0007 Jiang Chen (Please add to your favorites, recommend, and click!)

Taking on a disciple?

Jiang Feng was bewildered when he heard this. Why would anyone need to force someone to accept a disciple? Regardless, if Miss was unwilling, then he, Jiang Feng, would not agree either!

Miss pressed him down again and said to that man, “However, before I leave, there are a few words I wish to say to my younger brother. May I ask for a little time?”

The man glanced at Jiang Feng and waved his hand; a stick of incense on the nearby table spontaneously ignited. “Within the time it takes for this incense to burn, come out on your own. Otherwise…”

He snorted twice, turned, and walked out of the small courtyard. Several shadowy figures, like ghosts, followed him out.

Now only Miss and Jiang Feng remained in the courtyard.

Thanks to his own healing abilities and Miss’s aid, Jiang Feng’s injuries had mostly healed. He flipped over and sat up, speaking urgently, “Miss, if you don’t want to go, then don’t! Don’t let him threaten you…”

He took out the sheet of paper from his clothes and thrust it toward Miss, his voice anxious. “Look! Look at my improved Thunderfall Palm! It’s powerful! And I’ll get even stronger—once I create a complete martial art, and once we have the Seed of Clarity, we won’t have to fear anyone!”

Miss forced a bitter smile, unfolded the crumpled paper, and glanced at it. Suddenly, her expression changed to one of shock, her gaze intensely focused. As the red glow of incense crept downward, the courtyard was utterly silent. Jiang Feng, anxious, watched as Miss seemed oblivious to everything, lost in studying that move, her fingers tracing gently in the air.

Only when the incense was half-burned did Miss let out a long breath, her face filled with relief. “Jiang Feng, you truly are gifted in this regard. The flow of luminous energy—did you devise this yourself?”

Jiang Feng nodded. “Yes.”

Miss stood and suddenly extended her hand. A faint golden light appeared on her palm. With a gentle wave, her palm moved softly, fingers blooming like fresh flowers. She brushed against the stone table in the courtyard, which instantly exploded into countless fragments with a loud bang! The shards disintegrated in midair and, as they fell, turned into a pool of fine sand. The solid stone table had vanished as if it had never existed.

She had only just fused with the Seed of Clarity—not even begun formal cultivation—yet she could unleash such power!

Looking at Jiang Feng with renewed eyes, she murmured, “I thought I’d already overestimated you…”

Jiang Feng exclaimed with excitement, “Miss, you’re incredible! Now that you have the Seed of Clarity and martial skills, we don’t have to fear anyone!”

But Miss still forced a bitter smile and shook her head. “No, Jiang Feng—it’s not enough. The power of a Luminous Martial Artist is not something we can contend with! I thought I had more time, but…”

Jiang Feng’s expression shifted. He touched his shoulder and clenched his teeth. He wanted to say more, but Miss’s face grew stern as she said, “Listen, there are a few things you must hear.”

Jiang Feng immediately replied, “Yes!”

“Remember what I told you before: until you obtain a Seed of Clarity and advance to the Dawning Realm, you must hide your talent and power—never tell anyone. Also, once you reach that realm and pass the Grand Examination, remember to go to the Imperial Capital of Crimson Heaven. You must pass the Grand Examination and go to Crimson Heaven’s Imperial Capital!”

“The Grand Examination? Crimson Heaven’s Imperial Capital?”

Jiang Feng was confused, but he etched Miss’s instructions deep into his heart.

The stick of incense burned out in a flash. The gates slammed open. The man in black entered with his ghostly entourage, his voice icy: “Time’s up. Let’s go.”

Miss obediently walked over and bowed again. “My lord, I am willing to accompany you to see Lord Fuliu. However, before I leave, I have a request.”

The man in black replied coldly, “Speak.”

“I wish to request a Sunlit Token from you.”

“A Sunlit Token?” The man turned to Jiang Feng. “For him?”

“Yes. Jiang Feng is my younger cousin. He has been orphaned since childhood and has always been raised by me. My only concern is his future.”

There was something strange in the man’s voice as he asked, “Are you certain?”

Miss frowned slightly, her voice resolute. “I am.”

The man in black let out a soft laugh. “Prefectural and provincial tokens must be requested from the Grand Duke…”

“There’s no need—just a county token will suffice.” Miss glanced at Jiang Feng. “I don’t ask for prestige, only that he has a place to settle.”

The man in black replied easily, “Ah, a county token? In that case, there’s no need to trouble the Grand Duke.” He beckoned a subordinate. Before long, an iron token was brought over. He had it handed to Miss, a mocking smile playing at his lips.

Miss received it, examined it carefully, then turned to Jiang Feng and solemnly handed it to him. “Jiang Feng, work hard. Don’t let my efforts be in vain.”

Jiang Feng took it in a daze. A wave of helpless pain washed over him, and tears nearly fell from his eyes.

Miss looked up at him. A year ago, he had been a head shorter; now, without his noticing, he was already taller than her.

She gazed deeply into Jiang Feng’s eyes and repeated, “Don’t let my efforts be in vain.”

The sky in the east was just beginning to brighten; the first light of dawn was about to break. Miss stood tall, looking toward that thin line of white, and smiled softly.

Jiang Feng’s heart ached terribly, and a sudden understanding dawned within him.

