Jiang Wang did not see the Emperor’s face because the Emperor had his back to him.

Inside the hall stood a massive, hollow crystal pillar. One had to look closely to see the transparent, floating carvings on its surface, which depicted the mountains and rivers of the world. Living water flowed within, with abundant water plants and fish of various colors swimming and patrolling amongst them.

This was not just a uniquely shaped fish tank; it was said to be connected to the Zi River.

The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, watching the fish in silence.

Huo Yanshan quietly exited the hall and stood guard at the door.

Jiang Wang, upon entering the hall, bowed to the Emperor, who still had his back turned: “Commoner Jiang Wang pays respects to the Emperor.”

Silence.

The silence continued for a long time.

Jiang Wang went back to what he was doing while waiting outside – using the Huanmeng Ling to simulate a sparring session with Elder Ye. He was broad-chested, and this exercise was purely to temper his combat strength, identify weaknesses and fill gaps, and break through his limitations. It was not for seeking revenge.

Just as he was deep in practice, the Emperor spoke: “Before, I didn’t make you wait. Now, you can’t see me whenever you please. Do you know why?”

Jiang Wang answered honestly: “I also waited two hours last time.”

Jiang Wang added: “After that, I still waited one night.”

The Emperor said: “I am busy with state affairs. Don’t say irrelevant things.”

“Uh,” Jiang Wang said, “Because Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, I need to wait.”

“There is no longer a place for you in Qi,” the Emperor said.

Jiang Wang replied: “I’m not staying, just passing through.”

“Where do you think this is that you can just pass through casually?”

“This is my second hometown. I often come back to visit.”

“Stop using those meaningless titles to elevate yourself. If there’s a first and second, there will be a third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. What does that count for? The world is so big, they are all your hometowns.”

“Although the world is vast, I only have two hometowns,” Jiang Wang said sincerely. “Fenglin City is the hometown where I was born. I couldn’t choose it, and there are people there I can never see again. Qi is the path I chose myself. I struggled here, grew here, and also gained and lost here. There are friends here I will have forever, and people I will always respect.”

The Emperor’s voice held no trace of emotion, whether joy or anger. He pointed a finger at the crystal pillar. A rainbow-colored fish within, startled, shot out like an arrow from a bow, darting into the water plants. It instantly changed color, blending with the plants… leaving only a bubble in its original spot.

The Emperor said: “You are now like this fish, slippery and evasive, changing colors extremely quickly. Not a bit of sincerity.”

Jiang Wang’s expression didn’t change. He respectfully said: “This water pillar is just like Your Majesty’s world.”

“Is my world that small?”

“It connects to the Zi River, which reaches the East Sea and the Long River!”

“Did you stay up late just doing this kind of preparation?”

“I just memorized His Majesty’s words, read more books. Besides cultivating, I just read books.”

“Cultivation, I’ve seen. Reading? The Biography of Sycophantic Ministers?”

Jiang Wang seemed to completely misunderstand the sarcasm. He wore an honest expression and said: “I read the History of Knife Chiseling the Sea, Stone Gate Military Strategies, The General Discussion of Five Punishments, The Ten Thousand Ages Law, The Theory of Power, Facing Cangwu…”

“Not bad, you have a wealth of knowledge and can list all the books.”

“I dare not say so. I often wander in the sea of books and only grasp one grain.”

“You are actually that busy?”

“The world is too vast, and Jiang Wang is too insignificant. I must diligently learn and cultivate to avoid being abandoned by the world.”

The Qi Emperor’s tone suddenly sharpened, like a knife: “If you are this busy, where did you find the time to cause such a stir in the Mu Kingdom?”

“It wasn’t really causing a stir… just that my sworn brother got married. I stayed there for a few days, conveniently exchanged some pointers with the grassland heroes, and conveniently visited the border wilderness, leaving behind a stele.” Jiang Wang’s voice grew softer as he spoke: “Conveniently chopped a True One…”

The Qi Emperor said: “I heard that the Mu Emperor promised you a marquisate of ten thousand households?”

At this moment, every strand of Jiang Wang’s hair felt heavy.

