Only when Xiang Qian and the others had voiced their agreement did Jiang Wang, taking Chu Mo with him, depart the Southern Frontier under the veil of night.

He offered no farewells to the officials at the Southern Summer Governor’s Office. Within the Horizontal Flying Border, however, he could not escape the gaze of Su Guan Ying. It was merely a matter of avoiding further pleasantries.

One evening and a day later, Jiang Wang had flown directly from the Old Mountains of Summer Land to Lin Zi.

He made no stops along the way, while Chu Mo, cradled in his arms, slept and awoke several times.

Upon reaching Lin Zi, he did not return to his own residence. Instead, he set Chu Mo down at the city gate, instructing the young disciple to return home first and to inform the residence staff to prepare some resources, such as white gold.

He then proceeded directly towards the Marquis Bo Wang Residence.

He held no deep impressions of the old Marquis. Due to his relationship with Chong Xuan Sheng, he had always held some reservations about the old man, feeling he had not treated everyone equally and had caused Chong Xuan Pang much grievance from a young age.

Yet, for some unknown reason, this time returning to Lin Zi, a scene from that day kept replaying in his mind. Perceiving the tense atmosphere, he had proactively seen Physician Ye Henshui out. The vast Marquis Bo Wang Residence, with its winding paths leading to secluded areas, was similar yet different from his first visit. He recalled hearing the old man’s booming shout of Chong Xuan Sheng’s name, followed by that vulnerable yet resolute declaration… “I am going to die!”

He knew.

Everyone knew that Chong Xuan Yun Bo’s life was not long.

All of Lin Zi was aware that Chong Xuan Yun Bo would not only fail to live beyond one hundred and twenty years, but he would not even survive the fifty-seventh year of Yuan Feng.

One could even say that surviving the terrifying injuries sustained on the battlefield in his youth was already a miracle.

And with his hope of reaching the Divine Arrival shattered, he had, with merely an Outer Building Realm cultivation and a weary, aged body, single-handedly supported the Chong Xuan Clan, bustling between the official and border fields, watching it rise and fall, fall and rise again.

While still alive, he had buried his third son, Chong Xuan Ming Shan, who died on the battlefield.

While still alive, after the contention for hegemony in Qi and Xia, during the Great Qi Empire’s zenith, he had buried his most favored son, Chong Xuan Ming Tu. He lived on, watching his magnificent eldest grandson, whose influence covered Lin Zi, defy his will.

He lived on, watching his direct grandson, the family’s promised future, refuse his arrangements.

Losing a son in old age is life’s greatest sorrow, and he had successively lost two sons.

As death approaches, one fears most that a lifetime’s effort will dissipate into nothingness, and he had indeed experienced the family weathering many storms.

How could one describe such an old man? “Everyone suffers.”

In the courtyard where the old master Chong Xuan often stayed, Jiang Wang saw Chong Xuan Sheng.

This was the first sentence Chong Xuan Sheng uttered. This person was always reluctant to express emotions.

The vast majority of people always saw him smiling with narrowed eyes, seemingly never angry with anyone, indifferent to everything.

At this moment, he was still a large mass of fat sunk into a reclining chair, two soybean-like eyes embedded in his face.

He possessed not the slightest demeanor of a Duke or Marquis.

Only the expression on his face was a complexity Jiang Wang had never witnessed before.

He listened quietly as Chong Xuan Sheng spoke slowly.

“Within this esteemed Marquis Residence, within this top-tier prominent family of Great Qi, everyone carries their own pain.”

“My father has his father’s pain. His ideals, his wife and children, his friends, his subordinates, his family, his loyalty and righteousness… he could not attend to any of them. He became famous in his youth, yet struggled to his death throughout his life.”

This was the first time Jiang Wang had heard Chong Xuan Sheng say, “My father.”

“My elder brother has his elder brother’s pain. He is naturally willful, unwilling to be constrained. He demands perfection, allowing himself no shortcomings. His goals are firm, and he wants everything he desires. He is unwilling to let go of anything; in fact, he pushes himself very hard.”

