Chapter 2410: Before the Peak, All Beings Are Equal

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"Yun Qin, have you ever thought, if you were of the Human Race and not the Water Race, your future would be far greater than this?"

"The Great Manager of the Yellow River should fundamentally not be your endpoint."

"This lonely one originally wanted to use the merit of governing the river to release your shackles. I didn't expect instead to add locks for you. This lonely one has never been truly trusted, and you have also inevitably been carefully guarded."

"Will you feel resentful?"

"Keeping you in the palace is not for restraint, not to block your prospects, but for protection. One day you will understand."

"Do not resent. The resentment of the weak is also a reason for slaughter."

"The Silver River of Heaven, the Long River of Earth. Yun Jing's ideal, Fu Zhao's river Han. You are the youngest absolute peak of the Water Race. Your standing here is a monument of virtue. These three characters, Fu Yun Qin, are the flag of the Water Race. You have the responsibility to give hope to the future Water Race."

"I hope it will not feel too heavy for you, but no matter what, you must move forward."

"Yun Qin, this lonely one is sorry to you."

"Your Majesty, why say these words?"

Yes, ah, why say these words?

Fu Yun Qin was like a piece of wind-dried meat, swaying as it hung there.

Those conversations with the Dragon Lord in the past were the last clear springs, flowing in his gradually cracking seabed—his mind was empty.

It wasn't until the Dragon Lord stirred up the waves of the long river, impacting the ancient Nine Towns, that he finally understood where that one phrase, "sorry," came from.

But how much he wanted to tell the Dragon Lord that he had no resentment!

But the Dragon Lord could never hear it again.

He was a minister of the Dragon Lord, and he also regarded the Dragon Lord as a father.

All his skills were imparted by the Dragon Lord. All his words and actions stemmed from being with the Dragon Lord.

How much he wanted to let the Dragon Lord know that he still believed. He believed in the Dragon Lord's ideal, believed that brilliant future existed, that it was not laughable—but the Dragon Lord would never be able to hear it.

But did he really still believe?

He believed that the Dragon Lord had already turned into a handful of ashes.

The ideal that the Dragon Lord had believed in for tens of thousands of years had not truly illuminated the world.

Could he really still believe?

"...It abandoned the Human Race, and also gave up the Water Race!"

The voice of the Southern Heavenly Master, Ying Jiang Hong, hammered forcefully against his eardrums.

The Heaven Drum awakened the foolish man.

Fu Yun Qin's consciousness, which had dissipated in confusion, slowly gathered back again.

But he did not open his eyes.

Of course, he did not agree with every word Ying Jiang Hong said. Of course, he had too many thoughts he wanted to speak for the Dragon Lord.

Of course, they were just thoughts.

To say them would be futile and make people laugh.

Was there still a need to explain?

Would anyone listen?

"...Sincerely, for the world's Water Race to take warning from this, to alert rebellious hearts!"

Alright.

Fu Yun Qin thought, alright.

There is nothing wrong with this world; the illness lies within the Dragon Palace itself.

Just let me, Fu Yun Qin, be the warning for the world's Water Race!

From now on, there is no need to expect anything further.

Definitely not again...believe.

Do not have unrealistic fantasies again.

The Water Race can only rely on the Water Race itself!

At this moment, he instead let go of his ear consciousness, letting go one by one to listen. That single sound of "no objection" declared to him the so-called "human world."

At this moment, he instead opened his eyes, opening them to look at this world, exactly what kind of appearance he had not clearly seen before.

Then he heard that one sound, "Wait a moment."

Then he heard that one sound... "I have an objection."

Then his pair of extremely tired eyes, full of bloodshot, in the gradually dispersing haze, pierced through countless blurry scenes and clearly saw that person—

That person stood on the viewing platform, in the last row.

That was a young person who was only twenty-nine years old but was already famous throughout the Ten Thousand Realms.

He stood there with a straight spine, a green crown on his black hair, and a sword at his waist. He calmly received all gazes, as if he had not said anything earth-shattering.

