Chapter 2326: Dragon Palace Ritual

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Ping'an Town, Ping'an Town...

People live in this world, sometimes not just for themselves. After experiencing some things and investing some emotions, there are many people who miss you, many people who hope you are "safe." But "safe" is sometimes very difficult.

For example, Ku Jue. For example, Ku Jue's junior brother, Ku Xing.

Jiang Wang didn't actually understand Ku Xing. He only vaguely knew that such a person likely existed and died due to some incident. It was precisely his death that caused Ku Jue's relationship with the group of senior brothers from Xuankong Temple to always be very awkward.

He had never actually thought of investigating Ku Jue's past, because with the great blood rain in Tianjing City, Ku Jue's death had already concluded it in his heart. The old monk had busied himself his whole life; one could say he was free and easy quickly, or say he suffered. His entanglements with those senior brothers, he himself had already bid farewell to. So why stir things up further?

But today, the Long River Dragon Lord formally mentioned the name "Ku Xing," and used the word "dare." This was enough to explain that Ku Xing's death was not simple. Why did no one dare to speak of it? Why did the Long River Dragon Lord dare?

Then the fate of the old monk Ku Jue and himself... perhaps could also be traced back. At the final moment of that battle in Tianjing City, what the old Daoist Ban Xia said, although he didn't care and didn't need to confirm Ku Jue's initial reason for contacting him, did Ku Jue himself need an answer?

He didn't know. Master's last letter didn't tell him how to proceed.

"Ku Xing is a 'Ku' generation high monk of Xuankong Temple, the same generation as the current Abbot, Grandmaster Ku Ming. He was also the one with the highest talent among that generation. Right, he is Grandmaster Ku Jue's junior brother, the closest kind. They shared the same master." Probably afraid that Jiang Wang didn't understand Ku Xing, Ao Shu Yi, sitting in the chair, added this explanation.

The figure of the Yellow River Grand Steward, wearing armor, stood at the hall door. With his contemporary Yan Dao cultivation, he guarded this door, isolating this conversation. People could know that Jiang Wang came to the Dragon Palace, but it was absolutely impossible to know what he and the Dragon Lord discussed.

The hall inside was empty. Only Ao Shu Yi sat, and Jiang Wang stood.

Jiang Wang put down the empty teacup he had drunk from, lifted the teapot from the side, and slowly poured himself another cup. "Jiang someone was a bit rude just now, like a cow chewing on a peony, not fully elegant." He sat down very properly, separated from the Long River Dragon Lord by the wide hall. "I should sit down and properly appreciate it."

Sitting here, he suddenly thought of Jing Li. He could probably understand now why Ku Xing's death had such a significant impact on Ku Jue. The relationship between Ku Xing and Ku Jue was just like the relationship between himself and Jing Li. The last time he came to the Dragon Palace, it was precisely with Jing Li...

"Drink tea," the Long River Dragon Lord said with a faint smile. "When you're thirsty, you only drink to quench your thirst. When you're not thirsty, you can 'taste tea'."

"Then Jiang someone is indeed not in a state to taste the flavor now." Jiang Wang had originally pretended to stir the water vapor, perfunctorily performing some tea-drinking etiquette. Now he simply covered the teacup and didn't drink. "Dragon Lord Your Majesty, what is this matter of Ku Xing? Why not speak plainly?"

The Long River Dragon Lord smiled. "Jiang Zhenren, do you know that there are not many people in this world who can speak of this matter with you? Either they don't know the inside story, or they are silent as cicadas in winter, or they are fiercely loyal. Only I, who stand on no side and have no involvement, can speak clearly with you."

Jiang Wang leaned on his knee and sat. "It sounds like an extremely serious matter. However, I haven't seen it recorded in books, nor heard of it elsewhere."

Ao Shu Yi laughed. "I once heard a sentence—what books cannot record is the core truth of this world. What do you think?"

