Chapter 2245: Upside Down Mountains and Rivers

Gan Chang'an and Xu Wang have a real master-disciple relationship from their study of the knife. Their bond is closer than that of other people.

This is why Gan Chang'an dared to ask such a question, and Xu Wang was willing to answer him.

"Fill the border with dead countries" is absolutely not a simple phrase.

Someone with Xu Wang's standing wouldn't joke in the army.

When left with no choice, he had the resolve to sacrifice his life to eliminate Huo Hu and Que Ye Ming.

So today, he did indeed employ an empty city strategy, but what he gambled was not the continuity of the Great Wall, but his own life and death.

"Zhen Hou has worked hard." Ying Wu had lost one arm earlier, and his remaining arm was also severely injured in the recent bombardment. Yet, his expression was very relaxed.

Plans are made in heaven, success depends on people. To achieve great things, the right people must be chosen. In fact, whether it was Jiang Wang and Chong Xuan Zun, or Xu Wang outside Yan Shan Pass, they all contributed crucial strength to this endeavor.

If Xu Wang hadn't held down the Great Wall on this trip, Ying Wu wouldn't have dared to take such a risk, or he would have had to deliberate further.

"Not as risky as Your Highness." Xu Wang removed his helmet and looked at this extremely famous Great Qin Crown Prince with a playful expression: "Hearing the news of Li Yi's Proving Dao, I knew Your Highness couldn't resist. This necessary step from Dong Zhen to Yan Dao was indeed taken by Your Highness to the greatest value, even winning the battle of Chou Long Du. It's a pity that in your position, you can no longer advance, nor can you be rewarded again. Xu feels a sigh for you."

"Look at what you're saying!" Ying Wu laughed heartily: "I am still the Emperor's great general, and this time I also carry the Son of Heaven's holy will, following the rules, fighting for the human race. What need is there for national rewards? If my father rewards me with a few pairs of white jades and a few beauties, that's still acceptable!"

Xu Wang shook his head and sighed: "They all say the position of the Great Qin Crown Prince in the East Palace is as stable as Mount Xiao. This marquis doesn't think so, ah. While Mount Xiao is solid, how can it be as stable as Your Highness!"

Moreover, regardless of the relationship between Xu Wang and Ying Wu, the fact that a Great Qin Zhen Hou can discuss such dangerous topics with the Great Qin Crown Prince to this extent is enough to show that Ying Wu's position as Crown Prince is indeed unshakeable.

Mount Xiao is a well-known large mountain on the border of the Qin country, famous since ancient times for being high, grand, and indestructible.

Mount Xiao's seven treasures were once thoroughly broken in the way of artifact refinement, called "supreme" treasures. They shone in the world in ancient times, but unfortunately, they were all destroyed in the Human-Dragon Great War.

But although Mount Xiao's seven treasures shattered, Mount Xiao still stands firm in the world.

From ancient times to now, how many years have passed, with vast seas becoming mulberry fields, yet its majesty remains unchanged.

By the way, Mount Xiao is Ying Wu's fief.

People often use the honorific title "Mount Xiao Crown Prince" to express Ying Wu's status, showing that the Great Qin East Palace is as solid as Mount Xiao.

Of course, no matter how steady as Mount Xiao, Ying Wu must also refer to himself as the "Emperor's great general," attributing the merit to his father. He doesn't dare to publicly say that he still needs to be heavily rewarded or that he has made progress.

Xu Wang had said enough, and Ying Wu couldn't continue the conversation. He simply smiled, turned his head, and saw that Jiang Wang had left at some point.

Although they had been together for a time, fighting side by side, they were not on the same path.

He had no particular feelings about it, nor did he feel any regret afterward. Things in the world are always like this; everyone has their own path to walk. When the road beneath your feet diverges, even if you admire and praise someone greatly, you can only look at them from a distance and cannot abandon your path to walk together.

Was Zuo Guanglie, who stunned the world on Guan He Tai, not worth admiring?

He also personally ordered his extermination.

Conversely, if Zuo Guanglie had the chance to eliminate Ying Wu, how would he show mercy? If Zuo Guanglie broke through Han Gu Pass, he might not be far from Mount Xiao either.

