At this moment, meeting Ulie’s gaze, Jiang Wang finally noticed the elder’s eyes. They were profound and distant, his ink-black pupils seemingly capable of ensnaring one’s very soul.

This individual likely possessed mastery of pupil techniques.

Thinking this, Jiang Wang deliberately averted his gaze.

Ulie’s words were indeed startling, and not just on a single point.

Both the Daze Tian Clan and the elders of the Azure Sect shared a common identity: they were all citizens of Qi.

More importantly, the Azure Sect, to some extent, represented the law enforcement arm of the Qi Court. Even though Ulie had retired, his past accolades, merits, and fame bound him closely to the Azure Sect system, a bond not easily severed.

Why, then, would Tian Huanwen seek Ulie’s life, and through assassination no less?

Were the Daze Tian Clan truly all madmen, like Tian Anping, acting without regard for consequences, killing whomever they pleased?

And why had Ulie not sought aid on Jieming Island?

Even though he had retired, and strictly speaking could no longer be considered a Divine Catcher of the Azure Sect, if he were to report the matter on Jieming Island, would Qi Xiao truly stand by and watch him perish?

This matter undoubtedly held other hidden circumstances.

In truth, by this point, Jiang Wang already felt a pang of regret.

Regret for having inquired.

He harbored a measure of self-doubt…

Was he truly a clever person?

Ulie’s words… he should never have listened!

Chong Xuan Sheng, in his mind, was the epitome of intelligence. Previously, he believed that Chong Xuan Sheng would have seen through the other person pursuing Ulie at a glance. But now, he felt that Chong Xuan Sheng would have fundamentally pretended not to know, to neither hear nor ask about this.

Because that was the optimal choice, the choice that could avoid countless troubles.

And he, who thought he had seen through the hidden truth behind Ulie and Lin Youxie, who knew if that wasn’t a deliberately placed flaw to lure him into the game?

But having heard this much, it was already impossible for him to pretend ignorance.

“It won’t be long before we return to Qi Country.” Jiang Wang awkwardly changed the subject.

Ulie then seemed to gain interest, looking at him and saying, “You don’t seem curious as to why Tian Huanwen sought to attack me.”

Jiang Wang said casually, “In this world, who doesn’t have a little enmity or entanglement? I also offended the Diaohai Tower just a few days ago.”

“It wasn’t personal enmity.” Ulie’s expression grew serious. “It was for public justice. I was investigating them. I have always been investigating them.”

It was evident that Ulie and Lin Youxie, initially, merely wished to leverage the fame of Jiang Wang, who was currently renowned far and wide, to pass through this period of severe injury and evade their pursuers.

But now, when he spoke the words “public justice” and stated that he had always been investigating the Daze Tian Clan…

This indicated that he wished to draw Jiang Wang into the game.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spoken in such a manner.

The Daze Tian Clan was a top-tier family in Qi Country. To investigate them was a matter of immense gravity. How could it be so casually revealed?

With the listener present, a certain response was required!

Jiang Wang asked himself, in a confrontation at the level of Ulie and Tian Huanwen, or to put it more broadly, in a clash between the Azure Sect and the Daze Tian Clan, what kind of role could he possibly play?

The only thing he could think of was his current reputation. The so-called Near Sea Archipelago Inner Mansion number one, the Sea Merit List vice-list number one.

He did not know that in Ulie’s eyes, he had already been confirmed as a Shenlin cultivator, destined to become a prominent figure within the Azure Sect system in the future.

But knowing or not knowing did not affect Jiang Wang’s desire to avoid the situation.

He did not want to get involved!

So he merely nodded, indicating that he understood.

Then, there was nothing more.

Ulie waited for a moment, but received no further words from him.

He thus sighed and glanced at Fan Qingqing, asking Jiang Wang, “Do you know why the Five Immortals Gate was exterminated?”

Jiang Wang’s eyes chilled.

He, of course, knew the reason for the Five Immortals Gate’s destruction, and he possessed the key.

But if Ulie intended to use this as a chip to impose conditions, he was gravely underestimating Jiang Wang!

You come to me for help, and I agree to provide cover. And then you turn around and threaten me?

If the other party were truly so despicable, perhaps Jiang Wang would have to leave some clues for Yin Guan.

