Jiang Wang left Yún Guó early in the morning.

Facing the sunrise, he disappeared into the endless mountain path.

He had never publicly appeared here, nor had he ever stayed in this place for too long.

Just as he never allowed himself to have vulnerable moments.

A casual question from Jiang An An made him toss and turn on the soft couch of Tíng Yún Xiè for a long time:

“Brother, where have you been?”

He saw the vigorous curiosity for this world in that pair of beautiful big eyes.

Jiang An An was already nine years old, and had almost never left Yún Guó!

The only time was when Yè Líng Xiāo personally protected the way, Ā Chǒu followed, and Yè Qīng Yǔ made a move to capture and kill Zhāng Lín Chuān’s substitute body, Luō Huān Huān.

That episode, which Jiang An An recounted with relish and wrote about on several sheets of letter paper as chivalrous justice, was essentially just Yè Líng Xiāo being uneasy about leaving her alone in Yún City.

Five years had passed since they left Fēng Lín City, and Jiang An An had also stayed in the Líng Xiāo secret realm for five full years. The occasional trip down to Yún City was also considered travel.

What was restricting her freedom?

Jiang Wang was already working hard to move forward, but he still felt that he was walking too slowly.

From Mì Jiè to Yún Guó, because he wanted to rush, he walked very fast and urgently, and also hid his tracks all the way.

Now leaving Yún Guó and returning to Qí Guó, there was plenty of time, and no need to hide by day and travel by night anymore. While not ostentatious, he just casually wore a hood and didn’t cover up too much.

The road from Yún Guó to Qí Guó was very long. He had walked it before, and now continued to walk it.

Walking slowly before was because he didn’t have enough strength and was cautious.

Walking slowly now was because he wanted to walk slowly.

To feel the meaning of time in steps measured by space.

That youth who once traveled far with a sword was not fearless. It was just that he had no hometown behind him and no shelter above his head. He could only brave the wind and rain, and cut through thorns.

Over the years, he had traveled between Qí Guó and Yún Guó many times, and in order to hide his tracks, the routes were all different each time. Whether passing through the South Domain, North Domain, or Middle Domain, he was very familiar.

This time, he passed by Guān Hé Tái, walked across Suān Ní Bridge, and went through Wò, Jì, and over Zhōng Shān.

Yes, he had come to Zhōng Shān Guó once again.

Originally, he was framed for colluding with demons, was wanted by Jǐng Shī Tái across the world, and was almost taken to Yù Jǐng Shān for trial, suffering a wrongful death.

It was in this place that he was captured by Zhào Xuán Yáng, a heaven’s favored son of Jǐng Guó.

Jì Zhào Nán once came here with a spear to rescue him. On a certain Nine Towns Bridge not far away, Shī Míng Péng once fought a great battle against Péi Xīng Hé.

Just as he walked this road, Guān Hé Tái and Zhōng Shān Guó were all passed through. He fought for Qí Guó and won the honor of the first chief of the Yellow River Meeting, and gained rich benefits after the Wàn Yāo Zhī Mén. Qí Guó also treated him with the courtesy of a nation’s heaven’s favored son.

Now he was still sitting in the wine building where he stayed that time, listening to people talk loudly. However, no one mentioned his name anymore. Whether it was the Yellow River Meeting or the worldwide demon hunt, they were all things from the Dào Lí three nine one nine year. It had been several months since he escaped from the demon clan’s belly and returned from the Shén Xiāo world. Heroes emerged in the Middle Domain, and wine guests were not short of conversation topics.

No matter how the winds and clouds surged overseas, people in the Middle Domain generally didn’t pay much attention. The Wàn Yāo Zhī Mén was right under Tiān Jīng City, and stories from the demon world were more likely to stir people’s hearts.

They discussed Chún Yú Guī, Chén Suàn, Xǔ Sān, Péi Hóng Jiǔ, Lóu Jùn Lán, and Grandmaster Tài Yù Lǐ Yì. They also mentioned Chóng Xuán Zūn, who was practicing his saber in the demon world.

