At this point, Jiang Lang had already obtained the Nine Abyss Cold Earth. Without lingering any further, he left Xingbao Pavilion.
Fang Chen respectfully saw him out, and just as he let out a sigh of relief, the precious jade in his storage ring flashed with a beam of light.
It was Head Manager Jin Can again!
Daring not to delay, he immediately connected the communication.
A projection materialized in the void, and Jin Can asked, "Has he left?"
Fang Chen replied, "Young Master Jiang just departed."
Jin Can murmured, "So his surname is Jiang..."
Fang Chen was stunned.
Jin Can didn't even know Jiang Lang's full name?
How could that be?
However, he did not ask further.
For a working employee, asking too many questions was the greatest taboo.
Jin Can continued, "Did you offend him in any way?"
Fang Chen hurriedly answered, "With the Head Manager's orders, how would this subordinate dare to show any disrespect? I practically treated that gentleman like an honored deity."
Jin Can nodded. "Treating him like an honored deity is only right. You've done very well. Starting today, you are promoted to a Gold-Robe Deacon."
Gold-Robe Deacon!
Hearing those four words, Fang Chen's pupils dilated violently!
Much like the Star Treasure Tokens, the deacons of Xingbao Pavilion were divided into four ranks:
Mortal-Robe, Copper-Robe, Silver-Robe, and Gold-Robe.
Fang Chen had worked for over thirty years just to reach the rank of Mortal-Robe. Becoming a Copper-Robe was practically impossible, as further promotions required formidable strength.
Given his mediocre talent, let alone becoming a Copper-Robe, he would have thanked the heavens and earth just to avoid being replaced by a newcomer.
Yet now, with a single word from Jin Can, he was promoted to Gold-Robe—arguably an unprecedented, exceptional promotion in the history of Xingbao Pavilion.
And all of this was simply because he had not neglected Jiang Lang.
Therefore...
Just what kind of background did this young man named Jiang Lang possess?
Could it be...
Was he the Head Manager's illegitimate son?
Just as this thought crossed his mind,
a charming yet languid voice drifted through the projection, "Father, why are you looking for me?"
Hearing that voice made Fang Chen's bones turn weak in an instant.
The voice was so enchanting, seemingly possessing a magical allure that bewitched the soul, making one's imagination run wild and leaving them thoroughly intoxicated.
However, the projection did not display the woman's figure.
Even so, Fang Chen knew who she was.
Jin Yao'er!
Jin Can's daughter.
Legend had it that she possessed astonishing beauty and peerless talent, coupled with a naturally alluring physique. Every glance and smile of hers carried a thousand charms and myriad sentiments; anyone who locked eyes with her would melt into her gaze and be unable to extricate themselves.
Until now, Fang Chen had always believed these rumors were wildly exaggerated. But having heard Jin Yao'er's voice with his own ears, he suddenly suspected that the rumors were true nine times out of ten.
On the other side of the projection, Jin Can smiled warmly and said, "Yao'er, my dear daughter, I called you here today naturally because of a good opportunity. You are to head to Lieyong City immediately and manage the Xingbao Pavilion's business there."
A hint of doubt colored Jin Yao'er's tone. "Lieyong City? That's just a small branch. What business is there to manage over there?"
Jin Can chuckled. "There isn't much business to manage there indeed. The reason I'm sending you is actually for you to scout out an extraordinary man. Go and get in touch with him—ideally, win him over."
Hearing this, Fang Chen was stunned.
The Head Manager actually wanted to send the eldest miss to approach Jiang Lang?
And ideally, win Jiang Lang over?
Clearly, Jiang Lang could not possibly be the Head Manager's illegitimate son.
Then just who was Jiang Lang?
Even the Head Manager wished to curry favor with him.
Across the line, Jin Yao'er was clearly dumbfounded. "An extraordinary man?"
Jin Can nodded. "Indeed. What was that young man's name again?"
Fang Chen immediately supplied, "Jiang Lang."
Jin Can realization dawned on him. "Right, Young Master Jiang. He holds a Seven-Color Star Treasure Token. Once you go over, you will be his dedicated liaison."
Jin Yao'er asked doubtfully, "Father, you've always forbidden me from interacting too much with men. Why the sudden change of heart this time?"
Jin Can scoffed. "Hmph, those mediocre fools from before—how could any of them be worthy of you? But Young Master Jiang is different. He is undoubtedly a match made in heaven for you."
Jin Yao'er was speechless.
Mediocre fools?
