Chapter 2356: Trouble Arises Due to Resentment

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"Jing country's Wang Kun killed Qi country's Li Longchuan."

Qi Wen didn't need to speak loudly, because his words were already a thunderclap.

Rumbling thunder!

Were these warships traversing the sky, or heavenly thunder rolling? The spectators on Tianya Platform could no longer distinguish.

Too many unexpected events had occurred today.

For the vast majority of ordinary islanders, even cultivators, the changing of the guard at the city gates was like the setting sun at dusk, even the decline of heaven and earth… all they could do was accept; they could not control.

Rumble!

The black night directly cracked open.

Cao Ji's aura soared into the sky!

This Great Qi Duke-Marquis, this commander with the perpetually bitter face, who in most situations was gentle and slow, at this moment fully displayed fierce intent, possessing a momentum that could overturn heaven.

Just a change in his eyes told you he was completely prepared for a frontal conflict with Jing country and had the determination to fight Song Huai to the death.

From the direction of the Xia Shi army camp, a killing cloud rose simultaneously, like a giant umbrella spreading open in the sky over Huai Island.

This was the sharp edge of the Great Qi's Nine Generals, none of whom were originally from Qi country, and thus were naturally isolated from the "wind and rain."

Far away on Jueming Island, the roar of soldiers killing also shook the sky. The fleet led by Qi Wen raised their weapons high like a forest. The Tian Fu army, already close to the sea, was fully responding to their commander's rage!

Everything had an explanation.

Why Tian Anping came with hatred, why he wanted to accuse Lou Yue.

Wang Kun was under Lou Yue's command, representing Jing country in going to sea, a link in the Nine Sons Suppressing the Sea plan, and an important starting point for Jing country in the nearby sea archipelago, controlling the You Guo Holy Turtle and flaunting the Sea Market.

Lou Yue had a share in all of Wang Kun's actions; Jing country could not shirk responsibility!

Not only Tian Anping wanted to accuse?

Cao Ji himself wanted to draw his sword and hold Lou Yue accountable.

At this moment, he could not possibly question the Qi Wen who led the army here. Qi Wen, as the commander of the Xia Shi, would also absolutely not lie in this situation regarding this matter.

In front of Ji City, surrounded by iron chains like an evil beast, Lou Yue, who was just about to pounce after blasting Tian Anping into it with one punch, actually stopped dead in his tracks before the city gate.

The shift from sudden pounce to sudden stop was too abrupt, the power conflict too intense. The ground beneath his feet couldn't bear it and was stamped into a cluster of dimly swirling black holes!

That long robe, which seemed to cover mountains and rivers, billowed and fell.

Like dust and fog covering the sun, it made him resemble an extinguished volcano.

He turned back at the city gate.

This matter was too significant—if the Jing Sea plan had succeeded, even a matter of this extremely vicious nature would have had much room for quibbling. How did Wang Kun kill Li Longchuan? Was it excessive self-defense, a mistake in battle, or fundamentally a misunderstanding!

With the merit of resolving eternal sea troubles, with the vast sea as their base, and holding the nearby sea in their arms, Jing country could stand quite tall here.

But now that the Jing Sea plan had failed...

Now that Que had died, the hundred thousand Dou E army had lost more than half their strength, with the remainder trapped in the maze realm, with no hope of return. Although True Monarch Ling Chen forcibly destroyed the world, exhausting the dust thunder to barely escape from the vast sea, how much real strength did he have left?

Even exhausting the full power of Penglai could not suppress the arrogance of the Qi people, let alone bear their anger!

If they didn't respond well, they would have to retreat back to Shen Continent today.

All the investment made in coming to the East Sea would truly be for naught, everything paid would flow eastward.

Penglai Island and the Emperor's party, including himself and Prime Minister Lüqiu, who pushed this matter, would certainly have to give some explanation to the other factions. Even the Emperor would have to make concessions in some key areas!

Compared to this, killing or not killing Tian Anping seemed not so important.

Of course, he absolutely could not kill him now.

If Qi Wen's words were true, Wang Kun killed Li Longchuan, and he then killed the Tian Anping who came to hold him accountable...

That would be forcing Jiang Shu to put on his armor!

Li Longchuan was still just a direct descendant of the Shi Men Li Clan, the main general of the Nine Generals Chasing the Wind, but Tian Anping was already a commander of the Nine Generals, a high-level figure in Qi country holding great power.

At this moment, Lou Yue felt the matter had become unprecedentedly tricky.

