Chapter 24: A Commission from Jing Hongchen (1 / 1)
He stared fixedly at Jiang Li, the aura of a Level 94 Titled Douluo almost spiraling out of control again.
The streets of Mingdu were full of people, but in his eyes, only the casually smiling young man remained.
He had admitted it.
He had actually admitted it so casually.
Wiping out the entire Sunset Water Alliance in a single night—an event that could shake all of Mingdu—was spoken of by him as casually as "I had a bowl of noodles today."
Jing Hongchen took a deep breath, suppressing the storm in his heart, and lowered his voice.
"Little friend, do you know how deeply the Sunset Water Alliance is entangled with other forces?"
"I know a bit," Jiang Li shrugged, not stopping his steps as he walked toward the Hongchen Manor.
"Just a nest of rats. I cleaned it up for convenience."
Jing Hongchen looked at his back, his expression extremely complicated.
This young man had no soul power, yet his strength was unfathomable, and his actions were outrageously bold.
He quickly followed. The two walked one after the other and soon arrived at a grand estate.
The vermilion gates were engraved with intricate golden patterns. Above the entrance hung a black plaque with gold characters reading "Hongchen Manor," exuding authority and prestige.
The guards bowed immediately upon seeing Jing Hongchen return. When their eyes fell on Jiang Li, curiosity and vigilance appeared.
"No need to report," Jing Hongchen waved his hand, leading Jiang Li inside directly.
Passing through the ornate courtyard, they entered a refined garden landscape—rock formations, flowing water, pavilions and towers everywhere, the air filled with aristocratic grandeur.
Meng Hongchen was already waiting in a pavilion. On the table were exquisite pastries and a pot of fine wine.
Seeing them arrive, she stood up quickly, her eyes sweeping over Jiang Li, unable to find anything unusual, deepening her confusion.
"Please sit," Jing Hongchen said, sitting first.
Jiang Li did not stand on ceremony, sitting across from him and casually tossing a piece of pastry into his mouth.
"Not bad."
Jing Hongchen ignored the teasing, first signaling Meng Hongchen to leave.
Then he personally poured Jiang Li a cup of wine.
"You are young yet already possess such strength. Truly rare.
But after destroying the Sunset Water Alliance, aren't you afraid of retaliation from the Holy Spirit Sect?"
"Retaliation?"
Jiang Li sneered, taking a sip of wine.
"A group of rats hiding in the gutter. They're not worthy of talking about retaliation."
The arrogance was extreme, yet coming from him, it strangely carried convincing weight.
After a brief silence, Jing Hongchen spoke again.
"The Holy Spirit Sect is powerful and acts in a sinister, ruthless manner. Even if you are strong, two fists cannot beat four hands.
I have a suggestion. Would you like to hear it?"
"Oh?" Jiang Li raised a brow. "Go on."
"Join Mingde Hall," Jing Hongchen said, his gaze turning sharp.
"I can guarantee your safety in Mingdu.
In exchange, you will serve Mingde Hall."
The atmosphere in the pavilion instantly turned still.
After a moment, Jiang Li set down his cup and tapped the table lightly.
Looking at Jing Hongchen, his smile faded slightly.
"Thank you for the offer, but as a bounty hunter, I do not side with any faction. Whoever pays, I work for them.
As for the Holy Spirit Sect…"
He paused and looked at Jing Hongchen, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"If they dare come after me, I don't mind erasing them completely."
Jing Hongchen's hand holding the cup trembled slightly.
After a long silence, he finally placed the cup down and gave a faint smile.
"Then I won't insist."
Jiang Li nodded and continued drinking.
After a few rounds of wine, the pot was empty.
Jiang Li stood up, brushing off his sleeves.
"Thank you for the hospitality, Hallmaster Hongchen. It's getting late—I'll take my leave."
But Jing Hongchen raised his hand, stopping him. His expression turned serious.
"Wait, I have a commission for you."
Jiang Li sat back down.
"Speak. As long as the price is right, there's nothing I won't take."
Jing Hongchen said gravely:
"My Mingde Hall had a Level 9 sealed soul tool stolen. It is called the 'Sealing God Platform.'"
"Sealing God Platform?" Jiang Li's eyes flickered with surprise.
He remembered that in the original story, this very item had been used to capture the transforming Snow Empress.
He hadn't expected Jing Hongchen to commission him to retrieve it.
Seeing his reaction, Jing Hongchen continued solemnly:
"I do not require a time limit. I only ask that if you find it in the future, you return it to Mingde Hall."
Jiang Li tapped the stone table lightly, his eyes glinting.
"Fine. But a commission involving a Level 9 soul tool won't come cheap."
"No need to worry," Jing Hongchen said without hesitation.
"If you recover it, I will pay ten million gold soul coins."
Hearing this, Jiang Li's eyes lit up instantly.
"Deal."
Jing Hongchen smiled slightly.
"Then I'll rely on you to keep an eye out."
"No trouble. Money makes everything easy."
After a few more words, Jiang Li took his leave.
His expression gradually cooled as he walked out of the manor, a low pressure surrounding him.
Near the entrance, he suddenly collided with a figure.
A young man in academy uniform with heterochromatic eyes and an arrogant expression—Xiao Hongchen.
He had just returned from the academy.
The two locked eyes.
In that instant, Xiao Hongchen's body stiffened.
A suffocating pressure surged over him, as if a predator had locked onto its prey, causing his hair to stand on end.
Though Jiang Li had no soul power fluctuations, Xiao Hongchen felt as if he were facing an unsheathed divine blade.
Cold, restrained… yet overwhelmingly sharp.
Those eyes—calm, deep, and terrifying—seemed capable of pulling one's soul in.
"You… you are…"
Xiao Hongchen subconsciously clenched his fists, his voice dry.
Jiang Li glanced at him, recognized him, but had no interest in conversation. He walked straight past.
Only when Jiang Li's figure disappeared did Xiao Hongchen finally exhale, his back already soaked in cold sweat.
He stood frozen in place, heart still pounding violently.
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