Ji Xuan abruptly opened his eyes.

He could scarcely believe that, at this late hour, in his declining years, Song Hengjiang would dare utter such words and make such a demand!

He was, of course, well aware of Song Hengjiang’s overbearing nature.

He had also sifted through the rumors of Song Hengjiang’s immense power.

But was it truly necessary to go this far?

To dare humiliate him, Ji Xuan?

Even the Grand Chancellor and the Great General had never treated him with such disdain.

For a moment, he couldn’t believe it was real.

But then he looked into Song Hengjiang’s eyes.

Those eyes, previously clouded and dull, now blazed with a terrifying light.

He had no choice but to believe it.

This was Song Hengjiang’s condition.

Because he *was* Song Hengjiang!

…

Within the territory of Zhuang, Zhuang Chengqian governed the land, and Song Hengjiang commanded the waters. This was the founding pact of Zhuang!

In theory, the River Lord of Qingjiang was on equal footing with the sovereign of Zhuang.

The entire eight hundred *li* of the Qingjiang River was Song Hengjiang’s domain. Both banks of the river fell under his jurisdiction.

Song Hengjiang was seizing upon this transgression to justify killing him, and he would be within his rights.

Ji Xuan understood that the Prefect of Qinghe wouldn’t intervene, nor would the Lords of Wangjiang and Fenglin Cities, nor even anyone from the Zhuang court.

Because if they intervened, the nature of the matter would change. It could currently be argued as Ji Xuan’s personal overreach, but then it would become the Zhuang court bullying with its power. A major conflict between the human and aquatic races within Zhuang would become unavoidable.

Zhuang absolutely couldn’t bear such a cost, not just because of the immense losses caused by internal strife, but also because of the wider, potentially explosive conflict between all aquatic and human races in the world.

Zhuang could not shoulder that responsibility.

Did Song Hengjiang *want* to kill him?

Clearly not, or he wouldn’t have bothered with words and simply acted. Ji Xuan was, after all, a high-ranking official of the Zhuang court. If he were killed, it would signify that the conflict between the Qingjiang aquatic tribes and the Zhuang court was irreparable.

The Qingjiang River Palace especially didn’t want to be the one to start the war, because they were still the weaker party.

But did Song Hengjiang *dare* to kill him?

That question didn’t even require contemplation.

There was no need to weigh the pros and cons, no need to consider the consequences.

The scarlet stain on the Lan River had yet to fade; that was Song Hengjiang’s answer to all his opponents.

So, could Song Hengjiang *still* kill him?

He, Ji Xuan, had a perfect Five Palaces cultivation and stood at the peak of his power, only a step away from the Fourth Rank Outer Building realm.

Centuries ago, Song Hengjiang’s strength was unquestionable. But now, after hundreds of years, everyone knew he was nearing the end of his lifespan. How much fighting power did he truly have left?

After a painful silence,

“Snap!”

“Snap!”

“Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap!”

Ten slaps, no more, no less.

Ji Xuan held nothing back. Having decided to accept this humiliating act, he wouldn’t be coy and draw ridicule.

To slap himself and still fail to satisfy was foolish. He wouldn’t be so idiotic.

As the slapping sounds ceased, Ji Xuan’s gaunt face swelled noticeably.

He silently stared at Song Hengjiang, awaiting his response.

Song Hengjiang’s eyelids drooped. He seemed to have reverted to his decrepit, aged state.

He appeared to struggle even to speak, simply raising his hand.

“Go.”

Then he turned away.

Song Hengjiang was not one to linger. Since Ji Xuan had yielded and accepted his punishment, he wouldn’t further humiliate him.

With tonight’s events, his stance had become abundantly clear. What remained to be seen was how the Zhuang sovereign, enthroned deep within the palace, would react.

A wave carried him back into the Qingjiang River, and the water closed behind him.

The raging waves subsided, and the entire Qingjiang River returned to calm.

Moonlight spilled onto the water’s surface, as if nothing had transpired.

The evening breeze passed by, and the ripples on the water resembled shattered snow.

…

From beginning to end, Ji Xuan dared not mention the Enforcement Division cultivator whom Jiang Wang had stabbed to death, nor did Song Hengjiang speak of the pearl girl who had been abducted and then escaped.

Even though Ji Xuan had come because of that subordinate, and Song Hengjiang had arrived for the sake of that pearl girl under his protection.

But during this turbulent time in the eight hundred *li* Qingjiang River, they both tacitly maintained a certain balance beneath the surface.

That was the unspoken red line between the Zhuang court and the Qingjiang River Palace for hundreds of years.

When the storm dissipated, Ji Xuan stopped in place.

No one appeared on the scene, because no one wished to directly face Ji Xuan’s fury. But Ji Xuan knew that the humiliation he had suffered today had undoubtedly been witnessed by certain eyes.

Among the great figures who were his peers, his disgrace was as clear as day. There was no way to conceal it.

But he didn’t appear outwardly ashamed. Instead, he oriented himself and continued towards the direction where the White Lotus had been blasted away.

What was done was done; his reputation was beyond repair. What he needed to do was to not let his gains escape. That strange white flame, that woman of considerable strength… if he could capture her alive, he was certain to obtain a satisfying reward.

And he was confident that in tonight’s tense situation, with the Zhuang court he represented and the Qingjiang River Clan represented by Song Hengjiang on the verge of war, any hidden force backing that woman would certainly not dare reveal itself.

So he still had hope of finding that dying woman.

But after flying back and forth for a hundred *li*, the result, of course, was nothing.

…

Speaking of the White Lotus, after being blasted away by a single punch, her entire body tumbled through the air. The white flames surrounding her were extinguished, and all of her protective spells were shattered.

She knew she had no chance, and she intended to use her last bit of strength to commit suicide.

But suddenly, she felt a warmth.

Her falling body was enveloped in a warm embrace.

This person, however, was too weak and couldn’t even withstand the residual force of Ji Xuan’s blow. Not only was he carried down by her entire weight, but he also spat a mouthful of blood onto her neck.

That blood was scalding hot.

Dimly, the White Lotus felt the two of them fall to the ground and roll over many times. But that person was always underneath, providing her with a cushion.

*Otherwise, I would really be falling apart*, she thought.

This person was really weak.

The White Lotus felt herself quickly being picked up again, and then this person was probably running. Judging by his breathing and the intense heartbeat felt against her, she knew he was trying his best.

But the whistling wind told the White Lotus that the speed was too slow.

*At this rate, I’ll die, right? There’s no way I can escape?*

*It’s just one more person dying along with me…*

*Who is this person?*

*How could I have such a stupid subordinate?*

*No, that’s not right. No subordinate would appear here.*

*They, those people, are all very clever. Very rational.*

*So, who is this person?*

Her eyelids felt incredibly heavy. The White Lotus realized that opening her eyes was such a difficult thing to do.

But she held onto a single breath; she had to do what she had to do.

So, open her eyes.

The White Lotus barely managed to open her eyes, and her vision was blurry and swaying.

That was because of the jolting caused by running.

She struggled to focus her mind and concentrate her gaze. From the angle of her chin, she finally saw this person’s face clearly.

The chin was slightly rounded, not sharp. His blood-smeared lips were tightly pursed, his nose was quite straight, and his clear, bright eyes stared straight ahead.

*It’s Jiang Wang*, she thought.

And then she fell into complete unconsciousness.