, she wiped the middle-aged man's face with a cotton cloth.
More and more gathered around her, attracted by the spectacle.
"Hehe, this wench sure is pretty. Her young figure is real fine!"
"Isn't she? She's slim and curvy in all the right places. Hehe, what a tempting beauty."
"Damn it, is that living corpse her old man? He's half-dead with a foot in the grave, what's there to save?"
"Haha, once he croaks, I'm down for 'adopting' her."
"Go to hell. A pig like you wants to snatch such a fine flower?"
Jiang Chen glanced their way as he passed. The dying man had clearly been poisoned. His condition was severe and unlikely to be faked. But none of the onlookers seemed wanting to offer help. Sarcasm was the only thing on display.
Some were even waiting for her father to breathe his last before wanting to scam or even just take the girl.
The eyes were the windows to the soul. The tears swimming in her eyes weren't fake. Not even the most skilled actor could feign such sorrow.
For some reason, sudden compassion stirred. Jiang Chen was reminded of Lin Bi'er and Lin Hui'er begging him to save their father. However, the young girl in front of him was noticeably different in temperament to the two sisters.
He halted his steps just in time to hear a lecherous laugh from an old bald man. "Little girl, your father's poison is incurable! Unless you have enough money to invite the Pill Immortal from Spring Mountain Hall, but he charges several million sky spirit stones for one consultation. You can't afford that sum even if you take apart your old man's bones and sell them all. I say you'd better prepare you father's funeral. As a man of virtue and mercy, I can help put your affairs in orders. I also happen to lack a daughter. How about I adopt you?"
The girl shook her head vehemently without even looking up.
"Lass, don't listen to that old fart's nonsense. He has no good intentions at all. Don't let him fool you! What about me? I'll help you bury your father and take care of you in his place. I'll keep you safe."
"Don't believe any of them. They're all trash cut from the same cloth. Lass, look at my thick eyebrows and big eyes. I can't be a bad man, can I? In this city, few are as upstanding as me! I'm known for helping those in distress…"
The scene of these big bad wolves crowded around a little rabbit made Jiang Chen speechless. Sure enough, depravity had seeped deep into the city's very fabric.
Chapter 1562: Little Girl Xing Tong
Jiang Chen stood expressionlessly in the crowd. He observed the middle-aged man, then the girl. The man's skin was smooth and pale on his palms, the backs of his hands, neck, and face. Rather than an ordinary cultivator, the details screamed a silver spoon bearer.
And the girl, although clothed in crude hemp, was obviously not a servant from a destitute family. The two of them should be more than simple wandering cultivators.
The jeering and heckling from the crowd became a little hard to endure. He suddenly made up his mind and walked out of the crowd to take the man's pulse.
With an "aiya," the girl hurried to say, "Don't touch him, he's poisoned."
But Jiang Chen frowned and gestured for her to stand back. He came to a general conclusion after taking the man's pulse for a moment.
"Girl, it's a type of poison from pollen. I need to brew an antidote. If you trust me, take me to an apothecary." His sincerity, devoid of wicked desires, made him appear extremely forthright.
The girl's innocent eyes seemed to take his measure. After a moment, she nodded and stood up, struggling to roll her father up into a woven mat.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Chen offered, "Allow me."
He lifted the fellow on his shoulder with a single hand, then took the lead and cut through the crowd. The girl hurried after him in a quick shuffle, walking by his side in total silence. She glanced at him now and then with innocent eyes, still a little timid and worried.
Rather than explain himself, Jiang Chen merely said, "Show the way to an apothecary. We don't have much time. The poison will be uncurable soon if your father goes without an antidote."
The girl trembled. She nodded and picked up the pace.
"Hey, kiddo, what're you doing? Trying to snatch her from us just like that?" Some spectators couldn't endure it any longer.
"He must be! Kid, that's not how things are done around here! It's a fair competition. Are you trying to get her with a scam?"
"Stop him! A hero saving the damsel in distress? Who's he trying to fool with that cheap trick?"
For these treacherous fellows, the girl was a fruit ripe for the plucking, so Jiang Chen's interruption was naturally unwelcome. They rushed forward to make off with her.
Jiang Chen abruptly paused. A golden ray fired from his Evil Golden Eye straight into the souls of those in the crowd.
Their reactions proved identical to captain eye-patch. They blanked out after a spasm ran through their body. Their very souls seemed on the verge of collapse. The fearful sensation halted their forceful steps and made their hearts quaver.
"Follow me if you want to die." Delivering an eerie warning in a detached tone, Jiang Chen turned and left.
Soon after, the girl brought him to an apothecary. She paused at the door, her hands twisting the hem of her clothes, her face contorted in anxiety.
"What's the matter?" Jiang Chen smiled gently. "Worried I'll scam you?"
The girl shook her head rapidly. "N-No."
"Then let's go inside." He started forward with an easy smile, but the troubled girl grabbed his sleeve. Her pure eyes were split between nervousness, unease, and embarrassment.
"I-It's better if I find another way." Like a mosquito, her voice was quieter than a needle hitting the floor.
"You still don't believe me?" Jiang Chen spread his hands.
"No, it's really not that." The girl's exquisite cheeks flushed bright red. She quickly looked at her shoes, her voice almost inaudible. "I… I don't have any money." She didn't even have enough for food and lodging, to say nothing of spirit herbs.
Jiang Chen laughed despite of himself. "Let's go, I have money."
Paying no attention to her mood, he boldly strode inside and asked the associate, "Little brother, give me a stalk of Goldcoin Bamboo, a stalk of Wonder Camouflage Grass, two Origin Shellfish Pearls…"
Many ingredients spilled forth from his mouth. They weren't incredibly rare. Sitting somewhere between earth-level and sky-level, they weren't top-notch on Myriad Abyss Island.
