Chapter 1410: As If Worlds Apart

"Where has Jiang Wang gone?" Lin Youxie suddenly inquired.Zheng Shangming, who was reciting the Emperor's decree of commendation, paused, startled: "Ah?""I asked, where has Jiang Wang gone? Do you know?"Zheng Shangming pursed his lips, saying: "He has left Qi."Silence fell upon them.A fierce battle had just concluded.The result of the battle was victory.Within the Vast Illusory Realm, the young man named Ling Yue, however, still furrowed his handsome brows, deeply dissatisfied with himself.Though he had won, it was not with ease.His current ranking was merely fifth in the Inner Mansion of the Vast Illusory Realm. Stabilizing within the top ten was one hurdle. Stabilizing within the top five was yet another. And to firmly hold the position of the Vast Illusory Realm's number one, he needed to significantly surpass everyone else.Having only just entered the top five, he already felt an immensely powerful resistance. Yet, some individuals had long ago secured the top position in the Vast Illusory Inner Mansion, overlooking all the heroes. Now, they were even striving towards the number one position in the Vast Illusory Outer Building...While there were some objective reasons for this, such as the rapid expansion of the Vast Illusory Realm, with more and more cultivators participating and powerful individuals constantly emerging, leading to increasingly fierce competition in the Inner Mansion rankings...He was not one to make excuses for himself.Especially when certain individuals' first place was the first among the prodigies of all nations within the entire present world. It was even the first recorded in history, looking back through the ages.He had no excuses to find.The young master Ling Yue grew more and more dissatisfied the more he thought about it. Just as he was about to engage in a few more battles, his eyes flickered, and he saw a familiar paper crane fluttering towards him."Hmph."He snorted coldly, already standing upon the Sword Discourse Platform, intending to ignore it as he had before.But upon reflection, he felt he need not be too petty.Let it be, let's see what nonsense certain individuals would utter.He then stepped down from the Sword Discourse Platform, extended a hand, and grasped the paper crane.Unfolding the letter, he saw the words:"Worry not, my dear brother, the matter in Qi is settled. I have already come east with sword in hand. I shall surely make you the number one in the Mountain Sea Realm!""What utter nonsense!" Zuo Guangshu pouted, muttering: "The Mountain Sea Realm isn't a place for ranking!"Holding this letter, he paused for a moment, then let out a cold laugh. He unfurled a sheet of paper and wrote: "The quotas for the Mountain Sea Realm are exceedingly precious. You said you wouldn't come earlier, and I have already promised..."He stopped writing here, reaching out to erase it, and began anew: "You need not come. Do you think my Zuo clan of Great Chu cannot find a prodigy to assist? Do not think you are truly invincible..."His brush tip lingered on the word "invincible" for a moment. In an instant, he felt his words lacked conviction. Then he thought again, perhaps Jiang Qingyang wasn't such a bad person after all; he truly had important matters to attend to before.Let it be.He sighed, erasing all the words above, and wrote magnanimously: "If you truly wish to participate, I shall help you find a way."He put down his brush and sent the paper crane soaring away.The Sword Discourse Platform still hovered not far away, but at this moment, Zuo Guangshu had lost the mood for refining his combat skills.With a thought, he exited the Vast Illusory Realm with a look of aloofness.The servants of the Duke of Huai's mansion in Great Chu only saw their handsome young master, clad in a flowing blue robe, sprinting through the estate: "Grandfather! Grandfather! Grandfather!"The old duke thought something had happened, and stepping out of his study, he asked with concern: "What is it?""Change the person!" Zuo Guangshu exclaimed with a voice like shattered gold and crushed jade.Jiang Wang left Linzi alone, not looking back the entire way.He only stopped in Qingyang Town for half a day, surveying the situation of his granted land, offering guidance to Du Gu Xiao's cultivation, and urging her to be extra careful during this period before continuing his journey west.The Emperor had made a promise; how things would be handled next depended entirely on the imperial will.He had done all he could. Now was the time to quickly withdraw and avoid drawing unnecessary attention, lest he become an eyesore to certain individuals.After all, the current Empress had sat on the throne of the inner palace for so many years. If she were to truly become enraged and harbor murderous intentions towards someone, how many within the court and beyond could withstand it?He only heard as he was leaving that the Crown Prince had achieved Divine Proximity, formally crossing the lifespan limit, and would henceforth possess a body of gold and bone of jade, becoming even more esteemed and noble. According to protocol, all officials would celebrate this with national rites...The Crown Prince could have achieved Divine Proximity much earlier, but he had delayed repeatedly, showing his prudence. Yet, he chose this precise moment, neither early nor late, to achieve Divine Proximity.What did this signify?It signified that when Jiang Wang went to Deer Palace to see the Emperor, the Crown Prince also became nervous. Or perhaps, the Crown Prince intentionally displayed this nervousness—which