The night was deep and the dew was heavy. In the boudoir.

The Too Yi Heaven’s square, paved with white jade, appeared even more pristine white under the moonlight. This also made the shadows outside the square deeper and more profound.

Standing before the palace gate, the upright figure standing in the center of the square was like a person in the moon.

Deep within the shadows of the palace gate tower, the armored and sword-carrying palace guards exchanged glances, and no one could offer a convincing answer.

Indeed, it was hard to imagine that the esteemed Wu An Marquis would actually compete with them for a job today.

Although being on guard duty would bring a little extra silver… surely you, a Great Marquis, aren’t that hard up?!

Their incomprehension and curiosity were all concealed behind their face armor.

Just as the vast palace city’s loneliness and scrutiny were all hidden in the shadows. In the boudoir.

And Jiang Wang didn’t care.

He thought about many things.

The time he left the Mi Realm, the time he spent in the Ling Xiao secret place, the journey from Cloud Country to Qi Country… he was always thinking.

Now he stood there silently, alone, his sword pressed to his side in the long night, fulfilling the duty of a Jin Gua warrior, not allowing any person who shouldn’t appear, any matter that shouldn’t happen, to disturb the Son of Heaven tonight.

Tonight, nothing else would disturb him either.

His demeanor was excellent, majestic and tall.

He always maintained vigilance, not missing any rustling of leaves or stir in the wind. In the boudoir.

He stood there, even holding his breath, like a stone sculpture guarding the palace city for thousands of years.

Regarding this matter of being on guard duty, he did it very well.

As long as he was willing, he could do any matter very well.

But how does that saying go?

“Worldly affairs are difficult because of whether I am willing.”

No one knew what exactly the world-renowned Great Qi Wu An Marquis thought about during this night of guarding the Great Qi palace city.

The armored and sword-carrying palace guards only knew that when the first hint of dawn appeared in the sky, breaking the long night, that figure that seemed like a stone carving moved for the first time. In the boudoir.

The vast Too Yi Heaven white jade square had a kind of desolate emptiness in the morning.

All the light seemed to converge on the Wu An Marquis.

And he turned his body in the morning light, cupped his hands once again, saying: “Your subject, Jiang Wang! Requesting audience with the Son of Heaven!”

This time, the Son of Heaven’s response didn’t make him wait too long.

Or rather, the chief eunuch Han Ling had been quietly waiting behind the palace gate tower for a very long time.

“Summoned!” He walked out and said.

Jiang Wang silently followed behind Han Ling, his armor changing back to a blue shirt, removing the aura of cold severity and killing intent. In the boudoir.

The palace garden was deep, the corridors winding.

Except for the palace guards standing solemnly on either side, fully armored, there were no other people to be seen.

“Hou Ye stood all night, do you have any thoughts?” Han Ling’s voice came from ahead.

Jiang Wang said: “It is merely the duty of a Jin Gua warrior, nothing remarkable.”

Han Ling led the way, his footsteps not stopping: “There is one matter, I feel I should still discuss it with you.”

“Please speak your mind,” Jiang Wang said.

“The number of people in the entire Qi Country who can be summoned for audience at any time is not many. Does Hou Ye know?” Han Ling asked. In the boudoir.

“It is my honor,” Jiang Wang said.

Han Ling continued: “And in the past ten years, among these people who can be summoned for audience at any time, there have only been two times when His Majesty said he did not wish to see them. Does Hou Ye know when the other time was?”

Jiang Wang said: “Please, Chief, enlighten me.”

Han Ling said softly: “At the end of last year, General Ji Zhao Nan returned to Lin Zi alone to report that you were trapped and lost in Frost Wind Valley. The Zhen Guo Da Yuan Shuai came to see the Son of Heaven for the first time, and the Son of Heaven said… he did not wish to see him.”

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment.

The Great Qi Son of Heaven not seeing the Great Qi Army God was clearly because he was angry about Jiang Wang, and it was also undoubtedly a way to demand an attitude from Jiang Meng Xiong.

Indeed, since entering Qi, he had bathed in blood in every battle, hung his head on the edge of a sword, and earned merit after merit. He felt he deserved everything he had gained. In the boudoir.

But he also had to admit that the Qi Son of Heaven’s favor towards him was truly immeasurable!

The Son of Heaven said he didn’t want to see Jiang Meng Xiong. What did Jiang Meng Xiong do?

He personally went to the demon realm, broke through Frost Wind Valley, attacked South Heaven City, fought a great battle against the Ape Immortal Court, and killed Xuan Nan Gong with his fist… He was still recovering now.

