Chapter Three: All My Disciples Have Become Big Shots (Please Add to Your Collection)

Jiang Ziyue gazed at Jiang Yu’s back with a complex expression, unable to suppress a sense of regret for his life. In prominent families, nothing is more valued than the continuation of the family line. If it weren’t for contracting the wasting disease, Jiang Yu’s family would never have suffered such oppression. If he had chosen to keep the secret of his illness buried in his heart, perhaps the Jiang family would not have treated him so harshly. Yet, he had insisted on making it public.

“The gap between you and Jiang Shaoqi is simply too vast. No girl would ever reject a man like him. I hope what I’ve said can bring you some comfort,” Jiang Ziyue said, her usual pride softened with a hint of pity that only ever appeared when she faced Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu’s parents had always treated her kindly since childhood, always letting her have the best food and drink first. Every time, whatever Jiang Yu received was merely what Jiang Ziyue had left behind.

Jiang Yu nodded indifferently, his heart as calm as still water. “I understand.”

No! You have absolutely no idea about the gulf between you and Jiang Shaoqi! All the brilliance of genius shrouds Jiang Shaoqi. He stands like a towering tree in the path of your life, and no matter how hard you strive, you will never surpass him.

Jiang Ziyue screamed these words in her heart. Soon, she regained her former cold composure, and said quietly, “Go change into something decent. In a moment, you’re coming with me to the banquet.”

With long, elegant strides, she left, leaving Jiang Yu alone.

Jiang Yu took a deep breath and instinctively glanced in the direction where Zheng Xuan stood, amused. “In five thousand years, I’ve met more peerless beauties than I can count. The Saintess of the Six Realms, the Princess of Qishan, Daji, Diaochan, Wang Zhaojun, the great saints of the demon clan…”

“All of these women possessed beauty to shame the moon and outshine the flowers. Back then, they would weep and beg to become my maidservants for another chance at life. Yet, no matter how dazzling, in my eyes, they were but painted skeletons beneath the surface.”

Only the Princess of Qishan once shared a fleeting romance with Jiang Yu; thinking of that enchanting woman, Jiang Yu felt a faint stir in his heart.

He pushed these thoughts aside and returned to his room to change into clothes that were at least presentable.

It was worth mentioning that Jiang Yu’s room was no different from a servant’s quarters—a cramped space of barely a dozen square meters, furnished with a single spring mattress and a few chairs and tables, leaving barely enough room to move. This was something Jiang Yu had never dared tell his parents. If his father ever found out, he would have stormed the Jiang family in a rage for sure.

Among those attending the banquet was Zheng Xuan. The Jiang family had invited her family to stay with them for a while, and her parents had agreed, seizing the opportunity to let Zheng Xuan and Jiang Shaoqi build a rapport. For the Jiang family, whether Zheng Xuan married Jiang Yu or Jiang Shaoqi, it was all the same.

When Jiang Yu arrived at the door, everyone was already waiting.

Jiang Shaoqi glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and sneered, “You took so long to change—were you putting on dragon robes?”

Zheng Xuan kept her head lowered indifferently, not sparing Jiang Yu a single glance.

Jiang Ziyue was dressed in a summer-style Hermès bodycon dress, her pale neck adorned with a custom-made Swarovski amethyst necklace that drew the eye. On her feet were high heels that accentuated her curves, exuding a mature, sensual charm. What caught Jiang Yu’s attention most was the handbag she carried—the LV 60th Anniversary Special Edition, which, according to official advertisements, was encrusted with 138 small diamonds and edged with platinum, with a price tag exceeding half a million.

For the Jiang family, whose total assets barely exceeded ten million, to spend over half a million on a gift for Jiang Ziyue was proof of the importance they placed on her. In terms of wealth, the Jiangs were at the bottom in Yun City. Old Master Jiang’s lifelong wish was to see a dragon or phoenix rise from the family to lead them to glory.

Outside, two sedans waited. One was Zheng Xuan’s family’s BMW 7 Series; the other, the Jiang family’s Audi A6L. Naturally, Zheng Xuan and Jiang Shaoqi got into the BMW.

Jiang Ziyue shot a glare at Jiang Yu and said irritably, “Why are you just standing there? Do you expect me to let you take a cab? Jiang Yu, when will you ever accomplish anything?”

Jiang Yu smiled, taking a cigarette from his pocket and placing it in his mouth. “What, do you want me to become a local crime boss like Li Hao in Yun City?”

Jiang Ziyue reached to snatch the cigarette away. “Have you already given up on yourself in front of me?”

