Jiang Wang’s acquisition of the 《Voice-Hearing Immortal Canon》 was a profound inheritance. Its origins traced directly to the Five Immortals Sect’s ancestor, who had gleaned it from the ethereal visage of an immortal within the 《Ten Thousand Immortals Come to Court Picture》. Yet, this very picture was but a replica, its immortal essence having been eroded by the relentless passage of time. Coupled with the ancestor’s limited understanding and cultivation, and inherent flaws in the techniques, the Canon remained largely dormant in its potential.

For a great span of years, the true value of the 《Voice-Hearing Immortal Canon》 lay unmanifested. Even the ancestor himself could only employ the “Like Dream Order” as a crude substitute for the authentic technique. While this semblance of the Immortal Palace era’s secret arts was achieved to a degree, its performance was decidedly mediocre. It wasn’t until Jiang Wang, through a fortuitous convergence of circumstances, creatively developed the Voice-Hearing Immortal State, achieving sudden enlightenment, that the Canon’s true worth finally blazed forth. To this very day, it remains an indispensable secret technique in his martial repertoire.

Subsequently, upon cultivating the Contemplate Self-Ear and obtaining the Subdue Outer Path Vajra Thunder Sound, Jiang Wang achieved a considerable mastery over the path of ear consciousness, finding few rivals amongst his contemporaries.

The jade stone that Yin Guan now presented, carved in the likeness of an eye, was of an entirely different caliber. The ancient aura emanating from it, undeniably a relic of the Immortal Palace era, was something Jiang Wang could not overlook. Moreover, it resonated with his ear consciousness in a peculiar manner. This was undoubtedly the 《Eye-Seeing Immortal Canon》, and not merely a replica, but the true transmission version from the Ten Thousand Immortals Palace.

Jiang Wang understood its immense value more than anyone else, and perhaps more than anyone else, he was suited to it, and indeed, in dire need of it.

Yin Guan had truly laid bare a condition that was nigh impossible to refuse!

“Cough,” Jiang Wang cleared his throat. “Afterward, we’ll need to be clear. I will not kill for money.”

“Of course,” Yin Guan replied, his expression utterly unchanged. “You will merely, whilst punishing evil and promoting good, conveniently earn some coin.”

“I will not truly join Hell Has No Gate.”

“You haven’t joined. You merely, on occasion, utilize this mask to conceal your identity.”

Jiang Wang pressed on. “Frankly speaking, there are many times when I find your methods… less than agreeable. If we are to frequently associate, I will undoubtedly impose many constraints upon you.”

“Then constrain away,” Yin Guan’s tone grew increasingly relaxed. “If doing good deeds can earn Jiang Wang’s assistance, I believe everyone would be willing to perform a benevolent act daily.”

“What ‘punishing evil and promoting good’? Even with your words, I won’t readily believe you.”

“When your assistance is required, I shall furnish you with evidence.”

“My official duties are manifold; I may not always have the time.”

“It shall be entirely voluntary.”

“In truth, it is not merely your methods I find disagreeable. Many within your organization are difficult for me to tolerate. If I were to frequently encounter them… I fear one day you might awaken to find none of them remain within the organization. At that juncture, a confrontation between us would be unavoidable, and quite unpleasant.”

“Naturally, you can establish your own rules. This is the way of evildoers interacting,” Yin Guan said slowly. “For instance, there was once a City King whose rule was that no one could frown whilst he smoked his dry tobacco. His tobacco was exceedingly potent, and he added certain ingredients himself, making the taste quite peculiar… You can also establish your rules. For example, forbidding them from using foul language in your presence, or prohibiting the Coroner from emitting that exceedingly strange laugh.”

Jiang Wang frowned. “This might be… forcing some to great difficulty.”

Yin Guan’s eyes held a deeper meaning. “Precisely. Forcing others to difficulty can establish prestige and strengthen obedience.”

Jiang Wang seemed to ponder. “I don’t recall seeing that City King smoke his dry tobacco.”

