The architecture of the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen takes white as its main color, but it doesn’t feel bright; instead, it’s exceptionally cold and stern.

Walking around the screen wall and through the corridor, this yamen occupies a vast area, but the design is intentionally narrow, making it almost impossible to see more than ten steps ahead; sight is obstructed everywhere. There are also many hidden sentry points from which to observe. Following Hu Yan Jing Xuan for this short distance, Jiang Wang had already felt the scrutiny of at least ten gazes.

At this point, they reached a sky well. Having walked under a constant sense of suppression, standing in this square space, looking up at the open dome of the sky well, there was an urge to immediately fly out.

Ahead was an outer open hall, very similar to a public hall for judging criminals, but there were no torture instruments inside, nor were there people holding menacing staffs. The sky was clear, yet water dripped like a curtain from the flying eaves. The raindrops fell into the white stone water channel surrounding the sky well, disturbing some duckweed. The style here was not very typical of the grassland.

Hu Yan Jing Xuan walked through the rain curtain. “Your Majesty thinks you are a talent, and Lord Tu Hu also has expectations for you, so I am willing to consider your feelings. Gu Shi Yi is openly using you; what do you think?”

Jiang Wang simply stood in the sky well, beneath the exposed night sky, not following him forward. “If Gu Shi Yi needs to convey something to Lord Hu Yan through me, and Lord Hu Yan also needs to know something through me, then I think it’s no big deal for me to be this messenger.”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan turned back after passing through the rain curtain. With just this curtain of separation, he seemed trapped in the shadow of the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen, his personality blurred at this moment, becoming the embodiment of a dark, fierce beast of the grassland. It instilled a terrifying fear!

With that turn, their eyes met. Within the immortal red-gold color, starlight changed to daylight, sunset became sunrise again. And in his eyes, Jiang Wang was at this moment bathed in the scarce light of the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen, his posture straight, neither humble nor arrogant.

The sky brightened.

“The Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen is a crucial place; we must confirm you are not a demon or spirit before you can enter.” Hu Yan Jing Xuan spoke, his voice letting everything begin to flow again.

Jiang Wang couldn’t fully grasp the change that had just occurred. He only sensed that the scrutiny from the building was not solely from Hu Yan Jing Xuan, which is why he used his Red Heart divine power for self-protection. It couldn’t be called a confrontation, only a brief stalemate. The long night had already passed. Time wasn’t completely cut off, but this segment of time had been ignored by his own consciousness.

Jiang Wang didn’t show too much emotion, only saying, “Actually, I didn’t necessarily have to come in.”

“When you appeared at the door of the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen with Gu Shi Yi, many things were no longer up to you,” Hu Yan Jing Xuan said. “So, you still don’t mind being used by him now?”

“It depends on the matter,” Jiang Wang said honestly. “He saved me before, and this time, coming to the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen, he also directly told me what he wanted to do. I was willing to pass this message as a way of repaying his favor.”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan put his hands behind his back. “Say it, what Gu Shi Yi told you.”

Jiang Wang then completely retold the reason Gu Shi Yi sought him out, replicating it entirely without adding, reducing, or changing a single word.

Hu Yan Jing Xuan listened quietly, but didn’t immediately discuss the topic. Instead, he asked, “When you just arrived at the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen, what did you hear?”

Jiang Wang knew that Hu Yan Jing Xuan had the ability to track every word he heard at that time, so this yamen master was asking not just about the sounds he heard, but the information he obtained from them. After a brief thought, he replied, “It seems that recently, many people on the grassland are going mad?”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan didn’t deny it. “Yes, more than before. After all religions merged, all sorts of monsters and spirits appeared. To promote national policy, supervision was inevitably relaxed, to the point where good and bad were mixed. There are many sects with conflicting doctrines, and faith chaos leading to collapse happens frequently. Our workload is very heavy.”

This explanation couldn’t convince Jiang Wang. Because from the sentences he heard, he understood that at least a large portion of the people going mad were in the same situation, as the person reporting had used the word “again.” This should be a similar type of faith problem and cannot be explained by the merger of all religions or faith chaos.

The only faith that could have such a big influence on the grassland and put immense pressure on the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen was none other than Cang Tu Shen Jiao. Did the Cang Tu Shen Jiao have a problem? Was the power loyal to Cang Tu Shen resisting? Or was it a direct counterattack from Cang Tu Shen?

He had many questions in his heart, but Jiang Wang opened his mouth and only said, “So that’s how it is!”

The rain curtain blurred Hu Yan Jing Xuan’s face. In the sound of clear water drops, he said, “We just confirmed that the matters described by Gu Shi Yi do indeed exist. So he really came to me for the sake of several ordinary people from Zheng Country? Jiang Wang, what do you think?”

Jiang Wang said, “Matters arise from cause, and actions are taken with principle. Lord Hu Yan controls the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen, flying and patrolling the world. I think he is too lazy to argue with him.”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan seemed deep in thought. “So you can understand the existence of a person like Gu Shi Yi, and you can understand this kind of behavior?”

