“You speak of…?”

Within a sealed chamber, devoid of light and sound, impervious to all prying eyes, a Daoist sat in quiet contemplation, facing a wall.

The wall was bare and white, stark and desolate, broken only by a single, round mirror suspended in its center. The mirror had no frame, perfectly circular, and possessed a colorless, semi-transparent quality. It emitted a serene, gentle radiance that bathed the silent room in a soft, unblinding light.

The Daoist was seated cross-legged on a cushion, clearly visible yet appearing as a mere outline of light and shadow. His voice seemed to drift from a great distance as he spoke, “The matter of the Marquis of Wu An of Qi in Frost Wind Valley – was it the work of Zhuang Gaoxian?”

Behind him, kneeling on one knee, was none other than Chu Zicheng, the same man seen drinking in a wine shop in Gaoling City just days prior.

Regarding the incident in Frost Wind Valley, where the Marquis of Wu An of Qi was trapped, Jing Country faced an almost insurmountable suspicion. This was due to Mei Xuelin’s origins and his prolonged stay in the Demon Realm after entering it. Because of this, when dealing with Qi Country, they were forced to make significant concessions. Chunyu Gui’s swift investigation in Tie Yan City was undoubtedly genuine, even fueled by a degree of anger. However, the investigation halted at the discovery that Mei Xuelin was a member of Equality Country. The friends of Mei Xuelin captured in the Heaven Prison World and his relatives in the present world yielded no further substantial progress.

Equality Country was quick to issue a public declaration, stating that the matter of the Marquis of Wu An of Qi had no connection to them. Ironically, compared to the pronouncements of the hegemonic nations, Equality Country’s declaration carried more weight. At the very least, from their establishment to the present, every public statement from Equality Country had been targeted and they had always admitted to the actions they had taken, unlike the official pronouncements of various countries, which were often filled with pretense.

Returning to the matter of Mei Xuelin: While Mei Xuelin was a member of Equality Country, in the face of a mastermind with True Person strength, his identity was ultimately inconsequential. Even if Mei Xuelin were Jiang Wang’s long-lost brother, the hidden schemer could still possess his body at will, forcing him to confront Jiang Wang in whatever manner they desired. The weak do not possess autonomy. Mei Xuelin’s Equality Country identity was more of a conspicuous façade, used by the mastermind to buy time and space.

When Chunyu Gui presented this investigation result in negotiations with Qi Country, it was unsurprising that it was not accepted. This directly led to the construction of the new Wu An City and the opening of the “Wu An—Southern Heaven” battlefield. For Jing Country, Qi Country’s loss of a peerless prodigy like Jiang Wang was a significant blow. They understood Qi Country’s anger and recognized the need to maintain the order of the Civilization Basin. Therefore, they were willing to make slight concessions regarding Qi Country’s stance. This was the tolerance of those observing from the other shore towards the unfortunate.

However, as the most powerful and ancient central empire, they would absolutely not tolerate being a deaf and blind fool, easily manipulated by anyone. To find a person from the Middle Realm, with an Equality Country identity, stationed in a city under Jing Country’s responsibility, and then, with Jing Country’s own prodigy present, make a move against Qi Country’s prodigy – how audacious was this? Equality Country was merely a piece used to obscure the vision. But what of Jing Country? Looking across the world, who possessed the qualification to make Jing Country feign blindness? Such a person or force did not exist!

Therefore, even though a tacit understanding had been reached with Qi Country, Jing Country’s investigation into the matter of the Marquis of Wu An of Qi being trapped in Frost Wind Valley had not ceased. Even in the comprehensive investigation in Tie Yan City, Jing Country’s highest intelligence agency, the Mirror World Platform, responsible for monitoring the world, formally took over the case and initiated a broader, deeper investigation! The entire Mirror World Platform deployed numerous lines of inquiry, tracking various directions and pursuing all possibilities. And now, the “Mirror Person,” Chu Zicheng from Ji Country, seemed to have achieved the first breakthrough.

