Chapter 1441: Not for Chu Song, then for Chu Mourning

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Tai Yin, already greatly depleted from pursuing and fleeing from Jiang Wang, his right hand pierced by Chang Xiangsi.The wound yet unhealed, blood freshly clotted.It could be said, were it not for Jiang Wang's primary objective of escaping the pursuit of the Calamity Hound King, he would have already slain Tai Yin then, and perhaps not even granted him the opportunity to reach the formation grounds.And subsequently, his triggering of the Divine Prison Six Paths Formation to ensnare Jiang Wang and the Calamity Hound King was another immense drain on him.Before he could even regulate his breathing, the Divine Prison Six Paths Formation was forcibly shattered by the Calamity Hound King without any preparation. He, too, suffered grievous injuries from this.Fleeing all the way here, he finally had time to stop and tend to his wounds.Yet, he had barely settled into a meditative pose when these two individuals came knocking directly, leaving him no choice but to engage in combat.

Xiang Bei was aware that Tai Yin's condition was far from perfect; he had been standing guard with his halberd while Tai Yin recuperated.But even so.He could never have imagined that Tai Yin would be defeated so utterly!That spear energy that struck Tai Yin's brow – he hadn't sensed it at all before.But now, focusing his attention on Tai Yin, he finally perceived the latter's rapidly declining aura.Without a moment's hesitation, Xiang Bei directly lifted a hand and hurled the Huai Sha Jade Tablet into the distant sky. He then seized Tai Yin, turned, and sped away.

Was it "Lamenting Ying"? Or was it "Sorrowful Return Wind"?Amidst the howling gale, he couldn't help but ponder this question!After their previous exchange, there was naturally a reason why he had specifically asked that question."Lamenting Ying" and "Sorrowful Return Wind" represented two entirely different natures.If it were "Sorrowful Return Wind," which had been accidentally lost in earlier years, then there was nothing much to say; it was possible for anyone to acquire it. As long as it wasn't in the hands of other powerful nations, once it appeared, it could be retrieved sooner or later.Just like the Huai Sha Jade Tablet that was taken to Yong Kingdom, it was soon recovered after that mountain and sea realm event.If it were "Lamenting Ying"...In the many years since the opening of the mountain and sea realm, this chapter of the jade tablet, "Lamenting Ying," had never appeared.It is said.Merely rumored.That when Huang Weizhen died, he left behind sixteen characters:"Phoenixes fly together, bathed in fire eternally depart; not for Chu songs, but for Chu mourning."And the chapter "Lamenting Ying" among the Nine Chapters Jade Tablets had actually never remained in Chu Kingdom.As early as nine hundred years ago, it vanished with Huang Weizhen's death.Compared to the other jade tablets, this chapter, "Lamenting Ying," held a somewhat different significance...

Speaking of the other side, Xiang Bei abandoned the jade tablet without hesitation and fled. The burly martial artist moved to pursue, but the black-haired man intervened, "Commander Kui!"Simultaneously, he grabbed backward, and a massive hand engulfed in blazing flames instantly condensed in the air, gripping the jade tablet tightly.Puff, puff, puff.The sharp force left behind by Xiang Bei on the jade tablet pierced the blazing hand, leaving it riddled with holes.But the blazing hand continuously shrank and regenerated, never allowing the jade tablet to escape its grasp.Finally, the force temporarily added by Xiang Bei to the jade tablet was exhausted, and it flew back towards the black-haired man.

"Why not pursue?" the giant, surnamed Kui, rumbled. "Though we cannot cut off roots and eliminate weeds in the mountain and sea realm, killing them now would at least prevent future troubles within the realm."The black-haired man gently held the jade tablet in his hand, examined it briefly, and said indifferently, "Xiang Bei's strongest point lies in his divine soul power.""So what?" the giant said. "My divine soul and vital energy are refined into one, indistinguishable. No matter how strong his divine soul is, it's difficult for him to harm me."He looked at the black-haired man: "Could it be that you're afraid? Zhu Weiwu, this isn't like you."Zhu Weiwu chuckled softly.It was strange that Kui Shan would think such a clumsy provocation could spur someone.What gave him such confidence?

