Jiang Wang reluctantly retrieved the storage box. He recalled his first encounter with King Chu Jiang, which also cost him dearly. At that time, he had sought the aid of Hell No Door to deal with Hai Zongming, but before Hell No Door could act, he had already resolved the matter himself.

King Chu Jiang had made a single trip and pocketed fifty yuan stones. While in retrospect it was merely half a yuan stone’s deposit, to the Jiang Wang of that era, it had emptied his purse completely.

Now, Hell No Door’s strength had grown, its reputation steadily rising, and its prices had escalated rapidly. Even as the esteemed King Marquis of Ba State, he could still be fleeced by Hell No Door. The thirteen yuan stones he had just disbursed were merely a fraction of the appearance fee.

“Right, King Chu Jiang?” Jiang Wang suddenly recalled and casually inquired.

Yin Guan, of course, would not inform him that King Chu Jiang had taken Yu Liangfu’s head to the State of Chu to claim a reward. He simply replied with a cold tone, “Do not inquire about a colleague’s life; it is a rule of survival in our line of work.”

“This is not my line of work,” Jiang Wang retorted. “I am the dignified King Marquis of Great Qi. How could I be colleagues with assassins? That mask of King Bian Cheng is just a mask to me. I only kill those I wish to kill.”

Yin Guan, having collected the money and recorded the transaction, did not argue further. He merely stated, “You say is just return see!”

His body transformed into a streak of green light and vanished from the carriage, arriving and departing with straightforward efficiency.

Jiang Wang clicked his teeth, feeling quite vexed. Why was it that every encounter with Yin Guan resulted in a lighter purse?

In the rapidly moving luxurious carriage, the Wu An Marquis of Great Qi sighed deeply.

The taste of debt was unpleasant. That scoundrel Zhang Linchuan, with his six avatars, was not only difficult to eliminate but also left Jiang someone with a series of mounting headaches.

Sending “You Xie” to the Three Punishments Palace was considered fulfilling the karma between Lin Youxie and the Three Punishments Official.

The debt regarding Yu Liangfu had already been recorded by Yin Guan; he would slowly repay it later. These matters were still manageable. However, the debt owed to Huang Sheli for executing the Evil Cult Ancestor’s avatar, which involved mobilizing troops and forcibly killing a country’s Crown Prince – this was a substantial favor. Jiang Wang couldn’t even fathom how he would repay it.

One could offer numerous excuses, such as the weakness of the State of Gao, the strength of the State of Jing, the righteousness of exterminating the Evil Cult, and the responsibility of every individual. However, one could not ignore the friendship that others had extended.

Furthermore, there was Yang Chongzu of the State of Qiao. It was unclear who had killed him. By the time the Zuo family sent people, only the corpse remained. The head had been severed, a debt clearly intended for someone. He could only wait for the claimant to appear. He hoped it could be resolved with money.

Zhong Xuan’s victory overseas had involved mobilizing the forces of the State of Qi and eliminating Li Daorong of the Angry Whale Gang. This individual had ultimately fallen into the hands of Fishing Sea Tower and been killed by Zhu Biqiong, paving the way for her illustrious reputation.

Towards Zhu Biqiong, Jiang Wang’s feelings were complex. He had always considered Zhu Biqiong a friend and completely trusted her goodwill towards him. However, Zhu Biqiong’s return to Fishing Sea Tower and her discipleship under Gu Huai Xin had led to tangled grudges and complexities. Interactions between them were bound to be somewhat awkward. He suspected this was one reason Zhu Biqiong had not seen him during his last trip to sea.

Although Zhu Biqiong had helped him with certain matters and likely wouldn’t demand repayment, he couldn’t simply set his mind at ease. He felt compelled to visit the nearby islands and express his gratitude in person.

As for Luo Huanqingyu, who sought the Dao through killing, he was far wealthier than Jiang Wang, so offering money wasn’t necessary. Of course, he could prepare some gifts.

However, Ye Zhenren had a somewhat difficult temperament. He would need to find a way to forge a closer relationship later. He had also heard that Ling Xiao Pavilion’s sect-protecting sacred beast, A Chou, had made an appearance. How should this appearance fee be calculated?

