Jiang Wang gazed at Ruan Qu with surprise.

Beneath the facing sky wind, Ruan Qu’s voice was light as he asked, “You believe that Huo Shi Ji is not truly dead?”

Jiang Wang pondered seriously for a moment before replying, “Based on my understanding, yes. And Elder Si Ge Zhu, Chen Yuan Zhang, and Martial Ancestor Wu Zong Shi all share this belief… Why do you ask?”

“If the Blood River Sect has no other issues, and genuinely wishes to welcome the Champion Marquis without involving outsiders, and if Chinese Kou Xue Jiao is truly acting out of respect for Huo Shi Ji’s last wish concerning the Blood River Sect’s ten-thousand-year inheritance, what does she rely upon to uphold a thought casually mentioned by Huo Shi Ji during his lifetime?”

Jiang Wang considered for a bit. “You mean to say, she received instructions from Huo Shi Ji?”

Ruan Qu replied, “This is merely one possibility I’ve speculated. But regarding the sect’s interests and the Blood River Sect’s future, a dead person’s last wish will absolutely not hold more sway than the will of the living.”

“But why?” Jiang Wang couldn’t understand. “He is the Blood River Sect Master, a contemporary peerless peak transcendent. Why would he find it necessary to feign death?”

“Xu Ming Song’s prying into the Yan Dao triggered a disaster that released the Bodhi Evil Ancestor. Huo Shi Ji consistently tried to conceal the truth, until he truly could not. Awakened by True Master Ban Shan Peng Chong Jian, he heroically filled the sea with his body.”

“This indeed is a very logical narrative, and it was witnessed by those several True Monarchs.” Ruan Qu shook his head. “Even I cannot fathom what problem exists within it. Perhaps there was no problem to begin with.”

“However,” he continued.

“However…”

“Considering Huo Shi Ji himself, he indeed had a compelling reason to feign death. Because this was the only way he could shake off our Qi Kingdom’s control.”

“Shake off our Qi Kingdom’s control?” Jiang Wang was utterly bewildered.

How could the esteemed Blood River True Monarch, Huo Shi Ji, have actually been under the control of the Qi Kingdom all along?

In that entire Qi-Xia war, unless the Jing Kingdom had truly sent powerful troops, with His Majesty the Qi Emperor wearing armor and personally engaging in battle, otherwise, how could the Xia Kingdom have ever had even the slightest hope?

Even if the Jing Kingdom had truly sent troops at that time, the Qi Kingdom had a very high probability of withstanding the Jing Kingdom’s offensive and eradicating the Xia Kingdom.

If the Blood River True Monarch, Huo Shi Ji, was truly under the control of the Qi Kingdom to such an extent, and not merely engaged in a single transaction…

Then, during the current period in the Southern Xia Governorate, why was the Sword Pavilion still standing proudly independent, and the Liang Kingdom still baring its fangs? What was the necessity of all this?

Facing Jiang Wang’s shock, Ruan Qu slowly explained, “You have been to the underground caves of Chang Luo. You should know that the arrangements there were methods left behind during the reign of Emperor Xia Xiang.” Ruan Qu said in a measured tone, “First, you need to understand one point: the power of the Chang Luo Absolute Array in the hands of Emperor Xia Xiang was worlds apart from its power later in the hands of Si Jiao and others. Emperor Xia Xiang had already recognized that the situation was not favorable to the Xia Kingdom back then, and therefore painstakingly devised this gambit, intending to use the Chang Luo Absolute Array to repel us. He used the threat of mutual destruction to achieve a forced peace.”

He then asked, “You personally suppressed the disaster in the underground caves of Chang Luo. Do you feel that the magnitude of the disaster you experienced could have threatened His Majesty, who personally led the expedition at that time?”

Remembering the dazzling names in the first Qi-Xia war. Not to mention His Majesty the Qi Emperor, there were also Lou Lan Gong, the Grand Marshal of the State Jiang Meng Xiong, the State Minister Yan Ping, and the Ruan Qu, Ruan Jian Zheng, right before his eyes…

That war – when it began, Xiong Tu Chong Xuan Chu Liang was merely an inconspicuous general from a side branch of the Chong Xuan family. Yang Jian De, the last State Lord of the Yang Kingdom, was also just a young general participating in the war under an alias.