So Jiang Meng Xiong was the Great Qi Army God, the Zhen Guo Da Yuan Shuai.

And Jiang Wang, who faced the same sentence?

After guarding the palace city all night, fulfilling the duty of a Jin Gua warrior, how was he prepared to act?

As the chief eunuch, a close confidant who attended the Son of Heaven year-round, Han Ling only hoped that this young and successful Wu An Hou would not be too young, too willful, and would not feel that standing outside the palace all night was some kind of grievance. So he would mention this sentence about Jiang Meng Xiong, to let Jiang Wang consider the Son of Heaven’s expectations. In the boudoir.

The place where the audience was summoned was De Lu Palace, where the Son of Heaven cultivated.

Around the Coiled Dragon Pillar was a stone platform, with hazy jade smoke representing mountains and seas.

The Son of Heaven wore informal clothes, sitting high on the platform, as if in the ninth heaven.

His majestic gaze overlooked, like a star river hanging in the wilderness, the sun shining on snowy mountains.

He asked in a voice that was not severe, even gentle: “Wu An Hou is anxious to see me, do you have something to report?”

The Great Qi Son of Heaven sitting there was the world hero who had personally pushed Qi Country to the position of overlord. He had fought battles from east to west throughout his life, never defeated. He defeated Si Yuan, pacified Lou Lan Gong, and created unprecedented great achievements. Now, he had merged with Xia soil to the south and pacified the near seas to the east. His prestige flourished, surpassing even Qi Wu! He was like the great sun patrolling the heavens, shining for billions of miles!

Facing such a Son of Heaven who held eight reins and held life and death in his hands, no one could not be nervous, not be uneasy. In the boudoir.

Even the East Palace Crown Prince was cautious and prudent.

Even the Yang Xin Palace master said he was walking on thin ice.

The once most favored Chang Sheng Palace master had also once held jade with a naked body.

His own bloodline was like this, let alone his subjects.

“Your subject, Jiang Wang! Pays respects to the Son of Heaven!” Jiang Wang spread his robe sleeves, performing the etiquette of a State Hou seeing the Son of Heaven with impeccable form.

After the officials from the Ministry of Rites taught him this set of etiquette, he had almost never performed it. It was truly very complicated. The current Great Qi Son of Heaven was also not enthusiastic about these things, always exempting them whenever possible.

And today, Jiang Wang was so solemn. In the boudoir.

Even Han Ling whispered a reminder from behind: “At the place where the Holy One cultivates, there is no need to perform the great etiquette…”

He still performed the full etiquette according to the rules.

Han Ling already felt the atmosphere was unusual, and the Son of Heaven was also silent.

Jiang Wang finished performing the etiquette of a State Hou, lifted his head, and looked towards the Qi Son of Heaven sitting on the Coiled Dragon ring gold platform!

He had entered the palace to face the saint countless times, but this was the first time he had looked directly into the Qi Son of Heaven’s eyes, the first time he had truly seen the Qi Son of Heaven’s appearance clearly.

This Son of Heaven of the Eastern Country, who held the highest power in the world, was not entirely someone with eyebrows that soared above everyone else. On the contrary, his facial features would give people a kind feeling.

He was very handsome, the kind with clear eyebrows, with a texture like carved knife marks. Indeed, in appearance, Jiang Wu Qi was also more similar to him. But he was more profound, more lofty, and also had a touch more ruthlessness compared to Jiang Wu Qi. In the boudoir.

Han Ling’s breathing stopped.

The Qi Son of Heaven, on the other hand, didn’t feel offended. Instead, he watched Jiang Wang with interest, as if expecting his declaration.

What words would the young man in front of the platform dare to speak?

Jiang Wang took a deep breath.

He always knew that there was a difference between him and the Son of Heaven in front of him.

Everyone had their own thoughts, and differences of course would always exist.

But setting all that aside, he was a subject, and the Son of Heaven in front of him was the monarch. In the boudoir.

How could a subject have differences with the monarch?

As a subject, one could have different ideas, different opinions, and in many cases, one could also express them.

But the direction of a huge empire would ultimately have to return to a unified will.

Being within such a huge national system, it was unavoidable to have to erase a part of oneself.

His difference with the Son of Heaven in front of him had long existed.

For example, the Lei Gui Fei case that had been sealed for many years, and Lin Kuang and Wu Lie involved in this case. He had done his best to clear the names of the two famous constables, and he had also known when to stop in front of that black wall of history.

