On the bed lay a person whose original appearance was no longer recognizable.

Demon qi had swelled him greatly.

His face was uneven, resembling a desert with inexplicable collapses and bulges.

His lower lip was red and swollen like a steamed bun dyed with red sugar, while his upper lip was black and narrow like pickled vegetables placed on a steamed bun. This made the two long needles used to separate his lips look like a pair of chopsticks – as if probing to pick something out to eat.

What a truly disgusting imagination.

The Cang Yu Patrol Yamen’s Yamen Master, with a complex expression, used a demon expelling needle to separate the lips of the severely injured person, observing the teeth that were already half red and half black.

The injured person’s consciousness was long blurry, and he lay stiff and unmoving. These teeth, which should have decayed long ago, showed unexpected strength. They remained tightly interlocked, and from time to time, a lingering sound squeezed out from the gaps.

Distinguishing carefully, that sound was a shout—

“Six thousand li, six thousand li, six thousand li…”

“Yamen Master, when you carried him back, had he reached six thousand li yet?” a Flying Tooth beside him asked.

“He was short of nine hundred li,” Hu Yan Jing Xuan said.

“I think he’s very brave, actually so close,” the Flying Tooth said with a ‘tsk’.

“The border wilderness has been very dangerous recently. With his strength, under normal circumstances, he should only be short by a hundred li or so,” Hu Yan Jing Xuan said. “But a hundred li is a threshold, also enough for him to practice.”

Saying this, he took down the demon expelling needle, tossed it aside with dislike, and as he took off his gloves, he said, “Alright, send a letter to Xian Gu. The Zhong Li Zhao Jia family must contribute something this time, I’m not doing charity.”

“Shidi Jiang, when are we going to Poison Water?”

Jiang Dongjia had just finished discussing a major plan with Bai Zhanggui when Zhu Weiwo found him.

These days, he had been waiting in the building until he was almost moldy.

Jiang Wang looked at him: “Why hasn’t your injury improved at all? It seems even a little worse?”

“Small matter,” Zhu Weiwo said nonchalantly. “I was idle anyway, so I sparred a bit with Dou Zhao.”

“How could you think that, Shixiong? Divine Arrival fighting Cave True, you suffered a loss!”

“I’m Divine Arrival, he’s Cave True. I’m intact in all four limbs, he’s disabled from head to toe. It’s quite fair.”

“Is that how you calculate?” Jiang Wang was extremely helpless. “Shixiong, don’t calculate anymore in the future. I’d give you an account book and you still wouldn’t understand—”

He suddenly changed the subject, raised his voice, and at the same time gave Zhu Weiwo a meaningful look: “Who is Dou Zhao? The descendant of the Great Chu Guard Country Duke, the foremost prodigy of the South Domain, truly a top figure of his generation skilled in killing techniques. That Dou Zhan Golden Body, Other Shore Golden Bridge, how fearsome! You fought him, don’t you value your life?”

Zhu Weiwo had always been arrogant, never losing to anyone in his life, but now he ate and lived at his Shidi’s expense, so he could only cooperate. “Well, before fighting, I didn’t know he was such a strong person. Indeed, I was reckless. I need to self-criticize.”

“It’s not too late to know now. Even I have to yield to Dou Zhao’s strength by three points. You mustn’t fight him like that in the future. Protecting your body is important, Shixiong…” Jiang Wang’s tone was heavy. “Originally, after killing Zhuang Gao Xian, your injury never fully recovered. This time it’s adding frost to snow. How can we go to Poison Water?”

Zhu Weiwo was about to say that this bit of injury was nothing and that he shouldn’t nag.

Jiang Wang continued, “But it doesn’t matter! Renxin Hall’s Medical Path True Person Shangguan E Hua will be here soon. Dou Zhao specially invited her. A Medical Path True Person’s healing is benevolent, and Dou Zhao is never stingy. At that time, let True Person Shangguan also conveniently treat you a bit.”

Zhu Weiwo was slightly stunned: “Is that appropriate?”

