Chapter 2162: Who Truly Gets the Deer in the End

In Dao Calendar year 733, the Qin official from Shang Sheng Prison, who had achieved the Dao and the body of the Winter Emperor, was instantly crushed by the Snow Country Taizu. This scene made the Snow Plain even more silent.

Apart from the wonders of Yong Shi Sheng Dong Peak, the Immortal Palace, the pavilions, the five suspended cities, and the five coffins, what was truly magnificent in this ten-thousand-li snow domain was the increasingly awakening "armored soldiers."

They wore the Snow Country armor from the beginning of the Dao Calendar era. Of course, it was somewhat outdated, bulky, and its defensive power was insufficient. Furthermore, unlike the most advanced armors, it couldn't even respond to military formations or reduce the warriors' energy consumption.

They relied almost entirely on instinct to search for their positions in memory. These positions represented military formations that might have already been buried in old papers by the passage of time.

Beneath their war helmets, their eyes blankly observed the world. This world was both familiar and strange to them. The familiar was the snow; the strange was everything else besides the snow.

But it didn't matter.

Snow Country was inherently backward compared to the era.

Their physiques were still quite robust, and their awakening wills were no less than those of contemporary warriors.

Countless "returned" warriors in the vast snow domain neatly lined up in formations, as tiny as ants in the vast heaven and earth, and gathering like ants.

War was their life, and the snow domain was their homeland.

Generals who had hibernated alongside the Ancestral Emperor, like Lu Kuiwu, continuously fine-tuned the military formations through simple commands. It was like long-hibernating giants beginning to move, starting with their fingers.

Blood pumped, breath revived, and the warriors' eyes gradually cleared.

In the vast snow domain, the ancient empire was awakening at a terrifying speed!

And Hong Junyan, who had forced out Xu Wang and Wang Xixu with a single glance, did not pursue them further to completely annihilate them. A reincarnation body of Ning Daoru, disguised as Xu Qiudici, should be within the Qin country's tolerance range. The fall of either Xu Wang or Wang Xixu might make the Qin people disregard everything.

His body was high in the air, his dragon robe fluttering. He gazed remotely at the snow domain, his vision seemingly encompassing all people, and yet seemingly... only looking at a distant place.

He said: "The strength of the Qin people is known throughout the world. The evil of the Jing country has knocked at our gates for a thousand years. The Jing country came first, from the new beginning until now! I sincerely know that Snow Country, a single domain, is hard pressed to resist the world. Yesterday's Snow Country was overturned between dawn and dusk! When a people are about to die, how can loyalty and righteousness be sought?"

He stepped through the air with his hands behind his back, walking like a dragon, his gaze like a tiger on the rivers and mountains: "To help all when poor, though even sages find it hard to bear. How many sages are there in the world again, and how can they all be born in the snow domain? Hence, before today, there were those who surrendered to Qin, surrendered to Jing, surrendered to Jing. The past is not blamed, this is the first article of the state's decree! You all destroy the evidence yourselves, no need to harm yourselves."

He didn't want to see the Qin country's trump cards.

But some "cards" he saw, he just couldn't help but deal with.

Fu Huan chose the appropriate timing; he also grasped the fundamentals with power and overturned all schemes. But the situation in Snow Country was indeed shocking.

For example, how did Lin Dong's Immortal Technique leak out?

How did the detailed intelligence about Xu Qiudici flow out?

For Ning Daoru to completely replicate Xu Qiudici's identity, without the help of someone familiar with Xu Qiudici, how could it be possible?

To tamper with the Han Chan Dong Zai Immortal Array and influence his, Hong Junyan's, return, in all aspects, how could the Winter Emperor do it alone?

After Ning Daoru became the Winter Emperor, she was already essentially the second-in-command in Snow Country. In such a large Snow Country, how many people were attached to her? This was fundamentally unfathomable!

Hong Junyan, in his identity as the Snow Domain Emperor, publicly stated that he would not investigate the past, only to truly wipe away the panic in people's hearts. Snow Country had accumulated for thousands of years; it could be said that it did not lack population, but it could not fully utilize the old people.