Oh, and Jiang Anan and Jiang Xiaoxie. Thinking of Anan’s letter, which described her heroic first act of chivalry, this appearance fee would require even more thought…

With a thousand loose ends, even Jiang Wang, having proven his Divine Manifestation, felt quite troubled.

He instructed the guards accompanying the carriage and then forced himself to set aside his thoughts and cultivate properly.

But the next moment, he suddenly opened his eyes. The vigilance in his eyes transformed into surprise. “Zhenren Yu!” Along with the surprise came a hint of caution. “What is this?”

Yu Beidou, who had abruptly entered the carriage with his Second Quantity, Chang Zhi, Entering Heart, Ping Neng Water, grumbled, “Rest assured, I’m not here to borrow money!”

“Even if you were, I wouldn’t have any,” Jiang Wang chuckled dryly. He continued, “I was actually asking, your eyes… what happened?”

Yu Beidou replied with a strange tone, “Is Hou Ye showing concern for this old man?”

“Look at you,” Jiang Wang said, not understanding the source of the old man’s resentment. He smiled placatingly, “Are we not friends of many years? It’s only natural for me to be concerned about you.”

At this moment, Yu Beidou was neatly dressed, his hair perfectly combed, exuding an air of immortal elegance despite his single eye. However, his expression was peculiarly odd.

“Surname Jiang, search your heart and ask yourself, after Broken Soul Gorge, have you ever thought of this friend of many years?”

He, Yu Beidou, who could divine the mysteries of the universe, felt truly wronged! He had no family or friends in this world. His last disciple-nephew had been killed by his own hand. He was merely a passerby. As a fortune-teller and physiognomist, he had risked everything, even bearing the price of suppressing the Blood Demon alone, to go to the Three Jing Officials and painstakingly clear Jiang Wang of colluding with demons, proving his innocence and directly affronting the Mirror World Platform of the State of Jing… Why had he exerted such effort? Wasn’t it because of the bond forged in Broken Soul Gorge?

Yet, after sitting in the Iron Law Cage of the Gui Tian Palace for two years, Jiang Wang hadn’t even inquired about him once! Even the Blood Demon, that monstrous entity, had disciples, grandchildren, and confused believers attempting to rescue it. He, Yu Beidou, was not even as good as the Blood Demon!

He understood that young people were focused on their careers and cultivation. But you, surname Jiang, went to the Three Punishments Palace, and for two years, you didn’t inquire about this old man. What kind of grandson are you!

Seeing Yu Beidou inexplicably rolling up his sleeves, Jiang Wang, with great perceptiveness, helped him do so. He answered honestly, “I did think of you, old man, many times.” For example, when Tu Hu dealt with the Illusion Demon Monarch, and when Ruan Lai gambled with his old knife. Yu Beidou wasn’t sure if Jiang Wang helping him roll up his sleeves was a form of mockery, or like a test: ‘Come, Ming, let me see what you mean, and then I’ll decide.’

Jiang Wang added, “For example, the last time I chased Zhang Linchuan, I was planning to find you to help with a divination.”

“Hmph!” Yu Beidou scoffed. “You are the dignified Wu An Marquis of Great Qi. If you need a divination, why not find the Qin Tian Jian of the State of Qi, but instead seek out this old man?”

He lifted his chin and said smugly, “At least you have some discernment!”

Jiang Wang smiled sheepishly, swallowing the phrase ‘that time Ruan Jian Zheng didn’t reply to my letter.’ “You are the foremost diviner in the world, a true Zhenren. I really couldn’t think of anyone else.” Yu Beidou’s beard bristled, but he didn’t stand on ceremony. With a slap, he knocked away Jiang Wang’s hand that had just rolled up his sleeves and said coldly, “There’s work for Yu Beidou, but no need for Zhuo Qingru, eh?”

Seeing that Jiang Wang didn’t understand why he suddenly mentioned Zhang Qingru, he explained honestly, “I had business with Zhuo Qingru too.”

“I knew it!” Yu Beidou said irritably, “You won’t get up early without profit, you won’t visit the Three Treasures Hall without a matter, and you have no emotion or righteousness!” Jiang Wang realized that Yu Beidou’s current state was much like that old dragon in the Second Period, Chang Zhao, Entering Heart, Not Water, Star Tower. There was a surge of resentment from being confined for too long, although he didn’t know where it came from. Reason dictated that Zhenren Yu spent his days in the human world; he shouldn’t be so indignant.