Yin Guan stated plainly, “Ah, that one who smoked dry tobacco was already… eliminated. Because it was indeed making things difficult for people. The one you see now is the fourth.”

Jiang Wang was silent.

Yin Guan continued, “As long as your strength is sufficient, never mind changing their methods, you could even order them to carry water and cook meals for widowed elders daily, and it would be of no consequence… Given your strength and your disposition, Hell Has No Gate is truly very suitable for you.”

Jiang Wang made one last attempt to resist. “I still feel… unwilling to become a killer.”

Yin Guan at this moment used only the thumb of his left hand to slowly and methodically wipe the bloodstain from the corner of his mouth. “Pray tell, did you truly desire to slay that man-eating giant turtle?”

“My killing intent towards it was genuine.”

“And that true culprit… I imagine you are also unwilling to let him go? It is only your identity as a Marquis of Great Qi that prevents you from acting rashly and provoking conflict with the Kingdom of Jing.”

“One could say that. Whatever choices I make, I can bear the consequences myself. But to kill a True Person of Jing whilst holding the title of Qi Marquis, the Kingdom of Qi may not necessarily be able to bear it. I have received this title and this stipend; I cannot, for personal likes and dislikes, disregard national interests.”

Yin Guan’s expression turned serious. “Thus, the identity of the Bian City King must be well protected. This will be the organization’s utmost secret. My side will maintain strict secrecy; you on your end must also not be negligent.”

Jiang Wang nodded subconsciously. “I understand.”

“So you see…” Yin Guan lightly spread his hands. “There is no divergence between us.”

Jiang Wang glanced once more at the immortal eye within the jade box. He had to admit that Yin Guan was a highly persuasive individual. He spoke from the heart, “You are correct.”

Yin Guan added, “The immortal eye you behold originally came as a pair. The other one is in Tian Huanwen’s possession.”

Jiang Wang’s heart stirred slightly. When he had traveled to Tianya Platform to rescue someone, he had learned from Tian Chang that the Tian family had been active overseas. Due to restrictions upon his person, Tian Chang could not be too specific. Now, it seemed the plundering of the Ten Thousand Immortals Palace’s remains was one such action.

Did the Tian family, or rather Tian Anping, also harbor ambitions towards the Nine Great Immortal Palaces? Recalling the past, when he had gone to Ji City on imperial decree to escort Liu Xiaoli, the gaze of Tian Anping as they passed through the city gates… perhaps it had held other meanings as well.

Tian Huanwen was precisely the formidable individual who had initially attacked Wu Lie, leaving him gravely wounded and forcing him to seek refuge on Jiang Wang’s ship. As an uncle-generation figure in contemporary Gaochang Marquisate, he was, generationally speaking, Tian Anping’s great-uncle. He should also have been involved in the case of Consort Lei that year…

“You crossed paths with him?” Jiang Wang collected the immortal eye and inquired.

“Not merely him,” Yin Guan said casually. “The remains of the Ten Thousand Immortals Palace emerged from the sea on a desolate, uninhabited island. Those who participated in the snatch also included Liu Yu, a protector elder of Fishing Sea Tower, and the Town Military Flag General of Intestine Valley… But Tian Huanwen was the most focused target, the most adequately prepared. I merely followed behind him and secured the lion’s share.”

Yin Guan spoke lightly, yet it involved Fishing Sea Tower, Intestine Valley, and the Great Marsh Tian Clan… Snatching food from the tiger’s maw, how could it have been easy? The dangers involved were beyond imagination.

Only today did Jiang Wang learn that even as he was dominating the cultivators of Fishing Sea Tower’s generation on Tianya Platform, establishing his fame amongst the islands near the sea, the snatch for the Ten Thousand Immortals Palace’s remains was also vigorously unfolding.

The heroes of the world were not limited to him, Jiang Wang. The tumultuous waves of the world were not solely those he had experienced. Limited by perspective, one could only see those.

