Xie Baoshu frowned slightly, “Jiang Wang also said that Yu Beidou himself wouldn’t care.”

“Yu Beidou is someone who would point at others’ noses and yell angrily. He really wouldn’t care what people said about him behind his back,” Xie Huaian said. “But someone else will care for him.”

Jiang Wang stood up and bowed to Xie Huaian, “I appreciate you being willing to apologize to him. But I think he wouldn’t care.”

Perhaps worried that Xie Baoshu was ignorant and would offend True Master Jiang… Xie Huaian, who worried excessively for his nephew, not only readily agreed to spar but also offered many pointers during the match, almost demonstrating hand-in-hand how an experienced True Master, listed in the Council of State, battles.

They didn’t stay at the Xie family for too long. After a simple chat, True Master Jiang took his leave.

“Uncle,” Xie Baoshu, who had been standing beside the two True Masters serving them, finally sat down. “He’s already dead. Is it still necessary to apologize?”

Visiting Xie Huaian was optional, but since he was there, Jiang Wang formally invited Grand Physician Xie for a spar between True Masters.

Of course, this wasn’t “severing emotions and desires, solely pursuing the Dao.”

Instead, it was “seeing myself and all others as myself,” it was “crossing the sea of suffering alone, wandering freely in the mortal world.”

This was also what Xie Huaian referred to as the “Free True Master.”

What he sought wasn’t “freedom from worries,” but “unobstructed true self.”

It wasn’t “not caring,” but “not being bound.”

Elevating the Spirit Domain to its limit and transforming it into a small world was also a way to improve one’s understanding of the world, which in turn could benefit the Primordial Spirit.

Of course, this step was by no means easy; one could even say it was like chasing a horse on a mountain path and dying of exhaustion.

The True Source Fire Realm was exceptionally blessed, having the richest accumulation of resources, and at the moment of reaching the Grotto-Heaven realm, it leaped and followed, becoming a natural progression.

The other two Spirit Domains still needed more refinement.

Taking the Yanfu Sword Prison as an example, his swordsmanship cultivation was already sufficient to support the framework of a small world, but to truly achieve a complete Sword Dao world, he still needed more resources. The simplest and most direct resource was swordsmanship – various kinds of swordsmanship.

So he practiced swordsmanship more diligently than before. However, the display of techniques by a True Master was unlike before.

To think he started as a child carrying a wooden sword and reached his current state step by step. Every sword canon, every sword technique, was practiced thousands of times with a sword in hand, forged with sweat, turning sword moves into instinct, and refined through countless life-and-death battles before achieving complete mastery, reaching divinity through techniques.

Nowadays, he could discern the profound mysteries of some so-called excellent sword canons at a glance. Within the Yanfu Sword Prison, there were countless sword qi, constantly evolving various sword techniques.

Just as the True Source Fire Realm evolved Fire Element Dao techniques, the Yanfu Sword Prison evolved swordsmanship.

The process of elevating the Spirit Domain and cultivating a small world was both a process of pursuing the Dao and a process of refining the methods of protecting the Dao.

After becoming a True Master, he was experiencing a period of explosive growth in combat strength.

Each day was better than the previous one.

He stayed in Linzi for quite a while, and of course, he specifically visited the Old Madam of the Li family to thank her for her concern. Lately, Li Longchuan was being strictly disciplined. It was usually difficult for him to get permission to go out and play with anyone. But as long as he said he was with Jiang Wang, the Old Madam had no objections and even allowed him to stay out all night.

But upon meeting and talking, they learned that in the seven days Jiang Wang had been back in Linzi, Li Longchuan had asked for leave nine times, but in fact, he had only met with Jiang Wang twice…

While Li Longchuan was being disciplined, True Master Jiang naturally had to spar with Jade Langjun and also ask if Marquis Cuicheng was available.

After challenging the Academician of Donghua, he went on to challenge the Military Affairs Hall. After challenging the commanders of the Nine Legions, he went on to challenge the Grand Counselors.

He had sparred with Jade Langjun, and Yi Xingchen, who was just as famous, naturally couldn’t refuse. Yi Dafu’s son and daughter were all enthusiastic, even more so than Jiang Wang himself.

It was just that Fierce Butcher and Xiuyuan were not in Linzi at the moment; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to avoid this battle.

Er Fengming called this “Linzi Tempering Truth,” also known as “True Master Jiang’s Sword Sharpening Journey.”

