A flicker of distraction in Jiang Wang’s eyes did not escape the notice of Granny Bizhu’s clouded gaze.

“What are you thinking about?” she inquired. “Could it be… that you resent this old woman?”

As she posed the question, Jiang Wang pondered his own thoughts.

Hai Zongming sought to assassinate a Tianjiao of Qi, and few within the Deep Sea Tower would openly support such an act; it had to be a clandestine affair.

Furthermore, Hai Zongming came for the Rouge Mirror. Seeking treasure, he would be even more meticulous about maintaining secrecy.

With Zhu Biqiong’s naivete, how could she have possibly foreseen this?

It’s not as if Hai Zongming would tell her, “I am going to assassinate Jiang Wang, hurry and warn him,” would he?

And her urgency in delivering the message suggested she was supremely confident in her source of information… What source could she possibly have?

Even if Jiang Wang considered Zhu Biqiong a friend, he couldn’t bring himself to say that she was a brilliant strategist, capable of easily seeing through people’s hearts.

She was simply a young maiden who had been overly protected, exceedingly innocent.

And what he had observed during his visit to Youxia Island…

The competitive relationship between the Raging Whale Gang and the Five Immortals Sect.

Even the suppression of affairs by the Five Immortals Sect after Hai Zongming’s death.

Including Granny Bizhu’s control over the Five Immortals Sect, to the point that Elder Fan Qingqing revealed a desire to lean towards Jue Ming Island…

If Granny Bizhu had informed Zhu Biqiong of Hai Zongming’s whereabouts…

Then it all seemed to connect.

No. This was the answer!

Zhu Biqiong had unwittingly become a pawn in the struggle between Granny Bizhu and Hai Zongming.

Granny Bizhu used Zhu Biqiong’s mouth to inform the State of Qi. She might not have believed that Jiang Wang could kill Hai Zongming, but for Qi to deal with a Hai Zongming, it was as easy as turning over her hand.

Using Jiang Wang’s hand to eliminate Hai Zongming, she would then push Zhu Biqiong out to die, absolving herself of all responsibility.

This must be the truth of the matter!

The reason why the Five Immortals Sect did not act against the Raging Whale Gang immediately after Hai Zongming’s death was precisely Granny Bizhu’s attempt to conceal her involvement.

Thinking further, was the rampage of the Raging Whale Gang’s town-guarding sea beast truly accidental? Was it also the work of Granny Bizhu, who was currently on Youxia Island?

The clearer his thoughts became, the more revulsion he felt towards the old crone before him.

Murderous intent arose, but Jiang Wang merely lowered his gaze slightly and said, “I blame no one but myself. When I killed Hai Zongming, I did not consider the safety of Fellow Daoist Zhu. Had I known, I would have captured him alive instead of killing him.”

These were empty words. Hai Zongming had come for his Rouge Mirror; he had no choice but to kill him. There was only guarding against a thief for a thousand days, but no thief protecting for a thousand days.

If he had known what would happen today, he should have taken Zhu Biqiong to Qi after killing Hai Zongming, thus avoiding the current predicament.

But who could have known?

“This old woman also did not expect Hai Zongming to be so narrow-minded. Hu Shaomeng deserved his fate, yet he still used his power to bully the weak, recklessly indulging in murderous intent… Alas!” Granny Bizhu sighed again.

From the various behaviors of Hu Shaomeng to Hai Zongming, coupled with the extraordinary nature of the Rouge Mirror itself, Jiang Wang could almost be certain that few within the Deep Sea Tower knew of this treasure. Otherwise, the Deep Sea Tower would not have remained silent until now.

Regarding his counter-killing of Hai Zongming, people generally believed that it was because Hai Zongming wanted to avenge his disciple Hu Shaomeng, either out of master-disciple affection or for his own reputation. No one associated it with the Rouge Mirror.

