Jiang Family of Jincheng.

Jiang Chen and the others had returned a month ago.

Mo Bao and two others were arranged to stay in the Jiang Family, Mengte De'er and Xing Fei returned to Dingjing, Chen Jiantao and others left again after their injuries improved to find Shen Xiangtian and company.

During this month, Jiang Chen had been refining elixirs and practicing martial arts. When Chen Jiantao and his group left, Jiang Chen had given them the Polyporus Barrier Breaking Elixir to take to Xuan Long.

One day, Zhu Wenqiang came to the Jiang Family, looking for Jiang Chen.

"What did you say? You're from a Martial Arts Family?!"

Jiang Chen looked at Zhu Wenqiang in surprise, he had never thought that this man could be from a Martial Arts Family.

"I... my mother was the wife of a Martial Arts Family Head along the river, but... due to mismatched social status, she was separated by the former Family Head, and later came to Jincheng and remarried to the Family Head of the Zhu Family."

Zhu Wenqiang nodded slightly, his face somewhat grim as he said, "However, when my mother remarried the Family Head of the Zhu Family, she was already pregnant with me, the old master of the Zhu Family was dissatisfied, after my mother died in childbirth, he found another wife for my stepfather, so although I am the young master of a second-tier family in Jincheng, my situation is quite miserable."

"So you came to find me because..." Jiang Chen looked at Zhu Wenqiang, somewhat puzzled; his family background did indeed sound complex!

Zhu Wenqiang hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, "Actually, I wanted to ask for your help last time, but when that incident happened in the Jiang Family, I didn't have the heart to disturb you. The family along the river found me six months ago, saying that the elderly master of that Martial Arts Family was about to celebrate his eightieth birthday, and remembered me and wanted to see me, I... I'm worried..."

"You're worried that you'll be targeted by that Martial Arts Family once you return?" Jiang Chen asked softly.

Zhu Wenqiang glanced at Jiang Chen and gently took off his jacket.

"This..."

Jiang Chen suddenly startled, Zhu Wenqiang's body was covered with several scars, some wounds were obviously months old, but one was a fresh wound from the past few days, nearly gutting Zhu Wenqiang!

"What happened? Was it someone from that Martial Arts Family who did this?!" Jiang Chen frowned and spoke gravely.

Zhu Wenqiang nodded lightly, "According to those who came to kill me, the elder master called me, it seems he wants to make amends, but the current heir, Ouyang Zhengqi, desires to get rid of me, worried that I might gain the elder master's favor this time and threaten his position."

"This..." Jiang Chen frowned thoughtfully for a moment and then said softly, "The attackers, what strength were they?"

Zhu Wenqiang thought for a moment, then spoke softly, "At first, they sent Profound Martial Artists, but once they understood my strength, they sent Earth Grade Peak Martial Artists, and at one point, they sent three Earth Grade Peak Martial Artists at the same time."

"Earth Grade Peak?!" Jiang Chen was surprised, then curiously asked, "What about the strength of the Ouyang Family?"

Zhu Wenqiang blinked, looking somewhat worriedly at Jiang Chen, "They... they seem to be one of the four great Martial Arts Families along the river."

"You don't need to worry, you saved my mother, I will definitely help you."

Jiang Chen knew what Zhu Wenqiang was worried about and reassured him with a smile, then his expression became serious, "However, there seems to be something strange about this."

Zhu Wenqiang asked, "Strange? What's strange?"

"Although I'm not familiar with the strength of the Martial Arts Families, I am aware of the Chixiao Sect, it's filled with formidable individuals, if the Ouyang Family wanted to kill you, they could send a Heavenly Peak Grandmaster, or even an Innate Grandmaster, without a problem."

Jiang Chen furrowed his brow, further explaining, "It's unlikely that they'd send exclusively Earth Grade Peak Martial Artists to deal with you, knowing well that you possess Earth Grade Peak strength!"

"This… you mean... it wasn't Ouyang Zhengqi who wanted to kill me, but someone else?"

Zhu Wenqiang spoke with a startled and suspicious tone.

Jiang Chen gently shook his head, "Perhaps the person didn't truly want to kill you, but wanted to create an illusion of trying to kill you, then pit you against Ouyang Zhengqi."

"This..." Zhu Wenqiang paused, then gave a wry smile, "In that case, it's a power struggle within the Ouyang Family! Am I just an innocent person caught in the crossfire? I have no ambitions for power!"

Jiang Chen smiled slightly, "You might indeed have been caught in the crossfire. By the way, when is your grandfather's eightieth birthday?"

"It is on the 3rd of next month, in half a month."

Zhu Wenqiang answered softly, then added bitterly, "These days, I always feel like I'm being watched, and it's the kind of watch that threatens my life. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I had no choice but to come to you!"

Jiang Chen laid a hand on Zhu Wenqiang's shoulder, "Don't worry, here, no one can touch you. Just settle down and relax. When the time approaches, I will accompany you on a trip along the river."

"Mr. Jiang, thank you!" Zhu Wenqiang, having dressed, expressed his gratitude.

Jiang Chen shook his head gently and spoke earnestly, "I should be the one thanking you. If it had not been for you, my mother and the others might have already faced disaster. I've been thinking lately about how to thank you. You've given me a chance to repay the favor."

The thumping of footsteps echoed.

Yan Hu, followed by Zhang Wenjie and Meng Yanran, entered the guest hall.

"Boss, save me!" Zhang Wenjie cried mournfully as soon as he saw Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen looked at Meng Yanran in surprise, then turned to Zhang Wenjie, "What's the matter? Save you from what?"

"I only have three days left of the year, and Lou Fengfeng has been hurrying me numerous times!" Zhang Wenjie said bitterly, "I've come to find you several times, but that darn Yan Hu said you were in closed-off training and shouldn't be disturbed, always putting me off!"

While talking, Zhang Wenjie glared at Yan Hu.

Yan Hu chuckled, "Well, it didn't cause any delays."

Jiang Chen gave Yan Hu a stern look and said softly, "Fine, given that Fatty also needs me to make a trip along the river, we might as well leave together tomorrow."

"The sooner, the better, I'm really fed up!" Zhang Wenjie nodded hastily.

"Alright, go back and prepare. Gather here tomorrow!" Jiang Chen arranged with a smile.

"Okay!" Zhang Wenjie nodded and walked out of the guest hall with Meng Yanran.

Jiang Chen turned to Yan Hu, "Tiger, prepare yourself. Tonight, you'll take the Polyporus Breaking Mirror Elixir that I refined. I'll act as your protector, helping you take that step!"

"Yes!" An Hu's eyes lit up as he nodded solemnly.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Chen spoke softly, "Has An Hu returned?"

"He came back yesterday!" Yan Hu nodded.

"Good, let him and Mo Bao get ready too. Tomorrow, we will all go together. Taking both Zhang and Meng, two Profound Martial Artists, we can't be careless. This trip is likely to stir up some trouble!" Jiang Chen spoke softly.

"Yes!" Yan Hu answered respectfully.

Zhang Wenjie and Meng Yanran had been studying with Elder Yao for some time and had attained Profound Level strength, something Jiang Chen noticed the moment they walked in.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.