Chapter 2370: Chapter 2374: Lending a Hand
"Old friends?"
Jin Tianlin paused slightly, looking at Pang Lie with surprise.
"I am Jiang Tiancheng, Second Elder of the Canghai Trade Alliance. Greetings!"
The elderly man accompanying Pang Lie chuckled softly and clasped his hands towards Jin Tianlin, explaining quietly: "Lier’s grandfather once had a brief acquaintance with your Great Elder. According to the Supreme Elder, they had some connection back then. I hope you can inform him that Pang Wenzheng’s grandson is visiting!"
Upon hearing this, Jin Tianlin was somewhat taken aback. He glanced at Pang Lie and said softly, "Pang Wenzheng... I’ve heard the Great Elder mention him. You two may come in!"
"Yes!"
Jiang Tiancheng and his companion showed a hint of joy on their faces, responded softly, and Pang Lie gave Pang Guang a provocative look before following Jin Tianlin into the room.
Seeing this, the attendant beside them turned and went downstairs.
"Great Elder, what should we do?"
Watching the closed door, Pang Guang’s expression changed slightly, looking anxiously at Meng Tingchuan.
Meng Tingchuan furrowed his brows, saying softly, "I hope the Gold-devouring Rat Clan’s Great Elder and the Supreme Elder don’t have a deep relationship, otherwise..."
His peripheral vision caught Jian Wuheng nearby, and Meng Tingchuan’s eyes flickered, briefly pausing before moving towards Jian Wuheng: "Mr. Jian, long time no see."
"Greetings, Elder Meng."
Jian Wuheng bowed to Meng Tingchuan.
"Why is Mr. Jian here?"
Meng Tingchuan asked with a hint of deeper meaning, his eyes showing a trace of expectation.
He was well aware of the special nature of the Forsaken Tavern’s top floor.
"I’m waiting for Jiang Chen here. He’s cultivating in the secret chamber."
Jian Wuheng spoke softly, glancing at the wall adjacent to the room where Jin Tianlin and others entered.
He knew Jiang Chen felt grateful towards Pang Guang, and told Meng Tingchuan the situation truthfully, assuming Jiang Chen would help if Pang Guang faced difficulties. However, he didn’t divulge too much to avoid burdening Jiang Chen with too big a trouble.
Meng Tingchuan was momentarily stunned, eyes suddenly showing a hint of excitement, fixating intently on the wall next to the room.
Being able to cultivate in the secret chamber on this Forsaken Tavern’s top floor undoubtedly meant a very close relationship with the Gold-devouring Rat Clan. If Jiang Chen was willing to help, their purpose for being here might be achieved!
Pang Guang was also startled, and then showed a trace of anticipation in his eyes, though his mind was filled with a touch of anxiety. Knowing his issues were quite troublesome, he could understand if Jiang Chen was unwilling to get involved.
The lobby quieted down, the three of them all focused on that seemingly ordinary wall, their expressions markedly different.
Swoosh!
At this moment, the wall flickered briefly, turning illusory, and a slender figure emerged from it.
After the figure stepped out, the wall solidified once again.
"This is... self-contained space?!"
Meng Tingchuan exclaimed aloud.
Out of courtesy, Meng Tingchuan didn’t probe the wall with Divine Sense, but seeing Jiang Chen appear so mysteriously, he already guessed the nature of Jiang Chen’s location.
"Elder Meng? Pang Guang?"
Upon hearing his name called, Jiang Chen turned to look, showing a touch of surprise in his eyes.
"Jiang Chen, I..."
Pang Guang, seeing Jiang Chen appear, was extremely excited but couldn’t find the words to speak.
"Jiang Chen."
Jian Wuheng called softly, stepping over to Jiang Chen’s side: "Liu Chang and the others wanted me to tell you that the team task is completed, and they’ve returned first. Feng Qingyang and the others waited a day. Since you hadn’t emerged, they left."
Jiang Chen nodded slightly, unsurprised by their departure.
Liu Chang’s group was only there to oversee their team task and complete their own too. Now that the team task was done, they should return to report.
As for Feng Qingyang and Lin Shanshan, they each had their personal tasks, which others couldn’t interfere with. Thus, even if they awaited Jiang Chen’s emergence, they had to part ways. It was better to leave early, given the assessment’s time limit!
"Pang Guang, what’s the matter?"
Raising his head to look at Pang Guang, Jiang Chen asked in confusion.
"Let me explain!"
Meng Tingchuan glanced at Pang Guang, knowing he was reluctant to speak, and gently took over: "Mr. Jiang, it’s like this, we..."
Through Meng Tingchuan’s explanation, Jiang Chen understood the reason for their arrival here.
The Canghai Trade Alliance Hierarch’s position is renewed every hundred years, and it’s almost time again. The Alliance’s elders deliberated and decided to pick candidates from the younger generation to nurture.
Hence, presidents of major trade associations have set their eyes on the candidate positions. If the current Alliance Hierarch had a son, they wouldn’t dare to compete, but since he has only a daughter and two nephews, the presidents are less cautious.
The candidate slots are limited since, despite the Alliance’s strength, it can’t invest excessive resources into too many people. After the Elder Council’s discussion, they established three tests, one being the connections test. This test requires candidates seeking the nomination to recruit major forces not currently belonging to the Alliance as retainers.
Thus, Pang Guang selected the Gold-devouring Rat Clan, but unexpectedly, his arch-enemy Pang Lie had also obtained the news and came here to vie for the Clan’s support.
"I see!"
After hearing this, Jiang Chen pondered and said softly, "I can’t guarantee to persuade Grandpa Jin and the others to agree to be retainers for your Alliance. I will try my best."
"Jiang Chen, thank you!"
Pang Guang expressed his gratitude to Jiang Chen with clasped hands.
"No need to be polite!"
Jiang Chen waved his hand lightly, inviting softly: "Let’s go in."
With his words, Jiang Chen stepped towards the adjacent room.
Pang Guang and the others hesitated briefly and hurriedly followed suit, Jian Wuheng also followed with great interest.
Knock, knock, knock!
Approaching the door, Jiang Chen raised his hand and knocked.
"Come in."
A voice filled with laughter came from inside the room.
Jiang Chen pushed open the door and entered, Jian Wuheng and the others followed.
Inside the room.
The center was occupied by a square table where Jin Ming and Jin Tianlin were playing chess head-to-head, while Pang Lie and Jiang Tiancheng stood quietly on the side, not daring to interrupt.
Upon hearing the door sound, Pang Lie and Jiang Tiancheng looked up, their expressions suddenly changing.
"Pang Guang, Elder Jin didn’t summon you, and you dare enter without permission. Hurry up and get out!"
Pang Lie scornfully glanced at Pang Guang, his tone contemptuous.
To him, Pang Guang was impatient, wanting to enter quickly before he could gain the Gold-devouring Rat Clan’s Great Elder’s favor.
Lacking patience like this, yet dreaming of competing with me? Dream on!
...
PS: Hehe, the ’**’ in the title represents my pen name.
I’m reluctant to write my own name.