This question was difficult to answer. Advancing would offend the Qi Emperor, and retreating would offend the Mu Emperor.

In his mind, ten thousand immortal thoughts flashed wildly, and finally, he calmly said: “It shows Your Majesty’s insight, that even someone as great as the Mu Emperor recognizes it.”

The Emperor spread open his dragon robe, turned around, and though their heights were not far apart, at this moment, he seemed to be looking down from the nine heavens upon the mortal world!

“Smooth talker! I am already tired of hearing it. Weighing the pros and cons, offending no one, playing the role of a tumbler! What is the difference between you and the Marquis of Bo Wang now?”

Jiang Wang thought to himself, isn’t that better than those court officials you find excuses to reprimand?

But his mouth only said: “The Marquis of Bo Wang has generational merit for the country, his wisdom is profound. He is a pillar of Great Qi. If I could have even half of his cleverness, I would burn incense to the high heavens.”

The Emperor’s gaze fell upon him, light yet like a mountain or a sea: “You brought me books to read before. Are you here to return them now?”

“I cannot return them.” Jiang Wang’s tone was firm: “That set Your Majesty gave me is already worn out and has too many annotations… but I can buy Your Majesty a brand new, deluxe collector’s edition from the capital.”

The History of Knife Chiseling the Sea is vast, containing thousands of words. If it were truly a collector’s edition from the capital, the price could be astonishing.

The Emperor’s voice rose slightly: “You are rich now. Did you specially come to show off in front of me?”

“Your Majesty should know my pockets are empty! It’s just that to avoid disappointing you, I’m willing to endure the cost and buy a book as a gift!”

“Where is the book?”

“Ah?” Jiang Wang was taken aback for a moment: “You really want it?”

Seeing the atmosphere was not right, he quickly said: “This commoner will immediately go borrow money to buy a book and present it to His Majesty!”

“You are like some rotten True One, your hands are empty, and your money pouch is also empty!” The Emperor said coldly: “Then what did you come for?”

“Can’t I just visit an elder?”

The Emperor let out a “Heh”: “You even dare to talk back to me.”

Jiang Wang cautiously retreated a few steps, bowing his body: “This commoner was impolite.”

The Emperor originally didn’t want to move, but at this moment, he couldn’t help but kick him: “Where can you hide?”

Jiang Wang didn’t not want to hide from this kick; he truly couldn’t hide.

He clearly saw the boot, and the speed didn’t seem fast, but he just couldn’t react. His newly formed Yuan Shen seemed stupid, only coming alive after he had flipped once in the hall.

To avoid a second kick, Jiang Wang quickly dug into the depths of his heart and loudly said: “I truly came to see Your Majesty and also let Your Majesty see me! I came to the East Country, relying heavily on Your Majesty’s trust and favor. Your Majesty gave me protection, gave me opportunities, and only then is there the Jiang Wang of today—”

The Qi Emperor interrupted his dramatic speech: “Opportunities I didn’t exclusively give you. I always offer them to the people of the world. You just strived a little, fighting for them with your life. I rewarded your merits, I never considered you my person from the start. You repeatedly achieved great merits, yet you returned all the honors, and also relied on yourself to escape from the Champion Marquis’s blade. I said I would release you and I released you. How can you eat the Emperor’s words? You owe nothing to the East Country, stop saying such pointless nonsense!”

Jiang Wang sincerely said: “Your Majesty can say that, but this commoner will not think that way. Jiang Wang was born in a small country, drifted for many years, and also read many history books, always finding new insights. I deeply understand that ‘fairness’ is not something that comes naturally. A ‘fair’ environment cannot appear spontaneously; it itself requires immense social resources to maintain. It cannot be established without wise monarchs and sagely lords, nor can it be measured without an upward-trending country.

“That I could grow in a fair environment, that I could gain from my efforts, this in itself is the grace of Qi. So, when I went to fight and kill the enemy, to gain merit for the country, I never spared my life.

“Jiang Wang is not smart or wise, reckless and impulsive, self-absorbed, and often willful. If not for the Emperor’s tolerance, how could I stand tall in this world? If not for the Emperor’s trust, how would the world know my name?