Jiang Wang said, "But there are historians like Mister Sima Heng who record history with a straight pen and reproduce the truth. There is the great historical work 'History Knife Chisels Sea'."

Ao Shu Yi said, "Then wait until you have a chance to see Sima Heng. Why not ask him—why Ku Xing died?"

"If I have a chance to pay respects to Mister Sima Heng, and if he is willing to answer me, I will of course seek verification from him," Jiang Wang said. "There are many things I want to seek verification for, not just this one that Dragon Lord Your Majesty mentioned."

Ao Shu Yi looked at him. "I was initially willing to open this mouth because you offered a gift to the Dragon Palace and I owed you a favor. But you must know, opening this mouth is not easy."

"I also have nothing embarrassing to say," Ao Shu Yi said. "Look around the world, heroes compete, and all the water races are divided. Jiang Zhenren, do you think... how can I, a Long River Dragon Lord who cannot even manage the Long River, sit stably in the Dragon Palace and endure wind and rain for hundreds of thousands of years?"

Jiang Wang said, "Naturally, because Dragon Lord Your Majesty is wise and divine, benevolent and broad-minded—"

"Because I don't fight!" Ao Shu Yi interrupted. "I don't meddle or ask questions, and I don't speak unless spoken to. Cut off your sharp claws and pull out your sharp teeth, and you can exist as a mascot. Ha, a dragon and phoenix bring good luck!"

The hall fell silent for a time. Directly facing embarrassing facts always requires some courage. For an existence of Ao Shu Yi's status, this was especially true.

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and said directly, "Jiang someone already knows the difficulty of Your Majesty opening your mouth. Why not speak plainly, what can Jiang Wang do for Your Majesty?"

Ao Shu Yi lightly stirred the tea lid and said leisurely, "I invited you to meet in the Dragon Palace; perhaps I should first tell you what I can bring to you."

Jiang Wang remained unmoved, quietly waiting for what followed.

Ao Shu Yi said, "First is Ku Xing. That year's matter was actually very secret; few knew, and mostly only had one-sided news. But the causes and effects, the twists and turns of this matter, I saw clearly, and I've thought them through over the years. Being outside, I can speak clearly with you. There is probably no one else like me in the world."

He looked at Jiang Wang. "As for your Tianren state, it's not convenient for me to act directly, but I can share some insights and experiences from when Lie Shan Ren Huang established the Long River Nine Towns."

Jiang Wang lightly sighed. "Saying it this way, it seems I have no room to refuse?"

Ao Shu Yi said, "For you, perhaps the first point is more important than the second."

The fact was also very clear. On Niu Niu Bridge, Fu Yunqin had already clearly hinted that the Long River Dragon Lord understood sealing techniques very well and could help him, but he had only said he had no time. Even when Ao Shu Yi personally invited him, he had still come to Guankou to have tea and leave. Yet after hearing the name Ku Xing, he had honestly sat down. What made his feet unable to move, named Ku Xing, was actually for Ku Jue.

Jiang Wang slowly said, "I still have to listen, what places Dragon Lord can use me."

Ao Shu Yi's tone was very casual. "Fu Yunqin received you on Niu Niu Bridge, so presumably you are not unfamiliar with that side's Luo Country?"

"I know it," Jiang Wang said.

Ao Shu Yi then said, "You also know that they did dirty things in the past?"

"If you're talking about their secret involvement in the water race slave trade... I know something," Jiang Wang said.

"Secretly?" Ao Shu Yi asked.

"I must honestly tell Dragon Lord that I personally deeply respect the ancient alliance signed between the human race and the water race. I firmly oppose the water race slave trade and will do my best to stop it within my rights... but this will not become a transaction," Jiang Wang said clearly. "Tai Xu Pavilion has no right to interfere with the current world order. Our premise of being super-detached is that we respect order."

