Chapter 2153: The World's Tumult Outside the Tower

Facing the gaze of the Taixu Pavilion members, Wei Yu finally said, "Out of curiosity, I did investigate, but the information I obtained is incomplete and I cannot guarantee its accuracy."

Jiang Wang didn't comment. "Tell me and let me hear."

The vast snowy plain had no pedestrians, the snow reaching deep in some places and shallow in others.

Wei Yu suddenly felt like he and Jiang Wang were fellow travelers and old friends, but as he lifted his eyes and saw the sword gleam stretching to the horizon, this illusion shattered.

He organized his thoughts slightly, then said, "First, let's talk about the situation in Xue Guo. Xue Guo is a state where politics and religion are united, with Dong Jiao as the state religion and the monarch also serving as the Pope. But they don't have gods. Not only do they lack gods present in this world like Cangtu Shen or Yuantianshen, but they also don't have purely selfless divine positions like 'the true bodies of the five directions and five elements salvation laws' found in the myriad realms. The faith of Dong Jiao is Winter itself."

"Almost all Xue Guo people believe in the religion, but few are fanatical. Dong Jiao is not keen on expansion either. Since ancient times, Dong Jiao has not developed outside the snow domain. Unlike Cangtu Shen Jiao, which always wants to spread divine light elsewhere. Personally, I tend to think of Dong Jiao as a fusion of lifestyle and survival philosophy. People have summarized ways to survive the severe cold, and in the form of faith, they continue civilization on the snowy plain."

"The nominal highest authority here is, of course, Xue Guo's monarch and Dong Jiao's Pope, Hong Xingjian. In reality, the one who can stir up wind and clouds with a thought, truly controlling Xue Guo's lifeline, is Zhenjun Fu Huan. But Fu Huan is in seclusion year-round and usually doesn't intervene in specific matters. Now there's the Donghuang, who also basically doesn't manage state affairs."

The intelligence Wei Yu spoke of, Jiang Wang had already known, but he still listened very seriously.

A person's narrative style, perspective of description, is sometimes also a kind of expression.

He was understanding Xue Guo, and also understanding Wei Yu, or rather...Qin Guo.

"The entire Xue Guo has five dioceses, which are — Dongzai, Linyi, Qingniao, Shuanghe, Yuxin. The bishops of these five dioceses are also the highest power level in Xue Guo. It is precisely the five great bishops and Pope Hong Xingjian who together decide the direction of the entire Xue Guo."

"Among them, Dongzai Diocese is the core of Xue Guo, and also the diocese where Xue Guo's capital, Jishuang City, is located. Besides this information, everything else is very mysterious."

Wei Yu briefly outlined the situation of Xue Guo, then turned to the main topic. "Among the five great dioceses, I only have a slight understanding of Shuanghe Diocese. Xue Guo's three externally open cities, Hanhua, Xueji, Bingyang, are all under this diocese. This is also the only diocese among the five that will have contact with the outside world."

"The bishop of Shuanghe Diocese is named Liu Yanzhao. He became bishop three years ago, and proved Dongzhen the year before last, making him the most junior among the current five bishops. And it was precisely his predecessor, the former bishop of Shuanghe Diocese, Dan Tai Fei, who led the pursuit to kill the Donghuang—"

"Is Dan Tai Fei still alive?" Jiang Wang asked.

Wei Yu said, "He was slapped to death on the day the Donghuang achieved dao."

Jiang Wang asked again, "Was the one who killed him Zhenjun Fu or the Donghuang?"

Wei Yu looked at Jiang Wang. "Naturally, it was the Donghuang."

"Why did Dan Tai Fei pursue and kill Xie Ai? And what is the relationship between Liu Yanzhao and Xie Ai?"

"I don't know why Dan Tai Fei pursued and killed Xie Ai. As for Liu Yanzhao...he is now the Donghuang's person." Wei Yu said, spreading his hands. "That's all I know."

Wei Yu certainly knew more than this, but Jiang Wang didn't press for details. He just smiled and moved on. "In your opinion, if I want to promote Taixu Huan in Xue Guo, where should I start?"

"If you can convince Zhenjun Fu, then the major matter is accomplished." Wei Yu said. "Next is to gain the Donghuang's support. After that...if Pope Hong Xingjian is willing to support, building a Taixu Jiaota is not difficult either."

This suggestion couldn't be said to be wrong, but it was all nonsense.