“When I resigned in the past, I came with the determination to die, unable to endure Zhuang Gao Xian for another day, and also unable to let my body burden the country and make enemies of the world, so I resigned my seal and went west. The second month, this hatred was indeed avenged!

“Afterward, I went six thousand li deep into the border wilderness, entered the Cave True, chopped a true demon… at these critical moments in my life, I often thought of Your Majesty.

“I think Your Majesty treated me with utmost sincerity, and I also regard Your Majesty as a respected elder, hence I come to see you—

“I only hope that the youth who once exposed his wounds in plain clothes has truly grown into the strong man Your Majesty expected!”

Jiang Wang spoke with genuine sincerity, but the Qi Emperor listened with an expressionless face.

The heartfelt and loud voice in the hall finally dissipated into echoes.

The Emperor just said: “Do you still have the purple robe?”

The first time the Qi Emperor saw Jiang Wang was in the East Hua Pavilion. At that time, Chong Xuan Sheng brought Jiang Wang there, and Jiang Wang ‘exposed his clothes’. Throughout the whole process, the Qi Emperor did not speak to him, only looked at his body full of scars and declared:

“Grant one purple robe to cover the strong man’s body.”

At that time, Jiang Wang also only replied one sentence: “Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty.”

Now, this question shows that they both remembered that first meeting many years ago, when they were once monarch and minister.

Jiang Wang cupped his hands and replied, his tone slightly aggrieved: “I have always kept that purple robe well, even specially leaving a room for it, burning incense and offering sacrifices. Last time, Chief Steward Han sealed the door and sealed it inside. He said that nothing from the mansion could be taken away…”

The Emperor said: “It was sealed well. I told him to seal it. You still report and inform, I didn’t discover you had this talent before!”

Jiang Wang was genuinely a little wronged by this. He asks a question but doesn’t allow an answer? Then don’t ask!

He cupped his hands and said: “Your Majesty, loyal words may be harsh, but I am just speaking the truth, not reporting or informing.”

“Should I call Han Ling to confront you?”

“This… no need, right? We had a quite good chat on the way. I don’t want to report him face-to-face.”

The Qi Emperor stretched out a finger and pointed at him: “So you’re just reporting behind his back?”

“False words deceive the monarch, true words hurt Chief Steward Han.” Jiang Wang sighed: “I cannot deceive the monarch.”

“That single sentence is a deceitful word to the monarch!”

“Every word is true.”

“Looks honest, but is actually cunning. What kind of person are you, Jiang Wang? Do I not know?”

Jiang Wang said: “I am a true person.”

“Now you’ve also learned to pull strings, use clever words to justify wrongdoings, not showing a bit of remorse, becoming more and more slick—”

“Just say whether it’s true or not.”

The Qi Emperor raised his palm high.

“I was wrong!” Jiang Wang, knowing better than to suffer immediate losses, quickly lowered his head: “I won’t dare next time!”

“You still want a next time?”

“I’ll come back to see you when I’m free.”

“Not even half a sentence matches!” The Qi Emperor flicked his sleeve: “Get out. I’m not yet so old that I need your visits!”

Jiang Wang bowed deeply: “May Your Majesty’s grand plan unfold again, and may purple flags cover the world.”

His respect, gratitude, and blessings all came from his heart.

The Qi Emperor ignored him.

He also stepped back, back, back, all the way back to the threshold of the door before turning around.

It wasn’t until this moment that a voice came from behind—”You did very well.”

Jiang Wang walked out of De Lu Palace in big strides. The sunlight outside the hall was dazzling.

Even without discussing authority, speaking only of personal power, the Emperor of Great Qi was among the strongest in the world. Within the country’s borders, he was unmatched. Outside the country’s borders, he could also derive and advance the path invincibly.

Like military cultivators who can unleash their strongest power on the battlefield, and reach their peak when assisted by military formations, their killing power far surpasses other cultivators of the same realm.

Walking the official path to its limit is also like this. The more sufficient the authority, the stronger the cultivation.

Like the six powerful emperors in the world, they hold hegemonic countries, command heroes of the world, and with a single thought, influence the life and death of billions. When truly fighting, controlling the destiny of the country, their combat power is not inferior to those at the absolute peak.

