The Jiang Family hall was abuzz with activity.
And as the great hero of the Jiang Family, Jiang Che naturally became the focus of attention.
"Hahaha... Old man, I'm so happy today. Let's drink a cup, just the two of us!"
Jiang Yunhuang pulled Jiang Che up and raised their cups, determined not to call it a night until they were thoroughly drunk.
The other branches of the Jiang Family also turned their gaze towards them, and many old veterans from hidden sects were eyeing Jiang Che with scrutiny.
In their memories, wasn't this young master of the Jiang Family just a good-for-nothing?
How did he suddenly leap to become a martial artist at the Later Stage of the Manifestation Realm?
And not only that, he had even cured the hidden ailment of the Jiang Family matriarch?
All these signs pointed to one thing... Jiang Che was definitely not as simple as he appeared on the surface!
A nineteen-year-old at the Later Stage of the Manifestation Realm... a future sure to reach the pinnacle of the Grandmaster Realm. This left them all in awe.
"Incredible! The Jiang Family of the future is going to be extraordinary! It's likely they'll have three Grandmasters in one family!"
"Three Manifestation Realm experts in one family, it makes my scalp tingle. And with Jiang Yunhuang holding an official position... for the next fifty years, it seems the entire ancient martial arts world of Dragon Country will have to look up to the Jiang Family."
Several gray-bearded elders sitting at the banquet table muttered among themselves.
After a few rounds of drinks, Jiang Che returned to his seat.
He wasn't the protagonist, and didn't excel in such public displays of superiority.
As a grand villain, he was much more suited to scheming behind the scenes.
...
"Oh, Yunwu, you're here?"
Soon, several new guests arrived at the Jiang Family.
A burly middle-aged man, followed by a beautiful middle-aged woman and a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy.
"Father, I heard Mother's condition has improved?" Jiang Yunwu was excited.
"Yes, Che found a precious elixir that can cure hidden ailments... your mother is in good shape now," Jiang Yunhuang replied.
"Yunwu, you're here?" Lin Chun, leaning on a cane, stepped out from behind Jiang Yunhuang.
"Mother!!!"
Jiang Yunwu rushed to Lin Chun and knelt down with a thud.
After some pleasantries, the conversation inevitably turned to Jiang Che.
Jiang Che was feeling quite helpless. He really didn't want to show off!
"Hahaha... I always knew Che wouldn't be a good-for-nothing! Our Jiang Family men are all sons of heaven!"
Jiang Yunwu laughed loudly and confidently, looking a bit like a buffoon.
"Let's not say anything else, just drink this first!"
Just after a few strong drinks, Jiang Che was pulled by Jiang Yunwu to drink even more.
He wasn't drunk, nor did he use his internal energy to expel the alcohol. If this little bit of wine could get him drunk... then how could he have been a driver for his superiors in his previous life?
That job required drinking lots of alcohol!
Jiang Che wasn't drunk, but Jiang Yunwu's face was slightly flushed.
With a heavy hand, he slapped Jiang Che on the shoulder, as if pressing down a small mountain, and draped his arm around Jiang Che's shoulder.
"Haha... I knew from childhood that you weren't ordinary! You've indeed given me a big surprise!"
Then he turned to his wife and son, pointing at the fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy. "Ruoxu, do you see? Your brother is now a powerful martial artist at the Later Stage of the Manifestation Realm, his cultivation is almost catching up to mine."
"Hmph——"
The boy, with his hands in his pockets and a middle part hairstyle, looked disdainful.
Jiang Che had long since noticed this boy.
It was hard not to notice!
This brat's head was crowned with four golden sparkles:
'Chosen One'
Yes, his cousin was actually a Chosen One!
And looking at the brilliance of his halo, his luck level seemed to be quite high!
Even higher than Lin Yu, Chen Hao, and Su Han!
[Jiang Ruoxu]
[Age: 14]
[Descendant of the ancient martial arts Jiang Family, at the Middle Stage of the Manifestation Realm, cold and scheming, extremely arrogant, overly confident, childish yet gifted with incredible talent and great luck]
Well, looks like a genius-type Chosen One, that explains it.
Seeing Jiang Ruoxu's talent in martial arts, he had to admit... he was genuinely jealous. A fourteen-year-old at the Middle Stage of the Manifestation Realm... was there any justice in the world?
No wonder the system rated his bone talent as exceedingly high. His personal maid, Chen Ningshuang, was nineteen when she reached the Middle Stage of the Manifestation Realm, and she was already proud beyond belief.
It must be that Jiang Ruoxu had stolen all his bone talent and luck. No wonder his own cultivation talent was so poor.
If he had the bone talent of Jiang Ruoxu, coupled with the century-plus of internal energy he had gained from the system, he would have already soared to greatness.
While the Jiang Family currently only had one Grandmaster, Jiang Yunhuang, the name of Jiang Ruoxu had already shaken the entire ancient martial arts world of Dragon Country. He was undoubtedly the top genius by a landslide, and as long as he didn't die prematurely... reaching the Grandmaster Realm in the future was practically a certainty.
Now, Jiang Che himself had also become what people referred to as a 'genius'. The constant chatter was spreading... it wouldn't be long before the ancient martial arts world talked about the Jiang Family producing three Manifestation Realm experts.
However... my foolish younger brother, feel the pain!
Mwahahaha——
Jiang Ruoxu frowned, why did he feel a tightening in his heart?
The boy turned his gaze towards Jiang Che, his brows furrowing even deeper.
"Why am I feeling this discomfort?"
"Later Stage of the Manifestation Realm? By the time I'm nineteen... I will definitely be stronger than you, and I will surely step into the Great Master Realm."
Jiang Ruoxu clenched his fists in determination.
He was extremely proud, and across the entire ancient martial arts world of Dragon Country, there was no one with a faster cultivation speed than him.
The corner of his mouth unconsciously lifted into a confident smile.
...
Watching the boy's proud and confident demeanor, Jiang Che could not help but feel a bit speechless.
He should have brought Dong'er along.
A little loli at the Great Master Realm, how about that?
Dong'er, although legally an adult at twenty according to her ID, had a childish appearance that made her look more like a middle schooler. Her presence alone would definitely make his cousin question life.
At this moment, an all too familiar system prompt appeared.
[Ding! Host encounters an arrogant Chosen One, triggering Villain Choices]
[Choice One: Take advantage of the Chosen One's youth, teach him a lesson and beat him up. Reward: A bottle of Refining Marrow Pill]
[Choice Two: Shatter the Chosen One's confidence. Reward: A box of Vermillion Fruit]
[Choice Three: Make Jiang Ruoxu completely submit. Reward: 10 Misfortune Cards]
Oh?
This is triggering the Villain Choices already?
Seeing these choices, Jiang Che couldn't help but chuckle.
Wasn't this obviously telling me to teach him a lesson?
Through so many previous Villain Choices, Jiang Che had already gotten used to the system's antics, which often supported multiple choices.
And these three options... clearly all supported being chosen together!
Thinking of this, Jiang Che couldn't help but let out a sinister laugh.