Chapter 27: Nine Lives Revival Grass!

Chapter 27: Nine Lives Revival Grass!

Reluctantly climbing out of the bathtub and rinsing off, Jiang Zhe changed into a loose blue Hanfu robe before heading to the Front Courtyard.

The Meeting Parlor in the Front Courtyard glowed with bright lanterns.

Jiang Zhe couldn’t help but admire the visitor’s persistence. Whoever it was had apparently waited endlessly in Lanling Base City, fearing Grandfather might vanish again at dawn, so they’d come knocking in the dead of night to corner him.

Knock knock.

After hearing a response, Jiang Zhe pushed open the door and instinctively swept the room with his deep-set eyes.

Elder Jiang sat at the head seat, his eldest brother to his left. Across the table on Elder Jiang’s right sat a gaunt old man with silver hair, his thin frame matched by a wiry middle-aged companion.

Jiang Zhe recognized both immediately.

This tiny meeting hall held three Legislators and a Chief – quite the entourage.

The only one standing inside was a young man in his twenties, his face pale with exhaustion but bearing subtle traces of nobility and arrogance.

The eyes are the windows to the soul.

As a Mentalist, Jiang Zhe’s gaze locked onto the youth’s, and it felt as though the man’s past misdeeds played like a filmstrip across his pupils – dredging up his deepest fears until he trembled like a leaf.

"Mid-Rank Warrior General? That’s all? Wang Clan’s cowardly pup!" Jiang Zhe scoffed, then withdrew his gaze.

Wang Zhen staggered backward like a drunkard, barely catching himself against a vermilion pillar. His shirt back was soaked through with sweat.

"Haha, forgive my grandson’s rudeness!" Elder Jiang boomed, his words spilling out like rapid-fire. "This pup just returned from the Wilderness Zone – slaughtered too many Lord-Level Monsters, still brimming with killing intent! You two are his elders, please bear with him!"

The old man and middle-aged guest exchanged glances, equal parts amused and relieved.

Their earlier worries had been unfounded. Hearing about a sixteen-year-old Stronkaiser-Tier Mentalist in the War God Palace, their first thought had been drug-enhanced. But Jiang Clan’s reputation for discipline meant they wouldn’t recklessly burn out talent.

Hunting Lord-Level Monsters proved Jiang Zhe hadn’t spent his missing month mindlessly power-leveling through pills – his combat skills had real seasoning.

Elder Jiang waved at Jiang Zhe lingering at the doorway. "Come here, let me introduce two uncles to you."

"This is Jia Yi – Hanxia’s strongest Legislator!"

The wiry middle-aged man smiled, nodding. "Seeing you, young man, makes me think my ‘strongest’ title won’t last long."

"You flatter me, I’ve still got a long way to go", Jiang Zhe replied politely, though inwardly cringing.

Truthfully, he felt socially awkward. Confident with peers, but these elders-with-titles made him want to dig a three-bedroom apartment into the floorboards with his toes.

Grandpa, let’s drop the "uncle" stuff and just be buddies. I’ll hook you up with the best treatment, Uncle Jia.

Of course, Elder Jiang couldn’t hear Jiang Zhe’s internal generational revision. He continued, "This is Mr. Zhou – you already know him."

"Uncle Zhou", Jiang Zhe nodded, addressing the man he’d only seen on TV.

Polite small talk followed – praises about prodigies rising in Earth’s new era as the youngest War God Rank…

Pretty words, but they wore thin quickly.

After enduring some pleasantries, Jiang Zhe started to excuse himself when Mr. Zhou steered the conversation to their real purpose.

"Mind if I call you Xiao Zhe?"

"Xiao Zhe, the injustice you suffered stemmed from both our factions – no one can deny responsibility."

"We’ve executed all internal traitors who abused their posts to leak your communications. Wang Clan has arrested and executed the masterminds and accomplices."

"It was Wang Clan’s youngest second-gen, Wang Li. Jealous of your talent, he abused his family’s power recklessly – sullying their reputation while endangering your life and nearly causing irreversible damage to Jiang Clan and all Hanxia."

As Mr. Zhou spoke, Jiang Zhe’s piercing gaze made the man visibly uncomfortable. But as a seasoned leader, he pressed on: "Now that the storm has calmed, Jia Yi and I brought gifts – our primary purpose is asking forgiveness for our negligence."

He slid a metallic case across the table toward Jiang Zhe.

