Chapter 2215: Depriving the Emperor's Title, Then Depriving Longevity

Ren Qiuli knew she couldn't out-calculate Zhuge Yixian. Even though Zhuge Yixian had to focus on the bigger picture, just one casual move on her side pressed down the entire Tianji chessboard.

But this game of chess played out in the world, ending in Soldier Ruins, stalemated at the gate of Fallen Immortal Forest, its vitality existing only in the chaotic myriad things.

Moreover, Lu Shuanghe, with his extremely cold sword, severed destiny. Thus, that tiny point of opportunity could be seized by them.

In Fallen Immortal Forest, although dangers were heavy and no one could guarantee safety, at the same time no clues would remain. It was the best hiding place for the Nandou Hall True Persons at this stage.

Wu Ling unfortunately perished within it; Anguo Gong personally went to search, but couldn't find any trace.

"Fallen Immortal Forest?" Dou Zhao held the Tianxiao Knife in his hand, his golden body unretracted, gazing into the distance. In that direction, there was an entrance to Fallen Immortal Forest guarded by Chu Country. If he remembered correctly, Wu Ling had just entered Fallen Immortal Forest from this entrance and then never returned.

Star God Jiang Lou's voice was indifferent: "Chang Sheng Jun, although not a true dragon entwined with destiny and unable to bear the title of Emperor, is also a cunning loach. Killing him is not easy."

Dou Zhao said: "But now he's a turtle in a jar."

"Beidou rules death, Nandou rules life. Nandou Hall's only vitality is here with Lu Shuanghe; obviously, he has already given up—" Star God Jiang Lou looked at Dou Zhao, not without a hint of reminding him: "His and Ren Qiuli's lives and deaths are not important at this moment."

If Chang Sheng Jun were easy to kill, he wouldn't have just been stripped of his imperial title that year. The current Chu Tianzi might not be a merciful monarch.

Those in the world best at grasping vitality were none other than Nandou Hall, because their Dao tradition lay precisely in this.

This hall had also inherited an ancient great sect from near ancient times, with a history not inferior to that of Mugui Book Academy. Although not as prominent as some leading schools, it was also considered to have a long and glorious past.

This time, Ba Chu exterminating Nandou shocked the world.

In fact, it was absolutely not the Chu Tianzi's momentary impulse, angered into raising troops.

"First strip the imperial title, then strip Chang Sheng," was originally the strategy set by the Chu Court that year targeting the South Pole Chang Sheng Emperor Jun. Now, they were just firmly executing it.

Although Nandou Hall today was like a trapped beast in a cage, a flying fish in a net, with all theoretical possibilities cut off, it still struggled out a line of vitality, falling upon Lu Shuanghe's body.

Zhuge Yixian personally took action just to wipe out this last line of vitality.

If Lu Shuanghe hadn't borne such responsibility, if this layer of relationship didn't exist, why would the great witch of Chu Country, the only one for thousands of years, take action to calculate Ren Qiuli? Did he truly think he was very idle?

Now, although Lu Shuanghe and Ren Qiuli escaped into Fallen Immortal Forest, they also actively gave up that line of vitality belonging to Nandou Hall. This Star God Jiang Lou could also be considered to have achieved his goal. Hence, he said that the lives and deaths of the Seven Kill True Person and Tianji True Person were no longer important.

In Dou Zhao's reverie, he repeatedly replayed the scene of Lu Shuanghe crushing Zhong Li Yan with that single sword. His eyes still stared into the distance, his mouth only saying: "He can even give up the only vitality of Nandou Hall; what exactly does he want?"

"Didn't he already give the answer?" Star God Jiang Lou counter-asked.

Lu Shuanghe's sword could be said to be finding Zhong Li Zhaojia to ask for a favor, but it was more like giving Zhuge Yixian an account.

Lu Shuanghe's answer was his sword.

"Upon hearing the Dao" was his answer.