He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “What Three Treasures Hall am I ascending? Isn’t it fine for me to cultivate at home? I haven’t finished practicing all my Dao techniques or reciting all my books.”

These words were so reasonable that even Yu Beidou was momentarily at a loss for a rebuttal. He simply flung open the sleeves he had just rolled up and declared, “Forget it, enough idle talk. It’s been a long time. Let this old man examine your cultivation and test you to see how much progress you’ve made!”

This spar came very suddenly. Jiang Wang quickly said, “Wait!”

The guards of the Wu An Hou Mansion, who were protecting the carriage, were vigilantly observing their surroundings. Suddenly, they saw their luxurious carriage split into four or five pieces. Within it, light and shadow swirled, and vital energy surged!

These family soldiers had all fought alongside Jiang Wang on the battlefield and had joined the Wu An Hou Mansion as personal guards after the war ended. Seeing this astonishing change, they immediately adopted a fighting stance.

“Protect Hou Ye!” The guard leader, Fang Yuan You, drew his saber and shouted, ready to lead his team into the fray.

A streak of red light circled the carriage, forming a sealed barrier that blocked the interior from the exterior. The muffled voice of the Wu An Hou came from within: “Do not be alarmed! It is just a spar!”

The guards’ charge abruptly halted. They stared at the completely opaque red light barrier, momentarily exchanging bewildered glances.

On the road back to Qi. Fang Yuan You looked straight ahead, grasping the reins, his eyes fixed.

The spar within the light barrier had no discernible outcome. They could not see the situation inside, nor could they hear the voices. They only knew that the light and shadow within the barrier changed intensely for a long time. After the barrier dissipated, Hou Ye merely retreated into an adjacent carriage and did not emerge again.

Hou Ye had sparred with someone; he dared not inquire. His life on the Qi Xia battlefield had just ended with a golden rice bowl; he was unwilling to lose it. Prudence in words and actions was the correct principle. But in his heart, the brave and unbeatable Hou Ye, who exactly was it that had shut him up and beaten him? He was truly very curious!

“I am truly very curious!”

Bai Yu Xia, with a face like carved jade and skin like cold snow, paced within the high, spacious hall. Dressed in mourning clothes, his temperament was even colder.

He looked at the full assembly of officials, at the many uncles he knew, and even at the monarch of the State of Yue seated on the dragon throne…

“Who can tell me why, even after the Wu An Hou of the State of Qi warned us in advance, that Evil Saint Cult Ancestor could still move freely within the borders of my State of Yue?”

“Why was the master of a prominent Yue State family, a high-ranking official among the nine ministers, killed in his own fiefdom, and the killer, Zhang Linchuan, still manage to escape beyond the borders of my State of Yue?”

“Who can tell me who the border defenses of my State of Yue are for!”

His eyes, filled with bloodshot veins, swept across everyone in the grand hall. “Who can tell me where the superhuman power of my State of Yue is?”

“Has the protective national array been broken?”

“Are there no longer eyes gazing upon this land?”

“Is there anyone who can give an account to the Bai Clan of Langya?”

He clenched his fists, beating his own chest. “Is there anyone who can give an account to a son who has lost his father!?”

The hall was silent. No one could answer Bai Yu Xia. Although he was only in the Inner Mansion realm of cultivation, a young person who had not yet fully matured.

Because, putting everything else aside, for the State of Yue, which had always considered itself a great power, the death of Bai Pingfu was indeed a great humiliation, a great mistake! And besides the monarch of the State of Yue, Wen Jingxiu, and Ge Fei, who was fully responsible for responding to the matter of Zhang Linchuan, who else was qualified to give an account of this matter?

The monarch sat high on the dragon throne, his expression neither happy nor sad. Thus, the hall became even quieter. So quiet that only Bai Yu Xia’s angry panting could be heard.