Why did Jiang Wang not provide any substantial help in the reforms in Zhuang Country by Li Jianqiu and Du Yehu? Because he had no such right. Unless he participated in it in his personal capacity and not as a member of Tai Xu Pavilion. The only thing he could do was to prevent Du Yehu and the others from being interfered with by outside forces. The so-called "Qi Ming Three Jie" were eventually expelled precisely because the political reform failed—of course, whether they admit it or not, this was the greatest help. Not everyone has the opportunity to compete in a fair environment.

Ao Shu Yi looked into Jiang Wang's eyes.

Jiang Wang said firmly, "In the situation where Luo Country does not violate the Tai Xu Iron Rule, I will not do anything to them. Even if they violate the Tai Xu Iron Rule, action will only be taken after public discussion within Tai Xu Pavilion."

With Jiang Wang's current status and influence, the rise and fall of a country like Luo Country is only a matter of his word. But he will not truly bring about their rise or fall with a single word. The more real power he has, the more cautiously he treats it. He had a profound feeling about this early on from Yu Heng Star Lord. Guan Yan possessed the supreme divine ability He Xin Tong, yet he never used it lightly. He could most simply understand every person, yet he most clumsily used his true heart.

Ao Shu Yi 'hehehe' laughed. "I don't want you to do anything to Luo Country. In the end, what does it matter even if you crush Luo Country? That is just a nail; some people are probing my attitude."

Jiang Wang frowned.

Ao Shu Yi lowered his voice. "Initially, when Lie Shan Shi expelled Xi Hun Shi, the water race greatly split. We stood on the human race's side, reviled as traitors and running dogs. The fresh blood of my race dyed the Long River red! Because of what? Because we believed Lie Shan Ren Huang's promise, believed in his great character, believed that only he could establish permanent peace and make the current world eternally peaceful."

"But now? Peace seems to exist, but it has little to do with us. You experienced a lot in Zhuang Country; you know very well the experiences of the Qing Jiang water race. How much did they contribute to the establishment of Zhuang Country, and how were they trampled upon? Has anyone cried out for justice for them? Looking further back, this branch of the Qing Jiang water race migrated here from Shen Chi. The fate of the Shen Chi water race is not unfamiliar to anyone."

Ao Shu Yi probably hadn't said these words for a long time, and for a moment he couldn't stop. "Do you think those people don't know that treating the water race like this is wrong? But what is truly important to them? It is the possibility of the water race threatening the human race, and whether I dare to resent them. We trusted Lie Shan Ren Huang, but after Lie Shan Ren Huang self-resolved, they don't trust us. They say—'if it is not my race, its heart must be different'. When they were uniting us against Xi Hun Shi, how did they speak?"

Jiang Wang was speechless for a time. His sister Jiang An An and the Qing Jiang water race's little princess Song Qing Zhi were good friends. His brothers Du Yehu and friend Li Jianqiu were now also like-minded with the Qing Jiang's little lord Song Qing Yue, intersecting like brothers, known as the "Qi Ming Three Jie Dog Jiao Hu." They still traveled together, together seeking resources to make their ideals a reality. The water race identity was never a problem for him, but it was undeniable that... this problem had existed in the current world for a long time.

"I actually don't like drinking tea, but I need some... less dangerous hobbies," Ao Shu Yi said, pressing the teacup. "I retreat not because I am afraid. At my realm, having lived so many years, what is there still to fear? I truly hope for peace. I hope all the water races under heaven can live peacefully. I thought closing the door could avoid evil, and retreating could bring long-lasting peace. Jiang Zhenren, you represent the future of the human race. When I watched you ascend to the top at the Yellow River Assembly, tell me, was I wrong?"

"I can only represent myself. If I could represent the future of the human race, where would the human race not be in the mouth of Heaven Way?" Jiang Wang said seriously. "Dragon Lord Your Majesty, you are asking a question I cannot answer. I think, as vast as you are, you don't truly need my answer."

"Then, how should I respond to you?"