Members of the Mirror World Platform are generally divided into two categories: “Bright Mirror Envoys” and “Mirror People.” One operates in the open, the other in the shadows. The open ones display mirrors and investigate illegal acts. The hidden ones conceal mirrors and spy in secret. Chu Zicheng, who had been active in the Heaven Prison World for many years, was undoubtedly an excellent Mirror Person.

Hearing the question from the Daoist before him, he placed his hands on his knees and replied earnestly, “Because of Jiang Wang’s manifesto denouncing the No-Life Cult and Zhuang Gaoxian’s widely circulated ‘Life Monument’ text, many people in the world believe that Zhuang Gaoxian and Jiang Wang share a mutual understanding of each other’s plight and harbor the same hatred. They believe them to be of the same root, merely pursuing different paths of revenge. But we in the Mirror World Platform are clear on one thing: they have a deadly grudge between them. The previous matter of communication with demons has already sufficiently proven Zhuang Gaoxian’s killing intent towards Jiang Wang. Jiang Wang is also not some benevolent figure, absolutely not one to repay grievance with virtue. The less he reveals his feelings towards Zhuang Gaoxian, the more it shows his firm resolve to kill him.”

“These two are mortal enemies; neither will easily relent. But those with clear sight can see that time is on Jiang Wang’s side. Without a doubt, Jiang Wang is the foremost prodigy in the world today. In just a few years after the Yellow River Meeting, he has already achieved Divine Arrival of the Five Houses with extraordinary combat power. While Zhuang Gaoxian achieved Cave True not long ago, examining Zhuang Country’s internal and external environment reveals a seeming prosperity that actually masks limited space. There are no opportunities for outward expansion for thousands of miles, and no brilliant heir within. Zhuang Gaoxian can neither rely on national power to achieve True Monarch in a short time, nor can he abdicate to transcend and rush to derive his own Dao. He can only wait for Jiang Wang to slowly catch up to his cultivation… If I were Zhuang Gaoxian, I would not sleep or eat in peace!”

Chu Zicheng had clearly mulled over this matter for a long time. At this moment, he spoke fluently and systematically: “The matter of pursuing and killing Zhang Linchuan for thousands of miles and exterminating the No-Life Cult further illustrates that Jiang Wang’s influence has grown to a terrifying level. He issues a manifesto, and the world responds! The No-Life Cult, spread throughout the world and deeply rooted for thousands of miles, was eradicated overnight! Compared to his cultivation, this kind of influence is even more terrifying. Can Zhuang Gaoxian afford to wait? Consider the Heaven Prison today: because of Jiang Wang’s death, how many forces, how many True Persons, how many True Monarchs have come? If Jiang Wang does not die today, these people might one day stand upon the ruins of Zhuang Country!”

“According to what you say, Zhuang Gaoxian does indeed have the motive to act.” The Daoist facing the wall sighed, “But to scheme against a human race prodigy behind the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons is undoubtedly a blasphemy to the ancient human race covenant… Would he truly dare to do so?”

Chu Zicheng said softly, “The ancient Demon-Slaying Alliance is also sacred and inviolable.”

The Daoist, a mere outline of light and shadow, fell silent for a moment.

Although the previous trial failed and Du Ruhui went naked to receive punishment on Upper Jade Capital Mountain, clear-eyed people knew where Zhuang Gaoxian’s responsibility lay. This pair of wise ruler and minister had always been of one heart; how could Du Ruhui have undertaken such a momentous task behind Zhuang Gaoxian’s back? It was simply that as a monarch of a country, the lord of a Dao country, Jing Country could not see his reputation tarnished and his prestige diminished, and so they cooperated in vaguely glossing over the matter. Compared to the human race covenant behind the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons, it was truly difficult to say which held more weight than the ancient Demon-Slaying Alliance. Zhuang Gaoxian could use the ancient Demon-Slaying Alliance as a weapon to slander Jiang Wang for communicating with demons… Risking violating the human race covenant behind the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons, what was so strange about that?

