Selfish Motives (First Supply)

At a time when supplies were scarce, many people, even if they wanted to spend more time settling in, couldn’t resist gathering as soon as they heard the plain words “food and drink,” making their way toward the prefectural office.

Jiang Feng and the others exchanged glances, somewhat surprised.

“A banquet at a time like this?” Ping Luanshan scratched his head, puzzled. “Isn’t that putting the cart before the horse?”

Ning Changkong frowned thoughtfully for a moment, then suddenly smiled broadly. “I don’t know who suggested it, but it’s truly a brilliant idea!”

This was exactly Jiang Feng’s own thought. He patted Ping Luanshan on the shoulder and laughed, “Let’s hurry over there as well!”

Along the way, Ning Changkong shared his speculation with Ping Luanshan and the others, coinciding perfectly with the Wujia brothers’ thoughts. Ping Luanshan suddenly understood and grinned, “Not bad, a perfect chance to unwind tonight!”

Hong Cheng nudged him. “Unwind tonight? What about all the wine we drank last night? Better spit it out!”

Ping Luanshan shouted back, “Hey, hey, hey, I prepared last night’s dinner! You dare act like this after eating what I cooked? You better spit out what you ate from me!”

Suddenly recalling something, he turned to Ning Changkong. “By the way, Old Ning, weren’t you supposed to bring some special Mountain Wu delicacy for us to try? You haven’t forgotten, right?”

Ning Changkong looked at him innocently. “When did I say that?”

Ping Luanshan angrily retorted, “Don’t try to wriggle out of it!”

Ning Changkong laughed heartily and nodded. “Okay, I’ll go get it!” Glancing at the time, he estimated, “If I hurry, I might still make it to the banquet.”

Without hesitation, he greeted everyone and turned to leave in a rush.

His decisiveness stunned Ping Luanshan. Scratching his head, he muttered, “I was only joking…”

Jiang Feng smiled. “Oh? So you actually don’t want to drink?”

Ping Luanshan’s expression changed instantly, brightening up. “If there’s drink, that’s even better!”

From afar, he called out to Ning Changkong’s retreating back, “Thanks, Old Ning! Go for it! Don’t come back without any wine!”

“Ha ha ha ha!” Several burst into laughter.

Before long, they arrived in front of the prefectural office.

It was livelier than ever before. The square outside was packed with people; more than half the city of Taicang had come.

Jiang Feng and the others slowed down, looking over. Ping Luanshan suddenly felt a touch melancholy. “Still, quite a few are missing…”

Initially, the city was sealed off by demonic energy, leaving ordinary civilians no time to escape—many perished. Later, during evacuation, the defenders were understaffed and suffered heavy casualties.

The eighteen-day-long battle had claimed the lives of many, especially among the city’s martial cultivators, who bore the brunt of the fighting.

Now, fewer than a third of the original population was present. Otherwise, the prefectural office would be overwhelmed by the sheer crowd.

Jiang Feng and the others fell silent, then after a while regained their composure and hurried inside.

The official banquet was held in the training grounds—the only place spacious enough for such a crowd. But instead of heading there immediately, they made some inquiries and found Hua Su.

Being Hua Su’s disciples, many already knew about this gathering, so they passed through with little hindrance.

As soon as they entered, Ping Luanshan called out, “Teacher Hua, is there anything we can help with?”

Hua Su was talking with several people but turned with displeasure at the interruption. Ping Luanshan stuck his tongue out, embarrassed, and hid behind Jiang Feng, calling out, “Sorry, Teacher Hua…”

Hua Su frowned. “Being so restless, what good can come of it?”

His voice was tinged with obvious anger, and Ping Luanshan’s smile vanished as he stood quietly to listen to the reprimand.

Jiang Feng glanced at the few men standing before him, then suddenly asked, “Teacher Hua, is there anything I can assist with?”

All of them were familiar faces—members of the Taicang City Artifact Craftsmen Association. They had helped Gan Fuxing on several occasions and had interacted with Jiang Feng before.

Hua Su said nothing. Jiang Feng greeted them formally but kept his eyes fixed on Hua Su.

After a moment’s silence, Hua Su exhaled deeply and signaled to the others, pulling Jiang Feng aside.

In a low voice, he asked, “I need to ask you something. Be honest with me.”

Jiang Feng nodded.

“Did you make any last-minute adjustments to Master Gan’s design when the anti-magic array was activated?”

Jiang Feng hesitated briefly but nodded again.

A peculiar expression flickered across Hua Su’s face before he said with certainty, “You added a step, modifying the energy circulation of all the veteran demon hunters, restoring them to normal.”

Jiang Feng knew there was no hiding from Hua Su and asked, “Did it succeed?”

At that time, the Celestial Cube had been somehow triggered, activating fully and aggregating countless data, continuously optimizing itself. Jiang Feng had only made a slight mental command, which the Cube had interpreted as an order to set and add.