The men pursuing her were either princes of mortal dynasties or holy sons of various sects; at the very least, they were noble young masters of prestigious clans. Yet her old man dismissed them as mediocre fools—there was truly no one like him.
Precisely because of this, she couldn't help feeling a surge of curiosity. Why would a father who always looked down on everyone hold a young man from some small backwater in such high regard?
At this thought, Jin Yao'er asked, "So... who is he? Or rather, what background does he have that has earned even Father's special favor?"
Jin Can hesitated, finding himself at a a loss for words.
Without the Mortal Realm Envoy's permission, they dared not leak even the slightest detail regarding his identity.
With no other choice, he said, "I cannot disclose his identity. In short, Father would never harm you. Go and spend some time interacting with him first. If you truly dislike him, Father will never force you; you can simply return."
Jin Yao'er pondered for a moment. "Since Father puts it that way, your daughter will go take a look. To be honest, I'm also a bit curious about what kind of person could make Father hold him in such high esteem."
Jin Can beamed with joy and urged, "Set off immediately. Play to your strengths—get your hands on him if you can, and ideally consummate the relationship before marriage. You certainly won't lose out."
Consummating the relationship before marriage, and she still wouldn't lose out?!
Dark lines crossed Jin Yao'er's face.
Was this really her own father?
Jiang Lang?
Fine! I'd like to see just what makes you worthy of such high praise from my old man.
…………
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Jiang Lang had already returned to the Lin Family.
Seeing Jiang Lang return, Lin Qingrou was taken aback. "You didn't leave?"
Jiang Lang looked at her with gentle eyes. "I said I was going to marry you. How could I leave?"
In disbelief, Lin Qingrou said, "Young Master Jiang, you really don't need to make fun of me. You should leave quickly."
Holding Lin Qingrou's hand, Jiang Lang said with deep affection, "I'm serious. When I went out just now, I went to find medicine for you. Look."
With that, he produced a square, dark-green box from the Dragon Power Emperor Ring. Inside lay the Nine Abyss Cold Earth.
He opened the box, revealing a mass of pitch-black fluid. The moment the lid came off, a rich fragrance of earth rushed into the air, carrying a powerful surge of vibrant life force within it.
Curiosity got the better of Lin Qingrou. "This is..."
Jiang Lang said, "This is the Nine Abyss Cold Earth."
"Nine Abyss Cold Earth?" Lin Qingrou had never heard of it, but just by looking at it, she knew it was exorbitantly expensive. "Young Master Jiang, where did you get this? It must have cost a fortune, right?"
Jiang Lang replied, "It didn't cost money. Someone gave it to me. Here, let me apply it for you."
Saying this, he scooped up a dab of the Nine Abyss Cold Earth and moved to smear it on Lin Qingrou's face.
However, before he could touch her face, his movements came to an abrupt halt.
Immediately afterward, an icy, terrifying killing intent radiated from his body.
For he saw five exceptionally distinct fingerprint marks starkly printed across Lin Qingrou's face!
Someone had slapped her across the face!
"Who did this!"
At that moment, Jiang Lang's voice was as cold as black ice, chilling even Lin Qingrou to the bone.
"N-no one..." Lin Qingrou stammered, "Young Master Jiang, don't ask anymore. It doesn't hurt anymore, really."
With an expression of absolute iciness, Jiang Lang stared straight into Lin Qingrou's eyes. "Tell me, who did this?"
Lin Qingrou didn't dare meet his gaze at all. "Young Master Jiang, i-it was just me being careless and bumping into something..."
Jiang Lang immediately pressed down gently on Lin Qingrou's shoulders, his voice softening once more. "I am your husband, and you are my wife. I said I would never let anyone bully or humiliate you again.
Whatever they did to you in the past, I can let slide. But now, I am here to handle everything. Don't be afraid—tell me. Even if the sky were to fall, I would hold it up for you!"
Lin Qingrou's delicate body trembled noticeably. She raised her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "Before you came back, I planned to go to the kitchen to get some food. I was afraid that if you did come back, what would you do if you were hungry?
But Steward Sun in the kitchen said there was none left, and even gave me the leftovers meant for the dogs, saying the likes of us only deserved dog food.
Yet those leftovers had already been eaten by dogs—how could anyone eat that? I was furious and went to reason with him, and he struck me across the face..."
By this point, she could no longer speak, crystal tears streaming down her cheeks.
As a young miss of the Lin Family, to be bullied by a servant—what an immense grievance and humiliation this was.
Jiang Lang's expression turned thoroughly glacial. Without uttering another word, he turned and strode straight toward the Lin Family kitchen.