was tantamount to saying that he too now knew the truth of what happened back then.On the surface, the Crown Prince choosing to achieve Divine Proximity at this time was an urgent measure to increase his leverage and counteract the political storm that might follow.But in reality, he did not choose to distance himself, nor did he act as if he was unaware of the events from that year. Thus, this leverage was actually adding weight to the Empress!A Crown Prince who had committed no errors for years and had now even mended his cultivation shortcomings, what could possibly be criticized?This was taking responsibility for his mother.A Crown Prince who had broken through the lifespan limit in the Eastern Palace already had the qualification to provide some support to the current Empress...But this might also be precisely what the Emperor intended to reprimand.How the Emperor would reprimand the Crown Prince was beyond Jiang Wang's knowledge. But what was clear was that he had offended the Crown Prince severely this time.Rather than waiting in Linzi for trouble to arrive, it was better to seize the opportunity while the Emperor dealt with old matters and the court was silent with fear, and slip away. Incidentally, he could fulfill his earlier agreement with Zuo Guangshu, witness the heroes of the Chu land, and also visit the Mountain Sea Realm to experience the splendor of Huang Weizhen, whose name was etched in history.There were many old acquaintances in Linzi city. To not say goodbye was to avoid causing sorrow.Perhaps many friends would feel that he was forced out of Linzi, and that he might feel wronged and pained. But on the contrary, he left with great openness.His heart was clear and his spirit bright.He had a clear conscience and no regrets for his actions.He had made a choice that he would never regret in this life.The official path might elevate his cultivation speed in the short term, but on the long journey, he needed to recognize himself even more.Seven days later.At Duanhun Canyon, within the Scattered Stone Valley, the wind whispered mournfully.Jiang Wang sat on a stone platform precariously suspended from the cliff face, gazing up at the narrow strip of sky, his green robe fluttering in the wind.In a sense, isn't personal knowledge also this narrow space that constrains one's vision? Who in this world is not merely glimpsing the sky through a crack?The wind sweeping through the canyon brought with it a figure shrouded in black robes.The figure ascended the stone platform in a few steps, standing beside Jiang Wang, yet maintaining a certain distance. He complained: "Why choose this godforsaken place to meet?"Jiang Wang smiled: "I said we could contact through the Vast Illusory Realm, but you didn't dare. And now in Qi, there are far too many eyes. This place is familiar to me, and it's very safe.""It's not you who's next to Tian Anping, of course you have nothing to fear. The Vast Illusory Realm, as for Tian Anping... In short, I don't trust the confidentiality. I need to be responsible for myself!" Even with the black robe and hood covering him, Tian Chang subconsciously moved towards the corner of the stone platform, concealing himself: "What urgent matter do you need to see me about? Hurry and say it!"Jiang Wang turned to look at him, a smile still on his face: "With your intelligence, can you not guess?"Tian Chang lowered his voice, speaking unhappily: "If I had any intelligence, I wouldn't be so completely at your mercy!""Your attitude is not right." Jiang Wang put away his smile and said lightly: "Things are developing very well for you now, do you have some new backing?""I beg of you, I cannot disappear for too long." Tian Chang changed his tone to one of pleading, saying: "Whatever problems you have, let's resolve them as quickly as possible. As long as I know, I will tell you everything."Jiang Wang knew this person was a poisonous snake not to be underestimated, and he did not want to push too hard, so he went along with the flow and asked directly: "Was Uriel killed by Tian Anping?"Tian Chang, as expected, was well-prepared for this question: "Don't you already have the answer?""Wasn't he unable to leave the city domain of Jicheng?""But Uriel could go to Jicheng."As for why Uriel would go to Jicheng...The Ten Thousand Spirit Frozen Snow was the answer.Uriel had been investigating the case of Consort Lei for so many years. Once he learned of a clue regarding the Ten Thousand Spirit Frozen Snow, he would likely go there himself, no matter how dangerous the place."I understand." Jiang Wang nodded and then asked: "Then why leave Uriel's body behind?""I don't know either." Tian Chang shook his head: "But I think there are probably two possibilities.""Which two?""First, if Uriel disappeared, someone would investigate. If he's dead, no one will investigate."A former legend of the Green Badges like Uriel, upon disappearing, would naturally trigger an investigation. But if he were dead, his body clearly laid out, no one would investigate...Because those qualified to investigate could probably guess who the killer was working for.Those willing and bold enough to investigate would not have waited until now."Very reasonable." Jiang Wang said: "And the second possibility?"Tian Chang said with an indescribable tone: "Perhaps it was to give you a clue."Jiang Wang was so taken aback by these words that the hairs on his body stood on end. He couldn't help but ask: "Why give us a clue?""I only speculated this possibility, but I cannot think of a reason." Tian Chang sighed: "Do you think