However, a renowned catcher of a generation indeed possessed the demeanor of a renowned catcher. Ulie had no intention of threatening Jiang Wang.

He did not dwell on Jiang Wang’s gains, nor did he feel they were related to himself. He simply said, “An innocent man is guilty for possessing a treasure. I do not know what the Five Immortals Gate possessed, but the world operates by such principles.”

“Catcher Jiang, you bear a famous sword on your waist, possess extraordinary techniques, and even master a long-lost immortal technique.” He slowly asked, “Have you considered why no one has ever attempted to seize them from you by force? Is it because those without scruples are not as strong as you? Why did the disaster that befell the Five Immortals Gate not also befall you? Is it because you are invincible?”

Strictly speaking, someone had attempted to seize from him by force. For instance, when Jiang Wuyong coveted Chang Xiangsi, he was thwarted by Chong Xuan Sheng. When Hai Zongming coveted the Crimson Makeup Mirror, he launched a thousand-mile assault, only to meet his end through a counter-attack.

But viewed from a broader perspective, indeed, not many dared to openly and brazenly attempt to seize his treasures and techniques.

Villains far stronger than Jiang Wang were countless.

Yet, he was not subjected to the “crime” of possessing a treasure. Naturally, this was due to his identity.

He was a young man from Qingyang Town in Qi Country, a fourth-rank Azure Sect Catcher. Qi Country was his backing and reliance, the prestige and status of the East Domain overlord sheltering him.

This was a type of invisible yet tangible benefit, easily overlooked.

Of course, Jiang Wang, an outsider, could attain his current status in Qi Country and receive this degree of protection due to his actual contributions. Sufficient merit and rewards offset the cost.

His blood-soaked battles on the Qiyang battlefield and the purple robes personally bestowed by the Qi Emperor were a microcosm of this “exchange.”

If he hadn’t fought against Ji Shaoqing and even possessed the ability to crush his opponent, would Jiang Mengxiong have thrown his full support behind him and presided over the fair?

Would the God of War emerge from the sea without cause?

Jiang Wang stated frankly, “Because I received a title from Qi and serve a position in Qi.”

He acknowledged the shelter provided by Qi Country.

“Catcher Jiang, you are a person with responsibility, with a bottom line. But not everyone is like you.”

Ulie slowly said, “The Tian family has a problem, a very big problem. These past years, I have always been investigating them. This journey to the sea, under the pretense of protecting Youxie, was actually for investigating my own case. Many people know that Youxie is my close friend; my accompanying her to the sea would not arouse suspicion.”

Lin Youxie also bowed once more at this time: “Brother Jiang, my previous investigation of you was to provide cover for Grandpa U and, even more so, to capture the rats of the Gates of Hell. I apologize to you once again. However, I cannot deny that I did indeed harbor some suspicion towards you.”

“And now?” Jiang Wang asked.

He was eager to move past the topic of the Tian family, thus actively displaying a willingness to reconcile with Lin Youxie.

“Still suspecting.” Lin Youxie was very frank. “But I won’t investigate you privately again.”

That is to say, if an order were to come from the Capital Patrol Inspectorate, she would still conduct an investigation.

However, if it truly came to the day when the Capital Patrol Inspectorate openly ordered an investigation, whether or not to investigate would likely no longer hold much significance.

Jiang Wang was very satisfied with this: “I believe in Catcher Lin’s integrity.”

Both changed the topic and resolved the awkwardness; he should have been content.

“The honest one hides in anonymity, the false one climbs step by step. Not everyone can maintain integrity.”

But Ulie, with an unmoved expression, turned the topic back again: “Tian Huanwen is a cancerous tumor.”

Jiang Wang: ……

(Today, I communicated with the editor. I wanted a larger recommendation, but the editor said the results weren’t sufficient yet.

I don’t know what results count as a threshold. An average order of seventeen hundred indeed doesn’t inspire confidence.

However… I want to fight a bit this month.

Then, I’ll add another update. There’s no upper limit.

That is to say, even if I just maintain the level of last month, I will still add three updates.

Everyone knows my writing speed; I’m fighting with my hair.

Without a major recommendation, there’s no possibility of explosive growth in average orders.

I want to try.)