Chapter 123: Fatal Weakness

Jiang Chen paid no mind and told Xiao Tong that he would definitely come to seek his advice, steadfast in his identity and name.

“Jiang Chen!”

“All right, I, Xiao Tong, have taken note of you.”

Departing from the inn, Lü Santong unusually broke from his typical demeanor and lavished praise on Jiang Chen’s earlier performance. He knew that if Jiang Chen hadn’t intervened, no one in the entire city would have been in a good mood today.

His change in attitude was a complete submission to Jiang Chen’s prowess; otherwise, someone as proud and high-minded as him would never so easily show goodwill toward anyone.

“Brother Jiang, please forgive my previous ignorance, mistaking you for a mediocre man who merely flaunts petty cleverness. From now on, I, Lü Santong, warmly welcome you to join the Night Punishment Division!”

“If anyone dares to utter a word of dissent, I’ll be the first to slap them twice!”

Though crude and blunt, Lü Santong’s words sincerely conveyed his true feelings.

Jiang Chen chuckled and said, “Men don’t need to be so formal with each other. Besides, I haven’t promised to join the Night Punishment Division; drinking together when we have time is fine, though.”

“Good, Brother Jiang, I won’t return sober!”

Shen Xueying interjected, “You’d better heal your wounds first.”

Lü Santong sighed, “I didn’t expect this Xiao Tong to be so formidable. I lost the initiative due to a moment’s carelessness and never had a chance to turn the tide. But if given another chance, I’d dare to fight him again.”

Even now, Lü Santong only dared claim he could contend with Xiao Tong, never that he could defeat him—enough to show just how extraordinary Xiao Tong’s strength truly was.

Shen Xueying seized the opportunity to praise Jiang Chen, “You’re just too restless and impulsive. This is something you need to learn from Jiang Chen. Look, though his strength is unfathomable, he never boasts or indulges in empty talk.”

“Someone like Xiao Tong is certainly not easy to deal with.”

Jiang Chen instinctively flexed his right wrist. Earlier, when sparring with Xiao Tong, he had to guard the Northern Yan banner with one hand while fending off Xiao Tong’s relentless assault. That period had been arduous.

His wrist still throbbed faintly, indicating minor injury. But this wasn’t because Xiao Tong’s strength was truly on par with Jiang Chen’s—after all, Jiang Chen had deliberately held back one hand, allowing Xiao Tong to gain the upper hand. The real reason lay in Jiang Chen’s physical condition.

Though Jiang Chen had been a special forces king in his previous life, mastering various combat techniques and excelling in swordsmanship and blade arts, all these rested on having a robust physique.

Since rebirth, his temperament honed on the brink of life and death and combat skills forged in countless battles had all been retained without loss. Yet, inheriting the original body proved a vexing weakness.

The original owner was timid and unremarkable, a common man with little talent who had spent years buried in books without physical exercise, resulting in a physique thinner and weaker than average.

Thus, Jiang Chen possessed great skill but could not fully manifest it.

Since rebirth, he had been intensifying his training to shape this body into his ideal form. Fortunately, youth was on his side, and with professional training, the body could grow strong.

But the problem was that this transformation wasn’t instantaneous; it took time. The current limit of this body meant Xiao Tong’s level was about as much as he could handle.

Facing even stronger foes in the future, more weaknesses might surface.

“Do you really want to fight Xiao Tong again?” Shen Xueying suddenly asked.

“No, I don’t intend to, and there may never be another chance,” Jiang Chen smiled, seemingly indifferent to the challenge between them. If he thought otherwise, Xiao Tong would surely be infuriated.

Shen Xueying said, “I really admire your carefree way of handling things. I think I understand your reasoning—it’s indeed unnecessary to keep entangling with someone like Xiao Tong.”

They returned to the Drunken Life Pavilion. By then, Lü Santong had followed Shen Xueying’s advice and gone back to rest. Meanwhile, the pavilion’s old madam, known for her peculiar voice, hurried over.

“Miss Shen, we found her! Lan Hui must have fled to a place called Ten-Mile Village north of the city.”

Ten-Mile Village wasn’t far from Jinyang City. Judging by the time, they could reach it before sunset.

Jiang Chen decided not to delay and set off immediately. Shen Xueying insisted on accompanying him. They left through the north gate, traveling by carriage, though their thoughts diverged.

Lan Hui was a courtesan of the Drunken Life Pavilion. Aside from Shen Xueying, who was a disguised woman from the brothel, Lan Hui had long been the pavilion’s leading beauty.

But half a year ago, this cash cow suddenly decided to leave. To buy her freedom, she even spent all her savings, resolutely severing ties with the brothel world.

The madam said this foolish girl had been deceived by a man’s sweet words, who convinced her to buy her freedom and leave the brothel, leaving her without income and no happy ending.

That man, who had caused Lan Hui’s decision, was none other than Geng Ji, currently imprisoned in the dungeon. Geng Ji’s request to Jiang Chen was to find Lan Hui’s whereabouts and ensure she lived a life free from want.

Despite being in dire straits himself, Geng Ji still cared for the woman, showing he wasn’t as shameless as the madam claimed.

Although Geng Ji’s demands bordered on the unreasonable, Jiang Chen could at most help locate Lan Hui but couldn’t guarantee her future well-being—that would be like supporting her for life.

Nonetheless, Jiang Chen intended to do his best. His promises were usually trustworthy, except when teasing people like Xiao Tong.

Shen Xueying, upon learning this, was already plotting how to capture Lan Hui and use her as leverage to force Geng Ji to surrender.

The two entered the somewhat dilapidated village. Jiang Chen said, “If your plan is to abduct her, I will definitely stop you, so don’t entertain that thought.”

Shen Xueying replied, “You must understand, someone as stubborn as Geng Ji is the hardest to deal with. Now that we know his fatal weakness, shouldn’t we use it to our advantage?”

“Keep things separate. Don’t drag innocent people into this. Besides, I’ve made a promise.”

“Is it necessary to keep a promise to a man who deserves to die a thousand deaths?”