Fortunately, it was noon when the spiritual energy was strongest, and with Hua Su and the anti-magic array supporting, the Cube received enough power. Still, since waking, the Cube remained dormant deep within the Tianxin Seed, its facets motionless, seemingly inert.

Jiang Feng even worried it might have ceased functioning permanently.

Hua Su smiled with a touch of emotion. “It succeeded… of course it did. All 192 veterans who came to Taicang City, plus Wen Liangji at Jiezige, have had their energy cycles fully restored. Their spiritual energy will no longer wane and can now be cultivated anew, just like I did before.”

Jiang Feng sincerely exclaimed, “That’s wonderful!”

Hua Su gave a wry smile. “Wonderful? Maybe for them, but for you, definitely not. Can you imagine what would happen if this leaked? If others found out?”

“After all, you’re just a boy, not yet of age, with only a Dawn Realm cultivation!”

Jiang Feng was silent for a moment, then said, “It was indeed a coincidence, with many special conditions…”

Noon, the Enlightened Martial Emperor Hua Su, the anti-magic array, and 102 martial cultivators supporting the formation—all indispensable. Even so, Jiang Feng could not guarantee he could replicate that state again.

Hua Su said, “Do others care about your concerns?”

Jiang Feng suddenly smiled. “But Teacher Hua, you will help me, won’t you?”

Hua Su scoffed. “Of course I will. If not for you, why would I tire myself like a dog? When Fan Gensheng asked if I needed him to stay and help, I refused. He probably thought I wanted to seize all power in Taicang City!”

His expression turned cold. “At a time like this, only by holding full authority can I help suppress this matter. From now on, you must be cautious. Your strength does not match your secret—if anyone finds out, it would be catastrophic!”

Jiang Feng sincerely said, “Thank you, Teacher Hua!”

Hua Su suddenly relaxed and joked, “Don’t think I’m stealing all your credit, okay?”

Jiang Feng raised an eyebrow. “Teacher Hua, what are you joking about?”

Hua Su sighed with a smile.

When Gan Fuxing died, the demon general killed all the surrounding city defenders. With only Jiang Feng and Bai Guo left to manage the anti-magic array, very few knew the truth.

Once the demon lair was sealed, Hua Su sent Jiang Feng back to the courtyard without delay, then immediately took control of the few remaining people.

Later, he used public opinion to cover the gaps, making most believe that Gan Fuxing still led the array. When the demons appeared, Gan Fuxing was severely injured but still alive. Using his last breath and Hua Su’s spiritual energy, he forcibly maintained the array, smiling as he passed away when the lair was sealed.

Perhaps out of a teacher’s bias, Hua Su was unwilling to completely erase Jiang Feng’s contribution. He also spread the news that during the latter half of the array’s operation, Gan Fuxing was unable to continue, handing over command to Jiang Feng, who led the sealing with Hua Su’s assistance.

Within a day, Hua Su’s account spread throughout the city, elevating Gan Fuxing’s reputation to its peak.

The Jiezige opened its right courtyard to allow people to pay respects to Gan Fuxing, and now the threshold was nearly worn smooth by visitors.

Meanwhile, Jiang Feng’s fame as a “rising star” and “genius artifact craftsman” spread citywide. Some suspected Hua Su was flattering his disciple, but that was precisely Hua Su’s intent.

Of course, many who saw the wounds on Gan Fuxing’s body believed such injuries wouldn’t allow him to last long, thus trusting Hua Su’s narrative.

Hua Su shared some details, Jiang Feng guessed some, and he deeply bowed, saying, “Thank you for your trouble, Teacher Hua.”

Hua Su grabbed his arm and pulled him up, shaking his head. “What are you saying? You saved so many comrades. This is nothing!”

He inhaled deeply and said solemnly, “And if it weren’t for this city, why would you go to such lengths?”

Jiang Feng stared at his face and suddenly asked, “Since everything went smoothly, Teacher Hua, what are you worried about now?”

He glanced at the artifact craftsmen and asked, “Is it about related artifacts? Something concerning Taicang City’s future? An urgent matter… the treatment of the wounded?”

His guesses hit the mark.

Hua Su’s expression said it all, and Jiang Feng laughed. “Teacher Hua, you’re worried about pushing me into the spotlight again, so you don’t want me involved?”

Another hit.

Jiang Feng winked at Hua Su and smiled. “Isn’t this just the time for the ‘genius artifact craftsman’ to step forward?”

Hua Su was momentarily stunned, then chuckled and shook his head. “You’re right!”

Jiang Feng smiled warmly and whispered, “So Teacher Hua has a personal side after all…”

Hua Su paused, then shook his head. “Who doesn’t?”

…

At that moment, on the road leading to Taicang City, a carriage was rushing along.

Inside, a person lifted the curtain, glanced at the sky, and urged, “Faster.”

The black-clad coachman nodded and shouted. The chestnut-colored stallion quickened its pace.

The curtain fluttered, revealing a clear black water-patterned design.

(To be continued…)

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