Jiang Wang listened for a while, and didn’t hear any bad words about Chóng Xuán Zūn, so he lost interest.

The Middle Domain people, who were habitually arrogant, spoke only praises when mentioning Chóng Xuán Zūn. What perfect, rarely seen in a thousand years, what wind and glory, heroes of ten thousand ages…

In their mouths, he had evidently surpassed Chún Yú Guī and was directly catching up to Lǐ Yì! How could the people of Zhōng Shān, as citizens of a vassal state of Jǐng Guó, admire Qí rather than Jǐng? Did Chún Yú Guī agree?

Thinking of how these people of Zhōng Shān Guó, when talking about the other member of the “Great Qí Double Jade,” would call him a “demon traitor,” the wine in his cup, which was originally very ordinary, unexpectedly became several points more sour.

The silence in the wine building happened in an instant.

Of course, before the silence, Jiang Wang saw the white-clothed Marquis who had stepped into the wine building.

Talk of Chóng Xuán Zūn, and Chóng Xuán Zūn arrives!

These wine guests in the room, even those who had waved and pointed, comparing Chóng Xuán Zūn vertically and horizontally to a hundred heroes, none of them had personally seen Chóng Xuán Zūn.

But his appearance and temperament were truly eye-catching. White clothes whiter than snow, star-like eyes embedded in the night. Standing at the door, he naturally attracted all eyes.

And his gaze swept over and walked directly towards Jiang Wang.

“Why are you still wearing a hood?” He lightly brushed away some oil and dirt on the long bench, then naturally sat down in front of Jiang Wang.

Having fought side by side on the battlefield and stood in the same court, their relationship was no longer as tense as it was originally.

Or rather, even during that period of tension, there was mutual appreciation between them.

Each recognized the other, and each did their best.

Jiang Wang casually took off his hood and placed it aside. He picked up the wine pot again, turned over the wine cup, and poured a cup of wine for the person in front of him. He said: “Still covering from wind and rain.”

Chóng Xuán Zūn did not take the wine cup. Of course, he would not drink this kind of wine, nor would he ever come to this kind of wine building. He only smiled: “How can your wind and rain be covered?”

Jiang Wang said in a low voice: “Chatting is better than nothing.”

Last time, Jì Zhào Nán had just come out of the Wàn Yāo Zhī Mén and arrived here in time.

Chóng Xuán Zūn, who was practicing his saber in the demon world, appearing here so accurately, would not be a coincidence.

He did not hand over any military affairs to anyone when he left Mì Jiè. In fact, there were no military affairs to hand over. Except for himself, he left nothing behind.

But although the war in Mì Jiè had ended, there was still a lot of wrapping up to do.

Qí Xiāo had already fallen from the Extraordinary realm, and many things were not suitable for Cáo Jì to handle. Moreover, he still needed to recuperate.

As a general of Qí Fāng whose title was only below Cáo Jì, he actually bore some responsibilities and could also wield the slaughtering knife, dividing many interests. Yet, he chose to leave and just left.

This was nothing. At most, he would bear the name of being arrogant.

He had ultimately disobeyed Qí Xiāo’s military order, refusing to attack Chén Zhì Bó and Zhū Bì Qióng, cutting off the future of the Diāo Hǎi Lóu. This was a very serious violation.

If Qí Xiāo had unfortunately died, with no witness, there would still be room for argument. But he had just sent Qí Xiāo back to Jué Mìng Island and strictly ordered everyone not to disturb Marshal Qí’s recuperation… He should have woken up by now. He didn’t know how he would be impeached.

Did Jiang Wang do things without considering the consequences?

Perhaps he had already considered them long ago.

But he still decided to do so.

Just like he saw Chóng Xuán Zūn sit down opposite him, still so calm.

Between friends and himself, he always chose the former.