Before leaving Linzi, Jiang Wang went to Ganma Mountain.

He burned some paper money and cleared some weeds.

The dead have no perception; the living do this to soothe their hearts.

Most of the brothers who died on the伐Xia battlefield were able to have their bodies intact and their clothes neat.

For the soldiers whose bones were gone in the Suopo Dragon Realm, they had to engrave their names on a communal grave.

On his last day in Qi, Jiang Wang returned to Qingyang Town.

This was where he started, and it was no longer his fiefdom. It was now under the jurisdiction of Jiacity, and the minor officials in the town hall hadn’t changed much.

He came to the Zhengsheng Hall.

Speaking of which, he built this hall for his own cultivation. Later, things became very complicated, and he spent less and less time in Qingyang Town, so he didn’t use it much. After that… he no longer needed it.

The development of events was always very strange, not entirely as initially planned.

The current owner of the Zhengsheng Hall was Zhusui, who had finally laid down his heavy burden.

A True Monarch for ten thousand years, his true body perished in the Maze Realm.

He finally no longer patrolled at night, and he finally couldn’t keep his broken leather hat and broken leather coat.

The old man lay on a bamboo rocking chair, holding a pipe in his hand and puffing slowly. To his left was a tea stool with a fruit platter, containing peeled oranges and sliced watermelon. To his right was a small table with several plates of cold mixed dishes and a pot of wine.

A breeze blew, and the sounds of nature echoed in the hall.

He picked up a dish, took a sip of wine, puffed on his pipe, and the rocking chair swayed back and forth.

His clothes were clean and tidy, new cloth shoes, new silk clothes, not the unkempt look from before, like a retired wealthy landowner enjoying his old age.

At a certain moment, opening his cloudy eyes, he saw Jiang Wang.

There was no expression of surprise, only: “Leaving?”

His eyes were once blind because he had to patrol at night. Now they were less blind, but he saw less and less.

Jiang Wang casually pushed open the skylight remotely, making the sound of the distant bamboo sea more enchanting. He replied, “I’ve seen everyone I should see, and been to all the places I should go. It’s time to leave.”

“The new Commander of the Zhan Yu Army should be Tian Anping,” Zhusui said calmly. “I think the Son of Heaven is not hesitant, but intentionally making him wait longer.”

Remembering that terrifying man with the karmic entanglement lock, Jiang Wang whispered, “Such high-level secrets are beyond my hearing.”

“I’m just guessing,” Zhusui said. “It’s not a secret.”

Jiang Wang said, “Wild guesses are not the habit of the night watchmen, much less yours.”

“But it is the habit of retired old men,” Zhusui said with a smile. “One always has to reminisce about the past, comment on the country, and educate the younger generation.”

His smile was so gentle.

So much so that it was difficult to recall how he used to preside over the night watchmen.

Jiang Wang recalled his first impression of him in the ruins of Kurongyuan: the white paper lantern, the worn leather coat, the hunched figure, and the pale and terrifying blind eyes seemed to become blurred and indistinct, leaving only a trace of the terror at that time, which was still clear.

He understood that this was the ‘Dao’ of the True Monarch in front of him… it had disappeared.

“What an honor to be guided by Lord Zhusui.”

Zhusui said to himself, “In the Military Affairs Hall, one Qi Xiao left, and one Tian Anping came. You could have entered but left. From now on, the Zhan Yu Army will probably be the most dangerous and have the highest elimination rate among the Nine Legions.”

Jiang Wang said seriously, “The Son of Heaven naturally knows how to use people; it is not for a mere True Master like me to comment. I don’t understand Tian Anping, but the Son of Heaven definitely does.”

Zhusui nodded, stopped talking about this, and changed the subject, asking, “Your little maid coming to Qingyang Town, was that your idea?”

Jiang Wang shook his head, “My arrangement for her was to have her enter the Desheng Business Firm, give her three-tenths of my share, and have her go into business in the future, living off this foundation.”

“Then it seems it was the idea of our new Marquis Bowang,” Zhusui said slowly. “This kid is really cunning. More cunning than his father, and more sly than his grandfather.”

Chongxuan Futu was a magnanimous person, and the old Marquis Chongxuan Yunbo had a strong character. Although they were not lacking in wisdom, they were not at all cunning!

Chongxuan Sheng was the kind of person who always had a smiling face, and the more he wanted to kill, the more harmless he smiled. If he could stab someone in the back, he would never go around to the front.