This was also the first time Jiang Wang had heard Chong Xuan Sheng mention Chong Xuan Zun in such a tone.

“My uncle has his uncle’s pain. His most respected and beloved elder brother died, and he was powerless. The stronger he becomes, the more he feels the difficulties of this world. No matter how fierce and mighty he is, he cannot go to the Origin Sea and piece people back together. Even if he is already a True Person of this era, Chong Xuan Ming Tu is a stark reminder.”

“My fourth uncle has his fourth uncle’s pain. His third brother died on the battlefield, implicated by his second brother. But his second brother also died to protect the family. He wants to hate, but he doesn’t know whom to hate. He still cannot accept all of this, so he stays overseas year-round, and since his father’s death, he has never set foot in Lin Zi.”

Chong Xuan Sheng said slowly: “Of course, I also have my pain. What my pains are, you have walked with me, you know.”

He took a deep breath, still gazing at the hazy distance: “I know that everyone in this world lives with difficulty, everyone has their own pain. It’s just that sitting here today, I suddenly thought, my grandfather… he was also very painful. Even, he was more painful than anyone else, what he experienced, what he lost, was more than anyone else. But he never expressed it throughout his life.”

“When he was crippled on the battlefield, he then dedicated himself to cultivating his son to become talented. When the Emperor showed dissent, he donned his armor and went to battle again. When his son died in battle, he only held the banner higher. When the family’s power declined, he only straightened his back more.”

“He was never weak in his life, except for that time before… he told me, he was going to die.”

“But at that time, I still chose.”

“Jiang Wang, I’m not saying I regret choosing Fourteen. I am only thinking, could I have… had a better method?”

“From my father, up to me. Every single one of us could be willful, could suffer. All could express pain. Because the old man was still alive, no matter what happened, we always had a foundation behind us.”

“My cultivation has already surpassed his. My uncle, my fourth uncle, my elder brother, my father, their cultivation is all above his. But the entire Chong Xuan family, yet it was always him, sheltering us from wind and rain.”

“Because his care for the family was greater than anyone else’s. So it was always him, silently bearing it all.”

Jiang Wang recalled the scene at the mouth of East Street, when that white-haired old man urgently flew across the sky, angrily rebuking Jiang Meng Xiong on the street, loudly questioning the Qi Emperor. That scene was indeed unforgettable. Unforgettable for a lifetime.

Chong Xuan Sheng’s voice was very calm: “He was always sitting in this place, so we actually felt that his sitting here was very normal, a very ordinary thing. Like this chair, like this courtyard, like this ray of sunlight.”

“Until he left.”

“Until he left, those accustomed fragments only became extraordinary.”

“Look at the clouds in the sky, aren’t they always so leisurely?”

Chong Xuan Sheng closed his eyes, appearing somewhat sleepy, and murmured: “Originally, no.”

Jiang Wang listened silently to these words.

He knew that the intelligent Chong Xuan Sheng did not need advice, but merely a trustworthy person to confide in.

Rushing from the Old Mountains of Summer Land to the Marquis Bo Wang Residence in Lin Zi, and having to care for Chu Mo along the way, he was indeed dusty. But his purpose in coming was not as the Great Qi Wu An Marquis, a Divine Arrival Realm expert, but simply, as a friend. Chong Xuan Sheng’s best friend in this lifetime.

He said nothing, and sat down beside Chong Xuan Sheng.

He sat there and accompanied him for an entire afternoon, and then an entire night.

It was already late autumn in August.

The time of falling yellow leaves always makes people aware of the world’s parting emotions.

The old master’s dying wish was for a simple funeral, hence the funeral was not grand.

There were no miles of white cloth, not even a flowing water feast was held.

Only a mourning hall was set up in the Marquis Bo Wang Residence, and the spirit was kept for three days for people to pay their respects. After three days, the world grandson of the Marquis Bo Wang would carry the coffin and send it back to be buried in the Chong Xuan clan’s burial ground in Autumn Sun County.