Miss had known all along that something like this would happen—this was what she had always feared!

Descendants of the Medicine People, bearing atavistic bloodlines—rare treasures in the world. Yet precisely because of this, they attracted the greed of others. This so-called acceptance as a disciple was certainly not so simple.

To possess such a treasure without the power to defend it—of course it could not be kept.

Miss’s strength was insufficient, and his own was even more meager!

He gripped the iron county token tightly, swearing, “Miss, I will work hard! I will!”

Their eyes met, both understanding the words left unspoken.

A place to settle? No! He had to become strong—stronger still! Strong enough that, one day, he could protect Miss and the treasures that mattered most!

Miss’s eyes grew misty; she nodded silently. She turned and walked away, her bearing transformed in an instant.

“Thornwood, you are my master’s servant—and mine as well, are you not?”

The man in black stared at her for a moment, then bent respectfully. “Yes, young mistress.”

She gave a cold laugh. “Good. Remember this well. Let’s go!”

The white scent-seeking beast pulled the carriage silently over the bluestone path, receding into the distance. Jiang Feng chased after it for a few steps, then stopped.

He vaguely recalled Miss’s name.

Jiang Chen… Chen!

…

…

The Jiang family patriarch, Jiang Tengqing, had just returned to the ancestral home.

His face was radiant with delight, and even his step was lighter as he entered.

The Jiang family’s matron greeted him with a beaming smile, helping him out of his long robe. “Husband, it seems things went smoothly?”

Jiang Tengqing laughed heartily. “Of course! The Grand Duke was generous indeed—besides what was promised beforehand, he granted our Jiang family ten Sunlit Provincial Tokens and three Sunlit Prefectural Tokens!”

Madam Jiang’s eyes shone. “That means our family can send ten people directly to the provincial trials and three directly to the prefectural trials?”

“Precisely! Lord Fuliu also promised that as long as these three perform even moderately well, they’ll be admitted to the Soaring Dragon Sect. Those trained in the Soaring Dragon Sect are assured good positions in the capital. With this new generation, the Jiang family’s future is bright!”

Madam Jiang covered her mouth with a laugh. “In that case, our years of supporting the young lady were not in vain.”

Her face was all smiles, but a trace of jealousy flashed in her eyes.

Jiang Tengqing cleared his throat. “Don’t put it that way. During the last Holy War, if my elder brother hadn’t sacrificed himself, the Jiang family might have perished… My sister-in-law died of grief, so it was only right for us to raise the young lady. If only she were a son, perhaps she could have supported the family. But as a woman, she will eventually belong to someone else…”

Madam Jiang smiled in agreement. “That’s true. Still, we raised her with every comfort, and now we’ve found her the best master. We’ve done right by her.”

Jiang Tengqing nodded with satisfaction. Seeing his wife’s cautious look, he listened as she said, “We must choose those thirteen candidates carefully. Husband, you must save one prefectural spot for Ming’er and Xiao’er!”

Jiang Tengqing frowned slightly. “Ming’er has fused with a Four-Ring Seed of Clarity and works hard—passing the prefectural trial shouldn’t be difficult. Xiao’er, though, only has a Two-Ring Seed and idles about all day; giving him a spot would be a waste!”

Madam Jiang was slightly dissatisfied, but she knew her son well, and Jiang Tengqing was right. She could only concede. “Then at least give him a provincial spot! You’re the family head—it’s only right to look after your own son!”

In the Crimson Heaven Empire, the Grand Examination is divided into county, provincial, and prefectural levels. Only by passing the examination does one truly gain the qualifications of a martial artist.

Generally, one must pass the county trial to enter the provincial trial, and the provincial to reach the prefectural. Only by passing the higher-level exams can one enter the major sects. For example, in Crimson Heaven’s largest sects, Cloudveil and Soaring Dragon, it is impossible to enter without passing the prefectural trial.

There are always those with special privileges. Lord Fuliu is the emperor’s personal mentor—even the emperor pays him the respects of a disciple. As the imperial tutor, he can directly allocate places in the trials.

This was one of the benefits Jiang family gained by offering up the young lady. Jiang Tengqing knew well that the family had declined, and only outstanding descendants could restore its glory. Jiang Chen, with her Seven-Ring Seed, if she had been born a son, he would have pushed her forward no matter what—even if she was not his own flesh and blood. But a daughter…

After exchanging a few more words with his wife, Jiang Tengqing noticed a steward peeking at the door.

He summoned him in. The steward whispered, “That boy Jiang Feng from the southern branch is standing outside and refuses to leave.”

Jiang Tengqing frowned. “What does he want?”

The steward shook his head. “We asked, but he wouldn’t say—he insists on meeting you.”

Jiang Tengqing scolded, “What’s the point of meeting? Chase him off! Matters regarding the young lady are family business. What does a mixed-blooded, talentless cripple like him have to do with it?”

…

…

The steward berated Jiang Feng loudly and impatiently.

Jiang Feng listened quietly. He was covered in blood, even his face stained, yet his expression was unnaturally calm.

When the steward finished, Jiang Feng nodded, “I see—the family head won’t see me. Understood.”

He said no more, simply turning and leaving.

The steward eyed his retreating figure warily, for some reason feeling a chill run down his spine.