Chapter 1427: Warmly Welcomed

There was a Crazed God Castle north of the Blue Eagle Mountain. This was the biggest black market in Blue Eagle Prefecture. One could get anything they wanted there as long as they had divine roots. Even if people wanted to sleep with the young mistresses of smaller family clans—like Luo Qingyan for example, the Crazed God Castle could make it happen. Of course, the condition was… they had to have enough divine roots.

Jiang Yi was not there to find trouble. Even if he had not already answered to the Earth Emanations Sovereign himself, Jiutian Ze was very obedient. He would not go to the Crazed God Castle to seek trouble for no reason.

Once Xiao Hong heard that Jiang Yi was only going there to buy things, he shot a look at one of his subordinates. Then, he summoned a Divine Boat and flew to the north together with Jiang Yi.

The Xiao Clan had already dominated the Blue Eagle Prefecture for ten years. Their relationship with an elder of the Mo Clan was very good in the past. However, that elder picked the wrong team. Ever since the current Earth Emanations Sovereign rose to power, that elder lost his. The Xiao Clan, by extension, lost their backing as well. Xiao Hong was afraid that he would be stripped of his role anytime by the Earth Emanations Sovereign. Strictly speaking, the Xiao Clan had selected the wrong team to join back then as well. It was only natural that he, as the head of the clan, would have to clear up the mess.

Now, at last, he had a chance to do so. How could Xiao Hong allow anything to go wrong? Although he was not sure what the Earth Emanations Sovereign saw in Jiang Yi, he knew full well that Jiang Yi would soar to the skies one day.

In all these years, when had the Earth Emanations Sovereign ever shamed his subordinates in front of so many people? This Earth Emanations Sovereign’s character was calm and warm. Unless someone stepped way out of line, he ordinarily would not deal with them so harshly. The most he would normally do was punish the perpetrator in private.

The Earth Emanations Sovereign could easily have sent a voice transmission to Qin Lianshan back in the Earth Emanations Hall, telling him to stop pursuing this matter. That would have achieved the same outcome; Jiang Yi would have been protected. However, he did not do so. Instead, he waited for the vote to take place and waited until Jiang Yi was about to be executed before he sent such a harsh voice transmission. What did that mean?

It meant that he was either very unhappy with the Qin Clan’s attitude or he was purposely trying to make known that he was doing Jiang Yi a huge favor. Later, he even asked Mo Lingqiu to lead Jiang Yi to the nameless island. This showed that it was the latter. He wanted the whole Earth Emanations Domain to know that he wanted to protect Jiang Yi!

This meant that Jiang Yi could do whatever he wanted in the Earth Emanations Domain from now on. Once his skills improved, he would probably become one of the Earth Emanations Sovereign’s most favored subordinates, much less achieve the same status as Mo Lingqiu. If Xiao Hong could get into Jiang Yi’s good books, he would have a firm backing in the future.

“Jiang Yi, why didn’t you bring Xiao Leng with you this time? Has that brat become disobedient?”

While on the Divine Boat, Xiao Hong said casually. He was old, experienced, and smart. He knew that in order to get close to someone, he could not be too overboard. Even if he sent his daughter to sleep with Jiang Yi for a night, he guessed that Jiang Yi would not care much for him. With people like Jiang Yi, he had to slowly and steadily build the relationship.

Jiang Yi’s expression became warm at the mention of Xiao Leng. He shook his head and said, “No, Old Xiao is not bad. He got injured when he followed me the last time and is now in Divine Eagle City recuperating. Prefecture Lord, I haven’t thanked you for sending Old Xiao to protect me.”

“No worries, no worries!”

Xiao Hong grinned and took note in his heart that Xiao Leng had at least done something good. Nonchalantly, he said, “This Ninth Brother of mine is not good with words but is good at heart. It is his privilege to be able to follow you. If he’s been inadequate in any way, just discipline him on my behalf.”

“Keke!”

Jiang Yi knew what Xiao Hong was getting at but did not reveal his true motives. Instead, he nodded and said, “Prefecture Lord, you are too kind. Jiang Yi will remember the favor you have extended in protecting him this time.”

“It’s a small matter; it’s a small matter!”

Xiao Hong’s smile deepened further. Now that Jiang Yi had put it this way, it would be too much for Xiao Hong to continue to talk about this matter. He thus changed the topic and said, “Jiang Yi, what do you want to buy at the Crazed God Castle? I’ll see if I have stock any stock in my storage. If I do, you won’t have to make the trip down. The Jiutian Clan’s people can be quite annoying. You can return the goods to me when you manage to obtain them in the future.”

Xiao Hong had an idea of Jiang Yi’s character now. He did not offer to give these things to Jiang Yi, but he offered to ‘lend’ them to him instead, saying that he could return it next time. He even said that the people of Jiutian Clan were annoying. He was making it clear that he was on the same side as Jiang Yi by making it seem like they had common enemies.

As expected!

A smile appeared on Jiang Yi’s face. He pondered for a moment and then said, “I need to buy black rainstones, golden hearthstones, and Tian Qi flowers. Do you have them, Prefecture Lord?”

“These things…”

Xiao Clan pondered for a moment and then answered awkwardly, “I don’t manage the Xiao Clan’s store. I will have to go back and ask them if we have any of these. Why don’t we go to the Crazed God Castle to take a look first? If I find out that I have these items in storage, I will send someone to deliver them to Divine Eagle City.”

