Having heard Lian Que’s entire account, a wave of sorrow washed over Jiang Wang’s heart.

All living beings in this world, so long as they possessed a spirit, yearned for freedom. A lone wolf would rather starve to death, a solitary eagle would rather perish by crashing into a pillar. How much more so for humans?

“So, you…” Jiang Wang waited for him to continue, dimly sensing Lian Que’s intentions.

“Before, though I felt these rules were stale and rotten, I also knew the entire Lian family carried a heavy burden of accumulated inertia, difficult to reverse. Rules forged over hundreds of years were not easily shaken by just anyone.”

“But today, I truly understand. The Lian family is rotten to the core. Honor, faith – all have vanished.”

“Change must be made, no matter how painful the cost. Because if things continue like this, the Lian family will be no more! The ancient furnace fires that have burned for so many years will surely be extinguished.”

“Today, therefore, I have made my resolve.”

Upon Lian Que’s unsightly face, there now shone a light of fierce determination, almost sacred.

“I want to change all of this.”

“How do you intend to do that?” Jiang Wang asked.

“Before, I didn’t wish to contend, but now, I want to contend for the position of Lian family head.” He looked at Jiang Wang and said, “In the past, I devoted myself wholeheartedly to forging weapons and had no significant connections or friends. So, I wish to request your aid.”

“I know you currently assist Chong Xuan Sheng. Chong Xuan Sheng is vying with Chong Xuan Zun for the right of inheritance, and I am willing to join forces with you all. I only hope that in the future, when I seek to change the Lian family, you can come to my assistance.”

Jiang Wang realized that this represented a very substantial force. With Lian Que’s current reputation as a master smith who had forged a renowned weapon, within the Lian family – a clan of master smiths – he possessed sufficient leverage to contend for the family headship.

The Lian family of South Yao was a clan envied and coveted even by the imperial descendants. If not for the current Qi Emperor’s formidable prestige and extremely strict governance, it would not have fallen to the Fourteenth Prince, Jiang Wu Yong, to make contact.

And unlike the perilous struggle for the Dragon Throne, the Lian family’s involvement in the Chong Xuan family’s internal power struggle was far less risky. This meant that if Lian Que seized control of the Lian family, the forces he could mobilize in the competition between Chong Xuan Sheng and Chong Xuan Zun would be greater, with fewer concerns.

For Chong Xuan Sheng, this was undoubtedly aid arriving in a time of urgent need. Having the Lian family as an ally was sufficient to allow him to narrow the gap with Chong Xuan Zun more quickly. Of course, all of this was premised on their ability to help Lian Que achieve his ideals.

Jiang Wang pondered for a moment, and then spoke without empty platitudes. He said with great sincerity, “You and I are friends. I can represent myself and am unconditionally willing to help you. But I cannot decide for Chong Xuan Sheng.”

“And I must tell you, the situation we currently face is extremely difficult. Chong Xuan Zun, whether in personal strength, personal forces, or connections, far surpasses Chong Xuan Sheng. He has been the first-in-line heir for a long time, while Chong Xuan Sheng is just beginning to build his influence. While we are in dire need of your assistance now, I do not wish you to make a hasty decision.”

“Jiang Wang,” Lian Que said earnestly, “Whether it is Chong Xuan Zun or Chong Xuan Sheng, I have no foundation of trust with either of them. So, those matters are not what I need to consider. I only know that you are trustworthy. Therefore, I stand with you. Whoever you assist, I shall assist.”

“Very well, I will inquire of Chong Xuan Sheng.”

Right in front of Lian Que, Jiang Wang took out his Echo Pendant and transmitted a message to Chong Xuan Sheng at the tavern. He realized that this matter was significant, and a direct, private conversation between Lian Que and Chong Xuan Sheng might not be advisable. In the environment of South Yao City, the Echo Pendant, originally prepared for the Heavenly Abode Secret Realm, came in handy.

As Jiang Wang had said, he could only represent himself. He could not, and would not, make decisions for Chong Xuan Sheng. However, when discussing with Chong Xuan Sheng, the Fatty’s decisiveness still exceeded Jiang Wang’s expectations.