The fellow dutifully grabbed the items. "That'll be two hundred sixty thousand sky spirit stones, sir."
The sum was equivalent to twenty six million sacred spirit stones, not too pricey for Jiang Chen. He still had many of Shu Wanqing's spirit stones left, so he paid without further ado.
"Where do you live?" He looked at the girl.
She blushed again. She and her father had run out of money and had been chased out of their lodgings two days ago.
Jiang Chen made a rough guess of her situation from her reaction, so he stopped his inquiries. After leaving the shop, he found an inn and booked two rooms. Lodging in this place was truly expensive. Still, it was no issue for him.
"Go look after your father while I make the antidote." Since he'd decided to help, he would see things through to the end. For him, the exercise was a piece of cake.
After a couple hours, he knocked on the room opposite his. The girl beamed with happiness and a bit of bashfulness when she saw him. "Is… Is it done?"
"Give it to your father." Jiang Chen didn't plan on going inside. "One first. Then four hours after he wakes up for another one. He'll make a full recovery that way. Your room is paid for for ten days, so you two can stay here."
He'd acted only out of mercy. He stuffed the antidote in her hand, casually waved goodbye, then made a beeline to his room. Inside, he sat cross-legged and meditated for a while, ready to head out soon to make some inquiries.
Knock knock!
Someone knocked on his door about an hour later.
"Who is it?" he asked coldly.
"I-It's me," the girl's voice came from outside.
"Come in." Despite his surprise, Jiang Chen didn't act like a stranger.
She still looked a little haggard, but most of the worry deep in her eyes had vanished, giving her steps a spry bounce.
"Your father must be awake."
"How… how do you know?" She froze in faint surprise as she came in, a little awkwardly restrained as she stood not too far and not too close from him.
"Of course I know. I made the antidote myself. Anyways, you don't owe me anything. I don't have any hidden agendas, so don't be afraid. Don't let your mind run wild. Just go back and look after your father." He didn't know her background, but he didn't want to become a psychological burden for her.
The girl looked at him in amazement. She hadn't expected the young man to help her without demanding repayment with her body.
She sighed inwardly with relief, but also felt a little disappointed because Jiang Chen hadn't even batted an eyelid when talking. He truly didn't think much of her.
The heart has its reasons that the mind knows not, especially the heart of a young girl.
Even so, she stayed true to her upbringing. She curtsied deeply before declaring in a clear voice, "Honored benefactor, this humble girl is called Xing Tong. My deepest gratitude for saving my father."
Jiang Chen nodded. "Xing Tong, that's a good name. I'll remember it."
Xing Tong blushed. "Then I'll take my leave and won't disturb you further. But if you have any commands, be assured I won't ever refuse."
Jiang Chen smiled. "Don't let your imagination run wild. This matter ends here. Go back to your room. Your father's only begun to recover, he needs you by his side."
Xing Tong was indeed a pleasing girl, but that had been far from his mind when he'd decided to help. Not to mention, no matter how beautiful, who in the world could compare to Huang'er? And who could replace his wife Dan Fei?
Urgent footsteps suddenly sounded from the corridor.
"Inspection from the city guards! All the guests are to gather outside and present their residency seals!" A man shouted with a voice like a broken gong.
Xing Tong bit her lip. "It's the city guard. These inspections are common and they're very violent. If your seal's expired, they'll arrest you and might even kill you on the spot."
Jiang Chen asked, "Do you have one?"
"We paid for a temporary one. There's still a month left on it. Sir, there's no issue with yours, right?" she asked with faint worry.
"I arrived today, so mine's still new."
Someone pounded on the door. "Cut the chit chat. Gather outside in three breaths. Otherwise, you'll be marked as unwilling to cooperate and treated as such!" These people sounded more like fiendish bandits rather than guardsmen.
"Miss Xing Tong, go attend to your father." Jiang Chen walked outside. The inspection was irksome, but he'd rather not meddle with local customs.
Xing Tong returned to her room before coming out, her father's arm draped over her shoulders.
More than a hundred guests in total were driven to the empty rear courtyard. They were puzzled when they spotted a dozen guards.
"Strange. Normal inspections have three to five guards at most. Why are there so many this time? Is there a suspect here?"
"That's right, things are a little unusual today. I can feel something's about to happen."
"Forget it. Just be quiet and lay low."
Standing in the back row, Jiang Chen was unconcerned. The inspection had little to do with him, so there was no reason for pointless fears. He looked around before spotting Xing Tong helping her father. The duo happened to be looking at him. She waved with a radiant and pure smile, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
Chapter 1563: A Narrow Escape
Like a wisp of innocence in unbounded evil, or a ray of sunshine through endless darkness, her smile seemed greatly at odds with the city at large. It was the first touch of good since his arrival on Winterdraw.
Behind him, a voice boomed like muffled thunder as he returned her smile. "Brat, what are you looking at? Where's your seal?"
The inspection had reached him.
Jiang Chen frowned in annoyance. It's just an inspection, why do you have to put on such airs? He remained expressionless as he handed over the seal he'd received not long ago.
"Hmph!" The guard looked at him meaningfully. An almost imperceptible smirk stretched his lips. But no matter how minute, the detail didn't escape Jiang Chen's notice.
A bad premonition suddenly struck him. He looked at the guards. Intentionally or not, they just so happened to be surrounding him, cutting off any possible escape. It was an inspection in name, but their focus was entirely on him.
Alert snaked through his heart. These were very bad signs.
