Volume One, Chapter 50: Sealed Object 090

Jiang Chen was not surprised by Li Jingshou's sudden change. Although he had been asleep, it did not mean he was unaware of what had happened between the two of them on the way over. Li Jingshou's spirit had died, or perhaps had simply been sealed away by himself for the time being. Jiang Chen had gone through this stage as well, which gave him the right to tell Li Jingshou what to do at this point in his life.

"I really do want to cultivate," Li Jingshou said stubbornly, lifting his head.

"Alright, alright," Jiang Chen replied. "Let’s circle back to the beginning: why do you want to train? Is it to protect Chongli?"

"That’s part of it," Li Jingshou said quietly, "but not all."

"How much of it?"

"Half and half."

Jiang Chen gave him a thumbs-up. "Half and half? Looks like you’re starting to find the doorway."

He was not afraid that Li Jingshou might go astray in his path. The path of emotion was still a path, but one could not rely on emotion alone. That was why he had asked why Li Jingshou wanted to cultivate in the first place.

"And the other half? Explain."

A complex emotion flickered in Li Jingshou’s eyes. "At first, I really did want to protect Chongli—and maybe show off a bit, just like you, Brother. Everyone respects you. I wanted to be like that. But after what’s happened lately, I know now that any of the things you’ve handled—I couldn’t have managed any of them."

Jiang Chen had noticed a few days ago that the boy was about to have an epiphany, but he hadn’t expected it to come this quickly.

"Training is tough. Can you handle it?" Jiang Chen knew too well the hardships he had endured in the past. If Li Jingshou wanted to learn from him, he’d never make it without sheer willpower.

"I want to learn," Li Jingshou said gravely. "I don’t want you to have no one to help you if you’re ever in danger, Brother."

Jiang Chen’s heart warmed. He knew Li Jingshou meant well. But honestly, had he ever really found himself in danger? Why was this kid worrying about things that hadn’t happened? Did he really need help? Maybe. Best not to discourage him—if his heart shattered, it might never be mended.

"First thing tomorrow morning, you’ll..." Jiang Chen hesitated. Where should he train him?

He was stumped. He hadn’t been home for several days now. If he went back today, Ning Rou would probably hang him by his ankles.

"Let’s meet at the house tomorrow afternoon," he finally said. "I have some things to handle in the morning." Staring at the message from Ning Rou on his phone, his face was full of bitterness.

The first message read, "Where are you? When are you coming home?"

The second: "Still not back? Are you trying to get divorced?"

The third: "Don’t bother coming back."

Jiang Chen had no doubt Ning Rou had already thrown his things out.

Li Jingshou, having agreed, was about to leave when Jiang Chen, looking at him, suddenly thought of an idea.

"Wait—come back with me tomorrow morning," Jiang Chen decided. Better to have a shield when going home.

The following morning, after performing acupuncture on Old Master Su, Jiang Chen had almost eliminated the toxins from his body. Two more sessions, and the old man would be more or less recovered.

Jiang Chen got into Li Jingshou’s van—once again, it was that same Wuling minivan.

"Did your family go bankrupt, Little Beast?" Jiang Chen asked from the passenger seat.

"No, why?" Li Jingshou replied, puzzled.

"When did you get so low-key?"

Li Jingshou sat up straight. "Brother, don’t you think this van suits me? Spacious, dignified, quick acceleration, and most importantly, the chassis never scrapes."

Jiang Chen blinked. "Just drive."

When they arrived at the villa, Li Jingshou saw the neatly stacked luggage by the door and lowered his head in embarrassment.

Jiang Chen, face blank, knocked on the door. "Rou Rou... I’m back. Could you open the door?"

After a moment, Ning Rou’s cold voice replied, "Oh, look who’s finally remembered to come home. What a rare guest."

Jiang Chen looked guilty at the door. "I’m hurt."

Ning Rou snorted. "Hurt? Heartbroken, maybe. Even with a broken heart, you remember to come back—so you still remember your legal wife, huh?"

Ouch—fatal blow. Jiang Chen sighed and shot Li Jingshou a look.

