All of us are one

Chapter 80 Dissatisfaction

"The gap between the top experts is huge?" Jiang Yanming asked, somewhat surprised.

"There are different levels of Qi Condensation, and naturally there are also top-level experts." Chen Yao narrowed his eyes slightly. "There are only about ten top-level experts in the world. Even if many top experts join forces, they can only contend with an ordinary top-level expert."

"But in front of the Alliance Leader and Senior Liang, top experts are nothing more than slightly stronger ants, who can be suppressed and destroyed with a flick of their wrists."

"Is the difference that big?" Jiang Yanming asked, somewhat puzzled.

Chen Yao explained, "The world of Shenwu Kingdom imposes restrictions on martial artists, including ordinary top-tier martial artists. However, for experts like the Alliance Leader and Senior Liang, these restrictions are less severe, which is why they can unleash even greater power."

"I see." Jiang Yanming nodded in realization. If that's the case, then it makes sense.

"Does the young leader know why the leader is hailed as the number one person in the world?" Chen Yao asked.

"I don't know." Jiang Yanming shook his head slightly.

"Because the Alliance Leader, while suppressing his Qi cultivation, challenged the world with his sword, defeating many top experts, severely injuring the Thousand Machines Sect Master with three sword strikes, and stopping the flow of the great river for ten breaths with one sword strike." Chen Yao's tone was impassioned, and his eyes seemed to be shining.

With a sword, one strike can conquer the world; with a single sword, one river can be severed!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yanming couldn't help but sigh, "Such deeds are truly admirable; no wonder my father had so many masters following him."

"Master Chen, you just mentioned that your father severely injured the Thousand Machines Sect Master with three sword strikes," Jiang Yanming couldn't help but ask, "Was the Thousand Machines Sect Master also a peerless expert?"

"The Thousand Machines Sect Master is a hidden master in the shadows," Chen Yao nodded.

Jiang Yanming remained silent upon hearing this, understanding why his father had acted somewhat out of sorts after suspecting his connection with the Thousand Machines Sect.

So, not only was his mother a member of the Thousand Machines Sect, but his father also severely injured the sect leader with three sword strikes. This was probably an irreconcilable enmity, so it's no wonder his father was worried about his safety.

Seeing this, Chen Yao comforted her, saying, "Although Madam Liu was born and raised in the Thousand Machines Sect, who in the world does not praise Madam Liu's noble character?"

"How did my mother die?" Jiang Yanming asked, voicing the question in his mind.

Neither his father, Jiang Yi, nor his senior brother, Ling Heng, could answer this question.

"After giving birth to the young leader, Madam Liu committed suicide for betraying the Thousand Machines Sect," Chen Yao sighed.

Jiang Yanming remained silent, unsure how to interpret his mother's actions.

He was not a native of Shenwu Kingdom, but having been in Shenwu Kingdom for so long, he understood how much the people of Shenwu Kingdom valued reputation, even more than life and death.

His mother betrayed the sect for the greater good of the world, and then committed suicide because of the sect's nurturing grace. He saw this as contradictory, but the people of Shenwu Kingdom saw it as normal.

"Let's not talk about that." Jiang Yanming shook his head slightly, then asked, "Who is this Miss Meng that Hall Master Ji mentioned earlier?"

"Miss Meng is the youngest daughter of the Grand Master, a few years younger than the Young Master, and is of marriageable age," Chen Yao explained.

Jiang Yanming then asked, "My uncle has no sons?"

"The head of the main hall has two daughters. The eldest daughter, Miss Yi, is married to the son of the abbot of Qingfeng Temple." Chen Yao replied, looking at Jiang Yanming with a strange expression.

"Ling Heng is my uncle's disciple, but my father never met him," Jiang Yanming asked curiously. "Was he taken in as a disciple by my uncle after my father left the Divine Martial Kingdom?"

"Ling Heng's background is somewhat... tragic."

Chen Yao thought for a moment and said, "He is the youngest grandson of the Ling family in Wuling City. Wuling City was originally jointly ruled by the Wu and Ling families. When the alliance leader challenged the world with his sword, he injured the head of the Ling family."

