Within the stone chamber, the black shadow was clearly taken aback, pausing for a moment before speaking, “So it is… Jiang Wang is already a pawn in another’s game.”

The voice from the void responded, “Precisely. The more of a genius he is, the more intriguing he becomes. The faster he grows, the greater a threat he will pose to Jiang Shu in the future.”

The black shadow inquired, “Then, is there no need to concern ourselves with him going forward?”

“Nay, opportunities to target him shall still arise, but spare his life,” the voice in the void declared. “Our assaults on him are, in truth, aiding him, propelling him further, and earning him Jiang Shu’s trust.”

“…I understand,” the black shadow acknowledged.

“For now, remain silent for a period, drawing no undue attention,” the voice from the void instructed.

And then, from the hollow of the stone platform, that mournful, wind-like sound resonated once more.

Silence returned to the stone chamber.

In the vast expanse of the Northern Domain’s grasslands, where the fragrant grasses grew most verdant, where the wind and rain were most gentle, where the cattle and sheep were most plump… there was no place quite like the foot of Qiong Lu Mountain, a place aptly named “God’s Pasture.”

The powerful empire that now held sway over the entire grassland first emerged from the very base of this mountain. Under the divine guidance of the great Cang Tu God, a small tribe of only a few hundred souls blossomed into the mighty Mu Empire, capable of rivaling the world’s strongest nations. Their string warriors numbered in the hundreds of thousands, and their horse hooves trampled all who did not submit.

When the children of the grassland turned their gazes in pilgrimage toward Qiong Lu Mountain, they beheld the great miracle of this world, and saw within it the destiny of their lives. This mountain, with the celestial dome as its tent, was covered by naught but the blue sky above, hence its name “Qiong Lu,” signifying “Vaulted Abode.” It was the pillar that supported this expanse of sky, bestowing upon the children of the grassland their “homeland.”

The Cang Tu God Temple, the spiritual cornerstone of the entire grassland, was erected upon the very peak of Qiong Lu Mountain. For millennia, it had gazed down upon the boundless grasslands, witnessing the cycles of life and death, of rise and fall.

And the highest royal court of this grassland, the dwelling place of the Mu Country Empress, was stationed beside a worldly treasure, the great “Heaven’s Mirror.” This vast freshwater lake, wide as a sea, was like a mirror, embedded within the boundless grassland. Legend held that it was the divine mirror used by the grassland goddess for self-reflection. In the mythology of the Mu Country, the “Grassland Goddess” was the initial messenger of Cang Tu God; she spread the god’s will, rescued the world, and brought good tidings to the grassland. When the Grassland Goddess returned to the divine realm of Cang Tu God, she left this mirror upon the grassland to reflect the world. And the Heaven’s Mirror, as the largest lake on the grassland, indeed nurtured countless cattle and sheep, allowing the children of the grassland to grow strong and robust.

If one were to divide the grassland into eastern and western halves, Qiong Lu Mountain lay at the center of the western grassland, while Heaven’s Mirror was at the heart of the eastern grassland. In the earliest times, the highest royal court was situated at the foot of Qiong Lu Mountain. As the great Mu Empire unified the grassland, the highest royal court continuously migrated, finally settling permanently beside the “Heaven’s Mirror.”

Unlike the common imaginings of outsiders… the people of the Mu Country did not all sleep on horseback. Their daily resting tent houses, distinct from the simple tents used for marching, were continuously expanded and, while bearing the unique characteristics of each tribe, also displayed a neat and planned arrangement. Different areas served different functions, coexisting in harmony. Compared to pavilions and towers, they possessed a charm of a different kind. This was the city most suited to the grassland, and even in terms of luxury, the highest royal court was no less grand than the capital of any nation.

Of course, there were distinctions. The highest royal court, possessing “divine power,” was capable of moving as a whole. This highest royal court was also known as “Eagle City.”

Meaning, a city that could soar.

For most countries in the world, relocating the capital was an event of immense political significance, occurring only rarely. On the grassland, it was different; the “migration” of the highest royal court happened with relative frequency. Only in recent years had it gradually become permanently stationed beside the Heaven’s Mirror.