"New people and old people are all one body. All the past has become yesterday! All of you—" Hong Junyan gazed at his subjects: "Now is the newborn Snow Country!"

Wei Qingpeng raised his fist high—"My Emperor lives eternally!"

The entire Snow Silence City, the entire Extreme Frost City, the entire Snow Plain—

"Eternal life!"

"Eternal life!"

"Eternal life!"

The voices of the Snow Domain's military and civilians roared like a mountain and a sea.

All who witnessed this scene must recognize that the rise of Snow Country was already unstoppable.

Hong Junyan's return brought back not only his peak power but also the grand ambitions of a group of people who raised the flag in the northwest that year.

But did the Qin people come just for a futile exercise?

Such a hegemonic country, could it be that it had no expectation of Hong Junyan's strength?

Hong Junyan looked at Xu Wang and Wang Xixu on the sea of thunder. However, Xu Wang and Wang Xixu's gazes were looking at the place where the Winter Emperor was crushed.

Thus, Hong Junyan also shifted his line of sight back—

In the place where the Winter Emperor was crushed, a flower bloomed.

Three buds were joined, dividing into three colors: yellow, red, and white. The stamens were light and dreamlike, making people see it and forget their worries.

Not many people on the scene recognized this flower.

And Jiang Wang had personally seen it before!

The ultimate object that Chai and Ying Yunian initially contended for—the Three Lives Orchid Cause Flower!

The flower bloomed at this moment.

A clean and neat hand reached out and took this flower into its palm. Then, from this hand, a specific person was depicted. This person was like a fair-faced scholar, wearing ordinary common clothes, with soft features and a warm and gentle temperament.

The originally tense atmosphere, where swords were drawn and bows were bent, became very gentle because of his arrival. People's killing intent silently and soundlessly dispersed completely.

He held the world's supreme treasure, the Three Lives Orchid Cause Flower, in a casual posture, like picking a branch during a suburban tour. He smiled and looked at Hong Junyan: "Long time no see, Brother Hong!"

Xu Wang and Wang Xixu above the sea of thunder, for a moment, all bowed their heads, as if paying respects.

Hong Junyan's face showed a grave expression for the first time. Although he wore the Snow Dragon Robe and possessed worldly dignity, he could not display nobility in front of this person.

"Ying Yunian." He almost pronounced this name one word at a time: "I should have thought earlier, this game doesn't have you, this game is being played by you."

Xu Wang's earlier statement that Hong Junyan was not qualified to see the Great Qin Emperor was, of course, purely a scolding.

How could existences like Hong Junyan and Ying Yunian, who stood at the peak of the present world, not have contact with each other?

Ying Yunian really didn't look like a monarch, especially not a founding emperor. He was not majestic at all, nor was he overbearing. He was very well-grown, but he gave people a feeling of not being able to withstand wind and rain.

At this moment, as he faced Hong Junyan, he had no posture of drawing swords or bending bows at all, only a smile: "I am ashamed, I am indeed borrowing momentum to set up a game."

"Are you Ning Daoru?" Hong Junyan asked.

"No." Ying Yunian raised the flower in his hand: "It is the 'now' of this Three Lives Orchid Cause Flower; it is Ning Daoru."

Hong Junyan's eyes flashed with sudden understanding. He shook his head self-mockingly and said in a deep voice: "It seems I completed you."

What riddle were these two playing?

Jiang Wang was originally just confused while watching; now he was even more confused.

But he was mature and cautious now, and he didn't make a sound. He would record it down whether he understood it or not.

But Zhong Xuan beside him spoke up and interrupted this 'old friends meeting': "Two Taizu! May I ask you to speak a little clearer? What is the 'now' Ning Daoru, and what is 'complete'?"

Both Ying Yunian's and Hong Junyan's gazes looked over.

Zhong Xuan raised the bamboo slip and knife pen in his hand: "I represent the Tai Xu Pavilion here to record, holding the pen to write truthfully! But I am afraid of not knowing the truth, arbitrarily writing down missing details, leading to later generations' misunderstanding. Since we are face to face, if it is convenient for the two of you, please speak clearly before individual."

