From Linzi, the capital of Qi, to Qiuyang Prefecture, one only needs to pass through Jichuan Prefecture.
The official roads throughout Qi were built wide and level, so although Jiang Wang did not demand speed, the carriage still reached Qiuyang Prefecture before nightfall.
It was twilight. Waiting outside the Chongxuan clan grounds was a ruddy-faced old man.
Jiang Wang still remembered him. He was the old servant of Chongxuan Xin’s manor, the very Chongxuan Laifu who used to lord over Qingyang Town. At the time, he was even considered a reliant of Hu Shaomeng’s father, Hu You…
Only a year had passed, but it felt like a lifetime.
Too many things had happened in this year, more eventful than many people’s entire lives.
The world was vast, and stories began and ended every moment. In every corner of the world, geniuses rose and heroes fell. Jiang Wang traveled east and west, journeying thousands of miles. Sometimes it was by chance, other times it was intentional, rushing to catch up.
Replacing Chongxuan Sheng to offer sacrifices at the Chongxuan family ancestral shrine was not something one could do whenever they wished. Chongxuan Sheng naturally had to arrange it beforehand.
Chongxuan Laifu, upon receiving news of Jiang Wang’s arrival, had already been waiting outside the clan grounds for a long time.
As soon as he saw the carriage from Linzi, he scurried over, his face full of eagerness: “Young Master Jiang! This way, please. This old servant has already prepared a room for you. You must be tired from your journey. Please rest tonight and recover your spirit. We’ll go to the shrine tomorrow.”
Where was the slightest hint of his former arrogance?
He was a born servant, highly trusted by his masters. He had served several generations in Chongxuan Xin’s manor and had even been granted the surname Chongxuan. In truth, he no longer needed to refer to himself as “old servant.” Even if he did, it was only when speaking to Chongxuan Xin.
Today, facing Jiang Wang, he was deliberately lowering himself.
Even Chongxuan Xin actively fawned over the current Jiang Wang, addressing him as “Elder Brother.” How much more so should a servant like him?
Jiang Wang was not so petty as to dwell on past matters. He merely smiled warmly: “Thank you, Old Gentleman.”
Chongxuan Laifu’s heart, which had been held extremely high, gently settled, and he felt completely at ease.
When he came to welcome Jiang Wang, he was prepared to be beaten, scolded, and humiliated. Because of their earlier unpleasantness, he could have easily avoided him. With Chongxuan Sheng’s current status in the family, there were plenty of people who could welcome Jiang Wang.
But because his young master Xin was now working under young master Sheng, and Jiang Wang was young master Sheng’s close friend, his most trusted person.
He didn’t want his presence to cause any rift in Jiang Wang’s heart.
His coming forward this time was to offer his face to be slapped, to let the other party vent their anger.
But he didn’t expect this heavenly pride, famous throughout the islands, to be so gentle!
“How can I bear the title of ‘Old Gentleman’ from you, Young Master? Just call this humble one Laifu.” Chongxuan Laifu wiped the corner of his eye and quickly turned around: “Please follow me.”
Turning past a pavilion, they soon arrived at the guest room.
The room was arranged with great care. The bed, bedding, everything was brand new.
After Jiang Wang expressed his satisfaction.
Chongxuan Laifu bowed at the door, hinting eagerly: “You’ve traveled a long way, Young Master, surely you’re tired? How about I invite a few people to give you a foot massage? They are all very talented young people, beautiful to look at, skilled in technique, and their hands are very smooth.”
Jiang Wang: …
Chongxuan Laifu thought he was hesitating and advised considerately: “Don’t worry, their skills are top-notch. They will massage you in shifts and will definitely relieve your fatigue. If a few are not enough… a dozen is also fine.”
He was going all out to help his young master Xin cling to the powerful.
“…” Jiang Wang patiently said: “I really need to rest, alright? You should go down first.”
“Understood!” Chongxuan Laifu nodded and bowed, closing the door.
