Martial Saint with Passives

As a Forging Master, he knew better than anyone just how hard these Profound Iron Chains were!

Snapping them with his bare hands... ’Are those even human hands?’

Meanwhile, another man—an old man with a completely white beard and a bald head—was rubbing the bloody welts on his wrists, grimacing in pain.

It was none other than the Elder of the Seven Stars Gang’s Medicine Hall, Zhang Jinghuai!

"Ouch... It’s killing me..."

The moment Zhang Jinghuai looked up and saw Jiang Che, he cried out as if he’d seen a ghost.

"Jiang the Kid?! You’re not dead?! Holy hell... What kind of Immortal Pill did you take? How did you get so damn strong?"

Facing Jiang Che, whose aura was now unfathomably deep, the three of them were reeling in shock.

They had a million questions they wanted to ask, but they didn’t know where to begin.

Jiang Che looked at these three old acquaintances, his own heart filled with emotion.

"Elder Li, Elder Situ, Elder Zhang."

Jiang Che clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute and said in a low voice,

"We can catch up later. This place is damp and gloomy; we shouldn’t linger."

With that, he spun around, his gaze as sharp as a knife, and glared at Zhao Kang, who had been cowering in the corner. His voice instantly turned ice-cold.

"Zhao Kang!"

"Here, Master!" Zhao Kang shuddered and scurried over like a dog, bowing to await his orders.

That one word, "Master," once again made Li Rushan and the others feel like their eyes were about to pop out of their sockets.

’The mighty King of Lin Yuan... calling Jiang Che Master?!’

’Has the world gone mad?’

Jiang Che commanded coldly,

"Immediately arrange for the best guest rooms, prepare hot water, wound medicine, and the finest food and wine!"

"Let them wash up, change their clothes, and treat their injuries!"

"If there is even the slightest delay, I’ll have your life!"

Having been branded by Jiang Che’s Spirit, Zhao Kang’s obedience to his commands came from the depths of his soul. He immediately began kowtowing repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, yes! This servant will see to it at once! Right away!"

After speaking, he turned his head to the jailers, who had been dumbstruck for some time, and said,

"What are you still standing there for? Go prepare everything, now!"

The jailers had long been stupefied by this series of events.

First, the terrifying sight of Jiang Che tearing apart iron chains with his bare hands.

Then, Zhao Kang calling Jiang Che "Master."

They looked at each other, hesitating for a moment.

’Is... is this still the same ruthless His Majesty who would kill without batting an eye?’

Seeing the jailers’ inaction, Zhao Kang roared,

"Are you all deaf?! Get moving!!!"

The roar, imbued with Force, made the jailers’ hearts skip a beat. How could they dare to think twice? They quickly dropped their whips, carefully helped Li Rushan and the others to their feet, and escorted them out.

Watching this scene unfold, Li Rushan and the others exchanged glances, each seeing the profound shock and confusion in the others’ eyes.

’This Jiang Che...’

’Just who has he become?’

...

「Outside Lin Yuan City, on the main road.」

Carriage wheels rumbled, kicking up clouds of dust.

A modest convoy was slowly departing in the morning sun.

Jiang Che sat atop a tall horse, guarding one side of a carriage.

He looked back, taking one last deep look at the gray city walls receding into the distance, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

’Even though I was only back for a few days, I took care of everything that needed to be done.’

That night, after the three Elders—Li Rushan, Situ Xuan, and Zhang Jinghuai—were rescued from the Water Prison, they washed up, changed their clothes, and had their wounds treated.

Watching the subservient "King of Lin Yuan," Zhao Kang, as he served them tea and water, they were all so astonished their jaws hung open, even wondering if they were dreaming.

"J-Jiang the Kid, this Zhao Kang... is there something wrong with his head?" Li Rushan couldn’t hold back any longer and whispered, pulling Jiang Che aside.

Jiang Che just smiled faintly. He didn’t explain the details, only telling them that he had used a special method to completely subjugate Zhao Kang. From now on, Zhao Kang wouldn’t even hesitate if he were ordered to die.

Then, in front of the three Elders, Jiang Che issued his commands to Zhao Kang.

"First, immediately revoke the wanted order for all members of the Seven Stars Gang and release all imprisoned members."

"Second, return all of the Seven Stars Gang’s original properties and allocate half of the resources from the Zhao Family’s treasury as compensation!"

"Third, assist the three Elders in rebuilding the Seven Stars Gang, starting today! From now on, the Zhao Family will rule Lin Yuan City in name, but in secret... you will also obey the word of the Seven Stars Gang!"

"Yes, Master! This servant understands! This servant will carry out your orders without fail!"

Zhao Kang knelt on the floor, kowtowing repeatedly. Not only was there not the slightest hint of dissatisfaction on his face, but he was also filled with immense honor and excitement at being able to serve his master!

Watching this, the three Elders were completely convinced.

From this day forward, the heavens over Lin Yuan City had completely changed!

Although Jiang Che would be leaving soon, the "puppet King of Lin Yuan" he left behind was enough to ensure the Seven Stars Gang’s prosperity for a hundred years!

After arranging all this, Jiang Che briefly caught up with the three Elders.

They still didn’t know what had happened to Jiang Che over the past few years, and Jiang Che didn’t go into detail.

But they knew in their hearts that the Jiang Che before them had grown into a figure far beyond their imagination—a legendary, top-tier expert!

This brought them great comfort.

But at the same time, when facing him, they couldn’t help but feel a bit more reserved and awestruck.

Sensing this distance, Jiang Che sighed inwardly but understood that it was only human nature.

Seeing that dawn was about to break, Jiang Che bid the three farewell and quietly returned to the inn under the cover of the last vestiges of night.

For the next few days, Jiang Che accompanied his parents and younger sister, touring the various sights around the city.

Seeing the long-absent, contented smiles on his parents’ faces and hearing Ling’er’s crisp laughter, his heart was filled with peace.