And Song Huai took a deep breath, looking at the enraged Xia Shi commander on the Lou Ship, and only asked: "Where is Wang Kun? Where is he?"

The situation was unclear; saying anything now would be passive.

For now, the only plan was to first find Wang Kun, understand the full picture of the matter, and then make the next decision.

This was indeed the key problem.

Qi Wen, standing on the Lou Ship, looked towards Ji City, which was surrounded by iron chains.

Splash, splash.

Tian Anping, still hanging by broken chains, half-bent his body, like an injured lone wolf, and stumbled out.

His chest was completely caved in, almost punched through by Lou Yue, but after all, it wasn't—although his front chest was practically touching his back, he was thinner than a single palm's width.

His long hair was completely disheveled and twisted with blood into many strands, hanging over his forehead, making him appear to be hiding his eyes, sinisterly concealed within a dark forest.

Those ordinarily shaped eyes also became dangerous at this moment.

He stared at Lou Yue, like a bloodthirsty wild beast staring at tonight's dinner. Using his mouth, which was already difficult to speak with, he slowly said: "I already slaughtered him."

His voice was unpleasant but calm, as calm as saying he had just slaughtered a chicken before going out.

"How dare a Jing country person kill a Qi person in the East Sea? I cannot let him live another breath."

This sentence was already his rare explanation.

Then he continued: "You are no exception either. I came to accuse you. Now, I have arrived."

He seemed to be somewhat deranged from the beating. As he spoke, not only did his voice become more and more vague, but even his word order was chaotic, yet the meaning was still very clear.

"You killed Wang Kun? You, the prodigy of my Jing country, did not investigate and punish, did not question and execute?" Lou Yue keenly extracted the key point, his eyes instantly becoming extremely sharp: "I see clearly—you came here today to seek death!"

During the period of heaven and earth's decline, the four seasons were reversed, heavenly mechanisms were confused, and all perception of the Dao was restricted, let alone that he had not yet taken that step.

He indeed could not contact Wang Kun, nor could he obtain intelligence from the Ghost Face Fish Sea Domain at the first moment.

At this moment, he was completely unaware of what exactly had happened between Wang Kun and Li Longchuan in the Ghost Face Fish Sea Domain.

But no matter what, this matter was absolutely not his fault—he immediately deflected the blame.

Whether Wang Kun actually killed Li Longchuan or not, this matter could be discussed later. The fact was that you Qi people killed Wang Kun, and the fact was that Tian Anping came knocking... You Qi country was simply not following proper procedure. How dare you not investigate and punish, treating a central empire so lightly!?

Rumbling thunder!

Giant ships rumbled in the night sky. Under the effect of the law formation, the winches of the war giant crossbows were pulled to their limit.

"How dare Jing country people provoke in the East Sea, kill my Duke-Marquis' direct descendant, and still want us Qi people to have their crime reviewed by you Jing country?"

Qi Wen, the commander of the Xia Shi, stood on the deck of the warship named "Disaster," and angrily rebuked: "Wake up from your central empire dream! Today is already the three thousand nine hundred and nineteen year of the Dao Calendar. The era is not like the past; you have all actually become old and decrepit. This is also the East Sea! The sea of the Eastern Country!"

"East Sea is the sea of the Eastern Country. This is not the first time I have heard these words. But appearing in the mouth of a high-level figure in Qi country, this is indeed the first time. The heroes of past generations who filled the sea borders have actually all become the ghosts of your Qi country!" Lou Yue looked at Qi Wen: "Youth is indeed good; there is no need to care about the past, arbitrarily fabricating history, fresh and thin, lacking shame and fresh shame. Commander Qi is indeed the new commander of the Xia Shi, younger than the previous one, and also more spirited. Truly, one generation of new people surpasses the old!"

Qi Wen was naturally not as good as Qi Xiao, otherwise he wouldn't have been suppressed for so many years.

The world knew this, and he himself was also clear.

Since taking back the position of Xia Shi commander, he had worked hard, not daring to slack off for a single day, always holding his breath to prove himself.

Not only did he greatly expand construction and consolidate the defenses of Jueming Island, diligently train the army formations and improve the army's fighting strength, but he also seized every opportunity to expand Qi country's influence overseas.

Over the past few years, the nearby sea had been calm, and the various islands had all submitted. Who could say this was not due to Qi Wen's contributions?