"My meaning is, his thirty percent divine soul origin is more valuable than anyone participating in the mountain and sea realm. His determination to protect this thirty percent divine soul origin is also stronger than anyone's," Zhu Weiwu said. "And coincidentally, when determination is sufficient, the Xiang family has the ability to provide that guarantee."He had already put away the Huai Sha Jade Tablet and turned to walk in another direction: "It's very difficult for us to kill him."Kui Shan, the commander of the Sin Guards of the City of No Redemption, was clearly unconvinced: "Why not try?""The Huai Sha Jade Tablet is already in hand. We don't need to pay such a hefty price. The mountain and sea realm is vast; we might not encounter each other again. Moreover..." Zhu Weiwu said, "Having lost the Huai Sha Jade Tablet, if they still wish to achieve something in the mountain and sea realm, they will inevitably strike at others. Letting others consume their trump cards is always more cost-effective than us risking our lives."

"Is that Tai Yin from Xia Kingdom dead?" Kui Shan asked."That depends on what kind of life-saving medicine they have prepared," Zhu Weiwu said."They must obtain the jade tablet again, otherwise staying in the mountain and sea realm is meaningless, and they won't reach that crucial time node," Kui Shan said. "What if they recover from their injuries and come back to find us?"Zhu Weiwu glanced at him: "Putting yourself in their shoes, if it were you. Would you find the person who has already defeated you once to snatch the jade tablet, or would you find someone you can defeat to snatch the jade tablet?"Kui Shan replied without hesitation: "Of course, I'll go after whoever snatched it from me!"Zhu Weiwu was silent for a moment before saying, "I don't think a normal person would think the same way you do."Kui Shan grinned: "That Xiang Bei might. I can feel it; he's a true man.""If Tai Yin isn't dead, he will stop him. If Tai Yin is dead, he alone can't stir up much trouble," Zhu Weiwu stepped on the water and moved on: "Let's not waste any more time."Kui Shan followed beside him, already a head taller, and deliberately flew in the air: "After forging my spear in Yu Yuan for so long, I thought you would kill everyone you met after coming out."Zhu Weiwu, with black hair draped over his shoulders, continued his steps. His entire being seemed to be in Kui Shan's reflection, yet his presence did not lose in the slightest, only asking in return: "What kind of people come to the mountain and sea realm? What do they rely on? How many resources does your lord provide you to consume?""It's our lord," Kui Shan corrected.Zhu Weiwu said as he walked: "My relationship with her is one of cooperation."Kui Shan insisted: "At least in these few years, she is our lord.""Since that's the case..." Zhu Weiwu stopped and looked up at him.Kui Shan couldn't help but tilt his head back, otherwise, there was always a false impression that the Xin Jin Spear would point to his forehead at the next moment."That question Xiang Bei asked just now," Zhu Weiwu continued to ask: "What about 'Lamenting Ying'? What about 'Sorrowful Return Wind'?"Kui Shan immediately closed his mouth.Zhu Weiwu didn't say more and continued forward with his spear.Kui Shan followed and said: "When you go out, ask the lord yourself. I don't think she will hide it from you.""Knowing it, what then? Not knowing it, what then?" Zhu Weiwu said indifferently: "I don't care about those things."Then why ask? Kui Shan muttered to himself.

The two walked in silence for a while.Kui Shan thought and thought, and couldn't help but say: "No, I still think something's not right. Although you gave many reasons, based on my understanding of you... Since you've engaged in combat, you shouldn't have let them go.""Heh." Zhu Weiwu sneered: "Do you think you understand me very well?"Kui Shan's tone was exaggerated: "Wow, we've gone through so much together. You're so strangely cold."Zhu Weiwu then put away his sneer and said a little more seriously: "I think some people might prefer to teach them a lesson themselves.""Who?" Kui Shan was puzzled.Zhu Weiwu no longer answered.