Jiang Yu replied, “Do you really think so little of me?”

Jiang Ziyue let out a laugh. “With your timid demeanor, you want to become someone like Li Hao? That man was already a legend in our parents’ generation—countless businesses under his control, worth hundreds of millions. Now, he’s at the very top, looking down on the city.”

“A few years ago, I had the privilege of accompanying Grandfather on a business trip to meet Li Hao. His commanding presence left an indelible impression on me. I’ve also heard he’s close to celebrity Gu Feifei and Ma Tianzong, the richest man in Jiangbei. Let me put it this way: if Li Hao so much as stamps his foot, the whole of Jiangbei Province would tremble.”

Jiang Yu listened quietly, a faint smile on his lips.

As she drove, Jiang Ziyue continued, “Rumor has it that Li Hao even knows a general—though I don’t know if that’s true. But heights like that are beyond your reach.”

Jiang Yu offered no rebuttal. After all, the people Jiang Ziyue spoke of were, in the past, his own disciples, collected on a whim. In five thousand years, he had lost count of how many apprentices he had taken, or how many were still alive in this world.

…

Azure Sea Sky, Yun City’s most exclusive club.

A seven-story building spanning tens of thousands of square meters, with hundreds of staff. Every local knew that if you wanted to indulge in luxury in Yun City, Azure Sea Sky was the premier destination. This property belonged to Li Hao. Currently, it was managed by his right-hand man, known as “Head Wolf,” who kept everything in perfect order.

At the entrance, the guests were already gathering. Sun Wanyue, who had publicly questioned Jiang Yu’s manhood the day before, was also present.

Yuan Tiangang—he was here too?

Jiang Yu knew of Yuan Tiangang: one of Yun City’s top playboys, with a family fortune exceeding a hundred million. He was notorious for his debauchery and insatiable lust, reputed to have seduced enough women to form a reinforced company. Years ago, his reckless ways led to the death of a minor celebrity. Since she had some backing, the scandal exploded, and the family sent him off to the military.

His reputation for ruthlessness preceded him among Yun City’s younger generation. To Jiang Yu’s surprise, upon returning from the army, Yuan Tiangang had grown more restrained and dangerous, his eyes sharp and calculating. He wore a special forces uniform, his build tall and powerful.

“Wow, Brother Tiangang, you’re here too?” Jiang Ziyue’s usually cold expression softened into delight at the sight of him.

To Jiang Yu, this “cousin” was a mystery. Jiang Ziyue had no interest in delicate, pretty boys, yet she idolized the likes of Li Hao and Yuan Tiangang—men overflowing with masculine vigor. Of course, it was purely admiration.

Yuan Tiangang turned to her, a flash of admiration in his eyes. He approached with a smile. “When I left for the army, you were just a girl of fifteen or sixteen.”

Jiang Ziyue joked, “Don’t get any ideas about me. I may admire you, but I’m not some mindless bimbo.”

Yuan Tiangang scratched his head and smiled awkwardly under the group’s respectful gaze. “I did a lot of bad things when I was young; let’s not talk about that. The past few years in the army have been my redemption.”

Jiang Yu narrowed his eyes. To his surprise, he sensed the flow of spiritual energy within Yuan Tiangang. This was unexpected. Since the end of the late Qing Dynasty, with the decline of cold weapons and the rise of firearms, ancient cultivators had gradually disappeared. In the past century or two, he hadn’t encountered a single ordinary person with spiritual power.

“Brother Tiangang, what brings you here?” Jiang Ziyue asked curiously. She had heard he’d joined the Dragon Soar Special Forces; typically, such units were always on missions and rarely returned home.

Yuan Tiangang replied with a smile, “This time, I came with General Liu Ban’nan. I don’t even know why he’s here—he left me in Jiang City and vanished.”

“I’m just here to settle an old score. Years ago, someone crippled my father for life. If I don’t avenge him, I’m not a man.”

A stir ran through the group. Yuan Tiangang’s father was a UFC fighting expert—yet someone had crippled him?

“Who was it?” asked Jiang Ziyue, ever fascinated by martial prowess.

Yuan Tiangang’s face turned grim as he enunciated, “Lin Wangtian.”

“I know him!” Zheng Xuan, standing beside Jiang Shaoqi, suddenly cried out. “Lin Wangtian is from our Jincheng! He’s a nine-time consecutive UFC champion, the number one in China. He once knocked out an American heavyweight champion with a single punch—no one can withstand his power.”

Jiang Yu couldn’t help but smile wryly. Lin Wangtian—yet another of his disciples.