His eyebrows and eyes were of course no longer green, but that matter-of-course manner, that righteous and bold manner... Can one be bold only when righteous?

Fu Yun Qin recalled that year in a daze.

Many people knew. Before every Yellow River meeting was convened, it was he, this Great Manager of the Yellow River, and the person responsible for measuring the water level on the Jing Country's side, who calibrated the information about the Yellow River's water.

Many people did not know that whenever the Yellow River meeting was convened, he was also at the scene.

Just not in the capacity of the Great Manager of the Yellow River.

But as the only "minister" of the Long River Dragon Lord, guarding by the Six Directions Pillar.

Of course, he had to be low-key and restrain his aura, dress as an ordinary guard, holding a pole without a flag, standing there very inconspicuously. Probably everyone who passed by thought he was a stick wielder, a guard from some unknown small country.

He regarded himself as representing the Water Race, standing guard on the viewing platform.

But the Water Race had no heavenly pride ascending the platform, so naturally, they were not allowed to hang a flag.

In fact, except for Ao Shu Yi of the Water Race, they were never allowed to walk on the viewing platform. Fu Yun Qin, this Great Manager of the Yellow River, was also only in the water. What he managed was the section of the Yellow River, while the viewing platform was on the riverbank.

Ao Shu Yi himself also extremely avoided any actions that would cause the Human Race to misunderstand. He would basically only descend once during the period of the Yellow River meeting, sitting in the field surrounded by the Six Directions Pillar.

Fu Yun Qin being able to guard outside was all the result of his own repeated efforts—

At that time, he was still very young and had many, many imaginations about the future. He said that the Dragon Lord and the Human Lord sat on the viewing platform, the Human Lord's armored soldiers were like a forest, and the ceremonial guards were all prepared. How could the Dragon Lord be without etiquette, how could he be without guards? Fu Yun Qin was willing to be one.

At that time, the Dragon Lord looked at him, only shook his head and smiled wryly, but later after all, he also fought for him this opportunity to guard the viewing platform.

But until he truly stood on the viewing platform, witnessing the prosperity of the various Human Race countries for the first time up close, and seeing how the Dragon Lord sat there like a clay sculpture, he only understood the bitterness of that smile.

During his "guarding" time, every Human Race heavenly pride who participated in the World Platform competition would walk past him.

So Fu Yun Qin had seen all the Yellow River heavenly pride from the beginning of the Dao Li.

Of course, this also included Jiang Wang, who ascended the platform for the first time in the three thousand nine hundred and nineteenth year of the Dao Li.

At that time, Jiang Wang, although young yet mature, with bitter deep hatred, also truly had some childishness and shyness.

Is he still childish today?

Fu Yun Qin found it difficult to swallow a bit, and lifted his head on the execution rack.

His body was nailed to the execution rack; only his head could move.

This process of lifting his head was like a mass of flesh without a skeleton, growing bones from somewhere unknown. Within a puddle of rotten mud, there were actually branches growing upward.

It was already deep winter, and the long river had not frozen.

But the cold wind was a bone-scraping knife, each stroke against his face.

His neck was like a loach nailed dead there and desperately twisting, his face covered in blood and filth, like seaweed in a pile of rotten mud.

He exhausted all his strength to look up: "I've heard that the True Lord Jiang who patrols the Ten Thousand Realms has a sword named 'Jie Wu Kong Jing', which can allow people to recall their lifetime's past events before death, like viewing flowers from a galloping horse—then use this sword to grant me death!"

"Lord Jiang knows me, do not let me die under another's sword."

He said: "Although I reached the absolute peak in this lifetime, it was not grand. Looking back at the past, I don't know if there is anything still worth reminiscing about. Give me one sword of Jie Wu Kong, allow me to slowly recall."

From ancient times to the present, no one on the path to the absolute peak had not experienced life and death.

A strong individual standing in the forest of absolute peaks actually said that his lifetime had nothing to reminisce about.

This was truly great sorrow.

And what was more sorrowful was that in such a situation, he still tried to explain Jiang Wang's "objection," only because he felt Jiang Wang's goodwill.

Were Human Race and Water Race truly different paths?

