Chapter 1268: Where Does She Come From

“If bad news unspoken ceases to exist, then speak it not,” said Jiang Wang.Zhao Xuanyang covered his face with both hands, rubbing it. “Alright!”At this moment, Jiang Wang still sat cross-legged upon the millstone-like boulder, whilst Zhao Xuanyang stood not far before the boulder.Perhaps it was due to the brief turn outside the cave, for this abandoned and withered ancient demonic lair seemed to have received a touch of fresh vitality.Stagnant water rippled faintly.Zhao Xuanyang preferred to interpret it as the fluctuation of his own emotions.He said, “Two days ago, one of my excellent fellow disciples mysteriously disappeared during a training expedition in the Maze Realm.”Jiang Wang seemed a little puzzled. “In a place like the Maze Realm, isn’t that a rather normal occurrence?”Zhao Xuanyang glanced at him. “Unlike your previous trip to the Maze Realm. When this fellow disciple of mine ventured there, although he had no powerful protectors accompanying him, the area was pre-determined, the strength of the Sea Clan scouted, and the trial difficulty established. By all accounts, his probability of falling in battle was no more than ten percent. Furthermore, there was no Maze Realm displacement during that period.”Why do the strong remain strong? Because the more powerful the force, the better they are able to protect their future.“Alright!” Jiang Wang harbored no emotions of envy or jealousy. He simply asked, “So, what do you think the variable might be?”“Such matters cannot be casually conjectured. Therefore, Marshal Xian personally journeyed to the Maze Realm to blockade the area and conduct a thorough investigation… However, he was stopped by True Person Qi. She stated that if the truth behind the disappearance of a Jing Kingdom prodigy was desired, then first, the truth for the Qi Kingdom prodigy must be provided.”The Marshal Xian whom Zhao Xuanyang spoke of was naturally Xian Nankui, the commander of the Divine Strategy Army, who had maintained order at the Yellow River Grand Gathering. True Person Qi Xiao, guarding Jue Ming Island, personally intercepting him could also be seen as proof of the escalating conflict between Qi and Jing.“Reasonable and logical,” said Jiang Wang. “The Maze Realm belongs not to a single entity, nor are the Sea Clan weaklings to be slaughtered at will. Blockading an area of the Maze Realm and conducting a thorough investigation into the so-called truth is no simple matter. Naturally, things cannot be done merely by saying so.”Zhao Xuanyang glanced at him, pointing upwards with his index finger. “Some people above believe this to be a tit-for-tat coercion from the Qi Kingdom. Of course, I do not believe the Qi Kingdom would strike at our Jing Kingdom soldiers on the Maze Realm battlefield.”“One would think, no one in the Qi Kingdom would initiate such a thing,” Jiang Wang shook his head and asked, “Then which party do you think it could be?”“How can one say for sure in such a short time?” Zhao Xuanyang said, “We have too many enemies.”“Listening thus far…” Jiang Wang furrowed his brow. “It seems to be good news for me.”Zhao Xuanyang neither confirmed nor denied this, nor did he utter any more needless words like 'why aren't you considering my feelings'. He simply said, “Then listen to the next piece of news. Monk Kuzue pursued us for three days and still failed to catch us. Hanging Temple has explicitly ordered him to return, and Great Master Kumyo has declared that Hanging Temple has no intention of interfering in the disputes between nations. We also have Contemporary True Persons within our country… and they no longer intend to tolerate him.”“So, are we leaving this cursed place?” Jiang Wang even managed a smile. “Doesn’t sound too bad.”Zhao Xuanyang always naturally grouped himself and Jiang Wang together, placing Monk Kuzue, who had painstakingly searched the Western Territory in an attempt to rescue Jiang Wang during this period, in the role of the antagonist.He constantly used the pronoun “we”.Having heard it numerous times, Jiang Wang was too lazy to refute it.“Normally, that would be the case,” Zhao Xuanyang said softly.“So, if not according to the norm… how would it be?” Jiang Wang asked calmly.“You know,” Zhao Xuanyang sighed. “Although Zhuang Gaoxian swore that the evidence he presented could absolutely withstand scrutiny and that what he said was absolutely true, many people within our country, including myself, do not believe him. Therefore…”“So I cannot go to Jade Capital Mountain?” Jiang Wang smiled. “Because under pressure from Qi, Chu, and Mu, the truth is no longer for you to manipulate. Because your Jing Kingdom believes that the matter of my colluding with demons simply cannot withstand a public investigation? Because of the Qi Kingdom’s stance in the Maze Realm, the Jing Kingdom feels provoked?”Those who wrong you know better than anyone how wronged you are.Those who pretend to be deceived are in fact clearer than anyone in their hearts.Adding insult to injury is merely an act of convenience; whether the person at the bottom of the well lives or dies, what does it matter to them?Due to the Qi Kingdom’s tit-for-tat response and the rare, aligned stance of the three hegemonic nations, the “public trial” on Jade Capital Mountain could no longer be unilaterally manipulated by the Jing Kingdom.Ultimately, the ancient Alliance to Slay Demons was an alliance upheld by all