“What’s not appropriate?” Jiang Wang said. “Go inquire in Chu Country, who doesn’t know that Dou Zhao is righteous and chivalrous, generous like the clouds in the sky? He’s a famous big spender, is he still short of you for this little matter?”

Zhu Weiwo couldn’t keep up the act: “When are we going to Poison Water? You keep saying tomorrow and then tomorrow again. I don’t know when we’ll actually go.”

Jiang Wang waved his hand: “First, get your injury healed!”

Just then, Dou Zhao came around from the door, as if he had just been passing by, and said in a very casual tone: “I just came over and heard you talking about… Poison Water? It just so happens I have nothing else to do. Let’s go together.”

Night fell.

Inside the study of Twelve Floors, Jiang Wang was writing a letter by the light of the stars—

August’s high autumn, are my old friends well?

The blue sky is hard to reach, how many cycles in the adult universe?

Untied by red dust, this little one is recently on patrol.

I am not a free and unfettered person, but I seek true freedom and unfetteredness.

I am also entangled in karma, yet I come to view karma.

Every time the stars are bright and the moon is clear, I often think of the little troublesome granny, Predecessor Guan Yan. How fortunate is Jiang Wang to have met respected elders in this life!

The path of cultivation is far, and this child often loses his way.

The long night is boundless, the sky has the Jade Balance.

Every time I look up, I think of it, think of it, and feel it in my heart!

He finished writing this letter expressing his emotions just like this, with ten points of true feeling poured into the words. Then, following the essay collection of Qing Ci Doctor Ye Hen Shui, he repeatedly modified and polished it.

In these years, True Person Jiang has written quite a few letters and painstakingly studied.

The article written with great effort, although certainly not comparable to Ye Hen Shui, didn’t even learn ten out of ten of the “Dragon Palace Garden” style. But at least it was at the “Qinghe Fu” level, if not, then the “Fengxi Ting” level in total?

Perhaps it was because Lu Shuanghe approached Star Moon Plain earlier, Predecessor Guan Yan’s reply this time was very fast.

A page of paper floated down with the star light, and on the paper were only three words—

“What matter.”

Jiang Wang then told her about Lu Shuanghe’s challenge, specifically mentioning that Lu Shuanghe said their life patterns were already entangled by the Seven Kill Star, and they couldn’t move forward without killing each other after reaching the True Person limit. He asked about this life pattern entanglement, what it was about.

He wasn’t afraid that one day in the future he would have a life-or-death sword duel with Lu Shuanghe. But he also didn’t want to inherit anything from the South Dipper Hall, and even less willing to have any unclear entanglement on his life pattern.

The last person to affect his life pattern was Zhuang Chengqian. That was definitely not an interesting memory.

About a cup of tea later, Predecessor Guan Yan’s letter was transmitted back—

“The South Dipper governs life, while the Seven Kill governs absolute life.

“The Seven Kill life pattern is passed down through generations. I have never heard of one dying for the other to live. But I took a trip to the Seven Kill Star Domain and found that your and Lu Shuanghe’s life patterns are indeed entangled. It should be the unique resolution of the contemporary Seven Kill True Person, willing to block his own path to wait for you, pursuing invincible killing power. This person is extremely sharp-edged, close to the way of heaven, and has cut off his seven emotions. Among contemporary True Persons, he should have few opponents.

“This Seven Kill life pattern entanglement is not too difficult to untie. It just needs some time, and more understanding of the Seven Kill and Lu Shuanghe. It could be as short as one or two months, or as long as three to five months. However, your little troublesome granny has a suggestion. Do you want to hear it?”

Jiang Wang immediately replied: “How could granny harm me? Quickly tell me, I will listen to every word!”

This time it changed to the dao character of the little troublesome granny. Her letter said—

“Don’t untie it yet. Wait until you reach the limit of Cave True and see the situation. If at that time you have no confidence in killing him, then let your Predecessor Guan Yan help you untie it, you derive your dao, and let him eat dirt. If at that time you have confidence in killing him, then kill the person, seize the true, and gain his killing power. He wants to borrow you to seek the dao, he should return some with principal and interest.”

This… worthy of being the little troublesome granny!

For such a matter of taking advantage of both sides, Jiang Wang of course readily agreed.