After that, only Chong Xuan Sheng’s investiture ceremony remained. Although this funeral was simple, the specifications were not ordinary. Firstly, Ding Yuan Marquis Chong Xuan Chu Liang personally guarded the outer courtyard, acting as a greeter. Various adults from the Government Affairs Hall and Military Affairs Hall all came to the mourning hall to pay their respects. Those not in Qi Land also sent wreaths and mourning couplets through others.

Army God Jiang Meng Xiong, State Minister Jiang Ru Mo, and former minister Yan Ping all came personally.

Then, after court discussion, the Purple Micro Midheaven Supreme Emperor Flag hanging in front of the Purple Extreme Hall was lowered to half-mast, and the Great Qi Empire sent off the national Marquis with state rites.

Finally, on the day of the main sacrifice, the Great Qi Emperor personally arrived and lit a stick of incense for the old Marquis.

Chong Xuan Yun Bo had, with his one lifetime, interpreted his loyalty, bravery, and endurance.

The path he wished to walk, the responsibilities he shouldered, had all been completed.

After death, he earned worldwide renown.

For a person’s lifetime, how can it be considered without regret?

Jiang Wang was still very young and did not know the answer.

In the mourning hall, Chong Xuan Sheng, dressed in mourning clothes, knelt and sat at the main position on the left.

Champion Marquis Chong Xuan Zun then knelt and sat opposite him.

The two brothers respectfully bowed to every person who came to pay their respects, thanking them for sending off their grandfather.

It was difficult to imagine that the entire funeral was handled by Fourteen. Even though it was simple, for this woman who had not spoken a word for several days, this kind of greeting and sending off was too great a challenge. Although Master Ming Guang considered it her duty and was unwilling to let anyone steal the spotlight, this time there was no way.

Her cultivation was not good, and her mind was elsewhere. And for some reason, she made a big mistake when transporting Dao Yuan, almost causing one of the inner residences to collapse. Fortunately, she was resting in the Champion Marquis Residence at that time, and Chong Xuan Dao discovered it in time and helped suppress it. Even so, she had already been bedridden for several days.

When Jiang Wang had seen her while keeping vigil the night before, he almost didn’t recognize her. She was completely haggard, kneeling there without a word, only crying.

Later, Chong Xuan Zun forcibly made her faint and sent her back to rest.

Jiang Wang helped inside and out, but there was actually nothing he needed to do. He just helped receive some of the guests who came to pay their respects in the inner courtyard.

As for Chong Xuan Sheng’s fourth uncle, Chong Xuan Ming He, he did not return to Lin Zi, only offering a remote sacrifice on No Winter Island.

“Qing Yang!”

Along with an intimate call, Bao Zhong Qing, the world son of Earl Shu Fang, entered the inner courtyard, carrying a beautiful woman on his arm.

Some people’s calls were intimate, while others’ calls only felt greasy.

Bao Zhong Qing was clearly the latter.

But Jiang Wang did not show anything, only extended his hand to lead the way: “Please come in to pay your respects.”

At this time, Bao Zhong Qing’s expression was very solemn. But the self-satisfaction between his eyebrows still showed that he had been living happily during this period. The woman beside him should be his wife, whom he married a few months ago, Miao Yu Zhi, the daughter of the Cang Shu County Governor. She was also graceful and poised, greeting Jiang Wang and calling him “Wu An Marquis.”

The Bao Clan and Song Yao’s numerous students had already established cooperation in many aspects, and each direction was developing very well.

Bao Zhong Qing patted Jiang Wang’s arm and said: “Offer your condolences.”

He then said slightly apologetically to Miao Yu Zhi: “You are pregnant, it is not convenient to go in, just wait for me in the outer room.”

Miao Yu Zhi understood very well: “Husband, go.” Bao Zhong Qing again asked Jiang Wang to take care of her, and then went to the mourning hall himself.

These two people looked affectionate, but what did their affection have to do with others?

Frankly speaking, Jiang Wang didn’t quite understand his intention in coming this trip. Earl Shu Fang had already come to offer sacrifices personally, and furthermore, since his wife was pregnant and it was inconvenient to see funerals, why did he have to bring her?