of humanity.The three hegemonic nations of Qi, Chu, and Mu combined could better represent the voice of humanity than the Jing Kingdom!And the higher echelons of the Jing Kingdom fundamentally did not believe Zhuang Gaoxian, nor did they actually believe that Jiang Wang had colluded with demons.Perhaps when they used Jiang Wang as leverage to provoke the Qi Kingdom, they had not anticipated such a fierce reaction from the Qi Kingdom. Now, it was like riding a tiger, difficult to dismount.The Jing Kingdom could not openly slap its own face before the entire world.Therefore, that “public trial” could not continue!There were many ways to prematurely terminate a public trial. Actively withdrawing the charges and admitting error was one; an “accused” individual suspected of a crime suffering an unexpected incident was another.The dignified Jing Kingdom would naturally not admit error.Even facing pressure from the three hegemonic nations, it would never yield or retreat.Therefore, what choice they would make was truly not difficult to imagine.Only…Was this the Jing Kingdom?Was this the Central Empire, renowned as the foremost under heaven, after countless ages?The ancient Alliance to Slay Demons, which once saved humanity from peril, in the present day, had it also been reduced to a weapon for conflict?Hence, Jiang Wang was smiling.Zhao Xuanyang was silent for a moment, then said, “Your friends from various nations probably never expected that by helping you, they would actually harm you more.”“No, no, no,” Jiang Wang shook his head, smiling. “Those who harm me have never been them. I cannot say that a righteous person angered a villain, and therefore the righteous person was an accomplice. That is an unreasonable notion. Who is helping me, and who is harming me…”He pointed to his heart. “The human heart has its own measure.”Zhao Xuanyang gave a bitter smile. “You make me feel somewhat ashamed of myself.”Jiang Wang smiled. “Then why not abandon the darkness and turn towards the light, abandon the decaying, dark old Jing Kingdom, and turn to the newly born, vibrant Qi Kingdom? The scenery in the Eastern Region is quite beautiful!”Zhao Xuanyang, for once, spoke seriously. “The Jing Kingdom is such a large country. Many things happen every day, and many decisions are made every day. The mistakes it has made are more absurd than you can imagine. The responsibilities it bears, the right things it has done, are also more numerous than you can imagine. I am within it, and I follow its path. Some things cannot be changed. Some rights and wrongs require time to verify. I only hope that when I reach a higher position, it will make fewer mistakes and do more right things.”“Then…” Jiang Wang said, “I wish you to become such a person.”Zhao Xuanyang looked at him and sighed. “When I always said I wanted to befriend you, it wasn’t a joke, nor was I teasing you. You are indeed an exceptionally outstanding person. Among the Inner Palace realm cultivators I’ve encountered in the Jing Kingdom, none can compare to you… including myself at the Inner Palace realm.”To speak plainly, putting aside their opposing stances, their time together these past few days had indeed been quite compatible. They were not like diametrically opposed enemies; instead, their state was very relaxed.Jiang Wang merely smiled faintly. “When I said we are not friends, I wasn’t joking either.”Zhao Xuanyang paused, and finally said, “I’m sorry.”“No need to apologize to me,” Jiang Wang shook his head. “Each has their own stance, neither right nor wrong.”“If you were me, what would you choose?” Zhao Xuanyang asked.Jiang Wang shook his head. “Hypotheticals have no meaning. Until the moment one truly faces a choice, no one knows their true self.”Zhao Xuanyang thought for a moment and then said, “Do you have any final wishes? If I can fulfill them, I will do my best to help you.”Jiang Wang was silent for a moment. “Shall I tell you a secret? I’ve kept this secret in my heart for a long time.”“Speak.”“The destruction of Fenglin City in Zhuang Kingdom was indeed a conspiracy, but it was not my conspiracy, nor did it have anything to do with the Demon Race. The White Bone Path intended to sacrifice the entire city’s populace to refine the White Bone True Pill, welcome the descent of the White Bone Venerable God, and create a divine kingdom in the present world…The Zhuang court detected this matter but did not prevent it immediately, because Zhuang Gaoxian also needed the White Bone True Pill!They sat idly by as the entire population of Fenglin City perished and the White Bone True Pill took shape… and then they seized it. After Zhuang Gaoxian consumed the White Bone True Pill, his old injuries fully recovered, and he ascended to the Cave True realm. Only then did today’s True Person Zhuang come to be.”Jiang Wang said, “This is the truth behind the destruction of Fenglin City. This is also why, now, you and I stand on different sides.”Zhao Xuanyang was silent for a while, then asked, “Is there evidence?”Jiang Wang said indifferently, “That is why I have remained silent until now.”“What role did you play in it?” Zhao Xuanyang asked again.