Chapter Seventy-Four: A Shared Topic!

As soon as Wen Zhong heard Jiang Yuan’s anxious call, he immediately confirmed the suspicion in his heart: it was clear that the king’s slap earlier had been entirely intentional!

He let out a cold laugh. “Is the king so eager to explore the Abyss that he cannot spare a moment? I still have matters I wish to consult with Your Majesty.”

The king refused at once. “Is there something else, Grand Preceptor? Perhaps you can ask after I return? At this moment, I can hardly wait to delve into the Abyss myself.”

“No rush,” Wen Zhong snorted. “I’ve visited the Abyss more times than I can count. One more or less makes no difference to me. But there are certain things I must get clear right now!” He gave a cold, low chuckle.

Jiang Yuan stared dumbly at the Grand Preceptor, shrinking back a little as he asked, “What would you like to ask, Grand Preceptor?”

He was feigning ignorance, and they both knew it.

“What I wish to ask, Your Majesty should know very well. What are your thoughts about that slap you gave me earlier?” Wen Zhong arched an eyebrow, his two whips clattering together with a menacing rasp.

At once, Jiang Yuan made a break for the tent’s entrance, shouting, “Where is Zhang Kui? Why hasn’t he come to see me yet?!”

Only then did he realize he couldn’t move at all—Wen Zhong had already immobilized him.

A cold voice sounded behind him. “Isn’t it a little late, Your Majesty, to be calling in reinforcements? Besides, I am now at the realm of Grand Golden Immortal. Even if Zhang Kui came, it would be useless. He’d probably just end up getting beaten alongside you.”

“And to think you dared lie to me—did you learn that nerve from your king?” Wen Zhong sneered.

Jiang Yuan knew there was no escaping this time. He turned his stiff face to Wen Zhong, forcing a smile. “Grand Preceptor, would you mind going a little easy on me? Please don’t hit my face; after all, I still need to preserve some dignity.”

Wen Zhong was instantly incensed. The king was practically admitting to the slap!

“Well, you little rascal! How long have I been away, and now you dare slap me in the face? Why don’t you just ascend to the heavens already!”

Jiang Yuan could only give a bitter, helpless smile, resigned as if he were a pig resigned to slaughter.

...

After half a stick of incense’s time, the cries of agony from within the tent finally faded away.

Jiang Yuan emerged, limping, from the military tent. His face was unscathed—true to his word, the Grand Preceptor had not touched it. But not a single other part of him was left unharmed! Who in the world disciplines a junior with a primordial spirit treasure—and with such skillful technique to boot?

If not for the extraordinary regenerative powers of his Genesis Art of Creation and Destruction, Jiang Yuan wouldn’t have been able to contemplate exploring the Abyss for days.

As he stepped out, he saw Zhang Kui waiting anxiously outside. For the sake of his dignity, Jiang Yuan straightened up, ignoring the pain.

He said coolly, “General Zhang, did you hear my summons just now?”

Zhang Kui replied respectfully, “Yes, Your Majesty, I heard you.”

Jiang Yuan’s anger flared at that answer. “If you heard, why didn’t you come in?”

“Your Majesty, the Grand Preceptor had sealed the entire tent with his magic just now. I couldn’t get in,” Zhang Kui explained.

Useless, Jiang Yuan cursed inwardly. Clearly, he needed a Grand Golden Immortal-level expert at his side to counter Wen Zhong, or else the man could beat him up whenever he pleased! In a bad mood? Beat me. Disciples not obedient? Beat me. What nonsense is this! A human emperor shouldn’t have to suffer such indignities.

“Was there really nothing you could do?” Jiang Yuan frowned. Was the gap between Grand Golden Immortal and Golden Immortal really so vast?

“I did manage to do one thing,” Zhang Kui added hastily.

“Oh? What was it? Tell me,” Jiang Yuan replied, more at ease now. It seemed his right-hand man was still loyal to him.

Zhang Kui stepped closer and whispered, “Rest assured, Your Majesty. I made sure to block all sound from escaping the area just now.”

Jiang Yuan froze in surprise, then remembered his own screams. His expression stiffened as he stared at Zhang Kui. “And what did you hear just now?”

Realizing the situation, Zhang Kui immediately dropped to his knees. “Your Majesty, I heard nothing—nothing at all!”

Jiang Yuan nodded, satisfied, and helped him up with a smile. “There’s no need to kneel. I should reward you, not punish you.”

Zhang Kui replied at once, “It is all my duty, Your Majesty.”

Jiang Yuan grew more pleased with his subordinate. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and handed them to Zhang Kui. “Well done.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Zhang Kui accepted the gift, his face alight with excitement.

At that moment, Wen Zhong suddenly appeared at Zhang Kui’s side and snatched the cigarettes from his hand.

Zhang Kui’s face darkened at the loss, but when he saw it was the Grand Preceptor, his expression froze and then shifted into a fawning smile. “Greetings, Grand Preceptor!”

Wen Zhong gave him a frosty glance. “General Zhang, why are you still here instead of escorting His Majesty to the Abyss? Would you prefer to return to the camp with me instead? I assure you, you’ll enjoy the same treatment as the king just did.”

Zhang Kui was horrified and replied at once, “I’ll accompany His Majesty to the Abyss this instant! As for these cigarettes, they’re bland and tasteless to me—I was just about to present them to you, Grand Preceptor.”

Clearly, the king’s earlier revenge on Wen Zhong had been exposed, given the treatment he’d just suffered. There was nothing for it but to pay a small price to avoid disaster.

Wen Zhong pocketed the cigarettes without another word. “General Zhang, that’s very thoughtful. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be returning to camp.” He turned to Jiang Yuan. “Does Your Majesty have any other questions?”

Jiang Yuan hurriedly waved his hands. “No, nothing at all. Please return to camp, Grand Preceptor—I won’t keep you.”

Please, just go. If you stay any longer, I’ll get another beating, and I can’t take it. I need to leave too—the farther from this old man, the better. Once I’ve seen the Abyss, I’m not coming back!

Wen Zhong nodded and vanished in an instant.

Only after Wen Zhong left did Zhang Kui dare to look at Jiang Yuan, his face mournful as he thought of the lost cigarettes. He complained, “Your Majesty, you must stand up for your humble servant.”

Jiang Yuan shot him a look. Who would stand up for me, then? I’m still sore all over! That old man really didn’t hold back—this was the worst beating I’ve had since coming to this world.

“Let’s go. Accompany me to the Abyss,” Jiang Yuan said coolly, ignoring Zhang Kui’s plea.

Upon hearing the reply, Zhang Kui knew the cigarettes were lost for good. “Your Majesty, after we visit the Abyss, are we coming back to camp?” he asked hopefully.

Jiang Yuan looked at him—finally, his right-hand man was on the same page. Both of them had suffered under Wen Zhong’s tyranny.

But it was not a subject Jiang Yuan cared to discuss. “We’ll see. Let’s go.”

Like hell I’m coming back!