The guard took his seal and ordered coldly, "Wait here!"
He turned to leave, but Jiang Chen grabbed him. "Wait a moment. Where are you going?"
"Nonsense. I'm going to inspect your seal!" The man sneered back. "Are you interfering with the law?"
Jiang Chen responded mildly, "You can do that here, same as you've done with everyone else. If you take mine away, how can I be sure you're not going to swap it out?"
"How dare you!" The guard recoiled as suffering from the greatest insult. "Contempt of the law enforcers, obstruction of the city guards. These are grave offenses!"
"Tsk tsk, how very scary. I just want you to enact the law fairly. Is something wrong with that? You're just arbitrarily escalating things." Jiang Chen had seen too much of people like them that swaggered behind borrowed authority.
Sneering, the guard shouted with a wave of the hand, "How dare you defy the law? Everyone else, go back to your rooms!"
Scared stiff, the order was all the excuse the guests needed to scurry back inside. Only Xing Tong and her father stayed behind. Fidgeting with worry, the girl hinted with her eyes for him to cooperate.
Disregarding her pleas, he transmitted to her, "Xing Tong, you two don't need to be involved. Take your father back to the room."
She hesitated, unwilling to leave at such a time.
Jiang Chen messaged again, his tone much sterner, "Go!"
Xing Tong bit her lip, but finally caved in. She helped her father limp back inside.
Jiang Chen didn't let his eyes stray their way. He didn't want the guards to think he cared about the pair. If these guards couldn't handle him, they were certainly the type to act against Xing Tong and her father instead, or even use them against him.
Even so, he was touched by the girl's courage in the face of danger. It would seem some kindness still existed in this city.
The guards weren't interested in the others. With tacit understanding, they all locked onto him.
Jiang Chen merely tugged the corners of his lips upwards. "Is this really an inspection?"
"Brat, cut the crap. You've dug your own grave resisting the city guards."
"Brothers, get him!"
Armed to the teeth, the guards were ferocious wolves and tigers, but in fact, their cultivation levels weren't extraordinary. Most of them were mere initial great emperors. The uniform was what made them dangerous. Without this symbol, they were a simple a ragtag bunch that Jiang Chen could easily dispose of.
The young lord widened his eyes, channeling power into golden rays and shooting them at the guards. His tone was so cold it could freeze someone. "Are you sure you want me to slaughter you all?"
The soul-piercing Evil Golden Eye served a formidable deterrence. The guards' body and mind shook uncontrollably as the golden light swept past them. An overwhelming force sought to imprisoned their souls.
The chain seal in Jiang Chen's consciousness sea had undergone great changes after he'd broken through to great emperor. Instead of only stirring occasionally, it had become more active, strengthening his consciousness by an enormous degree.
The Evil Golden Eye had benefited the most as it combined overwhelming consciousness with its strong metallic properties in a two-pronged attack, sealing the opponents' souls and solidifying their bodies.
His consciousness was now strong enough to rival an empyrean master, to say nothing of these initial great emperors.
"You…" The guard who'd thrown his weight around unchecked, now paled with dread. Shock and terror writ all over his eyes, he could feel his mind becoming increasingly blank under the confinement of a mysterious force.
Jiang Chen abruptly withdrew his consciousness. He asked mildly, "Do you have anything you want to say?"
In the wake of his consciousness, the Evil Golden Eye also eased its grip, relieving the guards of the pressure crushing them and the fearsome suction on their souls, leaving them trembling like leaves.
It'd felt like a savage predator had pounced on them and was inches away from ripping out their throats, only to open its maw at the last minute.
"Look carefully, is there a problem with my seal?" Jiang Chen asked with a supercilious smile.
With this narrow escape from the gates of hell, the guard knew that he'd bitten off more than he could chew. Pallid, he examined the seal with a miserable wince.
"Great gentleman, my apologies, we were the ones mistaken. The seal's perfectly in order, there's nothing wrong with it." The man wished there was a crack he could crawl into.
These guards were partners with the ones at the city gates and had been given a heads up about a potential cash cow. Hence they'd grabbed a bunch of men to pay a visit, but numbers had proved useless at their cultivation level.
They'd wanted to swap out Jiang Chen's residency seal and clap a certain crime on another on him to arrest and take all of his belongings. It was a routine they were most familiar with. But they'd been careless this time and targeted the wrong man, almost costing them their lives.
"Pardon the intrusion! We still have official business to attend to, so we won't disturb your rest further, young master."
These fellows were adaptable folks. The plan was dead in the water, so their only thought now was to make a quick exit. Otherwise, the young man might kill them all in a fit of anger. Their fellow guardsmen might take revenge for them afterwards, but what good would that be?
Dead was dead. Nothing could change that.
Jiang Chen watched them scamper with a cold smile. "I hope this the last I see of you. Remember, if there's a next time, I won't give you even a chance to regret things, no matter how many you bring."
The men fled with their tails between their legs.
The innkeeper and associates sighed in relief. They'd been afraid both sides would come to blows. Business was done for once that happened.
Jiang Chen remained unperturbed despite the trivial annoyance. He glanced indifferently at the innkeeper in the corridor, then headed back to his room without a word.
Xing Tong and her father had remained in the aisle, peering around the corner. The little girl beamed with elation when she spotted him.
Jiang Chen waved them off. "Everything's fine. You two go back and rest."
Xing Tong nodded with a blush, afraid of looking into his eyes, but her father suddenly whispered, "Sir, may we talk in private?"
Jiang Chen glanced his way, thought for a moment, then nodded in the end. "Come on in."