Between his conscience and future, he would rather kill the latter.

Since Chóng Xuán Zūn walked in, the entire wine building became much quieter. People spoke in low voices, occasionally casting watchful glances.

Perhaps they didn’t recognize these two, but the white-clothed man was already a figure of wind and glory. The swordsman who had been drinking alone for a long time and had taken off his hood sat opposite him, showing no inferiority.

Green shirt and white clothes, each with their own elegance, completely unlike the people of this place!

Chóng Xuán Zūn sat casually, a wisp of hair on his forehead dividing his green mountains and bright eyes. He asked very casually: “Why would you choose such a wine building?”

He meant, of course, it was a matter of identity. Compared to the identity of a Marquis of Great Qí Guó, this wine building was really too broken, too bad, and not good enough.

“I’ve been to this wine building once before.” Jiang Wang said: “I remember it wasn’t called this name before. Now it’s called ‘Xuán Wǔ Lóu,’ probably meaning one of the four symbols.”

The wine building that had become ruins at that time had now been rebuilt. In Jiang Wang’s opinion, naming it “Xuán Wǔ” also had the meaning of extinguishing fire with water, after all, this building was originally burned down by his Jiang someone’s fire realm.

But the waiter, who was holding a food plate, walked over: “Guest, you misunderstand. Our shop’s name actually has no relation to the four symbols.”

This waiter was indeed a bold one. Others didn’t dare to speak loudly, afraid of disturbing. He, however, answered casually, without restraint.

“Then why?” Jiang Wang asked.

The waiter, while setting down the dishes, said proudly: “It’s precisely to commemorate a great battle that happened here, Zhào Xuán Yáng against Jiāng Wǔ Ān.”

Chóng Xuán Zūn raised his chin slightly, seeming to smile without smiling: “Is this battle so famous?”

“Not bad.” The waiter was objective: “Mainly, we don’t have many big events here either. It just happened to catch up. Why wouldn’t we want to rub off more?”

He added: “Besides, Jiāng Wǔ Ān is doing quite well now, isn’t he? I heard he’s about to marry a princess of Qí Guó.”

“Oh?” Chóng Xuán Zūn looked at Jiang Wang meaningfully and said: “I haven’t heard of this. There are quite a few princesses of Qí Guó. I wonder which one Jiāng Wǔ Ān wants to marry?”

“The most famous one, I guess.” The waiter swore, as if he were the matchmaker for the wedding: “Qí Guó is very likely to produce a female emperor. That Jiāng Wǔ Ān is quite fierce in fighting. In the Guī Yī battle, he buried alive tens of thousands of troops, killed five Xià Hóu, even more ruthless than that year’s fierce slaughter—”

“Alright, alright.” Seeing this fellow getting more and more outrageous, Jiang Wang had to interrupt: “Who told you all this?”

“You don’t believe me, guest?” The waiter said innocently: “My third aunt’s son’s academy senior brother just participated in the Qí Xià war. He knows these things clearly! I heard it from my third aunt’s son. That’s first-hand intelligence. How can it be wrong?”

Jiang Wang asked: “Your third aunt’s son’s academy senior brother, is he a Xià Guó person?”

“He’s a Lí Guó person.” The waiter said.

One of the sides that watched the Qí Xià war from the sidelines.

“You don’t know the truth, so don’t spread it blindly.” Jiang Wang said seriously: “That one who buried alive tens of thousands of troops is the Champion Hóu Chóng Xuán, you know? That’s simply a killing demon king.”

Chóng Xuán Zūn raised an eyebrow and didn’t speak.

“That’s what I said!” The waiter slapped his thigh: “Someone surnamed Chóng Xuán, how can that be good?”

He respectfully asked: “May I ask who you are?”

Jiang Wang said: “I was just the tree at the edge of that pit. I saw it clearly at that time.”

The waiter then realized he was being teased, awkwardly picked up the food plate, and bowed before leaving: “This humble one has talked too much, please don’t blame me.”

