Chapter 2445: A Green Mountain Buries No Bones

The body of Qiu Tie, Jing Guo's newly appointed river official, lay on a high platform of yellow mud, mimicking the style of Guan He Tai and remotely echoing Yin Xiao Heng on Tian Ma Plateau.

The day before, Jing Guo had publicly declared Equality Country the prime culprit in Tian Jing City, vowing to eradicate Lou Yue, and now they came to receive this "gift."

This was undoubtedly a massive provocation.

Equality Country’s revenge had already begun. And it was so forceful, so intense!

Yin Xiao Heng had died two days prior; Tian Gong City had collapsed yesterday.

Jing Guo was searching the world extensively, displaying its power with extreme arrogance and impunity, and no one dared to challenge it.

But on the fifth day of the third lunar month, on the banks of the Long River, by the Yellow River, Equality Country formally declared war on Jing Guo!

The high platform of bodies erected today was the final "gift." Tomorrow, green mountains would not bury bones, nor would the Long River wash away souls; wherever a Jing Guo person was encountered, they would be killed.

This was a letter of war openly addressed to the entire world—

As subsequent retribution for the destruction of Tian Gong City, from this day forward, Equality Country intended to kill all lone Jing Guo experts outside their borders.

Whether True Persons or True Monarchs!

Li Mao, who was currently being hunted, could not and would not be saved by Equality Country. Instead, they would engage in an endless, equal bloody hunt with Jing Guo!

Every drop of fresh blood of an Equality Country member must be repaid with the lives of Jing Guo people.

Since its founding, this was the first time Equality Country had adopted such a stance.

Bloody, violent, extreme.

In the past, regardless of how others viewed them, or how the world commented, Equality Country always saw themselves as idealists.

"Thirsty to drink the gutter water, with the ambition to cleanse the world's filth" was a slogan they often proclaimed.

They could endure hardship, reside in dark channels, and associate with the darkest elements of this world to pass through the long night, but with noble aspirations.

They absolutely refused to admit, and absolutely did not want to be seen as, a purely violent organization.

Overthrowing the national system was not the objective; "everyone equal" was the ideal.

Everything that happened in between was merely the process!

They gathered for various reasons, united by a common ideal. But as "those with aspirations for equality," they also had different means to achieve that ideal.

Within Equality Country,

Even the three leaders did not know everyone.

Every new member joining the organization had to be recommended by the twelve Protectors, then examined by the three leaders before being allowed to join.

Naturally, the three leaders also had the right to directly bring people into the organization.

Each leader basically only knew those they had personally examined—among them, Zhao Wang possibly knew the most people, because he possessed a unique divine ability to change appearances, which even True Monarchs couldn't discern. Many Equality Country members who needed to conceal their original identities all went to him. Thus, Zhao Wang was indeed the busiest of the three Equality Country leaders.

For example, Wang Wei, whom Sheng Gong personally brought into the organization, was a disguise created by Zhao Wang. Sheng Gong then sent him to Feng Du Ghost Prison to make a deal with Chu Country.

Only Zhao Wang and Sheng Gong throughout the entire Equality Country knew his true identity.

This extremely secretive mechanism largely guaranteed the organization's survival; the capture of any one person would not lead to the entire organization's downfall.

The idea of "no need to know each other, no need to be familiar with one another" also meant that Equality Country's actions were not entirely unified.

Therefore, in the eyes of many people, it presented many different appearances.

Some believed Equality Country represented fairness, justice, equality, and truth, while others thought it was more cruel and evil than the most extreme cults.

Even among the three leaders, there wasn't complete agreement regarding the definition of equality or how to achieve it, let alone among the other Protectors.

For example, Zhao Wang previously planned the internal chaos in Qi Country in the East Domain, the conflict between Qi and Xia, with the Feng Xian Zhang family entering the fray. His purpose was to provoke a war between Qi and Jing, trigger great world chaos, and ultimately overthrow the national system.

For another example, the Protector Li Mao, Qian Tang Jun Bo Lu, saw the path to the ideal of equality in extremely special circumstances, based on Yin Xian Lin's "Tian Gong City."