He opened the door, while Xing Tong helped her father inside and found chairs to sit in. Wall had ears, so the young lord arranged a soundproofing formation.
His cautiousness and practiced skill made the father sigh in admiration. He cupped his fist and saluted, "My name is Xing Hui. Thank you for saving my life. May I know my savior's honorable name?"
"Jiang."
"Well met, Sir Jiang." Xing Hui nodded. "If I may be so bold, you must be a newcomer to the city?"
"Oh, you can tell?" Jiang Chen smiled faintly.
"I can't, but the guards can. They mostly target new faces for extortion. They're rarely wrong in that department." Xing Hui sighed, "There's no difference between the officials and bandits in this city. So-called guards are simply thieves dressed in guard uniforms. But they make the rules here, so no one dares confront them. Anyone they single out is sure to suffer. Fortunately, you're strong enough to intimidate them. I shudder to think of the consequences otherwise."
"Heh, I hope this matter stops here. Or else, even if I have to depart the city, I will drench its streets in blood," Jiang Chen bit off, cold as frost.
Xing Hui nodded. "There won't be further attempts. They aren't stupid. They know who they can offend and who they can't. Since you're the latter, they won't bother you again. It's a shady business after all, so they have to weigh the pros and cons. They won't take the risk if the cost is too high."
A robbery that could easily cost lives was naturally not worth continuing with.
"That would be for the best," Jiang Chen responded indifferently.
Xing Hui looked his way with a meaningful gaze. "Sir Jiang, judging by how you cured me, you must be a pill dao grandmaster?"
"I do have some knowledge," Jiang Chen acknowledged.
Chapter 1564: Sir Xiao
"Sir Jiang, a man of your talents should fall in with the larger factions. How come you're alone?" Xing Hui was perplexed.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "I haven't been on the island for long and I'm still getting to know the place. Are you old hats here, you and your daughter?"
"Not quite," Xing Hui coughed out a laugh. "But we've been trying to eke out a life here for sixteen, seventeen years now. When I was first here, my daughter was still in the cradle. Now, Tong'er is already this tall."
Jiang Chen glanced at the girl in question. Xing Tong's features were elegant, her eyes filled with kindness and innocence. Clearly, she had grown up under her father's protection. This had allowed her to remain untainted by the evils of the island.
Unfortunately, a father would find it increasingly difficult to survive on Winterdraw as his daughter grew older.
Xing Tong was developing more and more. She had already become a rather pretty girl – or perhaps young woman. If she were still a child, it wouldn't be nearly so dangerous for her. The advancement in her age meant that she became more and more eye-catching, which was in itself a source of trouble.
Beauty was innocent, but it tended to draw crime from others. This had held true since the ancient times.
"You conduct yourself in an extraordinary manner, Sir Jiang. Clearly, you're a genius scion with a wealth of resources. How did you fall so low to be on Winterdraw?" Xing Hui asked curiously.
Those who ended up here were usually unlucky, destitute souls. Hence he couldn't quite understand why this young man had been exiled here. It didn't make much sense at all.
"It's a long story," Jiang Chen cracked a wry smile. "Too long to tell right now. Is there a way to leave this place sooner rather than later? Do you have any ideas?"
Xing Hui was shocked. "Leave? It's almost impossible to leave Winterdraw after arriving!"
"Dad…" Xing Tong pulled on her father's arm. "We don't have a way, but maybe Sir Jiang does?"
Xing Hui recovered himself, nodding. "Right, right. The chance is remote, but not all hope is lost. A man of your talents might receive one such."
"Are you talking about the selection of deathsworn?"
"Yes, Sir Jiang. Do you know of it?" Xing Hui was taken aback.
"Chances like that are difficult to come by. Aside from that, are there any chances to escape?"
"Escape?" Both father and daughter exclaimed with mouths agape. Sir Jiang was defying all of their expectations. Even the strongest of experts had to toe the line after coming to Winterdraw!
There were attempted escapes every year, but essentially no successful outcomes. From the inception of the island, successful escapees might number in the single digits.
"Sir Jiang, it's fine to speak like that between ourselves. But don't do so outside or you'll attract trouble." Xing Hui advised solemnly.
Jiang Chen shrugged. He knew how outlandish his intentions would seem to Xing Hui and his daughter. But he himself saw no reason to give up. He had to leave, regardless of how hard it was. He wouldn't relent as long as there was a singular ray of hope.
Xing Hui could tell from the young man's expression that he hadn't agreed with a word of the advice. He sighed. "Maybe you have a reason for needing to leave, Sir Jiang. I'm not important or capable enough to give you dependable advice. Still, why not ruminate on it in private? Please, don't go trying to gather information everywhere. If someone reports you, you'll be in for a world of trouble. Even drawing too much unwanted attention is bad for your plans."
Blushing, Xing Tong added a few words. "Big brother Jiang, I know you're a good person. My dad says there are a lot of bad people in Sin City. Be careful out there."
Jiang Chen laughed. "Don't worry. I know who I can talk to about this kind of thing. A girl with kind eyes like you would never sell me out, right?"
Xing Tong's cheeks reddened even more. She nodded vigorously.
"It's hard to survive here on Winterdraw, Sir Jiang," Xing Hui remarked. "Perhaps my care of Tong'er hasn't been the most beneficial in the long run. I don't want her to live in a world of scheming evil, nor do I want her to become some kind of ruthlessly plotting child… but is that right, given the time and place we're in?"
Jiang Chen could see that Xing Hui had likely been overprotective of his daughter. As a result, she hadn't been tainted by the island's qualities. But had his intentions really been wrong?
