Jiang Wang walked very quickly. He had only just sat down in the Sāndian Xiāng Lóu, prepared to feast, but in the blink of an eye, he was already outside Línzī.

All the boundless wind and moon were temporarily put aside.

However, he did not, as Jiāng Wúyōu thought, head to sea for the first time. Instead, he sent a message telling Bái Yùxiá to take people to Jiè Míng Dǎo first, while he himself crossed the void southwards, flying over Cháng and Yì, and heading straight for Tiānxīng Yá.

He came here for two matters.

First, to visit Yú Běidǒu, who was a guest in the Sān Xīng Gōng, and thank him for the Qi Dào Coin that helped him block a disaster in the demon world.

Second, to question Wú Zōngshī from Jù Dǐ Gōng. Under Chóngxuán Chǔliáng’s entrustment, he held some evidence gathered by Chóngxuán Shèng and went personally to Xīn’ān City for questioning, but returned without any success.

The Chóngxuán family had already paid a corresponding price for this matter.

But as the cause of this event, he still wanted to bear some responsibility.

“Zhenren Yu is no longer in the Sān Xīng Gōng? When did this happen?”

Jiang Wang sought out Jù Guī Zhenren from Guī Tián Gōng through Zhuó Qīngrú from Jù Dǐ Gōng. It was only then that he learned that in these past few years, Yú Běidǒu, known as the “half-world diviner,” had actually been imprisoned in the Sān Xīng Gōng.

Only then did he realize what kind of price Yú Běidǒu had paid to subdue the so-called “Jie Mian Zhi Ji,” a “mere small demon.”

Not only that precious left eye.

But also a carefree contemporary Zhenren, trapped in the Iron Law Cage, living through the slow drip of years.

And not only that.

Jiang Wang didn’t know what kind of place the Iron Law Cage was, but just from the name, he could roughly imagine the torment it represented.

To put it unpleasantly, Yú Běidǒu in this world had no family, no ties, no friends, no teacher, and had no intention of passing down his Dao. His path forward was also cut off… He truly didn’t need to do anything more. With his contemporary Zhenren’s calculating ability, what kind of carefree life couldn’t he live?

He insisted on rushing around and making himself suffer, tiring himself out… And he remained quietly silent, neither passing down his Dao nor his name.

What suffering he must have endured!

When people in the world mentioned Zhenren Yu Beidou in recent years, they could probably only think of one major event: he stood against Jǐng Guó’s Jǐng Shī Tái, walked to Tiānxīng Yá, and invited the Sān Xīng Gōng to clear Jiang Wang’s name.

While he himself was caught in even vaster waves in Duàn Hún Xiá, after Jiang Wang left, he engaged in a difficult and unceasing struggle with the Blood Demon, all of it silenced in a dark room…

Yú Běidǒu initially came to this Tiānxīng Yá in that kind of situation!

Jiang Wang suddenly understood why, at that time, when he sent “Yóu Xié” to the Sān Xīng Gōng, on the way out, Yú Běidǒu would squeeze into his carriage, glare at him and find fault for a long time, and finally give him a good beating…

Thinking about it, although Yú Běidǒu had already decided to bear everything alone, having been trapped in the Iron Law Cage for several years, he must have also greatly hoped that someone could look at him and care about him, right?

Ju Gui was a very stern and upright person. Facing the Great Qi’s Wǔ’ān Hóu was no different from facing a block of stone. Even Zhuó Qīngrú, who belonged to the same Sān Xīng Gōng, was no special case to him.

To Jiang Wang’s question, he only gave an official reply: “Last month’s matter.”

Then he strictly added: “The fifteenth of the fifth month in the Dao calendar.”

This was actually the day after he had escaped back to Wǔ’ān City.

Jiang Wang sighed inexplicably and asked again: “Senior, do you know where Zhenren Yu went?”

Ju Gui shook his head. When he shook his head, the lightning pattern on his brow seemed to ripple with electric light: “That, I truly do not know.”

Jiang Wang sighed lightly, not knowing what to say.

In his heart, he hoped that Yú Běidǒu had gone to live a carefree life in the human world, rather than continuing to chop demons and exterminate evil with only one eye.

Ju Gui said again: “However, he left a sentence, saying that if you ever have a change of heart and come to see him, I should relay this sentence to you.”

This sentence, “conscience discovers,” certainly had Yú Běidǒu’s characteristic sour and sly, veiled criticism.

“What words?” Jiang Wang asked.

“No need to come later.” Ju Gui said slowly: “These are the words he asked me to tell you.”

Jiang Wang laughed dumbly.

