In that year, within the venerable halls of the Zhuang Court, Dong A, with righteous fury, publicly accused the great general Huangfu Duanming, decrying his avarice in monopolizing military power.

He even uttered a word of grave import: “or harbors other intentions.”

The outcome, however, saw Huangfu Duanming remain as unyielding as Mount Tai, while Dong A was banished to Fenglin City, thenceforth removed from the heart of Zhuang Court’s power. This exile was, in fact, the result of Chancellor Du Ruhui’s protection.

Unless Huangfu Duanming were to fall, Dong A would likely spend the remainder of his days in exile, never again to return to Xin’an City. Few could truly comprehend the depth of Dong A’s emotions in that moment.

Not until the dust had settled on the entire affair did he turn back, his gaze falling upon the most outstanding figure among the newcomers of that year. “You came seeking me today with a matter?”

Jiang Wang had originally resolved his intentions, yet when it came to the point of speaking, he hesitated once more. After all, this was no trivial affair; it pertained to matters of life and family.

He faltered and said, “Disciple knows not whether he should speak…”

Dong A turned and walked away. “Then wait until you have considered it fully before speaking.”

Jiang Wang was left speechless.

He followed Dong A all the way back to the courtyard. Dong A paid him no mind, proceeding directly to the quiet room and seating himself cross-legged on the meditation cushion. It seemed he would begin his cultivation if Jiang Wang did not speak.

“Dong Master!”

Jiang Wang, having steeled his resolve, suddenly dropped to his knees on the ground, his head bowed for a long time, unwilling to rise. This was the first time he had shown such deference to Dong A, making clear the gravity and conviction behind his actions.

But Dong A merely said, his voice light, “Rise and speak.”

His expression remained as unsmiling as ever, as if no matter what transpired, it could not stir him. As if no person or event could alter him.

Jiang Wang raised his head and knelt before Dong A. His eyes were slightly red. “Dong Master, before I report, I hope you can promise me this: to look after my sister, Jiang Anan, in the future. Aside from her, I have no other worries.”

Dong A frowned and said, “Save your parting words for when you are on your deathbed.”

Jiang Wang’s carefully cultivated emotions, brewed throughout the entire night, were thus abruptly interrupted.

He silently gathered his composure.

After a considerable pause, he continued, “I suspect the White Bone Dao is plotting anew. After sacrificing Xiao Lin Town and being routed by the City Lord during the Three Cities Discussion, everyone believed they had left Zhuang Country.

But in truth, they never left the Fenglin City domain. Their very lair was near the City Guard Army station, by Niu Tou Mountain! They have since relocated, though I am unclear as to their current whereabouts.

Furthermore, Fang Heling is already a member of the White Bone Dao and is acting on their behalf. I suspect there are more individuals connected to them, or perhaps under their control. They possess something called the White Bone Seed, a rare item capable of perfectly controlling a person.”

Dong A waited quietly for him to finish, then asked, “How do you know this?”

Jiang Wang paused for a moment before replying, “While executing an investigation task, I discovered Fang Heling was problematic. Last night, I was not the only one tracking Fang Heling; the Jixing Si dark sentry was also present.

We chased them to Niu Tou Mountain and encountered an ambush. The Jixing Si dark sentry was killed… but they claimed I was the descendant of the White Bone Dao’s Dao Zi, the future Holy Lord of the White Bone Dao. They believed I was one of them.”

He had finally chosen to be honest. This decision was undoubtedly difficult, yet he had made it nonetheless. It was the trust of a student in his teacher. It was the simple choice of a youth, weighing his own safety against the security of the entire city.

He did not know what he would face. He had even prepared for Dong A to dispense justice and eliminate a potential kinsman, for this dean he respected had always been upright and incorruptible, incapable of tolerating any impurity.

“What do you think?” Dong A asked again.

“Ah?”

“Regarding their claim that you are the White Bone Dao’s Dao Zi. What do you think?”

Jiang Wang hung his head dejectedly. “It seems I truly am…”

“I asked,” Dong A repeated, “What do you think?”