It was hard to say. Every man had his own ideas of what was right in the world. Perhaps it was better for a young girl like Xing Tong to live purely and graciously rather than steep herself in malice and immorality.
Her personality might mean that she wouldn't be able to survive past a certain point, but at least she would be a lot happier when alive.
Knock, knock, knock!
A series of knocks came from the hallway side of the door, interrupting their conversation.
"Good sirs, I'm an associate of the inn. There's an illustrious guest outside in the hall inviting you to come out. He says he would like to treat you to a drink."
Jiang Chen frowned. "What illustrious guest is this?"
"Sir Xiao of the Southsky Alliance, one of the seven factions of Sin City."
"Sir Xiao?" Jiang Chen was mildly perplexed. He glanced at Xing Hui in inquiry.
Xing Hui nodded. "Yes, there's someone like that: the son of the leader of the Southsky Alliance, a young talent in his own right. He's reasonably prominent. If you're interested, Sir Jiang, you can make his acquaintance. There's nothing bad with being on good terms with someone like him!"
Jiang Chen nodded. "Ask Sir Xiao to give me a moment or so. I'll be right there."
Xing Hui and Xing Tong astutely said their farewells.
"Sir Jiang, we won't disturb you for much longer. I will certainly remember your gracious and life-saving aid. Until we meet again." Offering a cupped fist salute, Xing Hui uttered another word of advice. "Sin City's seven factions are entangled in their own web of power. Please remain clear headed as you get to know them. Don't get too swept up in their petty disputes."
These words radiated with sincerity. Jiang Chen nodded, "Thank you for the reminder."
He pushed the door open, entering the hall. The associate quickly rushed up to him. "Sir, please come with me. Sir Xiao is already waiting in a private room."
Jiang Chen inclined his head wordlessly, following the associate inside.
Within the room, a sumptuous banquet had already been prepared. A youth in high spirits stood before the window, both hands behind his back. He seemed to be thinking about something.
Upon hearing the footsteps, he turned with a slight smile. "You're here, friend. Please take a seat."
Standing firmly at the doorstep, Jiang Chen saluted with cupped fist. "I don't know you, Sir Xiao, so I'm not quite at peace with being treated to a banquet."
Sir Xiao's smile widened. "Isn't there a saying that as long as our minds and hearts are of the same accord, what does it matter when we actually meet? Come, we can talk inside."
Undaunted, Jiang Chen nodded a little before doing just that. He pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Pour the wine." Sir Xiao instructed an associate.
Jiang Chen sniffed at the air, then grinned. "Take this away. Drink mine." He took out two vessels. One contained Drunken Immortal, the other, Shennong Liquor.
"Try these wines." Jiang Chen placed the two in the center of the table.
"Oh? This establishment's drinks are superb. Do you have a wine finer than the ones they sell? I'll definitely try it." Sir Xiao waved. "You're all dismissed."
The staff members backed out of the room at the command.
Jiang Chen arrayed four cups upon the table, pouring two cups each out of the two vessels. "This drink is called Drunken Immortal, and this, Shennong Liquor. Why not try them, Sir Xiao?"
The other young man flashed a reticent smile, his eyes thoughtfully gazing upon Jiang Chen. He suddenly broke into a wider grin. "Both fine names. I'll try the Drunken Immortal first."
He was straightforward and direct, quaffing the entire cup in one swig.
It took only a moment for a look of surprise to appear on Sir Xiao's face. He clucked his tongue, slapping a hand upon his thigh. "An excellent drink, an excellent drink indeed!"
His enthusiasm was instantly kindled. He raised the other cup and drank it with the same vigor.
The cup clattered upon the table as he set it down. "Amazing, just amazing," Sir Xiao declared animatedly. "Your wines match your person. Both are extraordinary. It seems that my judgment was correct."
"Why do you say that, Sir Xiao?" Jiang Chen smiled coolly.
"You saved a nearly dead man with miraculous pill dao skills, then intimidated a group of city guards with your eyes alone. I saw both things happen in front of me. Haha, Sin City hasn't seen a character like you in a long time!"
Jiang Chen remained impassive. "A character like me? What do you see in me in particular, Sir Xiao?"
Sir Xiao smiled. "In Sin City, every man fends for himself. That you saved someone without having lusted after his daughter was quite remarkable. Your resolution of the city guards' bone-picking without bloodshed was even more so. And the fact that you're alone, despite being able to accomplish both of the above… three instances already of your exceptionalism.
"Isn't that enough for me to pay attention?" There was a laugh as the question was delivered.
"I think all those things quite ordinary, Sir Xiao. You praise me overmuch." Jiang Chen was unconvinced by the insincere flattery.
"Enough with the mutual testing." Stretching out both hands, Sir Xiao laughed again. "Simply put, I find you rather interesting. The Southsky Alliance has a bit of influence here in Sin City, and it needs young geniuses like you. I am inviting you to – or asking, I should say, if you have any interest in joining us."
Join the Southsky Alliance?
Jiang Chen blinked. The invitation was far too sudden. He sank into silent thought. He had no interest in being here for the long term. There were a few benefits to joining the Southsky Alliance, but assuredly detriments as well. It was difficult to say whether the pros outweighed the cons.
Chapter 1565: The Layout of Winterdraw Island
Jiang Chen's hesitation didn't surprise Sir Xiao. Rather than continuing, the youth merely looked on with a faint smile. He showed great patience in waiting for an answer.
Jiang Chen mused a few moments before responding. "I can't come to a decision on that yet. To be honest, I don't know nearly as much about the Southsky Alliance as I'd like. It should be the same for you. You only know me superficially."
His response didn't surprise Sir Xiao either.