Jiang Wang stood in the light, illuminated by the light – sunlight and gazes. He also examined himself. “When I was very young, I thought I would become such a person.”

“Xia?” Hu Yan Jing Xuan’s tone was unclear. “But at twenty-three, you have already led soldiers, been on the battlefield, and served as a marquis. Of course, you already know that is too naive and different from childhood ideas. And Gu Shi Yi has lived for over two hundred years… Can a person truly be so childish?”

“I think this is precisely what makes him rare and valuable,” Jiang Wang said. “That’s why he is the world’s foremost hero. While I cannot catch up, I dare not call myself ‘Yi’.”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan said, “So you indeed support him?”

Jiang Wang didn’t answer directly, only saying, “I once encountered Fei Ya in the white-haired wind; they represent the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen and rescue herdsmen everywhere. I therefore know that the responsibility of the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen, besides apprehending criminals and punishing evil, is also to protect the borders and secure the people. For matters like those in Zheng Country, I don’t think you would want them to happen. It’s even less the original intention of the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen.”

“Protect borders and secure the people?” Hu Yan Jing Xuan said, “Of course. The Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen spares no sacrifice for the peace of the people of Mu Country.”

Jiang Wang said, “Perhaps it’s because I come from a small country and have wandered everywhere, living in many places. I feel that the people in every part of the world, although divided by country distinctions and sect affiliations, also have many commonalities. The vast majority of people in this world are simple and good-natured, diligently living just to make their families live better.

“My sister cultivates in Yun Country, I have many friends in Qi Country, once lived in Chu Country for a period, and have a deep connection with the Huai Country Duke Manor. I have also come to Mu Country many times and like the grassland scenery very much. I have been friends with Yun Yun Hall Down for many years, greatly admire the Great Mu Heavenly Emperor, highly respect Lord Tu Hu, and am also convinced by Lord Hu Yan’s power. I have seen simple herdsmen and heroic grassland children… So I feel that not only the common people of Mu Country are common people.

“The human race is composed of countless millions of people. Besides those born with Dao veins, born with divine powers, all extraordinary cultivators start from ordinary people step by step. ‘Accumulate earth into mountains, and wind and rain arise therefrom. Accumulate water into abysses, and dragons are born therefrom.’ How can the earth and stones on the mountaintop suspend in the air and exist alone? I always have a thought—we extraordinary ones should not only be extraordinary in courage and power but also have extraordinary bearing and accept extraordinary responsibility.”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan looked at him. “Just like you are doing now, is that right?”

Jiang Wang said, “In the current world, Da Jing wields a knife. Great Mu wants to go south, using prestige is better than virtue. If Fei Ya acts with some restraint outside, it would also be extremely beneficial for the reputation of the Great Mu Empire.”

“Its body is in the wild, but its heart is in the world, ah!” Hu Yan Jing Xuan’s tone couldn’t be discerned as good or bad. “You also have your own views on the world’s grand situation.”

Jiang Wang smiled. “Lord Hu Yan is a contemporary top-level True Person; you have your own ‘True’. I absolutely do not intend to change your thoughts. I am just honestly expressing a bit of shallow knowledge to answer your question. Before I possess strength like yours, everything I say is just nonsense; you don’t need to mind it at all.”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan then laughed. “Should I say you are cunning, or should I say you are stubborn?”

“Saying either is not enough to embody your wisdom,” Jiang Wang said. “I personally think my main characteristic is ‘innocent’. From beginning to end, I just came out to drink wine, watch a lively scene, and then was brought into the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen for questioning… Yi Yang Palace is still waiting for me to go back and preside over the overall situation!”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan didn’t comment on this, only saying, “Gu Shi Yi is a person who roams the world with his sword, acting heroically everywhere, often like a divine dragon whose head is seen but not its tail. Hence, in some of the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen’s investigations, he always has some suspicions that cannot be erased. But his visit this time can be considered as clearing up suspicions… I have a question I want to ask the God Crown High Priest, but I don’t want to ask it myself. Jiang Wang, do you understand my meaning?”

Jiang Wang cautiously said, “Although a bystander is not guilty, I also don’t need to atone with merits. But I admire Lord Hu Yan’s character and am very willing to help you do something. It’s just that the God Crown High Priest’s cultivation is through heaven and earth; his old man’s divine powers probably cannot be avoided in this way.”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan thought for a bit. “That’s right! Then you are monitoring the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen and probing for important information. How should this yamen handle that?”

“That really is just a misunderstanding, and this news isn’t that important either; I heard it on the roadside…” Seeing that Hu Yan Jing Xuan’s gaze didn’t soften, Jiang Wang simply gave up explaining and looked at him sincerely. “Otherwise, you can also beat me once! Use your top-level True Person’s vision, break all my moves, and let me know what it means that the sky is high and the earth is thick!”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan looked at him. “…Go, walk a bit faster.”

Jiang Wang bowed with cupped hands, lifted his legs, and walked away. After the sound of his footsteps disappeared, the sky well in the middle of the yamen returned to quiet. Only the sky light remained, and the water drops didn’t stop.

