Yan Shaofei asks if Zhang Shulian deserves the character “talent,” whether he is within the scope of those appointed only by talent in the Wei Dynasty.

But more than that, he is asking:

Now that Zhang Shulian harbors evil and can act wantonly, are the rules unenforceable? Now that Zhang Shulian lacks virtue and can cause harm, is it the Wei Emperor’s fault?

To have an audience with the Emperor and directly point out his mistakes.

This has always been regarded as a model for ministers.

Why is this so?

Because in the face of an existence that holds the eight handles of life and death, the so-called “offending” truly requires immense courage!

Even when facing an Emperor with great ambitions, who is often willing to accept remonstrance, there is still the crime of “slandering the monarch and betraying integrity” awaiting.

Throughout history, there are those who seek fame without fearing life and death. But there are also not a few examples of those who could not preserve their lives and also failed to gain fame.

Do you not see the startled dragon upstream of Guanhe Terrace, which made Jing Tian proud and conquered the world for a hundred years? Once retired to the wilderness, silent and nameless for many years, and now with his whole family exterminated, who will speak for him?

For Yan Shaofei to dare to ask this question, lightly slandering the monarch’s name, is already a way to seek death.

Especially since he is facing Wei Xuanche, an Emperor known for “making decisions solely based on principle.”

Once, when he promoted the martial way throughout the country, there were many opponents in court and in the wilderness, and voices of resentment boiled across the world. He raised the sword of law, declared that those who opposed were not guilty, but those who acted on their opposition must be killed. Yet, the entire court, from top to bottom, saw those who reported sickness or old age all permitted to rest, and those who resigned from official or general positions all allowed to leave.

Once in Tianqi Hall, less than half of the officials were present. He still persisted.

How could such an Emperor tolerate being offended face-to-face?

But at this moment, facing Yan Shaofei’s questioning, the Wei Emperor’s voice was still calm: “Zhang Shulian’s value does not lie in his talent. But if you still cannot see his talent, I can only say that the name of Wei’s greatest prodigy is exaggerated.”

Yan Shaofei said: “In this world, there are many who deceive the world and steal fame, and many whose names are exaggerated. Wei’s greatest prodigy should of course not have an exaggerated name, but specifically the three words ‘Yan Shaofei’ can also be one of them.”

The Wei Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, scrutinizing him: “Zhang Shulian had his significance, but he has also reached the time to die. This reputation was originally intended for you. Without evil, where would good come from? Without unlawful common behavior, how would you get the name of a hero? If you didn’t offend me face-to-face, how could you claim the character ‘straight’? But unexpectedly, your ability to manage is not great, while your ability to cause trouble is not small. You left the country for these few years, and in court you still offended capable people. Not wanting you to soar straight up, I hired assassins to kill Zhang Shulian before you returned to the capital.”

To elevate a country’s uncle-in-law for a beloved minister to kill, to elevate the minister’s name! This kind of favor is hard to see in history books.

Yan Shaofei finally understood why he could so coincidentally learn of Zhang Shulian’s evil deeds on his way back to the capital. The monarch’s heart in ancient times was like the heavens’ heart, naturally able to make various coincidences happen.

He did not ask why Zhang Shulian had reached the time to die. If the Emperor did not speak, it was a very secret matter. The Emperor not speaking had already provided many clues about not speaking, but he also would not try to guess the truth.

The wanderer under the Dan Terrace only said: “If Yan Shaofei needs the Emperor to leave a name to become famous in the world, where would he deserve Your Majesty’s waiting, where would he deserve ‘prodigy’? In the past, when I left, Zhang Shulian was already under the blade of others; now that I return, Your Majesty can also, despite the long night, ascend high and look at the red lotus!”

The Wei Emperor looked at him for a while and slowly said: “It seems Yan Qing did not waste these few years of traveling afar.”

