The wind and rain held their breath today.

Having concluded a day’s interrogation, Ji Zhaonan, clad in silver armor and a snow-white robe, traversed the long street with an impassive countenance. He was a direct disciple of the Great Qi’s God of War, Jiang Mengxiong, and a meritorious general who had fought countless battles in the Ten Thousand Demons Gate’s wake. This stature afforded him preferential treatment; he wore neither shackles nor chains and was spared the confines of the Heavenly Prison. His only obligation was to present himself at the capital’s Patrol Inspection Office for questioning by several high-ranking green-plaque officials, including the North Office Commandant, Yang Weitong. The Ministry of War had already concluded their inquiry, but the North Office insisted on another round.

Naturally, none dared to inflict harsh torture upon him, nor had a single word of censure been uttered. Yet, every individual within the capital’s Patrol Inspection Office radiated an abnormal coldness. The hostility was palpable. Just moments ago, as he walked the main thoroughfare of Linzi, his peerless bearing would ordinarily have drawn countless cheers. In any other corner of the Qi realm, he would have been hailed as a hero, even when concealed within a carriage, women would have showered him with offerings of fruit. But today…

Today, he remained a suspect. He could not ride in a carriage befitting his status, nor could he be accompanied by a ceremonial guard. The gaze of every person he encountered on the long street today was frigid. He understood. He had, in effect, caused the death of this city’s young hero. He had halted the ascent of a legend, a commoner who had risen to the rank of a national marquis. The standard-bearer of the New Qi people had fallen. The hopes of many had been dashed. He had not slain Jiang Wang, but Jiang Wang had perished because of him!

“Ji Zhaonan, Ji Zhaonan!!”

Following the sound, his gaze lifted to behold a young general, a jade belt cinching his forehead, brimming with heroic spirit. A group of people desperately restrained him, yet he still strained, pointing his halberd and shouting insults, “He just ventured into the demon realm, utterly ignorant of its ways, and you dragged him into such a perilous place! What were your intentions?!”

What kind of pride resided within Ji Zhaonan? He often harbored thoughts of instructing Zhongxuan Zun, and even yearned to test his skills against Zhongxuan Chuliang. In days gone by, regardless of the extensive background of the Li Longchuan family, regardless of their standing as a general’s lineage or a duke’s or marquis’s house, if their strength was insufficient, they fundamentally lacked the qualification to raise their voice to him. But today, he remained silent, walking steadily forward.

A carriage of extreme luxury rumbled past. As it drew abreast, the curtain hanging from the carriage window was lowered, shielding the occupants’ gazes. Ji Zhaonan knew, of course, that Yan Fu and Wen Tinglan were seated within. He knew not how many people awaited the outcome of the North Office’s interrogation, nor how many gnashed their teeth in hatred, with nowhere to vent their fury. The Heavenly Prison was too distant, and the so-called mastermind remained elusive.

Within the rumbling carriage, Wen Tinglan spoke softly, “I recall your relationship with Ji Zhaonan was quite amiable before.” Her father was a court physician, granting her a relatively prominent background. Wen Tinglan was naturally aware of Ji Zhaonan’s potential and the weight of the Town Country Grand Marshal Mansion. Simultaneously, she believed the incident could not be solely blamed on Ji Zhaonan. Life and death within the Heavenly Prison World were commonplace. The individual who had waited for an opportunity to harm Jiang Wang was a cultivator who had later reinforced Frost Wind Valley, clearly having rushed there specifically upon receiving news of Jiang Wang’s presence in the valley. Ji Zhaonan could not possess eyes in the back of his head, foreseeing the hidden hand of a genuine expert.

“Yes, merely amiable,” Yan Fu replied, holding her hand. He offered no further explanation.

Wen Tinglan pondered for a moment, then continued, “Ji Zhaonan had no reason to harm Jiang Wang. He himself fights desperately year-round in the wake of the Ten Thousand Demons Gate. In his perception, fighting the demon race is a matter of course, which is why he directly took Jiang Wang to Frost Wind Valley. If the one venturing into the demon realm had been Zhongxuan Zun, he would have done the same. The investigations by the Ministry of War and the North Office have found no fault. Until definitive evidence emerges, we should not blame him.”