Given the scale of the disaster he felt in the underground caves of Chang Luo, it could at most overturn the Jiang Yin plain and annihilate the main force of the Qi army at that time. It certainly wouldn’t have impacted the entire territory of the Xia Kingdom and made His Majesty the Qi Emperor, during the first Qi-Xia war, feel the threat of mutual destruction.

“It shouldn’t have been enough,” Jiang Wang said with some difficulty.

The struggle between Qi and Xia back then was truly a magnificent historical period. Although it was halted by the strong intervention of the Jing Kingdom, the brilliance erupted by both Qi and Xia in this war, even after dozens of years had passed, could not be concealed. Every time later generations flipped through history and glimpsed even a fraction of the scene, they would involuntarily sigh.

Ruan Qu asked again, “Then you think, besides the difference in ability between Emperor Xia Xiang and King Wu Si Jiao, what else caused the significant gap between the Chang Luo Absolute Array back then and the Chang Luo Absolute Array now?”

Jiang Wang already knew the answer, but still struggled to suppress his shock. “The Blood River True Monarch.”

Ruan Qu said lightly, “Do you think, without the cooperation of the Blood River True Monarch, it would have been possible for Emperor Xia Xiang to complete the true Chang Luo Absolute Array and utilize the disaster water to create a world-destroying level disaster that would sufficiently threaten the Qi army at that time?”

Jiang Wang was stunned.

After a slow moment, he said, “The underground caves of Chang Luo also connect to the disaster water rift. With Emperor Xia Xiang’s ability, he probably could have done it, right?”

“It seems your understanding of the Blood River Sect has some deviation. The current evil sea is bounded by the Blood River. You don’t understand what this concept means. It’s not because they almost abandoned the Blood River this time that you feel the Blood River seems only so-so.”

Ruan Qu shook his head. “That’s only because the Bodhi Evil Ancestor is too terrifying. The power of this Blood River is beyond your imagination. Many of the Blood River Sect’s Dao techniques originate from this river. Many secret methods borrow the power of this river. I’ll tell you just one thing—the Blood River Sect has a history of fifty-four thousand years. There has never been a gap in True Monarch level power; every era has had a True Monarch level power! Do you know what this concept means? Do you think the Blood River Sect could have inherited for so long and so far otherwise?”

“But this time…” Jiang Wang’s thoughts were racing. “This Blood River is similar to a Grotto-heaven Treasure?”

Ruan Qu said, “Otherwise, what do you think Huo Shi Ji relied on to push back the Bodhi Evil Ancestor? But they should still have other secret foundations. Even a Grotto-heaven Treasure, if it’s not one of the most top-tier ones, it’s very difficult for a True Master to rely on it to fight a True Monarch.”

Jiang Wang was silent.

He realized that earlier in the Blood River Sect, amidst all the originally complex exchanges of words, there was still a more complex undercurrent existing.

Ruan Qu continued, “Let’s talk about the Blood River again. With this Blood River as a boundary, the evil sea almost became the Blood River Sect’s own courtyard. If Emperor Xia Xiang wanted to borrow disaster water to stir up a world-destroying level disaster, it would have been impossible to conceal it from the Blood River Sect. And Huo Shi Ji not only permitted it but also actively cooperated.”

“But such a thing—why would the Blood River True Monarch cooperate?” Jiang Wang’s brows furrowed tightly. “This completely betrays the Blood River Sect’s duty. Once it spreads, the entire foundation of the Blood River Sect’s existence will be wiped away.”

“With such a huge risk, naturally there is also a corresponding huge reward. How Emperor Xia Xiang negotiated with Huo Shi Ji back then, we are not clear. Because Huo Shi Ji’s words are not credible, and Emperor Xia Xiang is already dead.” Ruan Qu said, “But we know that no matter how Si Yuan and Huo Shi Ji deceived and utilized each other, their ultimate goals were not unified. Si Yuan led the disaster water and set up the Chang Luo Absolute Array to force our Great Qi on the battlefield. And what could move Huo Shi Ji’s heart is nothing more than the scenery above the peak. We guess that Huo Shi Ji must have hoped that the disaster water would truly be led, and he could appear in the posture of saving the world, completing an unprecedented feat and gaining great merit. This contradiction is enough for us to utilize.”

There was a very obvious expression of admiration on Ruan Qu’s face. Jiang Wang wasn’t sure if he was intentionally letting him see it.