On the grassland, there were also “peddlers.” They typically traveled with five horses, wandering from place to place. Two horses carried their goods, one carried the person, and the other two were for alternating rest. Hence, they were also known as “Five Horse Guests.” They were the “guests” of the grassland, bringing various goods to the herdsmen in different locations, and also hoping to receive the warm hospitality of their hosts.

At this moment, at the edge of the highest royal court’s tent area, a person wearing a hood approached a Five Horse Guest whose goods were almost entirely sold out. The fabric of the hood was piled so high it almost obscured half of the face, but an occasional glimpse hinted at a stunning appearance.

This Five Horse Guest had little left in his saddlebags, offering scant choice. Yet, the newcomer still began to pick through the remaining items. The conversation unfolded in whispers, audible only to the two of them.

“How is Huo Ge?” the hooded person asked.

The Five Horse Guest replied, “He seems greatly trusted now. The previous Commander of the Nine Rivers Xuan Armor suffered a relapse of an old injury and passed away. It is quite likely he will be the next to fill that position.”

“That should not be…” The hooded person pondered briefly, then stated, “There must be some hidden circumstances surrounding the death of the previous Nine Rivers Xuan Armor Commander.”

The Five Horse Guest said, “There is likely something amiss, but I lacked the time for a detailed investigation. In any case, Zhuang Ting will certainly not harm him now, and he himself may not be willing to leave. If I were to forcibly abduct him, Du Ru Hui would undoubtedly pursue.”

“As long as he is safe, the others are not as crucial,” the hooded person nodded. “Let it rest for now. Everything must wait until the Yellow River Meeting.”

“Going to the Yellow River Meeting is far too risky. I do not agree,” the Five Horse Guest countered.

“Uncle Deng,” the hooded person spoke, “With news of Third Brother, I must go and see him.”

The hooded person speaking was, of course, Zhao Ru Cheng. The one addressed as Uncle Deng was naturally Deng Yue, known as “One Finger Breaks River.”

Just as Du Ye Hu could deduce the issue in Feng Lin City from Jiang Wang’s current situation, and Jiang Wang could foresee the danger to Du Ye Hu after gaining fame, the even more astute Zhao Ru Cheng was not lacking in foresight. However, human endeavor has its limits. Though Deng Yue was powerful, he could not single-handedly uncover the truth of what happened outside the Zhuang Wang Palace. He could only relay to Zhao Ru Cheng the current situation as he saw it.

Deng Yue, disguised as a Five Horse Guest in the highest royal court, said, “Since you know he is in the Qi Country and is living well, you can wait until the Yellow River Meeting concludes before going to see him.”

“Can you imagine it? Emerging from a place as small as Feng Lin City, with no background, no master, no backing… and yet, he could ultimately become the foremost among the younger generation in the Qi Country, representing Qi Country to fight at the Yellow River Meeting. Can you imagine what he has endured? The fact that he has reached this point precisely proves that he is not living that well.”

Zhao Ru Cheng continued, “I cannot wait any longer. Not even for a moment. If he can ascend to glory in the world, he should have a few old friends to witness his brilliance! I will go wearing a mask, and simply observe… I will not be discovered.”

Deng Yue was silent for a while. Since venturing deep into the wilderness, Zhao Ru Cheng had rarely spoken at such length. This reflected his complex emotions.

“The Yellow River Meeting, ah…” Deng Yue sighed.

“Do not follow me this time,” Zhao Ru Cheng instructed. “Just find a place to rest on the grassland. Wait for me to return after I have seen him, and then we will decide the next course of action.”

The Yellow River Meeting was a place of many eyes and a convergence of powerful individuals. He could blend in with the Mu Country team under Yu Wen Duo’s protection and face no issues. However, a powerhouse like Deng Yue would find it difficult to conceal his identity, making it dangerous for him to attend the Yellow River Meeting.

“You are indeed a determined one,” Deng Yue said, looking at him, intentionally adding, “Since Jiang Wang is still alive, will you perhaps become lazy again?”

Zhao Ru Cheng shook his head. “Third Brother is a person who appears amiable on the outside but is resolute within. Many things he will not dwell on, and he can laugh them off. But the things he chooses to care about, he will pursue to the end. He will not simply let the matter of Feng Lin City go.”

He took a jade hairpin from his saddlebag of goods. “There are some things I am powerless to change. But if he wishes to do something… I should always be able to assist him.”

He handed several pieces of silver to the Five Horse Guest, then turned and departed.