"That jade tablet should be 'Sorrowful Return Wind'."On the calm sea surface, Zuo Guangshu, Qu Shunhua, and Yue Tiannu were also discussing the Nine Chapters Jade Tablets newly entering the mountain and sea realm.The topic arose when Qu Shunhua and Yue Tiannu discussed that the person who retreated unscathed after fighting the Kui Niu should not be any known prodigious talent, and the person was holding a lost Nine Chapters Jade Tablet.

"Wasn't there news a few months ago?" Zuo Guangshu said: "The 'Sorrowful Return Wind' jade tablet appeared in the hands of Gao Kingdom's Grand Preceptor Yu Jingqiu. Yu Jingqiu had hidden the jade tablet for his son, thinking of participating in the mountain and sea realm at an opportune moment and returning it after its exposure. General Wu personally went to Gao Kingdom. Yu Jingqiu dared not refuse to hand it over, so he summoned his son back to the kingdom, but there was a long delay in response. It was only then that Yu Jingqiu discovered that his son had been killed, and the jade tablet was once again unaccounted for.""I know about this news too," Qu Shunhua flew beside Zuo Guangshu: "But is it possible that the death of Yu Jingqiu's son was for the sake of secretly keeping the jade tablet?"Liao Kingdom, Zhen Kingdom, Gao Kingdom, Tie Kingdom, Han Kingdom – these five nations dared to unite and fight against Jing Kingdom, naturally making them tough opponents.But the Nine Chapters Jade Tablets were originally Chu Kingdom's possessions.The Evil-Masked Commander Wu Xi personally went to Gao Kingdom to demand the jade tablet, righteous in his cause and strong in his fist.Gao Kingdom's strength among the five northwestern allied nations was in the middle to lower ranks. Under the circumstances of being in the wrong, they naturally dared not offend Chu Kingdom forcefully.With Wu Xi's visit, after much thought, Yu Jingqiu had no other choice but to return the complete artifact to Chu.But now things had gone awry. Wu Xi was furious in Gao Kingdom but ultimately could only return without success.Qu Shunhua couldn't help but have some other ideas.She didn't doubt whether the deceased was truly Yu Jingqiu's son.If Wu Xi couldn't even confirm this point, then he would have been a commander of the Evil-Masked Army in vain.But she quickly refuted this guess herself: "It doesn't seem likely either. There isn't any young prince in the Gao Kingdom royal family who can be put on the table. Even in the entire northwestern five-nation alliance, only Yelü Zhi can be considered a young prodigy. Furthermore, Yu Jingqiu holds a high position in Gao Kingdom and has only one son; there's really no one worth such a high price for him... And to be able to silently kill Yu Jingqiu's son without leaving any traces. Behind this person, there must be a major power.""No need to think so much," Zuo Guangshu said: "Since this jade tablet has appeared, no matter who has acquired it. Participating in this mountain and sea realm is also very reasonable. However, as long as this person shows up, the jade tablet will be recovered soon. At that time, we'll naturally know what the situation is."Yue Tiannu casually poured a bucket of cold water: "It will likely not be so easy to see this person's true face. With this person's ability to conceal their tracks, perhaps the mountain and sea realm journey will end without us meeting them."Zuo Guangshu: ...Seeing this, Qu Shunhua said: "Seven groups of people have entered; surely someone will encounter them. Furthermore, eight chapters of the Nine Chapters Jade Tablets have appeared; this time's Sky Collapse is bound to be much stronger than before. Even with the protection of the Nine Chapters Jade Tablets, everyone will converge towards the mountains recorded in the Zhongshan Sutra. If we can't track them now, it will be easy to meet them then."The Zhongshan Sutra is a chapter recorded in the Shanhai Classic, primarily documenting some floating mountains in the central region of the mountain and sea realm.During the Sky Collapse, the