Chapter 1332: The World Has Jiang Wang

Lin Xian silently departed the Broken Soul Gorge, returning alone to the Kingdom of Rong.

He had not dismissed the thought of ambushing and slaying Jiang Wang,or pursuing the injured Masked Devil who had fled.The former act could extinguish a Tianjiao of the Kingdom of Qi,shattering the lofty mountain in his heart.The latter could punish evil and promote good,while also forging his renown,trampling upon the corpse of the Masked Devil to make his name, Lin Xian, known throughout the land.Yet, in the end, he abandoned both paths.

Of course, there were sundry reasons,but the most fundamental point he could not deny was his lack of might.Though the Masked Devil fled in alarm before Jiang Wang,the power of her human-face divine ability remained beyond doubt,and it was difficult to know what other 'treasures' she might possess.As for Jiang Wang himself...That he could repel the Masked Devil in such a state of severe injuryalready spoke volumes.One must recall the battle on the Observing River Platform,where Jiang Wang suppressed Xiang Bei,winning through a contest of divine souls.Even with his physical body so wounded at this moment,Lin Xian had no confidence in winning a battle on the divine soul level.

Of course, a thousand thoughts flicker in the human heart in an instant;these were but the most pragmatic considerations of that moment.Ultimately, the impulse to strike at Jiang Wangdissipated in the sight of that solitary figure seated alone."I observe this man as one looks up at the peak of a multitude of mountains,and beholds the abyss of the starry river;his loftiness knows no bounds..."When the Chan Master Zhaowu journeyed south from Mount Sumeru,confident in his talent and intending to "discuss Chan across the nations,"he returned upon a single meeting with Huang Weizhen,leaving behind only this lament, which became widely known.Today, Lin Xian felt that these wordswere perfectly suited to his present state of mind.Though his cultivation was far below that of Chan Master Zhaowu in days past,and the present Jiang Wang could not compare to Huang Weizhen.Yet, it was the same feeling of looking up at something ever loftier,feeling only boundless.By seeing him once, one knew the vastness of heaven and earth.

And the story of Chan Master Zhaowu and Huang Weizhenis considered a fine taleprecisely because thirty years after Huang Weizhen achieved enlightenment (衍道),Chan Master Zhaowu also attained it.This is called, "Having seen the height of the mountain, one then journeys towards it."Faced with the mountain in one's heart,some fear its height and falter, becoming dispirited.Some employ a thousand schemes to destroy it.Some, however, admire it with equanimity and walk towards that high mountain.He, Lin Xian, would become Zhaowu.

The capital of the Kingdom of Rong is named Zhaoguang.Before ascending the Observing River Platform, Lin Xian had always lived in this city.More precisely, in a courtyard in the western part of the city.Apart from when he journeyed to secret realms for cultivation,he never stepped beyond the main gate.Entering and leaving were always in a specially made carriage;his whereabouts were a top secret of the Kingdom of Rong.The Rong court spared no effort,giving him the best instruction, the best sparring partners, the best resources...Even the King personally guided him.When he went to the Observing River Platform,it could be said he carried the hopes of a nation.Judging from previous sessions of the Yellow River Convention,with his strength, he should have undoubtedly advanced to the main competition.Alas, the intensity of this session of the Yellow River Conventionranked among the highest in history.The quality of the Inner Palace realm arena was aiming for the strongest in history.Not only did he fail to stand before the Tianjiao of the Kingdom of Qiand display the might of the Kingdom of Rong,he didn't even make it into the main competition.He didn't even contend for the right to cross swords with Jiang Wang!Many within the kingdom were disappointed in him; complaints had not ceased.But the King still placed great trust in him, relying on him as a pillar.His desperate fight on the Observing River Platform,the talent and loyalty he revealed,were evident to those with discerning eyes.The current ruler of Rong is truly not a mediocre sovereign.

However, before the Kingdom of Qi,how similar was the Kingdom of Rong's positionto his own before Jiang Wang?The less mediocre the sovereign, the more painful and agonizing the struggle.

The journey from the Broken Soul Gorge to the Kingdom of Rongwas not as difficult as imagined.He had emerged from the Broken Soul Gorge twice,and each time he better understood Jiang Wang's strength.But compared to the dejected spirit of his first departure from the Broken Soul Gorge,the second time was much more composed.The limit of the Inner Palace realmis far vaster than imagined.So, what was he anxious about before? What was he dissatisfied with?On the Observing River Platform, who could equal Jiang Qingyang?The mountain is there, it is that high,so calm the heart and steadily walk towards it.There is a path ahead, and it has already been traversed by others.What reason is there to hesitate?

