Heaven-Surpassing Divine Emperor

"That Little Black... All he knows is how to stir up trouble..."

Jiang Chen was speechless.

But there was nothing he could do about him.

Shaking his head with a wry smile, Jiang Chen looked at Yuan Jiu. "I’ll have to trouble you to take me there!"

"Alright, come with me."

Yuan Jiu nodded.

The two of them bid Zifeng Tianhen farewell, left the assembly hall, and headed toward Brother Zhen’s mansion.

The mansion was quite large.

Two powerhouses from the Purple Wind Clan stood guard at the entrance, each accompanied by an Ice Beast that resembled a dog, only taller and more ferocious.

Jiang Chen looked at Elder Yuan Jiu in confusion. "As I recall, not even the guards at the Clan Leader’s Mansion in Purple Wind City are this strict, are they?"

Elder Yuan Jiu gave a wry smile. "Who else could it be but the Black Emperor? Ever since he plundered the wine cellar and the Treasure Vault, Brother Zhen has upgraded the mansion’s security by several levels. Look, up in the sky, Tier Two Ice Beasts—Cyan Heaven Sea Eagles—are on patrol twelve double-hours a day."

The corner of Jiang Chen’s mouth twitched. "..."

’This Brother Zhen has really become paranoid about thieves!’

"Elder Yuan Jiu! Young Master Jiang!"

The two guards recognized Jiang Chen and Yuan Jiu from a distance and called out respectfully.

Although they had called out to Yuan Jiu, their gazes remained fixed on Jiang Chen.

Their eyes were filled with fervor and admiration!

At the Union Palace Realm, he had slain a Human King Realm Powerhouse and survived a strike from a Human Emperor!

Jiang Chen’s battle record had become the stuff of legend within the Purple Wind Clan. Even he himself was unaware that his status in the eyes of the clan’s youth now rivaled that of their Clan Leader, Zifeng Tianhen!

"We’re here to see Brother Zhen. Open the gate!" Yuan Jiu said.

"Yes!"

The two guards nodded respectfully and pushed the main gate open.

Jiang Chen and Yuan Jiu walked inside.

The two guards hesitated to close the gate, peeking out from behind it to stare intently at Jiang Chen.

"Young Master Jiang, you’re the idol of countless young people in our Purple Wind Clan now!"

Elder Yuan Jiu laughed heartily. "We old-timers can’t hold a candle to you!"

"You flatter me, Elder!"

Jiang Chen said humbly.

Elder Yuan Jiu nodded to himself. ’Not arrogant in victory, not discouraged in defeat. Jiang Chen truly has the bearing of a powerhouse.’

As they walked, Elder Yuan Jiu said, "By the way, Young Master Jiang, there were too many eyes and ears back in the assembly hall, so the Clan Leader didn’t mention the Soul-Loss Gu. He asked me to inquire if you might be able to help him remove the Soul-Loss Gu’s poison when you have a moment?"

Jiang Chen nodded. "Once Little Black’s situation is resolved, I’ll go detoxify the Clan Leader."

"That would be for the best!"

Elder Yuan Jiu led Jiang Chen to the center of the mansion. Ahead of them was a small courtyard. Yuan Jiu pointed at it and said, "That courtyard up ahead is where Brother Zhen is. That little fellow, the Black Emperor, is trapped in there by him!"

"Oh?"

Jiang Chen paused, looking toward the courtyard.

He couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt. He was well aware of the Black Emperor’s capabilities. Getting into trouble and being caught was understandable, but the idea that something could actually trap him made Jiang Chen extremely curious.

As Jiang Chen walked toward the courtyard, he was also secretly pondering how he should apologize and get the Black Emperor back.

However...

When they arrived outside the courtyard, they couldn’t help but stop in their tracks.

From inside the courtyard came the Black Emperor’s arrogant voice. "Aiya, you little old man, has your age slowed you down? This Emperor already told you, to successfully brew the Wind Emperor Fire Brew, you must add the Spirit Medicines at high noon, when the world’s yang energy is at its peak! Why are you so slow?"

"Yes, yes, yes, just like that!"

"The lad is teachable!"

Inside the courtyard.

The Black Emperor was lounging pompously in a Grandmaster’s Chair with an oil-paper umbrella held over his head. He held a piece of roasted meat in one paw and a wine jug in the other, all while directing a grey-robed elder around the courtyard.