Some magnificent tales were openly proclaimed, known to the world. Others were deeply hidden beneath the surface, silent in the long river of history. If Yin Guan had perished, then he would have perished. Who would know that such a rising kingdom as You had produced such a person?

And a person like Yin Guan, who had experienced so much, struggled for so long, what exactly did his heart seek? Jiang Wang was suddenly somewhat curious.

He sighed softly. “Before going to You Country, I originally thought you would remain and become the lord of You Country, changing that land and saving its people.”

Zhao Cang, Zheng Chaoyang, and the others also believed Yin Guan harbored such ideals and ambitions, which was why he had made so many arrangements for the populace.

Yin Guan smiled without a ripple. “Ordinary people do not need someone to save them. As long as ambitious individuals do not disturb them, do not manipulate them, they can live quite well on their own. Furthermore… how could someone like myself, the notorious leader of a killer organization, assume the role of a country’s lord? If I were to seize power, I would merely drag more people down with me to their graves.”

“What if You Country simply perishes like this?” Jiang Wang asked. “You were born there; would you not feel regret?”

“Such a deformed and pathological country originally has no need to exist. You Country is not some great nation; its people do not need to be nostalgic for it. Let it perish,” Yin Guan shook his head. “Moreover… as long as the person who raised that giant turtle remains, as long as that power persists, it will always continue in its deformed state.”

Why would the Kingdom of Jing raise such a giant turtle in You Country? Why exactly had Ji Yan Yue arrived? Why did they want to use the geniuses of You Country as sustenance? Yin Guan still had no answers now, and perhaps never would. A combat power close to the Cave True realm, was that truly worth such immense effort from the Kingdom of Jing? If it were merely raised as a pet, even if Ji Yan Yue was a contemporary True Person, it would be impossible for him to have such audacity, to commit such a gravely improper act. Thus, there must be some other reason behind it.

But those matters were also not important. Yin Guan only needed to know who had manufactured the tragedy and had no desire to understand the reasons or hardships of those who had created it. If they could meet in the Source Sea after death, then let those who had manufactured the tragedy and those who had unfortunately perished within it slowly explain themselves.

Jiang Wang thought for a moment, then spoke again. “I have a question for you, though you may not answer. Regarding your cousin, did you… love her?”

Yin Guan’s tone was calm. “What makes you think so?”

Jiang Wang answered honestly. “I don’t know. I always felt your feelings for her were deep. Because when you left You Country, you risked everything to ensure her safety. But this time… I wondered if Su Muqing was merely a superficial weakness you displayed, and in truth, you never loved her from the beginning. With such a weakness there, Zhao Cang and the others wouldn’t focus their attention elsewhere. Because when you killed Zhao Che, you didn’t seem to consider her feelings either.”

When they had first met, Jiang Wang had said to Yin Guan – “Your cousin truly loves you very much.” At that time, he couldn’t understand Yin Guan’s choices. At that time, he had personally witnessed Su Muqing’s emotions for Yin Guan, how she worried for him, how she shed tears for him. Of course, this time he also saw Su Muqing’s heart was set on another person. As Yin Guan said, not everyone had the courage to overcome life. He was merely curious how a person like Yin Guan handled his own emotions.

Yin Guan looked quietly at Jiang Wang for a while. At this moment, he suddenly realized that in some key life nodes, this person always seemed to be present. It was truly an inexplicable destiny. He questioned whether he had friends, and he was also not a person willing to expose his inner feelings. But perhaps it was having just killed Zhao Cang and Zheng Chaoyang, perhaps the wine here was somewhat intoxicating. Perhaps he also genuinely wanted to speak a few words.

Thus, he said, “I do not expect others’ unwavering loyalty. I confront all the weaknesses of human nature directly. I understand that not everyone has the courage to overcome life. But I must admit, I will still be disappointed by this. Perhaps I did love her, in my youth. But even if I did, it has already ended now. To me, she is my cousin, someone who grew up with me from childhood. I only wish to properly cultivate her now, to let her clearly recognize the truth of life, to let her possess the power to face life independently, and then to grant her freedom.”

