Jiang Zhuo's heart churned with immense turmoil. As someone at the Divine General realm, he could not accept Chen Nan's effortless feat of reaching into his chest and pulling out his heart as if plucking a leek.
"What do dead men know of such matters?" Chen Nan's right hand tightened.
*Pfft!*
With a burst of blood mist, Jiang Zhuo's heart exploded. Jiang Zhuo then toppled to the ground, having breathed his last.
Chen Nan gripped the long sword in his hand, severed Jiang Zhuo's head, and also took the jade ring worn on Jiang Zhuo's finger. After all, it was a valuable item capable of restoring a cultivator's power. He then casually picked up a pink loincloth from the ground, wrapped Jiang Zhuo's head in it, and swaggered out of the brothel.
In the bustling brothel, no one noticed what had transpired on the top floor. Even fewer would believe that the leader of the Wulong Gang would meet his end here.
After he left, the women in the room, who had been terrified into a state of shock, let out piercing screams. None of them had expected that the formidable Jiang Zhuo would be killed on his own turf, and even be beheaded after death. They knew that the capital was likely on the verge of drastic change.
------
*Bang!*
Chen Nan arrived at the stronghold of the Fierce Tiger Gang and placed Jiang Zhuo's head on the table. Blood quickly seeped through the table's cracks and dripped onto the floor.
Song Dahu ordered the cloth to be opened. Upon seeing the familiar yet strange face, he couldn't help but sigh, "I didn't expect you to kill Jiang Zhuo so quickly. Impressive, impressive, impressive!" He knew that once Chen Nan made a move, Jiang Zhuo was bound to die. He just hadn't anticipated this day arriving so soon.
Chen Nan asked, "You won't go back on our agreement, will you?"
Song Dahu smiled, "Although I, Song Dahu, am no gentleman, I would never break my word. If you don't trust me, you can go to Xia Anruo's home right now. If so much as a single hair on their mother and daughter's heads is harmed, you can come and lop off my head. After all, you have the ability to do so."
Chen Nan turned and left. He believed that Song Dahu would not act recklessly. However, out of caution, he still went to Xia Anruo's home. He didn't go inside, though. From across the courtyard, he overheard the conversation between the mother and daughter.
Wu Yue asked with confusion, "Mother, who were those people who took us to see the doctor earlier? Are there really that many good people in this world?" The mother and daughter had been taken away to see a doctor and then brought back. Wu Yue couldn't understand this. Ever since she could remember, the only good person she had met was Chen Nan. Everyone else looked down on them, let alone took her mother to see a doctor.
Xia Anruo affectionately stroked her daughter's head, "Of course, there are many good people in this world; we just hadn't met them before!" She said this, but she knew that the people who had taken them were not benevolent. Their motive for taking her to see a doctor was impure. They were certainly using it to blackmail Chen Nan, compelling him to do their bidding. Otherwise, they wouldn't have demanded the money pouch that Chen Nan had given to her and her daughter. However, that was no longer important. What mattered was that the mother and daughter had returned home, signifying their safety.
Perhaps sensing something, Xia Anruo turned her head to look out the window. Under the hazy moonlight, a tall, upright figure could be seen. Although she couldn't make out the person's face, she still offered a look of gratitude. For she knew that the man in the shadows was undoubtedly someone who had helped them.
Chen Nan turned and disappeared into the night. He then returned to the inn. Seeing Chen Nan's safe return, Xuan Qingniao's worried heart finally settled. She didn't inquire about the specific details. Chen Nan's safe return was enough. She had hot water brought for him, helped him undress, and assisted him with bathing once he was in the wooden tub.
"I've found out," Chen Nan said, enjoying the service provided by Xuan Qingniao. "The capital of Dong Sang Kingdom is a forbidden land for magic. Experts of any realm who arrive here will lose their cultivation."
"A forbidden land for magic?" Xuan Qingniao pondered deeply, then a flash of insight appeared in her eyes. "I seem to recall reading about forbidden lands in ancient texts. It is said that this is a divine ability that only saints can wield."
"That's not right, though!" If this were truly a forbidden land, then why did the six people we encountered earlier still possess their cultivation?" She recalled the six men riding black tigers they had met before, all of whom were cultivators.
Chen Nan raised his right hand, a jade thumb ring adorning his ring finger. "It should be related to this jade ring..." He then recounted his encounter with Jiang Zhuo.
Xuan Qingniao suddenly understood, "So, this jade thumb ring can shield one from the effects of the forbidden land, allowing people to regain their cultivation?" If that's the case, it would be wonderful. We could completely go to the Dong Sang Royal Palace. There are bound to be clues about the ancient divine race in the palace."
"The problem is, do you know how to use it?"
"Any magical artifact, any divine weapon, requires a blood bond. This jade ring should be no exception," Chen Nan said as he bit his fingertip. His pale golden blood dripped onto the jade ring. To their disappointment, the jade ring did not absorb Chen Nan's blood. Instead, it emitted a faint cracking sound. Immediately after, the jade ring shattered into dust and fell into the wooden tub.
The two looked at each other, seeing bewilderment and confusion in each other's eyes.
"Why did this happen?" Xuan Qingniao asked with a face full of doubt. "Could this jade ring be a single-use item?"
Chen Nan shook his head, "I can't figure it out." Before coming to the God Realm, Azure Dragon had told him much about it. He believed he had a good understanding of the God Realm. However, in the Fourth Heaven, he found himself hitting the limits of his knowledge. Of course, he couldn't be blamed for his ignorance. The fundamental reason was that this realm was ruled by the ancient divine race.
"Do you know how to obtain such rings?" Xuan Qingniao asked again.
Chen Nan replied, "Tomorrow, the palace will post a notice recruiting guards. It is said that one can obtain these rings that nullify the forbidden land's effects by becoming a Second-Rank General."
"So, you plan to sign up?" Xuan Qingniao's expression was one of incredulity.
Chen Nan shrugged. "Is there a problem?"
Xuan Qingniao chuckled wryly, "I truly cannot understand. In the Third Heaven, you were so powerful, even killing a half-saint level异魔 (yì mó - demon). Your strength would make you a top expert in the entire Three Realms, yet here you intend to sign up to become a palace guard. Even if you didn't say it, I feel the disparity for you.
"Isn't it all the fault of this forbidden land? Otherwise, why would I be in such a sorry state!" Chen Nan sighed deeply. He didn't want this, but he had no other choice now. Becoming a guard was the only way to obtain the jade ring. Only by obtaining the ring and regaining his cultivation could he find the ancient divine race, and find the path to the Fivefold Heaven, the Heavenly Stairway.