Yan Shaofei said: “In former years, the commoner made a promise with the Emperor to hold back a champion for Wei. Not fulfilling this wish on Guanhe Terrace is a regret, and I dare not be lazy.”

The Wei Emperor waved his large sleeve: “A picked-up champion’s name, how does that fulfill my intent? It’s fine not to have it! What I want is a first champion who suppresses the world and dares not have any opposing voices.”

Yan Shaofei cupped his hands and bowed, saying: “This commoner should follow the decree and act.”

The Wei Emperor then laughed: “Having Yan prodigy, like Ji Fengzhou having You Jinglong, Jiang Shu having Jiang Wuan, the beginning is similar, but the ending must not be the same as theirs!”

Ji Fengzhou was the supreme Emperor of the first empire that ruled the world, and Jiang Shu was a world-class hero with a lifetime undefeated record, who led the Qi Dynasty to firmly sit on the throne of an overlord.

And for the Wei Emperor to compare himself to them, his ambition was truly grand.

But for Yan Shaofei to be compared to You Jinglong and Jiang Wuan, he still lacked an undisputed Yellow River champion.

He, Wei Xuanche, to be compared to Ji Fengzhou and Jiang Shu, also still lacked the step of the Wei Dynasty becoming a world hegemon country.

Yan Shaofei shook his head and said very seriously: “I don’t know what You Jinglong’s ideal is, nor what Jiang Wuan’s ideal is. My path is not outside of Wei; I do not plan to travel afar again. The Yan country has already perished, perished for many years. I am just a wanderer from Wei who coincidentally happens to be surnamed Yan, not bearing any old Yan glory. If I must say there is any involvement, it is probably just because of this divine power on my body, which makes me admit to having a share of responsibility for the disaster.”

The source of the disaster water is the negativity in the present world. The cause of the so-called “evil views” can also be called… “karma.”

In the prosperous times of the former Yan country, the karma fire red lotus bloomed all over the rootless world, which was considered a beautiful scene in the human world.

The Wei Emperor looked at the wanderer in front of him and said meaningfully: “Every true strong person bears responsibility for the disaster water.”

Sometimes fortune is truly a wonderful thing.

Yan Shaofei casually chose a route, just let go of the coroner Wang, and ran into Bian Chengwang.

It’s unclear whose fortune was worse.

Fortunately, at that time Bian Chengwang was already near the Wei border. He resolutely relied on killing intent to slightly block, sent out his sword without killing the enemy, and with a sword that was beyond comprehension, he flew through outside people’s sight and hearing at extreme speed, directly escaping out of Wei.

He successfully rendezvoused with Qin Guangwang, who was guarding outside the border.

He told Yan Shaofei not to chase further, and it could also be considered a good word.

If Yan Shaofei had tracked him here, Qin Guangwang would definitely not have shown mercy.

“How could killing a Zhang Shulian at the Inner Mansion realm cause such a big commotion?” Qin Guangwang sat on the high river dike, facing the waves of the long river. From time to time, high waves would leap up and crash on the bottom of his boots.

And his long hair was draped completely behind him.

“You have to ask Coroner Wang about this.” Bian Chengwang walked up the river dike and dusted off his sleeves, as if dusting off bad luck.

Speaking of bad luck, bad luck had just arrived.

Coroner Wang, dragging his weak body, wilted in a black robe, walked swaying below the dike dam. There was a feeling of both resisting approaching and having to approach.

He was below the dike dam, looking up at the high place. With the slowly setting sun as a backdrop, Qin Guangwang and Bian Chengwang, one sitting and one standing, simultaneously turned their heads to look at him.

“Ha! Ha! Ha!” Coroner Wang laughed dryly three times: “The task is completely accomplished, and our organization’s glorious record has added another stroke!”

But Bian Chengwang did not laugh, nor did Qin Guangwang.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The waves of the long river hit the male dike, the sound was grand to the extreme, like beating the drum of heaven, making people tense.

