Today is the final day of the Dao Calendar 3918, also known as “Sui Chu,” the day to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new.

Even in the early morning, the entire Cloud City was already adorned with lanterns and decorations, filled with an air of festive joy.

Although the Soaring Cloud Pavilion was a transcendent sect, it could not escape the celebrations. The Soaring Cloud Mystic Realm was decorated in vibrant red, losing some of its immortal aura and gaining a more human touch.

“Brother, what are you thinking about?” Jiang An’an’s little hand waved in front of his eyes, “It’s your turn!”

In the past few days, Jiang Wang hadn’t gone anywhere, spending all his free time outside of cultivation to play with little An’an.

At this moment, a chessboard stood before them, black and white pieces distinctly separated.

The siblings sat facing each other, looking quite serious.

But…

Jiang Wang pondered for a moment, finally steeling his resolve and placing a black piece, completing the final stroke of the character “Jiang.”

“Brother,” Jiang An’an said with concern while arranging her ‘An’ character with white pieces, “You thought for so long, are you not familiar with this character?”

Some worries were not suitable to share with little An’an, so Jiang Wang brushed it off with, “Sometimes I inevitably forget how to write.”

Jiang An’an quickly retrieved a stack of calligraphy practice sheets from her squirrel pouch, beaming with joy. “Then you really aren’t familiar! I have practice sheets here, take them and practice! Don’t be shy!”

“Hehe,” Jiang Wang smiled, patting her small head. “No need, brother has bought plenty, enough for practicing. I’ll share some with you later!”

The siblings were harmonious and cheerful, politely pushing and offering, creating a warm and amicable atmosphere.

It was at this moment that Ye Qingyu entered.

“Playing chess again?” She smiled, glancing at the ‘chess game’. “You two are truly evenly matched.”

Jiang An’an took the opportunity to skip the topic of the practice sheets, scrambling up to hug Ye Qingyu. “Sister Qingyu, are you here to play with us?”

“Yes,” Ye Qingyu responded gently. “Isn’t it New Year’s Eve? Your little Martial Aunt Wang is preparing the Phoenix Flower Lantern for tonight! Would you like to go and see it first?”

“Okay!” Jiang An’an agreed decisively, displaying a swift and efficient demeanor, letting go of Ye Qingyu and rushing out.

“Stop!” Jiang Wang quickly called out.

Jiang An’an reluctantly stopped and turned back. “What is it?”

Jiang Wang picked up a stack of practice sheets that An’an had carelessly stuffed under the chessboard, stretched it out towards her, and plastered on a friendly smile. “How can you be so careless? You forgot to take your practice sheets.”

“Oh…” Jiang An’an shuffled over, retrieved the stack of practice sheets, put them back into her squirrel pouch, and then ran off with a pout.

Ye Qingyu watched this scene with amusement, finding both the brother and sister quite endearing.

Pouring herself a cup of tea, Jiang Wang gestured ‘please’ and directly asked, “Does Fellow Daoist Ye have something to tell me?”

Since their trip to Chiyun Mountain, their relationship had grown much closer. They no longer needed to be overly polite in their speech.

She had specifically sent little An’an away, so there must be a reason.

Ye Qingyu’s expression turned serious. “I just received news that the conflict between the Zhuang and Yong kingdoms has suddenly escalated and erupted into a major war this morning. Now the Zhuang army has crossed the Qichang Mountains, completely crushing the Yong army stationed on the northern side of the mountains, invaded Yong territory, and is advancing towards Lingbei Prefecture!”

Jiang Wang’s face remained impassive, but the sudden ripples in his teacup betrayed his inner turmoil.

“This is too sudden,” he said, holding the teacup.

The timing was unexpected. Tonight was New Year’s Eve, everyone was preparing to welcome the new year, and everywhere was filled with festive cheer, yet the Zhuang Kingdom launched a war on this very day.

The target was unexpected. Everyone could see that Zhuang was weaker and Yong was stronger. No matter how weak Yong had become, it was still a centipede that wouldn’t fall even when dead. No matter how rapidly Zhuang had changed, its foundation was still insufficient.

Moreover, the three kingdoms of Zhuang, Luo, and Yong had already established a non-aggression pact in the City of No Redemption.

Yet this time, the seemingly weaker Zhuang Kingdom suddenly tore it apart!

From the information Ye Qingyu knew:

The source of the entire incident was still a dispute between hunters from the two countries in the Qichang Mountains.

A hunter brawl led to a ten-day standoff between the two countries’ border armies. The Yong army refused to hand over the murderer who killed the hunter from the Sanyang City region. The Zhuang army was filled with righteous indignation, and several times they almost clashed.

The Yong army was used to being tough, and the Zhuang army had gradually grown confident. The two border armies refused to back down.

In order to avoid a larger-scale conflict, the Zhuang court ordered its own border army to retreat. It was said that the border troops left in tears, reluctantly withdrawing under military orders while shedding tears along the way.

The breaking point of the incident was a soldier named Chen Shikai, who disobeyed military orders and deserted on the retreat, leaving only a suicide note.

Alone, with a single war blade, he returned to the Qichang Mountains, seeking the murderer of the Zhuang hunter by force. After being refused, he charged alone into the Yong army formation… and of course, died in battle at the border.

His suicide note contained only one crooked line:

The people of Zhuang cannot die in vain!

When Chen Shikai’s suicide note was discovered, the entire border army stopped and refused to retreat a single step. The troops were in an uproar, all demanding war.

The border army general couldn’t whip the soldiers back, and eventually cried himself, submitting a tearful memorial requesting war. The memorial said that he was willing to lead the charge and be the first to die on the battlefield.

The entire border army of three hundred and fifty-seven men, everyone sought death!

It was said that Zhuang Gaoxian smashed the dragon throne in the court upon hearing this, and declared: “The people’s hearts can be relied upon, and the army’s hearts can be used. The hatred of generations will be avenged soon!”

Thus, he raised an army to attack Yong, waging a war with the entire nation!

By the time the Soaring Cloud Pavilion received the news, the Zhuang army had already crossed the Qichang Mountains and invaded Yong’s Lingbei Prefecture.

“Too sudden!” Jiang Wang repeated again. As if repeating it could suppress his surging emotions.

The hatred between the Zhuang and Yong kingdoms could be traced back to the founding of the nations. The entire process of establishing the Zhuang Kingdom was a process of confrontation with the Yong Kingdom.

The hatred between the two countries may never be erased.

But this war was still too sudden.

Ye Qingyu looked at him with some worry. “Just stay here and celebrate the New Year with An’an. The war between Zhuang and Yong will not affect Cloud Country.”

Cloud Country was a country above the clouds, the entire nation built on a mountaintop. Geographically, it naturally had little friction with other countries. Cloud Country had always maintained neutrality, never expanding its territory. Cloud Country merchants traveled the world, maintaining good relations with many countries.

No matter how much Zhuang and Yong fought, it would not affect Cloud Country. Moreover, Ye Lingxiao had already achieved the Dongzhen realm. Neither Zhuang nor Yong would be foolish enough to create another enemy in the form of a current-day Real Person in addition to the war.

Ye Qingyu knew Jiang Wang’s experiences best. She was worried that Jiang Wang would participate in the war between Zhuang and Yong after hearing the news. A Divine Power Inner Mansion cultivator was certainly powerful, but in such a national war, even Spiritual Presence cultivators risked falling, let alone Inner Mansion. Rashly getting involved could easily lead to trouble.

“I know.”

Jiang Wang unconsciously rubbed the teacup, the texture of the porcelain against his skin creating a complex sensation.

He repeated, “I know.”