if Tian Anping's actions could be deduced by logic, he would still be so insane?"Jiang Wang was silent for a moment, then said: "Indeed, you understand Tian Anping better."Tian Chang's tone was full of lament: "It's just to live a little longer.""I have finished asking my questions." Jiang Wang said."Then I'll go first." Tian Chang walked a few steps forward, then suddenly stopped and paused, saying: "Actually, I also have a question for you."Jiang Wang looked at him: "Tell me.""The Eleventh Prince also personally went to Da Ze Prefecture earlier, and later the matter subsided, indicating he had likely put it down. Including the Ninth Prince who later specifically participated in the Seven Star Valley secret realm, yet searched everywhere for clues in Jicheng..." Tian Chang said: "I heard you and the Eleventh Prince were close friends. How could you possibly violate his dying wish?"It was only today that Jiang Wang learned of the reason behind Jiang Wuxie's visit to the Seven Star Valley that time!Then Tian Anping's sudden appearance in the Seven Star Valley that time was probably not just because of the Tian family's defeat in the Hidden Star World.Beneath the surface of that rather fierce competition in the secret realm, there was such an undercurrent. As expected, if one's strength was insufficient, some things could be happening right before one's eyes and still not be understood.It was a pity that it was unclear at the time whether Tian Anping and Jiang Wuxie had clashed in secret.Thoughts raced through Jiang Wang's mind, but he only said: "I respect the Eleventh Highness's dying wish. But Lin Kuang was loyal to the country. His reputation after death should not be 'feared responsibility and committed suicide'."Tian Chang "oh"ed, likely not taking it seriously."Lord Jiang is indeed a model for us." He left these words behind and leaped off the high cliff.The wind howled, and his robes flapped.Jiang Wang sat alone on the high platform for a long time, finally letting out only a sigh.Even a madman should have something they seek... What exactly does Tian Anping want?Departing from Duanhun Canyon towards Chu was difficult to plan a good route.Jiang Wang still intended to go via the Shepherd Nation, bypass the Heavenly Horse Plain, cross the Long River, visit An'an in the Cloud Nation, and then head south into Chu—if the incident of communication with demons hadn't occurred at that time, then he should have been cultivating in Chu during this period.The reason for taking the long route, rather than directly passing through the Star Moon Plain, crossing the Long River, and entering the Southern Domain, was certainly not because he was wary of the Jing Nation or the Xia Nation. It was primarily to see Rucheng and An'an.After the charge of communicating with demons was cleared, he could now brazenly travel through the Jing Nation without any issues, let alone just passing by under the Jing Nation's nose.Currently, the Jing Nation was extensively increasing troops in the Prosperous Nation, and the Prosperous Nation was also mobilizing troops from all corners of the world.The armies of the Shepherd Nation were also entering Liyuan City one after another.Seeing that a great war between hegemonic nations was unavoidable, no one knew on what day the bugle call for the first charge would sound.Zhao Rucheng was in Liyuan City, so Jiang Wang naturally couldn't help but worry.Among the five sworn brothers from back then, Rucheng was the youngest and the most lazy and delicate, always looked after by his older brothers.Although it was now known that he was a descendant of the Great Qin Empire, of noble blood, and was mostly keeping a low profile at that time, the habit of worrying about him could not be changed...However, Jiang Wang's plan still failed.With a great war imminent, the area around Liyuan City was already under martial law, making it impossible to get close.He had the intention of sending a message to his fifth brother, but alas, his title as Lord Jiang of Great Qi was truly not effective on the Shepherd and Prosperous side. No one paid him any heed, and he almost aroused the suspicion of several patrols.Before causing greater trouble, he had to leave first.Such a war between two major hegemonic nations was enough to influence the entire pattern of the present world. The death of a few Divine Proximity cultivators was not worth mentioning. The death of True Persons would likely only be mentioned in passing. Relatively speaking, he, a cultivator in the Outer Building realm, was as insignificant as dust.Besides a distant sigh, he could do nothing.Thus, he buried his head in traveling.This time, he was also not in the mood to enjoy the scenery.Reading, traveling, cultivating.He crossed the grassland at the fastest speed, then went through the Wo Nation, crossed the Long River, and quietly arrived in the Cloud Nation.When he left the Cloud Nation back then, it was in the autumn of Daoli Year 3919.At that time, he was full of ambition, going to Chu to assist Zuo Guangshu, boastfully claiming he would help little Guangshu fight through the Mountain Sea Realm.Turning around, he was struck hard by reality. The name of communicating with demons, the slaughter of demons, the struggle for Jade衡, the battle of the Star Moon Plain, the death of Jiang Wuqi...Life seemed to have been brutally pulled apart for a while, and finally returned to the beginning.But after all, it was no longer the beginning.Returning now, it was spring of Daoli Year 3920.Only a few seasons had passed, yet it felt like a lifetime.