"The world is a great commonwealth, all classes are equal," he raised this ideal banner and stepped into the sunlight for the first time, attracting like-minded individuals.

Of course, they all failed.

But regardless of the means, regardless of the method, pure killing was never included.

Killing was a means, not the purpose.

On the path to achieving the ideal, if this experience had to occur, it should only happen then.

But now, only killing remained!

The stance displayed by Equality Country seemed to be the most crazed since the organization's inception.

The most crazed times are usually also the times on the verge of perishing. But before it perishes, what kind of wounds will it inflict on the giant body of Jing Guo?

Looking across the entire history of the current world, no organization has ever dared to stand before Jing Guo like this.

It was as if the destruction of Tian Gong City was not the end of the ideal, but rather the unlocking of this beast's shackles.

That torch had been extinguished, and afterward were the endless ghosts in the long night!

"Truly... energetic, ah!"

In the Bai Yu Jing wine house on Xing Yue Plain, a middle-aged man with a strange face and a vertical scar over his left eye sat alone by the window on the ninth floor, listening to the discussions of the customers—

Since Jiang Zhen Jun built his residence here, Xing Yue Plain had ended its long-standing chaos, and security had greatly improved. Xing Yue Plain was a crucial location, and the Bai Yu Jing wine house was world-renowned. Travelers from north and south, east and west, all the world's merchants passed through here.

People from Jing Guo, Qi Guo, Mu Guo, Chu Guo, Legalists, Buddhists, Confucians, Mohists... they came and went without taboo, a mix of fish and dragons.

To say this place was the most well-informed in the world was no exaggeration.

Equality Country presented Qiu Tie's body this morning, and by the afternoon, the customers in this Bai Yu Jing wine house were already discussing it.

This kind of news was truly good to drink with.

The middle-aged man with the strange face still wore light armor, the aura of long battlefield experience impossible to conceal. At first glance, he was not easy to provoke.

He raised his bowl, drinking the wine before him in one gulp.

Still not satisfied.

The news was good, but it could be even better.

The wine was not important, but also...

The sunlight streaming in from outside the window was suddenly blocked.

An uninvited guest sat opposite him.

"Xia Hou Lie, what do you say is energetic?"

The newcomer called him by name directly, very straightforwardly.

Making the entire wine house quiet for a moment.

Looking at this person, tall and with long arms, appearing somewhat sickly thin, not as vigorous as Xia Hou Lie. But his eyes were deep and gloomy, containing a deeply suppressed, hysterical madness.

He was Kuang Ming, the commander of Jing Guo's Dang Xie Army.

Among Jing Guo's six Protectors and seven Guards, except for the three Imperial armies directly under the imperial family, all were feudal lords of a region.

Among them, the force known as the cavalry was Jing Guo's Left Guard Army.

Cavalry Grand Governor Xia Hou Lie, in terms of status, was comparable to a Zong Wang. He raised his eyes to look at the person before him, grinned, and picked up the wine jar beside him: "Of course, it's this wine, Bai Yu Jing's good wine!"

Saying this, he poured a bowl for Kuang Ming.

The wine liquid, like mountain spring, clearly filled the wine bowl.

Kuang Ming didn't drink it, nor did he even look at it: "It does look very potent!"

"Are you two guests not satisfied with this wine? Indeed, it doesn't match your identities!" The white-clothed shopkeeper, acting as a waiter today, personally brought dishes over—they smelled quite fragrant. The reputation of Bai Yu Jing wine house was growing, and the service hadn't fallen behind.

Lian Yu Chan, although already a proven Shen Lin, was still a bit timid in this situation. After all, the guests were two military commanders of overlord status. Especially Xiang Guo, who always maintained a vassal identity before Jing Guo, could be said to have no say.

The white-clothed shopkeeper was different; following the owner, he had seen all sorts of situations. This time, he still had the mood to promote: "Our shop has newly launched Dao Proving Wine! It was born from sensing the Dao rhythm of Zhen He Zhen Jun and obtained the creation of the heavenly way, with endless vital energy—"

"I didn't bring money," Xia Hou Lie interrupted him.

