Chapter Four: Deeper Leak Breaks Oar

Going back to Qi with Chong Xuan Sheng accompanying was truly anything but low-key.

He could eat wind and drink dew, wear stars and wear the moon, but Chong Xuan Sheng was unwilling to settle for a slightly worse environment.

They traveled in a grand and ostentatious manner all the way. Upon reaching the Eastern Domain, they flew horizontally without any restraint.

With the two youngest military merit Marquises of the Overlord Countries traveling together, even without the Zhu He Alliance or the Star Moon Agreement, there weren’t many who were blind enough to dare block their path—

Except for Wang Yi Wu in front of Lin Zi City.

He stood coldly outside the city gate, his tall and thin figure like a flagpole, his military uniform like a banner, rustling in the wind.

Chong Xuan Sheng laughed as soon as he saw him:
“General Wang, who are you standing guard for?”

As someone who had fought his way up from the lowest soldier, who was once invincible in the same realm as all nine soldiers, and now the foremost figure in the Tong Tian Realm, Wang Yi Wu’s current Wai Lou Realm cultivation was indeed behind Jiang Wang and Chong Xuan Sheng, who were absolute world paragons.

But this unexpectedly did not diminish his pride.

Standing before Ming Yu, he knew he was not a stubborn stone, but one who deeply concealed a beautiful quality.

Facing the scenery of a high mountain, he was still unhurried and unconcerned, understanding when his own scenery would appear.

His life was just like his steps; every step seemed measured by a ruler, every step precise and clear.

“I stand guard for the Son of Heaven’s capital!” Wang Yi Wu said proudly, slightly turning his body to alleviate some of the seriousness, and reached out to lead the way:
“And occasionally, I keep an eye on a wine flag for Champion Marquis.”

Chong Xuan Sheng took a big stride towards the city gate, his intention very casual:
“What wine are we drinking today?”

Wang Yi Wu nodded once at Jiang Wang, acknowledging the greeting, and replied:
“The wine you love to drink the most.”

Qi Country’s most famous and expensive wine was naturally “Lu Ming” from the Xun Lin series produced in Lu Shuang County, which was extremely popular in Lin Zi. Contemporary records stated: “Those who appreciate good wine in the capital all use aged ‘Lu Ming’ as a facade.”

But Chong Xuan Sheng had a special fondness for “Qian Qiu”. This wine was a famous wine from Chang Country, said to be brewed using a method inherited from the ancient Yang, with the fiercest wine Qi, known as “One drunk, a thousand autumns passed”.

Except for the Chang Country royal family’s own consumption and tribute to the Qi Country Son of Heaven, this wine hardly circulated outside. It was a fine brew that couldn’t be bought even with Dao Yuan Stones. Wang Yi Wu’s ability to prepare it was a testament to his thoughtfulness.

In response to Wang Yi Wu’s greeting, Jiang Wang only slightly nodded.

Chong Xuan Sheng waved his hand and laughed:
“Wu An Marquis is also here. We came back together, let’s drink together!”

Before Jiang Wang could refuse, a voice chimed in:
“This is an opportunity to welcome Wu An Marquis and wash off the dust. Let This Palace do it!”

A luxurious carriage stopped by the roadside. After the carriage curtain was lifted, it revealed the soft and handsome face of the Yang Xin Palace Lord. He laughed from inside the carriage:
“Champion Marquis and General Wang, please gather first. This Palace has set a banquet and has been waiting for a long time, it would be a shame to let it go to waste!”

Chong Xuan Sheng glanced at Jiang Wang. Seeing that he was quite hesitant, he laughed and waved his hand, walking shoulder to shoulder with Wang Yi Wu, and went off casually.

After the trip to the Demon Realm, he had achieved great renown across the Nine Borders. Bringing Jiang Wang back to Lin Zi, his extra task was complete. He should rest when he should rest, and read idle books when he wanted to read idle books. He was used to going straight on the great path, cutting through falsehoods without confusion, unlike Jiang Wang who carried deep grudges.

A young master from a famous scattered noble family and a proud, cold general born from a military career had vastly different temperaments, but walked together in unexpected harmony.

Jiang Wu Xie smiled at Jiang Wang:
“I have beauties as pillows and Dao Yuan Stones paving the ground, but I cannot invite Wu An Marquis. I can only personally come and block the way!”

Jiang Wang cupped his hands and bowed in return:
“It’s not that I won’t drink Your Highness’s wine. It’s just that Jiang is not fond of matters of wind and moon and finds grand sentiments hard to bear.”

“Not so! Young girls admire heroes, and heroes love beauties, which is also a human desire. How can worldly matters have no relation to wind and moon?” Jiang Wu Xie indeed had a pair of expressive eyes. When he looked at you seriously, you seemed to feel the stories within them, making it very easy to be infected by his mood.