But he didn’t leave immediately. He hesitated outside the door for a while before saying: “This old servant can also find ‘rabbit boys’. If you…”
“Get out!”
Chongxuan Laifu tightly shut his mouth and scurried away.
This time, he really left.
People are complex.
On one hand, this fellow, relying on the prestige of the Chongxuan family, had done his fair share of feathering his own nest. That time he showed off in front of Jiang Wang was probably not the only time.
On the other hand, he was indeed loyal to Chongxuan Xin. Once submissive, when serving someone, he was meticulous and attentive, caring from head to toe.
Chongxuan Sheng was right when he said that if needed, everyone had their use.
Although Jiang Wang was not so petty as to continue holding a grudge against Chongxuan Laifu, he would not engage in his messy antics.
Jiang Wang merely glanced at the tea, flowers, candles, and incense in the room. After confirming their safety, he sat cross-legged on the bed and entered a state of meticulous cultivation.
After the battle on the Horizon Stage, many people hailed him as the foremost Inner Palace cultivator in the near-sea islands.
This title certainly sounded grand and impressive.
But he himself could not be without a clear understanding.
He was able to overwhelm all the Inner Palace cultivators of Fishing Platform with his Three Palace cultivation. It was simply that Fishing Platform’s top disciples at the Inner Palace level had experienced a gap, with the previous batch having ascended to Outer Tower or even Divine Abode, and the next batch not yet having enough time to grow.
It didn’t mean he was truly invincible in the Inner Palace realm. Even with the prefix of “near-sea,” it might not be the case.
Leaving aside everything else, just within Yang Valley, there might not be Inner Palace cultivators who could contend with him. It was just that Yang Valley didn’t need to stick its neck out.
Moreover, merely being the foremost Inner Palace cultivator in the near-sea islands was still far from enough to make him stop. The mountain he wanted to climb was still too far away.
Most cultivation is a painstaking effort, the birth of every Dao Yuan, the analysis of every Dao art…
To achieve a day of glory, one must have ten years of arduous cultivation.
Jiang Wang understood this principle very early on.
Just as dawn was breaking, he opened his eyes and left the room.
The place he was staying was the guest room arranged by Chongxuan Laifu, not in the core area of the Chongxuan clan grounds. He guessed that Chongxuan Laifu did this for the convenience of future “arrangements,” as publicly inviting people to give massages in shifts within the clan grounds would be both inconvenient and unsavory.
It was convenient for Jiang Wang, however.
He left quietly, unnoticed by anyone.
According to the information provided by Lin Youxie, the punishment of Chu Mi and his master being sent to the Maze Realm was closely related to the famous Liu Xuanhu of the Fengfeng Liu clan.
Liu Xuanhu had poor talent and mediocre cultivation, unable to improve even with resources piled upon him, yet he came from an illustrious background. No matter how disappointing he was, the good things he possessed were beyond the imagination of many people throughout their lives.
Naturally, he entered the sights of those with intentions.
Chu Mi’s master was one of them.
The danger of stealing from the tiger’s mouth can be imagined.
Stealing from Liu Xuanhu was tantamount to slapping the face of the Fengfeng Liu clan. Not being killed on the spot by the Liu family was already a blessing.
No matter how declined the Fengfeng Liu clan was, they were once a top aristocratic family in Qi. Even a dying tiger wouldn’t fall immediately. They were certainly not someone a mere Liangshang Lou could offend.
Strictly speaking, Chu Mi’s master being punished to the Maze Realm to atone for his sins was not at all unjust. In fact, Chu Mi’s apprentice who worked with his “grand-master” died at the hands of the Liu family.
As for whether Chu Mi himself was involved, and whether his later surrender was an active plea for survival before the disaster struck, or truly to share the burden of guilt for his master…
Even Lin Youxie’s side could not confirm it.
By now, it had become an eternal mystery.
The only thing Jiang Wang could confirm was his cry before the Boundary River – “Cross the river!”
So, having left the Maze Realm alive, no matter what, he should come and see.
Even if Chu Mi made no plea before his death,