Chapter 2

Killing Yang Yong and the other, Jiang Chen looked up at the sky. It was already evening. He strode out of the courtyard, surrounded by desolate land, the air filled with a musty smell.

In his memory, this was the most remote and desolate area of Tianxiang City, which had been in ruins for over ten years. No one usually came here, and Yang Yong and the other had gone to great lengths to confine themselves here.

"I, Jiang Chen, had a glorious life in my previous incarnation, and in this life, I cannot be idle. The past is gone, everything has vanished. Since I have taken over your body, from now on, I am you, the new Jiang Chen. Your family is my family, your enemies are my enemies, and I will avenge your grudges. The road ahead, we will walk together."

Jiang Chen's eyes sparkled as he headed out of the desolate area.

During the three days Jiang Chen was missing, the entire city lord's mansion was in turmoil. Although the second young master was usually quite mischievous, he had never been away from home for three days.

The city lord had only this precious gem. Although he often scolded him, he loved him deeply, as evidenced by the many spiritual medicines in Jiang Chen's body.

Almost all the guards of the city lord's mansion were mobilized, almost turning Tianxiang City upside down, but they could not find the second young master. The city lord finally issued a death order: if the young master was not found by nightfall, no one would be allowed to return.

Outside the desolate area, a group of people were approaching. The guards were at a loss and finally found this dilapidated desolate area.

"Ah, this second young master is really a headache. He doesn't know where he's gone to have fun, but we are the ones who are exhausted. I haven't eaten all day."

"Stop complaining. The city lord has only this precious gem. Tomorrow is the day of the marriage alliance with the Murong family. If we can't find the second young master, no one will have an easy time."

"This godforsaken place, a person like the second young master would never come here. We are just wasting our efforts. Hey, there's someone up ahead."

The guards grumbled, and the one in front suddenly saw a white figure walking out of the desolate area.

"Second young master."

The guard exclaimed in surprise, rubbing his eyes to make sure. The youth walking out of the desolate area was none other than the second young master.

"Captain, it's the second young master. We've found the second young master, hahaha."

The guard jumped up, his face full of excitement, almost shedding tears. It felt as if the second young master who suddenly appeared was his own father.

"It's the second young master, really the second young master. Heaven has opened its eyes."

Several guards rushed to Jiang Chen, not knowing why the second young master was in the desolate area, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that they had found him, and he was alive and well.

"Jiang Cheng, why are you all so flustered?"

Jiang Chen looked at the captain, recognizing him as Jiang Cheng.

"Second young master, we finally found you. If you hadn't appeared, the city lord would have skinned us alive."

Jiang Cheng was overjoyed, almost crying.

Jiang Chen was taken aback. With his wisdom, he instantly understood the reason. His father must have been very worried about his disappearance for three days, and the guards must have had a hard time as well.

Thinking of his father, whom he had never met, Jiang Chen felt a warm feeling in his heart. In his previous life, although he was a great sage, he had no close friends and, being an orphan, had never experienced family affection.

"I'm fine, no need to skin anyone. Let's go back to the mansion."

Jiang Chen smiled.

"Please mount the horse, young master."

Jiang Cheng quickly led his mount over.

"No need, I'll walk. You all have worked hard. When we get back to the mansion, go to the treasury and each of you will receive ten taels of gold."

Jiang Chen said casually, walking forward.

What? Ten taels... of gold?

Jiang Cheng stumbled, almost falling to the ground. The other guards were also stunned. Ten taels of gold, they only received ten taels of silver a month at the city lord's mansion.

Jiang Chen, being the greatest sage in the world, had no concept of such worldly wealth, but for the guards, ten taels of gold was a huge sum.

What's wrong with the second young master? This isn't his style.

When did this second young master become so generous?

He didn't even ride a horse, and since meeting the second young master, he hadn't scolded them once.

The second young master, who had been missing for three days, had completely changed.

"Let's go, quickly follow the second young master."

Jiang Cheng was the first to react, and the guards hurriedly followed Jiang Chen, not even bothering with their horses. If the young master didn't ride, who dared to?

...

In the main hall of the city lord's mansion.

A middle-aged man was pacing back and forth, anxious and restless. He was tall and robust, about eight feet tall, wearing loose, elegant clothing, his face sharp and commanding.

He was the city lord of Tianxiang City, Jiang Zhenhai!

"Father, don't worry, the second brother will surely be found."

A young man in white stood beside him, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a face like a jade crown, looking like a dragon among men. His face was full of worry, but his eyes hid a hint of satisfaction.

"This brat is a real headache. If he were half as capable as you, I'd be laughing in my sleep."

Jiang Zhenhai said irritably.

"The second young master has returned."

At this moment, a guard rushed in, his face full of excitement.

"What?"

Jiang Rulong almost shouted, his face changing instantly.

"He's back."

Jiang Zhenhai's expression relaxed, then he roared, "Let him come in."

Seeing the city lord about to lose his temper, the guard broke out in a cold sweat and said cautiously, "City lord, the second young master said he was tired and went straight to his room to rest. He will greet you tomorrow."

