Chapter 1404: Different Paths, Same Destination

At the first blush of dawn, the rumbling of carriage wheels awakened the city.The carriage responsible for procurement departed from the rear gate of the Jiang family residence in the morning light.The Jiang Mansion now boasted a steward, a stablehand, a cook, maidservants, totaling over twenty souls. Feeding man and horse alike consumed expenses everywhere.Daily vegetable purchases were counted by the basket.Yaoguang Ward had its own vegetable market, but perhaps due to the wealth and status of those residing there, the prices were far higher than elsewhere.The thrifty Steward Xie, of course, would not allow his household to suffer such a loss.The Jiang Mansion was not without carriages; a short journey away lay Huyang Ward, boasting Linzi's largest vegetable market. The produce was fresh and inexpensive, especially the succulent fish...In short, they came here every day for their purchases.However, upon entering Huyang Ward, a figure descended from the carriage.Lord Jiang had affixed a beard to his face, and his Wishful Immortal Garment had been altered to resemble a warrior's tunic. He calmly blended into the crowd.Though he spoke of it being of no concern to Chongxuan Sheng, he still required Chongxuan Sheng's assistance for cover.Thus, Young Master Sheng was practicing martial arts in the courtyard early that morning, simultaneously dispatching the household servants hither and thither, requesting this one moment, that one the next.It was impossible to ascertain how many pairs of eyes were fixed upon the Jiang Mansion at that moment.Some had discovered, others had not.Young Master Sheng cursed someone as foolish yet stubborn, yet neglected not a single task that needed doing.When Qingzhuan hurried over, Young Master Sheng had just molded a iron ball in his hand into a small figure, even engraving the characters "Jiang Man" upon it."Young Master," he knelt on the ground, delivering information.Chongxuan Sheng, showing his creation to Shisi, asked, "Does it look like him? Does it look like him?"Amidst his busyness, he casually inquired, "What is it?""Regarding the latest news concerning Young Master Zun, Marquess Dingyuan instructed me to convey it to you," Qingzhuan reported. "The old Marquess should have received the message by now as well.""You startled me. I thought something had happened with Jiang Wang. Such quick developments are never a good sign..." Chongxuan Sheng muttered, somewhat nonchalantly. "What astonishing deed has my good brother performed now? Come, stand and speak, one by one, and pour me some wine!"He set the newly formed iron figure aside, lifted the wine pot from the small brazier, poured himself a cup of warm wine, and holding the pot, looked at Shisi again.Shisi shook her head, so he drank alone."Young Master Zun, while hunting in the Maze World, encountered the son of the Dark King and slew him! This son of the Dark King is said to be the foremost among the Dark King's bloodline," Qingzhuan stated.Shisi took out several steaming dishes from the food box for Chongxuan Sheng to enjoy with his wine.Chongxuan Sheng took a few bites with his chopsticks, saying, "Just so! Did not Jiang Wang also slay a son of the Blood King?"He naturally overlooked that the Yu Wanggu whom Jiang Wang slew ranked very low, being merely an intermediate-level commander. The one whom Chongxuan Zun killed, however, was already a top-tier sea race commander.The Blood King was indeed no less than the Dark King, but the difference between two bloodline descendants of differing ranks was vast, like heaven and earth.Of course, the Jiang Wang of that time was also far from what he was now."King Chongyi personally pursued and killed Young Master Zun..." Qingzhuan said. "Young Master Zun successfully escaped."Chongxuan Sheng glared at Qingzhuan. "Speaking with such pauses! I thought my brother had died! I haven't even decided whether to cry or laugh."The Two-Character Kings of the sea race were also known as False Kings, roughly analogous to Human Race Divine Ascension Realm cultivators.Chongxuan Zun's ability to evade the pursuit of a sea race King was undeniably dazzling.And Qingzhuan continued to report, "Later, the Dark King himself arrived in the Maze World, and Venerable Qi intervened to stop him."Chongxuan Sheng snorted. "Quite the face to show."Qingzhuan's tone grew solemn. "The sea race seems determined to kill Young Master Zun. They are mobilizing troops everywhere, the entire Maze World has become chaotic, nearly igniting a great war... It is said that Venerable Wantong personally orchestrated this."Chongxuan Sheng forcefully seized a piece of meat with his chopsticks and took a large gulp of wine.Qingzhuan continued, "Based on this, True Lord Weixun of Chendu found the location of Wantong's true body. He gathered three True Lords and the martial arts expert Wang Ao, ventured deep into the Boundless Sea, and launched a surprise attack on Wantong... They returned after severing a dragon horn. Though not fully successful, it has also damaged Wantong's cultivation by at least a hundred years!"This was truly a significant event, unprecedented in the Near Seas for a hundred years!Weixun had accomplished such a feat, his reputation overseas would undoubtedly