No matter what the only line of vitality of Nandou Hall was, Lu Shuanghe at least needed to achieve Yan Dao to grasp it. But he obviously didn't have the plan to ascend to Yan Dao now; he still wanted to wait for Jiang Wang to reach the extreme of Dong Zhen and find him.

And this determination of his clearly and plainly revealed itself to the people of Chu Country to see—

He gave up Nandou Hall and still actively walked into the crisis-ridden Fallen Immortal Forest. Did Chu Country still have the necessity to go to great lengths to chase and kill him?

And Star God Jiang Lou's response was also very clear: He thought Lu Shuanghe's life and death were indeed no longer important.

But no matter what Star God Jiang Lou thought, or how Chu Country decided, speaking solely about Lu Shuanghe's choice... this simply wasn't a choice a normal person could make!

"Nandou Seven Kill," "Nandou Lu Shuanghe," "Nandou Six True," these were all titles repeatedly mentioned in the past and present, and in the future as long as Lu Shuanghe was alive, they would also be very difficult to forget. His relationship with Nandou Hall was just like a connection of flesh and blood.

He was born in Nandou, grew up in Nandou, and achieved his success in Nandou.

The mark of Nandou Hall would forever flow in his blood, forever impossible to wipe away.

Anything he did for Nandou Hall was natural.

And he chose to do nothing.

He, Lu Shuanghe, was now the well-deserved number one in killing power among contemporary True Persons. Even if he took a few more steps at the limit of this realm, how much more could he gain?

If it were just for seeking the Dao, this kind of waiting could be considered acceptable in normal times. Which of Huangfu or Lou Yue weren't waiting?

But now was the moment of life and death for Nandou Hall. The sect that gave birth to him, raised him, and nurtured him into talent urgently needed him to advance and take that step to struggle out a tiny line of possibility. Everyone in Nandou Hall was expecting the variable he would create, and even the great witch of Chu Country, Zhuge Yixian, thought he would take action, thereby disrupting the plan.

But he still wanted to wait for the ancient and modern limit he pursued!

From reason, from human feelings, from any angle outside of seeking the Dao, Lu Shuanghe's choice was inexplicable.

Even from the perspective of "seeking the Dao," this choice could be called "inhuman."

But Dou Zhao should be able to understand. Because Dou Zhao was a true strong one, capable of understanding the determination of a strong one, even if he didn't agree. This was the reason for Star God Jiang Lou's counter-question.

"No, what I can't understand is— what does Lu Shuanghe rely on to think that only Jiang Wang can help him push out the unprecedented eternal limit of the Dong Zhen realm?" Dou Zhao grinned, baring his teeth: "How low-key am I, having already appeared before him, yet still not entering his eyes!"

Star God Jiang Lou was silent for a while.

Chu Country wanted to exterminate Nandou Hall, Lu Shuanghe gave up Nandou Hall, Lu Shuanghe walked into Fallen Immortal Forest— what you, Dou Zhao, are thinking about is how the only Dao enemy in his eyes is Jiang Wang?

This kind of oddly prominent thinking was obviously something He hadn't expected.

Dou Zhao had already picked up his knife and was leaving.

"Where are you going?" Star God Jiang Lou reacted a bit slower and asked.

That was because even Zhuge Yixian in the distance was stunned for a while; he had lived for many years and calculated all matters under heaven, but he increasingly didn't understand today's young people.

Dou Zhao casually swung his knife, cutting open a spatial crack: "Of course I'm going to Fallen Immortal Forest to find them— and kill them!"

Still want to go!

How could he not listen to advice?!

The current Dou Zhao was clearly not Lu Shuanghe's opponent, nor could he possibly out-calculate Ren Qiuli. No matter how one deduced, one couldn't see the possibility of him single-handedly killing Lu Shuanghe and Ren Qiuli, especially in a place like Fallen Immortal Forest, where gods and ghosts were unpredictable and heavenly mechanisms were confused!

