Chapter 1267: Good News

"What art thou doing?" within the lightless cavern, Zhao Xuanyang suddenly inquired.

"Pondering a Daoist technique," Jiang Wang replied casually.

"What Daoist technique?" Zhao Xuanyang's interest was piqued. "Speak it forth, and perhaps I can help thee refine it?"

Jiang Wang was immersed in the world of Daoist techniques and replied without much emotion, "Spare me."

Within this ancient demonic lair, whose precise location was unknown, a full three days had passed.

Though the place was devoid of light, and the alternation of day and night unseen, Jiang Wang had consistently marked the time in his mind.

Since seeking refuge in the ancient demonic lair, Kuzue had indeed not pursued him further.

Due to Zhao Xuanyang's constraints, Jiang Wang could not move about freely, could not connect to the Tai Xu realm, and could not explore his inner mansion. Yet, fortunately, he still possessed "Blazing Flower Burning City" and "Dragon Tiger," these two transcendent Daoist techniques, available for his slow contemplation.

Zhao Xuanyang gave a "tsk" sound. "Thou knowest not what a fine opportunity thou hast missed!"

"Indeed," Jiang Wang replied flatly. "Had I not met thee, I truly would not enjoy the life of a captive."

Zhao Xuanyang was silent for a moment, then said, "If not I, then others would have come."

He thought for a moment, then his smile turned proud again. "Ah, no, that dolt Chunyu Gui would surely not have thought thou wouldst flee towards Jing State. Perhaps thou might truly have escaped... Thanks to me!"

He looked at Jiang Wang's expression and finally felt too embarrassed to laugh further. He cleared his throat and rose from the great stone.

"Well, I shall go out for a bit. Behave thyself and do not make any small movements."

As he spoke, his steps flickered, and he had already left this chamber alone.

Jiang Wang remained silent, making no unnecessary movements, still sitting there quietly, appearing as though he were still diligently studying Daoist techniques.

He knew what Zhao Xuanyang was going out to do. It was nothing more than temporarily leaving the confines of the demonic lair to receive some intelligence. Zhao Xuanyang said he was to complete the escort mission under the pursuit of a contemporary True Person alone, analogous to his previous flight under Zhao Xuanyang's pursuit. However, there was still a fundamental difference.

He was truly fleeing alone, relying only on himself. Though Zhao Xuanyang's side had no Void Illumination expert come forward to obstruct Kuzue, someone had constantly been transmitting messages to him. Not to mention the various pressures and misdirections applied to Kuzue by Jing State...

Absolute fairness... How could it be?

What Jiang Wang understood even more clearly was that he was still being watched by Zhao Xuanyang at this moment.

Thus, he indeed made no movements whatsoever.

Before long, Zhao Xuanyang returned.

"I have some good news, wouldst thou like to hear it?" he asked with a smile.

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and asked, "Is this news 'good' or 'bad' relative to thee, or relative to me?"

Zhao Xuanyang was momentarily stunned, then gave a wry smile. "I thought, having spent these few days together, we were already friends. Thou hast once again made me realize the issue of our respective positions."

"How desperate for friends art thou? Or rather, how abundant are thy friends?" Jiang Wang's expression was not serious, but the content of his words was grave. "Who sends a friend to their death?"

Zhao Xuanyang thought for a moment and said, "I merely find thee interesting, rarely seen and interesting... But thou art right. From the moment we were born, our paths were different."

At this moment, Jiang Wang instead smiled. "When we were born, our paths were actually the same. When I was young, I also wished to cultivate in Jade Capital Mountain!"

Zhao Xuanyang did not ask why he was in Qi State now.

He merely followed suit and smiled, "That is truly a pity."

Jiang Wang did not know what he was thinking of, his gaze distant and wistful. "Indeed..."

Seeing that the atmosphere had become somewhat somber, Zhao Xuanyang changed the subject. "The good news I mentioned is, of course, from thy perspective."

Jiang Wang smiled slightly. "Pray tell."

