All Myriad Snake Gangâs mid management and senior executives were put in locked collars and paraded down the streets.
âThe Myriad Snake Gang has committed many evils, so the Coiling Dragon Clan will uphold justice today and put them on a public trial. Our aim is to return a clean, untainted Azure Sea District to everyone. If any one of you have injustices or grudges to tell of, please reveal them now, but without any embellishment.â
There were at least one hundred people kneeling in the square when all the big and small ringleaders of the Myriad Snake Gang were accounted for. The boss and elders of the gang were actually all emperor realm experts. Even the normal ringleaders were at sky sage realm at a minimum. One had to say that a power like this could literally do anything they wanted to the wandering cultivators. However, Jiang Chen didnât think that this Myriad Snake Gang was simply a gang made up of wandering cultivators. If they were, they wouldnât have dared act so arrogantly.
The fact that they had dared do what they did meant that they had a patron behind them. Thankfully, the Ling father and daughter were frightened but safe. Therefore, Jiang Chen didnât plan to go down this particular rabbit hole much further. When the news of Myriad Snake Gangâs public hearing spread, almost every wandering cultivator in the Azure Sea District rushed to attend. There were plenty of victims of the Myriad Snake Gang who showed up as well. All kinds of accusations and complaints were thrown around like snowflakes in a blizzard. Only the heavens knew exactly how many sinister secrets this utterly unethical organization possessed, so any one of these witnesses voiced a tremendous number of charges. The total amount of crimes this gang had accrued were almost innumerable.
Six hours had passed since the public hearing started, but the number of accusers had only grown bigger over time. The sight was getting unbearable even for the likes of young master Ji San. He cursed fiercely, âI never imagined that a tiny gang like this couldâve committed so many crimes. They truly are evil to the core.â
Jiang Chen smiled, âBrother Ji, youâre a great clan descendant who sits high above the status quo and leads a pampered life, so you couldnât possibly imagine just how cruel the competition at the bottom rung is.â
Ji San smiled wryly, âAre you lecturing me, brother?â
Jiang Chen shook his head, âWhat for? You only need to look at these furious wandering cultivators to know just how hard it is to live amongst the roots of society. Veluriyam Capital is quite fair already compared to many other places. It is only normal that there exists a rotten apple or two wherever you go.â
âYou donât need to console me, brother,â Ji San sighed. âVeluriyam Capital has always prided itself as a city of freedom and justice. If these wandering cultivators canât get the protection they deserve here, then it is our breach of responsibility as the administrators of this city.â
Jiang Chen looked to the distance and found that the queue of accusers was practically endless. He couldnât help but smile wryly, âI think we can save the public hearing then, brother Ji. The evidence and statements are more than enough to hang them a hundred times over. Also, if you keep this up, the hearing wonât end even if you keep this up for three days.â
That wasnât an exaggeration either. From the looks of things, every single person who stood up to provide their statements at the hearing were full of grievances to tell. The tears and snot on these peopleâs faces were as pitiful as one could imagine. If this hearing were to continue like this, they might not be done even in ten daysâ time.
Ji San waved a hand to get a semblance of quiet before declaring loudly, âEveryone, the evidence and statements weâve collected are enough to sentence the Myriad Snake Gang to death a hundred times over. Be at ease, the Coiling Dragon Clan will definitely return justice to you all. We will be imprisoning these evildoers and placing them onto death row for the moment. Once weâve reported this to our superiors and verified the evidence, we will announce a public execution and settle your pains once and for all!â
The Azure Sea District had been terrorized by the Myriad Snake Gang for a very long time, so when an upholder of justice finally showed his face in the form of Ji San, no one was willing to let him go just like that. That being said, they also understood that the Myriad Snake Gang was likely doomed for sure this time since the Coiling Dragon Clan itself had gotten involved in the matter. The Myriad Snake Gang left the Azure Sea District under heavy guard. The wandering cultivators who were watching this scene couldnât help but throw a few glances in the Ling father and daughterâs direction. Tongues were wagging spiritedly.
The Myriad Snake Gang has finally been toppled. What a satisfying outcome!â
âI know right? They thought that those two wandering cultivators were easy pickings, but it turns out that they were the exact opposite. The Myriad Snake Gang absolutely deserved what they got. Only the heavens know just how many crimes theyâve committed, and how many lives hace been lost to them.â
âI wonder whatâs the connection between this father and daughter pair and the Coiling Dragon Clan?â
âThat may not necessarily be the case. Perhaps someone reported the Myriad Snake Gang to the Coiling Dragon Clan?â
âMaybe the Coiling Dragon Clan had their eyes on the Myriad Snake Gang for a long time already.â
âHehe, you guys know nothing at all. The Coiling Dragon Clan has kept a low profile for so many years, and they need an opportunity like this one to prove their might to the world. This Myriad Snake Gang is nothing but the appetizer for bigger things to come.â All these wandering cultivators were brimming with excitement. It was obvious that the elimination of the Myriad Snake Gang was a good news of enormous proportion to all of them. Although not all of them were necessarily a victim of the Myriad Snake Gang, everyone in Azure Sea District knew that the gang wasnât a power they could provoke. Every time the Myriad Snake Gang was brought up, there existed no one who wasnât scared witless by the possibility of being targeted by them. Now that this knife hovering over their heads had finally been taken away, almost all the wandering cultivators felt like celebrating. Meanwhile, those at the center of the affair felt like they were dreaming.