Jiang Zhe, never one to defer, ignored Elder Jiang’s reaction and flipped open the case.

First layer: a Blank Slate Voucher. Handwritten calligraphy graced the paper – elegant, flowing strokes, not printed.

[Mentalist Foundations] – redeemable at War God Palace!

Earth’s most refined Mentalist text. Jia Yi started to explain, but Mr. Zhou silenced him.

Though appearing inexperienced, Jiang Zhe understood its value better than anyone. For Earthlings, this was sacred – Hong himself forbade physical copies existing in reality.

Even Phantom Demon Kartaran, HR Union’s Invincible War God Rank contender, never touched this secret text.

One could only imagine what Hanxia sacrificed to borrow it from Hong.

Would’ve preferred they just gave me the compensation directly instead of handing me this turd.

Jiang Zhe mused. To him, this text was a bone – shallow, even nonsensical in parts.

Looking at you, "Celestial Diagram" – the so-called "essence" section!

The entire manual boiled down to four words: Practice Makes Perfect.

He strongly suspected Earth experts fabricated this from ancient ruins’ fragments through guesswork.

As for his current Psychic Amplification… Frequent Mental Energy use recently had already pushed him to 10x amplification.

Need to test my Brain Domain Width at Site 9 Ruins soon, he thought, scanning past the voucher to the second layer.

Lying beneath were cultivation resources. From outer to inner layers: ten unknown salves, four Agates, and at the center – a vial of golden blood.

80 billion – Dragon Blood!

At his current physical state, he’d need at least two portions – three for safety, though potency would overflow and waste some.

But he didn’t mind. Better to have excess resources than an underfed body.

Beneath all: a folded uniform weighted with responsibility, plus a document tucked into the case’s side.

Glancing at the Officer’s Insignia – captain rank, the highest field officer.

Indeed, compared to an Invincible Stronkaiser-Tier Mentalist, his "importance" still fell short.

Closing the case with a snap, he lifted it from the table – his decision clear.

Mr. Zhou smiled. "Xiao Zhe, you’ll also receive a personal guard unit – the full…"

"Uncle, skip the guards. I don’t need ceremonial escorts. If beasts attack, who’ll protect who is anyone’s guess."

Jia Yi and Mr. Zhou exchanged amused smiles.

Mr. Zhou pressed on: "We’ve addressed our primary purpose. Second – we’re here as mediators for Wang Clan."

“Wang Clan has sent its heir, Wang Zhen, to deliver these apologies,” Mr. Zhou said, glancing at Jiang Lie. “Now that the responsible party has been dealt with, I hope both families can resolve this conflict and work together for the prosperity of Hanxia’s economy.”

He turned to Jiang Lie, emphasizing, “Of course, I’m not here to pressure anyone—I’m merely a mediator. Whatever the outcome of your negotiations, I’ll remain an impartial witness.”

With a sigh that seemed almost casual, he added, “Pity the Wang Clan’s patriarch couldn’t attend in person. He was rushed to intensive care a few days ago and hasn’t recovered. The doctors say his condition is critical—he likely won’t survive the month.”

Jiang Zhe arched an eyebrow. A convenient death?

At Mr. Zhou’s nod, Wang Zhen stepped forward, offering a sandalwood case the size of two palms.

Jiang Zhe took it, opened the lid, and found a bundle of dried grass—trimmed to two-thirds its original size.

“Xiao Zhe, have you heard of the Spirit of Flora?”

Jiang Zhe nodded.

Mr. Zhou smiled. “This is a Spirit of Flora, known as the Nine Lives Revival Grass. It belongs to one of the oldest terrestrial plant lineages.”

Jiang Zhe paused, then blurted, “Wait—that’s just a Selaginella!”

The mystique crumbled as he poked at the shriveled herb. Mr. Zhou’s carefully cultivated atmosphere deflated instantly.

“Ahem,” Mr. Zhou coughed. “Well… yes, technically. But this is a mutated variant. Think of the difference between a domestic pig and a Fire-Scaled Triple-Trident Boar—hardly comparable.”

“Don’t underestimate it, even in this dried state. Once exposed to soil and water, it revives instantly.”

“Its potency mirrors its resilience—it can stabilize a dying person’s life force and heal injuries rapidly. Consuming it boosts physical strength fourfold. Even this portion could enhance you by nearly three times, up to the peak of a Higher Warrior.”

