Chapter 1186: Meeting with a Smile

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For the inner mansion of the Heavenly Barrier's first shielding, the Evening Wind Window, perhaps it could not comprehend why this single night garnered so many lingering gazes.

Within the light and shadow, who knew how many intentions intertwined?

Xie Nankui, his countenance ruddy as a jujube, stood at the pinnacle of altitude.

Bathed in moonlight, his figure was reflected as if a divine statue.

If mortals were to witness him, they might even prostrate in worship.

The Yellow River Meet had just concluded, and the teams from various nations had not yet fully dispersed. As the hegemonic power closest to the Viewing River Platform, the host nation of Jing naturally bore the responsibility of maintaining order.

To prevent unsightly incidents from transpiring.

Should a significant event involving casualties occur between two national teams near the Viewing River Platform, it would undoubtedly be a slap in the face to Jing.

All the structures on the Viewing River Platform had already vanished.

Thus, the Land of Wo became the most frequented stopping point after the Yellow River Meet.

As the commander of Jing's Eight Armors, the Shen Ce Army, Xie Nankui's stationing in Feng City was undoubtedly a representative and highly deterrent presence.

As for the will of the Land of Wo itself...

At least on the surface, the court of the Land of Wo greatly welcomed the assistance of the people of Jing in maintaining order.

With the convergence of various national teams, it was indeed a scene beyond the sole control of the small Land of Wo.

At this moment, Xie Nankui stood at this ultimate height, his gaze surveying the entire city. With his status as a True Person and the nobility of an army commander, his personal involvement in this matter ensured that no one could fault Jing for its lack of diligence.

Without any trace or premonition, a voice sounded in his ear: "It seems there are quite a few concerned about this inner mansion's first Kui."

While monitoring the entire city, Xie Nankui inevitably cast a few extra glances at Jiang Wang.

After all, the Yellow River Meet's Kui head drew the most attention. The other Kui head, having already departed on the day of seizing the Kui, was nowhere to be seen.

At this moment, Xie Nankui's lips remained still, his face expressionless, yet his voice, following that clandestine shadow, echoed back: "Those in a low valley are prone to falling, and those at the peak are prone to losing. An unparalleled prodigy who, even on his most glorious day, does not forget his evening lessons, has a future unbound."

"It seems your evaluation of him is quite high." The shadowy voice paused, then asked: "In your view, how does he compare to Tai Yu?"

Xie Nankui smiled, but did not speak.

Indeed, there was no need for comparison.

The Heavenly Barrier's first inner mansion was, of course, an undisputed world-class prodigy. However, in the face of the youngest contemporary True Person in history, there was truly no room for comparison.

As for "losing" or "falling," those moments would likely never befall Li Yida.

"Also." The shadowy voice spoke this sentence, then shifted: "The traces of that matter have been thoroughly erased. Finally, we can have some stability for a while."

Xie Nankui, overlooking the city and the nation beneath him, replied: "But Jing already has no second Tai Yu. If this hidden danger cannot be eradicated, relying solely on concealment will sooner or later prove insufficient."

"For now, we can only take one step at a time. We also don't know exactly what His Majesty is thinking..." The shadowy voice said: "To be frank, allowing Tai Yu to stand in the spotlight now, prematurely becoming the target of all arrows, is indeed highly regrettable."

"The youngest contemporary True Person in history will naturally attract all gazes. Putting him in the spotlight was a forced move, not a matter of whether it was regrettable or not. But how many more times can such forced situations occur?" Xie Nankui's tone held dissatisfaction: "For this matter, their Mirror World Platform must bear responsibility!"

The Mirror World Platform was Jing's highest intelligence agency, known as "illuminating all corners, mirroring the present world." The occurrence of such a significant problem this time was, of course, the Mirror World Platform's negligence.

"The responsibility they should bear is inescapable. However, who could have imagined that the inner mansion prodigy, who had undergone countless verifications and finally represented the nation in battle, was actually... "

The shadowy voice paused, then continued: "So much so that the other two are also temporarily under suspicion. We could only immediately recall Tai Yu to stabilize the situation."

