“Hong Junyan, you are slandering him!”
As the head of Minglun Academy and the highest representative of Song at Guanhe Platform, Shen Xiyuan, though completely flustered by Yan Chunhui, could not possibly remain silent at this moment.

Yan Chunhui, using the name Chen Yanxun, had seized Song’s national fortune. Although Song bore some responsibility for its oversight, it was ultimately a victim.
However, if the Song Emperor were to be identified as a Divine Knight of the Equality Kingdom, it would spell disaster for the Great Song!
He leapt up from below the platform, pointing at Hong Junyan’s nose and cursing, “You colluded with a demon; the whole world saw it! If not for Lord Jiang’s decisive action, how could his crimes have been punished? Now that Yan Chunhui has perished in his struggle for transcendence, are you going to turn around and absolve yourself completely, splashing dirty water on our nation? You’ve picked the wrong person! You old fool, addled by the cold! We aren’t afraid of you!”

Saying they weren’t afraid was a lie, but with someone named Hong threatening to ruin their families and overturn their nation, what else could they do? If Shen Xiyuan cursed the Li Emperor before he died, it would at least ensure his name went down in history as a heroic figure for his country, a renowned scholar of Great Song!

Even if Hong Junyan wanted to throw a tantrum and engage in a verbal brawl, he would only do so with the Emperors of the dominant nations, never lowering himself to confront Shen Xiyuan. Thus, he ignored the outburst, simply looking at Jiang Wang with an unperturbed expression. “May I ask, True Monarch Jiang, before Yan Chunhui’s flying sword embarked on its path of transcendence, who in this world least wanted to see him achieve peaceful transcendence?”

He didn’t need Jiang Wang to respond, answering himself, “Those who have already stepped forward are you, True Monarch Jiang, and True Monarch Ju Kui.”
“And one who hasn’t stepped forward, or isn’t at the forefront… is the Equality Kingdom.”
His crown beads gently swayed, and his voice, like a cold river, was startlingly clear. “These individuals went to great lengths, resorting to coercion when invitations failed, luring Yan Chunhui. They didn’t do it to see him reconcile with those on the surface and suddenly transform into a vanguard against the Equality Kingdom!”

Shen Xiyuan continued to jump and rail, recounting Hong Junyan’s various disgraceful acts from the beginning of the Daoist Calendar until the present day.
Hong Junyan treated it all as background music, speaking calmly, “What kind of person was Yan Chunhui? He might have been unscrupulous, or at times seemed foolish, but he was certainly no imbecile. He knew what not to touch. So even if he collaborated with the Equality Kingdom, it was superficial and never truly integrated with his path to transcendence.”

This served as an explanation for both Yan Chunhui and himself.
He paused, allowing his listeners to fully comprehend, then continued, “I do not deny that when Yan Chunhui came to me, saying he wished to use his transcendent flying sword to cleanse the sea of karma and pacify the heavens for humanity, I did not object.” He then shifted his tone. “However, the Song Emperor was clearly the one he trusted more. He nurtured his demonic embryo in Song, not the Snowfield. His collaboration with the Song Emperor was far deeper!”

He looked at Wei Xuanche beside him. “Song and Wei are neighbors! Emperor Wei should know the Song Emperor’s abilities. He’s not a mere glutton and idler, is he?”
There was clearly no other possible answer to this question.
If Zhao Hongyi were truly a glutton and idler, then how could Song and Wei have stood shoulder to shoulder for so many years?

Wei Xuanche’s tone was calm and objective. “The Song Emperor is benevolent, tolerant, and sagacious. Throughout the Song dynasty, none who occupied the imperial court surpassed him.”
“Such is this Song Emperor! The Song Emperor on whom Yan Chunhui placed such high hopes. A monarch of great talent and virtue, I hear he is called the ‘Emperor of Accomplished Virtue,’ and I also know of a ‘True Man of Cherished Virtue.’ It seems Confucianism and Daoism are indeed prominent schools of thought, with similar ingenuity even in their imperial titles––”

Hong Junyan said this with a faint, enigmatic smile, then abruptly turned cold. “As an ally, I stood on the platform bearing the brunt of the storm for Yan Chunhui. What, then, was the Song Emperor, whose cooperation was even closer, doing?”
“He allowed the entire Chen clan to be wiped out, leaving only Chen Siwu to arrive alone at Guanhe Platform, placing Yan Chunhui’s danger directly on the stage! Forcing this battle to happen!”
“No matter how I look at it, I can only conclude this was intentional!”
He looked at Jiang Wang. “What do you think, True Monarch Jiang?”