Jiang Zhe snapped the lid shut, tossing the case twice in his hand. “Impressive… but unnecessary.”

He flung the box to Wang Zhen, who fumbled to catch it.

“I wasn’t injured in the assassination attempt. I don’t need compensation, and I can’t accept a gift of this magnitude. Your clan’s sincerity moves me—let’s end this discussion here.”

He turned to Elder Jiang. “Grandfather, your thoughts?”

Elder Jiang, unwilling to undermine him, chuckled. “My grandson’s word is final. We’re done here.”

Jiang Zhe bowed faintly. “Gentlemen, I’ll take my leave. Feel free to continue.”

He strode out, clutching the metallic case.

As he passed the dazed Wang Zhen, he paused, scrutinizing him. The unspoken message was clear—They’ve left. Won’t you go share your family’s joy?

A Mentalist’s signature psychic pressure radiated from his gaze.

To Wang Zhen, a fraud of a Warrior General, those eyes were like a black hole—devouring, shredding, crushing his consciousness.

His already fragile psyche shattered.

“He’ll kill me! Uncle Zhou, save me!”

“Uncle Zhou, save me! My grandfather saved your life—don’t forget that! You promised you’d protect me…!”

“It wasn’t me! I don’t want to die!”

Wang Zhen stumbled away, fell, and scrambled to cling to Mr. Zhou’s legs.

Jiang Zhe didn’t linger. Clutching the metallic case from Hanxia, he left the meeting hall with cold indifference.

…

Nearly forty minutes later, Mr. Zhou, Jia Yi, and their party departed, concluding the visit.

Jiang Zhe returned to the meeting hall, the metallic case in hand.

Elder Jiang lounged in an armchair, idly inspecting a sandalwood case. “Why bring it back?”

“These aren’t just for me,” Jiang Zhe said, placing the metallic case on the table. He removed its contents—cultivation resources.

“The Dragon Blood is yours. The ten jars are top-grade Beast Bone Ointment, crafted from Tiger-kin Beast bones and aged medicinal herbs. A specialty from the northeast.”

“Apply it to your skin, and it boosts strength by 1.3 times—once only, up to the peak of a Low War God. Four jars should suffice for you.”

Obediently, Jiang Zhe left four jars and a Dragon Blood vial in the case, placing the rest before Elder Jiang.

Noticing the familiar sandalwood case, Jiang Zhe frowned. “Why keep the Nine Lives Revival Grass?”

Elder Jiang shook his head. “That’s not for you. It’s a gift for your great-uncle and me—to celebrate breaking through to the Councilor Rank.”

“Oh, and remember to watch the news tomorrow morning.”

“Hm?”

“It seems Jia Yi’s convoy was in a car accident. Wang Zhen, that unlucky bastard, died in it. You’ll probably hear his second uncle has succeeded the Wang Clan by tomorrow night.”

Jiang Zhe’s expression darkened. A car crash killing a Mid Warrior General?

Elder Jiang continued, “Wang Zhen’s second uncle had a rough youth—born a bastard, ostracized. But he was clever, volunteering to serve in the Xixia Base City…”

Jiang Zhe nodded as Elder Jiang rambled. Not bad at all.

…

Back at his courtyard, dawn approached.

Jiang Zhe retrieved the Beast Bone Ointment. The substance was pale and greasy, like congealed lard, with a sweetish odor.

Gritting his teeth against the greasy discomfort, he smeared it over his body and assumed the Five-Heart-to-Heaven Posture to cultivate Genetic Primordial Energy.

Five hours later, the sun hung high.

Jiang Zhe awoke from cultivation, revolted by the rancid oil stench clinging to him. He scrubbed himself raw in the shower before emerging.

In the backyard, he activated the Punch Power Tester and struck.

—“52,045 kg!”

“Fifty-two tons?”

“This is the punch force of a High Warrior General’s peak—though halved to match my actual realm.”

“Twenty-six tons… still within a Mid Warrior General’s range.”

“This Beast Bone Ointment’s effect is too weak. I’ll need to target Dragon Blood or the Spirit of Flora next.”

Suddenly, Steward Wu called from the front courtyard, “Young Master Zhe, someone from the Limit Martial Arts Pavilion is here to assess your Stronkaiser Tier strength!”

Jiang Zhe blinked.

Stronkaiser Tier assessment offers house calls now? Isn’t it supposed to involve hunting two Lord-Level Monsters?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end