Jiang Wang did not want to comment on the Chongxuan family and said softly, “If Lord Zhusui thinks it’s inappropriate, I will take Xiaoxiao away later.”

“What’s inappropriate?” Zhusui said lazily, “Look at these mixed dishes, chilled wine, fresh fruits, clean clothes, good pipe… What’s inappropriate?”

He placed his pipe on the small table, slowly sat up, and showed Jiang Wang his silk clothes and cloth shoes: “Look at these new clothes and shoes of mine, she made them herself. They fit very well.”

Jiang Wang said, “When she was a child, her family were tailors.”

Zhusui glanced at him and said, “No wonder!”

Jiang Wang said, “Her craftsmanship is indeed good, and even more rarely, she is very considerate of you.”

“What I said ‘no wonder’ about is no wonder she is loyal to you,” Zhusui said. “Who would remember what a maid’s family did, who would arrange a way out for their maid before risking their lives? And which master would quietly speak well of his maid in front of a smelly old man? Especially when you have reached your current level.”

“I’m not as kind as Lord Zhusui thinks,” Jiang Wang said. “She works very diligently and thoughtfully, saving me a lot of effort over the years. What I gave her is what she deserves.”

“Don’t call me ‘Lord’ anymore, I’m retired,” Zhusui said, glancing at him again. “You’re retired too.”

Jiang Wang smiled.

Zhusui lay back down: “I will teach her a little something, but her talent as a maid surpasses cultivation; it’s hard for her to achieve much.”

Jiang Wang said, “Being a maid doesn’t require talent, only diligence. That’s why you can see she is the most willing to put in effort.”

“The Divine Seal method gave her the possibility of improvement, but it also limited her potential,” Zhusui said. “You are now considered on the same level as a True God. As your fervent believer, her upper limit can be higher to some extent—but you know it’s still too low.”

“Of course I know your greatness; I have witnessed your burden with my own eyes. I can only say that I will continue to work hard to raise her upper limit,” Jiang Wang said. “Dugu Xiao will be a good disciple; she knows how to repay kindness.”

“Her,” Zhusui said indifferently, “is a heartless person.”

Jiang Wang opened his mouth, but said nothing. Indeed, he couldn’t refute this. He held respect for the old man in front of him and didn’t want to lie to him.

Because of that gray past, Dugu Xiao had no feelings for this world and had no distinction between good and evil in her heart. The only reason she hadn’t done evil things so far was that her master didn’t like it, and that was all.

If he was gone one day, it wouldn’t be surprising for Dugu Xiao to do anything.

But Zhusui added, “I don’t care.”

Jiang Wang said seriously, “I will make her a good disciple.”

Zhusui let out an inexplicable sigh without comment: “People, the closer they get to the day of death, the more they like to reminisce. Lately, I always think of the past.”

Thinking of the past reminds him of Martial Ancestor, and thinking of Martial Ancestor reminds him of… uh, reading.

Jiang Wang remained calm, “For example?”

As the night watchman who had guarded the Great Qi Empire for a thousand years, Zhusui knew countless secrets. In the long history of Qi’s rise to dominance, countless secrets had vanished into time.

The details of Jiang Wuliang, the Duke of Lou Lan, the Son of Heaven’s ascension to the throne, and even the life of Emperor Wu… It was rare for Zhusui to be in a talking mood today; what did he want to say?

Zhusui slowly ate a segment of an orange before saying, “As early as the time in Kurongyuan, I saw that you probably had some connection with the Buddhist sect. Later, your experiences also proved this point. Xuankong Temple, Sumeru Mountain, and even Xiyue Nunnery, are all more or less involved with you; they have either helped you or been helped by you. I have heard the Bell of Hearing, the Bell of Knowing, and the Bell of Broad Hearing. You have seen them all. But I often wonder… is your connection with Buddhism a good connection?”

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment and said, “How can there be a fixed distinction between good and evil? Doesn’t it depend on how people get along?”

Zhusui smiled, “Indeed.”

Jiang Wang continued, “You are a powerful figure from the time of the Martial Ancestor. The time you saw me in the ruins of Kurongyuan was only a few years ago. That doesn’t count as your ‘past’.”

“None of this matters to me anymore. I have fulfilled my duties, and I have walked the path I was meant to walk.” Zhusui picked up his pipe, put it in his mouth, and slowly closed his eyes: “Go.”

Jiang Wang quietly bowed and then departed silently.