Although Ling Huiâer tried her best to control her excitement after Jiang Chenâs reminder, it was only by the barest of margins that it didnât spill over into her face. She was just so very happy. They had been drifting here and there for the past few days and experienced countless hardships before they had finally made it to Veluriyam Capital. The few days theyâd spent after arriving were especially difficult where even finding an affordable inn had become serious business. They were practically on their last ropes. And now, their hardships had finally come to an end in the form of senior brother Jiang Chen.
His existence was literally like that of a hero of legends. He had appeared like a god to save her and her father when she needed him the most. This feeling was just like the time Jiang Chen had cured her fatherâs sickness. His actions were like a battering ram that continually dealt a massive impact to her heart. When Jiang Chen passed by Taiyuan Tower, he said, âBrother Ji, I shall be parting ways with you here.â
âNo problem. A great battle is right upon you, so be ready, brother!â Ji San refrained from inviting Jiang Chen over this time. He knew that Jiang Chen was about to butt heads with Pillfire Cityâs pill dao expert very soon. This battle was one of the most important battles in the history of Veluriyam Capital. It was a battle that happened but once in a millenium. It was so important that young master Ji San dared not affect Jiang Chen in any way for fear that he would disrupt his mental state.
Jiang Chen nodded slightly at Ling Huiâer, and Ling Huiâer pulled her father by the arm towards Taiyuan Towerâs entrance. They were welcomed into the store by Taiyuan Towerâs attendants. Ling Xiao still had no idea about Jiang Chenâs true identity at the moment. Therefore, he was a little anxious and worried by the situation at hand. He wasnât sure whether to be pleased or worried at the excitement on his daughterâs face. He was afraid that theyâd simply jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. But there was nothing he could do now except to take it one step at a time. These people were obviously a hundred times stronger than the Myriad Snake Gang.
If the Myriad Snake Gang was at a level where he could only put on a tiny bit of resistance, then these people were so powerful that he didnât even have the right to resist. After they entered Taiyuan Tower, Jiang Chen spoke to Meng Redhair, âOle Meng, you did very well today. Iâll decrease your period of servitude by ten years and give you an extra reward later.â
But Meng Redhair wasnât overjoyed by this. In fact, he responded with a gloomy expression, âBut young master, I donât want to decrease my period of servitude. In fact, why donât you add ten years instead?â
Jiang Chen was caught off guard, âHuh? But I thought you guys were dissatisfied when I set it at twenty years?â
Meng Redhair said hastily, âThatâs them, not me. I thought from the beginning that you were an extraordinary person, and I sincerely wanted to join you, young master. Iâm a wandering cultivator with no one to rely on anyway, and a person who treats his subordinates as well as you is almost impossible to find. Forget twenty years of servitude, I can spend an entire lifetime here and still be content!â
Jiang Chen smiled wryly as he was momentarily lost for words. Meng Redhair spoke excitedly, âItâs a promise then, young master! Please donât decrease my time here. I only want increases.â
Jiang Chen gave him a smile after he realized that Meng Redhair really did want to stay here. He immediately nodded, âOf course I welcome you to stay, Ole Meng. Donât worry, why would I chase you out if you truly wish to stay here? Keep up the good work. Taiyuan Towerâs future definitely isnât going to stop here.â
Ole Meng nodded repeatedly, âYes, yes, I knew that from the beginning. Young master is no small fish in a pond, and it is only a matter of time before you soar to new heights!â
âMm. Go get some rest. Iâll be talking with them for a little while.â Jiang Chen beckoned the Ling father and daughter over and walked inside. Shen Trifire and a few other Regal Pill Palace sect members also came over. However, none of the two sides recognized each other yet because theyâd all disguised their appearances. Jiang Chen arrived at a private room and made sure that there were no outsiders present before he finally smiled. âJunior sister Huiâer, Uncle Ling, youâve finally shown up. I was quite worried about you two lately.â
Ling Huiâerâs eyes suddenly reddened, and the next thing she did was incredibly shocking. She jumped straight into Jiang Chenâs arms, broke into a loud cry, and punched his chest repeatedly. âSenior brother Jiang, you have no idea how scared Huiâer was just now! We tried to find you so many times in Veluriyam Capital, but we just couldnât, and our spirit stones were about to run out. We were so close to sleeping on the streets and we had no idea what to doâŠâ
Jiang Chen realized that she must have suffered quite a lot of hardships along the way. Their encounter with the Myriad Snake Gang had especially taught her a good lesson. Ling Xiao looked astonished when he heard her words, âNe⊠Nephew Jiang?â
Jiang Chen patted Ling Huiâerâs back softly while casting a slightly apologetic glance at Ling Xiao. âIâm really sorry, Uncle Ling. I wasnât able to find you even though I looked around a lot. Iâm sorry for the troubles youâve gone through.â
âIt really is you?â Even a calm person like Ling Xiao couldnât help but be overwhelmed by joy at this moment.
âItâs me,â Jiang Chen pointed at Shen Trifire and the others. âTheyâre all members of Regal Pill Palace. Shen Trifire also played a big role in saving you two.â
âSenior brother Trifire?â Ling Huiâerâs big eyes looked all over Shen Trifire. âAre you really senior brother Shen?â
Shen Trifire took off his mask and smiled wryly, âIt is your shameful senior brother, junior sister Ling. If it wasnât for senior brother Jiang, every one of us wouldâve been sold off to who knows where already. This day of reunion would not have happened if that had happened.â
Everyone else was also extremely excited to see Ling Huiâer once more. This was the first other sect member theyâd been able to meet except Jiang Chen after the destruction of the Regal Pill Palace. They were overjoyed even at this simple reunion.