Including today, the death of Li Longchuan, although a huge loss for Qi country, was another one of Jing country people's accumulated crimes. Their arrogant and rampant behavior was infuriating! But setting aside those emotional things, this was also an excellent opportunity to clear out Jing country's maritime influence!

That year, on the battlefield before Wu An Hou, a moment of weakness allowed Chen Zhi Bo and Zhu Bi Qiong to escape, continuing the foundation of the Fishing Sea Tower. Jing country then took the opportunity to interfere in the nearby sea, and had long shown a tendency to rely on it. This time, the sudden appearance of the Jing Sea plan further highlighted Jing country's ambition to swallow the sea.

If the East Sea existed, Qi country, which was still developing at high speed, would double its war potential. If the East Sea was lost, Qi country would not only be weakened in potential but would also need to constantly guard against the waves of the sea. After a long coastline, it would simply be a huge wound with the blood of the Qi people flowing nonstop!

Previously, Jing country used the Xia land as a knife, placed on the southwest of Qi country. After much difficulty, Qi country seized the opportunity and used a great war to break it. How could they let go today in the East Sea and let Jing country hold the knife against their waist personally?

As a commander of the Great Qi Nine Generals, I must plan for Qi country and share the worries of the Emperor.

Lou Yue's words comparing the new and previous commanders of the Xia Shi were to contrast him, Qi Wen, with Qi Xiao, using Qi Xiao to humiliate him.

But this kind of humiliation, in the past, where had it stopped for a single day?

He could not truly catch up to Qi Xiao for a single day. This position of Xia Shi commander, listed in the Military Affairs Hall, which he secretly occupied because something happened to Qi Xiao, was itself a moment-by-moment humiliation to him! It told him—you are just a little thief picking up scraps behind your sister, and you fundamentally do not deserve this position!

"I, Qi, am not strong, but strong for the country. The East Sea is boundless; hatred stirs up waves!" Qi Wen raised his hand and grasped, already gathering the Geng Metal qi of Huai Island, grasping his pure gold tiger-headed spear, holding his head high, his eyes stern: "Compared to you True Master Lou, I, Qi, am indeed considered young. But in Qi country, compared to those excellent juniors, I, Qi, am already considered old and declining! Li Longchuan was in the prime of his life, with superb military strategy. His future achievements would surely far surpass mine, yet he died at the hands of petty Jing country people—"

This Xia Shi commander held the great spear horizontally in front of him: "Is this hatred not to be avenged?!"

Behind him, the soldiers of the entire fleet raised their weapons.

Killing intent soared, undulating like a dragon!

The conflict between Li Longchuan and Wang Kun was not without reason, not fabricated out of thin air, but had traces to follow, witnessed by many people.

Wang Kun's execution of the Nine Sons Suppressing the Sea plan, controlling the You Guo Holy Turtle to go to sea, and flaunting it all the way, served as a flag on the surface of this action, attracting the attention of the Qi people.

On Haimen Island, they had already confronted Li Longchuan!

Both sides were already at swords drawn and bows bent at that time, almost fighting—at that moment, there was already the intense scene of Li Longchuan pointing his flag and wanting to fight to the death. It was Wang Kun who, prioritizing the Jing Sea plan, endured for a while.

Li Longchuan represented Qi country in strictly guarding against Wang Kun's group. Even upon receiving an emergency order to adjust the defense area of the Fishing Sea Tower to target them, he adjusted the Jing country people to the desolate Ghost Face Fish Sea Domain and entered it alone, following them all the way.

Many people at the scene at that time could testify to this, and there were even Qi country cultivators on site who had reported it to the Town Sea Alliance early on. That side of the Town Sea Alliance might even have written records.

After arriving at the Ghost Face Fish Sea Domain, the two groups truly fought a great battle!

Li Longchuan's arrow once pointed at Wang Kun, and it indeed fell on the body of that giant turtle.

The power of Ba Xia, one of the Dragon Emperor's Nine Sons, once ground against Li Longchuan's God Arriving Golden Body.

All the wounds on Li Longchuan's corpse were left by Wang Kun.

Li Longchuan's head was chopped off by Wang Kun's waist knife.

All of this was true, without any falsity, not a single word was fake.

How could Jing country shirk its responsibility?

The human race has an overall situation.

We had to endure before Shenxiao.

Not conquering Ba country is a consensus...

But...

But!

Li Longchuan is dead!

The direct descendant of the Great Qi Empire's Crushing City Hou, the noble young master of the Shi Men Li Clan, Li Longchuan... he is dead!

Dead at the hands of arrogant Jing country people!