locations within the mountain and sea realm will also become clear. But at that time, the entire mountain and sea realm will fall into turmoil, with only the central region being relatively stable.Yue Tiannu said indifferently: "The distance from the first mountain to the last mountain recorded in the 'Zhongshan Sutra' is twenty-one thousand three hundred and seventy-one li. Over twenty thousand li, Miss Qu, is it easy to meet?"Qu Shunhua glared at her: "Is it just you with a good memory?"Yue Tiannu shook her head: "I am genuinely accustomed to speaking the truth. I didn't realize some people don't like to hear the truth."As a friend she had known for many years, Qu Shunhua had also told her about Jiang Wang's phrase "I am just accustomed to speaking the truth." At that time, she was beaming with smiles, saying how much she appreciated honest people and that Zuo Guangshu had found a good older brother.Hence Yue Tiannu's sarcasm.Qu Shunhua was struck where it hurt and could not retort at all, only able to change the subject: "We now have two jade tablets in hand, so it won't be so dangerous when the Sky Collapse happens.""I suddenly remembered something," Zuo Guangshu said seriously: "We have to find Brother Jiang. Otherwise, if he successfully escapes, what will happen when the Sky Collapse occurs?""In fact, the probability of Jiang Wang escaping is almost zero. That Calamity Hound King is definitely not something we can handle."Yue Tiannu's voice had always been somewhat hesitant, but this time the hesitation made Zuo Guangshu particularly uncomfortable."Zen Master Yue, do you have an opinion of my Brother Jiang?" He suppressed his displeasure and asked as calmly as possible."In fact, quite the opposite," Yue Tiannu's tone remained calm: "Not only do I not have an opinion of him, I am also very concerned about him.""You? Concerned about him?" Zuo Guangshu found this incredibly absurd.Yue Tiannu nodded as a matter of course: "Someone is very concerned about him, and I am very concerned about that person, so I am also concerned about him."This was a bit convoluted, but Qu Shunhua understood immediately and cast a look full of curiosity: "Who is it?""Don't you only know some nuns?""Are the precepts of the Wash Moon庵 that lax?"These three questions coming one after another would indeed be difficult for an ordinary person to handle.But Yue Tiannu still answered them one by one in her characteristic tone—"I cannot say.""I also know you.""Before Cave True, emotions are forbidden. After Cave True, there are no restrictions."However, Qu Shunhua just clapped her hands: "It is indeed about emotions!"Her expression became even more excited: "Which Zen Master has their mortal heart stirred? Quickly tell me; I promise not to tell anyone else!"Yue Tiannu: ...Zuo Guangshu pulled her sleeve: "What's important now is Brother Jiang's matter..."Qu Shunhua slapped his hand away: "I am concerned about Brother Jiang's matter!"Yue Tiannu decided to ignore her and only said to Zuo Guangshu: "I just want to tell you the truth.There is essentially no possibility of your Brother Jiang surviving.If you insist on going, and that Calamity Hound King finds us, none of us will escape. Because your Brother Jiang cannot protect you a second time. Do you understand?I don't have an opinion of your Brother Jiang, nor do I have an opinion of you. I just think you shouldn't waste the opportunity your Brother Jiang created for you and make some irrational decisions impulsively. We have already discussed this once, haven't we?If you insist on going, Qu Shunhua will definitely go with you, and I will definitely accompany Qu Shunhua.So now, you make the decision."Zuo Guangshu was silent for a long time.He seemed to have grown up twice in one day.And Qu Shunhua squeezed in front of Yue Tiannu again: "Who is that Zen Master? Just tell me one character, is one character okay? I'll figure it out myself later. Oh, I'm so curious! Aren't you collecting materials for the Heavenly Host's mechanisms? Shall I help you find them?"