Chapter 117: The Immortal’s Portrait

A hundred meters away, everyone gathered together, their gazes instinctively turning toward the Cold Pool.

Ever since Jiang Yu entered the Cold Pool, more than half a month had passed. Every day, whenever they had free time, they would look toward the pool.

From Professor Song’s understanding of these students, even staying in the deep mountains and forests for ten or fifteen days would have been met with complaints and demands to return to Qingyang City within a week.

Yet this time, Professor Song had miscalculated. Not only did Yan Xiaoxiao and the others have no complaints, but they even stayed eagerly, looking forward to what might come. Over the past half month, he hadn’t heard a single person mention returning.

These girls often liked to gather together, chattering excitedly about Jiang Yu.

Thus far, Jiang Yu had become their idol. His feat of slaying the dragon ascending to the heavens and annihilating the three great clans was endlessly discussed, and no matter how many times they spoke of it, they never tired of the story.

Nearby, the Qin family girl sat alone, her face dirty like a forsaken tabby cat, full of silent grievance, wanting to cry but unable to shed a tear. The past half month had become a nightmare for her.

Raised in the Qin household, she had everything she desired, and others treated her with utmost respect. But during this time, her treatment was no better than that of livestock—daily scraps of leftovers, forced to endure the disdainful looks of others.

At first, she had tried to sneak away when no one was paying attention and had even succeeded once. But with her cultivation sealed, she quickly got lost upon entering the mountains, wasting an entire morning, and had no choice but to obediently return.

Facing the vast expanse of the Ten Thousand Mountains, she felt lost for the first time.

Now, she stared blankly at the Cold Pool.

Three minutes ago, a long, piercing howl soared upward, reaching the ninth heaven like a thunderclap rolling across the surroundings. Even the clouds above were shaken apart by the sound. She could tell that the voice was far richer and more resonant than it had been half a month ago.

One by one, the young fans’ faces showed nervous anticipation as they fixed their eyes on the Cold Pool.

Suddenly, the pool erupted with towering waves, and a figure strode across the water. With hands clasped behind his back, he stood tall and spirited, like an immortal riding the wind on a sword.

Anya’s face lit up with joy. “Mr. Jiang has emerged from seclusion.”

In just a few strides, Jiang Yu approached the group, his ability to traverse distances in the blink of an eye drawing admiring gasps.

“Wow, so handsome!”

Yan Xiaoxiao’s eyes sparkled with admiration, her heart long since captured by Jiang Yu. None of these young students had ever seen such a figure before. They surrounded him with reverence.

Yet behind those smiles lay a certain restraint.

Professor Song stepped forward and asked, “Mr. Jiang, what are your plans from here?”

They had stayed in the valley for nearly seventeen or eighteen days, plus four or five days entering the mountains, and the return journey would also take time. This entire round trip had lasted over a month.

Jiang Yu pondered for a moment. “I still have some business to attend to. Let’s return to Qingyang City today.”

To speed up the journey, everyone only took some water and food, discarding the rest. The group set off on their return path, long since accustomed to this lifestyle. Compared to the first two days entering the mountains, complaints had lessened considerably.

With Jiang Yu around, the Qin family girl dared not harbor any ill intentions and obediently followed the group. Thanks to Jiang Yu, she finally got to eat a hot meal.

That day, Jiang Yu called over Chen Chuwan. “Once we return to Qingyang City, you and your brother will come with me to the Chen family home. I need to see an old acquaintance.”

Chen Chuwan froze. Who in the Chen family could be Jiang Yu’s old acquaintance?

“Could it be my father?”

Among martial artists, social circles were strictly hierarchical. Jiang Yu, a famed young master of Northern Jiang, would hardly lower himself to associate with a master of transformation energy. Generally, only peers of equal standing could be friends with him.

The Chen family had dozens of members; a few were masters of transformation energy, but only her father was a master of combined energy.

From Jiang Yu’s tone, this old acquaintance seemed to have a close relationship with him.

Chen Chuwan’s face betrayed her overwhelming delight. If Jiang Yu was close to the Chen family and would lend his support, perhaps the Chen family’s legacy could be extended by fifty years.

“Mr. Jiang, you know my father?”

Chen Chuwan asked cautiously.

Jiang Yu shook his head with a smile. “Your father is not on my level. If I say that old acquaintance is your grandfather, the former supreme emperor Chen Shanhe, would you believe me?”

Chen Chuwan’s eyes widened, her voice cold. “Jiang Yu, I respect you as ‘Sir’, but I hope you won’t joke about my grandfather. Once the most illustrious celestial immortal of Huaxia, even after decades of disappearance, his majesty is not to be trifled with.”

