Chapter 14: Resistance

“Unlike the northern front, the eastern battlefield is currently overseen by the renowned martial arts grandmaster Qi Wanshan. He has been at the grandmaster level for over a decade now, and in terms of strength, he could easily rank among the top ten in the entire Dragon Nation,” Chu Qingcheng spoke softly beside Jiang Chen as they flew directly to the eastern border, describing the current situation. “The enemy forces facing the eastern front are also the most formidable, wielding the nation’s finest troops, equipped with powerful martial arts legions. After the commotion you caused in Desolate City, even killing the martial arts grandmaster Luo Chuan, I’m afraid accomplishing your goal quickly and efficiently this time will be quite difficult…”

Jiang Chen gave a wry chuckle. “I’m a man of culture too—no need to be so rough this time.” He gazed at the drifting clouds outside the window with a faint smile. “I imagine the eastern border has already made full preparations against me.”

Rubbing his chin, Jiang Chen was perfectly clear on the situation: “This time, the capital won’t let me run wild. My demand is simple: hand over the ashes of the Jiang family’s loyal fallen, and I’ll let the matter rest.”

“If the eastern border yields, then the ashes of the Jiang family’s loyal martyrs from all the other borders will surely be returned to Jiangnan as well. My first task will be complete.”

Chu Qingcheng was taken aback, her gaze full of confusion as she looked at Jiang Chen. “Why haven’t the ashes of the Jiang family heroes been sent back? Has something else happened?”

Jiang Chen fell silent at her words, and after a while, he replied softly, “When a great house collapses, even a trivial matter like returning ashes finds no one willing to help, for fear of being implicated as the Jiang family falls.”

Chu Qingcheng was stunned, pursing her lips without another word. She understood all too well. Had the Chu family not received Jiang Chen’s help, they might have survived the purge, but would have been carved up clean by the various forces of Desolate City afterwards.

The entanglements of major powers are sometimes brutally frank, their cold reality laid bare.

...

Eastern border, Luoyang City.

City Governor’s Mansion.

“General, the ashes of the three Jiang family commanders are still kept here. Jiang Chen will surely come. What should we do next?”

“That man is like a mad dog—he dared to kill General Luo Chuan outright! If he comes after us, it’ll be trouble for sure!”

“Indeed, the capital has already sent word: if Jiang Chen causes trouble again, we’re authorized to use any means necessary to eliminate him right here!”

...

In the conference hall, the high command of the eastern border was assembled. All eyes turned to the white-haired elder presiding at the head of the table.

This dignified, cold-faced old man was none other than Qi Wanshan, master of the eastern front.

“The Jiang family has made enormous sacrifices for the Dragon Nation. There’s no need to hold their ashes hostage,” Qi Wanshan said quietly. “Send them back to Jiangnan. As for Jiang Chen… I have no wish to see the last blood of the Jiang family wiped away.”

With a cold snort, Qi Wanshan’s unspoken pressure made every officer in the room tense and even more respectful. “The Jiang family has fallen; let them quietly tend their little corner in Jiangnan. The Dragon Nation is not a place where just anyone can do as they please.”

“That’s it. If Jiang Chen asks to see me, tell him I am unwell and not receiving guests.”

With a rustle of uniforms, everyone stood and bowed. “Yes, sir!”

...

Luoyang City, International Airport.

Jiang Chen walked out of the crowded terminal with Chu Qingcheng at his side. Almost instantly, he felt countless eyes upon him.

“If they can’t face me openly, why bother spying in secret?” Jiang Chen shook his head in resignation. Clearly, this Qi Wanshan had no intention of meeting him.

“What should we do now?” Chu Qingcheng asked curiously. She knew that with the Jiang family now relegated to Jiangnan, none of the leading powers wanted any association with Jiang Chen. Otherwise, at the very least, they would have sent a motorcade or made some gesture of welcome.

Any force with even a shred of background from the capital would be greeted by crowds and fanfare wherever they went. This kind of cold shoulder was unheard of.

“If Qi Wanshan has no wish to see me, why should I force myself upon them?” Jiang Chen curled his lip and strode ahead. “Let’s find a hotel and wait for someone else to come to us.”

“Huh?” Chu Qingcheng was stunned and hurried after him. “Qi Wanshan is not only the governor of Luoyang, but also the commander of the eastern front. If he won’t meet you, who else will?”

“Just wait. Someone will come…”

They found a nearby five-star hotel, but ran into a dilemma at the front desk.

“Sir, would you like two rooms, or a suite?” the receptionist asked with a beaming smile, her eyes bright with curiosity.

It wasn’t just the receptionist—other guests nearby were stealing glances at them as well. The man was handsome and tall, the woman breathtaking and cool. Together, they looked like a match made in heaven; one couldn’t help but envy them, or find the sight pleasing.

“Ah?”

Chu Qingcheng froze, her cheeks flushing red as she stood awkwardly.

“A presidential suite, please,” Jiang Chen said lightly, the corners of his mouth curling in amusement as he glanced at Chu Qingcheng. Naturally, a suite had multiple bedrooms; he had no intention of behaving improperly. Still, teasing this silly girl was its own kind of fun.

Rubbing his chin, Jiang Chen joked, “You’ve come all this way with me to Luoyang, and now you want to stay apart? Qingcheng, if you can’t handle this, maybe you should head back.”

“…A presidential suite, please.” Perhaps because she didn’t truly object, or maybe she just didn’t want him to look down on her, Chu Qingcheng pressed her lips together, steadied her heart, and answered calmly.

“Very good,” the receptionist said, starting the process with a smile.

But when Chu Qingcheng stood at the suite’s door, she couldn’t bring herself to step inside, her face full of hesitation.

Once she walked in, she’d be sharing a bed with him that night. Just the two of them, alone in a room—if he lost control, what would she do? She did have some feelings for him, but that didn’t mean she was ready to give herself up with no preparation at all… For a moment, Chu Qingcheng was deeply conflicted, her face growing even redder.

But to back out now would be even more embarrassing.

“What are you thinking about?” Jiang Chen teased with a laugh. “The suite has several rooms. I wouldn’t want you to take advantage of me.”

Chu Qingcheng: “…”

In an instant, her face turned crimson. With a soft humph, she pretended calm and strode inside.

The next few days, Jiang Chen behaved as if he were on holiday, taking Chu Qingcheng out to eat, drink, and explore, thoroughly enjoying himself.

On the third day, several composed, middle-aged men strode into the hotel and made their way straight to Jiang Chen’s room...