Due to her relationship with Yan Fu, she was also acquainted with Jiang Wang. Jiang Wang’s misfortune naturally caused her regret, even some sorrow. But as Yan Fu’s fiancée, she needed to consider more for him, for their future home together. She aimed to consider what Yan Fu considered and to offer reminders for what he did not. To display hostility towards Ji Zhaonan was truly irrational, not “wise.”

Yan Fu sighed softly, merely saying, “Perhaps by reason, I should not blame him. But emotionally, how can I not resent?” He was renowned for his extensive social circle, with friends from all walks of life. After all, who wouldn’t favor a young noble who, seemingly unconcerned, often squandered vast sums of gold? Gao Zhe had once circled him protectively, and the Bao brothers, Bao Bozhao and Bao Zhongqing, had also partaken of his banquets. Looking across Linzi, he was arguably the only one who could simultaneously maintain amicable relations with both the Bao and Zhongxuan families.

However, at that time, Jiang Wuyou chased him throughout Linzi, vowing to strike anyone who interfered. Only Jiang Wang, who at that time held no substantial position in the Qi realm, stepped forward to mediate, offering a way for both sides to withdraw gracefully. When he later journeyed to Fufeng County, he had only brought Jiang Wang along as a companion.

Wen Tinglan spoke no more.

Ji Zhaonan walked alone on the long street, enduring the myriad gazes, for a considerable time. His Shao Hua Gun was not unsheathed. His Wu Shuang Jia seemed incapable of warding off all harm. Far from the North Office, the echoes of Li Longchuan’s reprimand no longer reached him. After a period of contemplation, he turned and headed towards the Wu An Hou Mansion. The distance was not great, but his journey was prolonged. The Wu An Hou Mansion, constructed under the supervision of master craftsmen from the Ministry of Works, was imposing, a fitting abode for Jiang Wang’s status.

In times past, his arrival here would have been met with the grand opening of the central gate, and Jiang Wang would have personally welcomed him. Today, standing before the main entrance of the Hou Mansion, facing the nervous gatekeeper, Ji Zhaonan pursed his lips and spoke softly, “Who is in charge within the mansion at present? Kindly announce my arrival. I am Ji Zhaonan.” With a “bang,” the gatekeeper promptly slammed the grand doors shut. Ji Zhaonan said nothing, merely waited silently outside the doors for a while. Seeing no movement, he sighed, turned, and prepared to depart.

Just then, the grand doors were pulled open. Zhongxuan Sheng, clad in the resplendent robes of a national marquis, stood in the doorway, his posture resembling a crouching tiger or a coiled dragon. Ji Zhaonan had not yet formulated how to begin speaking. Zhongxuan Sheng was already the first to inquire, “General Ji, is this…?”

“Oh,” Ji Zhaonan was momentarily taken aback, then replied, “I heard that Jiang Wu’an still has a direct disciple whom I have not yet met. I thought to visit and conveniently see if there is anything I can assist with.”

Zhongxuan Sheng seemed to ponder for a moment, then said, “You speak of Chu Yao? He cried himself weary and is still sleeping. As for assistance… I appreciate your intention, but indeed, it is not needed. While the one surnamed Jiang was still in Linzi, the affairs of his mansion were all managed by me. There is no difference now. Moreover, raising a small child is something I can still afford.”

Ji Zhaonan remained silent for a moment, then spoke with some difficulty, “Regarding Jiang Wang, I am sorry.”

“Where do you speak, General Ji?” Zhongxuan Sheng’s expression was gentle. “When such a thing happens, no one desires it.”

“Yes, no one desires it,” Ji Zhaonan sighed softly, finally saying, “Then I shall not disturb you further.”

Zhongxuan Sheng also bid him a polite farewell, “Very well, General Ji, walk slowly. There are indeed still some matters within the mansion, so I shall not see you out.”