"Haha, real geniuses are hard to recruit. I was prepared for your refusal from the outset. Still, I do feel a bit better with your explanation. Plus, your wines have given me a rather nice impression."
"You compliment me too much, Sir Xiao," Jiang Chen cupped his fist.
"May I ask your surname?"
"Jiang." Jiang Chen was as curt as could be.
"I see. Not bad, Brother Jiang!" Sir Xiao laughed cheerily. "You're a first-time visitor to Sin City, yes?"
"Not just that, but Winterdraw Island too. I have little idea as to the goings-on here," Jiang Chen smiled wryly.
"Oh? So you're a blank sheet of paper with regards to the local surroundings then." Sir Xiao was astonished. "Where are you from, Brother Jiang? I hear the world outside Winterdraw is fabulous indeed."
A great longing shone in the young master's eyes when he heard that Jiang Chen was from the outside world, quite surprising the young lord.
"You've never seen the outside world?"
Sir Xiao's face clouded over. "I was born on Winterdraw and told that I can never leave here."
Jiang Chen was struck speechless. Sir Xiao's father had most likely been exiled to the island and raised children here. The young master had been born with an original sin and marked as Winterdraw property.
He suddenly felt that the young master wasn't as such high and vigorous spirits as he'd originally thought. How happy could someone be, to be confined to the island from the moment of their birth, no matter how high their position was?
It was an impossible thought.
"Are you curious about the outside world?" Jiang Chen probed.
A wry smile was his answer. "So what if I am or am not? Someone like me is born with a cursed destiny. Winterdraw is my beginning and end."
Jiang Chen didn't have a good response to that.
"Let me guess, Brother Jiang, you must be filled with thoughts and the impulse to escape. You probably think about it every second and minute, right?"
Jiang Chen blinked and looked suspiciously at the other.
"Don't find it strange. Every newcomer goes through the same process, but the reality of the island continuously wears down on people. Most drop the idea forever after a few years, and those who don't are basically dead men already."
Those who don't lose hope lose their lives.
Sir Xiao's words prompted a wave of depression.
"Sir Xiao, is even the prestige of your Southsky Alliance unable to help you gain freedom?"
The gentleman sighed. "All status means nothing on the island. Only words from the Rejuvenation Isles wardens are the golden law."
"The… wardens?" Jiang Chen was curious.
"You don't know who the wardens are? Winterdraw is where the most reprehensible criminals are exiled, so of course there are wardens here. They hold the real power over the island. Though they don't interfere in the day-to-day affairs, they rain fire and lightning down on whoever tries to break the rules or escape." It seemed that Sir Xiao was quite wary of them.
"So, the selection process is overseen by these wardens?" Jiang Chen asked.
"Selection?" Sir Xiao smiled wryly. "How many people are selected compared to all the experts on the island? Us youngsters aside, even some of the oldest cultivators aren't able to compete for a spot. It's unimaginably arduous to leave through being selected. Brother Jiang, I can see you're a genius, but you shouldn't raise your hopes too high for leaving."
This was the third party that had advised Jiang Chen of this. The first was the Cursefiend Trio, the second, Xing Hui and his daughter. Sir Xiao appeared to wholeheartedly agree with their conclusions.
Jiang Chen found the young man more pleasant because of his candor. There was at least a touch of fidelity in his words. Though he guessed that Sir Xiao's intentions for inviting him were less than aboveboard, the other youth conducted himself in a more open manner. He was different from those born with deep-seated malice.
"Sir Xiao, I'm new to Winterdraw. I don't know this place very well yet. Can I ask you a few things?" Jiang Chen suddenly felt it prudent to acquire more information from the young master. He was prominent enough to be in a position privy to information.
"Heh, what do you want to know about? Consider it repayment for your excellent wines. Whatever you ask, I will tell you honestly all that I know."
"How big is the island? How strong are those wardens? What factions are there here on Winterdraw?"
"How big is Winterdraw?" Sir Xiao smiled wryly. "Well, it's very big. Even I haven't been to every corner. But, aside from where the wardens are, it's divided into three territories. Sin City controls one, Nefarious Vale controls another, and Terminus Place, the third. These three territories are the framework for the island's major factions. There are a few others who've carved out niches for themselves, but they're hardly notable in any respect."
"So I'm already at one of the three major factions?" Jiang Chen shared the crooked smile.
"I suppose you can put it that way. As for how strong the wardens are exactly, that's not a question I can answer either. Some have made an educated guess that there is a great empyrean expert behind the scenes here on Winterdraw. Whether one really exists or not… I don't think many people know for sure. Here in Sin City, the city lord is the strongest. I hear he's a peak mid empyrean cultivator."
Peak mid empyrean?
That meant the peak of sixth level empyrean realm.
Jiang Chen had seen someone of that strength before. In fact, Forefather Bamboo had been that level. However, were the two cultivators really comparable given the difference in their environments?
He couldn't make a decisive judgment.
If Winterdraw is just a place of exile for the Rejuvenation Isles and there are so many experts here already… the Isles themselves must have stronger experts still. And yet the Isles are only a second or third-rate island domain in Myriad Abyss, completely outstripped by the Ten Divine Nations…
Jiang Chen didn't dare think further. How incomprehensibly horrifying were the Ten Divine Nations in light of all this?
House Xiahou was a major faction within the Ten Divine Nations. Its forces were surely to be many times stronger than anything found on Winterdraw.
He suddenly realized that it wasn't necessarily bad for him to have been transported here to Winterdraw. If he couldn't conquer even Winterdraw, how would he defeat House Xiahou? Conquer House Yan? How would he be able to take Huang'er home?