"Fortunately, it was discovered in advance, otherwise the consequences would have been even more unthinkable."

"Indeed. To think that after so many years, they are actually still..."

"Dead ashes can still reignite, rotten trees can still sprout." Xie Nankui sighed: "Material destruction is already so difficult to cleanse, how much more so the things rooted in the depths of the heart?"

"To me, it's all..." The shadowy voice began such a topic, then abruptly stopped, no longer speaking. It seemed to have touched upon a matter that could not be discussed.

Xie Nankui stood alone at the high place, his eyes patrolling in all directions, silently without a sound.

When the sky began to brighten slightly, Jiang Wang went to Mu Garden on his own.

The name "Mu Garden," at first listen, was not particularly auspicious, but the people of Mu did not concern themselves with such things. Devout believers of the Cang Tu God, after death they would go to the divine realm; even if it were truly called "Tomb Garden," it would only be another home.

This building in Feng City was originally a large manor, which gradually came to be known by this name. The people of Mu themselves did not mind, and others cared even less.

Zhao Rucheng's identity was sensitive at the moment and not suitable for appearing at the celebration banquet. Jiang Wang therefore went to see him alone. This had been agreed upon during the Kui-seizing period.

That Helian Yunyun seemed to have already given instructions; the gatekeeper, seeing Jiang Wang, directly led the way without a single unnecessary word.

Facing some scrutinizing gazes, and after a few turns, they entered the inner chambers of Mu Garden.

Zhao Rucheng's small courtyard, where he resided alone, was of a very high style, from which one could slightly perceive his current importance in Mu.

Walking along the green stone path, they saw that figure, like a jade tree facing the wind, standing at the courtyard gate.

Seeing him from afar, a smile appeared on his face.

Jiang Wang also unconsciously smiled.

The two did not speak, but simply walked towards each other, smiling.

"Tsk tsk tsk." Zhao Rucheng then deliberately sized him up from head to toe, making tsk tsk sounds: "The whole city is celebrating for you, and your name is everywhere. The Heavenly Barrier's first inner mansion, quite imposing indeed!"

Jiang Wang smiled back: "When you say the Kui name is yours to claim, you can also be imposing!"

Zhao Rucheng was greatly embarrassed, hurriedly stepping aside to lead the way, and coughed: "Long time no see, let's have a small drink!"

Jiang Wang merely said: "We should drink!"

The two, one in front and one behind, entered the small courtyard.

Casual and natural, just as in the past.

In the courtyard was a square stone table, two stone stools.

On the table were five dishes, one crane pot, and two jade cups.

No one was serving.

The two casually sat down, and Zhao Rucheng naturally rolled up his sleeves to pour wine, saying as he poured: "Third Brother, I'm not trying to stir up discord. You must remember this principle of being close to gentlemen and far from villains..."

He pursed his lips: "Before, how pure and good you were, your mouth wasn't as sharp as it is now."

Still as "petty" as before, unwilling to suffer even half a verbal loss.

Jiang Wang smiled, squinting at him: "So in the Land of Mu, what you call 'pure and good' is actually 'sharp-tongued.' Foreign customs, truly an eye-opener for this elder brother!"

Zhao Rucheng choked a bit, and oddly shook his head and sighed: "They all say Qi has many famous scholars. I've truly experienced it!"

Famous families were most skilled in verbal debate; when it came to wit, they were indeed difficult opponents.

"You still enjoy chatting so much." Jiang Wang smiled warmly, but placed emphasis on the word 'chatting': "Later, I'll introduce two friends for you to meet."

"Good!" Zhao Rucheng readily agreed.

But for some reason, as he smiled, his smile faded.

"Third Brother." He lowered his head, looking at the wine in his cup, and softly asked: "How have you been these past two years?"

But Jiang Wang was still smiling: "Just keep moving forward."

He smiled very brightly: "Always walking, always walking, just like that, the years passed."