Beside the Black Emperor, the Little Vermilion Bird was copying his posture, half-sprawled on a chair of its own, cheering on in a clear, sharp voice, "Faster, faster, a little faster!"

Jiang Chen: "..."

Yuan Jiu: "..."

The two of them stared at each other, utterly dumbfounded.

’What the hell!’

’I thought you said he was imprisoned!’

’Who’s imprisoning whom here?’

Jiang Chen shot Yuan Jiu a confused look. Yuan Jiu, looking completely baffled, stammered, "I-I have no idea what’s going on either!"

Yuan Jiu was utterly dumbfounded.

’When I came over a few days ago, the Black Emperor was still trapped in a Profound Iron Beast Cage by Brother Zhen.’

’So what in the world is going on now?’

Veins popping on his forehead, Jiang Chen coughed lightly and said, "Little Black, what do you think you’re doing?"

"Eh? Jiang Chen, what are you doing here?" The Black Emperor saw Jiang Chen standing at the entrance and instinctively shrank back, speaking awkwardly.

Jiang Chen retorted irritably, "As if you don’t know why I’m here."

"Well... let me tell you, This Emperor is not to blame for this! It was the Little Vermilion Bird who said it wanted to drink, so I brought it here..." the Black Emperor declared, pointing a paw at the Little Vermilion Bird with an air of absolute conviction.

The Little Vermilion Bird’s eyes went wide. It covered its beak with its fiery red wings, the very picture of innocence.

Jiang Chen: "..."

He shot the Black Emperor a fierce glare before turning to Brother Zhen with an apologetic look. "Senior, I am terribly sorry. I deeply apologize for the trouble Little Black has caused you."

"Ah, so it’s Young Master Jiang!"

Brother Zhen looked over at Jiang Chen, a smile that looked more painful than a grimace spreading across his old face. He chuckled and said, "What trouble? Master Black Emperor has been a great help to me! You and Yuan Jiu just wait on the side for a moment. I’m about to finish brewing the Wind Emperor Fire Brew. You must have a taste then!"

Jiang Chen grunted, not quite understanding the situation.

Yuan Jiu also shrugged, a look of confusion on his face.

The two of them decided to just sit to one side.

Jiang Chen quietly asked the Black Emperor, "What exactly is going on?"

The Black Emperor hemmed and hawed before explaining.

As it turned out...

During the slaughter after Duann Shuiliu and his forces invaded Purple Wind City, the Treasure Vault in Brother Zhen’s mansion was accidentally breached. The Black Emperor and the Little Vermilion Bird were drawn over by the scent.

Unable to resist, they ate and drank all the Spirit Medicine and Spirit Wine inside.

The Spirit Medicine and Spirit Wine contained a tremendous amount of energy.

Both the Black Emperor and the Little Vermilion Bird fell into a deep sleep to digest the energy, which was when they were caught by Brother Zhen.

At the time, when Yuan Jiu rushed over after hearing the news, the Black Emperor and the Little Vermilion Bird hadn’t even woken up yet!

After the Black Emperor woke up, he used his cunning and easily dangled the recipes for a few peerless wines in front of Brother Zhen, completely bamboozling him.

And so, not only did Brother Zhen not hold them accountable for stealing the Spirit Medicine and Spirit Wine, but he began to worship the Black Emperor like an ancestor!

Jiang Chen and Yuan Jiu exchanged a look, speechless for a long moment.

’That Black Emperor is a world-class con artist!’

’He’d cleaned out their Spirit Medicine and Spirit Wine, and now he has a dignified Human King Realm Powerhouse so thoroughly bamboozled that the man is completely at his beck and call.’

’It’s simply too incredible to believe!’

Over on the other side, the great con artist, the Black Emperor, began issuing commands again as if he were a general on a battlefield. "Now you can add the Seven-Star Grass juice! Remember, add it drop by drop, with a ten-breath interval between each. No faster, no slower!"

"Yes, yes!"

Brother Zhen scurried to obey.

Jiang Chen slapped a hand to his forehead. "Elder Yuan Jiu, let’s just go detoxify the Clan Leader."

He shot a speechless glance at the Black Emperor beside him. ’And to think I was actually worried about his safety? I must have been out of my mind to fall for your act...’