Ning Rou was completely in the right this time, and Jiang Chen, for once in a hundred years, was at a disadvantage. Words alone wouldn’t save him. He needed his teammate.

Li Jingshou acted instantly. "Sister-in-law, open up! My brother really is injured—and it’s pretty serious."

They’d already discussed the plan in the car. To avoid slipping up, Li Jingshou laced his voice with sorrow.

Snap—

The door swung open without hesitation. Ning Rou looked at Jiang Chen with worry. He was still pale, not fully recovered, his voice weak. Ning Rou pulled him close, checking him over with concern.

Jiang Chen’s legs gave out, and he collapsed into her arms.

This time, he wasn’t just taking advantage. During his earlier battle, he’d used up a purple talisman, draining his just-recovered body once more.

"Brother Chen’s in bad shape—he’s been unconscious all this time. He only woke up today and came home right away because he was worried about you. As soon as he opened his eyes, he asked to go home, so I drove him back as fast as I could," Li Jingshou explained smoothly.

Jiang Chen rested his face against Ning Rou’s fair neck, inhaling her scent, nodding weakly. Now that he was safe, he just had to play pitiful and get through this. The less he said, the fewer mistakes he’d make.

Though Ning Rou was a bit suspicious, seeing Jiang Chen like this, she didn’t think he could be faking.

"Really?"

Both men nodded like woodpeckers. Ning Rou’s anger finally melted, and she gently caressed Jiang Chen’s face.

"Jiang Chen, remember this—if you ever disappear again for no reason, I will definitely throw you out, do you hear me?" she said sternly.

She had forgotten: every time Jiang Chen yielded, her heart softened along with him. Unbeknownst to herself, he had already taken root in her heart.

Jiang Chen quickly swore his loyalty. "I promise this won’t happen again. If it does, I’ll throw myself into the river!"

Not that he could drown, he thought privately.

Li Jingshou watched the happy scene, chuckling. Ning Rou turned her sharp tongue to him. "And you’re laughing? Your brother’s hurt and you didn’t even let me know so I wouldn’t worry? Some brother you are—next time, if you don’t tell me, I’ll deal with you too!"

Li Jingshou scratched his head in embarrassment, then nodded quickly.

Though she scolded him, it was because she cared. Li Jingshou was happy—a person could never have too many people who cared about them.

After helping Jiang Chen to his room, Li Jingshou was left alone in the living room.

"Sister-in-law, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head out and come back this afternoon," he said.

Ning Rou’s face was cold. "Sit down. I have something to ask you."

Li Jingshou’s hands trembled with nerves. Ning Rou’s voice softened. "Don’t be nervous. I just want to ask what happened with you and Chongli. She came over in tears yesterday, cried all day, said you didn’t like her anymore, and that she never wanted to see you again. Is it true?"

Li Jingshou only nodded. Ning Rou sighed. "Quarrels between young couples are nothing, but don’t go cold for too long. Give each other a way out. It’s not easy to be together—don’t throw away a good fate over something small."

Faced with this gentle advice, Li Jingshou felt a pang of sadness. He hadn’t expected the aloof Chongli to cry for a whole day.

Jiang Chen was his big brother, Ning Rou his sister-in-law—both elders in his eyes. Now he was in a bind.

Deep down, he did like Chongli. But until he joined the ranks of cultivators, he couldn’t protect her—nor could he be with her. Until he could stand by her side, he had decided to set these feelings aside for now.

"Sister-in-law, I understand. I’ll handle my feelings," he said.

Suddenly, a booming voice sounded at the door.

"Amitabha. I am Yuanliang, leader of the Mysterious Events Investigation Team of Institute 509, here to apologize."

The voice was as loud as a bell, echoing through the house.

Jiang Chen, who had nearly fallen asleep, was jolted upright by the sound.

Outside, Li Jingshou hesitated, unsure whether to open the door. Jiang Chen, now changed into his pajamas, came downstairs.

"Brother... Should we let him in?"