Ji Zhaonan slowly departed the Wu An Hou Mansion. His footsteps grew a few shades heavier. Zhongxuan Sheng, from beginning to end, revealed not the slightest hint of dissatisfaction. This very fact underscored the depth of his hatred; he would absolutely not accept an apology. This enemy was now solidified. Ji Zhaonan felt no fear. He cared not who would consider him an enemy. Yet, in a certain moment, he felt a profound loneliness. He had also fought desperately in Frost Wind Valley, exerting his utmost effort. He should have a clear conscience. But who would truly believe him, Ji Zhaonan?

Yes, indeed, why such a coincidence? Jiang Wang enters the demon realm, and you just happen to be there, waiting. Why such a coincidence? You take Jiang Wang away, and immediately afterwards, he meets with misfortune? That was Jiang Wu’an! Not some pampered, so-called prodigy raised in a hothouse. He was someone who had truly fought his way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, ascending from the lowest ranks step by step, earning his military merits through actual combat on the battlefield, with a knife and a spear. He had survived the perilous battlefield of subjugating Xia. He had engaged in a ten-thousand-mile battle with the Wusheng Cult Ancestor and emerged as the final victor, even journeying to the Maze World, the Border Wilderness, and the Disaster Water. He had walked out of so many places of death and utter peril.

Now, he was even stronger than he had ever been. How could he meet with misfortune on his very first day in the demon realm? How could he encounter you, Ji Zhaonan, and simply never return? If the demon realm was such a dangerous place, if Frost Wind Valley was such a perilous place, then why did Jiang Wang die while you lived? You claim to be innocent, Ji Zhaonan. How can others believe you?

“Heh.” Ji Zhaonan chuckled softly without reason. If someone were to capture an image of this smile… “Ji Zhaonan, upon leaving the North Office after interrogation, actually went to the Wu An Hou Mansion to gloat, and after being stopped by Bo Wang Hou, he revealed a complacent smile.” These ridiculous and mundane thoughts flitted through his mind. Ji Zhaonan finally sighed once more.

The year was already deep in its cold embrace, the frost wind bleak. The streets were inevitably sparse of pedestrians, adding to the chill. He walked alone. He feared nothing, nor did he feel wronged. He would bear everything. Yet, there was that loneliness. He was in his hometown, yet it felt colder than a foreign land. He took a few more steps forward, then his footsteps halted again. At the far end of the long street, two figures awaited him.

One was a young man in military uniform, exceptionally tall, with a slightly elongated face, a high nose, and deep-set eyes. He was pushing a wooden wheelchair. Seated in the wheelchair was a man with neatly tied hair and a gentle, serene expression.

“What is the meaning of this?” Ji Zhaonan’s expression turned stern, his eyebrows raised in question.

“Just out for a stroll, happened to wander this way,” the man, with an old blanket covering his knees, said. “This boy just had his ban lifted. He said he missed Linzi too much and insisted on dragging me along, pushing me through the streets and alleys every day for a stroll…” His voice was calm, containing a remarkably reassuring power. He continued, “Let’s go. We’ve strolled enough. We can head home together on the way.”

Ji Zhaonan looked again at Wang Yiwu. The once arrogant Wang Yiwu. Having lost to Jiang Wang and subsequently been driven out of Linzi, his temperament had been tempered over three years. His sharp edges were no longer as pronounced as before; he had become considerably more steady. However, his straight spine, and the ruler-measured precision of his footsteps, still spoke of his arrogance and self-possession. Facing the gaze of his own senior brother at this moment, he simply turned the wheelchair in silence, shook his head, and indicated “follow.”

Truly, such a lack of respect! Ji Zhaonan felt his fists itching. Not in a hurry, nor slow, he lifted his steps and followed behind them. They shared no blood ties, yet they were so intimate. Their characters differed, yet they were always one family.

“This song and dance troupe… should I disband them?”

Within the Wu An Hou Mansion, Zhongxuan Sheng, hugging a thick ledger and drawing and marking on it, muttered to himself, “Forget it, tomorrow I’ll set up a spirit tablet and let them sing and dance there every day. Anyway, Wang Ge’er loves watching.”

The perpetually silent Yi Shisi did not speak until this moment. “He does not love watching.”

Zhongxuan Sheng retorted, “How do you know he doesn’t love watching? If he didn’t love watching, why would he bring them back ten thousand miles from the grassland?”