“Granny, you also know that this matter all started with Hu Shaomeng. Biqiong, her sister, and I are all innocent victims. Is there really no way to save her?” Jiang Wang’s expression was earnest. “I came to see her one last time, hoping against hope that there might be a way to save her. I am willing to give all that I have, only asking for her life to be spared. Granny, do you have a way?”

“You are truly a good child, full of love and righteousness.”

Granny Bizhu lamented, “I also wish to save Biqiong, but after all, she violated the sect’s rules, leaving no room for leniency. If there were a way, how could I not use it? Suyuan and Biqiong are both girls I watched grow up. Suyuan is already gone, and now Biqiong… Biqiong also…”

She trailed off, unable to continue.

But how much of that was genuine emotion, probably only she herself knew.

Jiang Wang’s expression darkened, and he finally gritted his teeth and said, “If she really cannot be saved, I hope that she can suffer less pain. Please, Granny, you must find a way to ensure that she does not die too agonizingly!”

His expression was extremely pained, as if this was truly a choice made under duress, with no other option.

Granny Bizhu was moved and said, “Alright… Alright. Granny will definitely find a way.”

Jiang Wang rose from his seat and gave Granny Bizhu a sincere and deep bow, “If there is anything I can do, please be sure to tell me.”

Granny Bizhu reached out to help him up, “Good child, no need to be so polite!”

Wrinkled hands helped up the tall and upright young man.

An old woman and a young man, one sitting upright, the other bowing deeply.

At that moment, neither could see the other’s eyes.

Jiang Wang stared at the ground, his eyes filled with murderous intent. He was certain that it was Granny Bizhu who had sent Zhu Biqiong to her death.

So, be it today or in the future, he would definitely find an opportunity to kill this person.

And Granny Bizhu, looking at the young man’s black hair, thought to herself – he really does want to save Biqiong!

She could tell that what Jiang Wang said about wanting Zhu Biqiong to suffer less pain was merely a guise.

With her many years of experience in observing people, she could be sure that Jiang Wang had come to the Near Sea Islands to save Zhu Biqiong!

This was too incredible!

Where did an Inner Palace cultivator get the courage to save someone at Tianya Platform? Where did a young junior get the arrogance to challenge the rules of the Sea Sacrifice?

Just because he was praised as a Tianjiao, did he really think he was omnipotent?

Only those geniuses who survive can be called geniuses.

If it were anyone else, even a Divine Proximity powerhouse standing before her, Granny Bizhu would strongly doubt her judgment.

But the one bowing deeply before her was a young man.

The spirit of youth is reckless and fearless.

How interesting! Granny Bizhu thought to herself: What did Hai Zongming want when he chased after him? Does he possess the secret to becoming the Tianjiao he is today?

On the other hand, what kind of disturbance could such a great Tianjiao of Qi cause by going all out to save someone at Tianya Platform?

With Jiang Wang’s strength and connections, is he qualified to stir up even greater conflicts?

And what can I gain from it?

There were so many things to think about.

The bow ended, and Jiang Wang was helped up.

The old and young pair looked into each other’s eyes and saw the emotion of shared suffering in each other.

Alas! Another sigh.

Just like the unceasing sound of the tide in the Hall of Righteous Voice…

*Swish…*

How long the old woman and the young man had been talking in the Hall of Righteous Voice, the Five Immortals Sect’s higher-ups waiting outside had been just as tormented.

Among the four Elders of the Five Immortals Sect, one was guarding the sea beasts, and two were away.

Only Fan Qingqing accompanied Sect Master Xu Zhilan in sitting upright in the Hall of Upright Form.

They sat very steadily, with normal expressions. But they were so quiet that they didn’t say a word.

They were calm and composed, as if they were all recuperating. But every bit of their attention was on the Hall of Righteous Voice.

What were Granny Bizhu and that Tianjiao of Qi called Jiang Wang talking about?

How was the conversation going?

Especially at this crucial moment when the Five Immortals Sect was about to undergo a dramatic change, facing such a difficult person to offend…

Endless speculation was agonizing!