This Lord Jian Zheng continued his lecture: “Facing Emperor Xia Xiang’s threat, our Emperor swore an oath, stating that not a single step of the Qi people would retreat, that a hundred thousand Qi army could all die in the Xia Kingdom, but the spirit of the Qi Kingdom would remain, and the national character of the Qi Kingdom would remain. Once the disaster water falls, even if the Xia Kingdom can barely survive today, it will never be able to recover in the future. If the disaster water does not fall, even if the Xia Kingdom perishes, the fire of its civilization will remain.”

“Emperor Xia Xiang presented a choice, thinking we would be in a dilemma. But the Emperor fundamentally didn’t choose, only letting Emperor Xia Xiang reconsider! A precarious existence, and a thousand autumn’s fire of civilization, he was very clear how Emperor Xia Xiang would choose.”

“Because in a certain sense, they are actually the same kind of people.”

Jiang Wang thought to himself, in the face of the danger of mutual destruction, still charging forward resolutely.

This indeed is the dominance that Emperor would possess, indeed is the choice that Emperor would make. “I still find it very hard to understand. Didn’t the Blood River Sect have the position of guarding the evil sea and receive the favor of Heaven’s Will? This Heaven’s Will…”

Ruan Qu said, “The present world’s will exists, but it does not possess wisdom. It is more akin to a mixture of various rules that maintain the existence of the present world. The Blood River Sect has suppressed the evil sea for so many years, and their understanding of the evil sea is unparalleled in the world. Of course, they also have some methods of their own. Huo Shi Ji back then successfully concealed it from ‘Heaven’s Will’ and also from the people of the world, and completed the cooperation with Emperor Xia Xiang. The secret of this matter was only known to Huo Shi Ji and Emperor Xia Xiang back then.”

Jiang Wang said, “But it couldn’t be concealed from His Majesty. His Majesty is truly wise and martial!”

Whether His Majesty heard it or not, Ruan Jian Zheng was praising His Majesty here. His echoing of the praise would surely not be wrong.

Ruan Qu smiled. “With His Majesty’s sagacity, he naturally wouldn’t be deceived. On one hand, he showed Emperor Xia Xiang the determination to not hesitate at mutual destruction. On the other hand, he used various means to create suspicion between Emperor Xia Xiang and Huo Shi Ji, further reducing the possibility of Emperor Xia Xiang launching the Chang Luo Absolute Array. And later, on the battlefield, he defeated Emperor Xia Xiang, almost annihilating the Xia Kingdom in one war. But at the same time…”

His voice became a little more serious. “We also pretended not to know about the Chang Luo Absolute Array, giving Huo Shi Ji enough time to erase related traces.”

Jiang Wang suddenly understood. “Thinking about it, although he erased his traces, we must have left evidence on our side. We then used this matter to control this Blood River True Monarch!” Ruan Qu sighed and said, “This matter concerns the survival of the Blood River Sect, and Huo Shi Ji had to be under control. But the dignity of a True Monarch, how can it be lightly insulted? For so many years, we never contacted Huo Shi Ji once. It wasn’t until Marshal Cao’s conquest of Xia that we requested him to block Marshal Chang Sheng once. This time, with the change in the disaster water, I originally planned to take the opportunity to communicate with him slightly and plan for the situation in the southern border…”

A True Monarch of the Yan Dao whose life gate is held is indeed a remarkably useful chess piece. It’s a pity that it was only used once and then discarded. Huo Shi Ji’s death, for the Qi Kingdom, can be called a huge loss.

Now that he thinks about it, when Huo Shi Ji turned back at the threshold of the mundane world, did he also have the factor of being unwilling to be controlled by others in such a way again?

After all, the scheme of the Chang Luo Absolute Array only involved Emperor Xia Xiang and him. Emperor Xia Xiang is already dead.

After several decades, once he is also dead, the Qi Kingdom will no longer have a reason to mention this matter.

Jiang Wang pondered and said, “No wonder you would suspect Huo Shi Ji was faking his death. If it were me, I would also feel that he wasn’t using this method to escape. But the True Monarchs of the Three Star Palace, the Sword Pavilion, and the Ancient Tree Academy were all present to witness. That Yan Dao level evil manifestation, even the Bodhi Evil Ancestor, I saw them personally. This matter probably cannot be faked.”

