The bonfire in the fire pit had been extinguished for a very long time.

The people of Pingdeng Guo had also left long ago.

Jiang Wang sat quietly in his spot, his hair slowly growing back.

He wasn’t truly angry.

He stood from Qi Guo’s perspective and had been on the opposite side of Pingdeng Guo multiple times, even killing one of their protectors.

Zhao Zi, furthermore, possessed undeniable strength.

Simply shaving his hair, simply inviting two more roasted sheep.

This hardly counted as any price at all.

He had anticipated this night’s encounter early on.

After leaving Qi Guo, he wasn’t as intelligent as Chong Xuan Sheng, but by thinking slowly, he could roughly imagine what would happen and what he would face.

He hadn’t made this decision impulsively.

If he had truly been impulsive, he wouldn’t have stopped at Yun City after leaving the demon realm.

He had truly thought clearly about what he wanted to do.

That’s why he had come to Xingyue Yuan first. This place was the fastest way to contact Senior Guan Yan. If Senior Guan Yan and Little Fussy Granny were traveling the myriad realms and couldn’t be reached in time, this place was also very close to Xuankong Si.

The sky brightened.

The bill was paid.

Jiang Wang lifted the curtain and went out. Sunlight bathed his body as he walked alone towards Xingyue Yuan.

One night, plus the time it took him to walk there slowly, a talent as exceptional as Baiyu Xia should have already arranged everything… right?

“I don’t quite understand.”

In the dim underground cave, the other protectors had already left, leaving only Wei Hai and Zhao Zi.

Hearing the faint roar of fierce beasts, Wei Hai asked in confusion, “Since he resists us so much and has such terrifying talent, why not just kill him now?”

Zhao Zi calmly replied, “We are challenging the entire old era. How many enemies do we have? Can we kill them all?”

“But he’s different,” Wei Hai said. “His terrifying speed… it makes me fearful.”

Zhao Zi simply said, “The things he experienced, the people he met, have slowly shaped him into who he is today. We will also become one of the reasons to change him. If you truly believe in our ideal.”

“Of course I believe!” Wei Hai was somewhat excited. “This rotten world, only we can save it!”

In front of the two was a huge furnace. The upper half of the furnace must have already pierced through to another layer of the underground cave.

In front of the fiercely burning flames, Zhao Zi slowly said, “Long ago, Zhang Yong told me that Jiang Wang and we are the same kind of people. Now I also think so.”

Wei Hai obviously knew Zhang Yong.

She thought for a moment and still asked, “What is Zhang Yong’s true identity?”

Zhao Zi bent down to pick up a piece of firewood and put it into the furnace fire. “That’s no longer important. Just call him… Xin. Yan Tu is also, Zhang Yong is also, all people who sacrifice for the ideal will not disappear without a trace in the wilderness. They will only make the flames more intense.”

Wei Hai was silent for a moment, then said, “Qi Xiao’s side…”

Zhao Zi said, “You don’t need to worry about this matter. Zhao Wang has already sent people to set things up. We won’t start contacting her for at least three to five years.”

Wei Hai didn’t understand. “She’s already a cripple with no cultivation at all. She can’t even live for many years. Is she still worth Zhao Wang personally arranging to recruit?”

“Her cultivation is gone, but her talent for using troops is still there. We also need such talent. An ideal isn’t rootless wood, not building castles in the air.”

Zhao Zi said, “When the day comes to rise up, the more famous generals like her in Pingdeng Guo, the better.”

Wei Hai said, “If she’s important talent for us, then why wait three to five years to contact her? As time passes, other changes will inevitably occur.”

“She is still the great Qi general who led the Maze Realm war and achieved a huge victory. Qi Guo’s emperor still gives her special care and protection.”

Zhao Zi said indifferently, “She needs three to five years to see the world’s coldness. She needs some dark times to clearly see this world’s true darkness.”

Wei Hai was thus silent.

From the upper layer, faint voices could be heard speaking—

“How is this batch of fierce beasts?”

“They’re well-nurtured, all very strong.”

Wei Hai looked to the side again. Zhao Zi had already disappeared.

She took off the cute piglet-holding-flower mask on her face and changed the clothes she had just worn once, throwing them all into the flames.

And she herself then returned to being a cold-faced woman with phoenix eyes containing killing intent.

Her posture became cold, and her steps became elegant.

She silently walked towards the upper layer of the underground cave.

Along the way, there were constant greetings—

“Madam.”

“Madam.”

Linzi Dingyuan Hou Manor.

The fat Bowang Hou came here excitedly to eat again, moving his huge body.

Dingyuan Hou didn’t say anything on his face, but he who didn’t eat much, and hardly ate spiritual food, still held a bowl and sat down to eat with his fat nephew.

Shisi sat quietly to the side, slowly chewing the spiritual vegetables that Chong Xuan Sheng had picked for her.

At the same table, the uncle and nephew were both smiling, looking more amiable than the other.

There was not a single servant attending in the dining hall, because Bowang Hou liked to chat while eating.

And these words were often not suitable for others to hear.

“Ultimately, it was still Qi Wen who took back the Xia Corps.”

