Dragon-Marked War God Chapter 5 – Let’s calculate our debt

Even Jiang Chen was surprised by the incredible potency of the Dragon Transformation skill. Merely four hours of dedicated practice allowed him to transcend his current limitations, propelling him to the 9th level of the Qi Jing realm.

Beyond the enhancement of his Yuan power, his physical form underwent a significant transformation. His body became more resilient, leading to a substantial boost in both raw strength and defensive capabilities.

As he deepened his engagement with the Dragon Transformation skill, the Yuan power within his body coalesced into two distinct, rapidly spinning vortexes. These converged toward his Dantian with impressive speed, initiating the formation of a singular, crimson Dragon Mark.

However, the hue of this mark remained faint and lacked vibrancy. Focusing his intent, Jiang Chen felt the pale Dragon Mark pulse violently, radiating an immense surge of power.

“Ha!”

With a sudden, explosive shout, Jiang Chen unleashed a punch. The sheer force behind the strike caused the air to whistle with friction, erupting in a violent boom.

‘Excellent. My striking power has hit 5,000 jin, even with this first Dragon Mark still incomplete. Once it coalesces fully, every blow I throw will carry 10,000 pounds of force. A typical 9th level Qi Jing cultivator barely manages 3,000 pounds, and even the most gifted geniuses tap out around 4,000. To reach 5,000 pounds while still at this stage… it is truly monstrous.’

Five thousand pounds of force was overwhelming for a 9th level Qi Jing warrior, granting Jiang Chen the ability to stand his ground against even the most seasoned Qi masters.

Exhaling slowly, Jiang Chen ceased his training. He understood the delicate nature of martial arts, particularly the necessity of a stable foundation. One had to progress steadily rather than rushing the journey of Cultivation. Achieving a partial Dragon Mark so early in his practice was more than enough for the time being.

Warriors require extensive resources to advance—pills, potions, and potent elixirs are all mandatory. Yet, the Dragon Transformation skill offered a unique advantage: the ability to assimilate the blood of any creature. Given the vast array of entities in this world, including ancient monsters that bestowed unique traits, he held an unparalleled edge.

‘It has been over a century since I perished; surely, much has shifted in my absence. If my memory serves, Fragrant Sky city is but a minor settlement in the Qi province. I wonder how far the Divine Continent lies from here.’

He pondered this quietly. Despite once being the supreme Saint, his knowledge of the Qi province remained limited. The Saint Origin universe was vast, its true dimensions hidden from even the greatest sages. Compared to the grandeur of the universe, the Qi province was merely a speck.

‘I shall head to the library. As the Mayor of Fragrant Sky city, my father surely keeps records on the history of the Saint Origin universe. My final stand—shattering the gates to the Realm of Immortals with a single strike—was a monumental event. Everyone, including this city, must have heard the tremors.’

With this resolve, Jiang Chen departed his chambers, heading toward the study.

Typically, access to the Mayor’s study was strictly limited, housing both Jiang Zhen Hai’s personal archives and foundational martial techniques. Yet, Jiang Chen held a unique status. As the Mayor’s son, his movements within the mansion were entirely unrestricted.

Ignoring the martial arts scrolls, Jiang Chen walked directly to the shelves containing historical records of the Saint Origin universe and began his research.

The text detailed critical events in the history of the Saint Origin universe and offered basic geographical context. This was exactly the information he required.

Upon reaching the first entry, Jiang Chen allowed himself a faint smile. The opening page recounted the tragedy of the history’s greatest Saint, a man who, a century prior, had attempted to breach the gates of the Realm of Immortals, only to fall upon the Saint cliff.

A hundred years ago, Jiang Chen had expended his final droplet of Saint’s blood to fracture those gates, breathing his last breath upon that very cliff. The subsequent events remained a mystery to him.

Historical records indicated that in the century following that upheaval, the Saint Origin universe had endured cataclysmic transformations. With the gates forced open, the remaining Saints had seized the opportunity to ascend, leaving the world behind.

Stripped of the protection and order maintained by these Saints, the universe descended into absolute chaos. Demons and monsters emerged, and internecine warfare between clans became so vicious that ancient lineages were erased completely, paving the way for the rise of new powers.

It was unfortunate that the records concerning the Divine Continent were sparse and largely incoherent. Jiang Chen found no mention of the clans or warriors he once knew. His era had passed, and for him, this journey represented a fresh beginning.

The Saint Origin universe was a boundless expanse, partitioned into five continents: the East, West, South, North, and the most exalted of them all—the Divine Continent.

In his previous incarnation, Jiang Chen had hailed from that very Divine Continent.

Fragrant Sky city sat in a remote corner of the Qi province; it was a mere village when measured against the East Continent, let alone the entirety of the Saint Origin universe.

The East Continent contained 128 provinces, of which the Qi province was only one. The text offered no rankings, leaving the hierarchy a mystery.

‘East Continent… 128 provinces. The road ahead remains long.’