“I agree to the cooperation. You convey this message to that iron-smithing kid: ‘I, Chong Xuan Sheng, will absolutely not mistreat my allies. Today you help me control the Chong Xuan family, tomorrow I will help you overturn the Lian family!'”

Jiang Wang inputted the words and placed the Echo Pendant in front of Lian Que. Lian Que, surprisingly, showed no offense at the title “iron-smithing kid.” He glanced at Jiang Wang, then said, “Then it is agreed.”

Chong Xuan Sheng, upon receiving the response, immediately said to Jiang Wang, “It is not convenient to discuss details now. I will establish separate, private, secret contact with the iron-smithing… uh… Lian Que. You are to leave there immediately and come to the tavern to find me. We will depart the city at once.”

Jiang Wang was not foolish, merely limited by his background and perspective, having little experience in such matters. With Chong Xuan Sheng’s words, his mind cleared, and he understood. The fewer people who knew about the cooperation with Lian Que, the greater its potential impact later. Making a fuss now would be detrimental, possibly turning a good thing into something bad.

As the only master smith in the Lian family to have forged a renowned weapon in nearly fifty years, Lian Que’s future was limitless. As long as he was willing to engage, he could quickly develop his influence. In this regard, Chong Xuan Sheng could secretly provide significant assistance, including the experience in power struggles that Lian Que himself sorely lacked.

However, to truly seize control of the Lian family’s power, his opponents were not only the other descendants vying for the right of inheritance, but more significantly, the entrenched interests within the Lian clan – the family elders, and even the current Clan Head, Lian Zhu Ping!

Lian Que’s current identity, of course, was a tremendous help to Chong Xuan Sheng. But on the other hand, Lian Que had many opponents within the Lian clan’s internal competition. If Chong Xuan Sheng were to overtly ally with Lian Que, on some level, it would be equivalent to pushing Lian Que’s competitors to Chong Xuan Zun’s side.

There was no need to question whether Chong Xuan Zun would do such a thing. He himself was engaged in similar tactics. Among all of Chong Xuan Zun’s allies and connections, as long as they were in competition with Chong Xuan Zun’s side, Chong Xuan Sheng had made contact. Otherwise, how could he have built up his forces so quickly?

And if this cooperative relationship remained secret, it could serve as a hidden trump card. Waiting until the time when Chong Xuan Zun and Chong Xuan Sheng were at each other’s throats, it might become the decisive move. The more such chips one held, the greater confidence one would possess when the final outcome was revealed.

Chong Xuan Zun’s side naturally knew that Lian Que and Jiang Wang were on good terms, but he would not imagine the extent of cooperation that Lian Que and Chong Xuan Sheng would achieve. Through Jiang Wang, Chong Xuan Sheng and Lian Que had forged an alliance agreement of mutual, all-out assistance!

Chong Xuan Sheng’s immediate desire to leave, and to leave as quickly as possible, was intended to reinforce the impression that he and Lian Que disliked each other.

Returning to the tavern, Chong Xuan Sheng’s subordinates had already prepared the carriage. Jiang Wang directly boarded and departed. Even though the carriage was luxurious and massive, Chong Xuan Sheng still occupied nearly one-third of the space by himself.

The elder who had accompanied Chong Xuan Sheng to South Yao sat opposite Jiang Wang, his eyes closed in rest. Fortunately, he was only slightly stout; otherwise, Jiang Wang truly wouldn’t know where to squeeze in.

As Chong Xuan Sheng lifted the curtain to observe the situation in South Yao City, he explained to Jiang Wang, “I am not afraid of his conditions or demands. If I lose, all matters cease. If I win, all problems have solutions.”

“Jiang Wu Yong was not wrong about one thing; you indeed have a strong gambling nature.”

Chong Xuan Sheng’s contradictory nature was very prominent. On one hand, he was meticulous and cautious, even now lifting the curtain to watch the surroundings as a form of vigilance. On the other hand, he possessed a powerful gambling nature, often making large bets.

Hearing Jiang Wang’s words, he merely smiled. “I was originally inferior to Chong Xuan Zun in everything. If I also lacked the courage to go all-in, what would I use to compete with him?”

Hearing this, Chong Xuan Sheng’s clan elder opened his eyes and said with a smile, “You are stronger than him in more than just courage.”