Going to Fallen Immortal Forest like this, was it to kill the enemy or seek death? It was truly questionable.

Did he really think that being the first in killing power and the first in calculation were empty names, and that only he, Dou Zhao, could directly face life and death?

Star God Jiang Lou knew Dou Zhao was stubborn and difficult to persuade, so he had to bring out his ultimate weapon: "How should I explain to your great-grandmother?"

"You don't need to explain to anyone—" Dou Zhao's unruly figure didn't turn back: "I like this too!"

The spatial crack healed accordingly, and he also disappeared from here.

He described it so lightly, as if he weren't going on a life-and-death adventure, but like a school child walking towards a joyous paradise.

Jiang Lou was virtually suspended in the air, not knowing what to say for a moment.

"Star God adult!"

A weak shout from the ground brought Jiang Lou's gaze back.

This young man of the Zhong Li family was truly tenacious; after lying on the ground for a while, he had actually recovered his breath and was still trying to climb up by himself.

Jiang Lou casually released a wisp of star power to lift him up, lest he repeatedly injure his muscles and bones.

"Star God adult." Zhong Li Yan was suspended in the air, hanging on by a thread, gripping the Nanyue Sword tightly: "I have an impolite request—"

"Rest assured." Jiang Lou conveniently helped him regulate his injury: "I will send you back home."

"No... no." Zhong Li Yan said: "Can you not just heal me now?"

It truly was an impolite request!

Although it was said that witchcraft and medicine were not separate, Zhuge Yixian could also be called the first in Chu Country's medical Dao. But how could a contemporary True Person, especially a martial Dao True Person with an exceptionally strong physique, be so easily treated? Even sending him back to Chu Country for treatment would require cartloads of resources, and the time would definitely not be short.

To heal him on the spot in Soldier Ruins, that would require Zhuge Yixian to pay a significant price.

"Do you have any urgent matter?" Jiang Lou asked.

"Dou Zhao is after all the only genius of Chu Country second only to me. For a genius of our Great Chu to venture deep into Fallen Immortal Forest, I truly cannot sit and watch. My heart is anxious!" Zhong Li Yan's body was disabled but his will was firm, he gritted his teeth: "Please restore my injury, let me lift my sword and go help him!"

Jiang Lou was silent for a moment: "Are you serious?"

Zhong Li Yan firmly said: "If you don't agree, I absolutely will not leave! My sense of responsibility, my patriotic feelings, my concern for my countrymen, all do not allow me to leave now! A Great Chu man would rather die than retreat!"

Jiang Lou looked at him: "Good, close your eyes."

"Many thanks, great witch! When my martial Dao ascends to the peak, I will certainly repay you handsomely!" Zhong Li Yan was overjoyed and obediently closed his eyes.

Jiang Lou conveniently pressed down, making him thoroughly faint, then carried him and flew out of Soldier Ruins.

After staying in Chu Country for a few days, without waiting for the return of Huiguo Gong, who was out on business, Jiang Wang prepared to leave.

Although Chu exterminating Nandou was grand and attracted worldwide attention, his heart remained calm— although he was not yet thirty years old, he had already witnessed too many rises and falls.

The joy of elders, the future of friends, the happiness of Guang Shu, these were all things worth caring about more. Even for Chu Yuzhi, who was not considered a friend, he wanted to see the path of such a commoner hero.

Chu Country's teachers had made a name for themselves, and Nandou Hall's ending was set early. This kind of so-called grand play without twists and turns really had nothing to "appreciate." He neither applauded the destruction of Nandou Hall nor regretted its demise.

The long river of history rolled forward, and no matter how glorious the past, after falling, it was ultimately just one wave after another.

Zuo Guang Shu came to see him off: "Not planning to see Lu Shuanghe's end? I heard he has an ultimate agreement with you."

Jiang Wang's tone was casual: "Nothing good to see."

