Over the following days, Jiang Wang visited the City Guard barracks almost daily to spar with Zhao Lang. Sometimes, he also acted as a training partner for other cultivators within the City Guard.

Through this high-intensity, high-frequency combat training, his application of Dao techniques became increasingly refined, and he gradually adapted to Zhao Lang’s complex and ever-changing fighting style.

Until, Bai Lian once again sought him out.

The time was still night, and Bai Lian still didn’t enter the bedroom directly.

Perhaps understanding the importance of Jiang An’an in Jiang Wang’s heart, she kept her dangerous self in the courtyard.

“The second matter?” After leaving a message for An’an, Jiang Wang came out and asked directly.

Bai Lian remained silent and floated away.

Since returning from Jade Balance Peak, Jiang Wang had been carefully considering the distance between him and Bai Lian, contemplating how he should treat her.

One undeniable point was that Bai Lian, or rather, the organization behind her, was not friendly to the Zhuang court.

Regarding the collapse of Jade Balance Peak, Jiang Wang had chosen the people of Three Mountains City, essentially placing himself in opposition to the Zhuang court. However, his feelings towards the Zhuang court were complex.

He had grown up in this kingdom, and under the education he received from a young age, he was filled with trust for the Zhuang court and held filial piety towards the ruler.

Therefore, he was conflicted for a time. Later, although叶青雨’s letter had enlightened him, confirming that his choice was not wrong, he didn’t feel that he should turn his back on the Zhuang court.

He especially didn’t understand why Bai Lian could have completed the Jade Balance Peak matter independently, yet she had brought him along to make the choice.

He sensed that there was some unknown secret within, filling him with caution and vigilance.

As for Bai Lian, he planned to maintain a distance.

But he didn’t expect that he wouldn’t have to maintain it, as Bai Lian became extremely cold and didn’t say another word.

A stomach full of distant words were blocked in his belly, Jiang Wang had the Three Matters Agreement first, he could only follow her first.

The two of them exited through the West Gate, heading towards Green Willow River.

Upon reaching Green Willow River, Bai Lian didn’t board a boat, but walked along the riverbank.

When the resounding roar of the Clear River’s tide could be heard, Bai Lian finally spoke.

“The reason why that incident happened in Small Forest Town was largely because the Clear River Water Mansion had tied up the City Guard. Wei Yan and Zhao Lang had no choice but to request reinforcements from the City Dao Academy, wasting much precious time.”

Bai Lian turned her head to observe Jiang Wang’s expression. “So, do you think the Clear River Water Mansion is hateful?”

“Hateful,” Jiang Wang said.

This wasn’t something that needed hesitation. Anyone who had participated in the Small Forest Town operation held resentment towards the Clear River Water Mansion. Just like they hated the Devouring Heart Demon. It was just that they hadn’t reached the level of dialogue with the Clear River Water Mansion yet.

Coldness overflowed from Bai Lian’s eyes. “Go kill a few aquatic beings to vent your anger.”

“Tying up the City Guard is the Water Mansion Lord’s responsibility. What does it have to do with ordinary aquatic beings?” Jiang Wang shook his head. “I won’t commit the act of taking anger out on the innocent.”

The dignified Great Chu Heavenly Paragon, Zuo Guanglie, refused to harm a group of beggars from an enemy nation before his death in the Still Truth Temple.

Although his strength was far inferior, he didn’t want to become a tyrannical person either.

“As the superiors act, so do the subordinates. How can there be any innocent among them? Aren’t ordinary aquatic beings hateful?”

“The aquatic and human races have had an agreement for thousands of years, we help each other equally. Just like we all want to kill the Devouring Heart Demon, but no one would think of killing the people from Xiong Wen’s hometown.”

“How do you know there isn’t?” Bai Lian mocked. “Xiong Wen’s hometown, an entire town, was slaughtered. Do you think what you see is the truth of the world?”

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment. “The one who slaughtered the entire town in Xiong Wen’s hometown was simply another Xiong Wen.”

“Do you think there are more Jiang Wangs in this world? Perhaps there are more Xiong Wens, to be exact.”

Moonlight spilled onto the water’s surface as the two continued forward, the Green Willow River, a tributary of the Clear River, finally merging into the Clear River here.