If one can unify the six directions, stabilize the universe, and achieve the path with this, then even among those at the absolute peak, they will be the strongest existence!

Because this in itself is the most difficult path.

Official path cultivation is easiest at the beginning, and most helpful for breaking realms. But as one reaches the end, it becomes more difficult than all other cultivation paths.

Because the ultimate goal of unifying the world means that you want to suppress all heroes in the current world! No matter what path you walk, what absolute peak you reach, you are all under heaven, all subjects!

The emperors of the six directions today, once they achieve their goal, want to surpass the ancient human emperors.

Because after generations of human rise, today’s human path is flourishing, many times more prosperous than in the past.

The official path has been vigorously pursued to this day, and the difficulty of holding the universe in one’s hands is also far greater than in the past.

For the emperors of the six great hegemonic countries.

The worst outcome is to be pulled down from the throne, have cultivation scattered, lose control of life and death, and have the country ravaged. Like Zhuang Gao Xian.

Slightly better is to die and have one’s path extinguished on the battlefield, dying for the country. Like Yang Jian De, Han Zhou, Si Yuan. Of course, there are also levels among these, wise monarchs and muddled monarchs, which history will remember.

Even better is to pass on the emperorship with neither merit nor fault, or with merits and faults offsetting each other. After abdicating, the great power cannot return to oneself. But some can still become free True Ones. (In fact, no one can endure this gap. Emperors whose great power cannot return to themselves after abdicating cannot possibly prove and derive the path again. So, almost none of these emperors whose great power cannot return to themselves can live too long. Either they forcibly attempt to break through the realm and fail, or they intend to regain their position but are suppressed by the new emperor, or they simply die on the battlefield.)

The best situation, of course, is to achieve perfect merit, abdicate without regret, have great power return to oneself, and still be a True Monarch after abdicating. But this step is extremely difficult. The emperor holds supreme authority, and the difficulty of returning great power to oneself surpasses that of all kings, marquises, and generals, not just by one or two gaps. Great Qi has been founded for so many years, and there has only been one Prime Minister who returned great power to himself, Yan Ping. He was a wise minister who helped Emperor Jiang achieve his hegemonic enterprise, destined to leave his name in history. The difficulty of an Emperor returning great power to himself can be imagined.

Above all hegemonic emperors, the ultimate ideal is only one, which is the great enterprise of unifying the world. This is the goal that all monarchs under heaven, from ancient times to the present, have yearned for. Yet, it is also a narrow path where only one person can succeed.

“Purple flags cover the world” is already the best wish for a monarch.

And the Qi Emperor’s return gift was “no owing.”

The continuous palace complex stood majestically in the center of Linzi, this giant city spanning three hundred li.

Under the escort of Chief Steward of the Grand Inner, Huo Yanshan, Jiang Wang walked out of here step by step. Red walls, yellow tiles, white stone paths, evenly divided the sky’s light, reflecting the clouds and mist.

Thinking of Qing Yu’s previous discussion about immortal palaces, raising the example of the imperial palace of a hegemonic country.

The majestic palace complex was composed of nothing but bricks and stones. But behind these bricks and stones was indeed an unimaginable great power.

Even a strong lord like the Qi Emperor diligently worked for fifty-nine years, not daring to slacken.

How could he say he was truly free?

Along the way, Huo Yanshan looked at him several times, wanting to speak but hesitant. Near the palace gate, he finally said: “True Person Jiang, there’s a shoe print on your chest.”

“Oh.” Jiang Wang came to his senses and brushed his chest expressionlessly. Some thin dust was already cleaned away by the Ruyi Xianyi.

“I just learned a stepping technique. I was trying it out to see if I could step this far,” he emphasized.

Huo Yanshan nodded silently.

Jiang Wang didn’t say anything more. Compared to Han Ling, the new Chief Steward of the Grand Inner was still not sensible enough…

Sending True Person Jiang respectfully out of the palace, Huo Yanshan only turned back after his figure disappeared from sight. He felt that he had already maintained the image of a sealed-mouth guard, completely unaware that there was already a possibility of being reported.