Zuo Guang Shu said: "Grandfather told me earlier... if you are willing, he can find a way to arrange for you to execute Lu Shuanghe, so it can be considered cutting off a karmic entanglement, which might be beneficial to you."

"Thank the old master for me, his intention is accepted!" Jiang Wang smiled: "Lu Shuanghe, having lost his power to resist, has no meaning for me."

"You don't care about him?" Zuo Guang Shu asked.

The Great Dao was vast, and Jiang Wang walked straight west: "If he can survive this Nandou crisis and still wait for me at the absolute peak of Dong Zhen, I will walk to that step and fight as agreed."

"What if he just dies like this?" Zuo Guang Shu said: "According to the latest intelligence I've received, the great witch has already taken action, and he should have no possibility of escape."

"I won't be lost either." Jiang Wang's steps were light: "First in killing power among contemporary True Persons? I am very willing to try his sword. But he is not my regret, nor is he my Dao enemy."

"Then who is your Dao enemy?" Zuo Guang Shu asked.

"I don't know. I haven't encountered one before, I don't see one now, and perhaps I won't have one in the future?" Jiang Wang laughed: "The benevolent one has no enemies!"

Emperor Xia Xiang said, "Walking the Great Dao alone is to cut off fellow travelers." Many paths, walked to the end, cannot accommodate a second person. In a certain sense, everyone in the world with ambitions for Liuhe Tianzi are each other's Dao enemies.

And there are some people who need to be cut off as "obstacles" to becoming Dao.

Initially, Jiang Mengxiong shattered his sword into fists, sweeping away the peaks of Fei Jian Three Absolutes as historical dust. Xiang Fengqi, invincible in Dong Zhen, wanted to reopen the new heavens of Fei Jian after the era's curtain, and thus had to challenge Jiang Mengxiong with his sword. Jiang Mengxiong was his Dao enemy, and with a pair of iron fists, he thoroughly buried that era.

Jiang Wang had walked this road, and although he had many enemies and his adversaries gradually withered, he indeed still had no Dao enemy.

From the perspective of intersecting life trajectories, Yi Shengfeng actually had great potential to become a lifelong Dao enemy, but unfortunately, in the Minxi Corridor, he had already been cut off by him. That night's moonlight was as cold as water, just like the childhood Feng Xi. Scooping a handful, it all shattered.

Later, Lu Shuanghe, connected by the Seven Kill fate, inherited Yi Shengfeng's destiny, took him as a Dao enemy, and waited for him to grow.

Yet, he didn't view Lu Shuanghe in that way. That was a very powerful opponent, but only that. Such opponents had existed in the past, exist now, and will exist in the future.

He and Lu Shuanghe walked different paths, and there was no lingering hatred. Whether he fought and won against this person or not would not affect him moving forward.

Now, at the end of the Dao, he indeed didn't see an "enemy." He had an invincible mindset, an invincible posture!

In this relaxed laughter, Zuo Guang Shu saw the heart of a true strong one. "Ah ya ya." He admired: "Big brother has a good spirit! When you achieve Dao, I will celebrate for you!"

Jiang Wang laughed heartily, patting him on the forehead: "Speaking too early, it makes people laugh!"

"Big brother, going to Yuyuan this time, please take care of yourself, don't—" Zuo Guang Shu cupped his hands and said his farewells, suddenly his eyebrows twitched.

"What happened?" Jiang Wang asked with concern.

Zuo Guang Shu put down his hand and chuckled faintly: "That grandson Zhong Shan Weishun, finally got tough for once."

Except when facing Huang Sheli, Zhong Shan Weishun was really not a person who wasn't tough. But this time coming to the South Domain, he was indeed very "grandson."

Huang Sheli was angered and beat him, Jiang Wang left indifferently, and the people of Chu also found it very difficult to respect his various postures. And he was obstinate in his one thought, as if he could rely on obstinacy to achieve his goal.

Wasn't he dissatisfied with Zuo Guang Shu?

Wasn't Zhong Shan Yanwen disappointed in him?

