Chapter 9: Jealousy

“Rustle, rustle!”

Within the courtyard, the dust on the ground began to swirl without a breeze, and the temperature started to fall. With every step Luochuan took, his aura grew stronger, the pressure intensifying with each stride.

“Crack!”

Gusts of force began to surge around him, even causing the ground beneath his feet to fracture inch by inch.

Jiang Chen watched, deep in thought.

Once one’s martial prowess reached the level of Grandmaster, he mused, one truly transcended the ordinary. In all but magical arts, a Grandmaster’s physical strength was nearly on par with that of a cultivator. Sadly, compared to himself, these men were still far too weak. It meant that even if he could not dominate the whole Dragon Nation, there likely remained no one across its breadth who could threaten his life.

“I heard you defeated the head of the Xu family in the capital as well. Your skill should be that of an internal force martial artist. Had you not come today, you might have become a Grandmaster in time,”

Luochuan regarded Jiang Chen with pity, shaking his head, “But alas, the Jiang family is too arrogant to be tolerated...”

“Bang!”

Before the words were finished, a shadow flashed before his eyes. Luochuan hadn’t even caught sight of Jiang Chen’s movement before an overwhelming force slammed into his chest.

“Splurt!”

The next instant, Luochuan was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing straight through the courtyard wall.

“A Grandmaster? Is that supposed to be strong?”

Jiang Chen stood where Luochuan had been, gazing coldly at his fallen foe. “Hand over my father’s ashes, reveal the conspiracy on the northern front, and I’ll let you die whole and spare your family.”

He stood above, wielding life and death. In this moment, Jiang Chen seemed the very incarnation of death itself. Even the life of a Grandmaster could be snuffed out at a whim.

In the capital, he had to consider the survival of the Jiang clan and refrained from wanton slaughter. But here, on the border, he was king.

“You—you’re a Grandmaster? Impossible!”

Blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, Luochuan sprawled on the ground, feeling his ribs shatter within. He stared at Jiang Chen in terror, all composure lost. “The Jiang family actually hid a monster like you!”

Despair overwhelmed him. As a Grandmaster himself, to have his organs shattered with a single blow—such strength was surely at the very peak of Grandmasters.

But how could this be? A Grandmaster so young? He had never even heard of such a thing.

“Guess why the Jiang family was able to move to the capital so smoothly?”

This time, Jiang Chen strode toward Luochuan. His voice was utterly calm. “Of course, if you want the entire Luo family to be buried with you, I don’t mind spending the time.”

He stopped beside Luochuan’s head, looking down at the lord of Desolate City, a murderous aura seeping from his body. “My father’s death, the deaths of the loyal Jiang warriors, will be paid for with many lives…”

“I—I don’t know!” Luochuan stammered, voice trembling. “On that day, a secret report arrived from the capital: General Jiang was to lead his troops against the enemy nation, and I was ordered not to send any reinforcements, to withdraw all support from the front!”

“If I complied, command of the northern front would be mine. I—I was foolish and agreed…”

“Who gave you the order?” Jiang Chen’s face was expressionless as he slowly crouched down. “The Long family? Or the Li family?”

The three great families of the Dragon Nation—Long, Li, and Jiang. Now, with Jiang devastated, the other two stood to gain the most. Jiang Chen was certain: one of them had colluded with the enemy to destroy his family’s loyal men.

“I—I don’t know. The secret telegram came from the capital, no sender marked!” Luochuan shook his head desperately. “Chen, your father was my closest friend in life. Spare me, and the Luo family will follow the Jiang family’s lead from now on…”

“My father trusted you so deeply, even leaving the entire rear lines in your hands, and this is how you repay him?”

Jiang Chen placed his hand on Luochuan’s forehead, his gaze tranquil. “You truly deserve death…”

“Die!”

Sensing mortal danger, Luochuan roared and mustered all his strength for a punch at Jiang Chen’s throat.

“Splurt!”

But in the next instant, golden light flashed in Jiang Chen’s palm—Luochuan’s forehead was pierced clean through, blood gushing everywhere.

Thud.

The fist dropped, strengthless. Luochuan lay dead and silent.

Jiang Chen rose slowly, swept his gaze over the corners of the courtyard, brushed the dust off his clothes, and calmly departed.

In the shadows, a group of soldiers trembled uncontrollably, their backs drenched in cold sweat.

They had arrived the moment the fight broke out. What terrified them was that although Jiang Chen was within arm’s reach, they were utterly unable to advance—unable even to move.

They were certain: if Jiang Chen so wished, a single thought could end the lives of every martial artist present.

His strength was terrifying…

...

“Miss Chu, you’d better apologize to Miss Luo quickly! The Chu family has always been disliked by the Luo family—if this continues, your family is finished…”

“That’s right, Chu Qingcheng, you think it’s still like when Lord Jiang was in charge? The Luo family rules Desolate City now. Admit your fault and perhaps Miss Luo will spare you!”

…

In the banquet hall, several fierce-looking bodyguards had already surrounded Chu Qingcheng. Notables gathered around, watching the proud girl with mocking eyes.

Back when Lord Jiang held power, the Chu family, supported by his favor, had quickly become the most prestigious family in Desolate City. Glorious days indeed.

Now Lord Jiang was dead, the Chu family’s fortunes had crumbled, with most of its members wiped out. Where did this young lady of the Chu family find the courage to offend the Luo family’s heiress?

“Chu Qingcheng, kneel and beg my forgiveness now, and I might let you live a little longer. Otherwise…”

Luo Yanran, learning her father would soon deal with Jiang Chen, no longer bothered with any restraint. Arms crossed, she gazed down at Chu Qingcheng, her heavily made-up face twisted in a sneer. “Otherwise, these handsome bodyguards will serve you well tonight—then they’ll kill you. How does that sound?”

She was jealous of Chu Qingcheng. Back when Lord Jiang was in power, even though her own father was a Grandmaster, her reputation in Desolate City never matched Chu Qingcheng’s.

Why? How dare the Chu family outshine her?

Now, finally, she would have her moment to gloat…

“In your dreams!”

Chu Qingcheng’s face had gone pale. She seemed to sense that Jiang Chen might be in danger. Her delicate body trembled, but her voice remained defiant. “Let me tell you, one day you will all pay the price!”

“Hahaha! Take her away, let our dear Miss Chu enjoy herself tonight!”

Luo Yanran sneered, her patience at an end. She waved her hand grandly. “Be sure to make sure our Miss Chu suffers—and enjoys herself as well. Understood?”