Zhao Xuanyang assumed a proper tone and said very formally, "Just this morning, Chu State issued a national letter, expressing serious concern regarding the case of the Yellow River's leader colluding with demons, stating that the leader of the Yellow River holds great significance and cannot be lightly insulted. And the ancient pact of demon slaying is of broad consequence; Jing State cannot make a unilateral decision. And they requested to dispatch individuals to participate in verifying the relevant evidence of collusion with demons."

He propped his chin up and said, "Thou wert seemingly preparing to go to Chu State before. Dost thou have friends in Chu State as well? Known throughout the world, eh! And they seem quite influential..."

Chu State issuing such a national letter was, of course, based on considerations of national interest. But without someone pushing for it, it would likely be difficult to achieve.

If one were to speak of friends in Chu State, at present there was naturally only Zuo Guangshu.

The matter of collusion with demons had developed to this extent today, known to all under heaven. Zuo Guangshu would, of course, know why he had ceased his journey to Chu. With that child's character, he would likely do something. But with his strength, status, cunning, and methods, it would be difficult for him to accomplish much in this matter. This was also the reason why Jiang Wang had said nothing in his letter.

Zuo Guangshu was not enough to influence Chu State's national letter. Unless...

Jiang Wang recalled that Zuo Guangshu had said before that the head of the Zuo clan wished to meet him.

Was it Guangshu's grandfather who sent this gift?

That was also... Zuo Guanglie's grandfather.

Jiang Wang did not answer Zhao Xuanyang's question but instead counter-questioned, "Dost thou think the so-called 'evidence' that Zhuang Gaoxian has prepared can withstand scrutiny?"

Zhao Xuanyang spread his hands. "Although I do not trust him as a person, I cannot doubt his strength. Dost thou know how much Zhuang State has risen in rank among the Daoist subsidiary states since he ascended to the throne?"

Jiang Wang did not care about Zhuang State's rank among the Daoist subsidiary states. No matter how high it climbed, it was on the blood and flesh of the hundreds of thousands of people in Maple Forest City Domain that it had reached its position.

"Speaking of which, I am quite curious as to what evidence Zhuang Gaoxian has prepared. How can he turn completely innocent me into a spy colluding with the demonic race?" he asked.

"I am not very clear about it now. We shall know when we reach Jade Capital Mountain," Zhao Xuanyang said up to this point, then soothingly added, "There is another piece of good news, wouldst thou like to hear it?"

"Speak," Jiang Wang said indifferently.

"Heh! Thou art truly influential!" Zhao Xuanyang changed to a more exaggerated tone. "Mu State also issued a national letter, sternly denouncing my act of taking thee to Jade Capital Mountain for trial, stating that Jing State has contracted the 'Daoist Sovereign State' disease, but not all under heaven are Daoist subsidiary states. The language was indeed quite fierce!"

Jiang Wang was stunned for a moment, then sighed, "The world has long suffered under Jing!"

Mu State's national letter might have been propelled by Zhao Rucheng's help, with Princess Yunyun as an aid. But in essence, it must still be Mu State's accumulated dissatisfaction with Jing State. It was precisely the opportunity to step out and harshly trample while Qi State and Jing State were in direct confrontation.

However, if this were the case...

Although there were various underlying reasons. It appeared as though for the matter of him alone, Jiang Wang, among the six great overlords in the current world, three had simultaneously openly expressed their dissatisfaction with Jing State!

In the eyes of those who did not know, the weight that Jiang Wang demonstrated in this matter was simply rarely seen throughout history.

Zhao Xuanyang chuckled. "It cannot be helped. A tree that stands out in the forest is bound to be destroyed by the wind. Jing State dominates the central domain, looks down upon the world, and exerts the utmost authority under heaven, naturally it must also bear the utmost burden under heaven."

He seemed not to mind at all that Jing State was being targeted by multiple overlords, still maintaining a relaxed expression.

But Jiang Wang lowered his eyelids. "Then what is the bad news?"

The smile on Zhao Xuanyang's face also disappeared.

He sighed. "Dost thou wish to hear it now?"