Who doesn't know that when handling affairs in Xue Guo, finding Fu Huan is the most effective?

The problem is, if you can talk to Fu Huan, do you still need to ask for suggestions from Wei Yu?

Jiang Wang looked forward, not speaking at this moment.

After a while, a line of black dots appeared in the distance, surging like waves. The black dots rapidly approached, clearly becoming individual people.

Several hundred cavalry were scattered on the snowy plain. Their black armor was probably intentionally colored to distinguish them. They rode dense-haired, tall snow wolves, galloping on the thick snow as if stepping on clouds and flying.

The cavalry was still far away, but a loud voice arrived first. "Xueji City City Lord, Lv Kuiwu, bringing three hundred snow cavalry, pays respects to Jiang Pavilion Member!"

With a smile on his face, Jiang Wang stepped forward with his hands behind his back.

The three hundred snow wolves seemed to hit an invisible barrier and stopped abruptly, standing on their hind legs.

Lv Kuiwu was a broad-shouldered, round-waisted man, his red wine-tuberous nose very conspicuous in the cold wind. He dismounted directly and bowed deeply to Jiang Wang. "I apologize for not coming out to greet you. I hope you will forgive me!"

Taixu Pavilion members should of course be respected everywhere, but within Xue Guo's territory, as a Xue Guo official, there was no need to be so earnest. That Hanhua City City Lord, Wang Di, even spoke with thorns when he first opened his mouth.

Lv Kuiwu truly made people feel Xue Guo's rare enthusiasm.

Jiang Wang raised his hand to help him up. "Lord Lv, there is no need for excessive ceremony."

Lv Kuiwu said in a deep voice, "I do not respect your position as Pavilion Member or True Person. I respect you as a human race hero! The rise and fall of the world, every man has a share. True Person Jiang fights for the human race and has repeatedly achieved great merits. I can't help with anything, so if I don't respect a hero, then what kind of person am I?"

Jiang Wang's gaze swept over Wei Yu.

Wei Yu immediately said, "True Person Jiang, I also respect you very much!"

"Lord Lv saying this is really being distant. As a human, I am just doing my duty for the human race, and it happens that I have a bit of luck, that's all." Jiang Wang's gaze fell back on Lv Kuiwu, and then he changed the topic. "Speaking of duty for the human race, Taixu Huan is jointly promoted by various parties, the human path treasure boat, the source of the flood...its meaning is known to all under heaven. What are you prepared to do for this, Lord Lv? What is Xue Guo prepared to do for this?"

"Cough cough cough!"

Lv Kuiwu suddenly choked and coughed repeatedly.

Are the big figures outside so direct? The pleasantries have just begun!

"You won't be unprepared, right?" Jiang Wang looked at him gently.

Lv Kuiwu shivered, suddenly awakened, and hurriedly said, "How could that be? I have been making efforts to promote this matter. Two Taixu Jiaota have been built in the city..."

Jiang Wang stepped forward directly. The snow wolves in front instinctively avoided him, and the cavalry also split to both sides, performing the salute of attention. Even City Lord Lv Kuiwu consciously followed behind.

It was as if he was the master of this snow domain.

"I heard the Donghuang say that the entire Xue Guo using Taixu Huan does not exceed three hundred people. And Lord Lv's accompanying guards when leaving the city numbered three hundred—" Jiang Pavilion Member's voice, immersed in the wind and snow, said, "Lord Lv, are you indeed making efforts to promote it?"

The two Taixu Jiaota in Xueji City were things that had already been negotiated during the Taixu Sect era. Xueji City could also be said to be the only city in this great country in the northwest that was open to Taixu Huan.

As a Taixu Pavilion Member, he naturally had the right to inquire about these two Jiaota.

Lv Kuiwu was very aggrieved. "The court has orders to prevent the leakage of military secrets, so military personnel cannot participate in Taixu Huan. As for the other people in the city, everyone is unwilling, and I can't do anything about it. You can't force a stubborn ox to drink water, can you?"

"Qi Jing Qin Chu Jing Mu, the world's six strong, are not worried about leaking military secrets. Looking around the world, various countries and sects all participate in Taixu Huan and are not worried about leaking secrets. Why?" Jiang Wang said. "If Xue Guo's military secrets can be guaranteed, can Taixu Huan be promoted here?"

"This...this is not something I can decide." Lv Kuiwu hesitated.

