Jiang's Explanation, the Ye Family's Ambition

The room in the tavern opened, and sandalwood smoke from the incense burner curled through the air. At that moment, Ye Jingcheng's figure seemed all the more unfathomable amid the lingering smoke.

Jiang Jinghe took one look and felt the pressure in his heart surge. He immediately averted his gaze.

There were no spirit dishes on the table, only a pot of spirit tea—Spring Welcoming Tea.

Jiang Jinghe's expression stiffened, but the look quickly vanished without a trace. "Fellow Daoist Ye, may I have a word?"

"Of course I must listen. Master Jiang, please sit. The Ye Family must also move with the tides of Taihang Marketplace," Ye Jingcheng said courteously, inviting him to sit.

He then activated the formation, enveloping the entire room.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, it is not wise for you to leave seclusion now!" Jiang Jinghe let out a long sigh.

"Not only has Jin Chengyun of the Jin Family recovered his cultivation, but their new Purple Palace cultivator, Jin Xuanhen, has also broken through to Golden Core. I met Jin Xuanhen in his early years; his talent truly was exceptional. And now, the Jin Family has close ties with Purple Peak..."

Jiang Jinghe laid out all the stakes and connections, then took out a storage pouch.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, Jiang has never dared forget what happened back then. But they demanded that I offer some token of allegiance. Still, I never dared touch anyone from the Ye Family. Even those who maliciously ruined your reputation were not Jiang's doing. All Jiang did was involve himself in the distribution of resources and the operation of the earthfire chambers. I have always felt guilty over this matter. Inside are the proceeds the earthfire chambers have missed out on over these years!" Jiang Jinghe said.

Ye Jingcheng accepted the