Chapter 2271: The Weak Fight for Life, Thinking of Death; The Fool Perishes Unawares

"Huaiguo Duke!" Wen Jingxiu stood beneath the night sky, his humble expression gradually fading. "I respect you as an elder, respect your identity, respect your contributions in guarding Tianmen for the human race. But everything needs to be reasonable. What kind of figure is Jiang Geyuan? The world knows he wanders through various realms, leaving traces everywhere, like a dragon seen only by its head. In recent years, especially in the demon world, border wilderness, and Yu Yuan, Jiang Wang has been everywhere, no place is too vast. You come to Yue Country demanding someone, where should Yue Country go to find them for you?!"

Facing the cold eyes of Great Chu's Huaiguo Duke, the Emperor of Yue Country stood tall, not shrinking in the slightest. This made people wonder what kind of confidence he truly possessed.

Zuo Xiao raised his hand and slapped him directly. The Pingtian Crown flew high into the air. Wen Jingxiu didn't even have time to defend himself and was already spinning in the air. The lord of a country was slapped like a top!

"I've given you too much face all these years!" Zuo Xiao shook his hand as if disgusted that the face was too tough. "Think about how to answer me again."

Wen Jingxiu's spinning body finally stopped with difficulty, covering the face that was red with indignation and resentment, filled with shock and anger. He absolutely did not expect that someone as virtuous and prestigious as the Huaiguo Duke would commit such a crude act!

He had walked out of the protective national array and faced the Huaiguo Duke precisely because he relied on this Gonggong of Great Chu to value his noble reputation, ensuring that everyone would sit down and talk cordially on the surface. How could national disputes be like street ruffians, spitting and rolling up their sleeves to fight? Where was the etiquette in vast Great Chu?

Call it hypocritical or insincere, but for many years, Chu and Yue in the southern domain had been considered friendly, and they had also shared the responsibility of the Fallen Immortal Forest. During festivals, they exchanged national letters and congratulated each other on their national fortunes. Where did Zuo Xiao's slap put the diplomatic relations between the two countries? This slap insulted the monarch and belittled the state. To put it broadly, it was a fundamental disrespect to the national positions!

"Old thief!" A heartbroken roar of anger echoed in the Yue Court. Gong Zhiliang, with disheveled hair, rushed out of the palace, sword in hand, and wildly hacked towards Zuo Xiao. "You insult my monarch, I swear to kill you today!"

Zuo Xiao merely glanced at him. Then, as if struck by lightning, he plummeted straight down from the high air, crashing through the palace roof and shattering the glazed tiles.

But Gong Zhiliang quickly got up again. "...Old thief!" His eyes were bloodshot, and he stumbled towards Zuo Xiao once more, only to fall straight down again. He got up again, and fell again.

Throughout this process, Zuo Xiao remained expressionless. He was merely swatting away flies and not engaging with anyone. But even a hint of disgust was something Gong Zhiliang could not bear.

After repeating this seven times, Gong Zhiliang's aura increasingly weakened.

Wen Jingxiu finally cried out sadly, "Prime Minister! Stop!"

Gong Zhiliang once again flew up unsteadily. He was already bleeding from seven orifices, his Shenlin aura decaying, not even as good as an ordinary Inner Mansion, but he still held his sword, his hand gripping the sword with bulging veins.

"Yue Country may be insignificant in some people's eyes, but it is the homeland where I grew up. How can the state be trampled upon, and how can national dignity be lightly insulted!" He cried out tragically, "Today the monarch is insulted, Gong Zhiliang cannot resist the enemy, only death!"

With a backhand sword, he slit his own throat and died. His golden body had already collapsed, and the decayed old body fell from the sky for the last time.

Zuo Xiao remained unmoved and looked at Wen Jingxiu again. "That slap just now didn't let more people see, I gave you face. The sky hasn't brightened yet, lunch is still early, you still have time."

"Old fellow!" Wen Jingxiu pointed at Zuo Xiao, his finger trembling continuously. "You bully people too..."

Zuo Xiao merely lifted his eyes. *Crack!* The index finger directly bent back, fractured on the spot!

"Ah!!!" Wen Jingxiu roared almost madly. "Come on! Kill me! You can kill the Emperor of Yue Country!" He raised the bloody broken finger and strode towards Zuo Xiao. "Just let the history books record it like this: Great Chu's Huaiguo Duke forcibly killed Yue Country's Emperor Wen Jingxiu, disregarded the rites of state, ruined the norms of monarch and ministers, trampled the national system—how about it?!"