This is not a contradiction that can be overlooked, not a matter that can be turned around.

Jing country must either provide a sufficiently substantial explanation, or wait for war!

Tian Anping directly killed Wang Kun and came to Lou Yue to demand accountability. The armies on Tian Clan's two islands also rode boats and floated on the sea.

Qi Wen personally led the Tian Fu army to surround Tianya Platform—

This was the statement of the Great Qi Empire's two Nine Generals commanders.

As members of Qi country's Military Affairs Hall, undoubtedly playing a high-level role, at this moment, in this sea domain, they could completely represent the will of Qi country.

If Cao Ji didn't speak, then this was Qi country's attitude.

And Song Huai was very clear that Cao Ji's silence at this moment was more about maintaining the state of affairs, as the highest responsible person for Qi country in the East Sea, temporarily not completely breaking ties, intending to leave some room. And it was absolutely not because he didn't acknowledge Qi Wen and Tian Anping.

Cao Ji would absolutely not speak against them at this time.

This silence was almost equal to acquiescence.

"Duke Hou, the matter happened suddenly, could you please allow some time..." Song Huai actively lowered his stance: "This matter—"

Thump, thump, thump!

On Tianya Platform, a strong man, wearing Qi armor, suddenly ascended the platform with big strides. He raised the Central Heaven Purple Micro Flag high, and brush—a piece of purple unfurled in the welcoming wind!

Purple qi filled the sky, converging to a single point, as if embedded in the center of the night sky.

Then came Deqiao Island, Haimen Island, Wu Winter Island, Ice Phoenix Island, Ba Angle Island... one after another, purple flags rose.

Threads of purple qi all went towards the high sky, that faint point becoming brighter and brighter.

For a time, purple qi rolled, and the night curtain was also like a flag surface, the Purple Micro Star thus hanging high in the sky!

Ye Hen Shui, the leader of the Town Sea Alliance, who had already left the Great Qi Political Affairs Hall, had silently completed his preparations, overwhelmingly displaying the results of his and Qi Wen's governance of the sea over the years.

One order and ten thousand responded; the various islands in the nearby sea all flew purple flags!

Song Huai paused and swallowed back the sentence, "We will definitely investigate clearly and give Qi country an explanation."

He understood that Qi country didn't need Jing country to give an explanation; Qi country would get what it wanted itself.

Just as that year Qi country could fulfill the Fishing Dragon Guest's wishes and not interfere with Xuanyuan Shuo's transcendent path. Once Xuanyuan Shuo died, the Qi people could immediately invade and swallow the Fishing Sea Tower without pressure.

It was the same today. Qi country could keep an eye on the overall situation of the sea border and make way for Jing country to go to Jing Sea, but if Jing country's Jing Sea failed, they could not blame the Qi people for driving the Jing country people back into the sea.

The matter of Li Longchuan was not the fundamental cause of today's situation, but it was indeed a good reason to drive them away again.

"Heh!" Song Huai's expression was extremely serious: "It seems Duke Hou intends to keep this old man as well."

"Of course, the East Heavenly Master can leave," Cao Ji said slowly, "But on this matter of Li Longchuan, Jing country must provide an explanation."

He made a virtual fist, already holding the momentum of soldiers in his palm, and added: "An explanation of sufficient weight."

Wang Kun was of course not enough weight.

Killing Wang Kun was also not enough to offset Li Longchuan's life.

Then what was enough? Who counted as enough?

At this time, Lou Yue laughed. He didn't say anything, because the person representing Jing country and engaging in dialogue with Cao Ji at this moment was Song Huai. He simply untied the robe that led the Tiger Howl Mountains and Rivers and loosened his five fingers—

The long robe unfolded lightly, like a net, or more like a kite with a broken string.

Boom!!!

A robe that could easily be rolled up by the wind, when it fell a moment later, was actually like a mountain! It boomed, breaking the distance between heaven and sea. In the endless expanse of the vast sea at a glance, it smashed up hundreds of zhang of mad waves and shocking swells!

Lou Yue, suspended in the air for a moment, gave people a feeling of being so light, not restoring his usual majestic heaviness. But it seemed as if at that moment, he had truly liberated his power!

It seemed to be in response to what Cao Ji said... "Weight."

This was the weight.

He was already prepared to accept everything.

Of course, this world also had to accept everything Lou Yue.

But this time Song Huai looked at Cao Ji and said, pausing between each word: "Jing country will not give up any Jing country person."