Chong Xuan Sheng chewed a piece of big meat and said somewhat messily, “The emperor is truly cold-hearted.”

Chong Xuan Chu Liang said without any ripples, “The Qi family has never declined in power. Qi Wen himself is not bad in either cultivation or military strategy, only he has been suppressed by Qi Xiao. He has been hiding his strength and biding his time for these years, who can underestimate him? Qi Huaichang is the Vice Envoy of the North Yamen Patrol, and Qi Lianghua and Qi Song are both considered young talents… With such a Qi family, taking back the Xia Corps is also logical.”

Chong Xuan Sheng chuckled, “It might not have been so logical for Qi Xiao to take back the Xia Corps back then. It’s really hard to say how she feels.”

Chong Xuan Chu Liang said, “Military power still returns to the Qi family. Originally, it was Qi Xiao who actively reported to the emperor. No matter how indignant she is at Old Integrity Earl’s favoritism, when she thinks about it, she probably doesn’t want the Xia Corps to fall into other hands.”

Chong Xuan Sheng only said, “She understands the emperor.”

He said and shook his head, “Now Jiang Wuxie might be extremely happy. He has been burning a cold stove for him and gained a strong helper in Shijiusu! Previously, the army was all within the influence of Hua Ying Palace Master.”

“The young people of the Qi family are close to Yang Xin Palace, but Qi Wen may never have stated his position,” Chong Xuan Chu Liang coughed lightly. “Don’t rely on your own cleverness and just try to meddle in everything.”

“Of course I won’t meddle! The person surnamed Jiang is gone, and I have even less reason to meddle.” Chong Xuan Sheng’s face was covered in smiles. “I’m just chatting idly with uncle father.”

Chong Xuan Chu Liang drank porridge. “Since you’re chatting idly, then don’t have such a big tone. I thought you were sitting in the military affairs hall.”

Chong Xuan Sheng was thick-skinned and not affected at all. He was still full of interest. “And another interesting thing is that the adjudication of the war on Huai Island is already over. Fourth uncle and Li Fengyao presented key evidence, indicating that Xu Zeming needs to bear responsibility for the loss of the nearby islands. The Duke and the East Heavenly Master have both acknowledged it… but Xu Zeming has disappeared.”

Dingyuan Hou leisurely said, “Your news channels are quite wide.”

Chong Xuan Sheng smiled without speaking.

Chong Xuan Chu Liang then gave his conclusion, “A fool, why mention him.”

Chong Xuan Sheng said, “I heard that the current sect master of Taixu Sect, Xu Jingxuan, values this talent very much.”

Chong Xuan Chu Liang continued to comment, “Cultivating behind closed doors cultivates a foolish person. Sealing the mountain for a long time also seals the brain.”

Chong Xuan Sheng thoughtfully said, “Then he is quite suitable to handle Taixu Sect’s affairs.”

“What thoughts are you having again?” Chong Xuan Chu Liang asked.

Chong Xuan Sheng just smiled. “I still have a Taixu Jiao tower in my hand. Shouldn’t I estimate the price?”

As he spoke, a servant in the hall reported that someone named Du Gu Xiao had come to find Chong Xuan Sheng.

Chong Xuan Sheng then let the person in.

Not long after, Du Gu Xiao walked into the dining hall and saluted properly.

Du Gu Xiao, who had helped Jiang Wang manage Qingyang Town before and was later responsible for the South Xia Old Mountain fief, had seen a lot and interacted with people from all walks of life. She was no longer as nervous as she was initially. In front of two country marquises and one country marquis’s wife, she was also composed.

Chong Xuan Sheng smiled and waved, “Have you eaten? Sit down and join us.”

Du Gu Xiao respectfully said, “Thank you, Marquis. I have already eaten.”

Chong Xuan Sheng was relatively casual in front of someone Jiang Wang trusted. While picking vegetables for Shisi, he casually said, “You came here in a hurry from South Xia, it must have been hard. First go to the manor to rest for a while. Your old master has already made arrangements. Tomorrow, he will send you to Desheng Business Firm.”

Du Gu Xiao pursed her lips and was silent.

Chong Xuan Sheng looked at her. “What? Speak your mind.”

Du Gu Xiao respectfully and seriously said, “Marquis, I don’t want to enter Desheng Business Firm, and I don’t want shares.”

Chong Xuan Sheng was very polite to everyone, but that didn’t mean he was a polite person. His chopsticks stopped, but his face was still smiling. “Then what do you want?”

By now, Desheng Business Firm had developed to the point where it was already steadily in the top ten of Qi Guo’s major business firms.

The shares given by Jiang Wang were already a huge wealth, something that someone like Du Gu Xiao, according to her original trajectory, would never be able to achieve in a lifetime.

How could she still be greedy?

But Du Gu Xiao only said, “The old master has left Qi Guo and will no longer enter officialdom. Then he needs a sword, not a steward. The meaning of my life is to exist for him. If he doesn’t need me, I don’t know how to live.”

As she spoke, she knelt down without crying or any excited emotions. Even her voice could be called cold.