The white-clothed shopkeeper smiled without changing his expression: "Look what you say. For a distinguished guest like you, our shop offers account service."

"Can do." Xia Hou Lie leaned forward and nodded: "Put it on his account."

"I don't touch a drop of alcohol!" Kuang Ming said.

"Guests, please enjoy slowly!" The white-clothed shopkeeper smiled as he placed the dishes, then turned and left gracefully.

Xia Hou Lie smiled at Kuang Ming: "Probably next time I come, the white-clothed shopkeeper won't personally serve me dishes."

"You're quite tolerant of him," Kuang Ming said with implication.

The Xia Hou Grand Governor, always known for his violence, had laughed several times today.

"I am always tolerant of talents!" Xia Hou Lie laughed: "If he is willing to come to Jing Guo, the position of Cavalry Vice Governor is vacant and waiting!"

"I see why Governor Xia Hou travels the country alone," Kuang Ming said: "He originally came to recruit talents!"

"Anyway, I'm idle, just wandering casually!" Xia Hou Lie looked at Kuang Ming: "But you, the commander of the Hall's Eight Armors, not staying put in Jing Guo, also come out wandering. What if you get killed? It's so dangerous outside now!"

Jing Guo's national policy for the next few decades was set, basically no more external expansion, preparing fully for Shen Xiao.

These military leaders, who were semi-military and semi-king, were relatively free and could allocate more time to cultivation.

The Cavalry Grand Governor said: "Can Zong Palm Teach go find Zhen He Zhen Jun to take responsibility?"

"What are you saying?" Kuang Ming also smiled at this time, but his smile was colder than not smiling: "If I, the Cavalry Grand Governor, sit here eating, and something happens to me, it is definitely the Governor's responsibility."

Equality Country's advantage lay here: they were barefoot, they could always lurk, only appearing when killing. Jing Guo, as the central empire, could not forever shrink within its borders; it needed to exert influence over the myriad heavens and worlds.

Equality Country dared to declare war on Jing Guo precisely because they wanted to use unlimited bloody revenge to force Jing Guo to release Bo Lu.

To make the large family yield to the temper tantrum thrower.

But Jing Guo absolutely could not compromise at this time!

They not only wanted to suppress Equality Country even more cruelly.

Like Lou Yue, like him, Kuang Ming, they also came out repeatedly, showing their presence. To indicate that Equality Country's threat held no power whatsoever.

Of course, the premise was to be fully prepared.

"You talk about yourself, I'm just eating a meal—" Xia Hou Lie picked up his chopsticks and complained: "You say such inauspicious things."

"There are many inauspicious things!" Kuang Ming was expressionless: "Not one more or one less."

Xia Hou Lie looked at his face and sighed: "I know this Qiu Tie."

"He had already retired from the military and returned to the fields, cultivated for many years. It was because he was worried about state affairs that he came out to do some things. Because of the death of the Six Friends of Jing Tian, he only took this river official post."

"Just got killed like this, actually."

He patted the table: "Is there still justice in this world? Is there still royal law?"

Everyone in the wine house turned to look.

"Little Green Sheep" also poked a clever head out from the staircase entrance.

Xia Hou Lie waved his hand broadly: "Rest assured! No fighting! Just pure chatting!"

Chu Yao blinked, and with a harmless posture, slowly raised a fruit plate: "Sending a plate of seasonal fruits to the two distinguished guests!"

He ran over, put down the fruit plate, and ran back.

Xia Hou Lie looked back at Kuang Ming, righteously: "Brother Kuang, as long as Jing Guo says the word, Jing Guo is willing to take responsibility for you!"

"No need to trouble your country," Kuang Ming said calmly: "Since we are chatting here today, let's conveniently mention that we have traced the true identity of Equality Country's Protector Wu Si; he is a person from your Jing Guo. When the Mirror World Platform goes to arrest him, we hope your country can cooperate."

"No problem," Xia Hou Lie was very straightforward: "If he's in the Cavalry Mansion, I'll have people tie him up and send him over. If he's in another military mansion, I'll help you communicate!"

