Jiang Kui—Jiang Wuya's most trusted confidant.
For years, he had overseen much of the Jiang family's business, holding great authority and respect within the clan.
And now he had come to Lingyun City, battered and bleeding.
That alone told Jiang Chen everything—Whatever had happened to the Jiang family was no small matter.
Jiang Chen wasted no time, rushing straight to Baodan Pavilion.
Half an hour later, on the third floor, Jiang Chen stepped into a quiet guest room.
Inside, a burly middle-aged man sat cross-legged, pale-faced and meditating as his injuries slowly mended.
As soon as Jiang Chen entered, the man opened his eyes.
"Jiang Kui greets Young Master Chen."
He rose unsteadily to his feet, bowing with a mixture of respect and relief.
"Uncle Kui, you and I are family—there's no need for formality."
Jiang Chen waved him down and got straight to the point."You're injured. How bad is it?"
"Thanks to Lord Tang's pills, it's not life-threatening anymore."
Jiang Kui cast a grateful look toward Tang Sheng, who stood nearby.
Tang Sheng returned a polite smile. "Uncle Jiang, there's no need for thanks. Brother Jiang Chen is Baodan Pavilion's chief alchemist—naturally, we won't stand by when it concerns his family."
Jiang Chen's expression darkened. "Enough courtesies. What happened at the Jiang family? Who hurt you?"
Jiang Kui's fists clenched."It was Jiang Qianhe."
Jiang Chen's gaze sharpened instantly.
Jiang Kui continued bitterly, "All of this… is because Jiang Qianhe fears you, Young Master. Since you emerged as a peerless talent from what he believed to be a 'waste,' his jealousy has only grown. After seeing you in Lingyun City yesterday, his fear became unbearable. He's decided to cut the grass at its root—seize power, eliminate opposition, and claim the patriarch's seat for himself."
He exhaled heavily. "I was one of the first in his way. If I hadn't fought my way out, I'd already be dead."
Jiang Qianhe…
The name left Jiang Chen's lips like ice.
"He dares? Then he's seeking death."
The air in the room seemed to chill.
"Master Chen, please… don't act rashly." Jiang Kui stepped forward. "Jiang Qianhe has consolidated power. No one in the clan can oppose him now. He will soon send word, declaring himself Patriarch—and luring you back home into his net. That's why I came… to warn you."
Jiang Chen's expression hardened, but his voice was steady."Uncle Kui, rest easy. I know exactly what I must do."
He had tolerated Jiang Qianhe for the sake of family. As long as the old viper stayed in his place as an elder, Jiang Chen wouldn't have cared.
But to usurp his father's seat?
To purge his loyalists?
Then Jiang Qianhe had signed his own death warrant.
Jiang Chen's eyes flashed with killing intent."Tang Sheng. Prepare a pill room."
Tang Sheng blinked. "Pill room?"
"And bring me all the second and third-rank medicinal herbs you can gather. I'll be refining pills all night."
If Jiang Qianhe thought Jiang Chen would walk into his trap unprepared, he was sorely mistaken.
By the time the news came of Jiang Qianhe's 'ascension'…
Jiang Chen would return to the Jiang family himself—and personally tear his ambitions to shreds.