He wrote many more beautiful words, greeting the little troublesome granny with early good, noon good, evening good, and only then did he put away his pen with a full heart.

He thought for a moment, took out a piece of paper, wrote another letter, left it on the study table, and pressed it down with a paperweight. Gently pushing open the window, the starlight fell all over him, and he leaped out of the window, stepping into the starlight. With a flash, he was already gone.

The next day, everyone came to the study and only saw such a note. The words said—

“A friend’s birthday is coming up, going to congratulate them. Everyone take good care of yourselves and guard White Jade Capital. Wait for me to come back, and we’ll go to Poison Water together to build merit for the human race and eliminate harm for this world!”

The human race occupies the present world, suppressing the myriad realms of the various heavens.

Among the six great forbidden lands in the present world, the demon race, monster race, sea race, and Asura are considered external threats. Poison Water and Fallen Immortal Forest are hidden dangers left in the process of the present world’s development.

Fighting and exploring within the six great forbidden lands is itself contributing to the human race.

Jiang Wang returning after beheading a true demon is completely something to boast about to the world.

And venturing deep into Poison Water to eliminate evil views, his actions are close to “clearing the filth” for the present world, which of course also counts as “building merit.”

Just…

“Whose birthday is he celebrating? Such a big deal, making me wait?” Dou Zhao asked.

Bai Yu Xia spread his hands, indicating that he also didn’t know.

Zhu Weiwo knew in his heart that Jiang Wang wouldn’t set out until his injury was completely healed, so he didn’t say any nonsense and turned around to go downstairs himself.

Dou Zhao, on the other hand, was not in a hurry to go to Poison Water. After all, the True Person who was going to treat him was still on the way. But thinking that Jiang Wang didn’t prioritize accompanying him, Dou Someone, to Poison Water to build merit, and still wanted to run off to celebrate someone’s birthday in the middle, he was very unhappy.

Such a young generation, too arrogant!

After being unhappy for a while, he asked again: “Is it his lover?”

He called Chu Yao over: “Do you know which one it is?”

Chu Yao wrinkled her tight black eyebrows.

Dou Zhao curled his lip: “You don’t even know your Shifu’s lover? What kind of disciple are you?”

Chu Yao had a tearful face: “I don’t know which one you’re talking about—”

“Cough!” Bai Zhanggui coughed a bit.

Chu Yao said: “I don’t know anything!”

Moreover, regardless of what Zhu Weiwo and Dou Zhao thought,

Jiang Wang’s green shirt fluttered, and he stepped on the moon and left.

He wasn’t stupid.

Shixiong Zhu’s injury still wasn’t completely healed, and Dou Zhao was also disabled…

Bringing these two injured people to Poison Water now, wouldn’t he, Dou Someone, have to take care of them all the time? Too troublesome!

Better wait until Renxin Hall’s True Person Shangguan heals them!

Now, during this period of time, there was no urgent matter that required his presence, so naturally, Qing Yu’s birthday was important.

August had no extra matters, seeing Qing Yu among the clouds.

This time, he had already discussed with his advisor Bai Yu Xia in advance, prepared many gifts, and was determined to make Qing Yu very happy.

August 17th, Ye Qing Yu’s birthday.

October 12th, Jiang An An’s birthday.

Staying beautifully in Cloud Country for two months like this, wouldn’t it be joyful?

Life and cultivation are not delayed, and it won’t be too late to go to Poison Water then.

“What? Qing Yu went to cultivate outside the heavens?” As soon as he entered Ling Xiao Secret Land, he received such news, and Jiang Wang was a little stunned.

He always felt that the name ‘Ye Qing Yu’ and ‘cultivating outside the heavens’ didn’t quite match.

A disciple with a very square face named Wei Rui Xuan accompanied him carefully: “It was the Pavilion Master who brought her.”

“How long has she been gone?”

“About half a month.”

“When will she be back?”

“We don’t know.”

Jiang Wang was silent for a while: “What about An An?”

“Shimei An An also went!” Wei Rui Xuan said.