Perhaps Winterdraw Island is heaven's first test for me. If I had gone to Eternal Divine Nation and found House Yan, I'd only be inviting humiliation for myself given my current level of strength!
Thinking like that brightened Jiang Chen's mood considerably. He decided to treat Winterdraw Island as his first trial. If he couldn't triumph even here, he couldn't possibly go up against House Xiahou or solve Huang'er's problems.
"Brother Jiang, we're fortunate that you didn't kill those guards earlier. You would be in really big trouble then." Sir Xiao's emotions stirred upon remembrance of the recent past.
"Is the authority of the guards absolute?" Jiang Chen asked inquisitively.
"There are seven factions in Sin City, but they're just pawns for the city lord to balance the situation here. The real master is the lord. Of course, under ordinary circumstances, the lord wouldn't excessively interfere. If the pawns are agitated too much, unrest tends to brew. When that happens, even the city lord would find it troublesome to clean up the mess. There are three territorial powers here on Winterdraw after all. If Sin City sees internal strife, Nefarious Vale and Terminus Place might come rushing in."
Unable to restrain himself, Sir Xiao downed another cup of Drunken Immortal. "What wonderful drink," he praised. "Heh, I talk too much when I drink. I've said quite a lot today and you needn't do much more than listen. Of course, some things should remain between the two of us."
"Of course," Jiang Chen laughed. "I won't tell another soul about what I've heard today."
Sir Xiao chuckled as well. "Alright. You're a straightforward person, Brother Jiang. You're the kind of person Sin City needs!"
The two young men had bonded over alcohol – at least, on the surface.
"Come, let us drink some more." Jiang Chen raised his cup.
After another round of drinks, Sir Xiao spoke again. "Brother Jiang, I have a few comments to make that are entirely unrelated to my invitation. I know you want to leave, but you have to make a name for yourself first. You need to make the important factions and people pay attention to you and know that you exist. Only then will you have more opportunities to reveal your talents. If your name can make it into the wardens' presence, then your dream of leaving may really come true. On one condition, however: your talent and strength must be terrifyingly superb."
"Sir Xiao, among the seven factions of Sin City here, has anyone left in recent years?" Jiang Chen asked.
"Yes! Very few though. There's a chance maybe every decade or so, but it's not always that someone is so lucky," Sir Xiao sighed. "Basically, it's not something you can really pursue. Everyone wants to leave to see the outside world, but this is the fate of everyone that lives on Winterdraw. Most people are spend all of their lives here. I suppose those that do are comparatively luckier. Many more simply die in the streets."
Noticing Jiang Chen's somber expression, Sir Xiao coughed out a laugh. "I'm not trying to scare you, but a lot of traffic comes through here. New people show up every day, and the same goes for the mysteriously dead. That's why Winterdraw never has a shortage of people.
"Oh right, Brother Jiang, there's a chance at fame quite soon. Are you interested?" The young master of the Southsky Alliance suddenly recalled something.
Chapter 1566: A Selection Opportunity
"Oh? What opportunity? Tell me about it." Jiang Chen didn't mind lending Sir Xiao an ear as the fellow had left him with a rather good impression.
"A selection's going be held in a few days. It's being hosted by the city lord."
"Oh? What's it for?" Jiang Chen's interest was piqued.
"To uncover experts and geniuses of course! The three great factions on Winterdraw have been expanding exponentially in recent years. They're extremely short on manpower, especially people with real talent. The city lord also needs to strengthen his rule and expand his field of influence. A lot of manpower is needed to support these expansions. Thus, the selection isn't just for show, but a grand and momentous event. The city lord is taking it very seriously."
"What do candidates stand to gain if they're selected?" Jiang Chen asked curiously.
"Plenty! You'll noticed by the city lord and be his direct subordinate. He's one of the most eminent figures on the island, second only to the wardens. That alone is good enough of a reward, isn't it?"
Jiang Chen fell into deep contemplation.
The event was quite prestigious. All selected candidates would come in contact with the upper echelons. This was exactly what he needed. He'd have to uncover more secrets if he wished to escape the island. Knowledge was the key to success.
"Are there any requirements to participate?" Jiang Chen was clearly tempted.
"No, but you need one of the seven great factions to be your guarantor. Without them, you're not allowed to sign up."
There were seven great factions in Sin City. Southsky Alliance, the faction which Sir Xiao belonged to, was one of them.
A guarantor?
Jiang Chen smiled wryly and glanced at Sir Xiao. "It seems the entry bar is set rather high. If I'm not mistaken, Brother Xiao's faction is one of the seven great factions, right?"
Sir Xiao nodded with a smile. "I was just about to get to this. Brother Jiang, I can be your guarantor."
"Brother Xiao, your offer is greatly appreciated, but there has to be another way." Jiang Chen appreciated Sir Xiao's gesture, but upon further reflection, he felt this wouldn't be a good thing since he wasn't going to stay on the island for long.
If he ran away in the future, his sudden absence might negatively impact his guarantor. Thus, he was reluctant to accept the young master's offer.
Sir Xiao was taken aback. "Do you doubt my ability that much?"
Jiang Chen shook his head. "Sir Xiao, please don't misunderstand. You've given me a great offer, but my path ahead is uncertain. I only worry that I might implicate you if I accept it."
Sir Xiao was a sharp person and instantly understood what was going on. His eyes were wide as a bell. "Your determination to leave this place is far stronger than most. Are you really serious about it?"
"I have to leave this island." Jiang Chen remained extremely resolute.
Sir Xiao sighed. He was completely speechless.
