Journey to the West: I have Nine Golden Crows Inside Me
Chapter 617: The Dragon King, Scared Away by Four Nine Nine

Chapter 617: The Dragon King, Scared Away by Four Nine Nine

Upon hearing this, the Old Dragon King could no longer stay calm. The request for his intervention indicated that the Thunder Pool’s destiny was likely severe, hinting at the risk of damage.

Concerned, the Old Dragon King urgently asked, "What destiny? What will happen if it can’t overcome it?"

Seeing the Old Dragon King in such a hurry, Jiang Chen felt secret delight and quickly reassured him, "Senior, do not worry, the destiny is indeed troublesome, but as long as you’re willing to assist, it wouldn’t be anything of concern. We can easily overcome it."

"However, if you are unwilling to intervene, that would indeed be a significant problem, as the Thunder Pool risks being shattered."

On hearing this, the Old Dragon King became alert, suspecting that Jiang Chen was trying to use him for something without intending to pay the due price, thus inviting him for assistance under the pretext of the Thunder Pool.

However, he couldn’t dismiss the assurance Jiang Chen’s face held. What if his words were true? What if the Thunder Pool does face a destiny it can’t overcome?

If the Thunder Pool were to be destroyed because of this, the Old Dragon King would regret it for the rest of his life.

After weighing the pros and cons for a while, concern for the Thunder Pool prevailed. Resigned, the Old Dragon King said with a bitter smile, "Jiang Chen, you truly understand people. I agree to your request. If the Thunder Pool’s destiny arrives, I will certainly lend a hand."

Even though the Old Dragon King suspected that there was a high probability of him being duped by Jiang Chen, he wasn’t willing to bet, even if it was a one in ten thousand chance, for the safety of the Thunder Pool.

After all, the Thunder Pool is of tremendous importance to the Dragon Clan.

This was an unfair negotiation. Though the Thunder Pool was precious to Jiang Chen, it wasn’t indispensable. However, it was not the case for the Dragon Clan.

The Dragon Clan greatly needed the Thunder Pool.

With their weakness revealed, the Dragon Clan was easily manipulated by Jiang Chen, thus falling into disadvantage in the bargain.

Upon seeing the Old Dragon King’s agreement, Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Senior, please rest assured, I will certainly not dupe you. The coming great calamity to the Thunder Pool is absolutely true, I stake my life on it."

"Also, once the Thunder Pool survives the calamity, the quality will naturally improve, showing more profound mysteries. By then, the Dragon clansmen entering it will enjoy greater benefits, giving rise to endless variations."

Jiang Chen was confident that every word he spoke was heartfelt, sincere, and true. Didn’t you see, he was even staking his life on it?

Unfortunately, the Old Dragon King was unappreciative, thinking Jiang Chen was just drawing a pie in the sky to appease him.

However, Jiang Chen was oblivious to this. The more he reassured, the more worried was the Old Dragon King. Especially when he heard Jiang Chen staking his life for assurance, he felt a chilling fear, sensing a trap waiting for him.

For a moment, the Old Dragon King regretted his precipitous decision.

After such genuine concern, to be doubted, Jiang Chen felt desolate and said with a disappointed expression:

"Senior, I’m doing all this for the good of your Dragon Clan. The Thunder Pool is your Dragon Clan’s treasure. If its grade increases, will I reap more benefits or your Dragon clan?"

"I am considering everything from the standpoint of the Dragon Clan, yet you suspect me of ulterior motives. Doesn’t such behavior chill one’s heart?"

While the Old Dragon King was regretting, Jiang Chen’s speech immediately calmed his heart. He laughed and said, "That’s more like it, that’s the Jiang Chen I know, cheeky and cunning, utterly shameless."

"You’re suddenly considering everything from the standpoint of our Dragon Clan, asking for nothing. Naturally, I would suspect your motives and fear being tricked, making me anxious."

"Now that I’m sure you have ulterior motives, I feel relieved. After all, you, Jiang Chen, are not a selfless person."

Jiang Chen understood what the Old Dragon King meant, and that upset him.

Hear that? What’s the implication of these words?

If I ask for nothing, you’re anxious and scared, fearing that I’m scheming against you. But when I have ulterior motives, you’re relieved?

If you all befit manipulation, will you not feel at ease until you’re schemed against?

At this moment, Jiang Chen felt like standing up, pointing at the Old Dragon King and roaring, "Is this how Jiang Chen appears in your heart?"

For the first time, Jiang Chen felt he had failed as a person, leaving such an image behind. He needed to find an opportunity to repair his image and change people’s perception of him.

It’s crucial to maintain an upright image to survive in the Prehistoric World!

As he thought swiftly, his face showed an angry expression and he was about to argue with the Old Dragon King about being cheeky, cunning, and utterly shameless, insisting these were all just rumors and slander against him.

"Old Dragon King, how can you believe the slander spread about me by deviant forces?"

Goodness gracious!

Hearing this, the Old Dragon King inwardly exclaimed in surprise.

