Chapter 429: Chapter 369 Zhang Yu and the Gourd! [Vote for Monthly Pass!]
After Jiang Chong left.
Inside Yunding Palace.
Zhang Jin furrowed his brows slightly and said worriedly, "The Direct Pointing Department is never easy to deal with; once they have their eyes set on something, they won’t let go easily."
Brocade Robe Direct Pointing—everyone regards them as ghosts.
Once targeted by them, it’s rare to escape unscathed. For the couple alone to protect Jiangg Xian would not be easy.
"They wouldn’t dare launch an attack on Leiyin Mountain."
"I’ll hurry back to Taizhen Mountain, pull some strings, and see if I can settle this matter."
Wuu Quan knew the strength of the Direct Pointing Department.
Coupled with the awkwardness of Jiangg Xian’s identity, his heart lacked confidence. However, as a child of an old acquaintance—moreover, the last surviving descendant—he felt compelled to do his utmost to protect him.
"The Great Zhou court has numerous factions."
"Even within the Direct Pointing Department, factions exist; they counteract and entangle each other."
"This Jiang Chong is from the Duduo Mountain lineage, which is naturally at odds with the Taizhen Sect. Even if you seek help within the sect, it may prove futile."
Zhang Jin shook his head.
The Great Zhou court’s web of relationships was incredibly intricate.
Within it were disciples hailing from the Taizhen Sect, Duduo Mountain, and the other five Immortal Sects, as well as forces directly nurtured by the Great Zhou imperial family.
These forces intertwined, restrained, and compromised with one another.
For those who have no official position in court, and rarely traverse the earthly realm, even cultivators of the Immortal Dao within the five Immortal Sects would struggle to navigate it clearly.
With the cultivation level and sect connections of Wuu Quan and his wife, attempting to shake the Direct Pointing Department or Emperor Zhou’s orders was far beyond their reach.
"I have to give it a try," he remarked.
Wuu Quan wasn’t particularly optimistic, but refused to give up easily; he determined to try his best.
After exchanging a few words with Zhang Jin, he left Leiyin Mountain in haste.
Upon departing.
He casually tossed a golden seal, which transformed into a streak of golden light and landed at the foot of the mountain.
...
At the foot of Leiyin Mountain.
In the Outer Disciple residence, Chen Jichuan sat in his quiet room, dissipating the mirrored image in front of him; the images of Wuu Quan and Zhang Jin vanished instantly.
Soon after, a streak of golden light descended, unnoticed by ordinary Qi Refining cultivators. Chen Jichuan also pretended not to notice, letting the golden light enter his forehead and merge into his consciousness sea, protecting his Divine Soul.
[Name: Golden Light Seal]
[Level: Second-order]
[Description: A second-order talisman treasure capable of resisting curses and external evils. Remaining uses: 7/9]
...
"He truly is someone who values old ties," Chen Jichuan thought to himself while examining the Golden Light Seal in his mind.
His senses were keen.
From the moment Jiang Chong arrived, he had immediately noticed and hidden in his quiet room, employing the ’Blood Light Refraction Taiyin Divine Mirror Technique’ to eavesdrop on the conversations between Jiang Chong and Wuu Quan’s couple, thus gaining insight into their movements. If the situation turned unfavorable, he could escape at once.
This super-level technique had been mastered by him to the Fifth Realm, surpassing even many Divinity Transformation Stage cultivators.
With Chen Jichuan’s Qi Refining Fourth Realm cultivation, as long as no malicious intent was harbored, peeking into people like Wuu Quan, Zhang Jin, and Jiang Chong—who had yet to reach the Heavenly Human Sensing Stage at the Second-order Peak—was well within his capabilities.
However, what Chen Jichuan hadn’t expected was that the Wuu Quan couple would go to such lengths for him, an Outer Disciple, to incur the ire of the Great Zhou Direct Pointing Department.
They were even willing to personally intervene on his behalf.
"Rumor has it the Wuu Quan couple had a good relationship with the Zichuan King."
"During the Seven Kingdoms Chaos, Wuu Quan personally traveled to Zichuan Country to persuade the Zichuan King. When the king refused to listen, Wuu Quan turned to Zhang Family Village and saved Jiangg Xian."
"Now the Direct Pointing Department has come knocking, and Wuu Quan still intends to protect me."
Since entering the sect.
Wuu Quan and Zhang Jin had never summoned Chen Jichuan, apart from the exception that allowed him to become an Outer Disciple. They never offered him special treatment either. If this were Jiangg Xian’s former self, he might have felt slighted, and like Zhang Yu—a thankless wretch—may even harbored resentment, which wouldn’t be out of the ordinary.
Chen Jichuan’s mindset, however, remained calm.
Still, he didn’t harbor much gratitude, as the favor was directed toward his predecessor—not him. He merely noted it in his heart, planning to repay the kindness in passing someday.
This incident, though, gave Chen Jichuan deeper insight into Wuu Quan and Zhang Jin.
"These two are the sort who quietly do good deeds without seeking recognition or reciprocation."
Chen Jichuan initially held little opinion about the couple but, after this, his fondness for them increased significantly.
By comparison.
The one supposedly ’bound together by fate,’ Zhang Yu, was utterly contemptible.
...
"Two-faced and deceitful."
"Corrupted in spirit."
Chen Jichuan stood up, left the quiet room, and returned to his residence.
Three years after joining the sect.
He and Zhang Yu still shared the same room.
In those three years.
Chen Jichuan achieved Qi Refining Fourth Realm, though outwardly he only displayed the cultivation of someone newly promoted to Innate.
Even so, among his cohort of Outer Disciples, he ranked as a top talent with unrivaled progression.
In comparison.
Zhang Yu was much more mediocre, bordering on useless.
Three full years had only brought him to Perfect Fetal Breathing, barely reaching the Postnatal Level.
He was in the last echelon.
The disparity between him and Chen Jichuan—a true genius—was as vast as heaven and earth.
Both had lost their families in tragedy.
Both had been brought back by the Lord.
Both had entered the Outer Disciple ranks.
Yet the difference between them was nearly insurmountable, leaving Zhang Yu deeply dissatisfied and, over time, increasingly warped.
When interacting with Chen Jichuan, Zhang Yu always maintained a façade while harboring resentment underneath.
Privately, he often made snide remarks, believing that Chen Jichuan’s rapid progress was due to favoritism from the Lord, stemming from connections with the Zichuan King.
Envy was the original sin.
As jealousy took root in his heart, it flourished. With Chen Jichuan’s ascension to Innate, this envy reached its peak.
Until today.
"The Direct Pointing Department!"
"Brocade Robe Direct Pointing!"
"Jiangg Xian, your good days have come to an end!"
Upon hearing news that the Direct Pointing Department sought to apprehend Jiangg Xian, Zhang Yu grew deeply excited, convinced that Chen Jichuan’s demise was imminent.