His words implied both that the Song Emperor failed to protect the Chen family and that the Chen family was, in fact, destroyed by the Song Emperor. Intelligent listeners naturally understood his meaning.
But the more crucial question was…
Hong Junyan had raised the suspicion that the Song Emperor was the Divine Knight, providing significant doubts, but no decisive evidence to prove it.
If the Song Emperor’s identity as the Divine Knight were confirmed, things would be simpler. Chu and Wei could lay siege, Western Qin might seize an opportunity to claim a share, or Shushan could act swiftly, orchestrating an early “abdication.” The problem was precisely that there were such strong suspicions but no concrete evidence. Would True Monarch Zhenhe intervene? Should he inquire?

The Song Emperor could be the Divine Knight, and the Divine Knight might be involved in the slaughter of Weijun.
If even this wasn’t questioned, then was “those who commit evil cannot walk in broad daylight” merely empty talk?
But if today he dared to intervene even with the Song Emperor — Song was already one of the strongest nations beneath the hegemonic powers.
Then, one day, if a hegemonic power was involved, would he also intervene?
“Your reach, Jiang Wang, is growing very long!”
Hands that cross boundaries could be severed.

Victory in the path of transcendence did not mean all was well; establishing a monument and words was another kind of doctrinal struggle.
That was why Yan Chunhui had said, “Your path is still high and far-reaching!”
Jiang Wang himself was sober about this point, which was why he spoke of “three discourses on life and death.”
Hong Junyan merely tore open the problem, making reality clearer. Friendship was no longer an option, but cooperation could be discussed—if Jiang Wang wished to realize his ideals, Li could be fertile ground. Would he need the Li Emperor’s help?

For a monarch like Hong Junyan, there was no real difference between Yan Chunhui’s unscrupulousness and Jiang Wang’s declaration that “those who commit evil cannot walk in broad daylight.”
He did not care about the definition of good and evil; he only cared about the possibility of success.

“How dare you slander my benevolent and virtuous Emperor here!” Shen Xiyuan’s hands trembled with rage, his fingers blurring. “Our Great Song’s imperial lineage is legitimate, its succession orderly, and our Emperor is the true Emperor of Accomplished Virtue! How could he be a Divine Knight? And how could Song be involved with the Equality Kingdom?!”

“Logically, a monarch within a national system cannot be the greatest opponent of that system,” Hong Junyan said slowly. “But is it possible that the leader of the Equality Kingdom doesn’t truly oppose the national system?”
“Instead, perhaps they use the pretense of opposing the national system to first oppose the nations and monarchs above them!”
“If the six hegemonic nations were removed, Li and Wei would certainly contend, Sheng would inevitably draw attention, and wouldn’t the gradually declining Song then stand out?”
“As the leader of the Equality Kingdom, it would be far more convenient for them to turn around and wipe out the Equality Kingdom once the world is settled, compared to other hegemonic nations.”
His index finger gently tapped the armrest. “The Song Emperor has reigned for many years, giving him ample time!”

It had to be said, this was indeed a possibility!
For a monarch to personally become involved with the Equality Kingdom was certainly very dangerous and not a dignified path. Yet, the potential gains were clearly immense!
Many things that were inconvenient to advance at the national level could be accomplished through the Equality Kingdom. One could also influence the Equality Kingdom’s direction, minimizing any damage to one’s own nation.

“No, it’s not like that…” Chen Siwu had remained silent since being brought to Guanhe Platform to denounce Yan Chunhui.
Now, he spoke with sorrow. “Our monarch––”
“Chen Siwu, you are a pitiable person!” Hong Junyan interrupted him.
“In this world, villains can twist right and wrong, cunning people can gloss over their faults, and fools can act with utter disregard…” His voice wasn’t harsh, but exceptionally cruel. “It’s just that pitiable people have no right to speak.”
“When you understand this, you can choose to come to Li. If you never understand it, you will remain pitiable forever.”