So saying a word or two against me makes you a heretic? If you insulted me to my face, would you then be traitors and remnants of the Demon Sect?

Just as the old Dragon King wondered this, Jiang Chen continued, "These heretics must harbor resentment against me because of my demon-slaying. They concoct slanderous rumors to taint my reputation."

"Before, I didn’t take them to heart much. But now, I see this situation has escalated far more seriously, even affecting you."

"This defamation against me is organized and premeditated, not something ordinary people could do. Behind these people, there must be great forces. If not the remnants of the Demonic Way, they are calamitous demons."

"It seems necessary to investigate throughout the Three Realms, bring out these demonic devotees one by one, and rightfully punish them to settle the people’s hearts."

"The Demonic Way contains capable people. They have thought of conducting a public opinion war, occupying the high ground of public opinion to taint others’ reputation. Truly a good method."

Seeing Jiang Chen escalate the situation in a few words, the old Dragon King was at a loss for words. He could already foresee the forthcoming turmoil in the Three Realms.

All forces that had spoken ill of Jiang Chen, no, all forces that had believed the rumors and slandered Jiang Chen, were bound to be disciplined by him.

And a single misstep would result in being accused of collusion with the demon sect.

What’s that? You say you didn’t collude with the demon sect? Then why are you slandering Emperor Jiuchen of Shenxiao? Are you dissatisfied with the Mystic Sect, or with the Tao grandmaster?

Imagining such a scenario, the old Dragon King couldn’t help but feel pity for those forces. Who would have thought that Jiang Chen would blow things out of proportion to this extent, elevating a single bad word about him to collusion with demon sects?

With this in mind, the old Dragon King knew he should not let Jiang Chen continue.

Otherwise, in no time, matters would evolve into Jiang Chen accusing him of covertly reporting to Emperor Jiuchen, sparking this incident.

The old Dragon King, having been fooled once, never doubted Jiang Chen’s character.

He clearly knew that Jiang Chen was absolutely capable of doing such a thing. Shifting all the blame onto him.

Why not use a ready scapegoat to deflect blame? If the old Dragon King were in Jiang Chen’s place, he would not hesitate to choose himself to be the scapegoat.

So, when Jiang Chen wanted to keep talking, Old Dragon King promptly interrupted, "Ah, it seems I’ve forgotten due to my age. I brought a gift for my hurried visit to Cang Mountain, but I forgot to present it."

Old Dragon King’s distraction made it awkward for Jiang Chen to continue. Instead, sullenly, he stated, "I’ll report this to the Jade Emperor for a thorough investigation."

Hearing this, the old Dragon King couldn’t help but twitch his eyebrows. He had thought Jiang Chen was joking before, but it seemed he intended to take it seriously.

With this thought, the old Dragon King didn’t dare to stay in Cang Mountain any longer. Haphazardly placing down a jade box, "I just recalled, I still have important matters to attend to in the Eastern Sea, so I won’t linger here any longer, I take my leave."

Without waiting for Jiang’s agreement, the old Dragon King turned into a beam of divine light and disappeared before Jiang Chen’s eyes.

"Old Dragon King is truly astute, but it’s a bit late to think of leaving now."

Watching the old Dragon King hurriedly leaving, Jiang Chen couldn’t help but shake his head. What’s the point of leaving now after everything had been said?

Jiang Chen didn’t have to do anything. All he needed to do during his report to the Jade Emperor was mention that if it hadn’t been for the accidental reminder from the old Dragon King, he wouldn’t have realized what was going on.

In this way, the blame would be solidly pinned on the old Dragon King, and he would find it impossible to wriggle out of it.

Jiang Chen shook his head and turned to look at the jade box the old Dragon King left behind. He wanted to see what was inside it.

This time, the gifts from the Old Dragon King were given on behalf of the Dragon Clan.

Though the wealth of the Dragon Palace was great, it was far less than that of the Dragon Clan. The Dragon Clan never held back when giving gifts. This jade box was expected to hold something quite amazing indeed.

With these thoughts in mind, Jiang Chen held the jade box in his hand. As always, it was made from innate purple jade.

Jiang Chen wondered who started this tradition. When people were gifting, they liked using innate purple jade as packaging. It was both luxurious and generous, giving face to those who receive it.

Sometimes, Jiang Chen couldn’t help but suspect that the innate purple jade’s rarity was related to this.

With a flick of his hand, Jiang Chen opened the jade box. The treasures inside were immediately visible to him.

There were two branches, one as red as fire with a fire glow swirling around it, and the other golden yellow, covered with an aura of chaos.

"Could these be the branches of the Innate Wutong Wood and the Innate Yellow Plum from the Primordial Era?"

Musing, Jiang Chen recognized the origins of these two items. They were branches from two of the top ten Spirit Roots of the Primordial Era, namely the Innate Wutong Tree and Innate Yellow Plum.

Legend has it that during the era before the Great Ancient, each of the three clans owned an extraordinary innate Spirit Root to suppress their clan’s destiny.