"Brother Jiang, I truly respect your resolve and I promise not to tell a soul. But please don't try anything rash unless you're absolutely sure about it, because escaping is the greatest sin on this island. Attempting escape is a crime more serious than arson or murder here. It's a guaranteed death penalty!" Sir Xiao warned solemnly.
"I understand. Thanks for the warning." Jiang Chen raised his hands in a cupped fist salute. "However, I genuinely wish to participate in the selection. Is there any other way for me to do so?"
Sir Xiao sighed. "There are quite a few actually. The notion of playing guarantor is a chance for the seven factions to reap money. Every faction will have many extra spots, and there are many who want to participate in the selection. Not everyone has a background related to the great factions. Thus, they have no choice but to buy their way in."
"Oh? Is that so?" Jiang Chen was thrilled. It was much easier to let money do all the talking.
"Mm. Some of them have already begun selling their spots. One recommendation costs around thirty thousand sky spirit stones. That's rather hefty if you ask me."
It was almost daylight robbery. If ten thousand spots were sold, that would be three hundred million spirit stones without moving a finger. The factions would be counting money in their sleep!
Jiang Chen cupped his fist. "Thank you for the advice."
Sir Xiao made a sweeping gesture. "Enough of that. No need for pleasantries between us. It's only right that I give you my guarantee after drinking your fine wine."
Jiang Chen smiled. "Money is the better solution to the problem. I don't want to cause you any trouble in the future."
Thirty thousand spirit stones wasn't exactly astronomical and was well within what he could afford.
After that was said and done, the two no longer discussed the selection. The young master was extremely curious about the outside world; his fascination apparent from every word and sentence.
Jiang Chen sighed. "When will they finally lift the prohibition and let everyone leave and enter as they please?"
"Probably never! Such is the fate of everyone living on this island!" Sorrow tinged Sir Xiao's voice.
The two conversed late into the night before they were finally willing to part. The young master clearly admired Jiang Chen a lot. The latter's different manner of treating others left a good impression on the emotional youth.
When Jiang Chen retired to his room, he noticed that a tray of delicacies had been left at his door. It must been a gift from Xing Tong. He picked up the delicacies and brought it into his room.
Sir Xiao's intel had moved him greatly. He was eager to give it a try. If he managed to forge a closer relationship with the city lord, perhaps he could gain higher level intel?
The next morning, Jiang Chen set out to buy a spot from one of the great factions.
"Big Brother Jiang, are you going out?" Xing Tong had woken up early as well. She greeted Jiang Chen while accompanying her father on a morning stroll.
"I'm signing up for the city lord's selection." Jiang Chen answered truthfully.
Xing Hui's eyes lit up. "Is Sir Jiang going to attend the selection as well? With your talents and your age, it's definitely a great stage to catapult you to greatness!"
"You know about the selection?" Jiang Chen asked curiously.
Xing Hui sighed. "Of course. I participated once. Unfortunately, my competition was too strong. My talent and strength are both above average, but I still failed to make it. However, Sir Jiang is a stunning genius. I'm sure you'll be a cut above the rest."
"Thank you for your blessings." Jiang Chen smiled and left with a cupped fist goodbye.
Xing Tong whispered after Jiang Chen left. "Daddy, do you think Jiang Chen will succeed in the selection? He's offended the city guards. Won't they seek revenge if he join the selection?"
"Tong'er, you're overthinking it. The city guards are ordinary soldiers. With their capabilities, they don't even have the right to speak to the city lord. If Sir Jiang is able to stand out in the selection, the guards will be lining up to lick his feet, much less seek revenge." Xing Hui was a seasoned veteran of the world after all. He was able to see things from a much clearer perspective.
Looking in the direction that Jiang Chen had left in, Xing Hui sighed after a long, contemplative moment. "Tong'er, perhaps getting to know Sir Jiang was our fate. Do you know what daddy is hoping for right now?"
"What?" Xing Tong had no idea.
"I hope that he'll shine in the selection and became the city lord's confidante. That'll make him part of the city lord's faction in Sin City. With his talents, he might rise with fierce momentum in a few years. If that's the case, perhaps it'll be a very good choice for me to entrust you to Sir Jiang."
"Ah?" The color drained from Xing Tong's face. She was first panicky, then shy. "Daddy, do you not want Tong'er anymore?" Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Silly girl, how would I never not want you?" Xing Hui hastily wiped away his daughter's tears, speaking in tender tones. "Tong'er, daddy lacks both fortune and timing in this life. This is about where my abilities can take us. But you're different. You're young. Your life shouldn't be settled like this.
"I don't pray for you to stand above all others, but I want you to at least live your life out peacefully and securely. Not like this, where we spend everyday on tenterhooks. If Sir Jiang can settle down, he might really be a very good match. Besides, he doesn't have a dao partner on Winterdraw yet…"
Xing Tong blushed even more fiercely. She was rendered so bashful by her father's choice of topic that she didn't know what to say. For some reason, she felt slightly fearful, worried, and also a hint of something else.
Whatever that something else was, it didn't contradict what her father was saying.
"Tong'er, daddy isn't joking or speaking carelessly. I thought about a lot when I hovered between life and death after being poisoned. You're the person I care about the most in the world. I protected you too well and made you who you are — completely at odds with Winterdraw. If you don't have a stable home in the future, the island will truly be a very dangerous place for you."
This wasn't Xing Hui giving up on everything. He'd developed an increasing understanding of the island the longer he spent on it, and thus become more pessimistic.
Xing Tong didn't know what to say. Though naive and docile, she was highly intelligent. She knew her father made a lot of sense and could understand where he was coming from. Her personality would make it difficult to survive on the island.