But Jiang Wang said: "No. Manager Fu, Jiang's objection is not like that. I think today at this viewing platform, there needs to be a change, not in the identity of the executioner."

Today, the person who drew the sword to kill Fu Yun Qin, whether it was Jiang Wang or Ying Jiang Hong, what difference did it make?

To Fu Yun Qin, perhaps it made a difference.

But to Jiang Wang, it made no difference.

That meant he had not changed at all.

The great enmity had been avenged, success and fame achieved. He had still walked all the way to the present, exactly for what?

Before reaching the absolute peak, there was too much powerlessness.

Now that he had power, what did he actually want it for?

Fu Yun Qin on the execution rack opened his mouth, still wanting to speak. But Ying Jiang Hong was the first to ask: "What is True Lord Jiang's objection?"

The strongest Heavenly Master of the current world's first empire, standing on the World Platform, calmly proposed his doubt.

And Jiang Wang directly lifted his step and walked forward.

He walked from the back row towards the front row, step by step towards Ying Jiang Hong, towards this World Platform.

All eyes were focused on this World Platform, the place where he was truly known to the world—he took first place here when he was nineteen.

Once, he was a participant in the Yellow River meeting, one of the young heavenly pride in the crowd.

At that time, it was still the Western Heavenly Master, Yu Xi, who served as the judge.

Today, he also had the qualification to serve as a judge at the Yellow River meeting.

Today, standing in front of the Southern Heavenly Master, who was stronger and more authoritative than the Western Heavenly Master, he could still maintain his own voice, still achieve his own intentions. He could also raise his voice, even raise his courage!

Seeing a god, I do not worship. Seeing a lord, I am not a minister. Mountains are high, heavens are high, but none are higher than me.

I am already at the absolute peak, all beings are equal!

From the viewing platform to the World Platform, there was a long staircase. From here to there was a long road.

The seats on both sides were all empty. Jiang Wang walked alone in their midst.

All eyes fell on him. Looking at such a young strong individual, everyone's feelings were complex.

"True Lord Jiang!" Qu Jin Kui called out: "Last time you said you would come to my place for a meal, why haven't you set off?"

"The food of Huang Liang Tai is unparalleled in the world. Jiang Wang has a greedy worm in his belly, rumbling all day, just waiting to get free." Jiang Wang bowed to this senior: "Thank you for your care, senior. Junior is on his way."

Qu Jin Kui looked at him, finally not standing up.

If Zuo Xiao were here today, he could probably grab Jiang Wang's ear and just go. But Qu Jin Kui was not intimate to that extent after all.

Jiang Wang himself said he was 'on his way.' He had no reason to block someone's path.

"Official Jiang, walk slowly, be careful of the stairs." Ruan Qu kindly reminded: "Bo Wang Hou came to visit a while ago, took away several bottles of my good wine... Have you all had contact recently?"

"Thank you for your concern, Supervisor." Jiang Wang also paid him a courtesy: "That is my close friend for life. Our correspondence has never ceased. We respect and love each other; each has their own life."

Ruan Qu nodded, no longer speaking.

To say more would probably make Jing Country suspect that Jiang Wang's words were instructed by Qi Country.

The Jing Heavenly Son had already suppressed discontent internally and was now even stronger externally. The stronger the opponent, the fiercer they became. If it were just Jiang Wang alone, there would instead be a possibility of negotiation.

Just like this, amidst the greetings and gazes, Jiang Wang walked to the foot of the platform. He looked up at the Southern Heavenly Master on the high platform and walked up one step.

Now they faced each other on level ground.

"Southern Heavenly Master." Jiang Wang paid a courtesy: "Junior has offended you greatly."

"You haven't offended me yet." Ying Jiang Hong returned a Dao courtesy, then asked: "Regarding what Ying said, what objection does True Lord Jiang have?"

"My objection is not directed at the Heavenly Master," Jiang Wang said: "I just have doubts in my heart."