Jiang Wang waved his hand, and someone brought a soft chair, inviting Miao Yu Zhi to sit and wait.

After Miao Yu Zhi politely thanked him, she sat down on the soft chair. Suddenly, she smiled and said: “I remember Miss Wen organized several poetry gatherings before, saying that Wu An Marquis would go, I also participated, but I didn’t see you.”

“Oh.” Jiang Wang reacted, self-mockingly saying: “How do I understand poetry? Miss Wen invited me the first time, I went shamelessly, and the whole time I was like dreaming. Later times, I was just too embarrassed to participate again.”

Miao Yu Zhi covered her mouth and smiled: “They all said you were quick-witted and understood poetic emotion.”

Recalling the poetry gatherings he had attended, Jiang Wang remembered that apart from saying “good,” “very good,” and “very not bad,” he had said nothing else.

So this was also called “quick-witted.”

“They are all kind girls, after all, the truth is hurtful.” Jiang Wang said so.

“Then among those kind girls, did the Marquis ever take a fancy to any of them?” Miao Yu Zhi asked with a smile.

Jiang Wang shook his head: “The cultivation path is long, I temporarily have no such thoughts.”

“Also, a character like the Marquis, with ambitions in the high far, will not be trapped in private emotional matters.” Miao Yu Zhi said, then changed the subject: “You didn’t come to the wedding of Zhong Qing and I last time. But today I finally get to see our Great Qi’s hero.”

Jiang Wang explained: “At that time I had other matters… but I did send the gift.”

Miao Yu Zhi then laughed again. She seemed to love laughing very much, and indeed looked good when she laughed, especially her two dimples, which were very charming. No wonder Bao Zhong Qing now brought her everywhere he went.

Jiang Wang chatted with her for a few sentences, then consciously went to greet other people.

Not long after, Bao Zhong Qing finished paying his respects and returned to pick up Miao Yu Zhi, again exchanging polite greetings with Jiang Wang, and then they said their farewells. The husband and wife were affectionate, hand in hand as they went home. This talented man and beautiful woman, with their family powers complementing each other, were indeed an enviable couple.

Watching this couple leave, Yi Huai Min, who had come to help as a family member of Yi Fourteen, came over: “His wife is pregnant, and he specifically ran over to tell you something? What’s the matter, is there your credit?”

This second son of Physician Yi Xingchen was indeed not very discerning.

Ever since he was once forced to transcribe the *A Han Jing* by a mysterious person who was said to be a remnant of the Withered Glory Courtyard, his attitude towards Jiang Wang had become very close. He often told others that he was also Fourteen’s elder brother, and Jiang Wang was also Fourteen’s elder brother. Rounding it up, he and Wu An Marquis were close brothers.

Yi Huai Yong just happened to walk by at this time, and immediately rebuked him upon hearing his words: “Nonsense! With that broken mouth of yours, you’ll be torn apart sooner or later!”

Yi Huai Min rolled his eyes and turned his head to leave, but he was still honest enough to bow: “I didn’t guard the door well this time, elder brother taught me right. I won’t say any more.”

After Yi Huai Yong left with a serious expression, he again whispered in front of Jiang Wang: “If it weren’t for him always finding my dad to report on me, would I be afraid of that Yi old big?”

He lowered his voice and instigated with force: “Help your brother vent his anger. Later, you can tie up that Yi old big and put him in a sack, forcing him to transcribe a set of *Jin Gang Jing*, how about it?”

“No, no, that’s not good either. He might not care about transcribing scriptures, maybe he’ll even be interested. Force him to dance! How about that?”

The more he spoke, the more excited he became: “Just make him dance that *Wu Ye Ti* newly performed at Wen Yu Water Pavilion, it’s definitely suitable for him!”

“What tied up, what Wen Yu Water Pavilion, I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Jiang Wang gave this fellow an alert look, then put his hands behind his back and left.

I, Jiang, am not saying I have the dangers of mountains and rivers in my heart, or the depth of a city in my chest, but I have also experienced a hundred battles and seen much, so how could I be tricked by your little schemes?