Jiang Wang didn’t know him before, but he naturally knew Jiang Wang. Before, he didn’t know what attitude he should take towards this person who had left Qi. Now, he somewhat understood.

It is difficult to fathom the Emperor’s heart, from ancient times to the present.

Jiang Wang, who had walked out of the Great Qi imperial palace, was very silent for a while.

He stepped onto the long street and walked forward on his own.

Where was he going?

Perhaps many people would ponder this question.

True Person Jiang’s return to Linzi this time was extremely low-key. Han Ling welcomed him, coming alone, escorting him all the way into the palace, and covering their tracks. The absolute majority of the common people in the city were completely unaware of this matter.

Indeed, there was nothing to announce, it was not like before.

But in the ears of those with intentions, these quiet, lonely footsteps were no less than thunder rolling through the sky.

To put it bluntly, if Jiang Qing Yang returned to Qi, it could influence the entire power structure of Qi.

Jiang Wang had no desire to be watched, so he covered his voice and eyes, blending into the crowd.

He was already world-famous, and in Qi, he was even a household name. But with a country as vast as the East Country and so many common people, it was impossible for everyone to have seen his face. Linzi was different. In this hegemonic strong city, his supporters were especially enthusiastic.

When he left Qi, almost everyone in the entire country, from top to bottom, who had conflicts with the Marquis of Wu’an, suffered near-crazy public opinion attacks.

Even Wang Yiwu, the closed-door disciple of the Military God, could not escape.

In this city, his five senses had been analyzed and picked apart countless times, and each had its supporters. The faction that favored his eyes and the faction that thought his nose bridge was the best even fought over it.

If he didn’t cover and hide, walking on the street would immediately lead to him being recognized, and then the whole city would be stirred.

Fortunately, perception could be concealed. Now, there was no need for a long robe and hat.

Walking on the bustling long street, looking at the busy people living their lives, he seemed to be among them, yet also outside the world.

His heart and realm were different from before.

At this moment, he thought of Yu Bei Dou. It was on this street that this Jianghu warlock, whom he initially recognized as an old swindler, had blocked his horse, faked a fall, and insisted on calculating a divination for him.

Then, he led his horse, took him to tour the long street, observe the lives of the people, and view the future.

He wondered if Yu Bei Dou, at that time, had seen his own life?

All is past!

What a night tonight!

Jiang Wang walked arbitrarily, with an open heart. This time, amidst the complex noise, he precisely caught a name, a very familiar name—

Er Feng Ming.

He couldn’t help but smile slightly.

His footsteps turned halfway, and he appeared in a certain wine building. Casually conjuring a chair, he sat down among the scholars who were gathered around a table, talking loudly and discussing grand topics.

Then, he adjusted his line of sight, opened his voice, and let these people see him and hear him.

Er Feng Ming, drunk and flushed, was just pointing to the mountains and rivers: “I wrote an article several years ago! You all didn’t believe me at the time. At that time, I just said, the current problems lie in—”

He saw Jiang Wang.

His red face turned white, and the hand he had raised to boost momentum dropped. The body he had stood up in excitement slowly slid back down.

“Did I tell you to sit?” Jiang Wang asked calmly.

Er Feng Ming immediately stood straight again.

The other scholars at the table also subconsciously stood up, like a circle of people in a penalty stand.

“Never mind, sit down.” Jiang Wang lifted his palm and pressed downwards, commanding them to sit, as if pressing down a pile of puppets.

Only then did he stretch out and sit down, looking at Er Feng Ming, his tone relaxed: “Why haven’t I heard you scold me recently?”

Er Feng Ming quickly composed himself, a smile on his face, and said with some poise: “Look at what you’re saying, I just discussed matters on their own merits. Of course, the facts prove that I sometimes spoke very superficially, but I always acted for the public good, without a bit of private thought. Everyone is working for the good of this country, and there always needs to be someone to step forward and point out flaws… A prominent figure like you, why would you haggle with me? If you have them, change them; if not, encourage. Don’t you agree?”