“At that time, I was merely a small cultivator at the Pulsing Vein realm. What role could I play? In the course of executing a Dao Academy mission, I detected the White Bone Path’s conspiracy and informed my teacher of this matter. My teacher told me to cultivate in peace, saying that he had reported this matter to the imperial court, and the imperial court would handle it properly…” Jiang Wang’s tone was calm, with no discernible fluctuation. “How the Zhuang court handled it, you also know.”Zhao Xuanyang’s gaze was complex. This interesting friend before him had experienced far more hardship than he had imagined. “I think I can understand why you wanted to kill Dong A.”“That was merely the beginning,” Jiang Wang said.Zhao Xuanyang sighed deeply and asked, “Do you wish for me to, when I have the ability in the future, help you kill Zhuang Gaoxian?”“Do you think it is feasible?” Jiang Wang countered.“At this moment, I do not wish to deceive you,” Zhao Xuanyang said seriously. “He is the ruler of a vassal state and a Contemporary True Person. I am a person of Jing Kingdom. How I treat him is not based on personal likes or dislikes.”“Understood,” Jiang Wang said.“I suddenly feel somewhat hypocritical,” Zhao Xuanyang smiled bitterly and shook his head. “But I hope you know that I genuinely want to do something for you.”“In this matter, do you believe me?” Jiang Wang asked. “Even if I cannot provide any evidence, only my one-sided account?”“Of course,” Zhao Xuanyang said. “Although we have only interacted for a few days, in my eyes, you are ten thousand times more trustworthy than the person named Zhuang.”Jiang Wang asked again, “Do you believe me because I am trustworthy, or because Zhuang Gaoxian is not trustworthy, or perhaps… you simply feel that the words of a dying man are good?”“You seem to be scourging my soul, making me see my myriad wounds,” Zhao Xuanyang looked deeply at him. “It seems I am indeed a hypocritical person.”Jiang Wang shook his head. “We have only known each other for a few days? How can I definitively say what kind of person you are? I can indeed feel your respect, your principles, and your sincerity. But even you, who admire me so much, your belief in me is very fragile. Not to mention the many strangers in the world? If I die, everything that happened in Fenglin City will be forever buried.”He said very seriously, “Therefore, I cannot die.”What did that mean?Zhao Xuanyang’s brows furrowed, a bad premonition rising within him.And at this moment, this feeling was replaced by a sudden, instinctive fear!On the ground between him and Jiang Wang, a vortex as black as ink quietly appeared.Within the lightless cave, “as black as ink” should not have been visible.Yet, it strangely appeared within the observer’s field of vision amidst the darkness, utterly defying sensory common sense.Even more contradictory was… it appeared so suddenly, yet it seemed as if it had always been there, giving a sense of such naturalness.As if it had always existed, only to be seen at this moment.What kind of person was Zhao Xuanyang?Fear could not make him retreat, hesitation could not make his hand falter.He had already resolutely found his Dao, achieved the Divine Arrival realm, and was a peerless prodigy!Facing such a bizarre scene in the ancient demonic lair, he said not a word, simply flipped his hand to draw the wooden sword from his back, and lunged with it.His movements were ethereal, like a flying immortal, yet the moment this sword moved, it was like thunder!Electrical discharge in a dark room, golden light born in a lightless environment.It was a brilliant, radiant golden light that almost blinded the naked eye, a pure Yang sword of majestic power.This sword dispersed demonic energy, dispelled evil spirits, shattered Dharma bodies, and extinguished life souls!The moment this sword struck out, it had already reached Jiang Wang’s chest.This was indeed a sword without mercy, showing no restraint.No matter what unexpected event occurred, no matter how much he admired Jiang Wang, no matter his own subjective likes or dislikes… the mission entrusted to him by the Jing Kingdom, he had to complete. This was the responsibility of a Jing Kingdom prodigy.Born here, nourished here, repaying here.But it was this very sword that buried his possibility of escape.From within that vortex as black as ink, a flawless white jade hand suddenly extended, and with two slender jade fingers, it easily and lightly clamped down on the tip of the wooden sword!It was like a flawless work of art, rather than a living entity. But the power it brought was so real.When it appeared, it was clearly still some distance away, but the distance was erased!From where did she come?Zhao Xuanyang’s sword was stopped at the position of Jiang Wang’s chest. Just half an inch more, and he could have annihilated Jiang Wang, thoroughly ending this incident of colluding with demons.But it could not advance even an inch.This scene was a re-enactment of his battle with Jiang Wang in that restaurant in the Zhongshan Kingdom.At that time, Jiang Wang’s sword was also extremely brilliant, yet so weak and powerless.The stark disparity in strength, once revealed, is always cold and cruel.The difference was…These two slender jade fingers, clamping the sword tip, had mercilessly rotated.With just a pivot of the joined fingers.The wooden sword in Zhao Xuanyang’s hand, cultivated for many years, the famous sword passed down through generations on Jade Capital Mountain, shattered inch by inch.Terrifying power firmly suppressed Zhao Xuanyang, the Divine Arrival realm prodigy of Jing Kingdom. With his mind and spirit entangled, his entire body tilted backward, and he spewed a mouthful of fresh blood!