be at its zenith. This action could be said to have instantly stabilized the situation in the Near Seas islands. The prestige that the Sea鎮 Alliance should have long since solidified was now established.Qi's recent pressure had been almost entirely in vain...Wantong, while stationed in the Eternal Darkness Vortex and single-handedly supporting the sea race's evolution, could still face the surprise attack and encirclement of four True Lords and a martial arts expert like Wang Ao and not perish.His strength had clearly already surpassed the pinnacle of transcendence!Of course, for Chongxuan Sheng, perhaps the more important aspect was, what had Chongxuan Zun revealed that caused an existence like Wantong to personally intervene and lay a trap to hunt him?"Has the sea race's evolution been interrupted?" Chongxuan Sheng asked.Qingzhuan shook his head. "Probably not, otherwise the news would have spread like wildfire by now, and True Lord Chendu's reputation would have risen even higher.""Then, what about Chongxuan Zun?""Young Master Zun was severely wounded, but amidst the chaotic battle, he killed two more of the Dark King's high-ranking bloodline descendants... True Lord Xuehe, who accompanied True Lord Chendu to attack in the Boundless Sea, immediately offered to take him as a disciple, but he refused."Chongxuan Sheng swirled his wine cup. "Is it that 'different paths' routine again?""...Yes.""Why do these people all rush to praise him and give him fame?" Chongxuan Sheng asked, his face full of fat furrowed in a frown.Qingzhuan was clearly unable to answer this question.Chongxuan Sheng raised his cup and drained the wine, then sighed emotionally. "This is truly the protagonist from storytellers' tales! Born with a Dao Vein, perfect and flawless. Favored by True Lords at a young age. Within a few years, he gained a great reputation as a diviner, unparalleled in Linzi. On the River Viewing Platform, he was called peerless. Upon entering the Maze World, he stirred up winds and clouds. Turning the world upside down, causing ripples in the Boundless Sea!"He turned to look at Shisi, smiling. "Makes me seem like those useless villains in stories who only plot and scheme. Doesn't it?"Shisi reached out and gently brushed his hair, saying softly, "The you I see has always been the protagonist."Chongxuan Sheng looked at her, and through the heavy iron helmet, he seemed to see her face.But due to Qingzhuan's presence, he merely squeezed her hand.Then he said, "But this is good news!"Shisi tilted her head, clearly not understanding why Chongxuan Zun's boundless glory in the Maze World was good news.Chongxuan Sheng sighed. "The weight of a Heavenly Talent is greater now, and Jiang Qingyang will also receive more tolerance as a result!""What about my uncle?" Chongxuan Sheng asked again.He had two uncles, one paternal and one collateral.But Qingzhuan clearly knew whom he was asking about, and merely lowered his head, saying, "The Marquess has gone out to sea to meet Young Master Zun."Chongxuan Sheng nodded. "That is as it should be."With his keen senses, it was not difficult for him to determine that Chongxuan Zun had clearly been used as bait by Weixun and the others in the Maze World this time. And among the Chongxuan family, apart from Chongxuan Chuliang, there was no one else who could support Chongxuan Zun...He waved his hand, and Qingzhuan withdrew.Shisi watched him silently, not speaking.He looked at the exquisite dishes and wine on the table, suddenly losing interest. He sighed and casually blamed Jiang, saying, "It's all that heartless and solitary Jiang's fault for not drinking with me! This wine is tasteless without him!""Then..."He turned his head and saw the shy girl taking off her iron helmet, whispering, "I'll drink a little with you."After much winding and turning, Jiang Wang casually entered an old alley.There was no one around.Under the combined effect of Red Makeup Mirror and Voice of the Immortal Style, there were few people whose perception he could not evade. Of course, this range was limited to those who would be assigned to monitor Lin Youxie.He perfectly entered the blind spots of several hidden sentries, and stepped out of the alley without any trace, landing directly in the courtyard.Still using Red Makeup Mirror to illuminate the way, mapping the entire courtyard's layout in his mind. He walked to the outside of a closed bedroom door and knocked gently.The sound was carefully controlled, audible only to the person inside."Who is it?" Lin Youxie's wary voice sounded from within.She must have also used some secret technique, as the direction from which her voice came did not match her actual location.Naturally, this could not deceive the Voice of the Immortal Style."It is I," Jiang Wang said in a low voice.With a creak, the door was opened.Lin Youxie looked at Jiang Wang from inside the room, her eyes complex.Jiang Wang stepped across the threshold, closing the door behind him."Why have you come?" Lin Youxie asked.Jiang Wang said, "I thought there were many people yesterday, and there might be something you weren't comfortable telling me..."Lin Youxie was silent for a moment, then said, "Find a place to sit."She turned and walked to the long table against the wall. "I'm still preparing