This Zhenren Yu, truly, couldn’t be comfortable for a day without teasing people.

After walking out of the Iron Law Cage and before leaving the Sān Xīng Gōng, he actually specially left such a sentence waiting for someone named Jiang. In vain he had listened so solemnly, still thinking that the person named Yu had left some secret method for passing down to the world, some good prescription for aiding the world…

After Ju Gui finished relaying Yú Běidǒu’s entrusted words, he turned and returned to the hall inside. The entire process had no extra exchange.

Zhuó Qīngrú on the side said: “Ju Zhenren is just this character, not targeting anyone.”

Jiang Wang said: “I am already very grateful that Ju Zhenren was willing to spare the time to answer me.”

Because of Lín Yóuxié, he was somewhat acquainted with Zhuó Qīngrú. But to the Sān Xīng Gōng, he was actually still very unfamiliar.

Guī Tián Gōng rarely interfered in the human world, Jù Dǐ Gōng usually did not appear unless absolutely necessary, and Xíng Rén Gōng, which “carried thorns and hung rulers, restraining the world’s lawless,” also found it very difficult to exert influence in a hegemonic country like Qi.

Law entering Qi became Qi law.

His contact with this holy land of the Legalist school was actually sparse, but the limited number of times had all left a deep impression on him. Every time he heard its name, he felt solemn respect.

Zhuó Qīngrú, with hair hanging like strings, walked in front. The wind struck the instrument stones, majestic and endless.

Her voice was even more powerful than the sound of the instrument stones: “The Palace Master said there is no need to see each other again. The Sān Xīng Gōng has its own rules. His investigation of the traps set for the human race’s chosen ones is not specifically for anyone. Let brother Jiang not have any pressure, not forget his original heart, and sharpen his way forward.”

Jiang Wang solemnly said: “Jiang acknowledges the teaching.”

He had only met Wú Bǐngyì, who held a position in Jù Dǐ Gōng, once, but the aura of a Zōngshī was vast and covered a thousand li, making it hard to forget.

“Brother Jiang might want to return to Qi?” Zhuó Qīngrú asked.

“No.” Standing on this Tiānxīng Yá, the Great Qi’s Wǔ’ān Hóu gazed into the distance: “I will head to sea from here.”

The waves of the sea crashed against the cliff face segment by segment, shattering bone and breaking repeatedly, yet reflecting the shimmering light of the heavens.

Zhuó Qīngrú also looked at the distant sea surface, wondering how many undercurrents lay within it: “You only returned from the demon world a little over a month ago, and now you want to conquer the sea again. Is the Qi Court not too inconsiderate?”

Jiang Wang only said: “Every moment is urgent.”

“Perhaps this is the reason for your worldly fame.” Zhuó Qīngrú sighed: “I have recently been reading ‘Yóu Xié’ frequently. The more I read, the more I find new insights. Qi Country is truly a place that produces talent.”

Jiang Wang pursed his lips and said nothing.

“Brother Jiang, this time you go to sea, have you set any goals?” Zhuó Qīngrú asked again.

“No goals to speak of.” Jiang Wang said faintly: “Nothing more than inspecting the quality of those sea race false kings. Nothing more than contributing a small effort for the sea border… and nothing more than cultivation.”

Today, he was not wearing his Hou robes, yet compared to the last time he came here, he seemed even more majestic.

The instrument stones on that mountain path seemed to ring just for him.

Zhuó Qīngrú nodded and suddenly said: “I recently planned to carry thorns and hang rulers, traveling the world. I haven’t decided where to go for the first stop. Just now, I suddenly thought, why not choose today instead of another day? Why not go to sea with the Wǔ’ān Hóu… I wonder if that would be convenient?”

Jiang Wang was a little surprised: “Shijie Zhuo is not yet traveling and learning?”

Jiang Wang was not unfamiliar with “traveling and learning.” His acquaintance with Xú Xiàngqián was just on this guy’s path of traveling and learning.

However, others’ traveling and learning was about carrying bags and traveling far, seeing the world’s scenery, tasting the world’s reason, and increasing cultivation.

Xu Gaoxiang’s traveling and learning was about following Zhào Wúyàn and running around. It was a smooth path to the ends of the earth and the north of the sea.

Just as he once said after drinking wine—”Learning is all amidst beautiful colors.”

Putting aside these harmful influences, traveling and learning itself was a quite meaningful thing.

Schools of the world all had the custom of traveling and learning. It was both for training disciples and for doing what they could for the people of the world, and also for deeper, more concrete spreading of their doctrines.