Not long after, the frail figure of Dugu Xiao walked in.

She was carrying a bowl of freshly brewed Tremella and Snow Pear soup in her hand. Upon entering the hall, she paused.

Zhusui did not open his eyes and just asked, “Do you usually contact your master frequently through the Divine Seal?”

Dugu Xiao came back to her senses, walked closer, put down the soup, and quickly tidied up the wine and dishes. She answered in a low but clear voice, “Never. Master is a figure of the heavens and does great things. Unless necessary, I cannot disturb him.”

“Then how did you know he was here?” Zhusui asked.

Dugu Xiao didn’t think about how Zhusui knew that she ‘knew.’ How could she understand Zhusui’s power?

She just answered honestly, “Opening this skylight as soon as he enters the hall is Master’s habit. And he only opens half of it; at this time, the sound of the bamboo sea is just right. So I thought Master might have returned.”

What exactly did Zhusui want to say?

Was he implying Xuankong Temple, Sumeru Mountain, or Kurongyuan?

Jiang Wang didn’t want to listen further.

If it involved the former two, he would handle his own relationships. If it involved Kurongyuan, it would inevitably circle back to Jiang Wuliang.

He really didn’t want to find trouble for himself.

After leaving Qi, he didn’t return directly to Xingyueyuan, but instead went to Xuankong Temple.

Having finally achieved the title of the First True Master in history, he also wanted Old Monk Kujue to see it!

Earlier, Xuankong Temple had written back saying that True Master Kujue had gone on a pilgrimage. He decided to ask the yellow-faced old monk where he had gone and then check on Little Saint Monk Jingli, lest this simple-minded little monk secretly be unhappy…

But he didn’t see either the old or the young monk.

He only saw the Head Monk of Guanshi Courtyard, Master Kuti.

This black-robed monk, who had been scolded by Kujue as a “little chicken thief, a bald donkey in the corner,” seemed to have a particularly bad relationship with Kujue.

However, he was not impolite to Jiang Wang.

He just said with a serious face, “True Master Jiang, Kujue is always restless. Today he runs to the east, and tomorrow he runs to the west. This poor monk doesn’t know where he has gone.”

“Didn’t he even say the approximate direction?” Jiang Wang asked.

Kuti said, “He wouldn’t tell me.”

Alas, he had planned to let the yellow-faced old monk see what it meant to be the First True Master in history. He was also prepared to accompany him around Xuankong Temple a few times to show off his prestige… Hey! He went off to play by himself!

One cannot blame Jiang for not caring about him.

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and then asked, “Previously, your temple replied that Little Saint Monk Jingli was in seclusion. How is he now? Has he not come out yet?”

Kuti shook his head, “Jingli has entered the Central Suopo World to comprehend the supreme mystical method. He cannot come out immediately just because he wants to.”

Central Suopo World… was the kind of Grotto-Heaven treasure that Qingyu had mentioned. It was a great thing for Jingli to enter this place for cultivation. Jiang Wang was also happy for him.

But he couldn’t help but feel a little regretful – every time he came to Xuankong Temple before, it was because of various matters, and he had to be secretive. But Kujue and Jingli always jumped out in unexpected ways and pulled him to discuss the plan for Sanbao Mountain.

Today, True Master Jiang finally swaggered to their doorstep, specifically looking for them, but couldn’t see them. The word “緣” (yuan) was difficult to explain.

“Does True Master Jiang have anything else?” Kuti asked.

Jiang Wang didn’t want to come all this way for nothing, so he said, “I have long heard that Master’s Buddhist teachings are profound and his cultivation is deep. May I request a spar to witness the wonderful dharma of Shakya?”

Kuti put his palms together in a salute, “Forgive me, monks do not act aggressively, nor do they fight fiercely. This old monk has not made a move for many years. True Master Jiang should wait for Kujue to return before fighting with him.”

Why did these words sound so proper?

Did Kujue, who loved to drink, eat meat, act aggressively, fight fiercely, and curse, not count as a true Buddha?

Did Jingli, who loved to use sacks and deliver sneak attacks, not have a glass heart?

Jiang Wang just smiled, “Okay, then I won’t disturb you.”

He turned and left gracefully.

The area belonging to Xuankong Temple was a land of pure bliss. The believers farmed and lived their lives, receiving guidance from the Guru on matters of wind and rain, having food and clothing, and spiritual sustenance, living peacefully and happily.