“Ha! We maneuvered for thousands of miles in Wei, causing such a big disturbance!” Coroner Wang began to care about his colleagues and seriously created a tone of satisfaction: “Thinking about it, the Jing side must have already fully received the news and will not seal the border again. Taishan Wang and they can also safely withdraw!”

Qin Guangwang gazed at him softly: “You really care a lot about Taishan Wang.”

Coroner Wang opened his hands, open and aboveboard: “We are all colleagues, we should naturally unite and love, helping each other. Just like today, when I encountered danger, Bian Chengwang also actively saved me, and I am very grateful to him.”

He looked at Bian Chengwang, making an effort to make his cruel eyes sincere: “Brother Bian Cheng, I am endlessly grateful!”

“You’re welcome.” Bian Chengwang said coldly: “If it weren’t for you telling people everywhere that I was also in Wei, I estimate I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to save you.”

“There’s still such a thing?” Coroner Wang used wide eyes to express shock: “Those who know me, Coroner Wang, know that I am always silent and reserved, brave enough to take responsibility, rather silent and die than cry and live. The people of Wei fabricate wildly, they truly have no bottom line!”

Bian Chengwang did not speak.

Qin Guangwang then smiled and looked back at the long river.

“Speaking of this task, the people of Wei seem to have been just waiting for Zhang Shulian to die, their reaction was exceptionally slow. If it weren’t for that Yan Shaofei inexplicably making a move on me…” Coroner Wang began to seriously analyze the situation: “The jobs we’ve taken recently seem to always involve various complex setups.”

“No need to complain.” Bian Chengwang said indifferently: “This part is included in the money we earn.”

Choosing to become a knife, driven by money.

Then no matter how others utilize it, or in what direction it is driven, it is all something this knife needs to bear.

“Good.” Qin Guangwang suddenly smiled lightly, turned into a wisp of green light, flashed and disappeared.

Only the voice of the latter half of the sentence still floated in the river wind—”This task ends here, we will contact you next time.”

Coroner Wang looked at Bian Chengwang again and found that Bian Chengwang had also disappeared from sight, not knowing where he had gone.

He stepped onto the river dike, looked around, let out a breath, and then became self-admiring.

He still thought he was going to get a beating! Fortunately, Bian Chengwang didn’t care too much, he was a really good person. I’ll still dare next time.

Standing alone on the high dike, looking at the leisurely long river, he felt boundless freedom.

Just as he was pondering which mass grave to rest at for two days, he suddenly felt an extreme speed approaching, making his whole body uncomfortable, like the breath of a scorching sun shining on snow! And a kind of extreme danger premonition appeared before this breath.

The sky quietly covered with a layer of red glow.

Thirty-six Literary Spirits’ blue blood red heart!

Who is coming? Which great scholar from the Mugu Book Academy?

In Coroner Wang’s mind, a question just appeared at this moment—in the days he spent in the Wei capital, collecting intelligence, what bad things did Qin Guangwang and Bian Chengwang do exactly?!

These dog things run faster than dogs!

Coroner Wang was both shocked and angry for a moment, but it was already too late to make any other reactions. He could only let this body return to its corpse form directly and plop into the long river.

Splash, the submerged corpse in the long river provided food for fish and shrimp.

It had been some days since returning to the White Jade Capital Tavern, and the business was even better. Almost every open floor was full of drinkers.

Perhaps the east owner’s short absence only proved that this tavern was the same with or without him.

In the following days, Jiang Wang diligently cultivated, and also frequently sparred with White Jade Xia and Lin Xian.

These two were Yellow River prodigies, each with decent insights in cultivation. Although their cultivation was not as advanced as Jiang Wang’s current level, discussing with each other often sparked inspiration.

“What do you understand about the Long River Dragon Lord?”

That night, the starlight was like water. Jiang Wang, who had taken off his Yan Luo mask, sat alone on the top floor, not having opened a dialogue with the Senhai Old Dragon for a long time.