"What? The brat is being disrespectful."

Jiang Zhenhai glared.

"Father, perhaps the second brother is really tired. Besides, tomorrow is the day of the marriage alliance with the Murong family. Let the second brother rest well."

Jiang Rulong said.

"Rulong, don't always protect him. This brat is getting more and more out of hand."

Jiang Zhenhai fumed.

"Father, calm down. I'll go talk to the second brother."

Jiang Rulong said.

"Fine, find someone to watch him. Don't let him out of his room for a step. The marriage alliance tomorrow cannot have any problems."

Jiang Zhenhai swept his sleeves and strode out of the hall.

The city lord's mansion was vast. With Jiang Chen's status, he naturally lived in the best place, a quiet and elegant courtyard with a two-story building, exuding a noble atmosphere.

Jiang Chen stood in the courtyard, the moonlight casting a long shadow. He was waiting for someone, knowing that someone would definitely come to see him.

A figure appeared silently at the door, it was Jiang Rulong. He indeed saw Jiang Chen standing there unharmed, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"How did those two manage to let this waste of space come back alive?"

Jiang Rulong frowned, adjusted his emotions, and strode into the courtyard.

"Second brother, where have you been for three days? I was so worried."

Jiang Rulong's face was full of concern, and there was a 'joy' in seeing Jiang Chen again.

"Big brother."

Jiang Chen saw Jiang Rulong and lunged forward, hugging him tightly. "Big brother, you almost didn't see me again."

Jiang Chen's face was full of sorrow, crying and sobbing, making Jiang Rulong's shoulder sticky. Jiang Rulong frowned, suppressing his disgust, and patted Jiang Chen's shoulder.

"Second brother, what happened? Who bullied you? Tell big brother, and I'll take care of it."

Jiang Rulong said.

"It was Yang Yong and Yang Shuang, those slaves. They actually tried to kill me."

Jiang Chen moved away from Jiang Rulong's shoulder, his teeth clenched.

Hearing the names of the Yang brothers, Jiang Rulong's heart trembled, but his face remained unchanged. "What? Those dog slaves, how dare they be so bold. I won't let them off."

"Big brother, they are already dead."

Jiang Rulong said with a hint of hatred, while observing Jiang Chen's reaction. Jiang Rulong's acting skills were excellent, but as the greatest sage in the world, Jiang Chen's eyes were sharp. The slightest changes in Jiang Rulong's expression did not escape his notice.

"Dead? They were experts at the sixth stage of the Qi realm. How did you deal with them, second brother?"

Jiang Rulong asked, puzzled, which was what he was eager to know.

"Big brother, you're joking. I'm a coward in cultivation, only at the first stage of the Qi realm. How could I be a match for the Yang brothers? But I was destined not to die. At a critical moment, I met an expert at the eighth stage of the Qi realm who helped me kill the Yang brothers. Unfortunately, this benefactor didn't seek any reward and left after the deed, and I don't even know his name. What a pity."

Jiang Chen looked both relieved and regretful.

"Damn, what a stroke of luck."

Jiang Rulong cursed in his heart, not doubting Jiang Chen's words. In his view, the only explanation for Jiang Chen, a waste of space, to return unharmed was this.

At the same time, Jiang Rulong felt relieved. With the Yang brothers dead, his secret was safe, and there would be plenty of opportunities to get rid of Jiang Chen later.

"Those two slaves are better off dead. The key is that you are safe, second brother. Otherwise, I would have regretted it for life for not protecting you."

Jiang Rulong's face was full of concern, but Jiang Chen felt like vomiting at the sight of it.

"Big brother is the best."

Jiang Chen put on a face as if Jiang Rulong was his real brother.

"Alright, no need for formalities between us. Tomorrow is the day of the marriage alliance with the Murong family. You need to prepare well. This is a great opportunity for you. If you can marry Miss Murong, it will be a great achievement."

Jiang Rulong patted Jiang Chen's shoulder. Tianxiang City had two major powers: the city lord's mansion and the Murong family. The Murong family was a commercial giant in Tianxiang City, and the relationship between the two powers was not harmonious, with intense competition. If they could form a marriage alliance, the relationship between the two families would improve.

"Marriage alliance? I won't do it."

Jiang Chen shook his head firmly.

"Second brother, don't be unreasonable. Father has made many preparations for this marriage alliance. You can't let us down at a critical moment."

Jiang Rulong said earnestly.

"I'm serious. I don't even know what Miss Murong looks like. What kind of joke is this? Besides, I'm still young and haven't had enough fun. If there's a marriage alliance, big brother, you should do it. You are also Father's son, and you are the eldest. If there's a marriage alliance, it should be you, not me. I won't do it, absolutely not."

Jiang Chen's attitude was very firm.

Hearing Jiang Chen's words, Jiang Rulong found this younger brother more likable than ever. He had been plotting to get rid of Jiang Chen precisely for this marriage alliance. If he could marry Miss Murong, his status would be greatly enhanced.