Jiang Chen finally understood why Ma Xiunuo had tried to kill him: he wanted the position of hall master in Notting City.
"Poor Tao-ge," Jiang Chen said with a shake of his head.
"Master, would you like me to deal with them?" Jing Wuming asked.
"No."
Jiang Chen's voice turned cold. "Wouldn't killing them be letting them off too easily? Wouldn't it be better to ruin their reputations and take everything from them?"
Jing Wuming nodded thoughtfully.
"Come with me to the village. I'll take you to meet someone."
Jiang Chen headed toward Holy Soul Village with Jing Wuming. Jing Wuming didn't ask who they were going to meet; he only needed to obey Jiang Chen's orders.
At the village entrance, Jiang Chen told Jing Wuming to wait there while he went in to fetch Tang San.
Tang San's Purple Demon Eye had shown him everything that happened that day, so of course he recognized Jing Wuming.
A moment later, Tang San looked at Jiang Chen apologetically. "Jiang Chen, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you."
Seeing Tang San bow his head and admit his mistake dispelled some of the gloom Jiang Chen had carried these past few days. He wasn't a petty person, and Tang San's actions had come from worrying about his father's and Old Jack's safety.
After clearing things up, Jiang Chen walked Jing Wuming out.
"When you get back, spend more time with people your age and learn how to get along with others. Don't always be so cold and keep to yourself. Understand?"
Jing Wuming paused. What Jiang Chen said was almost exactly the same as what his adoptive father had told him: both of them wanted him to learn to act more like an ordinary person.
He had always been withdrawn, and hadn't paid much attention to his adoptive father's lectures. But now, Jiang Chen's orders were something he had to obey.
"Yes, Master," he replied, committing Jiang Chen's advice to memory.
"You don't have to keep calling me Master. Call me Young Master instead," Jiang Chen said.
"Yes, Young Master."
"Good. Go back and focus on your cultivation. I'll contact you when I need you."
Jing Wuming accepted the order and returned to Notting City.
Jiang Chen's days returned to their peaceful routine: he went running in the mornings, worked iron at Tang Hao's shop in the afternoons, and cultivated his techniques in the evenings.
Ever since Tang San had apologized, his attitude toward Jiang Chen had noticeably improved. He was even friendlier than before the misunderstanding.
Seeing how Tang San had acted since then, Jiang Chen had long since let go of his anger.
After all, Tang San had attacked him that day to protect Tang Hao and Old Jack. If Jiang Chen had been in Tang San's shoes, he would have made the same choice.
As for getting revenge on Ma Xiunuo, Jiang Chen hadn't yet come up with a good plan.
But a gentleman could wait ten years to avenge himself. Once he went to Notting City, he'd have plenty of chances to kill Ma Xiunuo.
Time slipped quietly by in this peaceful life. The villagers of Holy Soul Village had grown used to Jiang Chen's bizarre daily routines, and gradually stopped fearing him as much as they once had.
One night, more than two months later, the moon hung high in the sky and a hazy darkness covered the land. For once, Jiang Chen wasn't cultivating.
It was already late, and everyone else was fast asleep. Jiang Chen sat cross-legged on his bed, his heart surging with excitement.
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