Having said this, Yin Guan inverted his wine cup, not caring how Jiang Wang perceived his words. He rapped the table. “Good, we have discussed what should be discussed and what shouldn’t. Marquis Jiang, you should be on your way to the grasslands.”

Jiang Wang appeared somewhat unsatisfied. “Actually, I’m not in such a rush.”

“I am quite in a rush,” Yin Guan looked at him and said. “Hell Has No Gate has many orders of business to attend to daily.”

Jiang Wang could only regretfully bid farewell.

After separating from Jiang Wang, Yin Guan also directly left the wine building, taking a circuitous route, and appearing in another small kingdom. In a sparsely populated small city, Hell Has No Gate had established a specialized external affairs station here. As of today, within the dark world, Hell Has No Gate was already a resounding name. The Ten Halls Yanluo were fearsome and renowned, but the organization itself was not solely the Ten Halls Yanluo; it was also supplemented by an increasingly vast external affairs organization. In fact, many matters could be handled by the judges and ghosts below.

Arriving outside a secret chamber, Coroner Wang was idly manipulating his own fingers – disassembling them one by one and then reassembling them. At this moment, he was again utilizing his Outer Tower Realm body. The only constant was that puppet-like stiffness. Even Yin Guan wasn’t entirely certain whether he was truly in the Outer Tower Realm or the Divine Arrival Realm, whether he was male or female, or which of his bodies was the original, or if the original body had ceased to exist long ago. But without a doubt, he possessed the combat power of the Divine Arrival Realm.

“What is the situation?” Yin Guan inquired.

“Almost there,” Coroner Wang said casually. “Boss, injuries this severe… healing him is simply not cost-effective.”

Yin Guan calmly looked at him. “Since that is the case, why did you not refine him? I granted you the opportunity to be alone with him.”

Coroner Wang instinctively straightened up, his fingers ceasing their play. “I was merely speaking casually.” He wasn’t stupid. Since Qin Guang Wang dared to allow him to be alone with the injured Equal King, he undoubtedly had a way to prevent his escape. Although Qin Guang Wang hadn’t fully displayed his strength during this trip to You Country, one could still glimpse certain scales and half-claws from his suppression of Zheng Chaoyang. He had absolutely no chance of confrontation. At least not yet.

“I do not require you all to love each other. But he participated in the action, exerted effort, completed the task, and therefore, he must have his reward. This is the greatest rule of Hell Has No Gate,” Yin Guan’s tone was flat. “Even if they are just jests, do not force me to remind you a second time.”

“Hehe,” Coroner Wang attempted a foolish laugh. But it sounded exceedingly sinister, more like provocation. He thus closed his mouth.

Yin Guan walked directly into the inner chamber. Equal King lay quietly within… a coffin still immersed in viscous blood-water. Although it was clear this blood-water had the effect of supplementing qi and blood and nourishing the body, the scene before him still made it impossible for Yin Guan to believe that Coroner Wang had been “just speaking casually” earlier.

He extended a finger and pressed, confirming that Equal King’s mask had not been removed. Then, without saying anything further, he sat down beside the coffin.

Chu Jiang King, along with Su Muqing, was still waiting for him in another secret location, but he didn’t want to go see them now. Instead, his thoughts returned to a certain Marquis of Great Qi. The one lying in the coffin had killed the emperor and slain the dragon in You Country, utilizing the country’s momentum to resist his enemies. His power to plunder the country’s momentum was precisely the reward for this trip. Without being of direct imperial lineage, it was impossible to manipulate imperial qi in this manner. Combined with the Great Sun Golden Flame, Hell Has No Gate’s identity as Equal King was already obvious to a certain individual named Jiang. But that fellow seemed to have no reaction whatsoever.

He had originally planned to mediate, but in the end, he hadn’t even had the opportunity to speak. After being enfeoffed as a Marquis, he had indeed acquired some shrewdness… He thought inexplicably. It was rare for him to think so inexplicably.

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