Why were so many excellent women fascinated by him? Besides his identity as the Great Qi imperial heir and his unparalleled handsome face, this pair of eyes also bore great responsibility.

His voice was also extremely charming, gentle yet not lacking in nobility, saying meaningfully:
“Either Wu An Marquis has not yet seen true matters of wind and moon, or Wu An Marquis’s matters of wind and moon are already in his heart.”

“I dare not discuss matters of wind and moon in front of Your Highness.” Jiang Wang laughed and waved his hand:
“My generation values cultivation heavily. Even if I don’t see it, I don’t want to see it.”

“No harm.” Jiang Wu Xie laughed:
“We just purely drink wine, chat, and talk about life!”

“Today is really not a coincidence.” Jiang Wang still refused:
“I just want to enter the palace to pay my respects to the Son of Heaven. I dare not delay on the road.”

Jiang Wu Xie still lifted the curtain:
“Then I will send you on your way.”

With the conversation at this point, if Jiang Wang refused again, it would be completely disregarding Jiang Wu Xie and bordering on being an enemy.

Thus, he lifted the corner of his robe, bent down, and squeezed into the carriage.

Inside the carriage, it was as always fragrant and charming.

Soft couches, warm furnaces, jade cups, and gold pots.

There were two beauties accompanying, one charming and one pure.

Jade hands peeled lychees, red lips offered wine, naturally more luxurious than all the precious playthings inside the carriage.

Jiang Wang sat opposite Jiang Wu Xie.

Jiang Wu Xie then laughed and said soft words to the two beauties, advising them to go to another carriage to rest first.

After they charmingly got off the carriage, Jiang Wu Xie didn’t tidy his clothes. He only poured wine for Jiang Wang, and with a hint of drunken intent, asked:
“In Wu An Marquis’s opinion, how are these two beauties?”

Jiang Wang said objectively:
“Their cultivation is acceptable, but their battle alertness is insufficient.”

Jiang Wu Xie was momentarily stunned and then laughed. After a pause, he said:
“Xiao Si saw you at the academy last time and often talked to me about it after returning.”

The carriage went directly towards the imperial palace, without feeling any bumps on the road.

“Xiao Si?”

“Oh, her full name is Qin Ling.”

“So it was Teacher Qin.” Jiang Wang still had an impression of this academy teacher.
“I wonder what she said?”

Jiang Wu Xie laughed:
“She said that your learning is swift and good, Jiang Qing Yang, and you are not a crude warrior as some people say, but actually have literary and martial talents.”

These words were pleasant for Jiang Wang to hear, but of course, he still had to be humble, waving his hand and saying:
“Teacher Qin overpraises.”

“Ah!” Jiang Wu Xie suddenly sighed:
“At first, you were the first to come to Wen Yu Shui Xie, and I also had high hopes for your future, seeking too much, which led you to go to Hua Ying Palace… Thinking about it later, it really makes me often regret it!”

That year, going to the sea to save Zhu Bi Qiong was indeed begging grandparents and telling mothers, all sorts of difficulties. But looking back after time and circumstances changed, it didn’t feel bitter. The nervousness, tension, torment, and seeking help without a door at that time, thinking hard and deeply, after several years, were only a profound memory, like a painting hanging there. Vivid, and could be talked about as a joke.

Jiang Wang’s tone was light and laughed:
“I still remember I said at that time ‘the good mood is already exhausted’, and there were no resentful words towards Your Highness. Speaking of which, I now also have some business under my name. Doing business requires you to be willing and me to be willing, with equivalent chips. At that time, I didn’t show enough potential, so if I were Your Highness, I wouldn’t agree either. I would also seek more. This is truly nothing to blame.”

“Facts prove I was wrong, Third Sister is still more insightful.” Jiang Wu Xie sighed:
“I am far less so!”

“Hua Ying Palace Lord…” Jiang Wang paused for a moment, then continued:
“She doesn’t do transactions.”

Jiang Wu Xie pushed the wine cup, indicating for Jiang Wang to clink cups. After drinking this cup, he said:
“This time you went on expedition to the Mi Realm, and your matter with Qi Shuai, I have heard something… You should know that Qi Shuai has always supported my Third Sister, right? Of course you know, otherwise you wouldn’t give her a hundred percent trust, not to mention stepping into the Sha Jia Long Domain without preparation.”

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment, then said:
“Qi Shuai is Qi Shuai, and Hua Ying Palace Lord is Hua Ying Palace Lord. If Qi Xiao carried out everything according to Hua Ying Palace Lord’s will, she wouldn’t be Qi Xiao.”

