Chapter 279: Is the Facial Preservation Pill Malfunctioning?

Ye Jinghong left quickly, and before departing he left one final warning.

"Little madman, let me give you one last piece of advice: revenge can't be rushed. The Yunding Xie Family is deeply entrenched; you must at least reach War Respect Level, then you'll have enough self‑protection before them. When the time comes for you to truly seek revenge, even if my Lingnan Sword Sect stakes everything, we will still support you."

After Ye Jinghong left, Jiang Feng sat alone in the courtyard, his heart a tangled mix of emotions.

At that moment, a hurried footstep sounded outside the courtyard gate.

Jiang Feng looked up and saw Long Bad Dao swaggering in, and as soon as he entered he hooked his arm around Jiang Feng's shoulders.

"Old Jiang! I've got good news for you!"

"Hehe, this trip to the War Respect Ruins yielded huge gains!"

Long Bad Dao pounded his chest proudly.

"Not only have I broken through to Grandmaster Seventh Rank, I also obtained a defensive artifact left by the Tianmu War Respect. My Great Elder said that once I return, he'll open the Long Family Treasury for me, letting me pick any three treasures!"

He spoke animatedly, his eyes shining.

"So I'm here to say goodbye; I must set off for Kyoto right now, return to properly seclude and cultivate, hoping to catch up with you soon!"

At this point, Long Bad Dao's face unusually turned serious; looking at Jiang Feng, his expression was extremely earnest.

"Old Jiang, honestly, I'm thrilled to have met a brother like you. When I finish this seclusion, I'll definitely head to Jiangcheng first to find you, and then we'll have a proper drink together!"

"Also, if you have time, you can come to Kyoto to hang out with me; everyone in the Long Family welcomes you!"

Jiang Feng saw Long Bad Dao's sincere gaze and felt a hint of warmth in his heart.

He and Long Bad Dao initially didn't know each other because the Facial Preservation Pill had caused a fight, but after spending time together, Long Bad Dao's generosity and sincerity made him truly consider him a friend.

"Alright, when you finish your seclusion, I'll wait for you in Jiangcheng."

Jiang Feng smiled, then suddenly remembered something and called out to the turning Long Bad Dao.

"By the way, since you're leaving, I'll give you something."

"Huh? What thing?"

Jiang Feng didn't answer, but extended his fingertips, gathering a strand of true qi and tracing a complex incantation in the air.

Long Bad Dao was initially unconcerned, but after hearing a few lines, his eyes widened instantly.

"This… what is this?"

"Shh! No chatter, just remember hard."

Long Bad Dao nodded repeatedly, daring not to show any contempt.

What Jiang Feng passed to him was, of course, the technique left by the Tianmu War Respect, called Star-Tempering Body Technique.

When Jiang Feng finished reciting, Long Bad Dao's eyes reddened with excitement.

He grabbed Jiang Feng tightly, shouting with a sobbing voice.

"Woo woo woo, Old Jiang! I'm so moved! You've been so good to me! How about I introduce my sister to you?"

"My sister Long Nine'er is a famed beauty of Kyoto; if you marry her, we'll be like brothers!"

Jiang Feng, almost suffocating from his embrace, pushed him away, both laughing and crying.

"Get lost! Who wants to date your sister? Get lost right now!"

"Ah!"

Long Bad Dao didn't get angry, wiped away nonexistent tears, and became serious again.

"Brother, I won't thank you for this great favor! I've etched the Star-Tempering Body Technique into my heart. From now on, no matter what you face, as long as you give a shout, I, Long Bad Dao, will plunge into fire and water without hesitation!"

After saying so, he clasped his fists to Jiang Feng, then turned and strode away like a comet, leaving the small courtyard.

He feared staying longer; the debt he owes Jiang Feng would never be repaid in this life.

Jiang Feng watched his back, shaking his head helplessly.

Long Bad Dao, though sometimes out of sync, is indeed a friend worth having.

Shortly after Long Bad Dao left, footsteps sounded again outside the gate; this time Miao Linfeng and Xu Congyang entered.

Xu Congyang lowered his head, his face flushing slightly, looking very awkward.

Miao Linfeng, seeing his demeanor, helplessly gave him a pull and clasped her fists toward Jiang Feng.

"Mr. Jiang, sorry for the disturbance."

"Elder Miao, Brother Xu, please sit."

Xu Congyang, pushed to Jiang Feng's side by Miao Linfeng, held his breath for a while before finally raising his head.

"Jiang… Mr. Jiang, I'm sorry! Earlier I mistakenly believed the Mo Family brothers' words and struck at you; I was blind, I hope you can forgive me."

After speaking, he bowed deeply.

Jiang Feng looked at him, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Brother Xu, there's no need for that. The previous incident was a misunderstanding; let it be forgotten, I haven't held it against you."

Xu Congyang hadn't expected Jiang Feng to forgive him so easily and was stunned.

"Th—thank you, Mr. Jiang!"

Miao Linfeng also breathed a sigh of relief, yet her face still bore a hint of anxiety as she carefully spoke.

"Mr. Jiang, headquarters just messaged that a plane is arranged tonight to take the two of us back to Jingcheng, passing through Jiangcheng en route. I wonder whether you would like to leave with us?"

Jiang Feng looked at her and couldn't help but smile.

"Elder Miao, in the Illusion Realm of the War Respect Ruins you risked your life fighting the Tiancan Daoist to protect me; I understand that intention. The misunderstandings between us are now settled."

These words made Miao Linfeng instantly stunned, her face full of incredulous joy.

She abruptly lifted her head, her voice trembling.

"Mr. Jiang, you… you really don't blame us?"

"Of course."

Jiang Feng nodded.

Miao Linfeng instantly became excited and quickly clasped fists toward Jiang Feng.

"Mr. Jiang, rest assured! From now on, Yitian Pavilion will consider you its most precious friend! Whatever you need in the future, everyone at Yitian Pavilion will go all out!"

"Elder Miao, you're too kind. Since your plane has to pass through Jiangcheng, could Elder Miao take me back with you tonight? I also happen to want to return to Jiangcheng."

"Fine! Fine!"

Miao Linfeng nodded repeatedly, his face full of excitement.

"Mr. Jiang, rest assured, I'll personally pick you up tonight!"

Xu Congyang also breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face. He had been worrying whether Jiang Feng would forgive him, but now it seemed he had overthought it.

Soon, Jiang Feng packed his belongings and, together with Miao Linfeng and Xu Congyang, returned to the earlier airport.

After a few hours, the helicopter, according to plan, landed on the helipad of Yitian Pavilion's Jiangcheng branch.

Jiang Feng opened his eyes, gathered his luggage, and got off the aircraft together with Miao Linfeng and Xu Congyang.

As soon as he stepped off the helicopter, a familiar figure rushed toward him—it was Duanmu Ya.

Duanmu Ya's face was full of anxious expression, and she seized Jiang Feng's arm.

"Mr. Jiang! It's bad! Something terrible has happened!"

Jiang Feng looked at her frantic demeanor and felt a weight settle in his heart.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

Duanmu Ya took a deep breath, tried to steady her rapid breathing, and spoke word by word.

"The beauty‑preserving pill… the beauty‑preserving pill has malfunctioned!"