Chapter 1230: Your Life and Death, A Single Move Gains or Loses

In the midst of pursuing the remnants of the Yang Kingdom, Jiang Wang suddenly vanished.

Immediately following this, rumors swirled through Linzi City, each one seemingly aimed at destroying Jiang Wang.

Yet, in this sudden and chaotic situation, Chong Xuan Sheng saw the crucial point at a glance and effortlessly neutralized it.

Such cunning and strategy couldn't fail to impress.

Since he already had a countermeasure for this overwhelming wave of rumors, it was no wonder he still had the leisure to tease Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang was both annoyed by the stout man's impishness and genuinely somewhat impressed.

He thought for a moment and couldn't help but say, "You just said these were countermeasures you made on the fly, assuming I was still alive. I'm a little curious now, if I were dead, how would you respond?"

"If you were dead, I wouldn't need to respond at all." Chong Xuan Sheng glanced at him. "Because at that point, no matter the need, you would absolutely be a great loyal minister! Any filth thrown upon you would be meaningless. Whoever slanders you is an enemy of Qi. With such momentum, I have countless ways to flay and draw the tendons of Yue Leng and Li You Jiu."

For someone still alive, discerning loyalty and treachery is difficult. Only the dead can have their "coffins sealed with a conclusion."

And a sudden death of the Yellow River Hegemon would inevitably mark him as a loyal and upright figure. Without irrefutable evidence, no mud could stick to him.

This was a necessity for Qi, not subject to anyone's will.

The four words, "flay and draw the tendons," were spoken lightly by Chong Xuan Sheng, as if Yue Leng and Li You Jiu were merely two ordinary names.

Only in this way was his skill and arrogance truly revealed.

Jiang Wang, walking this path, often stood at the precipice, growing significantly. One could say everyone saw his sharpness.

Chong Xuan Sheng, traveling alongside him, often remained unassuming, but with his wisdom and years of diligent cultivation, the extent of his power's growth is likely unknown to most!

Jiang Wang smiled upon hearing this. "It seems if I wanted to take revenge on either of them, slitting my throat now would be the simplest option."

Chong Xuan Sheng also smiled. "How can mere dried bones in a tomb be worthy of such retaliation from you?"

Li You Jiu and Yue Leng.

One, a descendant of one of the four great Qing Pai families, a Divine Manifestation realm cultivator, and a third-rank Qing Pai.

The other, an esteemed generation's God of Catching.

Yet, in Chong Xuan Sheng's mouth, they were merely dried bones in a tomb.

Jiang Wang said, "I think, between Yue Leng and Li You Jiu, one of them must be involved with the Nation of Equality. Perhaps even a member of the Nation of Equality."

"It's hard to say for now," Chong Xuan Sheng shook his head. "Both of them are highly experienced Qing Pai. Finding any flaws or clues on them through direct confrontation is basically impossible. Zheng Shang Ming sent me a message; the Northern Administration is only temporarily restricting their movements under the guise of questioning."

Jiang Wang sighed. "I still don't understand what their goal is. Both of them are quite strange."

"No one is a worm in someone else's belly; no one can fully see into another's mind. This is something I constantly remind myself." Chong Xuan Sheng gave him a meaningful look. "It seems you haven't realized where the key point lies."

Jiang Wang was stunned for a moment, then he also understood.

In Chong Xuan Sheng's previous sentence, the key point was, of course, Zheng Shang Ming!

The reason Zheng Shang Ming sent a message to Chong Xuan Sheng was, naturally, because of Jiang Wang.

But at the same time, his message indicated that, at least as far as Zheng Shi was concerned, Jiang Wang was not problematic.

To some extent, this could represent the Emperor's will!

The Emperor, in this subtle manner, had reassured Jiang Wang!

The current Emperor of Qi, who personally forged Qi's hegemony, whose prestige is unparalleled, whose grace and punishment all stem from the sacred heart, whose mere words are golden rules. Why would he need to use such a subtle method to comfort Jiang Wang?

The Emperor also had something to gain!

With Chong Xuan Sheng's guidance, Jiang Wang saw with increasing clarity that in this incredibly chaotic, intricate chess game with no clear main thread, he was merely a corner piece!

