Chapter 6: The Order of the King of Southern Defense

Top floor of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion.

Master Wu was meticulously examining the old man's body.

Jun Wushuang and the young woman stood nearby, patiently waiting.

"It's truly healed!" Master Wu's eyes widened in disbelief. The poison within the old man's body had not only been removed, but his vitality was restored; the deadly outbreak seemed nothing more than a passing nightmare.

This was simply inconceivable!

Master Wu had spent his life refining pills, encountering countless difficult cases. But to witness a cure delivered so effortlessly, as Jun Wushuang had done, was a first.

His heart was filled with awe and suspicion. How had Jun Wushuang accomplished this?

"Grandfather, how are you feeling now?" The young woman asked anxiously after the examination was complete.

"Lan'er, your grandfather is perfectly fine now." The old man, having regained his composure and understanding what had transpired, smiled reassuringly. He rose and solemnly bowed to Jun Wushuang.

"I am Jiang Hongru. Sir, you have my eternal gratitude for saving my life!"

Jiang Hongru? A Jiang?

In the entire Grand Qian Dynasty, only the royal family bore the surname Jiang.

Was this old man of royal descent?

Before Jun Wushuang could finish pondering, Master Wu beside him trembled violently and fell to his knees.

"Your humble servant Wu Shanhe greets Your Highness!"

Master Wu prostrated himself, trembling in terror, his heart in turmoil.

Jun Wushuang did not know who Jiang Hongru was, but as a member of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion, Master Wu knew all too well.

Jiang Hongru, titled the Prince of South Suppression, was the most powerful prince in the Grand Qian Dynasty. Not only was he the emperor's uncle, he was also the Chief Pavilion Master of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion, holding sway over the dynasty's economic lifeblood.

Master Wu could scarcely believe such a figure would appear in remote Jiangning City.

The thought that he had nearly caused Jiang Hongru's death filled Master Wu with dread. Such a crime would warrant the execution of his entire clan.

But Jiang Hongru paid no mind to Master Wu, his gaze fixed intently on Jun Wushuang.

In his eyes, a hundred Master Wus were not worth a single finger of Jun Wushuang.

"A trivial effort, hardly worth mentioning. Besides, I only sought to earn some spirit stones," Jun Wushuang replied, unmoved by Jiang Hongru's princely status.

As the reincarnation of the Heaven-Devouring Demon Emperor, what was a mere prince to him? Even the Grand Qian Dynasty itself was but dust in his eyes.

"Sir, here are two million spirit stones—one million promised by Lan'er, the other a token of my gratitude. I hope you will accept them." Jiang Hongru did not act imperiously; instead, he presented a storage ring with great humility.

"I will only take one million—the rest, I refuse." Jun Wushuang shook his head, took out one million spirit stones from the ring, and returned the remainder.

Greed leads one astray.

Jun Wushuang would not allow himself to lose his way for the sake of a mere million spirit stones.

Master Wu was dumbfounded.

He had not expected Jun Wushuang to resist such temptation.

Jiang Hongru's admiration for Jun Wushuang only deepened.

"Sir, your integrity is remarkable. I was too presumptuous." Jiang Hongru retrieved the storage ring but produced a purple-gold token.

"This is the Order of the Prince of South Suppression—bearing it is as good as seeing me in person."

"Sir, your talents are extraordinary. You are destined for greater things. Jiangning City is too small; the imperial capital would suit you far better. With this token, you may enter the Royal Martial Academy. I hope you will allow me to express my gratitude."

Master Wu's eyes nearly popped out.

The Order of the Prince of South Suppression!

Many dreamed of possessing such a treasure. Though it was not a weapon, it symbolized authority. With it, entry into the Royal Martial Academy—or even the palace itself—would be unhindered.

Master Wu never imagined Jiang Hongru would bestow such a precious item.

"Very well, I accept." The words "Royal Martial Academy" made Jun Wushuang accept the token.

For Ji Qingchen was there.

Once he destroyed the Ji family, he would seek out Ji Qingchen at the Academy to exact his revenge.

The image of Ji Qingchen's venomous, scorpion-like smile stirred an irrepressible killing intent in Jun Wushuang's heart.

"Master Wu, don't forget the Yang Spirit Grass you promised me," Jun Wushuang turned to Master Wu.

His purpose in coming to the Myriad Treasure Pavilion was the Yang Spirit Grass. Jiang Hongru's status was impressive, but his father's safety mattered more.

Master Wu dared not hesitate; he quickly produced three stalks of Yang Spirit Grass and handed them to Jun Wushuang.

"Wu Shanhe, since you lost the wager, from this day forth, you are Sir Jun's servant," Jiang Hongru declared, his voice like a judge's, making Master Wu's heart quiver.

"Yes!" Master Wu had intended to shirk his promise, but with Jiang Hongru's command, he would not dare, even with a hundred times the courage.

One word from Jiang Hongru could consign him to the deepest hell.

Having received the Order, and obtained the Yang Spirit Grass, Jun Wushuang prepared to take his leave.

Jiang Hongru, unable to persuade him to stay, personally escorted him out.

"Sir Jun, when you come to the capital, you must seek me out. I wish to repay your life-saving grace!"

Jun Wushuang nodded, showing no attachment, and departed.

If it were anyone else, discovering Jiang Hongru's identity, they would strive to curry favor.

But Jun Wushuang cared not; compared to Jiang Hongru, his father was far more important.

Now that he had the Yang Spirit Grass, Jun Wushuang only wished to return quickly and refine the antidote.

...

"Grandfather, wasn't your gift too extravagant? A simple word from you would have allowed him entry to the Royal Martial Academy. The Order not only represents royal authority, it commands the entire Myriad Treasure Pavilion. This is your first time giving it away."

Jiang Rulan could not understand—it was simply too much.

"Lan'er, you do not understand." Jiang Hongru's eyes narrowed, a cunning satisfaction evident.

"Your grandfather's illness was seen by the Azure Pill King, but he could only treat the symptoms, not the root. Now, the deadly Yin poison is entirely gone—such a feat cannot be measured by mere treasures."

"Moreover, Sir Jun suffered a great calamity, yet did not succumb to despair. Instead, he found fortune in adversity. He is young and needs room to grow; offering help now is far more valuable than adding to his success later."

Jiang Rulan, naïve and inexperienced, could not grasp the depth.

Jiang Hongru, seasoned and wise, saw Jun Wushuang's extraordinary nature.

The Order was an investment.

Jiang Hongru was confident his investment would yield greater returns.

With this thought, Jiang Hongru turned to Master Wu, still prostrate.

"Wu Shanhe, from today, you must cooperate fully with Sir Jun. Not only must you meet his needs, you must protect his safety. If there is any mishap, settle it yourself!"

Jiang Hongru's authority was absolute.

Master Wu shuddered, not daring to disobey.

"Your servant obeys, Your Highness!"