“Of course. No one can ever restrict Qi Xiao, Qi Xiao is only loyal to herself.” Jiang Wu Xie didn’t deny Qi Xiao’s free will, but turned to say:
“Actually, you don’t need to rush back. You can spend more time relaxing outside. Although there are some discussions in court, I have already suppressed them. This time, in the Mi Realm war, you should have merit and no fault.”

Jiang Wang looked at him quietly.

His eyes were slightly melancholic, but his voice was very forceful:
“After Eleven is gone, the military forces that supported him mostly returned to Third Sister. The civil officials who supported him mostly entered my network. Plus the clan forces that have always supported me, I still have some influence in Lin Zi now. Some discussions can be overturned with a flip of the hand. How can they harm a heavenly paragon like me?”

Jiang Wang vaguely remembered hearing people evaluate the imperial heirs.

Speaking of the eleventh imperial son, Jiang Wu Qi, he was “most like the current emperor”.

Speaking of the ninth imperial son, Jiang Wu Xie, he was “quite like Martial Ancestor”.

He always felt that Jiang Wu Xie’s similarity to Qi Martial Emperor lay only in his romantic and handsome nature. It was only when Jiang Wu Xie seemingly inadvertently flexed his muscles at this moment that he saw some of the qualities that were “quite like Martial Ancestor”.

He was already at the high level of the empire. Could Jiang Wu Xie’s silent grip on political power already influence the ruin of his reputation at this level?

Jiang Wang wasn’t silent for too long, only asking:
“What does Your Highness seek?”

“Nothing.” Jiang Wu Xie laughed:
“I don’t want to do business with you now either!”

Jiang Wang sighed lightly:
“Your Highness’s intention, Jiang Wang has received, and won’t need it in the future. Since I have done some things, no matter what the consequences are, it is what I should face. Let them say what they will.”

“Some small matters, yet there’s no need to rush to refuse.” Jiang Wu Xie reached out to block him and said:
“The likes of Er Feng Ming, I can crush them in my fingers. The voices in court are also irrelevant, they originally couldn’t stir up any waves.”

He raised a finger and pointed upwards:
“The thoughts of that one above are hard to fathom. Even for me, his son, it’s like walking on thin ice. Fortunately, you usually receive heavenly favor, so you shouldn’t have difficulty passing this test. After that…”

He didn’t continue.

Jiang Wang glanced at the top of the carriage and remained silent.

“Just now at the city gate… Wang Yi Wu’s edge was still there.” Jiang Wu Xie suddenly asked again.

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He said: “How do you see this defeated general of yours?”

The phrase “defeated general” sounded quite wonderful coming from Jiang Wu Xie’s mouth.

Because he was once Wang Yi Wu’s defeated general, having clearly lost in a duel at the same realm.

But truly speaking, who could defeat Wang Yi Wu in the Tong Tian Realm?

Jiang Wang said: “A single victory or defeat doesn’t explain anything.”

Dong dong dong.

Jiang Wu Xie knocked on the table, laughing with a hint of drunken intent:
“Enough of the pleasantries, I want to hear a few heartfelt words.”

Seeing that Jiang Wu Xie had taken the initiative to help resolve the court matters, Jiang Wang said:
“He undoubtedly has a strong heart and will not be struck down by anyone or anything. But I will never look back.”

Jiang Wu Xie laughed.

He knew that speaking like this, Jiang Wang could only be considered to have a bit of friendship with him outside of business. Although it wasn’t much.

After laughing, Jiang Wu Xie then said:
“Do you know how I see him?”

Jiang Wang said: “Please enlighten me.”

“I assert.” Jiang Wu Xie said seriously:
“Among the proud talents of Qi Country in the future generation, if anyone can catch up to you and Champion Marquis in cultivation, it is only Wang Yi Wu!”

“In the battle at the mouth of Dong Jie, you made the ancient Tong Tian Realm number one who fought against all nine soldiers a joke. After that, you also won first place in the inner mansion, gained fame as a heavenly paragon on the Star Moon Plain, fought Chong Xuan Sheng in the Wai Lou Realm, and achieved Shen Lin by attacking Xia… In such circumstances, it’s not particularly remarkable if Wang Yi Wu advances bravely and strives to catch up, because we all know that his foundation, talent, and teachers are all excellent.

“But he, even after being pulled far away by you, can still be unhurried and composed, steadily stepping forward, striving for perfection in every realm. This truly makes me admire him.

“How proud Wang Yi Wu’s character was, how much he looked down on others at first! Breaking the thief in the mountain is easy, breaking the thief in the heart is hard. Fixing the thief in the heart, surrendering the thief as a soldier, is even harder. Having this period of dormancy, it’s not difficult for him to break through the clouds and the moon again.”

Jiang Wang, of course, understood all of this. Having clashed with Wang Yi Wu head-on, he had never underestimated him. But at this moment, he thought about it and only said:
“Your Highness seems to be talking about yourself as well.”