Jiang Wang didn’t waste words with him, only smiled and pressed down his voice, then said: “This voice will not reach a third person’s ears. Tell me the truth today, and I won’t touch you.”

The scholars at the table could not hear anything, as if they were separated by a layer and watching a mime. But they all sat obediently, not daring to make a sound.

Er Feng Ming weighed it slightly, then smiled and said: “You’re not even in Qi anymore, why would I scold you? It doesn’t even earn me money.”

Opening his mouth like this was risky, because if Jiang Wang deceived him and spread his words, he would instantly be reviled by everyone. His life’s pursuit of fame would be destroyed in an instant.

But he believed Jiang Wang.

Because this person’s promises were worth a thousand gold.

There is a saying, the people who scold you the most are the ones who know best how wronged you are.

Er Feng Ming sometimes felt that he could actually be considered a close friend of this First True One of the Qing History!

Jiang Wang still smiled: “There’s some truth to it, but not enough.”

Er Feng Ming simply threw caution to the wind: “You are famous, and you have no background. When I scold you, other people will notice me. If I scold some Zhang San or Li Si, who would care about me? How would I become famous?”

He carefully looked at Jiang Wang’s expression, then added: “Moreover, scolding you also does you good… precisely because I always scold you, more people pay attention to you and understand you. That’s why you were able to gain fame in the East Country in such a short time.”

Jiang Wang’s eyes showed no annoyance, only watching his performance, and leisurely said: “You answered why you scold me, but you still haven’t answered why you don’t scold me now. Am I not more famous?”

“Before, when you held an official position, you had scruples and couldn’t do anything to me. Now that you’ve left Qi, you have no scruples,” Er Feng Ming said honestly: “I’m also afraid of dying.”

Jiang Wang smiled: “Aren’t famous scholars willing to risk death for fame?”

Er Feng Ming said with an honest face: “That’s others. I may not be like Xu Fang. I seek both fame and a good life to enjoy the fame.”

Jiang Wang laughed heartily. He truly didn’t do anything to him. He simply walked away, leaving their sight and hearing.

“Is he gone?”

“What happened? What did the First True One of the Qing History say to you?”

“Er Feng Ming? Hey! Are you still alive?”

The scholars at the table chattered away.

“Ah!” Er Feng Ming suddenly raised his eyebrows and let out a long sigh.

“What’s wrong, Brother Er?” Someone asked: “Did he threaten you?”

Er Feng Ming sighed deeply: “Today, I truly know what a True Person is!”

He said with a sentimental expression: “From now on, I should be a loyal dog to True Person Jiang. I want to write books and biographies for him, helping his name spread for a hundred generations!”

“You’re killing me with suspense, what exactly did you say just now?” The scholar opposite leaned over: “Don’t play dumb riddles!”

Er Feng Ming looked around left and right, at the expectant eyes one by one, and then said reservedly: “I saw True Person Jiang’s magnanimity, and True Person Jiang also understood my sincere intentions, which were only sometimes obscured. The friendship of a gentleman is as light as water, and we seek common ground while reserving differences. True Person Jiang and I are spiritually aligned, and a smile erases enmity!”

“Good! What a truly good story!” The scholar next to him raised his wine cup.

They cheered, sang, and shared drinks.

Truly a feast!

(I’m very sorry, I only added two thousand today. My brothers understand me, it’s not that I’m not sincere, it’s truly just this much strength.)

(I’m continuing to code now, there will definitely be updates tomorrow night at eight o’clock.)

(May we walk together on this path and finally maintain the first place.)

This chapter is 6k, including 2k added for the alliance master “Cat Greasy Night”!

Thank you to book friend “Boss, you are all too confused” for becoming the alliance master of this book, which is the 594th alliance of Red Heart Patrol Heaven!

Thank you to book friend “ghimger” for becoming the alliance master of this book, which is the 595th alliance of Red Heart Patrol Heaven!

Thank you to book friend “Uncle Good Stick” for becoming the alliance master of this book, which is the 596th alliance of Red Heart Patrol Heaven!

Thank you to book friend “Ding Ban Ban” for becoming the alliance master of this book, which is the 597th alliance of Red Heart Patrol Heaven!

()