At some point, an old man’s voice sounded, “What do you think?”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan still stood behind the rain curtain, inside the public hall, but his voice became distant. “Jiang Wang is at least right on one point: Fei Ya handling affairs outside should consider the reputation of Mu Country. We are not Jing Country yet; there’s no reason to preemptively commit Jing Country’s mistakes.”

“Who cares about that? I am asking – is Gu Shi Yi’s derivation process without problems?”

“That is indeed without problems, unless I cannot see the truth… Then where in this world is there ‘truth’ to speak of? The only problem is, he does have a lot of hostility towards me, wanting to force me to step onto the absolute peak.”

The old man’s voice said, “You are able to endure. Better to lose this round than to step into derivation.”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan’s tone was calm. “Once you go up the mountain, you cannot come down again. Gu Shi Yi is well-prepared beforehand; how can I act rashly?”

The old man’s voice said, “Losing to Huang Fu, who is also in the Cave True realm, you are willing to accept. Losing to Gu Shi Yi, a Cave True losing to Derivation, is more natural. But many people are waiting for you to derive.”

“A twenty-three-year-old young person knows not to seek small truths. I, Hu Yan Jing Xuan, have fought and honed myself through life and death, obtaining the grassland’s first truth. How can I seek small Daos?” Hu Yan Jing Xuan said lightly. “How many people gave Gu Shi Yi this opportunity to be so wanton on the grassland this time, and how many people want to see me become a joke?”

The old man’s voice said, “Today’s derivation suggests that Gu Shi Yi is indeed not the leader of Equality Country. We conducted a meaningless probe.”

Hu Yan Jing Xuan didn’t seem to care much about this, only saying, “He is so presumptuous on the grassland this time. Who will go teach him a lesson?”

“Su Prince,” the old man’s voice responded, adding with unfinished meaning, “Perhaps not just a lesson.”

Great Mu imperial clan, Su Prince He Lian Liang Guo! A truly awe-inspiring fierce character of the borderlands, a Derivation existence, who rarely leaves anyone alive when he acts.

“Hope he doesn’t die,” Hu Yan Jing Xuan said. “I can’t come back personally; it’s ultimately not satisfying.”

Jiang Wang, who had left the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen, hurried his footsteps. Like a prisoner who had served his sentence and was finally released, he ran incredibly fast. But after walking not far, he bumped into the hurrying Zhao Ru Cheng.

“Where are you rushing to?” Jiang Wang called out to him first.

“I heard you were taken to the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen, so I quickly came to find you. Yun Yun gave me a hand order,” Zhao Ru Cheng looked at him. “Are you alright?”

Jiang Wang was a little moved. He had a clear understanding – the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen was not a warm and affectionate place. The reason Hu Yan Jing Xuan was still quite polite to him was only a very small part due to his strength and potential.

But on the surface, he was calm and collected. “Don’t mention it. Although I just came to join the fun, I didn’t get to see the main play, and I was still pulled by Hu Yan Jing Xuan to chat and ask for strategy. Speaking of which, wouldn’t it be more convenient for Yu Wen Duo to handle this kind of internal yamen matter of Mu Country?”

“Oh, he doesn’t want to see you,” Zhao Ru Cheng said.

Jiang Wang was completely baffled. Yu Wen Duo was calling him “Brother Jiang” and flattering him profusely just last night. Why was he suddenly acting like this… and even “not want to see”? But at this moment, he tasted something more important. “Yun Yun?”

“Yes, ah,” Zhao Ru Cheng nodded very naturally. “Yun Yun heard you were taken to the Cang Yu Patrol Hunting Yamen, so she immediately gave me a hand order and told me to come see. She didn’t come personally because she went to investigate the context behind this matter to see who was deliberately pushing it.”

Jiang Wang was extremely moved. “Yun Yun is so good, ah! How much she cares about her Brother Jiang! She’s even willing to trouble herself for this and give you a hand order to rescue people.” He looked at Zhao Ru Cheng seriously again. “But you have to remember, on the surface, she cares about me, but she actually still cares about you. Because I am your third brother, she maintains this! Otherwise, what friendship do I have with her that would make her act like this? Believe your third brother, you still have a chance, a very big chance!”

Zhao Ru Cheng looked at him, wanting to speak but stopping, finally letting out an “um.”

Jiang Wang was already thinking at this point, and he said as he walked, “Brother will teach you another move. This time she helped me, and as my younger brother, you must thank her. How about this: first invite her out for a meal. I have some money on me; we’ll book the best restaurant—do you remember what she likes to eat? At that time, I’ll find a chance to slip away, and you and her can talk well. Like this, I’ll arrange a hero saving the beauty scenario, find someone who’s not long-sighted…”

“I’m getting married,” Zhao Ru Cheng said.

“That person drinks too much and acts confused, and doesn’t even know who is sitting in the private room, then—um?” Jiang Wang turned his head and looked at him, stunned, his thinking temporarily stopping, just walking straight ahead, crashing into a wall. “Ah?”

Thanks to book friend “Shi Qi” for becoming the alliance master of this book; this is the 581st alliance of Red Heart Patrol Heaven!

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