Huang Yi Xing's sudden death and Cao Jie's temporary restriction were just the beginning.

His life-and-death struggle, on this suddenly unfolding chessboard, might only represent the gain or loss of one or two pieces!

"Don't be too moved," Chong Xuan Sheng suddenly said. "How can one fathom the Emperor's political maneuvers? If you had died this time, your reputation after death would be secure, but where would you experience this imperial favor?"

Zheng Shi, the Commandant of the Northern Administration, allowing Zheng Shang Ming to send a private message for Jiang Wang indicated that the Emperor had not been affected by the rumors and still trusted Jiang Wang. This was undoubtedly great imperial favor, perhaps warranting tears of gratitude and absolute devotion.

However, on the other hand, the cruel reality was... the Emperor had entered this chess game, but had not provided any assurance for Jiang Wang's safety whatsoever; everything depended on his own struggle.

For the victory the Emperor sought, the number one Inner Mansion cultivator in the world could also be overlooked. After all, every generation has its prodigies, and even as the Yellow River Hegemon, the value of a Hegemon was already established. The Emperor's grace had been sufficient, and now it was a different kind of victory.

"No wonder wise men of old rarely met good ends!" Jiang Wang laughed. "Which Emperor would want his thoughts to be seen through by others!"

Chong Xuan Sheng gazed deeply at this renowned Qing Yang Zi.

He had always mocked Jiang Wang's wisdom, but Jiang Wang was actually quite clever; his "stupidity" was only in comparison to him.

He reminded Jiang Wang not to be manipulated by the Emperor's political skills, to be overly grateful and foolishly shed blood.

And Jiang Wang reminded him that sometimes, the Emperor's true intentions didn't matter. If the Emperor needed you to be grateful, then be grateful! Don't think you can jump out of everything and disregard the Emperor's authority just because you are highly intelligent.

It was also at this moment that he realized why the Emperor of Qi showed Jiang Wang such great favor and closeness, far exceeding others. While Jiang Wang was not as intelligent as him, he could often grasp the essence of things and was very clear-headed!

"Hahaha, that's why Chancellor Yan retired, Chancellor Jiang is soft-spoken, Chen Ze Qing is silent, and Tian An Ping acts crazy at the drop of a hat. Living is exhausting!"

Chong Xuan Sheng laughed heartily and quickly moved on from the topic, changing direction. "When King Qin Guang and King Wu Guan jointly killed Su She, only the four of you were present. Now that this matter has been brought up, do you think it could have been Yin Guan?"

"To be honest, I don't know," Jiang Wang said. "Although I am familiar with Yin Guan and have some acquaintance with him, he is not someone who would consider acquaintance. To achieve his goals, he can do anything. Perhaps someone can be an exception, but that person is not me."

When he spoke the last sentence, he was thinking of Su Mu Qing, Yin Guan's cousin in the twenty-seven cities of the Lower City in You Country.

If nothing unexpected happened, she should now be living in the Upper City.

As Yin Guan's reputation grew, You Country would place more importance on her.

"If that's the case, then it wasn't Yin Guan. Bringing you up at this time would be meaningless to him," Chong Xuan Sheng thought for a moment and then decisively said, "Then it was Su She!"

"How is that possible?" Jiang Wang found it hard to agree this time. "I saw Su She being killed with my own eyes!"

"With the methods and strength Yin Guan has shown, Hell's Gate wouldn't be able to reveal this matter without his approval. After thinking about it, only Su She has the need and the brains to seize this opportunity."

"But he's dead!" Although Jiang Wang had always trusted Chong Xuan Sheng's wisdom, he felt this was truly absurd.

He had personally seen Su She killed by Yin Guan; this matter was absolutely not false.

"Ears can deceive you, eyes can deceive you."

As Chong Xuan Sheng spoke, he tapped his temple with his large finger. "But the brain won't deceive you."

Jiang Wang blinked his eyes. What did he mean?

Seeing this, Chong Xuan Sheng explained, "Oh, I mean. If you have one."

Jiang Wang: ...

You might as well not have explained!