Chen Siwu fell silent.
The world called him an upright gentleman, but Hong Junyan called him a pitiable person.
He understood that at this point, given his identity and and position, anything he said on Guanhe Platform would be meaningless. It would neither clear the Song Emperor of suspicion nor increase it.

Jiang Wang said, “The Li Emperor’s conjecture is not unfounded. As for why Chen Siwu came to the platform alone… I believe the Three Punishments Palace will investigate thoroughly.”
Hong Junyan retorted without ceremony, “If the Song Emperor is innocent, then I will have to suspect Grand Master Wu!”
Wu Bingyi, who ‘knew a bit of martial arts,’ said expressionlessly, “The law has no two gates. I must recuse myself from suspicion.”
He did not engage in verbal sparring or counter-attack Hong Junyan but instead strictly adhered to the order of the law, placing even himself under legal scrutiny. He was indeed a person strict to the point of harshness, both with himself and others.

Since Wu Bingyi needed to recuse himself, and Gongsun Buhai would do the same, this matter would ultimately fall to Jiang Wang.
“Do you regret it now, Lord Jiang?” Hong Junyan looked at Jiang Wang. “If you hadn’t erected this Daylight Monument and moved it to Guanhe Platform, whether or not you sought the Divine Knight, or when you sought him, would have been your freedom––but now, if you say you won’t get involved, many people will curse you.”

Hong Junyan was someone who could speak frankly with you at any time. Even if he had just been confronting you with swords drawn, in the next moment, you could still feel his sincerity.
It was easy to feel that all past conflicts were misunderstandings—if only they hadn’t been misunderstood so many times.

“That’s just how things are in this world: if you want to accomplish something, don’t blame others for having expectations of you. I understand, and I accept,” Jiang Wang said calmly. “Regarding Yan Chunhui and the name Chen Yanxun, the Yellow River Convention indeed requires an explanation from Song––I will personally go to Shangqiu.”

Hong Junyan leisurely asked, “Does someone like you, Lord Jiang, so single-mindedly devoted to the Dao, also care about what others think?”
“I care about how well I do my own work,” Jiang Wang replied.
“This monument is well-placed, but one day you will encounter things you cannot control… as Yan Chunhui said, the Milky Way cannot be ascended by raft.”
Hong Junyan sighed. “I can’t help but feel saddened for you.”

“You need not worry about me. The mountains and rivers are vast, with endless fish and dragons; time stretches far, and there will always be successors,” Jiang Wang said, drawing his sword again. He nodded to Mu Furao, entrusting her with the matters of the Inner Prefecture’s top contender, then turned and walked away from the platform.

“Those who know my path are all behind me. Those who obstruct my path are all before my sword.”
“Human strength has its limits. Perhaps one day, the Daylight Monument will crack, and the Longing Sword will break––but I will make them pay a price, at least the additional cost of dealing with me.”
“Feel free to use the Qiantian Mirror to observe, for the world to scrutinize. I, Jiang, will be back shortly.”
With that, he leaped into the air and headed directly for Shangqiu.

Only his calm words remained, like a lightning bolt across the sky, illuminating the entire room.
Let’s take Jing as an example.
Using geniuses from minor nations to raise turtles is permissible!
But the next person to devise a plan to use geniuses from the You Kingdom to raise turtles will need to control not only the You Kingdom’s upper echelons but also devise a way to deal with Jiang Wang.
Perhaps they should use that cost to weigh whether it’s truly worth it! The Qin Emperor’s voice descended, loaded with double meaning. “Your Jing nation was mentioned.”