She was only stating a fact and expressing a request. “The old master said that you are the smartest person in the world. Please guide me to a clear path.”

Chong Xuan Sheng was somewhat moved.

Jiang Wang probably wanted her to have her own life by giving her the business of Desheng Business Firm.

But if Jiang Wang didn’t need her, she could die immediately.

This was a distorted emotion, close to fanaticism and abnormally cold loyalty. She didn’t mix any emotions, just described her life.

If such a person couldn’t become sharp, who could?

He thought seriously and then said, “Don’t think about anything else. First go back to Qingyang Town and live for a while.”

Du Gu Xiao didn’t understand. “But that’s no longer the old master’s fief.”

Chong Xuan Sheng looked at her. “But that’s your hometown—can it be counted as your hometown?”

“If the old master admits it, then it is my hometown.”

Du Gu Xiao said, “I died there and was reborn there.”

She wasn’t stupid. “Then what do I need to do?”

Chong Xuan Sheng said meaningfully, “Do nothing. Just go around often, tidy up the house, just like you did before.”

Du Gu Xiao still didn’t know Bowang Hou’s intention, but she believed in the old master, and the old master believed in Bowang Hou.

So she kowtowed. “Thank you for your guidance.”

Then she got up and left this marquis manor, once again heading towards Qingyang Town.

“Okay, I’ve also eaten my fill. Thank you, uncle father, for the treat.” Chong Xuan Sheng smiled. “This porridge is not bad. Tell the kitchen to boil another pot for me to take away.”

Chong Xuan Chu Liang looked at him. “Champion Hou would never come to my place to freeload food and drink, not even eat and take away.”

Chong Xuan Sheng grinned. “No wonder they say a tiger father has a dog son. It’s not like before now! He just doesn’t understand how I, Ming Guang big brother, won grandfather’s favor.”

Chong Xuan Chu Liang said faintly, “You also don’t understand how Jiang Wang won the emperor’s favor.”

“He can cut out his heart, I can’t,” Chong Xuan Sheng said with a smile. “My heart, when cut open, is all black.”

“These damn bald donkeys, they want me to wait here to die! Wait until Jiang Wang breaks through to Dongzhen!”

In the deep part of Zhuang Wang Palace, which wasn’t majestic but was very deep.

The Emperor of Zhuang Guo roared in his bedroom in a low voice.

As the revival emperor of Great Zhuang, a sharp and ambitious ruler on the western frontier, he hadn’t lost his composure like this in a very long time.

The last time could probably be traced back to the Han Yin era, when Yong Guo repeatedly invaded.

The voice in the mirror was still very calm. “You don’t need to worry about the truth of Fenglin City being exposed. People inside Sumeru Mountain don’t know your enmity with Jiang Wang. They only have guesses based on Ku Jue’s actions, for the purpose of protecting Jiang Wang. Similarly, there are no voices inside Xuankong Si. Up to now, everything has been Ku Jue’s autonomous actions.”

“Is the news reliable?” Zhuang Gaoxian asked.

The voice in the mirror said, “Our power surpasses your imagination.”

“Then use this power to help me crush this person!”

“Not yet. It’s not time for us to stand out again and lead this world.”

“When is the time!” Zhuang Gaoxian showed the irritable unease of someone whose life was threatened, and the suppressed voice echoed in the hall. “I’m risking the danger of enemies from all sides to cooperate with you, yet you can’t even help me crush a mere Shenlin?!”

The voice in the mirror was like an ancient well without ripples. “Don’t forget, you were the one who actively found us, actively wanted to cooperate with us. If you don’t want to cooperate, it’s also very simple—we will immediately send you back to the origin sea.”

“Hahahahaha!” Zhuang Gaoxian laughed somewhat madly. “You are afraid of exposure by killing a Jiang Wang, yet you say ‘immediately’ when it comes to killing a Zhengshuo Emperor?”

“Because you know of our existence and cleverly contacted me. While Jiang Wang is completely unaware of us.”

The voice in the mirror said without emotion, “Killing all of you is not difficult. How to choose is just a consideration of pros and cons.”

The brief warmth was never real and had already passed. Now it was the cruel law of interests.

“Hehe.” Zhuang Gaoxian quietly sat back in his chair, coldly looking at this mirror.

His mental state was very worrying.

But the voice in the mirror had no expression.

“You need me,” Zhuang Gaoxian finally said.

The voice in the mirror only said, “Hope you maintain your value.”

Bang! The mirror shattered under the pressure of Zhuang Gaoxian’s gaze.

And the last voice also shattered and spread, until it disappeared and could not be heard.

Sitting there, Zhuang Gaoxian instantly restrained his manic emotions.

Wearing casual clothes and sitting on the chair, he was so gentle. The corner of his mouth hooked up inexplicably. “Is time really your friend?”

He cut off the words and put away his smile, indifferently instructing, “Inform Du Xiang. Tomorrow morning, I will attend court. Furthermore, immediately summon Song Qingyue to see me.”

He thought and said, “Let Lin Zhengren also come.”

Qingjiang Water Lord Song Qingyue, New An Eight Jun Lin Zhengren!