Didn't he admire Li Yi? But as the Great Qin Crown Prince, he is destined not to be on the same path as Tai Yu Zhen Ren of Da Luo Shan.

Although he doesn't agree with Emperor Xia Xiang's statement that "walking the great dao alone is the reason for severing ties with fellow travelers," he also understands what it means to "claim isolation and poverty."

The heavens are not isolated, and everyone has their place. Chong Xuan Zun, Ji Zhao Nan, and Wang Yi Wu, these few people from Qi, were also just leaving.

Ying Wu laughed: "Good, Jiang Wang is not here, now I can say this – everyone go heal your injuries!"

Ji Zhao Nan's feet didn't stop, and Wang Yi Wu didn't say a word.

Chong Xuan Zun pulled at the corner of his mouth: "The Great Qin Crown Prince is quite humorous."

Ying Wu laughed heartily: "You should heal with medicine. If there's a need, just directly report it to the military supply officer. If your injuries aren't well-treated here, and you're not in a hurry, within three days, I will invite a great doctor sect over to handle it. In any case, Great Qin is responsible for its territory. Don't let everyone bleed and spend money, injuring yourselves to the root."

Chong Xuan Zun made no comment, flicked his white clothes, and left潇洒ly.

Ji Zhao Nan, walking ahead, said from a distance: "Qin Crown Prince, you don't need to talk about 'responsibility' in that inverted way. The responsibility in this world is not for your Qin country."

These words were truly cold, with the style of a gun fired with no return. Ying Wu 'oh'ed, thought for a moment, and then asked again: "Should I still invite that great doctor sect?"

Ji Zhao Nan seemed not to hear and left by himself.

Wang Yi Wu walked in the back, stopped, turned his head, and said quite seriously: "Please do, my injuries are quite serious."

Then they scattered and left.

The spring of the three thousand two hundred and eight-year of Daoli was colder than usual.

The warm wind hadn't arrived yet, but spring flowers had already bloomed.

Zhong Shan country has a very typical central domain climate. Along with the spring tide of the Long River, the humidity is also higher.

In this not-so-large country, Hui City is one of the three most prosperous cities.

Although Zhong Shan country is not strong, it is after all a vassal state of the Dao pulse. The people of the country are also considered commoners of the central domain and still live relatively comfortably.

To put it simply – the common people generally have leisure, enjoy strolling, and love to chat idly.

The Xuan Wu Building, destroyed and rebuilt, is still called the Xuan Wu Building.

Someone once asked whether this name commemorated the war between Zhao Xuan Yang and Jiang Wu An, or the later war between Chong Xuan Zun and Jiang Wu An. The tavern owner replied – why not commemorate both?

Zhong Shan country, tracing back three thousand years or forward three thousand years, hasn't produced any truly impressive famous people. They have a mind to try and align with the Zhong Shan clan of the Jing country, but people fundamentally don't pay attention. Even those warlike individuals in the Jing country, if they feel even a little displeasure, might draw their swords at any moment.

Having finally aligned with several present-day famous figures, the Xuan Wu Building naturally wants to hold on tightly and not let go.

The effect is also very remarkable; the Xuan Wu Building's business is extremely popular.

After Jiang Wang and Chong Xuan Zun both became "Cabinet Elders" respected by the world, people often come from thousands of miles away to pay homage to the old traces and imagine the heroic postures of the two Cabinet Elders in their vigorous youth.

Inside the Xuan Wu Building, there is even a specially enclosed area designated as the "Dao Contention Scene," also known as the "Cabinet Elder Suite." The room rate is extremely high, not seeking anything less than ten thousand gold. It is said that two peerless heavenly talents fought their Dao rhymes within, and only those born wise can gain something.

It is also said that several young heroes have comprehended peerless killing methods within.

To this, Lin Guang Ming, who possesses an upright aura, naturally sneers with contempt – a few days ago, he snuck in without spending money one evening and saw that it was fundamentally a scene fabricated by the people inside the tavern. There wasn't even a bit of Dao rhyme.