Jiang Zhenren heard it in his ear. This colleague was clearly saying—if you two don't speak clearly, you might just blame me for blindly editing.

At such an old age, how brave this was.

He reached out from behind and pulled Zhong Xuan's belt, reminding the old Zhenren to be cautious. The old Zhenren did not move, his intention was very firm.

Hong Junyan said: "He is Si Ma Heng's disciple."

Ying Yunian also suddenly understood: "So that's it, no wonder this style is very familiar!"

This legendary person was quite good-tempered and explained quite seriously: "Ning Daoru actually does not exist; it is a character I created using the 'now' flower of the Three Lives Orchid Cause Flower. His words, choices, temperament, personality, and even gender were all constructed solely for his own goals—of course, now, he truly exists."

As Ying Yunian spoke, he plucked a petal and gently flicked his finger, letting it fall upon the Yong Shi Sheng Dong Peak mountain, saying: "Xie Ai still returns to Snow Country. He has traveled a long journey, braved the dangers of the long night, and worked hard!"

That petal gently fell beside Fu Huan, and a glow spread. Xie Ai, who had the fragile beauty of glazed glass, was then caught by Fu Huan. This person's eyes were slightly closed, still in slumber, but his breathing was steady and his life signs were lively.

Fu Huan obviously didn't think that Xie Ai could still return. For a moment, her expression was complex, both joyful and worried. The joy was that her disciple Xie Ai was still alive, and having experienced being used as a body by the "Three Lives Orchid Cause Now Flower" would undoubtedly be a rich provision for her future cultivation. The worry was that this kind of Ying Yunian, without any hint of hostility, might have already approached, or even walked to that one step, after today...

Like a spring breeze over the snow plain, flowers bloomed on different branches.

People had their respective moods, but they were all silent, like new buds in the snow.

Ying Yunian's manner was peaceful, and he continued to say: "I created Ning Daoru, but I did not interfere with his choices. He has his own cognition and thinking, his own plans and choices. Of course, we all have a common goal—to borrow falsehood to cultivate truth, to let him truly exist."

Hong Junyan's face was expressionless: "Ning Daoru said he was born in Dao Calendar year nine, which is to say, I only hibernated for five years, and you were already staring at me."

Ying Yunian was slightly apologetic: "You know, that year I snatched half of the 'now' and the entire 'past' of this Three Lives Orchid Cause Flower. On this basis, I gazed into the future. Your future plan to contend for hegemony was right in front of me, it was very hard for me not to be moved."

"Flood Star Mirror, you remember." Hong Junyan said faintly: "Don't think polite people are good people. Some evil people will still apologize to you!"

Flood Star Mirror dared not speak, nor did he dare not speak. He lowered his head to indicate that he remembered.

Ying Yunian only smiled: "So Ning Daoru deceived you before. The reason he still pushed you to return after transforming into the Winter Emperor was because of my request—I was very willing to help you return, and also very willing to complete your 'contend for hegemony future' plan, what a grand idea!"

Hong Junyan didn't comment, only asked: "What else did he deceive me about?"

Ying Yunian thought for a moment and said: "Because of the power of the Three Lives Orchid Cause Now Flower and my little help, Ning Daoru became Dong Zhen as soon as he appeared, and quickly became Yan Dao. But there is no wood without roots in the world, no water without a source. He didn't even have an identity, he still couldn't be considered a true person. In Dao Calendar year 733, the Shang Sheng Prison official 'Snake Head' challenged the Only I Sword Kui and died after returning to the country. Ning Daoru then replaced this identity. He said he was just 'Snake Head', which also deceived you, only to make you believe that Ning Daoru truly existed."

Hong Junyan said: "Then this learned and profound history mister also became a link in the chain of Ning Daoru's identity."

Zhong Xuan's book knife did not stop turning, as if he hadn't heard.

Ying Yunian said: "It's not important when the Winter Emperor died. It's very important that she died with the identity of Ning Daoru. So I must thank Brother Hong, your power and status gave her the greatest completion, letting Ning Daoru truly exist."