“It’s not talking too much, just idle chat!” Jiang Wang didn’t have any intention of pursuing it. Market talk, no matter how outrageous, was normal. Instead, he looked at him with interest: “You are a bold one. May I know your name?”

“You can’t tell him.” Chóng Xuán Zūn said intimidatingly from the side: “Be careful he goes back and reports it, and the princess of Qí Guó sends people to Zhōng Shān to get you.”

The waiter was not afraid: “This guest is from Qí originally?”

Chóng Xuán Zūn looked at Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang nodded slightly.

“Ocean.” The waiter smiled simply: “My name is Ocean, I gave it to myself.”

Jiang Wang was thoughtful: “Why would you take this name?”

The waiter said: “I’ve never seen the sea, only a long river. That was three years ago. I was running with a merchant team at that time. The waves, they hit the sky! Don’t even mention how beautiful it was! The long river also has a name, called the vast sea of the land. Thinking about the real vast sea, it must be even more beautiful and vast than the long river.”

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment: “Yes. That is really a very beautiful place.”

Not many years needed.

Here in Zhōng Shān Guó, the danger of the vast sea was no longer remembered.

Those sacrifices and heroic deeds, too, in the repeated chewing after tea and meals, gradually lost their taste.

Truly hope that is a beautiful place.

Truly hope… he had never seen the sea.

Seeing that Jiang Wang was no longer interested in talking, the waiter named Ocean said “Guest, please enjoy” and then turned to leave.

And Chóng Xuán Zūn just sat there quietly, still not touching the wine and dishes.

Jiang Wang picked up his chopsticks and ate a few mouthfuls, then took the initiative to ask: “Did you come to bring me back?”

Chóng Xuán Zūn said: “It’s better for me to come than for others to come.”

“That’s the reason.” Jiang Wang nodded: “Wait until I finish eating these, don’t waste them.”

If Chóng Xuán Zūn came to find someone, it could still be said to be a reminder. If it were Shī Míng Péng or Xiū Yuán coming, it would be questioning him for his crime.

“Eat slowly, I’m not in a hurry.” Chóng Xuán Zūn had a kind of temperament that was suddenly distant and suddenly close, just like the smile on his lips, always if hidden, if present. When you seriously try to catch it, it just disappears.

This was a figure one could hope for but was difficult to reach.

Jiang Wang said again: “Actually, I also wanted to go back myself. Instead, I made you run an extra trip.”

Chóng Xuán Zūn only said: “This is your attitude.”

“Reasonable.” Jiang Wang didn’t care about table manners. He ate, drank, and chatted while doing so, his tone also very relaxed: “How was it in the demon world?”

Chóng Xuán Zūn just watched him eat, watched him drink, and… accompanied him in chatting.

“Not bad.” The Champion Hóu of Great Qí said slowly: “Just occasionally, I will have a little confusion.”

“What confusion?” Jiang Wang said full of confidence: “As a senior who has wandered the demon world, perhaps I can give you a little life experience.”

Chóng Xuán Zūn shrugged: “I don’t know why, many times I just make the most time-saving choice… They all think I have no brain.”

“Rare.” Jiang Wang looked at him sideways: “Someone still dares to say you have no brain to your face?”

There were, of course, people who spoke about Chóng Xuán Zūn behind his back, and they said it very loudly. For example, Chóng Xuán Shèng. But to dare to scold him openly, that still required some courage. This was a master who liked to smash people’s heads with the sun wheel.

“They scold very directly.” Chóng Xuán Zūn said.

Jiang Wang asked with great interest: “How do they scold?”

“Quite like Wǔ Ān!”

Boom!!!

On this day, all the people in Lán Shān City of Zhōng Shān Guó heard the shocking giant sound.

The giant sound was like thunder, rolling endlessly.

And the entire Xuán Wǔ Lóu was illuminated by flames.