Confucians carried bags and wielded swords, traveled far and wide, cried out against injustice, and eliminated thieves and bandits.

Mohists carried copper boxes, hiding several tools and mechanisms inside, diligently working for human affairs.

Legalists carried thorns, hung rulers, and hid ropes. Thorns to punish evil, rulers to publicly verify, ropes to bind thieves.

Daoists caught ghosts, Buddhists practiced asceticism.

Agrarians carried earth treasure bags, storing good seeds from all sides.

Medical practitioners hung pots, and even had the beautiful name of “aiding the world”…

Zhuó Qīngrú said: “To say it is shameful, Qingru has been in the Legalist palace for these years, cultivating her heart. Worldly affairs are already distant. Now, when obstructed in the Grotto Heaven realm, it is hard to see the red dust and blue sky, hence the thought of traveling and learning… it truly has a utilitarian heart.”

“A gentleman discusses traces, not heart. What is done is obtained, and only one’s self knows what is obtained. Why must Shijie overthink?” Jiang Wang said: “I, on the other hand, have no inconvenience. However, this trip involves military matters, so I can only travel with Shijie for a while. We must separate before going to Jiè Míng Dǎo.”

“Jiè Míng Dǎo is a strategic military post of Qi Country. I am naturally aware.” Zhuó Qīngrú’s voice was not loud, but extremely clear, like a knife carving something simple: “I plan to enter the Mi Realm from Tiānyá Tái. The Diāo Hǎi Lóu has always reserved navigation paths for righteous men who aid the sea… Oh, it should be called Zhen Hai Meng now.”

“Exactly.” As a public Hou of Qi Country, Jiang Wang said naturally: “The Zhen Hai Meng is governed by three families. The reserved navigation paths and the various conveniences provided to righteous men who aid the sea may also contain our Qi Country’s intentions.”

Zhuó Qīngrú said she would go and did, very straightforwardly: “Since I am traveling and learning, I must change this Legalist crown and ritual clothing. Brother Jiang, please wait a moment.”

Jiang Wang was unwilling to go inside and wait, so he stood on the edge of the cliff, looking at the sea for a while alone.

Zhuó Qīngrú returned very quickly. When she came back, she had already taken off the Xiè Zhì crown and tied her long hair with a rope. The ritual clothing on her body was also changed to an ordinary long shirt. A thorn strip hung from her left waist, and a straight ruler hung from her right waist, both like hanging swords.

Her attire was simple, but it did not conceal her extraordinary temperament.

“Let’s go then!”

Jiang Wang immediately stepped off the high cliff with one foot, treading on air.

Zhuó Qīngrú rode the wind, walking alongside the green clouds.

Whether it was Huái Dǎo, Yáng Gǔ, or Diāo Hǎi Lóu, they were all within the controlled area and had air defense measures in place.

Now, the Zhen Hai Meng had unified the nearby sea islands, greatly integrating the power of the sea people. Within the framework of the Zhen Hai Meng, the three families cooperated more. Those areas with vague boundaries in the past now mostly had clear divisions of responsibility.

Simply put, control was stricter, the space for mixing black and white was reduced, and there were fewer possibilities for fishing in troubled waters.

Today’s Jiang Wang, flying horizontally near the sea, was unimpeded. No matter how the rules here changed or how strict they became, he was already standing above the rules, a figure who could formulate rules.

Traveling and learning should involve stepping on solid ground, leaving traces step by step. However, Jiang Wang had a heavy responsibility and could not accommodate this. Zhuó Qīngrú also intended to go to the Mi Realm first.

Hence, the two crossed the sea together, heading straight for Tiānyá.

The green waves were vast, and the water sparkled with light.

Outside Huái Dǎo, the two simply descended from the clouds and blended into the crowd going up the island.

They walked towards the interior of the island while chatting.

“I thought you wanted to fly horizontally across Huái Dǎo and only descend at Tiānyá Tái.” Zhuó Qīngrú casually said while sizing up the scenery of Huái Dǎo.

They had traveled together, discussing history and cultivation, becoming more familiar with each other, and their words were more casual.

Jiang Wang felt that the Diāo Hǎi Lóu guarded the sea border for the human race. No matter what grudges he had with the Diāo Hǎi Lóu, he still wanted to show necessary respect. But he only said: “Shijie Zhuo doesn’t know, Jiang is a low-key person.”

Zhuó Qīngrú looked at the surrounding environment and noticed that the flow of people was mostly heading in one direction. She asked doubtfully: “What big day is today? Or is something big happening on Huái Dǎo?”

Regarding the big days on Huái Dǎo, Jiang Wang only remembered the sea sacrifice ceremony, but that had already passed long ago.