Jiang Wang suddenly lifted his head, his voice filled with conviction. “I am naturally unwilling! I absolutely cannot commit such acts of civilian slaughter, cannot harm the innocent, cannot profane the dead, cannot extinguish humanity! I would rather die than join the White Bone Dao!”

His emotions were greatly agitated. But Dong A merely nodded. “Alright. You may go back.”

Jiang Wang was stunned. Just like that, he was dismissed? Allowed to return? Was he not the White Bone Dao’s Dao Zi? Not the future Holy Lord of the White Bone Dao? He was the leader of those wicked demons! Just like that, he was simply allowed to leave?

“Is there anything else?” Dong A asked impatiently.

Jiang Wang tentatively said, “The matter of the White Bone Dao…”

“I will handle it.”

“Then Disciple… should I go to the City Lord Manor and report this matter to City Lord Wei?”

“I will communicate with Wei Quji myself.”

“You have no instructions for me?”

“Cultivate diligently and take good care of your sister.” Dong A remained a man of few words.

“Other than that?”

“…Bother me less often.”

“Ah, alright.” Jiang Wang rose, feeling somewhat disoriented, and walked towards the door.

After a few steps, he couldn’t help but turn back. “Dong Master, are you truly not going to assign me anything to do?”

Dong A sighed. It was rare for him to speak more than a few words. “Must I tell you how vulnerable you are, how utterly useless, when facing a force like the White Bone Dao?”

“…I understand.” Jiang Wang strode out the door.

Behind him, Dong A’s voice sounded again. “Right, if they reveal any more messages to you, their future Holy Lord, inform me at the earliest opportunity.”

Outside the house, the winter sun seemed particularly dazzling. Jiang Wang’s nose felt a little sore.

“Understood!” he called back.

On the high cliff, the mountain wind whipped through long hair. “When will the Dao Zi awaken?” the White Bone Messenger asked, walking up behind White Lotus.

White Lotus turned around. “I do not know what you speak of.”

The lotus pattern mask covered her face, only her eyes meeting the White Bone Messenger’s gaze.

“Wear the mask for too long, and perhaps you forget who you are.”

The White Bone Messenger reached out and removed the lotus pattern mask, revealing the face belonging to Miao Yu.

“Then you?” Miao Yu asked. “Do you still remember who you are?”

“Me, ah.” The White Bone Messenger walked to her side, and the two stood side by side on the high cliff, facing the distance. “I do not remember,” he said.

Miao Yu seemed unconcerned with his answer, turning to ask, “Did Lu Yan find you?”

The White Bone Messenger looked down at the cliff below. “Within this White Bone Dao, every person is half-true and half-false. Every word is spoken with care. Everyone probes and targets one another, yet must still strive towards the same objective. Not until the very last moment will anyone know whose attitude is genuine or false. He showed an intention to kill Ouyang Lie, but I must still dare to believe him.”

“You are also like this, ah. I must also dare to believe you,” Miao Yu said.

“Of course, you should believe me, for at least until now, our goals remain consistent. Both seek the awakening of the Dao Zi.”

“All within the White Bone Dao await the awakening of the Dao Zi. But no one cares who the Dao Zi is.”

“Then you? Do you care?”

“I once thought I would not care, for no matter who he is born as, the Dao Zi is still that Dao Zi. But now I…” Miao Yu gently pressed her own heart. “Seem a little confused.”

“This is very dangerous.”

“Yes, ah…”

“Then put aside what you wish to do. In any case, according to the oracle, as long as the plan proceeds to that step, the Dao Zi will naturally awaken. Your actions, your choices, make no difference,” the White Bone Messenger said.

“I always hoped it could be more complete.” Miao Yu smiled somewhat bewilderedly. “I did not think the Venerable Deity would descend another oracle. He has already returned from the Forget River; how ridiculous that we still attempt to guess the heavenly secrets.”

“The plan is soon to begin.” The White Bone Messenger faced the distance, his hands spread wide as if embracing everything in his sight. “Do you wish to say something to them?”

“May the Venerable Deity grant them fairness,” Miao Yu said.

In the distance lay a towering mountain peak, as if it had descended from the heavens.

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