Jiang Yu sighed. “Indeed. If Chen Shanhe were still alive today, what business would Gu Changsheng have in this world?”

It was clear just how highly Chen Shanhe was regarded in Chen Chuwan’s heart. To preserve his lingering prestige, she would even risk her life.

On the third night, the group finally emerged from the mountains.

Yan Xiaoxiao and the others were reluctant to part. Deep down, everyone knew that they and Jiang Yu belonged to different worlds. This separation might well be farewell, never to meet again.

After exchanging a few words, Professor Song led them away.

At Anya’s home, only Chen Chuwan and her brother, along with the Qin family girl, remained. The atmosphere was somewhat somber, each of them watching Jiang Yu seated regally. Especially the Qin family girl, her heart pounding in her throat, uncertain of her fate.

Given Jiang Yu’s decisive and resolute slaying of Qin Fenggu and Wang Donglai—both half-step masters—she believed her odds were slim.

“Anya, where does your brother study now?” Jiang Yu opened his eyes and casually asked.

Anya hesitated but timidly replied, “He was admitted to Yun City No. 1 High School, Mr. Jiang. You…”

She didn’t understand why Jiang Yu was asking.

Jiang Yu smiled. “Yun City No. 1? The tuition there must be tens of thousands annually, right? As a noble school, No. 1 High School is considered among the best in Huaxia for education and environment.”

Hearing the steep fees, Anya bit her lip and fell silent.

As a girl, how could she possibly afford such astronomical sums?

“I have some standing in Yun City. Have your brother approach the principal and tell him Jiang Yu of the Jiang family recommended him.”

The principal was a clever man. Upon hearing Jiang Yu’s name, he would know what to do.

Anya stared at Jiang Yu in astonishment. “Ah? Mr. Jiang, just mentioning your name is enough?”

Jiang Yu nodded. “Yes. If anything happens later, he can go to the villa halfway up Wild Duck Lake Mountain and look for a woman named Xia Ning. Tell her your troubles, and she will help solve everything.”

Having witnessed Jiang Yu’s abilities, Anya had no doubts. She nodded and knelt before him, bowing with three deep kowtows. “Mr. Jiang, your great kindness will never be forgotten.”

Jiang Yu did not refuse and silently accepted her kowtows. Helping her brother was the fitting repayment.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside.

Zhou Xu pushed open the door, followed by a group of wealthy magnates from Huaizhou. Entering the room, they all bowed in unison. “We pay respects to Master Jiang.”

As a renowned wealthy figure in Huaizhou, Anya had seen interviews about him on television more than once. She covered her mouth with trembling hands, her eyes full of shock.

Chen Chuwan, her brother, and the Qin family girl all looked at Jiang Yu with complex expressions.

“Why have you come?” Jiang Yu lifted his eyelids and asked mildly.

Zhou Xu replied, “Master Jiang, don’t forget that Huaizhou is my territory. If I want to know something, it won’t take more than ten minutes. The moment you emerged from the mountains, I received word. To ignore Master Jiang entering Huaizhou would be disrespect.”

Jiang Yu smiled. “Much appreciated.”

Those three words spoke volumes. Zhou Xu’s face lit up with delight as he bowed even lower. “Master Jiang, I have prepared food and wine. Will you have time?”

Jiang Yu waved his hand. “No need for a feast. I will leave Huaizhou early tomorrow morning. By the way, look after that girl Anya from now on.”

Those words were as good as a royal decree.

In ancient times, such words carried the weight of an imperial edict. From this day forward, Zhou Xu would surely take great care of Anya, perhaps even treat her like his own child.

What Jiang Yu could do for Anya was simply to ensure she was properly looked after.

It was impossible to care for everyone he might meet. With billions in the world and countless people he would encounter in the future, he simply could not tend to them all.

Late at night, in Chen Chuwan’s room.

Chen Kun furrowed his brow, looking at Chen Chuwan. “These past days, Jiang Yu feels increasingly familiar. But this is our first meeting. How can that be?”

Chen Chuwan also fell into deep thought.

“The reason he feels familiar is not his face, but the aura he exudes. It’s as if we’ve known each other intimately for a long time.”

That remark awakened them like a sudden realization.

Chen Kun seemed to recall something. His expression turned ashen, as if seeing a ghost. He sprang up from the bedside, losing composure, and screamed:

“Do you remember that portrait of an immortal hanging in the Chen family ancestral hall?”