Zuo Xiao looked at him deeply. "...Good! Then this duke will grant your wish, take your head, break this ridiculous protective national array, and then thoroughly search Yue Country's mountains and rivers to find the missing Taixu Geyuan. And we'll see if this world, collectively pushed, and the Taixu Alliance Treaty, which can walk anywhere in Tianjing City, can be implemented in your Huiji City!"

"Yue Country, of course, respects the Taixu Alliance Treaty! Taixu Geyuan is my guest!" Wen Jingxiu gnashed his teeth. "If you find Jiang Geyuan in Yue Country and confirm that it was I who harmed him, I will die without resentment. But if you kill me and then cannot find Jiang Geyuan?"

Zuo Xiao curled his lip. "Then this duke will offer a cup of wine at your grave and apologize to you."

Yes, indeed! Kill if it's right to kill. Apologize if you kill wrongly. Who can make Zuo Xiao pay with his life? Huang Weizhen is indeed someone to be wary of, and Huang Weizhen's relationship with Chu Country is also very subtle. Zuo Xiao even greatly admires Huang Weizhen. But this time he did not come for Ge Fei. Setting aside the matter of the mountain sea monsters and Huang Weizhen, what confidence does Yue Country truly have?

The national system, of course, needs to be maintained, and the current world's torrent, of course, needs order, but who are the maintainers of order? Precisely the six great hegemonic countries! In most situations, the hegemonic countries are very willing to maintain the current world order because they are the biggest beneficiaries of this order. But this is not an absolute iron rule because the knife is in their own hands, and the only ones who can supervise them are each other. The Taixu Alliance Treaty can shine in Tianjing City because all sides' forces are holding knives and watching the war.

Perhaps the biggest mistake Wen Jingxiu made tonight was leaving the protective national array and standing in front of Zuo Xiao—the last time he faced Zhuge Yixian's Star God, he remained in the core palace the entire time, not moving. Perhaps he had other plans, perhaps his courage had gradually strengthened, but at this moment Zuo Xiao was not playing dumb riddles with him. One slap, one broken finger, one "apology" nakedly revealed the cruel truth of this world.

If Wen Jingxiu lived, he would be part of the order, and Yue Country had no explicit charges against it, so perhaps it would receive many supporters in the world. If Wen Jingxiu died just like this, then let's see which of the other five great hegemonic countries would attack Chu for Yue!

"Come!" Facing Zuo Xiao's blatant threat, Wen Jingxiu did not retreat but advanced, did not escape but welcomed him. This showed the spirit of an emperor of a country. "Use my head to lose Chu's justice, what's impossible! Wen Jingxiu loses at this moment, Chu Country loses forever!"

Zuo Xiao said no more, directly raised his right hand, spread his five fingers, and pressed down on Wen Jingxiu from afar—just as his five fingers aligned, Wen Jingxiu's true physical body swelled sharply, about to burst!

"Lord Zuo, please show mercy!" A warm and gentle voice then descended at this moment. Like a spring breeze brushing the moon, the warmth melted away some of the stern coldness. Chen Pu, the dean of Mugud Book Academy, wearing a simple Confucian robe, appeared in front of Wen Jingxiu and bowed to Zuo Xiao. "Someone Chen has come uninvited, I hope Lord Zuo doesn't find it abrupt."

When the monarch and ministers of Yue Country discussed privately, Wen Jingxiu asked—what level should my Yue Country reach to make Jing Country and Qin Country publicly declare their support, and what else can be paid? The answer was in the question.

Hidden Prime Minister Gao Zheng's death led to Chen Pu's inquiry and Yan Sheng's descent from the mountain. Today, Yue Country's Prime Minister Gong Zhiliang was forced to death by Great Chu's Huaiguo Duke! Chen Pu of Mugud Book Academy had to step forward, and indeed, he had a reason to step forward.

Shushan has always been Yue Country's backer, doing more than Nandou Hall. Many Confucian disciples have entered officialdom in Yue Country. For many years, Shushan and Chu Country have not been directly connected; Yue Country serves as a buffer and a barrier, which is an important reason why Shushan can maintain its transcendence. If Chu Country swallows Yue, bordering Shushan, perhaps both sides will have to explore new ways of getting along, which is absolutely not what Shushan is happy to see.

