Jiang Wang received a gift from a friend on Wine Yeast Street in Du Kang City.
It was a box made of iron willow wood, its lid secured by a concealed lock bearing the "Shimen Li" insignia. With a gentle push, the lock gave way and the box opened.
The interior was lined with red silk, upon which lay a slender Dragon Whisker Arrow.
A note came with the arrow. It read—
"I heard you've fallen into the deep sea of the Heavenly Dao and can't pull yourself free. As it happened, I had nothing to do not long ago, so I casually comprehended a move, [Sea-Calming Form]. Its essence lies in the word 'suppress'—calm the heart-sea, suppress divine intent. I don't know whether it'll be of use to you!"
"Best if it helps. If it doesn't, hurry up and forget it with me.
"This arrow technique will surely become a secret transmission of Shimen in the future, exclusive to the City-Crushing Marquis Mansion, never to be taught to outsiders! Unless... heh heh!"
There was writing on the back of the note as well.
It said—"Don't flatter yourself or indulge in wishful thinking. What I mean is, unless you kneel before my grandmother and offer her tea, letting her acknowledge you as her god-grandson. She's fond of you, after all. When the time comes, she'd be willing to give up even a direct lineage!"
If Chongxuan Fatty wanted to keep something secret, he could absolutely ensure that not a whisper leaked out. By the same token, if he wanted those "who might be able to help" to know, he could make sure they naturally came to know everything they should.
Jiang Wang had no reason to blame Chongxuan Sheng for anything, and he had not seen his old friends in