Black Wind Fortress.
The fortress is brightly lit, bustling with activity, a scene of chaos and wild dances.
Lei Zhan raises his cup and says, "Big brother, come on drink! Congratulations on your recovery from injury and returning to the ninth level of Body Forging."
The bald man next to him also bursts into hearty laughter.
"I owe it to Jiang Zhenyuan! Without him, I don't know how long it would have taken me to recover from my injuries!"
He then calls out to the crowd below, "I am in a good mood today, no one leaves until they're drunk."
"Oh! Oh! Oh"
A cheer rises from the crowd below, sounding like a chorus of wolves and ghosts.
Lei Zhan looks regretful, "If I had known big brother could recover so soon, I would have asked that kid for more silver to improve the food for our brothers."
"Eh!" The bald man waves his hand, "Money is an external possession, as long as we have enough. Hoarding it isn't a long-term solution. Plus, don't underestimate the heroes of the world, even in a small place like Lin'an County, there might be stronger ones than me."
"You are right, boss!"
Lei Zhan responds, then he raises his cup again, "Here's to the boss's successful breakthrough and becoming a celestial being after his recovery, leading us to a life of luxury."
"Of course!" The bald man laughs, "Being here with my brothers is much more relaxed and joyful. Looking back on the past twenty years, I lived a constrained and dull life!"
Lei Zhan nods in agreement, "Big brother! Being free-spirited is much more joyful than adhering to strict rules and regulations!"
The next day.
The morning market in Lin'an County just starts bustling.
The large gate of Zhenyuan Escort Agency, forged from mysterious iron, slowly opens.
People's attention is once again drawn to the massive gate.
"That is..." Someone pauses.
"So many coffins, what is Zhenyuan Escort Agency going to do?"
At this moment.
Old Ma sits on the carriage, and quietly asks, "Young Master, isn't this a bit too ostentatious?"
"Without coffins, how do we transport my father's body back? How do we transport the bodies of the twenty-some brothers from the agency?" Jiang Yuan replies calmly.
"Let's set off!"
He closes his eyes and orders.
As Jiang Yuan gives the order, several young guards snap their whips, driving several carriages toward the city gate.
Meanwhile, the news quickly spreads to various power centers in Lin'an County.
Half an hour later.
City gate.
Jiang Yuan sits on the carriage, eyes slightly closed, both hands holding the sword.
Suddenly.
"Huh!"
The carriage abruptly stops.
Old Ma's angry voice is heard beside him.
"Jia Wanda, what are you trying to do?"
Jia Wanda stands in front of the carriage, eyes squinting, with a benevolent expression, "I'm just checking on my dear nephew! The world is saying Brother Zhenyuan has died. When I heard the news, I was both heartbroken and disbelieving, so I came to see you, hoping you are alright."
"Bullshit! Where did you get this rumor? My boss has superb martial arts, how could he be in trouble?" Old Ma scolds.
"What about this?" Jia Wanda points at the coffins in front of him, hinting at something with a grin.
Meanwhile, information about Jia Wanda appears in Jiang Yuan's mind.
Jia Wanda, a wealthy man in Lin'an County, is involved in all sectors of life, including food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
Short in stature, always wearing a friendly smile, with an incredibly amicable face.
Born with a great ability to deceive, known as the smiling tiger among the people of the martial arts world, feared by most.
However, Jiang Zhenyuan was not among them.
In Lin'an County, very few could catch Jiang Zhenyuan's eye. Each one of them was powerful enough to shake the county, and naturally, Jia Wanda was not one of them.
Jia Wanda, with a cultivation level of only the sixth stage of Body Forging, has gathered several seventh-stage masters through his wealth, but his limited personal strength still keeps him off the list in Lin'an County.
Jiang Yuan slowly opens his eyes.
"Get out of the way!"
"Dear nephew, why are you so unsociable? Given the current situation, it's extremely dangerous for you to leave the city. I've brought some skilled men for you to command, who can ensure your safety."
Having said that, he moves closer.
"Could the rumors outside be true? Are these coffins for Brother Zhenyuan's body?"
Jiang Yuan remains silent, looking at him with cold eyes.
"Dear nephew, why are you so aloof? Given the current situation, it's extremely dangerous for you to leave the city. I've brought several skilled men for you to command, who can ensure your safety."
After saying this, he moved closer.
"Could the rumors from the outside be true, is this coffin meant to contain the remains of Brother Zhenyuan?"
Jiang Yuan remained silent, his gaze icy as he watched him.
The once-smiling Jia Wanda's expression suddenly became serious.
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead in an instant.
At this moment, a strong sense of life and death crisis erupted in his heart.
This sense of crisis was unprecedentedly intense.
This was his inherent talent, with an exceptionally keen sense of danger.
This instinct, seemingly from nowhere, had saved his life countless times.
At this moment, he felt this long-lost alertness again.
A crisis of death was imminent.
The next moment.
He hastily retreated, instantly moving close to the crowd.
He chuckled, "If my noble nephew does not need it, then forget it!"
After saying this, he immediately bowed his head and dove into the crowd. Using his small stature, he disappeared in the blink of an eye.
At the same time, in the crowd.
Someone gritted their teeth and said, "What is this Jia Wanda doing? Why is he retreating at this critical moment? Although the assets of the Zhenyuan Escort Agency have been handed over to the county lord, he still has the Wind and Thunder Sword Technique! This sword technique is not ordinary."
On the city wall, a burly man in bronze armor stroked his chin and said, "Interesting, this son of Jiang Zhenyuan, was actually able to make Jia Wando fearful."
"General, are you saying Jia Wanda was scared off by this son of Jiang Zhenyuan?"
The burly man nodded slightly, "Yes! I saw it clearly, just now he was scared into a cold sweat. It is said that Jia Wanda has an exceptional natural ability to sense the arrival of danger. Just now, it was obvious that he had sensed a great crisis."
"This is a bit unbelievable!"
"Indeed, it's unbelievable! Don't look at Jia Wanda's short and fat appearance, but his strength is not weak, he is also a master among those who have reached the sixth level of body forging!"
The burly man in the armor also agreed.
Below.
Seeing Jia Wanda's retreat, Jiang Yuan closed his eyes: "Let's go!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
Old Ma responded, then drove the carriage towards the city gate.
A moment later, Jiang Yuan and his two companions went further and further.
On the city wall.
"General, what are they going out of the city for?"
"To collect the corpse!"
"Ah? Did something really happen to Jiang Zhenyuan?"
"Isn't it obvious? Didn't you see that the county lord sent people to take over the property of Zhenyuan Escort Agency yesterday?"
After saying this, the general in the armor jumped down from the city gate.
"Stop, the county lord has ordered that you are not allowed to leave the city for the next two days!"
"On what grounds?"
"On what grounds?" The general showed his white teeth: "On the basis of my strength! Whoever dares to sneak out of the city in these two days, if I find out, I'll raid your lair!"
As soon as these words came out, the crowd immediately lost some of their enthusiasm.
This city-guarding general is at the eighth level of the body-forging realm, a big master of nurturing spirit.
In Lin'an County, few can rival him.
Words coming from such a person, no one dared not take seriously.