"Have you used Taixu Huan?" Jiang Wang asked.

Lv Kuiwu said, "I hold an important position, so I am even more forbidden."

"The Donghuang told me to see for myself and listen for myself." Jiang Wang said lightly. "Lord Lv, what do you think I should hear in Xueji City?"

Lv Kuiwu was cautious. "What does the Donghuang mean?"

"There's no need to tell you what the Donghuang means."

"Yes, yes, yes. Her elder has her own ideas, I overstepped."

Jiang Wang walked slowly, and said lightly, "Some words the Donghuang is inconvenient to speak clearly, and as an outsider, it's not good for me to say. Can you tell me, where is the resistance to Taixu Huan? Is it here with you?"

"It has nothing to do with me!" Lv Kuiwu subconsciously defended himself loudly, but then instinctively sobered up and looked left and right.

"No harm." True Person Jiang's voice was very gentle, very capable of soothing tense emotions. "From just now, everything you said, everything you did, can only be heard and seen by me."

Lv Kuiwu first breathed a sigh of relief, but then became vigilant again, choosing his words carefully. "The resistance to Taixu Huan is definitely not with me. Everything is by court orders, I just follow orders... You want to ask exactly where this resistance is, that's also not something I can explain in a few words."

Jiang Wang had considerately created a safe environment for him to speak, which instead made him wary.

From this perspective, although Xue Guo is closed off year-round, scheming and fighting are not lacking at all. Even this person sent here to guard frozen meat is not so easy to fool.

"It doesn't matter." Jiang Wang smiled warmly. "Taixu Pavilion doesn't do things that are overbearing. If you are unwilling to say, I definitely won't force it... Where are the Taixu Jiaota? Please lead the way."

Lv Kuiwu seemed to be relieved of a heavy burden and quickly led the way.

Although True Person Jiang was young and gentle, he was a world-renowned great figure. Facing the inquiry of such a figure, the pressure was immense, too much to bear!

Compared to the prosperity of Hanhua City, Xueji City gave off a feeling of a snow coffin. The households in the city seemed not to like talking, nor going out, each silently doing things without a sound. On the huge city main road, only a few scattered people, one pulling a cart of frozen meat forward, one holding a chisel chipping ice at the corner of the wall, one holding an oil-paper umbrella, walking slowly alone on the street...

The snow cavalry entered the city, the sound of the wolf paws stepping on the ground was very clear.

The houses in this city were mostly square and upright, with very flat roofs—covered with frozen meat of various snow beasts.

They were displayed nakedly on both sides of the streets, like exhibits on a chopping board, depicting primitive cruelty. Sometimes glances were cast from behind doors and windows, mostly quickly withdrawn, even curiosity was very faint.

The emotions of the people in this city seemed to be frozen.

"Brother Wei, have you been here before?" Jiang Wang casually transmitted sound.

Wei Yu said, "I came here when purchasing frozen meat."

"Is this place always like this?"

"Always like this."

"Have you made any special discoveries here?"

"What does Jiang Pavilion Member refer to?"

"Hehe..." True Person Jiang walked and looked, his expression peaceful. "Nothing."

"Two-tenths of all the meat in the entire northwest five countries is produced in our Xueji City!" As Lv Kuiwu spoke, his wine-tuberous nose also moved with it, showing extra vitality in such an environment. "Jiang Pavilion Member, why don't you first come to my mansion for a meal? Try our characteristic ice-knife meat, known as the freshest in the northwest—"

"Go to the Taixu Jiaota." Jiang Wang said lightly.

Lv Kuiwu's enthusiasm was interrupted, but he wasn't at all annoyed. He just quickened his pace, spoke less nonsense, and quickly brought Jiang Wang to the northeast corner of Xueji City.

Two Taixu Jiaota stood bare in his sight, not a single person in the towers.

Xueji City was originally cold and desolate, and this corner was even more empty except for ice dregs. It was as if everything had been cleared away to make space for the Taixu Jiaota—of course, from the not completely erased traces, True Person Jiang could still easily judge that this place had been sealed off before.

"Xue Guo regards Taixu Huan as a flood and fierce beast, ah." Jiang Pavilion Member sighed.

Lv Kuiwu at the side stammered, speechless.

"Seeing these two Taixu Jiaota empty like this, I am very heartbroken." Jiang Wang said. "I have a Taixu Jiaota exclusively mine in Qi Guo. Do you know how much it can earn in a month?"