After treading through all the military camps with no result, failing to meet a single deputy general, and it being useless to block Xiang Bei...

He turned his head and went to Wei Country.

This time he didn't seek to see anyone, and Wei Country also had no one who could help him.

He simply stayed in the best inn in Wei Country, booked the best room, ate a good meal, then burned incense, bathed, and slept for three full days.

Three days later, he tidied his hair and once again flew to Due Peak.

This time he went directly to Qu Shunhua's camp.

As the commander of one army in this campaign to punish Nandou Hall, Qu Shunhua's military camp was especially strict and especially didn't care about the face of the Zhong Shan clan's noble son.

"Dare to approach again, it will be considered an outer thief invading the camp, and they can be killed!" The warrior guarding the camp drew his war knife directly, without any hesitation.

This time, Chu Country dispatched troops to Due Peak, with Anguo Gong Wu Zhaochang as the commander of the three armies, and one of the Chu Six Masters, the Evil Face Army, as the main force, crushing all resistance like a mountain. Left and right generals were also appointed, namely Qu Shunhua and Xiang Bei, each leading one army.

The Qu family also had Six Masters elite troops, called Huzhao. Although the Xiang family's private army was not enough to be listed among the Six Masters, and was almost wiped out in the River Valley War, it was rebuilt after the war and was still a rare elite troop.

To punish a Nandou Hall, there was naturally no need to mobilize another powerful army from the world.

Although the left and right generals had extraordinary origins, the soldiers they led were just county soldiers. Their main role was not in attack, but in quickly establishing order in the Nandou Six Stars after the Nandou secret realm was broken, and taking over everything of Nandou Hall, including the common people.

But in Qu Shunhua's main camp, these guards might all be Huzhao sharp warriors!

They used the array diagrams that could unleash the most power, wore the best armor, and mastered the most cutting-edge military formations of Chu Country. Every Huzhao sharp warrior was selected from thousands, from tens of thousands, and was able to enter the army.

Hence, even when facing Zhong Shan Weishun, they drew their knives without hesitation, their killing intent filling the sky.

With the war knife drawn here, in an instant, there was a clang, clang of connecting sounds, the soldier evil condensed into one, the killing voices layered into one sound!

The main general has a name, and can execute under heaven!

Zhong Shan Weishun's face was calm, without the slightest hint of being slighted, and he still saluted this small guard with complete respect: "Please report to your noble master, Zhong Shan Weishun has come from the north, desiring to see the first Shen Lin under heaven, and has specifically come to verify! Please allow her some time to see me and not hesitate to grant guidance!"

His posture was so polite, and his words were so forceful.

No one would deny Zhong Shan Weishun's talent, but he was still in the Shen Lin realm, and the one he wanted to challenge was Qu Shunhua, who could overturn the heavens with a flip of her hand!

Even Jiang Ge Lao, publicly recognized as the human race's first genius, once personally said that he was unwilling to face He Tian at the same realm.

Where did Zhong Shan Weishun get the courage?

One stone stirred up a thousand waves.

It was precisely because Qu Shunhua had declared that she would not allow anyone to pass messages for Zhong Shan Weishun. This was why Zhong Shan Weishun had repeatedly hit walls outside the Chu army camp these past few days, bringing a full money bag but unable to find a way to send the money.

At this moment, the entire Chu army camp, whether intentionally or unintentionally, cast their gaze over.

Not long after, a guard lifted the curtain and came out, his voice cold: "My general says— she is on an expedition, precisely to punish Nandou, receiving orders from the Tianzi! You, Zhong Shan Weishun, have come thousands of li to the Great Chu army camp, challenging at the gate, what is your intention? Does Jing Country wish to act as Chu's vanguard?"

"Absolutely no such intention!" These words were very dangerous, and Zhong Shan Weishun immediately responded loudly: "Please see clearly, General Qu, this trip of mine has no orders or seals, I am here alone. I only represent myself, not involving public matters, only for personal reputation!"