Chu Zicheng added, “So besides motive, courage is also present.” In his voice, there was a trace of imperceptible excitement. For he was investigating such a grand case, one involving the Cave True lord who revived Zhuang Country, Zhuang Gaoxian; involving the youngest military merit marquis of the hegemonic country of Eastern Qi; involving the world’s public morality and the human race covenant! Once this case was unveiled, it would surely capture worldwide attention. And he, Chu Zicheng, by unraveling it thread by thread, had already found the truth, becoming famous in one fell swoop! Breaking such a big case, merits, techniques, primeval stones, positions—would they not all follow? Who could believe that he, born in a small country like Ji Country, having come all this way without any background, could weave such a brilliant future for himself?

The voice of the Daoist, a mere outline of light and shadow, interrupted Chu Zicheng’s fantasy: “But how was it done? What you have said about motive and courage is very reasonable, but Zhuang Gaoxian is, after all, the monarch of a country, unable to move lightly, let alone risk coming behind the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons. More importantly… Jiang Wang is already the Marquis of Wu An of Qi Country, holding a high position with great power, and must receive Qi Country’s attention and protection. What did Zhuang Gaoxian rely on to grasp his whereabouts and prepare in advance? This is illogical; neither Xiu Yuan nor Ji Zhaonan could be controlled by him, Zhuang Gaoxian.”

Chu Zicheng said humbly, “You would of course not think of the answer, but have simply entered a thinking trap. Why does Zhuang Gaoxian need to grasp Jiang Wang’s whereabouts? With the publicly recognized Divine Arrival responsibility, Jiang Wang will inevitably enter behind the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons to fulfill his duty, and this day will not be too far off. After all, he is the young national marquis watched by the world, and delaying the duty will surely invite gossip. Jiang Wang has no need to delay; with his consistent performance, he is not a person who fears danger… Hence, if Zhuang Gaoxian wants to target Jiang Wang, he only needs to enter behind the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons in advance and wait.”

The Daoist facing the wall sighed lightly again.

Chu Zicheng continued, “Coincidentally, Zhuang Country has a person named Qiao Jingzong, who is one of the so-called Eight Talents of New An. He came to the Heaven Prison World at the beginning of the year and has been developing in Gaoling City… You should have also noticed that the time he entered the Heaven Prison World is exactly when Jiang Wang achieved unprecedented merits on the Qi-Summer battlefield and was enfeoffed as a national marquis with military merits!”

“Qiao Jingzong?” the Daoist asked.

Chu Zicheng said, “Gaoling City is not far from Tie Yan City. For a contemporary True Person, this distance can be completely ignored. Although I do not know how he found Mei Xuelin as such a perfect target for possession, for the revival lord of Zhuang Country, this must not be difficult. If he has been paying attention to the Qi Country cities in the Civilization Basin, then it is not hard to get the news of Jiang Wang descending to Heaven Prison at the first opportunity. With intent against no intent, with a Cave True plotting against a Divine Arrival, in the Heaven Prison World, there are too many opportunities. He may not have had to act in Frost Wind Valley; it’s just that in Frost Wind Valley, a perfect opportunity arose… Ji Zhaonan brought Jiang Wang to engage in a blood battle in Frost Wind Valley. Thus, he decisively found a way to conceal himself, silently left Gaoling City, and then commanded the already controlled Mei Xuelin, letting Mei Xuelin mix into General Wang Kun’s team, and go to Frost Wind Valley under the pretext of support. At the most critical moment, he buried the Marquis of Wu An of Qi in one fell swoop.”

“If the truth of the event is this, indeed all details align…” The Daoist asked again, “You believe Qiao Jingzong is Zhuang Gaoxian?”

Chu Zicheng said confidently, “Although I don’t know how he did it, the one who can reach True Person level in the entire Zhuang Country has no second person.”