"Taixu Jiaota can also earn money?" Lv Kuiwu was very surprised.

True Person Jiang said casually, "When business was best, I earned over three hundred sixty yuan stones in a month. These years, Taixu Huan has been promoted openly and is more accepted by the world. There are also more and more Taixu Jiaota, so the profits have started to decline."

It was not only surprising how surprised Lv Kuiwu, this "country bumpkin," was, but Wei Yu, this big-city person, was also greatly enlightened. Wasn't Taixu Jiaota a basic facility built by the state? Could it also be used for profit?

Jiang Pavilion Member, who was formerly Marquis of Wu'an, really had great power in Qi Guo, ah.

"The value of Taixu Huan has been recognized by billions under heaven. If Xue Guo people were allowed to choose for themselves, Taixu Huan would have already spread throughout the snow domain. Your court's prohibitions due to various purposes are against the tide of the times. We originally wouldn't manage these things. Taixu Huan allows freedom and never forces anyone to participate. Moreover, if you continue to lock it down like this, sooner or later, the power of the times will push you back. This has no effect on me whatsoever. Taixu Pavilion doesn't need to care either." Jiang Wang looked at Lv Kuiwu and said earnestly, "But the divine thunder war is imminent. We must seize the time, unite all possible forces, and do everything that can enhance the overall strength of the human race. This is my purpose in coming here."

He didn't care if Lv Kuiwu or other people paying attention here had listened in. He walked into the Taixu Jiaota with his hands behind his back. "Lord Lv, you can go back and attend to your own matters. It's fine for me to sit here for a while."

Lv Kuiwu and his subordinates stopped outside the tower, not knowing what to say for a moment. Wei Yu then followed Jiang Wang into the Taixu Jiaota.

He originally thought Jiang Wang would use the Taixu Jiaota to do something, but after following him in, he saw Jiang Wang casually found a spot, gathered cloud qi into a cushion, and actually just sat down like this and began to cultivate.

To catch off guard? Wait for the rabbit?

Turning over various thoughts in his heart, Wei Yu was not in a hurry to leave either. He also found a spot nearby and sat in meditation to adjust his yuan.

He just sat like this for one day, two days, three days...

Jiang Wang was always in cultivation, not distinguishing morning and evening, day and night.

It was truly... too boring.

After a long silence that lasted for five days, Wei Yu finally opened his mouth and asked a few questions about cultivation. True Person Jiang answered patiently.

Thus, another five days passed.

"I am very curious—" After True Person Jiang answered a question about the limit of the Shenlin realm, Wei Yu couldn't help but say, "Why is Jiang Pavilion Member willing to guide me?"

Jiang Wang glanced at him. "You are a human race prodigy, you haven't committed any evil deeds, and you're not so foolish that guidance would be useless... With a little effort, why would I not be willing?"

"My meaning is, in this great contention world, prodigies compete, and heroes rise together. Who knows which day we will also face—"

"When you face it, then say it," Jiang Wang said lightly.

Wei Yu smiled bitterly. "Indeed, Jiang Pavilion Member doesn't think I will be an opponent."

Jiang Wang said calmly, "I don't feel you are an opponent, but I also don't feel that it's absolutely impossible for you to become my opponent. It's just that our understanding of the 'great contention world' is not quite the same. I am not worried about having too many opponents. I don't care who my opponents are. I only hope that the people standing in front of me are strong enough. Because only strong enough opponents have the qualification to verify my path of cultivation."

Wei Yu was silent for a long time. "Your candor makes me uneasy."

After another while, he said, "How do I feel... regarding the matter of promoting Taixu Huan in Xue Guo, True Person Jiang seems not anxious?"

Jiang Wang laughed. "I thought you would always discuss cultivation problems with me."

Wei Yu said, "Just a little personal curiosity."

While observing the changes in the palm-inch sword prison, Jiang Wang said casually, "Still don't understand? When I came to Xue Guo, Taixu Huan had already spread here, unstoppable. What I represent is not myself? Taixu Pavilion's resolve is not just the attitude of our nine people? All their resistance is just buying time for themselves. I neither wish to force it too urgently, inviting trouble for myself, nor do I want to see what they all plan to do with this time."

He withdrew his gaze from the sword prison and looked at Wei Yu. "When I say 'they', it also includes 'you all'."