“Speaking of which, what aquatic and human races equally helping each other,” Bai Lian laughed, seemingly finding it incredible. “Does anyone still believe in the ancient alliance?”

“Why not? Since ancient times, humans have lived on land, and aquatic beings have lived in water. We’ve always lived peacefully.”

“Since ancient times? What history do you even know?”

Tonight, Bai Lian seemed to carry barbs in every sentence, either belittling or insulting him.

Jiang Wang was annoyed. “If you know some history that I don’t know, please tell me directly.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You don’t want to kill aquatic beings, so don’t. What are you getting so angry for?”

“I’m not angry.”

Bai Lian took a step towards Jiang Wang, and Jiang Wang silently moved away.

Bai Lian laughed. “Killing or not killing, it’s your own decision. I haven’t forced you, so what are you afraid of?”

“Are you afraid…?”

Like a ghost, she stepped in front of Jiang Wang, gently touching his chest with her finger, and softly said, “The you deep down inside?”

Jiang Wang frowned. “Stop beating around the bush. I owe you three matters. Just tell me what you want me to do.”

“Will you do whatever I tell you to do?”

Jiang Wang was choked for a moment, and could only say, “I won’t kill the innocent, whether human or aquatic.”

“So,” Bai Lian turned and walked forward again. “There’s no need to tell you what to do now. Observe first, then make a decision. Anyway, I won’t force you, will I?”

Even wearing a black robe, and in the darkness of night, her graceful figure couldn’t be completely concealed. In the occasional twists and turns, it brought a landscape that touched the heart.

“It’s here,” Bai Lian grabbed Jiang Wang’s hand and pulled him into the grass by the bank, squatting down.

She released an array disk, activated her Dao essence, and then smiled. “This time, it’s a real concealment array.”

Jiang Wang knew she was teasing him about the incident at Jade Balance Peak, so he didn’t say anything, only watching the Clear River’s surface.

He was curious about what he would see next, and also had a kind of bewilderment that he couldn’t quite explain.

What would he see?

…

Time slowly passed, and the tranquility, as if it would continue forever, was broken.

The riverbank of the Clear River was wide and open, with waves chasing after each other into the distance, silver light sprinkling down.

A figure separated from the water and walked towards the shore. He was dressed in black, with a black cloth covering his face. On his shoulder, he carried a large black cloth bag, almost blending into the darkness.

The bag vaguely outlined a human shape. But considering the time and place, Jiang Wang believed that the bag contained an aquatic being.

Aquatic beings and humans are similar in appearance. This is also the reason why the two races have recognized each other for thousands of years.

The few differences lie in the unique characteristics of aquatic beings, such as scales, whiskers, turtle shells, and so on. Each aquatic being has more or less aquatic characteristics, which are manifested by their talent and will never disappear.

The figure was getting closer and closer, to the point where Jiang Wang could see him clearly. He could confirm that it was a human.

A human, in the middle of the night, in the Clear River, secretly taking an aquatic being out in a cloth bag. What did he want to do? What did this mean?

“Why is he doing this?” Jiang Wang noticed that his voice was trembling slightly. He didn’t know where the unease came from.

“Aquatic beings also have naturally manifested Dao meridians. And they’re more advanced and purer than demon beasts,” Bai Lian said in his ear.

Her voice was pleasant, but what she said was cruelly. “In other words, the Opening Meridian Pill made by extracting the Dao meridians of aquatic beings is a better, more perfect Opening Meridian Pill.”

The hand Jiang Wang was holding his sword with became extremely tight.

The equal coexistence of humans and aquatic beings was a common knowledge deeply rooted in his heart. It was also the consensus of this land for countless years.

The founding of the Zhuang Kingdom was based on the Clear River Water Mansion’s desperate battle.

The Zhuang Kingdom’s founding ancestor, Zhuang Chengqian, made a eternal covenant, the words of which are still recited by children in classrooms today! Humans who accidentally fall into the water are often rescued by aquatic beings, and during festivals, humans often scatter fruits and gifts along the rivers.

Humans and aquatic beings are so similar, so close. One is on land, and one is in water, and there is no competition for living space.

In his opinion, extracting the Dao meridians of aquatic beings was no different from extracting the Dao meridians of humans.

And can extracting human Dao meridians refine Opening Meridian Pills?

Leaving aside whether it can be done or not, just thinking about it feels like an unforgivable thing!