Chapter 42: A Challenge from Afar

Winter in Jinling had already settled into its full, biting force. The morning wind was like a sharp blade, cutting through the streets with an unforgiving chill.

Jiang Yan knelt outside Jiang Chen's door, wearing only thin work clothes. Her frail frame trembled under the harsh wind, her lips pale from the cold.

Jiang Chen frowned slightly as he stepped past her, not sparing a second glance. Without a word, he made his way toward the construction site of his newly established organization.

He had no time for meaningless theatrics.

By the time he returned at noon, Jiang Yan was still there.

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. He had assumed she would leave once she realized her efforts were futile. But there she was, kneeling in the same spot, her body visibly weaker than before.

"If I hadn't returned, would you have just knelt there forever?" Jiang Chen asked, his voice calm and indifferent.

Jiang Yan, barely able to lift her head, nodded weakly.

Jiang Chen scoffed. "Why bother? Didn't you always look down on me? Why are you here now, kneeling at my doorstep?"

Tears welled up in Jiang Yan's eyes as she forced the words out. "I… I know I was wrong…"

For the first time, the proud and arrogant Jiang Yan had completely lowered her head.

Jiang Chen shook his head, his expression unreadable. "If you knew this day would come, why did you act so high and mighty before?"

With that, he stepped inside and shut the door behind him.

Outside, Jiang Yan covered her face with trembling hands and broke into sobs.

It was only at this moment that she finally understood.

Her arrogance. Her pride. Her belief that she was better than Jiang Chen.

It had all been a lie.

In front of Jiang Chen, she was nothing. And now, it was too late for regrets.

---

Inside, Jiang Chen remained unfazed. He had more pressing matters to attend to.

His next goal was to establish a logistics support company—a crucial step in both his future expeditions and his long-term plans.

The company would serve two main purposes:

1. Preparation for Future Expeditions – By having a dedicated logistics team, Jiang Chen would no longer have to rely on external parties for supplies, transportation, and emergency support.

2. A Cover for His Secrets – Some of Jiang Chen's greatest assets, such as the terrain scanning locator, could not be explained through ordinary means. By tying their origin to his own logistics company, he could attribute these tools to private development rather than revealing their true nature.

With his business acumen and financial resources, setting up the company was a smooth process.

But just as everything was falling into place, new trouble arrived.

---

Two days later, Jiang Chen received an email.

It was written entirely in English.

The sender? The International Adventure Club.

Jiang Chen's eyes darkened as he read through its contents.

It was nothing short of a blatant provocation.

First, they questioned his expedition results, implying that his discoveries were fabricated or exaggerated.

Then, they accused him of deceit, claiming that no explorer could achieve what he had without external assistance.

And finally—the challenge.

They formally invited Jiang Chen to an international exploration challenge.

But there was an ultimatum.

If Jiang Chen refused, he must publicly admit that the explorers of China were weak cowards who could not compare to their foreign counterparts.

Jiang Chen's expression remained calm, but a cold fire burned in his eyes.

If the email had only targeted him personally, he would have ignored it entirely.

But they had deliberately insulted China's entire exploration community—an obvious attempt to force him into action.

If he didn't respond, they would spread rumors, claiming that his silence was an admission of guilt.

It was a trap. A carefully planned conspiracy.

But there was one thing these so-called "adventurers" didn't understand.

Jiang Chen didn't fear challenges.

In fact—he thrived on them.

His reply was simple.

"Accepted."