As a true dragon roaming the star sea, the Senhai Old Dragon’s vast experience itself was a huge treasure. But Jiang Wang, who had experienced the story of the Senhai Source Realm, was most cautious of this old dragon.

He had long refused any pie in the sky from this old dragon and only listened to his words without believing them. He only treated him as a standby power source to be used, a “super large star power stone” locked in the base of the Jade Heng Star Tower.

Since he descended, the Senhai Old Dragon’s value had rapidly declined. When he reached the Cave True realm, he could instantly suck this old dragon into a dry corpse.

Although the old dragon was anxious, after these few years, he had grown accustomed to this boy’s unwavering resolve.

From earnest advice to gradual enticement, from plots and schemes to manipulating emotions, from self-abandonment and scolding to listlessness and silence.

A short few years were insignificant in the long life of a true dragon. But every moment of torment without seeing hope had already made life a punishment…

Tired, let it be whatever it will be.

Now he was even used to having his blood drawn!

Of course, saying it was so. Once this human boy’s conscience emerged and he was willing to give an opportunity, this senior true dragon could certainly crawl back up and struggle a bit. Even the Middle Ancient Dragon Emperor had the tragedy of his nine sons, and the Too Ancient Demon Emperor still had the collapse of the Heavenly Court. What was it for him, this little dragon, to suffer some setbacks?

Just like at this moment…

How could he not perform well?!

“Long River Dragon Lord, um… saying I understand is understanding, saying I don’t understand is also not entirely not understanding.” Senhai Old Dragon first said a flawless sentence of nonsense, then probed with a profound and unfathomable tone: “What, made an enemy?”

Jiang Wang said faintly: “Not really, just a little curious. If you’re not familiar, then forget it.”

Senhai Old Dragon’s voice suddenly rose: “A servile river dog! How could I not be familiar!”

Jiang Wang’s divine soul manifested a body, slowly pacing in the Jade Heng Star Tower, outlining the path and carving the star tower, while casually saying: “Tell me about it.”

The old dragon, trapped and locked in the base of the star tower, also curled up his dragon body in the prison cell, resting his left claw on his right claw, and cautiously said: “Which aspects do you want to understand?”

“Just say what you understand, no need to say what you don’t understand,” Jiang Wang said casually.

He naturally wouldn’t specially define the scope, because in many cases, the question is the asker’s answer. This was a deep lesson Chong Xuan Fat had left him.

And for an old and cunning giant like Senhai Old Dragon, the more information he received, the easier it was for him to provide targeted guidance.

Usually, he isolated the star tower and would not easily let Senhai Old Dragon know the current situation of the world. At this moment, he would also hide as much as possible.

Senhai Old Dragon had to think carefully about which answers were valuable and which nonsense was unnecessary to speak.

“In the history of your human race, the Middle Ancient Human Emperor driving the dragon race to the vast sea and splitting the water race to the Long River was a great merit. But for us…” Senhai Old Dragon said excitedly: “That was a vicious betrayal, premeditated harm. It ended the covenant between humans and dragons in the far ancient era, and it was shamelessly trampled upon!”

He became excited and then realized his situation: “That, well, the winner is king and the loser is bandit. A covenant, this kind of thing, is respected as a divine decree, and when trampled upon it’s not even toilet paper. It just depends on who tears it faster. So much time has passed, there’s nothing to say.”

“Talk about the Long River Dragon Lord,” Jiang Wang said calmly.

“Ao Shuyi, in that era of brilliant stars, was just an undervalued minor dragon descendant. The Middle Ancient Dragon Emperor’s nine sons, Prisoner Ox was benevolent and good at music, Yazi was bloodthirsty and loved to fight, Chao Feng trod on danger as if it were flat… Although these lords had different personalities and different talents, which one wasn’t stronger than him?” Senhai Old Dragon said with a hint of malice: “He was able to become the Dragon Lord just because he cried the loudest and knelt the fastest!”