He shut the book with a smile. He knew, with absolute certainty, that he would eventually tread upon the Divine Continent once more—the land every practitioner dreamed of. This was his second chance at existence. He would reclaim his title as the supreme being and ascend to the Realm of Immortals once more.

Glancing out the window, he noticed the world drowning in twilight. His deep concentration on both his Cultivation and his readings had caused him to lose track of time.

“Has to be that my father did not come looking for me after the incident with Uncle Mu Rong?”

A surprised smile tugged at his lips. He knew Jiang Zhen Hai would likely seek him out after the events in the main hall. It was strange that no words had been exchanged yet.

The truth was, Jiang Zhen Hai had indeed arrived to find him, only to be stopped speechless by a maid’s report that his son was in the study. For fifteen years, Jiang Chen had never once entered that room. Jiang Zhen Hai, witnessing such a positive turn of events, had hesitated to interrupt.

Rising from his seat, Jiang Chen’s next objective was clear: a confrontation with Jiang Ru Long.

He was certain that Jiang Ru Long had no intention of marrying Mu Rong Xiao Rou or joining the Mu Rong family. The reasons were simple—they were both men. If he were in Ru Long’s position and forced to choose between the marriage and death, he would choose the latter without a second thought.

The ceremony was set for tomorrow, and Jiang Chen suspected that tonight, Jiang Ru Long would attempt to end his life.

A man like Jiang Ru Long, having seen his ambitions crumble, would not go down quietly. His hatred for Jiang Chen and the entire household burned deep. With his innate talent, he could have forged a life elsewhere, but Jiang Chen left no loose threads—all potential future threats had to be excised.

Exiting the study, Jiang Chen made his way toward Jiang Ru Long’s residence.

As the foster son, Jiang Ru Long maintained a high status, residing in a private estate designed for optimal Cultivation.

Clad in obsidian robes, Jiang Ru Long stood in his courtyard under the pale moonlight. His expression was dark, his eyes carrying the predatory focus of a viper prepared to strike.

“Jiang Chen, you have ruined everything. Regardless of the cost, I will have my vengeance. One day, I will claim this entire estate for myself.”

Murmuring to himself with bitter resentment, he clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. His body trembled at the recollection of the day’s humiliations, particularly the chore of entertaining that grotesque girl. It was agony for his spirit. He could not bring himself to contemplate the fate awaiting him if he truly married into the Mu Rong household.

No man could accept Mu Rong Xiao Rou. He certainly couldn’t, and that was why his departure was imminent.

Yet, there was one who would not allow him such an exit.

“My brother, it is quite late, yet you are dressed for departure? Tomorrow is your big day, the wedding ceremony. Shouldn't you be resting?”

Jiang Chen entered the courtyard, waving a friendly greeting.

A murderous light flared in Jiang Ru Long’s eyes upon seeing his nemesis. He could no longer suppress the killing intent radiating from his pores.

“Jiang Chen, why did you orchestrate all of this?” Jiang Ru Long demanded, his voice raspy and choked with rage.

Simultaneously, a figure lingered outside the perimeter of the courtyard—Jiang Zhen Hai, who had come to check on his foster son. Hearing Ru Long’s accusation, the Mayor froze, holding his breath as he listened from the shadows.

“Orchestrate? My dear brother, why accuse me of such spite? I genuinely thought you desired to join the Mu Rong clan. I was merely helping; look at the assets Miss Mu Rong brings to the table! You will never worry about a meal again if you join their house. You ought to thank me!”

Jiang Chen’s tone was gravity-laden, devoid of a shred of shame or sarcasm.

“Enough! spare me any further talk of that wretched girl! You coerced me into this engagement under the guise of helping, yet you never mentioned the marriage pact. Jiang Chen, I have played the part of a brother well. If you truly wished to expel me, you could have just demanded it. There was no need for such vile, backhanded tactics.”

Hatred flooded Jiang Ru Long’s soul. He longed to tear the flesh from Jiang Chen’s bones.

Listening from outside, Jiang Zhen Hai felt a pang of despair and pity for Ru Long. Jiang Chen had indeed crossed a line.

“Played the part of a brother? Very well. Let us drop the facade and calculate our debts in full.”

Jiang Chen could sense his father’s presence outside the compound, while Jiang Ru Long, too blinded by fury, remained oblivious. Adjusting his demeanor, Jiang Chen decided to expose every secret, leaving Ru Long no path to retreat.

“Tell me, Jiang Ru Long: the Yong brothers? Did you think I would not know you ordered them to kidnap me, drag me into the wastes, kill me, and harvest my blood? Is that how you ‘treated me nicely’? Once I was dead, you would have legally seized everything the Jiang family owns. With me gone, you would have been the one to wed Miss Mu Rong. Am I misremembering our dear brotherly arrangement?”

The cruel gleam in Jiang Chen’s eyes sharpened with every word.

Stunned by these revelations, Jiang Zhen Hai stood paralyzed in the darkness, desperate to hear every detail.