It was obvious that the Xiao Clan did not have these things. Still, Jiang Yi did not tear Xiao Hong’s act apart. Instead, he said courteously, “Thank you, Prefecture Lord.”

Xiao Hong changed the topic once again and talked about the local customs, weather, mountains, and scenery of the Blue Eagle Mountain. Since Jiang Yi had nothing better to do, he held up the conversation. He had to admit that Xiao Hong was a really smart man. He knew exactly how to act and talk so that after one conversation alone, Jiang Yi’s view of him increased greatly.

Half a day later, the Divine Boat arrived at a huge mountainous region. This region had a maze formation set up as well. Once the Divine Boat flew up to the peak of the mountains, there was a white flash; and a huge castle appeared in front of them. What shocked Jiang Yi was that a lot of people were standing outside the gates. Among these people were Jiutian Ze and Young Mistress He. Their gazes locked on the Divine Boat. It was almost as if they had been waiting for Jiang Yi to arrive.

“Keke!”

Xiao Hong smiled mockingly and said, “Jiutian Ze and Young Mistress He have quite a good intelligence network. Jiang Yi, they must be here to specially receive you.”

“Let’s go.”

Jiang Yi remained expressionless. He did not like Jiutian Ze or Young Mistress He in the least. He stood up and flew off the Divine Boat with Xiao Hong. Jiutian Ze grinned from afar and said, “Hahaha, it’s a small world indeed. Brother Jiang, I trust you have been well since we last met? Even Prefecture Lord Xiao is here?”

Jiang Yi laughed mirthlessly in his heart. Before today, Xiao Hong’s status was much higher than his. Now, Jiutian Ze was addressing him first even though both of them appeared together? It was obvious that they had already heard about what happened in Earth Emanations City. They must also have found out that he was on his way to Crazed God Castle. They were waiting here on purpose.

Jiang Yi would not strike against someone who was playing nice. He cupped his hands and said, “Brother Jiutian and Young Mistress He are here, too? I heard that there will be an auction here soon. I have come to buy some things.”

Jiang Yi made clear what he meant to do. He was only there to buy something and not to take advantage of others. He did not even want to have too much interaction with Jiutian Ze and Young Mistress He.

Young Mistress He’s entire body still looked quite blurry. However, at that moment, she revealed her true features and bowed deeply. With a sweet smile, she said, “City Lord Jiang, we warmly welcome you! Your presence brings light to Crazed God Castle. Please enter, everyone.”

Once she finished speaking, Young Mistress He turned and swung her full bottom as she led the way. Jiutian Ze gestured for them to walk before him. Jiang Yi had no choice but to follow Young Mistress He in. Xiao Hong remained silent and followed behind Jiang Yi, instinctively becoming his lackey and bodyguard.

Jiang Yi was led into a prestigious, huge hall. There were a total of eight maidservants standing inside. A snow-white carpet was laid out on the floor, and various types of spirit fruits and exquisite wines were laid out on the table. At the corner of the wall, he spotted a fragrant incense stick that was lit just a moment ago. Everything proved that Jiutian Ze and Young Mistress He were prepared.

“Brother Jiang, have some tea!”

The maidservants began to serve tea. Jiang Yi took one sip and found that warmth spread throughout his body after taking just one sip. These tea leaves were nourishing for the soul? Xiao Hong took one mouthful as well and said, “My honorable nephew, my honorable niece, both of you are too kind. I believe these tea leaves are Yu Ling Green Tea? Even I can’t bear to buy these tea leaves…”

“Keke!”

Jiutian Ze smiled subtly and said, “Both of you are my distinguished and welcomed guests. What do these tea leaves count for? That’s right… Brother Jiang, if you want to buy something, just say the word. I’ll send someone to bring those things to your prefecture. Why must you make the trip personally?”

From the looks of the situation, it would be difficult for Jiang Yi to fork out the divine roots for those black rainstones. He guessed that both Jiutian Ze and Young Mistress He would find a way to give those things to him instead. He was not a stubborn man; there was no reason to reject gifts from others. Politely, he responded, “How can I do that? I just want to buy some golden hearthstones, black rainstones, and Tian Qi flowers. I heard that you will be selling them at the auction so I came to take a look.”

Jiutian Ze immediately turned to Young Mistress, who pondered for a while before revealing a charming smile. “I have never heard of Tian Qi flowers. However, we do have three golden hearthstones and black rainstones. These things are not considered very valuable. You don’t have to auction for them, do you? I’ll make the decision and give them to City Lord Jiang immediately. However… the golden hearthstones are at the General Pavilion. City Lord Jiang, why don’t I deliver them to your prefecture myself once I get back?”

As she was speaking, Young Mistress He’s face flushed slightly red. She looked at Jiang Yi coquettishly, causing Jiang Yi’s heart to jump. Was this woman intending to give herself to him?

“Brother Jiang!”

Xiao Hong immediately sent a voice transmission to Jiang Yi doubtfully: “This woman of the He Clan looks cold on the surface, but she is a famous flirt in Earth Emanations City. It’s said that her skills in bed are admirable, and she is an expert at ass-licking. Brother, if you want to give it a shot, feel free to agree to her proposal…”