His thanks were not that kind of superficial politeness, but had a kind of heartfelt sincerity.

Hong Junyan almost couldn't distinguish whether this thanks was sarcasm or not.

And Ying Yunian said again: "Actually, it's not only Hong Junyan's completion. So many people in the field, all of you are witnesses. Your gazes are all completing the identity of Ning Daoru."

He looked towards Zhong Xuan: "This history mister, where the pen falls, there is power; where the word is engraved, people are engraved. And this most famous young person of the present—"

His gaze turned towards Jiang Wang: "When the Winter Emperor forcibly wanted to leave you, she just hoped you could observe her changes. Your line of sight has weight. You are the representative of the era's flood. She greatly needed your witness, so that she could be clearly engraved in the era. I think she owes you a favor, of course, I am not sure if she can repay kindness. Because I have not seen her true self either."

Jiang Wang opened his mouth and said: "If it is the identity of the Winter Emperor, she does not owe me. In Shen Xiao World, she saved me once."

Ying Yunian said gently: "This depends on your feelings."

He seriously stated everyone's contributions, and then plucked another petal. The process of his fingers loosening was also like a flower blooming.

This petal fluttered like a dance in the air, but finally fell down, transforming into a thin and weak Dao-robed male, whose blood energy was like a flood, and whose breath rushed to the sky. He continuously stepped through the air, joyful to the point of madness: "Today is newborn!"

This male quickly calmed his emotions, restrained his strong breath, and bowed to Ying Yunian: "Thank you, Dao friend, for completing me!"

From Dao Calendar year 119 to now, Dao Calendar year 3926, he had also experienced a long time, only truly becoming Ning Daoru!

Of course, he wanted to thank Ying Yunian for completing him. Because without Ying Yunian, the Three Lives Orchid Cause Flower was just a flower. Even though he was only half, and supremely precious, he could only be a swallowed fate.

He died with the identity of Ning Daoru. The things he did and the experiences he had in this life, within such a major historical event as Snow Country contending for hegemony in the future, received historical confirmation—the "now" of the Three Lives Orchid Cause Flower was now truly complete.

Ying Yunian didn't need to use a precious petal to confirm the birth of Ning Daoru, but Ying Yunian still did so.

This was the reason for his thanks.

Ying Yunian smiled: "Life is one world, plants and trees one autumn. To be able to meet is just a matter of luck! If you want to thank, there are too many people to thank. No need to thank, and go forth on the Dao!"

Ning Daoru bowed to him again: "Dao friend completed me, does Dao friend have any use for me next? Where do I need to go?"

The onlookers had various thoughts... The Qin people had another True Monarch!

But Ying Yunian said: "We are mutual completion. You are born free, and newborn should also be free. Look how vast this world is! Go! Anywhere you want to go is your direction."

Ning Daoru looked at him deeply, bent his waist in a salute, and turned around to step into the air and leave. He sang loudly, his song saying—"This body is a temporary lodging in heaven and earth, worldly affairs wear away sparse green temples. After all, how many people truly catch the deer, not knowing they dream as fish all day!" Today, the butterfly transformed into a person, the fish into a Peng, soaring ninety thousand li.

Jiang Wang gazed into the distance from the eaves of the Tai Xu Pavilion, only feeling that all his previous impressions of Ning Daoru had blurred. Only this carefree and natural back figure, like a newborn flower, remained. For some reason, after the person gradually went far into the sky, the sky also seemed to open up much wider.

Abandoning a petal to give birth to a newborn, releasing a Yan Dao to gain freedom.

Ying Yunian seemed to seek nothing.

Or... these were all not in his eyes.

Hong Junyan looked at this Qin Taizu whom he could never see through, and asked the question that everyone was most concerned about: "This is truly an unimaginable realm... So you now, want to transcend?"

Ying Yunian smiled slightly: "Transcend is indeed not an easy thing."

He gently gripped and extinguished the dreamlike and illusionary flower in his palm, gripping it into his palm: "I have already prepared well to welcome that moment."

"This body is a temporary lodging in heaven and earth..."—Huang Tingjian «Miscellaneous Poems Seven · Its One»