Jiang Chen shook his head. "If you’re here to apologize, at least bring a gift. Did you come empty-handed?"

If he had, Jiang Chen would have no qualms about giving the old monk a beating and locking him up until he showed some sincerity.

Through the door, Yuanliang replied, "Jiang, I’ve brought a special gift: Sealed Artifact 090, specially requested as an apology."

Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up at the mention of a sealed artifact. Li Jingshou, unfamiliar with the term, asked, "Brother, what’s a sealed artifact?"

Intending to keep the monk waiting a bit, Jiang Chen explained, "Sealed artifacts have existed in every era. They’re numbered according to when they were discovered. Each one has a different origin and a unique function. Most of the known artifacts are kept at Institute 509 headquarters; others are family heirlooms or in the hands of top experts from various fields."

Li Jingshou and Ning Rou both felt their horizons broaden.

"It’s about time—let the master in," Jiang Chen said. His anger had mostly subsided. Besides, it wasn’t worth falling out with Institute 509; he might need their information someday.

When the door opened, Master Yuanliang intoned a Buddhist blessing and stepped inside.

Li Jingshou showed him to a seat, while Jiang Chen came down in shorts and slippers.

"Master, I’m sure you can understand my position. Your investigation squad isn’t exactly reliable."

Yuanliang nodded. "Of course. That’s why I ask you not to hold a grudge against those kids. The reputation of the King of the Underworld still stands."

Jiang Chen leaned back. "If I didn’t know some of your department’s people, I wouldn’t have let them off so easily. Luckily, there were no casualties."

Getting right to the point, Yuanliang pulled a shirt from his canvas bag. It looked ordinary, but within its recesses was a swirling substance visible only to those with the right sight.

"This is Sealed Artifact 090—Protect Myself?" Jiang Chen took it and examined it closely.

Ning Rou blinked. "Protect... protect you from what?"

Yuanliang smiled. "You must be the lady of the house. This artifact is called ‘Protect Myself.’"

Ning Rou tilted her head, nearly spelling out her disbelief: "What an... original name."

The one who named it must have been a genius. Why not something more impressive?

After rubbing it a few times, Jiang Chen handed Sealed Artifact 090 to Li Jingshou. "Take this. Consider it a gift from your big brother. Remember: until you can protect yourself, wear this at all times. No need to wash it—it has a built-in cleaning system."

"Hehe, thanks, Brother." Li Jingshou stroked the artifact, delighted. He felt more and more that following Jiang Chen was the best decision of his life.

Suddenly, Ning Rou’s head was gently cradled by Jiang Chen’s large hands. "There’s more than one sealed artifact. I’ll get you one as well. Do you want a combat type, or something practical?"

Blushing, Ning Rou turned her face away. "I don’t want it. I’m not fighting anyone. Keep it yourself or give it to your little sister Yike."

Jiang Chen just smiled. He knew Master Yuanliang hadn’t come just to apologize. There must be another reason.

"Master, you can speak frankly. With our relationship, helping you with a few matters is no trouble."

Seeing Jiang Chen’s directness, Yuanliang said, "There’s something odd going on. I suspect a new sealed artifact may be about to emerge. I need you and some of our elite team to go retrieve it from out of town."

Jiang Chen sat up. "What class of artifact? Is it powerful?"

Sealed artifacts fall into practical and combat types. The one he’d just received was practical, with defensive properties. Others, like Artifact 013 at the headquarters—‘Raging Sea, Vaulting Heavens’—were combat-class; it could draw upon anything at sea for power. When the nation was first founded and faced foreign invasion, this artifact was called upon to defend the coasts.

Yuanliang replied, "We’re not sure yet. There’s only a possibility of it appearing. We’re still investigating. There’s no rush—take care of your business first, and I’ll let you know when it’s time. If you’re available, you can join us."

Jiang Chen had no reason to refuse Institute 509’s invitation. "When it’s done, I want your investigation bureau to take my brother in for some training. Don’t let him out until he reaches the True Qi Realm."

Li Jingshou, who had been watching the show, blurted out, "Me?"

...