Volume One, Chapter 8: They Are All Mine!

The sudden inquiry caused Jiang Yun’s hand, which had already reached for his teacup, to freeze abruptly, as if held by an invisible force.

A swift thought crossed his mind, recognizing the urgency of the moment. Ignoring the untouched tea, he quickly adjusted his posture to face Jiang Wu directly. His expression instantly turned serious and grave. “Jianzi, Ye Chen… it seems he has regained his true energy.”

As he spoke, his lips trembled involuntarily, as though each word bore an indescribable weight. His eyes revealed a mixture of disbelief and apprehension.

“What? He has true energy within him?!” Jiang Wu’s voice suddenly rose, filled with stunned incredulity and shock.

Upon hearing this, his complexion turned ashen, as if struck by lightning. He froze in place, eyes wide with disbelief, his heartstrings trembling violently like a leaf caught in a fierce storm, utterly unsteady.

After all, Ye Chen had been poisoned by a spirit-eroding pill administered by Jiang Wu himself.

That pill was an exceedingly insidious and covert elixir, capable of silently disrupting the balance of a cultivator’s innate energy. It rendered the dantian hollowed out like a beehive, unable to store even a trace of spiritual energy, causing the practitioner’s cultivation to plummet drastically—almost rendering them a cripple.

The terror of this pill lay not only in its potent toxicity but also in its stealth; victims rarely noticed the poison until their cultivation was utterly depleted, only then realizing the truth.

“Chief Jiang, are you absolutely certain about this?” Jiang Wu fixed his gaze on Jiang Yun, his tone tinged with urgency and desperation, as if the answer held the key to his very survival.

But this question caught Jiang Yun off guard.

He had been confident, believing the energy surging within Ye Chen was indeed his true energy.

Yet facing Jiang Wu’s interrogation, doubt crept into his mind.

That energy, while strikingly similar to true energy, seemed to carry an indescribable, peculiar quality, leaving him unable to confirm with absolute certainty.

“I… I…” Jiang Yun’s voice faltered, his throat seemingly clogged, stammering without managing a complete sentence.

His gaze flickered nervously, shifting between Jiang Wu and avoiding his eyes, betraying a state of anxiety and unease.

Seeing this, Jiang Wu’s anger ignited like dry tinder set ablaze, roaring fiercely.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles whitened, on the verge of exploding.

Yet just as he was about to lose control, he took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his rage.

He understood this was no time for anger; only calmness could uncover the solution.

“Chief Jiang, you’re uncertain? Or… have you discovered something else?” Jiang Wu’s voice was low and forceful, each word carrying the weight of a thousand pounds.

His eyes held an unwavering resolve and authority, as if trying to pierce through Jiang Yun’s heart to find the true answer.

Meeting Jiang Wu’s gaze, Jiang Yun felt an invisible pressure wash over him, causing his body to tremble involuntarily.

He knew well Jiang Wu’s decisive nature; to vex him would bring dire consequences.

With this in mind, Jiang Yun summoned his courage and explained, “Jianzi, what I can confirm is that Ye Chen does have an energy within him resembling true energy. But whether it is genuine true energy, I… I cannot yet say for sure.”

His voice quivered slightly, revealing his inner turmoil.

“Resembling true energy?” Jiang Wu furrowed his brow, a flash of doubt and shock crossing his eyes.

He murmured, “Could it be that Ye Chen obtained some transcendent opportunity, allowing him to recover or even enhance his cultivation despite the poisoning? Impossible—every move he made was under my strict surveillance. How could he have had the chance to obtain such a fortune?”

A cold gleam flickered in Jiang Wu’s eyes as he pondered this possibility.

But soon he composed himself, looking at Jiang Yun, he said, “Alright, I understand. You’ve done well. Though you haven’t given me a definitive answer, your report is still valuable.”

With that, Jiang Wu produced a delicate vial from his bosom and handed it to Jiang Yun.

“These are some elixirs to aid your cultivation advancement. Since you serve me, I will not treat you unfairly. But I must warn you, next time you report, it would be best to bring me more conclusive news.”

Jiang Yun accepted the vial, hands trembling slightly. Still, he lightly caressed the exquisite container, his eyes shimmering with complex emotions.

Gratitude overflowed—this was Jiang Wu’s recognition of his loyalty and effort.

Yet, beneath it lay a trace of fear, knowing this reward carried higher expectations and stricter demands.

He took a deep breath to steady himself, then bowed deeply, his voice sincere and reverent: “Thank you, Jianzi, for the elixirs. Jiang Yun will continue to strive and live up to your expectations.”

Jiang Wu nodded slightly, a faint, barely perceptible smile curling his lips—clearly pleased with Jiang Yun’s attitude.

“Hmm, send someone to escort Chief Jiang,” he commanded with a voice both authoritative and composed.

Before he finished speaking, a guard clad in sturdy armor, face stern and cold, quietly appeared at the door—none other than Guard Mo.

Jiang Wu’s gaze lingered on Mo for a moment before turning back to Jiang Yun, as if recalling something important.

“By the way, Chief Jiang,” he paused briefly and then tapped the finely crafted storage pouch at his waist. A faint glow flickered, and a small, compact transmission jade slip appeared in his palm.

“Junior Brother Jiang, to avoid delays in communication and to ensure more timely contact, next time anything arises, use this jade slip to reach me first.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun’s heart jolted, then warmth surged within him.

He understood this was not only a sign of trust but also an elevation of his status. He carefully received the transmission jade slip, tucking it into his bosom, and bowed once again: “Thank you, Jianzi. Jiang Yun will obey your orders diligently.”

“Hmm, see Junior Brother Jiang out,” Jiang Wu said lightly, his gaze already shifting elsewhere, seemingly contemplating the plan ahead.

Guard Mo immediately stepped forward, gesturing politely yet coldly to Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun bowed once more to Jiang Wu, his movements smooth and respectful, every detail betraying his reverence and loyalty to the Jianzi.

Then he turned, his steps steady yet tinged with hesitation, as he followed Guard Mo out of the room.

As the door softly closed behind him, his heart felt like a lake stirred by a thousand racing sails—filled with boundless hope and yearning for the future, yet mingled with anxiety and unease about the unknown challenges and hardships ahead.

Jiang Wu sat quietly on the round stool, unmoving, yet his gaze pierced through the closed door as if it could penetrate walls, watching Jiang Yun’s retreating figure grow distant.

His eyes were deep and complex, reflecting both acknowledgment of Jiang Yun’s loyalty and contemplation of the impending stratagems.

“Ye Chen,” Jiang Wu silently murmured the name, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of his mouth, “If you truly obtained some transcendent opportunity after that poisoning, then all of this will be mine.”