I Can Strengthen Infinitely-Chapter 53 - 49: Multilateral Reactions (2)

Who could have thought Wang Ba would be this unlucky to suddenly die abruptly? Truly a pity.

...

Jiang family, one of the five families in Cyan Yang City.

Master Jiang is fifty-six years old this year, with eight children, six boys and two girls. Compared to the Qin family, which has only one child, the Jiang family can be considered prosperous in terms of offspring.

However, despite the saying ’Dragon gives birth to nine sons, each different,’ Master Jiang is not a dragon, but these children born of his wives and concubines naturally have significant differences.

The eldest enjoys business, the second aims for fame, the third is obsessed with music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, the fourth is a profligate who indulges in wine and women daily, and the fifth is a boor with enormous natural strength, directly sent by Master Jiang to the city by spending money to make him a soldier.

The sixth and eighth are daughters, currently unmarried and waiting in the boudoir.

These children, though some are proactive and others are decadent, are all normal kids, except for the one that troubles Master Jiang most—his seventh child.

Jiang Taicang.

This child was only four jins and five liang (Chinese weight units) at birth, spoke only at age three, and usually dislikes communicating with others, with a particularly solitary nature.

Master Jiang tested him many times, suggesting he learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting with the third child, study with the second child, go into business with the eldest, or even accompany the fourth child to indulge in pleasures.

But Jiang Taicang showed no interest. The only thing he does is shut himself in his room, with no one knowing what he does inside there.

As time went by, even his siblings became less fond of him, and family relations gradually grew estranged.

Yet, no one knows that Jiang Taicang harbors a shocking secret...

"Wang Ba’s dead?" Jiang Taicang incredulously asked two passing household servants from the doorway.

Moments before, he overheard them mention ’the Fierce Tiger Gang Leader poisoned and died’ as they walked past.

"Yes, yes, Seventh Young Master, the teahouses outside are already spreading the news."

The servant was caught off guard. This Seventh Young Master usually never speaks to servants, so being stopped and questioned suddenly was quite unsettling.

"Dead? Wang Ba’s dead? How is that possible!" Jiang Taicang stood there, dumbfounded.

In his memory, Wang Ba would later collaborate with Xiao Jiaolong, leading the Fierce Tiger Gang and Flood Dragon Gang to gain an upper hand in competing with the three renowned security firms, forcing them to join forces against Wang Ba. Feeling the pressure, Wang Ba would seek support from Gold and Silver Pavilion, borrowing a master and a treasure to assassinate the families of the three renowned firms. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Forced into compromising with the Fierce Tiger Gang and Flood Dragon Gang, the three families would sell most of their businesses at a low price for survival, leading to the rise of the Fierce Tiger Gang and the gradual decline of the three renowned families, ultimately unable to recover their Primordial Qi and rise again.

But now, none of this could happen anymore.

With Wang Ba dead, unless someone emerges to perform every action Wang Ba did in Jiang Taicang’s memory.

"How could this be? Things have changed again." Jiang Taicang’s face turned pale as he returned to his room, shut the door, and sat on the floor.

This deviation from his memory made him feel an inexplicable horror, as if an unseen hand was meddling with things that should be, causing discrepancies with his memory.

If the colorful threads in the weaving are placed correctly, you’ll get a magnificent fabric.

If the threads are misplaced, it leads to a chaotic result.

The future has begun to change slightly, a fact Jiang Taicang had to admit.

After a moment of daze, Jiang Taicang’s eyes gradually regained their spirit.

"No matter, I just need to hurry to achieve an external bone-hardening stage, seize those opportunities from their original holders, and then leave this Cyan Yang City. With freedom in the open sky and vast sea, I refuse to believe even my departure from Cyan Yang City will change."

Subconsciously, Jiang Taicang already harbors an indescribable fear of this birthplace, Cyan Yang City.

As Qin Yuesheng would say: This place is toxic, making me question life.

...

The matter of Wang Ba’s death was naturally long known to Qin Yuesheng, so when Cao Zhengchun informed him, he showed little surprise, instead lying relaxed on a bamboo chair in the pavilion by the pond, leisurely reading the latest novel.

The pages of this novel were freshly made, and as they turned, a hint of ink fragrance could still be smelled.

"Young Master, I’ve followed your instructions to find the author of this novel."

"What are the results?"

"The author uses the pen name ’Wonderful Pen Produces Flowers’ and resides in Yellow Willow Alley, she is a young lady."

"How is her family situation?"

"Poor."

"Hmm?" Qin Yuesheng raised an eyebrow: "Isn’t this novel selling very well in Cyan Yang City? Why is she poor?"

"The young lady’s parents are both gamblers, spending all the money on gambling regardless of how rich they are, this kind of squandering can’t be sustained."

"Oh." Qin Yuesheng nodded, "Find time to discuss some business with her, inform her that I will provide ideas and hire her to write me a novel by paying her."

"Yes."

"Also, how’s the progress on the task I assigned to you last time?"

Cao Zhengchun’s face froze: "Young Master, do you mean... paying a heavy price to hire people skilled in pill-making?"

"Mm."

"There’s still no progress, such extraordinary individuals are too rare, and once they appear, they’re quickly absorbed and recruited by various powers offering high prices, they’re extremely difficult to invite."

"No rush, take your time. I still have great confidence in your ability to handle matters."

"Thank you for your trust, Young Master."

Qin Yuesheng took a sip of fragrant tea from the small table beside him and slowly sighed.

Recently lacking pills, relying solely on medicinal materials couldn’t significantly boost All-Purpose Essence, which frustrated him.

Having experienced rocket-like progression in strength, going back to a donkey cart suddenly is really hard to adapt to.

...

Celestial Demon Heart Realm.

Shen Lang lay exhausted on the pile of Crystal Stones.

He is surrounded by endless colorful mist, which greatly disturbs one’s visual senses.

He’s lost.

Since the day Jiang Taicang kicked him into the mist, he has been completely lost in this dazzling realm.

Even holding the Cold Frost Winter Snow Sword, which is on par with the Celestial Demon Evil Edge, couldn’t lift Shen Lang’s spirit.

He’s too hungry, both thirsty and hungry.

Days without food and drink are unbearable even for external Bone-hardening Martial Artists, and Martial Artists’ demands for food are far more intense than those of ordinary people.

In a hazy state, Shen Lang suddenly sat up, eyes greedily fixed on the Celestial Demon’s mutilated body lying not far away.

Although it’s hard to speak of it, that indeed is the only food source Shen Lang can acquire right now.

Meat...

Driven by hunger, Shen Lang involuntarily crawled towards the Celestial Demon’s body, slicing off dried flesh with his Cold Frost Winter Snow Sword and gradually placing it in his mouth.

It tasted very bitter, very disgusting.

The flavor of the Celestial Demon’s remains was unpleasant.

But Shen Lang had no choice.

In utmost desperation, one can sacrifice anything for survival.

Using the sharpness of the Cold Frost Winter Snow Sword, Shen Lang quickly finished the entire Celestial Demon’s remains, even the bones, chewing them like crispy biscuits and swallowing them.

"Ugh!"

Suddenly, Shen Lang’s movements froze, then his whole body began to tremble violently.

He painfully slammed his head on the ground, his back arching forcefully, his entire body resembling an arch bridge.

"Ah!!!!"

A beast-like roar echoed endlessly in the Celestial Demon Heart Realm, resonating repeatedly.