For example, he had personally refused the position of North Ya Du Wei in front of the Son of Heaven. In the boudoir.

And this time, he refused to kill Chen Zhi Tao, recruited Chen Bi Qiong, and refused the huge interests of the near sea islands. No matter what, no matter what Qi Xiao himself was thinking, the various commands she issued. In this Mi Realm war, Qi Xiao was endowed with all military power by the Qi Son of Heaven. To some extent, she represented the Qi Son of Heaven!

The Qi Son of Heaven could tolerate Jiang Wang’s digging into the Lin Kuang case, and he could also express praise for Jiang Wang’s stopping in front of the red line.

He could tolerate Jiang Wang’s unwillingness to lose his own independent will, unwilling to become the empire’s coldest, most capable knife to carry out the Son of Heaven’s will.

But could he tolerate Jiang Wang’s true disobedience to him?

Just like in the Lei Gui Fei case, what would have happened if Jiang Wang had moved forward another step, regardless of the stop?

Jiang Wang himself was also very clear!

The reason he would let Zhong Xuan Zun go bring him back, the reason this audience was cold. In the boudoir.

It was all because he, Jiang Qing Yang, was touching, even already touching, the bottom line!

The Qi Son of Heaven had greatly favored him, clearly regarding him as a right-hand man, relying on him as a future strong city, even getting angry with the army god because of his safety. Without any accidents, this time he would still be treated with leniency and the matter would be lightly dismissed.

Perhaps it would be nothing more than a salary deduction.

But would such a thing as the Mi Realm, such a choice in the Mi Realm, be the last time?

Would Jiang Wang himself be willing to become more “smart”, more “smooth”?

How to respond to the Son of Heaven’s anger?

Han Ling had already given enough hints. In the boudoir.

It was very clear. In the boudoir.

Jiang Meng Xiong had also demonstrated it very clearly!

“But I am Jiang Wang.” He said this in his heart.

The human body is like the four seas trembling together, with waves coming and going.

The human body is like the five palaces shining brightly, splendid and glorious.

Inside the Contain God Hall, the divine soul manifestation body sits high on the divine seat, slightly lowering its head.

Its lips moved, murmuring to itself: “What can I do…

“No, I will certainly do. In the boudoir.

“No, I have already done.

“I have done many things I was not willing to do.

“Many times, I was not my true self.

“Here, I will never get… my ‘true’!”

That sitting divine soul manifestation body lifted its head.

And Jiang Wang, standing in De Lu Palace, bowed his body and lowered his head, lifting both hands high, holding in his hand a jade crown and a piece of honor!

“Your subject Jiang Wang, today removes his Hou clothes, takes off his jade crown, puts down his official seal… and resigns to the Son of Heaven!” In the boudoir.

Han Ling, the chief eunuch who was accustomed to facing wind and rain, was suddenly startled!

He thought that Jiang Wang might be young and impetuous, perhaps he would feel wronged, perhaps he would argue with the Son of Heaven…

But he never imagined that Jiang Wang actually wanted to leave Qi Country!

And leaving aside how high Jiang Wang’s position was in Qi Country now, and not discussing everything he already had and would have. Just one question— did he want to die?

Only twenty-two years old, his name renowned throughout the world, could it be that he was already tired of living?!

The Qi Son of Heaven did not speak.

Jiang Wang also had no other actions. In the boudoir.

The silence inside De Lu Palace seemed to weigh ten thousand jun!

Even with Han Ling’s cultivation, he felt it was hard to bear.

After an unknown amount of time.

The Son of Heaven finally spoke, his voice high and distant, without any emotion: “Wu An Hou is tired, Han Ling, send him back to rest.”

Han Ling hurried a step to Jiang Wang’s side, reaching out to lead the way: “Hou Ye, this way please.”

If it weren’t in front of the imperial court, he would have wished he could tie Jiang Wang up and carry him away immediately!

“Your Majesty!” But Jiang Wang shouted. In the boudoir.

His shout was heartbreaking and lung-wrenching, quite a bit of true emotion, but then he immediately suppressed that emotion, saying word by word: “Your subject’s path… is not here!”

The Son of Heaven looked at him quietly.

And he did not lift his head again.

He bent his spine, exposing his neck, this was the posture of offering one’s neck for slaughter.

This reminded the Qi Son of Heaven of that child holding a white jade in his mouth outside the Zi Ji Hall, reminding him of that field of autumn frost.

Was last night too long, was the wind too cold?