Zuo Xiao withdrew his spread fingers, his face still expressionless. He knew Gong Zhiliang sought death, and he also understood why Gong Zhiliang sought death. At this moment, he only asked, "Dean Chen wants to wade into this muddy water?"

Chen Pu casually smoothed Wen Jingxiu's Dao body, returning it to its normal state and away from danger, and said warmly, "The Emperor of Yue Country is, after all, the orthodox emperor appointed by the Heavenly Dao. I don't know what crime Lord is executing him for?"

"No crime." Zuo Xiao said casually, "He sought death, I fulfilled it, that's all."

"I think he was just temporarily impulsive. Responsible for the world and bearing the state, how could he lightly seek death?" Chen Pu said, "Please forgive him a little, Lord Zuo."

Zuo Xiao looked behind Chen Pu. "What does he say?"

Wen Jingxiu walked out from behind Chen Pu, his face no longer showing ferocity, nor that hysterical stance of fighting to the death. He even re-tied his hair, looking extremely calm and harmonious, and bowed to Zuo Xiao. "I was temporarily impulsive and spoke resentful words, please don't take it seriously, Huaiguo Duke."

Zuo Xiao said without changing his expression, "This duke only knows that 'the monarch speaks no falsehoods'! How can the Emperor of Yue Country be an exception among monarchs?"

Chen Pu said, "Although the Emperor of Yue Country is the emperor of a country, he is also Lord Zuo's junior. In front of elders, it is inevitable to have some emotional indulgence. This Gong Zhiliang handled affairs diligently, was loyal by nature, and built bridges and roads for the country for many years... he died pitifully."

Gong Zhiliang was a blood-stained chip, offering the last gamble for Wen Jingxiu.

Zuo Xiao was unmoved, only looking at Wen Jingxiu. "Does the Emperor of Yue Country recognize this duke as your elder?"

"Of course!" Wen Jingxiu said, "Although I am unworthy, I also know how to respect elders and the wise. From the beginning, I said I greatly respect Huaiguo Duke, which is why I came out to welcome you—I never thought that a virtuous and prestigious elder like Huaiguo Duke would do this to me."

Zuo Xiao's eyelids lifted slightly. "Then, Emperor of Yue Country, as an elder, this duke will ask you once more—can Jiang Wang catch up to my family's lunch?"

Chen Pu did not speak.

"Lord Zuo!" Wen Jingxiu cried out in grievance, "I truly don't know why you must link Jiang Geyuan's whereabouts to Yue Country. Yue Country has been weak for a long time! Do I have the ability to silently harm Jiang Geyuan? What kind of hero is that! Having successfully returned from the demon race's hinterland, how could he capsize in the small Qiantang River? Perhaps he went to the border wilderness again and will return in a few days. You are overthinking and causing chaos, and I am suffering unjustly!"

Zuo Xiao stared at him for a while, then said, "Good, with your endurance of the past few decades and your toughness today, you are indeed a monarch, truly of Wen Zhong's bloodline!"

"Huaiguo Duke has misunderstood me, and I must endure it." Wen Jingxiu met Zuo Xiao's gaze. "I have no great ambitions, I have strived hard for the country my entire life, trying to guard my heart, only seeking not to shame my ancestors."

Zuo Xiao looked towards Chen Pu. "Is Dean Chen protecting him today?"

Chen Pu smiled bitterly. "Lord Zuo, killing an emperor without crime, this matter is indeed hard to explain. Song Tianshi originally also wanted to come to avoid friction between Jing and Chu, so he did not appear—I know you are anxious, but is Jiang Wang really in Yue Country?"

Jiang Wang had stayed in Yue territory to protect Bai Yuxia, originally concealing his tracks. With his current means, there are not many people in the world who can discover him. In the end, his appearance that night was only the intelligence harvest of Chu Country in Fuan City. Where he went after that, no one knows except Wen Jingxiu. Zuo Xiao could not produce evidence.

"Song Huai can come, and the four great Tianshi can come. If they don't come today, there will be an opportunity another day. New accounts and old accounts will always be settled." Zuo Xiao looked at Chen Pu. "Dean Chen, you should know my character. There's no need to say useless things again. Today, I can also give you this face—"

Chen Pu sighed. "Thank you, Lord, for understanding."

