Chapter 571

He looked at the three Sun Wheel cultivators and said gravely: "State your names to those you will henceforth serve."

At these words, the three turned toward Jiang Shan, bowed, and saluted:

"Mo Han!"

"Wang Baolong!"

"Meng Zhengtian!"

"Hail the Grand Master!"

The words faded.

Jiang Shan rose hastily and reached out both hands to personally help them up.

His expression softened as he said gently:

"From this day forward, Jiang Shan's life is entrusted to you elders. I shall rely on you greatly in the days ahead—please grant me your guidance…"

Seeing that Jiang Shan did not flaunt his status as a member of the Cangwu Jiang Clan or show them any disdain,

the three relaxed their brows, their inner resistance instantly easing.

After all, their true spirits still resided within their Life Soul Stones.

Their life or death lay entirely in the Jiang Clan Chief's will.

Thus, even if they resented it deeply, there was no recourse—they could only obey Jiang Shan, this Yuanhai cultivator!

And under these circumstances, Jiang Shan's attitude and respect toward them was already a stroke of fortune amid misfortune.

Then, Meng Zhengtian bowed and said:

"Grand Master, you are too kind. Now, all of us brothers must rely on the Clan Chief's breath to act."

"Since the Clan Chief has issued his command, protecting you has become our duty—we shall spare no effort to ensure your safety!"

Mo Han added: "Exactly! Should any fool ever try to take the Grand Master's life, they must first walk over our corpses!"

Wang Baolong nodded: "Yeah, yeah, same here!"

At this moment, all three spoke with genuine sincerity—not a single word of falsehood!

After all, any clear-eyed person could see how much the Jiang Clan Chief valued Jiang Shan!

Yet to gain the protection of three Sun Wheel cultivators merely by virtue of one's Yuanhai cultivation base—this was no ordinary privilege!

So they had every reason to believe:

If anything happened to Jiang Shan, none of them three would escape blame!

Meanwhile, on the other side:

Seeing the handover complete,

Jiang Hongguang gave a slight nod and said gravely: "Since the Clan Chief's task is done, I shall not linger—I must return swiftly to Cangwu Mountain to report."

"Jiang Shan, I hope when I next come here, you'll still have some surprises for me…"

Jiang Shan snapped back to awareness, raised his head, and vowed firmly: "You shall see!"

Jiang Hongguang gave a light laugh, waved his hand, and stepped out of the hall.

The hall was soon left only with the Devil Cult members and the original Cangwu Merchants' Guild members.

In that moment, silence fell all around.

All eyes turned to Jiang Shan.

Under the gaze of the multitude,

Jiang Shan slowly turned his head.

His sharp, deep gaze swept swiftly across every face!

Finally, a smile touched his lips: "Then from now on, let expansion resume!"

At these words, the Devil Cult members showed no reaction.

But the former Cangwu Merchants' Guild members erupted in exclamations!

Most of them were lone cultivators with no clan or faction backing.

Accumulating resources had always been excruciatingly hard, and the risk of sudden death was ever-present!

So when they seized the chance to use the Cangwu Merchants' Guild as a stepping stone to cling to the mighty Cangwu Jiang Clan,

everyone felt immense gratitude, seeing it as an opportunity to change their entire fate!

As long as the Cangwu Merchants' Guild continued to grow,

their status and access to resources would only increase.

So, without exaggeration,

in their hearts, their desire to strengthen the Cangwu Merchants' Guild was no less than Jiang Shan's own!

That was why they were overcome with ecstatic joy!

Just as Jiang Shan was about to launch his grand plans,

on the other side,

near the Royal Capital,

a figure blazed with radiant light, streaking swiftly across the sky!

He was Zhang Long, who had just parted from Ding Xuan and hastily left Wudan City.

As the Royal Capital drew nearer, his eyes held no joy—only boundless heaviness.

For this reunion had deepened his understanding of the Cangwu Jiang Clan's terrifying power.

Though Ding Xuan's answers were flawless, revealing nothing of the Cangwu Jiang Clan's inner affairs,

even other matters had yielded him immense insight!

Thinking of how Ding Xuan, at the gathering, occasionally hinted at the Cangwu Jiang Clan's might and subtly extended overtures of recruitment…

He had hinted many times that he should forsake darkness for the light and switch allegiance to the Jiang clan of Cangwu.

Zhang Long could not help but voice his heartfelt thoughts:

"Judging by the current situation, facing this terrifying hidden dragon, we can only befriend it. We absolutely must not make an enemy of it."

"If we do become its enemy, not only will the entire Great Qin face the peril of destruction, even Master himself would... sigh..."

At this moment, the desire in his heart to see Master grew increasingly urgent.

He truly did not wish to see Master clash with this terrifying Jiang clan leader.

Even though he knew full well how powerful his own Master was.

But regrettably.

He still had to sorrowfully conclude that his Master was likely no match for the Jiang clan leader!

Therefore, in order to make sure his Master stood on the right side and preserved his life.

He had to hurry back at once to report this matter.

As for Qin Wang's life or death?

Heh, he had no interest in that whatsoever.

Thinking of this, his speed suddenly surged, and in an instant he shot across the sky above the royal capital, flying toward the National Preceptor's Residence!

…………

Not long after.

Zhang Long smoothly arrived near the National Preceptor's Residence.

To avoid any breach of etiquette.

His figure paused, and he slowly descended, landing at the entrance of the mansion.

Because over these years, he had often come to visit Master.

All the servants of the National Preceptor's Residence knew his identity.

Along the way, every servant who saw Zhang Long knelt and saluted, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

Just as Zhang Long was passing through a small side courtyard, about to reach his Master's dwelling.

He happened to bump into a tall young man clad in golden-yellow battle armor, with a sword hanging at his waist!

Seeing Zhang Long walking in such a hurry, the young man could not help but look puzzled: "Senior Brother, you're in such a frantic rush—what major event has happened?"

Hearing the voice, Zhang Long looked up, his eyes lighting up, and he chuckled lightly:

"Cheng'er? You brat leading troops out there, waging war against the fierce beasts of the Northern Caves for dozens of years—now you've actually been willing to come back?"

The young man's name was "Yuwen Cheng."

He was the only offspring born from his Master Yuwen Feng's union with a woman several hundred years ago!