“This matter is my responsibility,” Ge Fei stepped forward at this moment, his expression sincere as he looked at Bai Yu Xia. “Brother Yu Xia, I was fully responsible for the dangers brought by Zhang Linchuan, and thus for all the resulting negative consequences. I should bear them all. But I still need to explain something to Brother Yu Xia. At that time, Zhang Linchuan’s presence in the State of Yue was merely a possibility provided by the Duke Manor of Chu Huai. I could not, based on this possibility alone, immediately expend large resources to open the protective national array. I could only heighten alertness on all sides and organize rapid response forces. I myself also personally patrolled important border areas during that period.”

“Just as I discovered Zhang Linchuan’s trace, Uncle Bai had already…”

His tone sank in pain. “I pursued Zhang Linchuan, always chasing him out of the country’s borders. I wholeheartedly wanted to capture and kill the murderer to give the Bai family an account. I only regret that my skills were insufficient, my will strong but my power lacking. I was no match for Zhang Linchuan…”

“Censor Ge, how can you blame yourself for this?” A minister immediately stepped forward. “You yourself were almost killed by Zhang Linchuan. Who can say you didn’t do your best?!”

Under the arrangements of Advisor Gao Zheng, Ge Fei’s current official position was that of the Right Censor of the Censorate, primarily responsible for supervision. Hence, court ministers referred to him as Censor.

“Yes, Censor Ge. Zhang Linchuan’s ferocity is known throughout the world. He harmed Wei, disrupted Dan, harmed Qiao, and spread poison throughout the world. It wasn’t just my State of Yue that didn’t respond in time. How heroic is the Wu An Hou Jiang Wang? Yet it took almost the combined force of the world to execute Zhang Linchuan. Censor Ge being able to scare Zhang Linchuan away is already a remarkable achievement!”

“To be honest, if not for Censor Ge’s timely response, with the ferocity of the Evil Saint Cult Master, perhaps it wouldn’t have been as simple as the death of just one Bai Pingfu.”

The hall, which had been silent earlier, instantly became lively. Everyone spoke, voicing their grievances for Ge Fei.

Although Ge Fei wasn’t entirely pleased that someone said he wasn’t as good as Jiang Wang, he still cupped his hands and bowed to those around him.

“Everyone! Everyone! Please listen to me!”

He straightened his back, his ancient face stern and dignified. “In the end, the court entrusted me with the task of guarding against Zhang Linchuan. Yet I still allowed the country to lose a wise minister and caused the Langya Bai Clan to wear mourning. This is a dereliction of duty, and I have no defense!”

He turned to look at Bai Yu Xia and bowed deeply to him. “I want to express my deepest apologies to Brother Yu Xia. Let me be beaten and scolded; I will have absolutely no complaints!”

Bai Yu Xia did not look at Ge Fei. He simply raised his head and looked at the monarch on the dragon throne, saying in a sorrowful voice, “My deceased father fought for the country his entire life, teaching me from a young age to be loyal to the monarch and love the country, to be diligent and hardworking. He also practiced what he preached, serving as a model for me! Now, he has tragically died at home one morning. Is this the account the state gives him?”

One bow, one apology?

The current Minister of the State of Yue, Gong Zhiliang, stepped forward, blocking Bai Yu Xia’s line of sight. This Bai Yu Xia was too insensible. As a minister, he was actually making things difficult for the monarch!

Ge Fei was not just Ge Fei; he was not only the direct descendant of the State of Yue’s foremost noble family, the Ge Clan. He was now also a powerful Divine Manifestation cultivator, an absolute high-level combat force in the State of Yue, and a truly exceptional talent destined to become a Zhenren! And his teacher, Gao Zheng, was the greatest pillar of the State of Yue. How could he be severely punished because of a deceased Bai Pingfu and a Bai Yu Xia who was still only in the Inner Mansion realm?

Ah. Gong Zhiliang sighed. “Yu Xia, I watched you grow up, but today, since we are in the court hall, let us not speak of kinship, only of reason. The disaster that befell Pingfu brother is something none of us wanted to see. I can understand your feelings. But the deceased is gone; the living must live properly. Now, today, properly arranging the funeral affairs, reorganizing the various matters of Langya, and supporting the Bai family’s foundation is the correct principle. Don’t you think?”

Gong Zhiliang’s gaze fell, and the gaze of everyone in the hall also fell.

Bai Yu Xia was silent. He already felt a burden on his shoulders. He only felt a mountain.