"Wen Jingxiu, you remember." Zuo Xiao looked at the Emperor of Yue Country. "I don't care how you argue, Jiang Wang disappeared in your Yue Country, and I will definitely record this account on you. If Jiang Wang has an accident—you will die." He said slowly, "Even if Huang Weizhen returns, even if Huang Weizhen indeed recognizes you, chooses you, and treats you as a son. You will also die. This is what I, Zuo Xiao, said. It can be recorded in your Yue Country's history books!"

Chen Pu wanted to speak but stopped.

"Everyone dies, I have no posture of eternal life." Wen Jingxiu was very composed. He seemed to have known for a long time what he would face. He only said to Zuo Xiao, "Lord Zuo, no matter how you decide, I still have to reiterate to you—Yue Country truly does not know Jiang Geyuan's whereabouts. I also greatly want to find him to prove my innocence! Of course, perhaps you don't need this."

Zuo Xiao curled his lip, as if laughing a little. He was angered to laughter. "Wen Jingxiu, ah, Wen Jingxiu, the reason I came, while Anguo Duke remained silent for so long, is not that Anguo Duke can endure and I cannot endure. It's because Anguo Duke doesn't like slapping people; once he acts, it's to kill and eradicate roots." He pointed at Wen Jingxiu. "You provoked me today. When I came this time, I originally only wanted to slap you once. Now you are hoping I dig up your ancestral grave—you'd better not let me do such things."

Without waiting for Wen Jingxiu to say anything, he turned his head again to look at Chen Pu and said in a very serious tone, "Dean Chen, Shushan is the responsibility you must bear. This time you block me, I am willing to understand. If you block me again next time, you are my enemy."

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve, stepped on and shattered the bright moon, filling the sky with frost light, and his figure dispersed.

Until Zuo Xiao's figure had completely disappeared, Wen Jingxiu's anger was no longer concealed. He said to Chen Pu, "I don't know how I provoked him? Just because Yue Country is weaker than Chu Country, he can be so unreasonable, readily threatening and coercing? Asking me for Jiang Wang, I am not Jiang Wang's wet nurse! Why doesn't he ask me for Zuo Hong, for Zuo Guanglie?"

Chen Pu glanced at him lightly. Wen Jingxiu pursed his lips. "I misspoke, sir."

The world-renowned warm and gentle gentleman, the dean of Mugud Book Academy, said lightly, "I also have a question I want to ask Your Majesty. Think carefully before answering me."

"Sir, just ask!" Wen Jingxiu immediately said, "I will definitely tell you everything I know!"

Chen Pu looked at him. "Where did Jiang Wang go?"

"I truly don't know!" Wen Jingxiu said with a face full of grievance. "In the past, as a prince, I also went to Mugud Book Academy to study and always regarded you as my teacher—could it be that even you don't believe me?"

Chen Pu shifted his gaze, looked at the sky with his hands behind his back, and sighed. "Gong Zhiliang was not a top talent, and his fortune was not good. His achievements in life were limited, but as a person, he embodied the two words 'loyal and diligent'. The emperor should not neglect his funeral."

Wen Jingxiu said solemnly, "Losing Prime Minister Gong is like losing a close relative. He must be buried with national rites!"

Chen Pu thought for a moment and still said, "Considering Gao Zheng and Gong Zhiliang, I will give you one more piece of advice—you are destined not to get full marks on this exam, and you should not waste energy deluding yourself into wanting full marks. In such a situation, being able to pass is enough. Some multiple-choice questions are not necessary to answer."

Wen Jingxiu bowed respectfully as a disciple. "Student has listened."

Chen Pu knew he hadn't listened. "Huaiguo Duke said he will kill you, then he will certainly kill you. If Jiang Wang truly had an accident in Yue Country, prepare for the aftermath early... and also take care of your ancestral grave. Old people talk too much and are annoying. I will leave now, no need to see me off."

As soon as he turned, he was already far away. The night was vast, and the bright moon was solitary.

"Sir!" At such a moment, Wen Jingxiu suddenly shouted, chasing after his back. "The world is a game of chess. The weak striving for life is called seeking death. The foolish fall to their death without knowing it. This student strives to hold the chess pieces and do the impossible things, never expecting a good end!"

"I am not your sir. Emperor Your Majesty, take care." Chen Pu did not turn back and sank into the night color with one step.

Thank you to book friend "White Shijie" for becoming the alliance leader of this book. This is the 748th alliance for Red Heart Patrolling Heaven!