hhnovel Chapter 20: Faking a Chance Meeting
Chapter 20: Faking a Chance Meeting
In a courtyard not far from the inn, Jiang Chen observed everything unfolding inside the Vast Spirit House.
He pondered silently, ’What should be my next move? Lin Feng will undoubtedly be at the trade fair hosted by the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce. He’ll be there with Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi.’
’At this trade fair, he is likely to showcase his skills and gain substantial benefits. I must prepare beforehand and sabotage his plans!’ Jiang Chen mused determinedly, and immediately retrieved his transmission jade token to send a message to Jiang Xingtai, further tightening the restrictions on the cultivators of the Jiang Clan and their affiliated clans.
By doing this, he intended to stop them from being unwitting pawns for Lin Feng, who might take advantage of the situation.
Immediately afterward, with a swift stride, his figure blurred into an afterimage and disappeared. Jiang Chen quickly reached the largest square in Autumn Glory City in no time.
This vast square was surrounded by the city’s most bustling market. The Jiang Clan owned a quarter share of this market, overseeing various sectors. Their trade included pills, spiritual plants, and other related items.
However, the quality of their products was generally average, offering only standard grades. In all of Autumn Glory City, there were no pills comparable to the Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pill.
For Jiang Chen, as a cultivator at the Late-stage of the Spiritual Awakening realm, Autumn Glory City offered no cultivation resources that could immediately impact his cultivation progress. However, the arrival of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce this time presented a valuable opportunity for him.
At that moment, Jiang Chen walked leisurely along the road. His Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivation base was hidden by the Moondust Ring, making him appear as if he were merely at the Early-stage of the Spiritual Awakening realm.
However, he did not disguise his appearance, and many people still recognized him.
"Young Master Jiang Chen!" exclaimed one passerby in surprise.
"You’ve returned from the Starry Abyss Sect! That’s wonderful!" another added enthusiastically.
"Young Master Jiang, I just acquired a high-quality copper essence. If you’re interested, please feel free to take it!" a merchant offered eagerly.
"..."
Eager faces surrounded Jiang Chen, but they dared not approach too closely due to his aloof expression.
They all came bearing gifts: some with spiritual plants, others with mineral materials, a few brandishing weapons, and some even presented beautiful women. The variety was chaotic.
Usually, gift-giving was a more subtle affair, but who could blame them? Jiang Chen seldom returned, and their opportunities to present gifts were rare.
Jiang Chen ignored the obsequious gestures of these individuals. Instead, he was engrossed in using his Villain Eye, diligently scanning everyone within his divine sense’s range. To foresee Lin Feng’s imminent plot, he needed to identify the ’battlefield’.
The Villain Eye, capable of detecting supporting characters, allowed Jiang Chen to pinpoint potential targets that Lin Feng might impress or befriend. Yet, as he strolled, the Villain Eye gave no indications, revealing only ordinary passersby in his surroundings.
Suddenly, a message arrived through Jiang Chen’s transmission jade token. It informed him that Lin Feng, along with Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, had already left the Vast Spirit House.
Jiang Chen extended his divine sense, thoroughly scanning his surroundings. However, perhaps due to the limited number of roadside stalls at the moment, he didn’t detect anything out of the ordinary, nor did he encounter any supporting characters.
Suddenly, three familiar figures came into view: Lin Feng, Qiu Liaoxi, and Ning Xian. Qiu Liaoxi was walking in the center, with Lin Feng and Ning Xian on either side of her.
As Jiang Chen caught sight of Lin Feng’s group, they, in turn, noticed him.
Upon seeing Jiang Chen, Lin Feng’s heart skipped a beat, and a feeling of irritation gradually welled up within him. ’It’s Jiang Chen! He actually came to the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce’s trade fair?’
’Damn it, why do we keep running into him everywhere!?’ Lin Feng thought with growing frustration. Regrettably, he couldn’t show his irritation too openly and felt quite stifled.
At this moment, Jiang Chen approached the three with a smile on his face and greeted them cheerfully, "Alchemist, Miss Ning, and Lin Feng! I didn’t expect to run into you all here, what a coincidence."
"Yeah, Young Master Jiang, what a coincidence," Qiu Liaoxi responded, nodding with a polite smile.
No one questioned Jiang Chen’s presence. This trade fair, jointly organized by the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, the Zhou Clan, the Jiang Clan, and other forces, was a significant event in Autumn Glory City. It was only natural for anyone aware of it to attend.
Thus, Jiang Chen’s appearance here was not out of the ordinary.
"Young Master Jiang Chen, are you here alone?" Ning Xian inquired.
"Yeah, I just came alone to take a look around and see what’s new," Jiang Chen replied casually. "Since we’ve run into each other here, why don’t we walk around together?"
Before the trio could respond, Jiang Chen walked over to Lin Feng and, pointing ahead, suggested, "Let’s go, let’s go take a look that way."
Lin Feng was about to decline, but Jiang Chen had already seamlessly integrated himself into their group before he could speak. Now, it was difficult for him to refuse.
After all, in the eyes of Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, Jiang Chen was not only a friend but also someone who had assisted them in the past.
Meanwhile, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi were mildly surprised to see Jiang Chen join so directly. However, upon observing Jiang Chen standing alongside Lin Feng, a realization dawned on both of them.
Over the past few days, Lin Feng had fully recovered his cultivation base, returning to his previous peak in the Middle-stage of the Soul Refining realm, and had even slightly surpassed it.
Jiang Chen, witnessing this scene, was undoubtedly taken aback.
From the perspective of Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, Jiang Chen had always shown admiration for Lin Feng. Seeing Lin Feng’s recent advancement, they assumed that Jiang Chen was once again intent on winning Lin Feng’s allegiance.
Unfortunately, they were oblivious to the fact that Jiang Chen had long been aware of his true feelings towards Lin Feng. Furthermore, the so-called ’admiration’ was merely a facade, a clever ruse crafted by Jiang Chen.
Every action he had taken was driven by a single, unwavering purpose: to eliminate Lin Feng!