Inside the building, it was as lively as ever. The wine guests excitedly discussed the world situation, talked about ancient and modern times, and looked down upon the eight wildernesses, as if the times were within their grasp.

Lin Guang Ming sat alone, drinking by himself, with a smile on his face, nodding from time to time. He seemed to love this world very much and also very much agreed with the discussions of the surrounding wine guests.

Occasionally, an excited wine guest would even raise their cup to him! His face was really too just, too trustworthy.

Having come to the Xuan Wu Building several times, he had already made quite a few friends. Compared to his brother, whose expression was stiff and speech was stiff, he was much more popular.

When he heard that Cabinet Elder Jiang had participated in the encirclement and hunting of a peak expert in Yu Yuan and had successfully beheaded Shura King Huang Ye Yu, his smile became even more brilliant, making him even more approachable.

It's truly good, ah.

Years had passed, and hearing that Senior Brother Jiang was still so mighty, he felt relieved.

Now that the mountains and rivers were turned upside down, there weren't many old friends left!

Today, his sworn brother Wu Guan Wang lacked the mood for drinking and didn't come along. Lin Guang Ming himself didn't want to stay for too long, so he got up from the table and paid the wine money. In the slightly drunk afternoon, he left the tavern.

During this period, he and his sworn brother were living at his sworn brother's home, enjoying family happiness. It was his sworn brother's real home – his sworn brother's real name was actually Cui Di!

He is truly an honest person, ah.

Lin Guang Ming will absolutely not disappoint this trust.

His sworn brother Cui Di is the son of Cui Ju Qian, the county magistrate of Hui City in Zhong Shan country.

Cui Ju Qian and his wife were loving and harmonious, raising three sons and one daughter. The eldest son was benevolent and thick, the third son was filial, and the youngest daughter was obedient. Cui Di was the second son. From a young age, he was well-read and polite, but his temperament was restless and he liked to wander. The year he was twelve, he went far away and never returned. Now he was back, his appearance was not quite the same as in the old days, but he still remembered bits and pieces of home, matching the memories of young Cui Di.

Cui Ju Qian recognized this as his own son and was very fond of the upright friend his son brought back, intending to promise him to his youngest daughter.

And Lin Guang Ming... also very much approved of this marriage.

Being the son-in-law of the county magistrate of Hui City in Zhong Shan country is a very good starting point. It's not too eye-catching, the position is in the central domain, it belongs to a Dao country, and there is very good room for promotion.

Ghost cultivators will not be discriminated against in the Dao sect. He just needs a seamless life experience – for this, he has already fabricated his miserable life, including how he sacrificed himself for righteousness, how he was forced to turn to ghost cultivation, and how he constantly strove for self-improvement.

This is fundamentally the truth!

Who can say that in the Zhuang country war, Lin Guang Ming did not sacrifice his life for righteousness and constantly strive for self-improvement? It's just that the location of the story changed from Zhuang country to Ji country, and the details were slightly adjusted, but it can still convey a sense of true emotion, right?

Going to the tomb garden that evening was just to complete the last piece of his life experience. Swallowing and absorbing ghost qi was secondary.

He was very willing to stay in the Cui family, first to establish roots and cultivate human qi. First Zhong Shan country, then Jing country, step by step forward, with a proper foundation, without losing the orthodoxy of the Dao sect. And compared to directly joining the Jing country, the review process is much more relaxed.

To forge a golden body, to spread justice to the world, of course, he must join the most powerful force.

When leaving the Xuan Wu Building, Lin Guang Ming specially packed two roast ducks and ordered a pot of wine, the bamboo leaf green that Uncle Cui loved to drink. Then he lightly walked to the west market, bought a fox fur to send to Auntie, and picked a pair of earrings to send to that pure and innocent little sister.

Life is so beautiful.

Lin Guang Ming smiled and greeted everyone he passed. He was very familiar with the neighbors on the street, and everyone liked him. He even hummed a little tune as he walked.

He has a very clear outlook on the future. He will be a good son-in-law, a good husband. Of course, one day he will definitely have to righteously eliminate his relatives and use the head of his wise brother Cui Di as a throwing name in the central heaven prison.