Jiang Wang understood Qing Yu’s efforts in cultivation. After all, Qing Yu had many cultivation problems before and often sent letters asking about them, showing that she was a person who loved to cultivate.

An An?

As an elder brother, he couldn’t help but say: “Did she go voluntarily?”

Wei Rui Xuan said: “Should… be.”

“Should?”

Wei Rui Xuan quickly said: “When they set out, the Pavilion Master said there was good food there, and she packed her luggage herself.”

Jiang Wang’s mood was quite subtle: “…Call your ugly elder out.”

Wei Rui Xuan had a tearful face: “Big Brother, I’m just the ugliest in our sect.”

Jiang Wang understood very well why A Chou avoided him.

Just like when Qing Yu wasn’t there, he didn’t dare to see Ye Ling Xiao alone, because he had spoken ill of Pavilion Master Ye in front of Qing Yu.

A Chou felt the same way towards him.

He also couldn’t really go and drag A Chou out.

Alas! Standing in the familiar Ling Xiao Secret Land, Jiang Wang couldn’t help but sigh.

Why did they all, one by one, not travel, but cultivate?

He, a hardworking True Person, with great enmity avenged, could occasionally stop and accompany his relatives and friends, but they were all busy, one by one!

He took out an exquisite sky-blue storage box from his bosom and handed it to Wei Rui Xuan: “Inside are the birthday gifts I prepared for Qing Yu, a total of twenty-two pieces, corresponding to her past twenty-two years. If she comes back before her birthday, just wait until her birthday to give them to her. If it’s after her birthday, give them to her as soon as she comes back. Understand?”

Wei Rui Xuan’s square face was like a heavy iron hammer, striking down with force. With this force, he indicated his respect for Big Brother Jiang.

Jiang An An’s brother was also his half-brother.

Jiang Wang took out another storage box, this one pink: “Inside are the birthday gifts I prepared for An An, also the same as for Qing Yu, understand?”

Wei Rui Xuan hammered his chest: “Brother, leave the matters to me, rest assured!”

Jiang Wang thought for a moment, then took out a painting scroll and handed it over: “This gift is for Pavilion Master Ye. Marquis Bo Wang sponsored this painting of mine. It seems to be the work of a great painter from Yang Country. I don’t remember the name, but it’s very famous anyway. I’m specifically sending it for the old man to appreciate. I have always been very respectful, very admired, and very esteemed towards Pavilion Master Ye! Convey my original words.”

Wei Rui Xuan said: “Brother, absolutely the original words, not a single word less.”

Jiang Wang looked at this boy, and then at the exquisite buildings within the Ling Xiao Secret Land.

He didn’t know why, but suddenly he thought of many things.

Ye Qing Yu had such a family background and such wealth. She was a fairy in the clouds, an existence he could not reach before.

She was also a prodigy, and even more, she had an extraordinary father. She should follow her father on patrol to the various heavens, experiencing her own cultivation and adventures.

Like children from other world families and descendants of famous families, she should also have more stories and should be more wonderful.

But for so many years, every time he came to Cloud Country, she was always here.

He had left Jiang An An here and gone on distant travels, visiting only a handful of times over the years.

When he faced the winds and rains of the world alone, this was the only place where he could feel at ease.

But where did this ease come from?

It was because Ye Qing Yu guarded the Ling Xiao Secret Land and rarely stepped out.

She promised him that she would protect and take care of Jiang An An, and she had always kept her promise over the years.

And Ye Ling Xiao, initially, only wanted to protect his daughter.

They had to be on guard against Zhuang Gao Xian, who could mobilize the resources of a country and do anything.

Qing Yu should go out and see the different scenery of the various heavens and myriad realms…

Jiang Wang thought again and again, and then turned around just like that.

Wei Rui Xuan said from behind: “Brother, won’t you stay a little longer?”

“Wait for them to come back!”

The green rainbow had already pierced through the white clouds and left.

Thanks to book friend “Nine Lives Good Person” for becoming the alliance master of this book! This is for the 615th alliance of Red Heart Patrol Heaven!

Thanks to book friend “Quiet Contemplation” for becoming the alliance master of this book! This is for the 616th alliance of Red Heart Patrol Heaven!