On the thirteenth day of the eighth month, a bold and decisive move sent Chong Xuansun to Jixia Academy. Chong Xuansheng held a grand banquet at Hongxiu Manor, his ambition fulfilled and spirits high.

On the fourteenth day of the eighth month, Chong Xuansheng swaggered back to the Marquis of Bowang’s estate. Jiang Wang, who had been seen entering and exiting with him, remained at Chong Xuansheng’s private residence on Mount Xia, not leaving for days.

This was the intelligence obtained by Cheng Shiyi of the Jvbao Commerce Association.

When she initially bet on Chong Xuansun, she never imagined that Chong Xuansun would act so swiftly and ruthlessly, only to be forced into seclusion before completing even a few moves.

Consequently, Chong Xuansheng’s counterattack was predictable.

She had initially held an optimistic view of Chong Xuansheng’s retaliation. The Jvbao Commerce Association was, after all, one of the top two commerce associations in Qi. A mere Chong Xuansheng, unable to mobilize the Chongxuan family’s resources, could not possibly harm the Jvbao Commerce Association.

She even believed that Chong Xuansheng would not even target the Jvbao Commerce Association. Instead, he would likely use this opportunity to seek a renewed partnership with them.

She still favored Chong Xuansun, who would return in a year.

When making their initial choice, the Jvbao Commerce Association had thoroughly considered all aspects. From every angle, Chong Xuansun could not possibly lose.

This was confirmed when Chong Xuansun led the family to exchange the Sunlight Township Pacification Envoy for ten years of development rights on Chongjia Island.

It could be said that in a direct confrontation, Chong Xuansheng had no chance of winning. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have paid such a high price to send Chong Xuansun away.

However, how could he possibly dismantle Chong Xuansun’s power within a year?

Especially when the opponent was Wang Yiwu!

Many even believed that Chong Xuansheng would likely be dealt with by Wang Yiwu before Chong Xuansun even emerged from seclusion.

But Su She shattered her optimistic illusions.

Su She agreed with the assessment that Chong Xuansun was a more worthwhile investment, but also asserted that Chong Xuansheng would definitely target the Jvbao Commerce Association.

“It’s not because you’ve fallen out; face is just a minor matter. If he doesn’t react even when allies of our level defect, how will he suppress the hearts of the people?”

Su She said, “As long as he still intends to compete with Chong Xuansun, he can never let the Jvbao Commerce Association go. This is a fundamental conflict.”

Cheng Shiyi lamented, “Dean. I’ve had people watching him at all times! But we can’t get too close. That Marquis has a ruthless streak, and, unfortunately, supports him.”

Su She was a refined-looking middle-aged man, resembling a scholar more than a merchant.

In fact, he did run his own academy and served as its dean.

He preferred to be called “Dean” rather than “President.”

Hearing this, he simply waved his hand and said, “If we don’t do anything to him, Marquis Dingyuan won’t do anything to us. Chong Xuansun is also his nephew.”

“It’s not that we’re afraid of him moving, it’s that we’re afraid of him not moving,” Su She gently tapped the armrest. “What does he want to do?”

Cheng Shiyi curled her hair, a gesture she only occasionally displayed in front of Su She, revealing her youthful side. Speculating, she said, “He’s staying at the Marquis of Bowang’s estate, seemingly trying to win over the Chongxuan family’s patriarch during this time, right?”

“That Jiang Wang, has he really not left the house?” Su She asked again.

“This person is Chong Xuansheng’s absolute confidant and should not be underestimated.”

They only learned later that Chong Xuansheng had used Jiang Wang to send the bow to Li Longchuan, thus connecting with Li Zhengshu and having the opportunity for that imperial audience.

“Truly, he hasn’t left the house!” Cheng Shiyi exclaimed. “We did manage to place someone inside Chong Xuansheng’s private residence, but it’s difficult to deliver messages even once. That Jiang Wang only opened the window at dusk to look at the mountain scenery, and spends the whole day in his room.”

Su She pondered for a moment and slowly said, “Keep an eye on him for now. During this time, clear up any outstanding accounts and don’t leave any handles. Also, send someone to ask Wang Yiwu if there’s anything we can help with. No matter what, now that Chong Xuansheng has made this move, we must not let our guard down.”

What exactly was Chong Xuansheng planning to do?

Many people had this question.

But the answer only resided in the heart of that fat man.

The fifteenth day of the eighth month was precisely the Mid-Autumn Festival.

A time for family reunions, it was also the day for the monthly blessed land challenge.

After exhausting all his strength, Jiang Wang was still defeated without a doubt.

He fell from the Spring Source Cave to the thirty-fifth-ranked Gold Essence Mountain. His monthly merit production was reduced to only six hundred and fifty points.

Even now, Jiang Wang still didn’t understand the value of this blessed land. He initially thought that the merit production was quite high, but as his ranking in the match battles increased, this small share of merit was no longer sufficient.

It seemed that it was more like a monthly opportunity to spar with strong opponents.

However, so many experts were eager to participate in the blessed land challenge. Apart from the first few times he abstained, challengers were punctual every blessed land challenge day.

It should be known that these experts, who could easily defeat the current Jiang Wang, all valued their time. Yet, they still set aside time each month to participate in the blessed land challenge, which was enough to prove the value of the illusory realm blessed land.

It was just that Jiang Wang had yet to discover it.

Coming out of the illusory realm, it was already past noon.

“Right on time,” Jiang Wang thought.

In a few more hours, pushing open the window without even leaving the house would allow him to enjoy one of Linzi’s seven scenic wonders, “Maple Glow and Evening Clouds.”

The door opened at that moment, and a maidservant entered with wine and dishes.

When the maidservant left with the food box, the window in the room was also pushed open.

A person who looked very similar to Jiang Wang was sitting by the window, pouring himself a drink, as if waiting for the beautiful scenery.

But he was no longer Jiang Wang.

Disguised and out of the Mount Xia private residence, after several turns to ensure that no one could follow him, Jiang Wang returned to the inn he had gone to the previous night to meet with Xu Fang.

After washing up and resting for a day, Xu Fang was completely different when they met again.

Although he had become thin and gaunt due to the loss of his cultivation and years of living in the open,

But when he stood there, his temperament emerged.

His appearance was gaunt and refined, and he had a certain elegance. The frost at his temples, on the contrary, highlighted his experience.

It could only be said that he was worthy of being a famous scholar of his time.

Jiang Wang secretly sighed in his heart.

However, he didn’t waste any words and, according to Chong Xuansheng’s plan, directly said, “You should go and plead guilty now.”

Hearing this, Xu Fang didn’t show any unbearable expression. It seemed that he could accept anything. He just asked faintly, “To Su She?”

Jiang Wang shook his head. “To the Crown Prince.”

Xu Fang was silent for a while. “Although I don’t know how I have offended the Crown Prince, I will cooperate with you. What crime should I confess to? How should I speak? How much time do I have to memorize it?”

He was rambling on, seemingly eager to seize this opportunity. “Should I go to Chang Le Palace now?”

“No,” Jiang Wang said. “It’s the Green Stone Palace.”

Xu Fang’s expression shook.

Chang Le Palace was the residence of Qi’s Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua.

And the person residing in the Green Stone Palace was…

The deposed Crown Prince, Jiang Wuliang!