There's no way, King Yama of the hell is really too bad. Lin Guang Ming cannot associate with him against his conscience for long. No matter how deep the emotion, it cannot shake justice – the premise is that he has full confidence in killing his wise brother. Otherwise, the strangeness of Wu Guan Wang, he has personally witnessed and experienced it.

This brilliant outlook stopped abruptly when several arrangements in his bedroom were touched in succession.

Lin Guang Ming's feet didn't stop, but he lightly sniffed, then caught the faint smell of blood lingering in his nostrils.

Squeak.

Lin Guang Ming raised his hand and pushed open the courtyard door, seeing eight corpses lying horizontally in the courtyard.

Including the county magistrate of Hui City, Cui Ju Qian, Cui Ju Qian's wife, Cui Ju Qian's eldest son and daughter-in-law, Cui Ju Qian's third son, his youngest daughter, and even Cui Ju Qian's two grandsons! One was three years old, and the other was just a month old.

Their death poses were not miserable, just extremely peaceful as they lay horizontally in the courtyard.

But with the whole family dead, old and young alike, how could it not be considered miserable!

Cui Di wore a serious county magistrate's official uniform, sitting alone on the steps, head lowered, not knowing what he was thinking. The sound of the door opening didn't even disturb him.

Lin Guang Ming's gifts in his hand dropped to the ground. His expression was heartbroken, his eyes filled with disbelief. He pointed at Cui Di, his voice trembling: "You actually killed your whole family! You could do such a cruel thing – are you still a person?!"

He was really a little angry. Just last night, he had "confessed" to Cui Ju Qian, using up his previously fabricated experience. He was just preparing to get married and become an official in Hui City, starting his ascent. Wu Guan Wang messing things up like this completely disrupted his plan!

Cui Di raised his head, speaking with difficulty: "Brother –"

"I don't have a brother like you, who is unkind, unrighteous, without father or mother!" Lin Guang Ming weighed his chances of life and death at this moment, recalled his careful observations during the past period, and drew his sword with righteous indignation: "Today, I will sever ties with you –"

"They were not killed by me!" Cui Di said in a loud voice: "It was Sang Xian Shou's command! It was the central prison guard who did it!"

He walked to the corpse of the old county magistrate, pointed at the old man's neck, and said: "Look at this plum blossom soul chasing nail, this divided petal blood wound. These are all methods of the central heaven prison. I recognize them clearly, absolutely not wrong."

The official-clad Wu Guan Wang raised his hand, wiped the old father's wide-open eyes, and smashed his fist on the ground, creating a dark pit almost bottomless, showing strength far exceeding that of a few days ago. He said hatefully: "Sang Xian Shou, old thief, you have harmed my family, you are simply inhuman! I will not live under the same sky as you!"

Today, all his family is dead.

After today, he can truly 'lose himself in the human world', wiping away the last flaw that had been caught.

His curses at Sang Xian Shou were also louder.

Looking at the immeasurably deep dark pit, Lin Guang Ming's eyelids twitched. His expression was still heartbroken and angry, but he sheathed his sword: "It truly wasn't you who killed them?"

"I can deceive anyone but you, and even less would I use my family to deceive you!" Cui Di was grief-stricken to the extreme, blue veins bulging on his forehead. He gritted his teeth and said: "Little brother-in-law, we must take revenge!"

Lin Guang Ming respects facts very much and hurriedly said: "Big brother, I haven't yet married your little sister –"

"Although her person is dead, her heart was given to you early on. My dad and my mom also already viewed you as their son-in-law –" Cui Di suddenly stood up, pulling up a yin wind array. That terrifying Wu Guan Wang mask was already on his face. He stared at him幽幽ly: "Wise little brother, could it be that you don't want to acknowledge this now?"

"How could I not acknowledge it? Her voice and appearance are as they were before!" Lin Guang Ming tightly gripped his long sword, instantly becoming more excited than Wu Guan Wang: "If this enmity is not repaid, Lin Guang Ming swears not to be human!"

"Good brother – come!" Wu Guan Wang pulled Lin Guang Ming's hand: "Today, I will act as the master and marry you and my little sister! From now on, swear to exterminate Sang Xian Shou!"

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