Jiang Wu Qi achieved Shen Lin in one step, forming Qiu Shuang.

Jiang Wu You opened his own Dao Martial and proved Shen Lin.

Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, Jiang Wu Hua, also achieved Shen Lin without any waves, maintaining a not-too-high, not-too-low cultivation.

Among the four competing dragon palace lords of the Great Qi Empire, the only one who was “quite like Martial Ancestor”, Yang Xin Palace Lord Jiang Wu Xie, was still far from the shadow of Jin Shen Yu Sui.

He seemed not to be in a hurry.

Wasn’t this also a kind of firm confidence in the future?

In response to Jiang Wang’s probing, Jiang Wu Xie only laughed heartily, and personally lifted the carriage curtain:
“We’ve arrived!”

Jiang Wang stepped down from the carriage. Amidst the rumbling sounds of the retreating carriage wheels, he looked up at the palace gate.

The majestic palace walls interpreted the dignity of the Qi royal family, and the fluttering flags seemed to howl at the universe.

Even the current Jiang Wang, standing before this great dynasty’s palace complex, seemed so small.

The buildings were twelve stories high, and the imperial city was as deep as the sea!

“Who is approaching?” From the deep building cave, a dignified voice proclaimed.

Jiang Wang stood on the square paved with Tai Yi Heaven White Jade and said loudly:
“Qi Wu An Marquis Jiang Wang, seeks an audience with the Son of Heaven!”

The voice from the building cave paused for a moment and then rang out:
“Marquis, please wait. This humble general will now report.”

Jiang Wang said, “No harm,” in a low voice, and then stood firmly in front of the palace gate.

The square was empty, and a single figure was solitary.

He waited for a full two hours.

He waited until the sky was already dusk, the vast and boundless sky seemed to have just fallen, and Han Ling, wearing an inner official’s robe, walked out of the palace gate and stopped in front of Jiang Wang.

The huge palace gate building was like a monstrous giant mouth that swallowed everything.

Both Jiang Wang and Han Ling were precarious in front of it.

In this shadow, before this palace that had a long history and swallowed countless stories, they were more conspicuous, and more dangerous. Whether it was the red inner official’s robe on the inner official’s head, or the green shirt of the Wu An Marquis.

“Does Wu An Marquis want a drink?” Han Ling asked.

“On the way, I had a drink with the Ninth Imperial Son.” Jiang Wang replied.

Han Ling nodded once, then said:
“Go back, the Son of Heaven doesn’t want to see you.”

This was the first time Jiang Wang had heard the sentence “The Son of Heaven doesn’t want to see you” since entering Qi, and the first time he had failed to pay his respects to the Son of Heaven!

Even when he returned to Qi every time, the Son of Heaven summoned him immediately. He couldn’t refuse even if he wanted to.

This sentence “doesn’t want to see you” was too light when said lightly, and too heavy when said heavily.

But Jiang Wang only cupped his hands:
“Please trouble Supervisor Han to report to the Son of Heaven on my behalf—Minister Jiang Wang, as a third-grade Gold Melon Warrior, is greedy for salary and has never fulfilled his duties. Now I request to guard the Son of Heaven, still hoping for permission!”

Han Ling stared at him for a moment, then turned back into the deep palace gate building. He only left one sentence: “Wait a moment.”

The big red robe was like a night ghost.

In such a night, looking at his back, Jiang Wang thought of Zhu Nian.

That night guard of the Great Qi Empire, with only three Night Wander Gods remaining in the world, their path already cut off, only waiting for their lives to end. Did they still patrol the night at this moment?

Guarding the night for a thousand years, how long has the deeper leak broken the night!

After waiting for about another quarter of an hour, Han Ling once again walked out of the palace gate and said in a voice that didn’t carry any emotion:
“His Majesty says that the palace does not lack guards. Wu An Marquis is used to being free. Whatever you want to do, you don’t need to report first.”

He took a half step forward, and said in a low voice:
“The night is deep, Marquis should go back and rest. Do not disturb His Majesty.”

Jiang Wang, however, took a step back and bowed respectfully:
“Minister obeys the decree!”

Without waiting for Han Ling to hear clearly what decree he was obeying, he immediately turned around on the spot, pressed the sword at his waist, and his green shirt became green armor, instantly becoming as majestic as a great hall or a door pillar, fixed there.

Han Ling circled in front of him:
“What is the meaning of this, Wu An Marquis?”

Jiang Wang’s eyes did not waver:
“The Great Qi palace city is His Majesty’s home. His Majesty allows this minister to be autonomous, so this minister will guard here! Supervisor Han, please go back. Please forgive Jiang for guarding the door for the Son of Heaven and being unable to see you off.”

Han Ling opened his mouth, but couldn’t say anything. He went back into the palace, looking back three times with each step.

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