The Central Emperor simply responded with a profound voice, “Since the Demon-Slaying Celestial Monarch has made this request––then activate the Qiantian Mirror and illuminate his path.”
“Speaking of which––” Hong Junyan sat there thoughtfully. “In my impression, True Monarch Jiang has always been a very measured person, valuing his life and blessings, understanding when to advance and retreat. Why, after today’s path of transcendence, does he still appear to disregard death?”
“Because there were still many unfinished matters before. Because even if he died before, it would have been meaningless.”
Marquis Bowang, sitting in the stands, folded his hands into his sleeves and smilingly interjected, “Now, no one can make his death meaningless.”

Jiang Wang’s journey to Shangqiu was remarkably smooth. He descended directly from Guanhe Platform to the Song capital without encountering any obstacles.
Had the Song Emperor Zhao Hongyi not been so accommodating, activating the nation’s protective array and sealing the borders, it would have been difficult for Jiang Wang to simply march into Shangqiu.
But Zhao Hongyi was exceedingly obliging; not only did he not activate the protective array in resistance, but he even relinquished the imperial palace and the entire city of Shangqiu… he himself was not in Song.

Only the patching Prime Minister Tu Weijian stood bitterly before Jiang Wang. “True Monarch Jiang!”
His voice was exceedingly respectful, and his back was bowed like a drawn bow. “The matter of Yan Chunhui was indeed due to Chen Qingchuan, the Chen family head, being blinded by greed and conspiring with him. The Criminal Investigation Bureau is currently compiling the relevant dossiers, which will then be presented to Guanhe Platform as an explanation to the world. The organizing committee should cancel results where appropriate and prohibit participation where necessary; Song accepts all penalties imposed by the competition. This is a bitter wine brewed by ourselves, and a bitter fruit we must now taste.”

He bowed again. “As for the Chen family’s misfortune, it has been confirmed as a tactic of the Equality Kingdom, and the one who fought our Emperor was precisely the Divine Knight. They sought to force Yan Chunhui to appear on the platform, to seize the world’s attention through a life-or-death battle, and thus achieve their illicit aims…”
He cautiously raised a suspicion. “Was the battle at Xiyue Garden in Sheng a grand scheme that ended anticlimactically?”

Jiang Wang supported him. “Prime Minister Tu, you speak of an explanation to the world, but if this is all you present, I fear it will be difficult to satisfy them.” With just that sentence, he continued, “Nations wage war against the lawless, armies besiege cities; the Punishments Palace punishes crimes and executes justly; Shushan warns against evil and slays with the three-foot blade.”
“I, Jiang, am alone and not a nation; I am not a Legalist, nor do I command Confucian teachings. I merely oversee the Daylight Monument on Guanhe Platform and inquire into the Divine Knight’s suspicions… This is harmless to you, and causes no impediment to Song!”
He bowed. “May I ask, where is the Song Emperor?”

The two exchanged bows, but Tu Weijian felt as if he were being cut by a knife!
He let out a long sigh. “His Majesty has gone to Shushan, to offer scriptures and pay respects to his ancestors!”
He then earnestly added, “His Majesty frequently attended these virtuous teachings in the past.”

“I believe the Song Emperor is not avoiding me. However, Prime Minister Tu, when you say ‘in the past’… do you mean twenty years ago?”
Jiang Wang gave him a deep look, then turned. “Send the dossiers to Guanhe Platform. Shen Mingshi of Li is skilled in judicial matters; I imagine he will give you a fair answer.”
His image seemed to linger in vain, his sword still in its sheath.
But Tu Weijian remained bowed before the hall, not rising for a long time.
Only his thin shadow, as the sun rose higher, became increasingly faint.

The Song Emperor Zhao Hongyi had hidden himself in Shushan!
Shushan was a Confucian holy land, revered by academies and scholars across the world. Its accumulated strength was formidable, with experts as numerous as clouds. Among the prominent figures alone were the contemporary sainted “Master Zi,” the two elders Li and Xiao, and countless erudite old Confucians!
So, in the absence of conclusive evidence, would the Demon-Slaying Celestial Monarch, who had moved the Daylight Monument, still “inquire into suspicion”?

Everyone on Guanhe Platform, through the illumination of the Qiantian Mirror, watched the person walking with his hand on his sword.
All those watching the Yellow River Convention in the current era also followed the chief arbiter’s retreating figure with their gaze…
He did not return.
He walked up Shushan.