He looked at Ying Jiang Hong very seriously: "The Great Manager of the Yellow River, Fu Yun Qin, is in charge of the Yellow River's water affairs. From the beginning of the Dao Li until now, he has held this position. In these three thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine years, the Yellow River's water situation has repeatedly fluctuated, but there has never been a Yellow River flood. His merit in governing the water cannot be erased. Many people on both banks feel his grace, and there are many shrines built in the folk to offer incense."

He asked: "Today, publicly executing and killing Manager Fu, sending his head to the banks of the long river, will the people on both banks be convinced when they see this lord's head?"

Ying Jiang Hong was expressionless, only asking: "You mean, the reason for killing him is not sufficient?"

Jiang Wang shook his head: "Frankly speaking, Heavenly Master, I don't see any reason to kill him."

"No reason?" Ying Jiang Hong raised his eyebrows: "You also once fought in the Maze World. You should have seen the deaths of your comrades. You should know the difficulty of guarding the sea frontier. The Long River Dragon Lord betrayed the Human Race, bombarded the Middle Ancient Heaven Road, and acted as a guide for the Cang Hai. Is this reason not sufficient?"

"So the Long River Dragon Lord was suppressed to death, and the Heavenly Sons of the Six Countries drove the Human Emperor Treasure and clearly executed it according to law." Jiang Wang emphasized: "The Long River Dragon Lord is already dead."

"Your meaning is that this matter is unrelated to Fu Yun Qin?" Ying Jiang Hong asked coldly: "The Long River Dragon Lord is a rebel, and the manager of the Long River Dragon Palace is actually completely unaware and completely unrelated?"

"Dare I ask Southern Heavenly Master," Jiang Wang looked at him: "How would you, with the talent and strategy of the Heavenly Master, evaluate how Prime Minister Lu Qiu plotted and how your noble country's Heavenly Son acted?"

Ying Jiang Hong only met the young True Lord's gaze and did not speak.

Jiang Wang continued: "Your noble country's Jing Hai Plan is indeed grand, a rare and great undertaking in ancient and modern times. Jiang was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of its appearance and was deeply moved. The ambition of the Jing Heavenly Son and the foresight of the Jing Prime Minister make me look up to them like a high mountain."

He changed his tone: "However, for the Jing Hai Plan to succeed, it must first be kept secret. Penetrating the ancient and modern control of the Nine Sons, crossing the Maze World to suppress the Cang Hai, is truly a world-class surprise attack, catching the Sea Race unprepared. Only then could there be the silent extinction of the Cang Hai, and the Jing army almost settling the sea situation in one battle!"

This Jing Hai Plan, of course, also caught Qi Country unprepared, but this point was not necessary to mention now.

"Allow me to ask," Jiang Wang said on the platform: "Could the Long River Dragon Lord have foreseen the Jing Hai scheme? If It foresaw it, was it the Jing Heavenly Son who lost his secret, or the Prime Minister who lost his secret?"

Jiang Wang asked again: "If the Long River Dragon Lord had already foreseen it, and It had already decided to rebel, why must It raise the long river to shake the Nine Towns and take the execution with its own body? It could have transmitted a message to the East Sea Dragon King beforehand. With such a large Sea Race, where there are capable ones, is it difficult to crack the Jing Hai Plan even in a foreseen situation? A transcendent one transmitting a single letter, could it still be captured by someone, could someone be held responsible?"

Once in the Dragon Palace, he was silent with few words.

Today on the platform, he was yet talkative: "A transcendent one cannot be measured, cannot be fathomed, cannot be imagined. But these analyses are unrelated to the Long River Dragon Lord's cultivation, only to Its identity. They are choices that should be made under emotion and reason. And the Long River Dragon Lord received the edict as the Dragon Lord, bearing the Nine Towns and suppressing the long river for tens of thousands of years, already losing a part of Its transcendent nature and sinking into emotion and reason—does the lord think so?"

"Smack!" Gong Xi Yan made a sound below the platform, his face also showing a perfectly timed expression of sudden realization: "True Lord Jiang's insight is profound, and his analysis is very reasonable! According to True Lord Jiang's meaning... the Long River Dragon Lord was forced to rebel by some people?"