"Then go and rest first." Qu Shunhua's voice echoed in the tent: "Your personal reputation is not worth mentioning! Perhaps someone will care, but that is not me. Wait until this general has completely exterminated Nandou, then I will see my mood and grant you a defeat!"

"Weishun sincerely knows that military affairs are urgent, but an internal fight in the Shen Lin realm is just a trivial matter for the general, a play at the front of the camp, how much time can it take?" Zhong Shan Weishun said earnestly: "I only seek to move the general's hands and feet a bit before the great war!"

He was older than Qu Shunhua.

He had gone to the Yellow River Meeting in the year 3919 and was still among the four strong in the Outer Tower Field— he was more qualified than Qu Shunhua.

But his words were truly humble.

Several light laughs echoed in the tent.

The guard hooked up the curtain, and Qu Shunhua stepped out of the tent.

Being in the army, she wore magnificent armor, and between her steps, she exuded an air of majesty.

Equally noble beyond words, Zuo Guang Shu's nobility was innate divine grace, while Qu Shunhua's nobility was kingly presence!

She looked at Zhong Shan Weishun standing in the cold wind, her eyes examining him: "You say you are arrogant, yet your words are humble. You say you are humble, yet you dare to challenge me!"

Zhong Shan Weishun cupped his hands outside the camp shadow: "I have rushed ten thousand li, only seeking to see He Tian; general, please grant my wish!"

"What do I rely on to promise you?" Qu Shunhua said coldly: "Do you think everyone in this world is easy to talk to? This general may not be a generous person!"

"Of course I wouldn't ask the general to take action for nothing— I will make a heavy bet!" Zhong Shan Weishun said directly: "This fight will be celebrated with three thousand blocks of Yuan Stone, which will be presented once the general nods. This fight will have a bet, with two parts of Earth Rank Dao Technique at the top, one part of my original creation merit, one bottle of Soul Jade Spirit Liquid, three Nine Dragon Yuan Pills, one Yaoguang Jade Hairpin, half a piece of Cold Dragon Incense..."

Qu Shunhua 'he' one sound: "Your things, they are quite complete."

"Let the general see my humility!" Zhong Shan Weishun said: "Because this is all I can take out, things of some value, it is my entire family property. All sorts of inadequacy, only this sincerity, I only wish the general to pity me!"

Qu Shunhua asked faintly: "Since you are making such a heavy bet, what should I use to match it?"

"If I lose, all matters cease, and this heavy gift will be presented. If I am fortunate enough to win, I don't need any objects—" Zhong Shan Weishun cupped his hands: "I only ask the general to help me protect one person!"

"These things are more than enough to redeem the crime of a Shen Lin cultivator. To redeem a true transmission disciple of Nandou Hall and buy them out also shows great sincerity—" Qu Shunhua looked at him proudly: "But why should I promise you? Although your bet is heavy, how much of it can enter my eyes?"

"I sincerely know that Great Chu is prosperous, and the Qu clan is rich and noble." Zhong Shan Weishun said extremely seriously: "I have just walked into a dead end, not knowing which road to take. I have just hit walls everywhere, only remaining with lone courage. I am just using my entire family property as a bet. I am betting on your confidence in being invincible in Shen Lin. And I am betting that I can win against you!"

Qu Shunhua's eyes changed slightly: "You look like a character now, why weren't you acting like a human earlier?"

Zhong Shan Weishun said: "So I am not worthy of being his friend. Now the bitter sea surges, awakening the tide— I hope I will not always be so stupid!"

"You are indeed very good at betting." Qu Shunhua didn't comment: "But with such a heavy bet, to truly reflect the win and loss, it cannot just be a spar—"

"Even death without regret!" Zhong Shan Weishun immediately said: "I am willing to stand by my word as a voucher!"

This chapter is 6k, of which 2k is added for the Silver Big Alliance "YangerSun"! (4/4)