“Wang Ge’er only likes cultivating,” Shisi said.

“Never mind him,” Zhongxuan Sheng replied. “Just arrange it like this. Anyway, he can’t argue with me now.”

Shisi then fell silent.

“Hey,” Zhongxuan Sheng spoke again. “You think… what if after I spend so much silver setting up a funeral for him here, he suddenly comes back? That would be quite awkward, wouldn’t it?”

“Will he come back? We can’t really say he’s dead, can we? We haven’t seen the body. Bao Bozhao hasn’t seen the body either!”

“Ji Zhaonan may or may not have been intentional. I will not… think well of him. Why should I think well of him? Wang Yiwu harmed you, Ji Zhaonan harmed Jiang Wang. I won’t settle this account now. Just wait and see! Just wait and see!” He muttered to himself, pacing back and forth. He picked up a writing brush, drawing left and right, the usually clear ledger becoming increasingly chaotic.

“What kind of record is this for the Wu An Hou Mansion? This broken account!” He suddenly threw the ledger, smashing it against the desk. Taking a few steps outside, he pointed at the small, skinny monkey outside the study, “Didn’t I tell you to practice calligraphy, practice calligraphy, practice calligraphy? Your master told you! Why are you always wandering around here?”

Chu Yao looked at Zhongxuan Sheng somewhat nervously, but still mustered the courage to ask, “When will Master return?”

“Dead, beaten to death by someone, not coming back,” Zhongxuan Sheng impatiently waved his hand. “Get lost, kid— hey! Why are you still standing there?”

Chu Yao stood his ground, only shaking his head stubbornly. “I don’t believe it! My master is invincible in the world! Only he can beat others to death, no one else can beat him to death!”

“You’ve only seen this far, and you claim he’s invincible in the world? Every day you talk about beating this one or that one to death, who have you actually beaten?” Zhongxuan Sheng lifted his foot as if to kick him, but seeing Chu Yao stand still, he reluctantly lowered his foot. He pointed at Chu Yao and said, “Since we’ve come to this, let me tell you something seriously today, little brat. You are Wang Ge’er’s direct disciple. What should be yours, you will not lack in the slightest. I will treat you as your master treated you before. But do not harbor thoughts you shouldn’t. Wang Ge’er still has family. Wang Ge’er’s family business, I will later give it all to her, not a single bit less. Do you understand?”

As he spoke, he grew agitated again. “No, why are you pouting? Are you still feeling wronged? Do you think I haven’t given you enough?”

“I don’t want anything!” Just in front of him, this stubborn, strong, skinny monkey’s tears suddenly flowed uncontrollably. He cried out loudly, “I want Master! I want Master! I want Master!!” Crying and shouting, he kicked Zhongxuan Sheng and then turned and ran.

“What kind of disciple did Jiang Wang teach?” Zhongxuan Sheng pointed at the boy’s back and said to the silent Shisi beside him, “Absolutely no manners, just like him! His barbarian bravery has been passed down!”

Shisi said nothing.

Zhongxuan Sheng slowly, slowly sat down. His excessively large body made this action seem difficult. Clad in his resplendent robes, he simply sat on the threshold of the study. His voice lowered, somewhat aggrievedly, “How can I say these things to a small child?” Tears suddenly flowed uncontrollably, and he cried out loudly, “I want Master! I want Master! I want Master!!” Crying and shouting, he kicked Zhongxuan Sheng and then turned and ran.

“What kind of disciple did Jiang Wang teach?” Zhongxuan Sheng pointed at the boy’s back and said to the silent Shisi beside him, “Absolutely no manners, just like him! His barbarian bravery has been passed down!”

Shisi said nothing.

Zhongxuan Sheng slowly, slowly sat down. His excessively large body made this action seem difficult. Clad in his resplendent robes, he simply sat on the threshold of the study. His voice lowered, somewhat aggrievedly, “How can I say these things to a small child?”

Shisi silently sat down beside him, leaning lightly on his shoulder. The contemporary Bo Wang Hou raised his head and looked at the sky. “The closer you get to Xu Zhe, the balder he appears. The closer you get to Wang Zhe, the more foolish he seems.”