If the world’s youngest military merit Hou with one heart chose to flee, no matter Jing Country, Qin Country, or Chu Country, they would all scramble to take him in. Don’t look at some people now who didn’t get along well with Jiang Wang, wishing they could casually pin a crime on him and kill and dismember him. If Jiang Wang were to surrender, Da Luo Mountain, Yu Jing Mountain, Peng Lai Island, all could open their doors wide! In the boudoir.

After leaving the Mi Realm, Jiang Wang had many opportunities to go to any place. His body was never restrained.

But he had truly and honestly returned to Qi Country, truly and honestly requested audience, truly and honestly… resigned.

“Resign” was actually linked with “truly and honestly”.

The Qi Son of Heaven laughed coldly: “I have just understood why you had to guard the palace city last night. Jiang Wang, do you think that guarding the palace gate for one night fulfills your duty as a Jin Gua warrior? Do you feel that this makes things clear between you and me?!!”

As Qing Yang Zhen Nan, Qing Yang Zi, Wu An Hou, he had set up banners in the Yang Ground, seized the first place in the Yellow River, won against Jing Tian Jiao on the Star Moon Plain, beheaded generals and seized banners on the Qi Xia battlefield, bathed in blood and crushed tripods, sealed town disaster waters, returned from ten thousand deaths in the demon realm, and fought to the last soldier in the Mi Realm!

As Qing Card catcher head, he investigated the Lei Gui Fei case, pursued the seal of Tian Luo Di Wang Bo for Lin Kuang and Wu Lie and stopped. In front of the red line drawn by the Son of Heaven, he gave an account to everyone including Lin You Xie. In the boudoir.

Even the symbolic position of a Jin Gua warrior, he had also fulfilled the duty of guarding the palace city the night before resigning.

Since he had served Qi, he had not been absent from any of Qi Country’s great wars. But in facing death, he must be the first.

Everything he had gained in Qi Country was exchanged with scar after scar on his body. He deserved all his duties, all his titles, all his salaries.

But he only lowered his head and said: “Your Majesty’s grace of knowing me and the trust you placed in me are things Jiang Wang cannot repay and can never be cleared. It is precisely because of this that I cannot remain in Qi Country.”

“Do you truly know what you are saying?” the Qi Son of Heaven asked.

“Your subject is terrified and does not know what to say!” Jiang Wang’s words were very sincere: “Your subject only fought to the last soldier in Sa Po Long Domain, and was utterly lost as to where to go. Your subject only admired the greatness of the Fishing Dragon Guest, yet did not know how to satisfy national interests. Your subject only fought shoulder to shoulder with Chen Zhi Tao, and is a life-and-death friend with Zhu Bi Qiong, and does not know how to be fully loyal and righteous… Your subject! Your subject only sees the truth in his heart, yet walks further and further away. Your subject only thinks he sees the path, but everyone points in another direction. Your Majesty!” In the boudoir.

Jiang Wang’s voice trembled: “Is your subject’s life always to be so difficult in two ways?”

“You are too presumptuous, Jiang Qing Yang! You have quite deep resentment!” The Qi Son of Heaven pointed his finger from above the stone platform, pointing at Jiang Wang and saying: “Do you know that based solely on this speech of yours, if I were to kill you, no one would dissent?!!”

The vast De Lu Palace was as cold as the thirty-ninth cold winter.

The windows did not condense frost, but snow had already formed in the heart.

Even Han Ling, who was only a bystander, felt the chill penetrate to the bone, preventing blood and marrow from flowing.

Under the sky with no support, only the word “kill” echoed repeatedly.

The former harmony between monarch and subject, the scolding and laughing conversations, were all swept away.

At this moment, all Jiang Wang could feel was the Son of Heaven’s majesty. In the boudoir.

Naked, life-and-death controlling majesty!

If the Son of Heaven of the Eastern Country wanted to execute a person, then all the heavens and ten thousand worlds could not save them. This momentum far exceeded ten thousand jun!

How could his shoulders bear it?

How could his spine carry it?

But Jiang Wang only bit his teeth and said: “Today, your subject belongs to Great Qi. Today, the monarch is the lord of ten thousand people. Life and death are not bestowed by heaven, they are all in your own hands. Your humble subject’s life and death are between your single thought. But your subject cannot deceive the monarch, and is even more unwilling to deceive you. Your subject has already seen his own path. Your subject, such a clumsy person, can only walk on his own path. If Your Majesty wishes to kill your subject, your subject will have no resentment. If your subject seeks the Dao and dies, what regret is there in death?”

[Please do not transcode reading (similar to Baidu) as it will lose content]