medicine."Jiang Wang looked around and said, "It's fine, I'll stand."This truly did not resemble a young woman's room.Of course... How many young women's boudoirs had someone surnamed Jiang entered? He was truly not qualified to comment.However, it didn't seem like a normal place for rest either...He had just looked around carefully, but apart from the bed, there didn't seem to be anywhere to sit — who would sit on a young woman's bed upon meeting?"Are there many people outside?" Lin Youxie asked casually."I detected seven. I don't know if there are others I couldn't detect," Jiang Wang said truthfully.Lin Youxie slowly pounded the medicine, saying, "In most cases, I should be safe. My official position also serves some purpose. Moreover, there are so many people watching."Jiang Wang thought for a moment and said, "Within the system, bound by the system, protected by the system. Because protecting those within the system is protecting the system, and protecting the system is protecting one's own power.""A viewpoint from the Seven Chapters of National Discourse," Lin Youxie said without turning her head. "You've summarized it well."Jiang Wang cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood, and asked pointlessly, "Does solving cases require reading so many books?"Lin Youxie was silent for a moment, then said, "This is an introductory text to Legalism.""..." Jiang Wang looked around again, then asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?""Do you pity me?" Lin Youxie asked while pounding the medicine."Miss Lin, please don't misunderstand, I am not...""You misunderstand," Lin Youxie interrupted. "I am actually very grateful for your pity. As the most dazzling Heavenly Talent in Qi today, the most promising young prodigy, you are not aloof, but feel compassion for me, for which I am grateful. However, you should not invest too much in this emotion of pity. Wait until you stand at the pinnacle one day, and then bestow upon me a little pity. I have no fragile pride now, I am truly very grateful to you.""I must admit, your circumstances are pitiable. I must admit, I feel such an emotion in my heart — how could I not?" Jiang Wang said seriously. "But I want to help you do something, not only because of pity, not only because we have worked together several times, but even more because of... 'fairness'."He said, "Because I also want the truth. I believe that in this world, there should be truth. Regardless of interests, emotions, or any other factors, it should just be the truth itself.Because if the truth itself can be mixed with too many things, then there will definitely not be a just outcome.And if the truth is not what the truth itself is, then that in itself is the greatest injustice to the weak."If the word "truth" is not pure, if it is eventually to be swayed by something, then it will never be clean, and the truth for the weak will never arrive.In the Fenglin City domain, there are still hundreds of thousands of people permanently silenced, what kind of answer do they need?"You have a great belief," Lin Youxie said slowly. "Unfortunately, all I have is a prejudiced, selfish desire to seek justice for my father."Of course, she had believed in the Green Badge, in justice, in truth.But these had gradually weathered over the past seventeen years, finally shattering before Uriel's corpse.She had once held justice in her embrace; now, only selfish desire remained."If there is a path to justice, I believe it must be paved with fairness. Therefore, our different paths can lead to the same destination," Jiang Wang said.Lin Youxie stopped the wooden pestle and turned around at the long table, looking at Jiang Wang.Jiang Wang unconsciously explained, "I thought of that sentence myself."The room was not lit, and the doors and windows were closed, making it appear very dark even in broad daylight.But as transcendent cultivators, they could, of course, see each other clearly.Lin Youxie was not the kind of breathtaking beauty.Of course, when gazed upon by her eyes that could perceive the human heart, it was also difficult to be in the mood to care about her appearance."Can I fully trust you?" she asked.Jiang Wang merely said, "I think, when you ask me, the answer to this question is already there."Lin Youxie was not the hesitant type, so she said without further ado, "Grandpa Wu left me two clues using his corpse."A corpse is made up of clues...Jiang Wang first heard this sentence from Lin Youxie.At that time, he only felt its cruelty, felt how cold this sentence was.Only at this moment did he feel a kind of burning fervor, a devotion unique to the Green Badge.The old man who had floated dead in the sea had, it turned out, described this sentence in such a way."What clues?" Jiang Wang asked."The first is myriad spirits frozen snow.""Myriad spirits frozen snow?""It was the cause of death for Imperial Consort Lei, and also the root of the eleventh prince's cold poison entering his life.""So, finding the myriad spirits frozen snow will lead to the true culprit, right?"Lin Youxie did not answer, merely continuing, "The second clue Grandpa Wu left in his corpse was Tian Xili."The current clan head of the Great Marsh Tian clan, Marquess Gaochang, Tian Xili!

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