Chapter 760: Chapter 3: My Wife is a Celestial Pride
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Anjiang is one of the two most important rivers in the Daqian Kingdom.
It originates from the West Sea Plateau, passes through the West Sea and Lingbei Counties, with several tributaries joining in the middle, and finally flows into the sea at Longzuo County, spanning a total length of tens of thousands of miles.
As the local bully on Anjiang, the Jiaolong Gang has a significant scope of influence. The nearly ten-thousand-mile river section from Lingbei to the river mouth, which is the middle and lower reaches of Anjiang, falls within the Jiaolong Gang’s territory.
For ease of management, the Jiaolong Gang sets up a branch every thousand miles, with each branch overseen by a Celestial Human Realm leader.
In addition to the second-in-command "Red Jade Flood Dragon" Jiaang Yusong, third-in-command "Spirit Slaying Hand" Du Tiangang, foster son "One-Eyed Flood Dragon" Zhao Wuqing, and others who have followed Long Wuji for years, the Jiaolong Gang has more than fifteen Celestial Human Realm cultivators.
Among them, there are three or four leaders at the late stage of the Celestial Human Realm, showcasing considerable strength.
Midstream of Anjiang, Immortal Jade Branch in Lingbei.
This branch is located at the northernmost part of Lingbei County, Immortal Jade Ridge, backed by mountains and facing water, just a river away from the Daqian Capital, the closest part of the Anjiang river section to the capital.
By the river, there lies a sizable shipyard, which is where the Immortal Jade Branch is located.
In the shipyard, a young man in white is calmly holding a teacup, sipping tea slowly.
On the tea table before him is a chessboard carved from Spirit Jade. The crisscrossing board is densely populated with jade white and black pieces, indicating the game has been ongoing for some time.
Opposite the chessboard, the branch master of Immortal Jade Branch, "Flying Eagle" Ji Chen, is holding a black chess piece, looking troubled and indecisive.
After some time, he finally placed the piece with a conflicted expression.
The young man in white didn’t even lift his eyelids, flicked his fingers, and a jade white piece flew from the chess basket to land on the board with a "snap."
Ji Chen’s eyes widened, and sweat immediately broke out on his forehead.
"You lost."
The young man in white took a sip of tea and said blandly.
"Yes, yes, I lost."
Ji Chen wiped the sweat off his forehead and, with a bitter face, pulled a Gold Note from the stack in front of him and placed it across the table.
He wasn’t sure how long they’d been playing, but with only a few thin sheets of Gold Notes left by his side while a thick stack stood before the young man in white, it’s clear how badly he had lost.
While the Jiaolong Gang’s power is comparable to that of an average Purple Mansion Family, Ji Chen is merely a Celestial Human Realm cultivator, overseeing only one of the ten Jiaolong Gang’s branches. The profits he accumulates are just enough for his own cultivation, leaving little in the way of savings.
What remained on the table was nearly his entire fortune. If he lost any more, bankruptcy was imminent.
The young man in white showed no sympathy for Ji Chen.
He carelessly waved his hand, and the pieces on the board returned to the chess basket.
"Next round."
"Still playing?"
Ji Chen’s expression was already bitter, and upon hearing this, he almost burst into tears.
He hurriedly upheld his remaining Gold Notes, pleading, "Young Master Ce, even if you win against me, it won’t be satisfying. How about we take a break? Or, wait until our second-in-command arrives, and you can play with him? His chess skills surpass mine by far."
It turned out that the young man in white was none other than the Great Celestial Pride from the Saint Land, Gongyang Ce.
"No need. Changing opponents won’t make much difference." Gongyang Ce nonchalantly lifted his eyelids slightly, glancing at Ji Chen across from him, "Make your move~"
Havin no other options, Ji Chen reluctantly picked up a black piece and grimly pondered his next move.
He felt that escaping with any Gold Notes intact today was unlikely~
At that moment.
From outside the shipyard came a bold, robust male voice, "Hahaha~ Young Master Ce, your distinguished presence is an honor. Forgive my failure to greet you from afar, my apologies~ my apologies~"
Alongside it came a tidal wave of power, surging and dominating, full of unparalleled might and majesty.
Ji Chen paused his gameplay and quickly looked outside, only to see a brilliant glow wrapped in surging power approaching from the horizon, reaching the shipyard’s entrance in an instant.
Soon the glow dispersed, revealing a figure striding into the shipyard with tiger-like steps.
This was a middle-aged man in a white robe and half-length trousers, dressed very casually, with stubble on his chin, appearing devoid of the typical dignity of a Purple Mansion Realm expert, instead exuding an aura of ruggedness.
Nevertheless, the tidal aura still lingering around him clearly demonstrated his strength and authority.
The newcomer was indeed the leader of the Jiaolong Gang, Long Wuji.
"Boss, you’re finally here~"
Ji Chen felt as if a burden had been lifted, rushing to greet him, then respectfully vacating the Master’s Chair for Long Wuji’s seating.
Gongyang Ce also rose, gesturing politely, "Master Long."
"No need to stand on ceremony, Young Master Ce~"
Long Wuji reciprocated the gesture amiably before resuming their seats as host and guest.
As Gongyang Ce was a Great Celestial Pride from the Saint Land, with a likely future as a Divine Power Realm expert, Long Wuji naturally conceded some respect. Though his posture remained casual, his tone was unexpectedly courteous.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Long Wuji addressed business, "Young Master Ce, you’re a busy man. What brings you to this old man’s presence? Why summon me for a meeting in particular?"