Some knelt and ascended the mountain, some listened quietly to the sound of the bell, and some chanted Buddhist scriptures softly.

“People in the human world, matters in the mortal world. Unconstrained body, free and easy wandering!”

Jiang Wang stepped onto the clouds.

At the moment he left Xuankong Temple, he suddenly felt uninhibited and let out a long whistle: “Old Divine Monk Kujue! Little Saint Monk Jingli! Thank you for your care in the past. Jiang Wang will visit again another day!”

He shouted, “The orthodox lineage of Buddhism is in Sanbao!”

His voice lingered for a long time, but he had already gone far.

The yellow-faced old monk loved to boast, and Little Monk Jingli was the kind of person who would hide under the covers and feel overjoyed.

This trip as the First True Master in history was not in vain.

It heavily gilded Sanbao Mountain.

Nothing else was needed; in today’s world, the name Jiang Wang was the purest gold.

After leaving Xuankong Temple, Jiang Wang indeed had nowhere else to go, so he returned to Xingyueyuan.

Xingyueyuan and Xuankong Temple were connected from north to south, almost adjacent. For a long time, it was like the backyard of Xuankong Temple. That’s why Jingli was so happy when Jiang Wang moved to Xingyueyuan.

A vast silhouette in the heavens and earth, a green rainbow in the long sky.

At a certain moment, suddenly, frost appeared in all directions!

An extremely cold and chilling killing intent descended as if falling from the Ninth Heaven.

Jiang Wang stepped out from the green rainbow, his steps graceful, his green robe unrestrained. His hand rested on his long sword, and boundless sword qi filled his body.

The Yanfu Sword Prison, which practiced sword techniques at all times, stood in this heaven and earth, establishing a human world of the Sword Dao!

And in his golden eyes, he saw a white-haired man, with his hands behind his back, his sword eyes emotionless, stepping through the air in a straight line, as if stepping on a line of virtual sword edge…

True Master Qisha, Lu Frost River!

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This chapter is 6K words, of which 2K is added for the Sect Master “Dreaming of Swords and Traveling the World”.

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In terms of cultivation, the two main directions Jiang Wang is currently focusing on are the cultivation of the Primordial Spirit and pushing both the Yanfu Sword Prison and the Jianwen Immortal Domain into small worlds.

Refining soul power into spirit sense power, and refining spirit sense power into divine sense power, are all matters of perseverance, accumulation of quantity leading to qualitative change.

The cultivation of the Primordial Spirit is not just ascetic practice; it also requires understanding of oneself and the world, and a deeper exploration of the path.

“Haven’t you understood what he has been doing during this time?” Xie Huaian said. “He is now touring the world as a True Master, resolving karma. He wants to be a true Free True Master.”

“Does this little matter between uncle and Yu Beidou also count as karma?” Xie Baoshu still couldn’t understand. “Is uncle being too cautious? And paying too much attention to him?”

“You are right. I didn’t need to apologize,” Xie Huaian got up and left the room.

“Jiang Wang?” Xie Baoshu asked.

Xie Huaian said, “Apologies are not for the dead, but for the living. Just like when I cursed Yu Beidou, I wasn’t cursing for Yu Beidou to hear.”

Everyone’s exploration of the Dao is different.

For Jiang Wang’s path of the true self, he had to peel back the lines of karma and the threads of the mortal world to see the truest self beneath the entanglement of grievances and grudges.

After the spar, both sides sat down to enjoy tea.

After chatting for a few sentences, Xie Huaian said, “True Master Jiang, there is actually one more thing I need to apologize to you for—not exactly to you, but I don’t know who else to turn to. Yu Beidou, do you still remember?”

The conduct of the Grand Counselor was far beyond what Xie Baoshu was capable of. He didn’t mention anything in his words but was full of sincerity in his actions.

This made Jiang feel quite embarrassed and decided that he could also give some pointers to Xie Xiaobao when he had time.

Jiang Wang was silent for a while and then smiled, “The foremost calculation expert in the world, the last True Monarch of the divination道, ‘Half-Life Calculated’ Yu Beidou. How could I forget? I will always remember him.”

“Yes, I remember you two were very close,” Xie Huaian said. “I once criticized him as a ‘fraudulent trickster,’ but the battle in the Maze Realm proved my shallowness. He shattered all my prejudices about diviners. I admit he was a true strongman, supporting the backbone of divination. I apologize to you; this is what I should have said to him.”

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