“Yes. Wu Bing can’t possibly be acting with him anymore, and the Bodhi Evil Ancestor is even more impossible.”

Between Ruan Qu’s unusually youthful eyebrows, there was a slight hint of worry. “Although there are quite a few questionable points, they can all be explained away. Then we’ll just have to see what the Department of Political Affairs can investigate, and wait for the review results from the Judiciary Pavilion. Perhaps we pushed him too hard.”

Because he was controlled by the Qi Kingdom, Huo Shi Ji was eager to cultivate the next True Monarch, so he permitted Jin Ming Song to lead the disaster water change and pry into the Yan Dao. After Xu Ming Song failed, he simply used his body to suppress it—this is also a reasonable narrative context.

Jiang Wang was at a loss for words for a moment.

Ruan Qu sighed again. “Marquis Wu An, this matter serves as a warning to me. You also need to remember afterwards—although the affairs of the world are like chess, don’t assume everyone is a piece.”

Jiang Wang said sincerely, “I will keep it in mind.”

“Go,” Ruan Qu paused in the high air, the star chart rippling slightly, pushing away the floating clouds. “Below is Wen Jian Gorge. I won’t accompany you to receive the people.”

Jiang Wang didn’t leave immediately but said, “Regarding the strange Yan Dao manifestation you mentioned earlier, I still have some doubts.”

Ruan Qu said, “Tell me.”

Jiang Wang recalled and spoke as he did so. “Once, during the opening of Great Lake Lord’s Seven Stars Secret Realm, I entered to explore and went to a world called Floating Land. In the underground caves of that world, I also encountered things similar to the Yan Dao strange manifestation, but they were truly a type of ‘beast’. There was a folk saying in the Floating Land world that said ‘the fall of the blue sky is for star generals, the rise of the dark sky is for star beasts’. Star generals refer to people like me who entered that world, and star beasts refer to the monsters in the underground caves. Their appearance could be any shape, but their bodies were covered in star-like points. Those star points, and the star points of the Yan Dao strange manifestation I saw, were very similar. I couldn’t see the difference. But most of those star beasts were very weak, and the more star points they had, the more powerful they were. Do you have any understanding of this place?”

“What blue sky, what dark sky?” Ruan Qu asked.

Jiang Wang said, “The blue sky is just the sky. In that world’s sky, only one Heavenly Pivot Star hung and shone, alternating day and night according to the brightness and darkness of the Heavenly Pivot Star. The dark sky is actually underground. At the bottom of the underground caves, nothing can be seen, it’s completely dark. No matter if it’s a person or anything else, once they fall down, they will dissolve cleanly. Only the star beasts float within it.”

Ruan Qu was interested. “That Floating Land world you mentioned, who else went in at that time?”

Jiang Wang replied, “I don’t know how many people went in, but those who came out included the Li girl from the Cui Cheng Marquis Manor, Princess Yang Xin Jiang Wu Xie, Lei Zhan Gan from the Lei family, and a first-grade executive from the Four Seas Merchant Alliance named Fang Chong. The remaining few I didn’t recognize.”

“I didn’t pay attention to these, but Princess Yang Xin also went?”

“Yes, we were under a lot of pressure when we fought against Lei Zhan Gan at that time.”

Ruan Qu smiled, but didn’t say anything further about Jiang Wu Xie. Instead, he asked, “Do you know where that Floating Land world is, and if there is a corresponding star chart? If there’s an opportunity, I’d like to see it.”

Jiang Wang smiled bitterly and said, “I wasn’t even in the Inner Palace realm at that time. How would I know what star chart? I completely stumbled in following the force of the Seven Stars Building Secret Realm. The Seven Stars Building Secret Realm doesn’t connect to that world every time.”

Ruan Qu thought for a moment, flipped his fingers, and clipped out a knife coin. He handed it to Jiang Wang. “Regarding what you said, I have some guesses, but I can’t confirm them. Keep this knife coin well. If you have an opportunity to go there again, you can contact me.”

Jiang Wang received the knife coin in confusion and asked again, “Is that a very terrifying place?”

“Whether it’s terrifying or not is uncertain. However, it might be a grave world. But why civilization continues there, I cannot know without seeing it personally.”

“Grave world?” Jiang Wang didn’t understand. “Do you know the Myriad Worlds Wild Grave?” “I know a little.”

“That is the biggest grave world!”