He followed her gaze and said: “The crowd is all heading towards Tiānyá Tái.”

The two looked at each other and immediately understood. They decided to go and see the excitement.

Today’s Tiānyá Tái was very lively. On the gentle slope facing the nearby sea islands, hundreds of layers of sea people surrounded it inside and out, densely packed heads. Various hairstyles, various headscarves, formed an interesting contrast with the waves on the side of Tiānyá Tái facing the Mi Realm.

The so-called near sea islands were always a place where the tide of people met the tide of the sea.

Two powerful Shénlín cultivators walked easily amidst the crowd, and quickly gained an advantageous position, squeezing into the second row.

As for not standing in the very front row, it was naturally because Jiang Juéye’s face already had quite a high reputation on the nearby sea islands. It would be somewhat awkward to be recognized while watching the excitement.

“Is it not pure enough for us to rely on our cultivation to grab a position like this?” Jiang Wang asked through sound transmission, looking at the sea people behind them, squeezed and stumbling, shouting with every voice.

Zhuó Qīngrú’s eyes were on Tiānyá Tái, her expression still serious: “If the law doesn’t prohibit it, it can be done.”

“It seems ‘law’ is not that rigid either.”

“Rigidity is your impression. Law is one with a core that runs through everything, but its expression varies according to time and circumstances. Certain rules must be old rules. It is not easy for laws to become unsuitable.”

“I know this sentence behind.” Jiang Wang happily showed off his learning: “It comes from ‘Qín Lüè,’ which is what Wèi Shū said.”

Zhuó Qīngrú said: “…This sentence comes from ‘Wàn Shì Fǎ,’ Wèi Shū is quoting.”

“Exactly, exactly.” Jiang Wang nodded, indicating that he was also very clear, and then bumped the person next to him with his arm, controlling his voice and asking: “What big event is happening at Tiānyá Tái today? Why are there so many people surrounding it?”

The person next to him looked at him strangely: “You don’t know anything, why did you squeeze over? And you even squeezed to the front!”

Jiang Wang smiled awkwardly: “Isn’t this just joining in the excitement?”

Saying that, he touched an ingot of silver and handed it over.

“The inferior nature of the sea people, they love to join in the excitement! Day after day, they don’t even know how to do proper things…” That sea person was obviously an angry youth, fiercely criticizing the ugly phenomena.

Waiting to get a palm full, he lowered his head and looked, and immediately said: “Fu Yanqing of Yang Valley is challenging Chen Zhibo of Diāo Hǎi Lóu today to decide who is the first chosen one of the nearby sea! Come, good brother, you stand here and look, the view here is good.”

Fu Yanqing, Chen Zhibo, all acquaintances!

However, when he first knew them, Fu Yanqing’s cultivation was not much higher than his own. At that time, Chen Zhibo was already the famous senior brother of Diāo Hǎi Lóu on the nearby sea islands, a strong one in the Shén Ér Míng Zhī realm.

He didn’t think that Fu Yanqing could now initiate a challenge to Chen Zhibo.

The affairs of this world, the people of this world, indeed no one is idle.

Jiang Wang’s cheerful smile changed to the angry brother next to him, not forgetting to ask Zhuó Qīngrú through sound transmission: “Does this count as bribery?”

Zhuó Qīngrú said faintly: “That depends on how your Qi laws define it. I may not care about you.”

The angry brother sized up Jiang Wang for a while: “Brother, you look a little familiar to me.”

Jiang Wang laughed: “I look familiar to silver too!”

He very smoothly entered the role of a spectator, rolled up his sleeves: “Look, look, the first chosen one of the nearby sea, Chen Zhibo is here!”

The crowd also transmitted a timely burst of noise.

But listening to the endless sound of the sea waves, it suddenly became quiet.

Below “Tiānyá,” the waves rose high, a splash of water blossomed on it, spitting out a crystal clear water bead, directly flipping up the high cliff and falling to the center of Tiānyá Tái.

It transformed into Chen Zhibo’s appearance.

His looks had never been outstanding, his temperament still honest, and there was a heavy feeling between his brows.

The sea wind blew his clothes, revealing his broad chest. The heaven’s light shone on his body, casting a shortened shadow.

Amidst the cheers of the surrounding spectators.

Fu Yanqing then walked out from the middle of this shadow.

His sword-like brows and frosty eyes were still as before.

Jiang Wang inexplicably sighed.

“Yet the fight hasn’t started, why is Wǔ’ān Hóu sighing?” Zhuó Qīngrú asked through sound transmission.

“Things remain, but people change.”