"While the Ling family patriarch was recuperating from his injuries, the Wu family produced its second top expert. So the Wu family launched a surprise attack while the Ling family patriarch was still recovering from his injuries... Now the Wu family is in sole control of Wuling City."

Chen Yao sighed softly at this point, "After many twists and turns, Ling Heng ended up in the territory of our Great River Alliance. Because of his good talent and being the only son of the Ling family in Wuling City, he was taken in as a personal disciple by the head of the main hall."

"So, the destruction of the Ling family is somewhat related to my father," Jiang Yanming said, frowning slightly.

"It doesn't matter much. The Wu and Ling families have been in charge of Wuling City for a long time, and there are already many conflicts between them," Chen Yao shook his head. "Even if the Ling family patriarch is not injured, the Wu family will still take action against the Ling family after the birth of their second top expert."

Jiang Yanming nodded upon hearing this. Ling Heng had not shown any hostility towards him, which meant he probably knew that a battle between the Wu and Ling families was inevitable.

"Young Alliance Leader, it's not dawn yet. Why don't you go back and wash up and rest?" Chen Yao said, looking at the few bloodstains on Jiang Yanming's clothes. "Senior Liang seems to think highly of you, Young Alliance Leader. Before we return to Duanshui City, you'll probably have to keep Senior Liang company with your conversations."

"Alright." Jiang Yanming nodded helplessly.

Asking him to chat with Senior Liang is a way of getting him to introduce him to a younger, legitimate daughter of his family, and then urging him to go on a blind date.

Moreover, Senior Liang's seniority was too high, and he was also the benefactor who saved the Great River Alliance fleet, so he couldn't refuse the other party's introduction of a marriage partner.

"Young Alliance Leader, you can return to your room. I will have someone prepare hot water." Chen Yao cupped his hands and said, "The fleet was attacked tonight, and Hall Master Ji and I need to handle official business. We will trouble the Young Alliance Leader to accompany Senior Liang."

"Thank you for your hard work, Master Chen," Jiang Yanming returned the greeting.

Afterwards, Jiang Yanming returned to his room and waited for a while before someone brought him a basin of hot water. He quickly wiped himself down and changed his clothes.

……

Three hours later.

The sky was bright, the sun was rising on the horizon, and a thin mist still lingered over the river.

"Young Alliance Leader." Leng Tong's voice rang out from outside the door.

Jiang Yanming was already dressed. Hearing the call, he opened the door and saw Ling Heng, Leng Tong, and Wang Chen outside.

Because of Ling Heng's background, he couldn't help but take a second look at him.

Ling Heng glanced down at his newly changed clothes, then looked up and asked, "Junior Brother Jiang, is there a problem?"

Jiang Yanming didn't answer, but instead asked, "Senior Brother Ling, do you know about the casualties last night?"

"More than half of the disciples in the four branch halls were killed or wounded. Nine deputy hall masters and branch leaders who were at the third level of the Condensation Realm were killed in battle. Hall Master Ding of the Flying Bird Hall was seriously injured and fell into the water, but fortunately he was pulled out by a sharp-eyed brother."

Ling Heng sighed softly, "In addition, most of the hall masters and helmsmen were injured, nearly 30% of the fleet's ships were damaged, and another 20% of the ships need to be repaired, otherwise it will be difficult to return to the Great River Alliance territory upstream."

Jiang Yanming remained silent. The losses were greater than he had imagined. Today, another debt had been incurred. He would settle accounts with Xue Yu Zong in the future when he had the chance!

"Young Alliance Leader, there's no need to blame yourself," Leng Tong said in a low voice. "The news of your return to the country was announced at the request of the Grand Hall Master, and the Grand Hall Master was prepared for an attack, but the number of enemies that attacked far exceeded expectations."

"Hmm." Jiang Yanming nodded slightly, but couldn't help feeling dissatisfied with the uncle he had never met before.

If news of his return to the country hadn't spread, so much trouble wouldn't have happened, and so many of the Great River Alliance disciples protecting him wouldn't have died or been injured.

It can only be said that his uncle was not strong enough, nor did he have enough prestige to mobilize all the top experts of the Great River Alliance, but he liked to make a fuss, which ended up harming himself and others!

"Young Alliance Leader," Leng Tong cupped his hands, "Hall Master Ji has gone to invite Senior Liang; we must hurry over there."