Returning to Zhaoguang City,entering the familiar courtyard,a figure stood with hands clasped behind his back.Hearing the movement, he turned around.It was a man dressed as a scholar, appearing to be about forty years of age.Seeing Lin Xian, a warm smile appeared on his face:"You're back?"This person was none other than Ouyang Yong, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Rong.

Lin Xian bowed with cupped hands: "Lord Prime Minister."Ouyang Yong waved his hand: "There are no outsiders here, just call me Uncle.""Propriety must not be discarded." Lin Xian insisted on completing the bow before speaking:"Lord Prime Minister's visit, I wonder what instructions you have?"Ouyang Yong considered his words for a moment, then slowly said:"The battle on the Star-Moon Plain has begun.For now, it is a battlefield for the younger generation.Are you interested in joining?"

No matter how much disagreement there was in private,or how much Rong wished to break free from restraint...For the Kingdom of Rong to join the Star-Moon Plain battlefield,it could, of course, only be in the Qi kingdom's camp.Moreover, the very act of the Kingdom of Rong joining the Star-Moon Plain battlefielditself occurred under pressure from the Kingdom of Qi.Lin Xian could fully imaginethe immense pressure this seemingly relaxed Prime Minister was bearingto give him a "choice," allowing him to decide whether to go or not...On a battlefield where young talents clash,if Lin Xian, the foremost Inner Palace of the Kingdom of Rong, did not go,it could hardly be considered that the Kingdom of Rong was showing sincerity.

"To clash with the heroes of the world has always been Lin Xian's wish.For a true man to achieve merit on the battlefield is even a fortune."Lin Xian said: "I am willing to go."

Ouyang Yong looked deeply at him, and finally could only reach outand pat him on the shoulder:"Jiang Wang is connected to devils and his whereabouts are unknown.You, Lin Xian, are the foremost Inner Palace of the Eastern Territory.The future of the Kingdom of Rong rests on your shoulders.Do not concern yourself with those unpleasant voices.Just perform well on the Star-Moon Plain."

Lin Xian bowed properly once more: "Please do not say such words again, Lord Prime Minister."Ouyang Yong said gently: "You need not worry.His Majesty also said this. I am merely conveying His Majesty's words."Lin Xian did not look up, only saying:"Please ask His Majesty not to say such words either."

A look of surprise finally appeared on Ouyang Yong's face: "Why?"Lin Xian raised his head, his expression calm:"While Jiang Wang exists in this world,how can anyone else be called the foremost?"

Ouyang Yong smiled, his tone that of an elder offering guidance:"The brilliance on the Observing River Platform is but a moment in the long river,it does not define a lifetime.What you lack compared to him is merely resources.Now that his whereabouts are unknown,it is a good opportunity for your generation to strive and rise..."

Lin Xian said: "I saw Jiang Wang in the Broken Soul Gorge..."Ouyang Yong paused, then asked: "Did you fight?"Lin Xian smiled bitterly and shook his head:"How could I possibly have the qualification to fight him now?"He sighed: "I merely... witnessed his battle.""In the Broken Soul Gorge?" Ouyang Yong frowned, pressing: "With whom?"Lin Xian slowly said: "The Myriad Evil Devil Zheng Fei,the Flesh-Slicing Devil Li Shou,the Masked Devil Yan Zi,the Head-Chopping Devil Huan Tao."Ouyang Yong was naturally aware of the infamy of the Nine Great Devils.How many in the world wished to slay them,yet the whereabouts of these Nine Great Devils were concealed and difficult to track.After a moment of thought, Ouyang Yong asked: "A series of challenges?"Lin Xian shook his head, saying: "Jiang Wang fought one against four."

Ouyang Yong was instantly moved!Though he still tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor,his voice was somewhat unnatural: "Did he perhaps retreat unharmed?"Lin Xian's eyes lowered slightly, as if daring not to look directly at the scorching sun,only saying: "Myriad Evil, Flesh-Slicing, and Head-Chopping, all dead!Only the Masked Devil fled in panic..."

The impact of this news was so astonishing.As the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Rong,with a position as high and powerful as Ouyang Yong's,he couldn't help but sway, losing his voice:"Heaven favors the Kingdom of Qi thus!Could it be another Jiang Mengxiong?!"