"Jiang Wang wants to tell you, Jiang Wang's attitude." He sat very straight, his attitude especially so. "I must admit, I am not of the water race. Although I have seen the plight of the water race, I cannot completely empathize. I have some fragmented thoughts, but I have almost never truly stood in the water race's position to think about problems. I always thought there was still time, and I could leave it to a more mature time. Sitting here today, I feel time is urgent, and inexplicably many things come to mind. Later, I will deeply think about this matter, and try my best—"

He said this, and also looked directly into the Dragon Lord's eyes. "However, this is still not a transaction. I will not deal with any forces or anyone because Dragon Lord Your Majesty can provide help."

He raised the teacup. "Let me just drink this cup. Thank you for Dragon Lord's hospitality. Perhaps when Jiang someone has leisure, I will come again to bother you."

He still drank it all in one gulp. This Dragon Palace treasure, this summer's new tea, he really couldn't taste any flavor. He also felt it was a waste, but his smile wasn't very embarrassed. But when he turned around, he was very firm.

The story of Master Ku Jue's father... perhaps he would explore it again after he struggled free from the Heaven Way prison cage. However, just as he walked out of the hall door, a jade slip appeared in his hand. At the moment of touching it, a lot of complex information flowed into his mind.

It was another Nine Towns Idle Talk. It meticulously recorded several conversations between Lie Shan Ren Huang and the Long River Dragon Lord, all about Lie Shan Ren Huang's insights and experiences in creating the Long River Nine Towns. In the domain of sealing techniques, this was absolutely a treasure!

Jiang Wang suddenly held the slip and turned back, but the palace door behind him had already closed. The majestic Long River Dragon Palace had disappeared from sight, leaving only the broken bridge of space and time.

At this moment, Ao Shu Yi's voice echoed in his ear—"This is also not a transaction; this is a small gift from me."

There were no jade stairs before, but he lifted his step and had already ascended the stone bridge. The Long River was vast at his feet, and looking at the human world again, it was different. Big waves surged, and a strong wind blew against his chest. As the content of the Nine Towns Idle Talk flowed through his heart, and he looked at this Niu Niu Stone Bridge again, he felt that every pattern had a new interpretation.

Compared to the mysteries related to the Nine Towns described in "Nine Towns Idle Talk," what first attracted Jiang Wang's attention was actually the Nine Towns Idle Talk itself. For a long time, Jiang Wang, and many others, thought that the Long River Dragon Lord Ao Shu Yi was nothing but Lie Shan Ren Huang's dog, a puppet supported by him, merely a tool. The Sea Race side called Ao Shu Yi "River Dog," and on the human race side, although they outwardly respected him as Dragon Lord, how could they not inwardly despise him?

But judging from the content of "Nine Towns Idle Talk," the situation did not seem to be so. This jade slip was recorded through dialogue, and from the form of the dialogue, the relationship between Lie Shan Ren Huang and the Long River Dragon Lord was relatively intimate, even... close like master and disciple.

Also, no matter how much he was belittled and scolded, no matter how low-key and tolerant he was, Ao Shu Yi was after all a great existence who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years. Where in the world was there transcendence with a broken spine? That year's vast history was definitely not something that could be glossed over with a single sentence "broken-spined river dog."

At such a moment, Jiang Wang leaned on the railing and gazed out, feeling that although the pressure of Heaven Way was near at hand, this world was so vast. Heaven and earth were boundless, and there were great things to be done. What did the small shackles on his body count for!

History was vast like the Long River, with how many shocking waves within it. Today's story of Jiang Wang, thousands of years later, would become what kind of legend?

Within the great hall of the Dragon Palace, only the Dragon Lord drank alone. The Yellow River Grand Steward Fu Yunqin stood at the back of the door and asked lightly, "The matter of Xuankong Temple's Ku Xing, you didn't tell him?"

Ao Shu Yi finely pointed to the tea, and finally said, "One day he will understand; this is also a gift."