Chapter 86: Give Face or Take It?

"Jiangnan Wang?"

Wu Chengliang's words fell, and the Ji Shi Tang instantly fell into dead silence.

Jiangnan Wang!

He is the one truly at the pinnacle of Jiangnan's power.

The Emperor's paternal uncle, one of the few remaining princes of the empire.

Not even ordinary commoners—let alone a Vice Provincial Head like Huo Dongting—could meet him without bowing respectfully.

Sun Boyong also tensed instantly, instinctively edging closer to Jiang Feng and lowering his voice.

"Jiang Feng, Jiangnan Wang is no ordinary person; he also holds the civil administration authority of Jiangnan, and even a Provincial Governor must obey his orders. So why would he suddenly want to see you?"

Jiang Feng's brow twitched almost imperceptibly: "I don't know; I've never heard of him."

Su Xueyan also furrowed her brows, hurried to Jiang Feng's side, and gently tugged his sleeve.

"Jiang Feng, although Jiangnan Wang doesn't command troops like the frontier princes, his word carries more weight than anyone's within the Jiangnan Territory."

"Rumor has it he's aloof and rarely interacts with outsiders; the visitor may not be friendly, so you should be cautious."

Jiang Feng gave a slight nod, signaling Su Xueyan to relax, then lifted his gaze toward Wu Chengliang.

"I wonder what business Jiangnan Wang has with me?"

Wu Chengliang, seeing Jiang Feng's calm demeanor before the title of Jiangnan Wang, felt a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Nevertheless, he paid it no mind, hands clasped behind his back, chin slightly raised.

"Here's the matter: the Prince heard you saved General Huo Lao, which counts as a great merit."

"The Prince learned of your medical skill and thinks you're a talent, so he wishes to meet you personally. This is a blessing few can ever obtain; you should hurry and come with us."

With those words, Hua Jing and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.

If that's the case, it's actually a good thing.

After all, Jiangnan Wang comes from the Heavenly Family.

Even though he's a leisurely prince, receiving his special attention would surely bring endless benefits to Jiang Feng.

Wu Chengliang took in everyone's reactions, then casually added another sentence.

"By the way, the doctors Smith and Brian, with whom you had misunderstandings, are also waiting in the Prince's Residence; the Prince wants to help resolve the issue. After all, the Rui Country medical team was invited by the Prince, and a prolonged feud looks bad."

In his view, Jiangnan Wang personally mediating this matter already grants Jiang Feng a tremendous face.

If Jiang Feng were a normal person, he would already be grateful for the Prince's words and rush to the Prince's Residence to give thanks.

And Jiang Feng now fully understood.

Jiangnan Wang wants to see him, not because of Huo Lao's matter.

Clearly, it's at the behest of Smith and Brian, acting as their envoy.

Fundamentally, they want him to agree to join the Rui Country medical team.

Jiang Feng grasped the crux, a cold smile curling at his mouth.

"Thank the Prince for the favor, but I saved Huo Lao merely as a physician's duty."

He paused briefly, then continued.

"As for Smith and Brian, I have no real misunderstanding with them; we simply walk different paths and cannot cooperate."

"Therefore, please have the commander tell the Prince that I don't need to reconcile with them, nor do I need to go to the Jiangnan Prince's Residence again."

"What did you say?"

Wu Chengliang's complexion darkened instantly.

"Do you know who you're speaking to? The Prince meeting you personally is giving you face! Don't give face and take it away!"

Saying that, Wu Chengliang stepped forward, his tone icy to the extreme.

"Within the Jiangnan Territory, no one dares defy the Prince's decree!"

Hua Lao hurried forward to smooth things over.

"Sir, Jiang Feng is young and inexperienced; please don't test him! We'll persuade him again, persuade him again!"

Sun Boyong also nodded, proceeding cautiously.

"Indeed, sir, Mr. Jiang just hasn't thought it through for a moment; if we speak properly, he'll surely understand the Prince's good intentions!"

But Wu Chengliang gave them no respect at all.

He shoved Hua Lao aside in one motion; Hua Lao staggered back a few steps, nearly falling, but Hua Yingying caught him.

Wu Chengliang's gaze fixed on Jiang Feng, his tone as cold as a blade.

"I'll ask you once more: will you go or not? Don't force me to take action. Do you really want the Prince himself to come knocking on your door? Are you worthy?"

His powerful Grandmaster aura instantly flooded the entire Ji Shi Tang.

The nearest, Hua Jing and Sun Boyong, instantly felt the overwhelming pressure and broke into a cold sweat.

A flash of anger crossed Jiang Feng's eyes, and he stepped forward at that moment.

Immediately, a powerful aura surged from him, instantly enveloping Hua Jing and Sun Boyong.

Only then did the two feel somewhat better.

Wu Chengliang hadn't expected this fellow to also be a cultivator, a colder smile curling at his mouth.

Jiang Feng stared coldly at Wu Chengliang, each word uttered with extra indifference.

"Whether I'm worthy or not isn't for you to decide. Even if Jiangnan Wang truly comes in person, my stance won't change."

"No one can force me to go to a place I don't want to go. No one can compel me to do something I refuse."

"Fine! Very fine!"

Wu Chengliang was thoroughly enraged; the veins on his temples throbbed, and he raised his hand abruptly.

"Draw your sword! Let this fellow see what fate awaits those who defy the Prince's decree!"

Swish swish swish!

A dozen or so cold‑glinting battle knives flashed from their scabbards in an instant.

The black‑clad Guard stepped forward, forming a half‑encircling circle that trapped Jiang Feng and the others in the middle, and the murderous aura on their bodies spread instantly.

That was the ferocity cultivated from years of martial training and missions.

Hua Lao and Hua Yingying were so frightened they trembled all over, and Sun Boyong's face turned pale as he instinctively shielded the two.

Su Xueyan clutched Jiang Feng's arm tightly, her palms slick with cold sweat, yet she did not take a step back.

She believed Jiang Feng would certainly protect her.

Wu Chengliang stared at Jiang Feng, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Jiang Feng, you can still change your mind now. Come with me to see the Prince, admit your mistake and apologize, then agree to join the Rui Country medical team; I can pretend the previous incident never happened. If you still refuse…"

He paused, his gaze full of threat.

"The knives of my brothers don't miss. Ji Shi Tang is so small; if blood splatters, it won't look good."

Jiang Feng ignored his threat, merely flashing a mocking smile.

"Jiangnan Wang relies on these knives to make others obey? If this gets out, even the Imperial Family would be shamed."

"How dare you insult the Prince!"

Wu Chengliang shouted angrily, raising his hand to issue the order to act.

"Attack! Bind him! If he dares resist, break his leg!"

"Hold on!"

Just as the Guard under Wu Chengliang were about to move, an angry roar suddenly echoed from outside Ji Shi Tang.

Whoosh!

Immediately after, a dozen or so figures rushed into Ji Shi Tang.

In an instant they surrounded Wu Chengliang and all his subordinates.

Jiangnan Province troops?

How did they get here?

Wu Chengliang frowned and looked toward the door, where a battle commander bearing a star on his shoulder hurried into the room.

"By Commander Huo's order, we earnestly request Mr. Jiang to come to the residence for a discussion!"