“I also checked the present world intelligence. From the beginning of the year until now, the Zhuang monarch did indeed have five audiences, but in these five instances, he only sat there and spoke a few words and did not make a move. That is to say… it may not have been real.” Speaking to this point, he felt some emotions that were hard to suppress: “Zhuang Gaoxian’s wisdom, methods, and will are truly first-class. No wonder he can lead the revival of Zhuang Country and stir up such great momentum now. After Jiang Wang was enfeoffed as marquis, he went on missions to Mu Country, patrolled Southern Summer; his Divine Arrival responsibility was delayed again and again. Zhuang Gaoxian entered the Demon World and could only keep waiting. From the beginning of the year until now, as the monarch of a country, he actually risked waiting behind the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons for an opportunity to kill Jiang Wang, waiting for almost eleven months! You know, every day he stays in Gaoling City, there is one more day of exposure risk. And his risk is placing the entire Zhuang Country’s hundreds of years of operation, and his everything as a contemporary True Person, all hanging on the knife’s edge. For an ordinary person, they would have waited impatiently. If I were him, I don’t know how many times I would have collapsed. But he could be as if nothing had happened, completely living as Qiao Jingzong’s identity, without revealing any flaw!”

The seated Daoist sighed again: “Zicheng, your analysis is very good. But these analyses, up to now, are still just your speculations.”

Chu Zicheng’s heart was stirred. Although he had always claimed not to be confined to a pond and had contacted this significant figure early on, it was only today that this figure had addressed him by the intimate title “Zicheng.” What this implied was almost self-evident.

“To verify this is truly too simple!” He immediately presented the solution he had carefully considered: “First, under the name of the Gaoling City military, urgently launch a small-scale war, conscript Qiao Jingzong to go on expedition, forcing his plan to normally return to the present world to be shelved. Do not relax the checks on entering and exiting the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons. Then, let Upper Jade Capital Mountain casually send a True Person to New An City, claiming to inspect Zhuang Country’s national Dao institute’s Dao lineage. If Zhuang Gaoxian is in the country, he will necessarily come out to welcome them. Conversely, if Zhuang Gaoxian does not personally welcome them, then he is still in Heaven Prison, and is precisely Qiao Jingzong!”

Facing such a monumental case that had baffled all sides, being able to unravel it thread by thread, and step by step approach the truth, Chu Zicheng relied on his superior sensitivity and meticulousness. He relied on reading a vast amount of material inside and out, conducting massive investigations, and almost deciphering Jiang Wang’s lifelong grievances through sheer effort. Under the conjecture that Qiao Jingzong was Zhuang Gaoxian, he even took the initiative to invite him for drinks and, amidst toasts and exchanges, probed a True Person. What great courage he possessed! He was diligent, calm, and decisive, intelligent and brave; what reason was there for him not to walk towards ultimate success? Yesterday’s Jiang Wu An, why not be tomorrow’s Chu Zicheng!

The Daoist said leisurely, “This is indeed a good way to identify the truth. Even if in the end it is not Zhuang Gaoxian, we have no loss. You have considered it very comprehensively. But Zicheng, have you considered… if Qiao Jingzong is really Zhuang Gaoxian, if Zhuang Gaoxian is such a terrifying person, how could he not have discovered you investigating him?”

Chu Zicheng was slightly stunned: “I… subordinate, subordinate was very careful. Concealed myself very well.”

The Daoist sighed a long sigh: “Zicheng, you are indeed a rare talent. These past few years, it has been a pity for you…”

Chu Zicheng suppressed the joy in his heart and said humbly, “To serve the Mirror World Platform, to serve Great Jing, Zicheng is willing—”

His words abruptly stopped. Feeling the rapidly dissipating vitality in his body, he looked incredulously at the person before him. It wasn’t until he heard the two words “willing” added from this person’s mouth that he truly understood.

“I gave you an opportunity… But to embrace eternal night like this, I think you are also willing, right?” the Daoist asked.

Only then did he realize that the Daoist before him, those many sighs, were in fact for him. But…

“For… why?” Chu Zicheng struggled, asking with his last shred of obsession.

A hand covered his eyes. Smoothing away his unwillingness, and smoothing away all of him.

At the end of his life, he heard a vague voice saying this: “The world is all illusion, eternal life is the only truth.”

His soul seemed to explode. Before entering eternal darkness, there was a fear that shook his body and mind violently—

“Dao… thief!”

(Red Heart Patrol Heaven has entered the British Library collection, indicating that the immortal hero world that everyone participated in together… is not bad.
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