Volume One, Chapter Five: A Stroll Through the Streets

With a crash of thunder, the entire sky blazed with light, as if a white-hot incandescent bulb had burst, flooding the world with brilliance for a fleeting instant. Everyone squinted, their eyes unable to withstand the searing glare of the lightning strike.

Yet Jiang Chen stood there as if nothing had happened, gazing quietly in the direction where Old Daoist Wang had tried to flee.

“Huh? Where did he go? Little Celestial Master, you let him run?” Tong Yan stepped forward, her tone incredulous.

Jiang Chen shook his head slightly. “He’s been reduced to ashes. Died completely and utterly.”

Celestial Masters of Mount Longhu possessed the Heavenly Eye, able to perceive all things in the mortal world. In that split second, Old Daoist Wang had been struck by the lightning and vaporized, not a trace of him left behind.

Tong Wuji gnashed his teeth. “He was steeped in wickedness—his death is no loss. I only regret not ending him with my own hands!”

With that matter concluded, Jiang Chen said, “Auntie, as long as Uncle recuperates properly, he will recover. The rest is beyond your abilities—leave it to me.”

To use such a vicious technique as infusing a body with baleful energy most likely meant the perpetrator was, like Jiang Chen, an insider in their world. And among their kind, the gravest taboo was using supernatural means against ordinary people. For ordinary folk, ordinary methods suffice; if one resorts to extraordinary means and word gets out, the whole circle will hunt you down. Jiang Chen could not fathom why anyone would risk so much just to kill a mere mortal.

The beautiful woman spoke with reverence, “Thank you, Celestial Master, for saving his life. Our Tong family has nothing worthy to repay you. Here are six million; please accept it.”

She had clearly prepared the card long ago, waiting only for the cure to be effected.

“Aunt, how can we use your money?” Tong Yan protested immediately, surprising Jiang Chen.

He had always assumed this beautiful woman was Tong Yan and Tong Wuji’s mother. No matter how youthful her looks, her age was apparent. Yet she was not their mother but their aunt.

The woman replied, “It’s only six million. If it can save my brother-in-law’s life, nothing is more important. We are family—don’t speak of money.”

Jiang Chen guessed at the situation, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

“Though I am short of money, my intention was only to lend a hand, not to make a profit. So I won’t accept payment. I just need to ask this young lady a few questions—that will be my reward.” Jiang Chen smiled.

Tong Yan huffed. “What young lady? How am I young? Don’t slander me with empty words!”

Jiang Chen glanced down and couldn’t help but gasp.

She really was... Well, in truth...

Her voluptuous figure was not unlike that of the beautiful woman, yet hers retained the freshness and innocence of youth.

“All right, you’re not young,” Jiang Chen said seriously. “There’s something I’d like to ask. If you answer honestly, that will be reward enough for saving your father.”

As her father’s lifesaver, Tong Yan took him very seriously. Her earlier retort was only because she didn’t want her figure to be belittled. After all, even at university, her looks could turn the heads of any male student.

“Go ahead. I’ll tell you whatever I know.” Tong Yan’s gaze was bright and candid.

Jiang Chen gestured. “There’s a girl in her twenties who looks very much like you, but more mature.”

Tong Yan stroked her smooth, fair chin and thought carefully. After a long moment, she shook her head in regret. “Sorry, Little Celestial Master, I’ve never seen anyone who looks like me. Even if there was someone who resembled me even a little, I’d remember. But truly, there’s no one.”

Jiang Chen was not disappointed; he had expected as much. Though he had inherited the arts of Mount Longhu and the secrets of celestial calculation, trying to divine the whereabouts of his senior sister—whose fate had been veiled by the heavens since birth—was as futile as a madman’s dream.

“No matter. There’s no rush. Should you ever hear anything, I’d be grateful if you let me know,” Jiang Chen said, bowing slightly.

Tong Wuji’s gaze was earnest. “Rest assured, Celestial Master. This will be one of the most important things in my life. If I ever see a girl who even slightly resembles my sister, I’ll inform you at once.”

Jiang Chen yawned. “So... when do we eat? I’m a bit hungry.”

He remembered being driven out by Ning Rou that morning, skipping breakfast in the hustle and bustle. Now his stomach was rumbling.

Though he had long mastered the art of fasting, Jiang Chen saw no reason to deprive himself when good food was at hand. Fasting was only for extreme situations—otherwise, he never wanted to experience it.

Tong Wuji hurried to say, “I’ll have the butler prepare something—no, I’ll do it myself! Sister, take the Celestial Master out for a stroll.”

Tong Yan, clearly in high spirits, grabbed Jiang Chen’s arm. “Hehe, come shopping with me! I haven’t bought anything in days because of Dad. Come with me, and I’ll get a change of clothes.”

At her words, both the beautiful woman and Tong Wuji burst out laughing, their affection for the girl plain to see.

Jiang Chen was about the same age as her, but such family warmth had vanished from his life at age ten. If the Jiang family in the capital still existed, perhaps he, too, could be carefree like this girl.

“Well, all right. But I think my clothes are fine for now—no need to change.”

His outfit, though a bit rumpled after last night, was still wearable, just a bit roguish in appearance.

Tong Yan hooked her arm through his. “Brother, we’ll be back soon...”

Feeling the softness pressed against him, Jiang Chen’s expression was uncommonly content, as a sense of delight spread through him like the autumn breeze.

Blushing, he said, “Beauty, is this really an appropriate way to walk together?”

Tong Yan looked at his flushed face in puzzlement. “Why not? Aren’t you a Celestial Master? I thought Celestial Masters were supposed to be above worldly passion.”

Jiang Chen corrected her. “It’s not about abandoning all feeling, just love. That’s for monks. Daoists can marry and fall in love.”

By now, the two had wandered quite far and arrived at the underground garage.

Tong Yan pressed her key, and a silver Ferrari chirped in response as the door swung open.

“I see. Well, how about we be friends?” she said, taking the driver’s seat.

Jiang Chen had once had many friends, but after they learned of his identity, most grew distant and deferential. True friends were few and far between. This girl probably had no idea what it meant to be a Celestial Master.

But perhaps that was best. The less she knew, the purer the friendship.

Once in the car, Jiang Chen took the passenger seat. Tong Yan’s driving was smooth, and he was about to nap, having been exhausted by the events of the night before.

But just as he closed his eyes, Tong Yan slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a screeching halt. She gasped for breath, clearly frightened.

Jiang Chen frowned and looked outside. Parked beside them was a flashy red Lamborghini H5.

The window rolled down to reveal a man and a woman in sunglasses staring their way.

“Well, well, Tong Yan’s out for a stroll with her pretty boy,” sneered Li Jingshou.

Tong Yan squinted. “Li Jingshou, are you out of your mind? Driving that fast—aren’t you afraid of crashing?”

Li Jingshou was utterly indifferent. “Tch, if you’re scared to drive fast, why buy a sports car? Better to get yourself a chopped chili fish’s head.”

Vroom—

With a roar, the street was left swirling with dust.

Tong Yan pounded the steering wheel in frustration. “I’m so mad! So mad!”

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. “Tsk tsk, that’s some arrogance.”

Tong Yan was seething. “If I knew the car better, I’d have caught up to him for sure.”

Jiang Chen’s eyes sparkled. “Well then... how about letting me try?”