"Does Grand Governor Xia Hou not ask who that person is?" Kuang Ming looked at him.

"Since he chose to join Equality Country, he is no longer a Jing Guo person," Xia Hou Lie grinned a cruel smile: "If you don't act, we will also have to act."

"So to speak..." Kuang Ming slightly lowered his gaze: "Currently, we are still on the same path."

"At least at this time, we don't need to part ways," Xia Hou Lie ate a raspberry, staining his mouth red: "I mean—do you want me to escort you later?"

"No need," Kuang Ming said: "I enjoy danger!"

Xia Hou Lie was very considerate of him: "Equality Country is so rampant, daring to initiate reciprocal killing against the central empire. Although hateful, we also need to be vigilant. You should know what is most terrifying about this matter—it's not knowing who is Equality Country. Everyone can be Equality Country. You must be careful!"

This was indeed the most dangerous possibility.

Equality Country, now like a cornered beast, was carrying out indiscriminate revenge against all Jing Guo people. If someone fished in troubled waters among them, Equality Country would definitely also claim responsibility.

Then it would truly be a state of alarm.

Kuang Ming's eyes became dangerous: "Anyone can be Equality Country. Suppose people from Jing Guo are, people from Jing Guo can also be, I mean suppose!"

"That would be too unsightly. How could it be?" Xia Hou Lie's chopsticks never left his hand; he looked downstairs, where several dogs were fighting over food. "We are, after all, people who sit down to eat."

"I consider this an agreement." Kuang Ming achieved his purpose and didn't waste any more time. He stood up: "Then, Grand Governor Xia Hou, please enjoy your meal."

He turned and went downstairs, happening to see Lian Yu Chan, who couldn't avoid him, on the first floor.

"The daughter of Lian Jing Zhi," he looked at this delicate-faced woman: "I remember you."

Lian Yu Chan pursed her lips: "Greetings, Commander Kuang."

"I remember your wine house previously had a Lin Xian; he has returned to his country," Kuang Ming said flatly: "It's not easy for a small country to cultivate talents; he is one who doesn't forget his roots."

Lian Yu Chan was silent for a while, then still said: "I think everyone has their own aspirations."

Kuang Ming looked at her.

She actually stood firm, although with obvious tension, she did not immediately kneel.

Not far away behind the counter, Bai Yu Xia had already walked over.

That boy called Chu Yao was most interesting; his hand was actually on the sword hilt!

Kuang Ming pondered slightly, and finally only smiled: "Convey my regards to Jiang Zhen Jun."

And then stepped into the daylight outside the door, leaving directly.

A figure wrapped in a black robe, bringing the residual heat of the fierce sun from outside, squeezed into the room.

This was a wine house on Hai Men Island, also doing business as an inn.

"Spring isn't over yet, and it's already this hot. Looks like it will be a difficult summer!" Chu Jiang Wang walked in and complained.

"The sea is a bit hotter. The collapse of the Middle Ancient Heaven Road probably also has some influence," Yin Guan sat in the center of the already built altar, looked towards Chu Jiang Wang, and smiled: "The action is about to begin, why did you come over?"

"The situation has changed," Chu Jiang Wang said: "The plan needs a little adjustment."

She handed over a handbook: "I've written a booklet, take a look."

Yin Guan took the booklet, scanned it roughly, then lifted his eyes: "Using the lives of all colleagues to exchange for my safety, isn't that a bit cruel?"

Chu Jiang Wang calmly said: "Just a slight adjustment; I won't let them detect any abnormality."

"Of course I believe in your ability," Yin Guan said: "And I believe that with your planning skills, even if they detect it later, it will be too late to resist."

He smiled slightly: "But—it's not approved."

"Why?" Chu Jiang Wang didn't understand: "This action is more dangerous than you imagine. You don't know what kind of resolve Jing Guo has made! Are the lives of these people important to you?"

Qin Guang Wang laughed: "If I say important, those killed by my own hand will definitely disagree. Those abandoned by me will come to find me even as ghosts."

Chu Jiang Wang quietly looked at him, waiting for his answer.

He instead asked: "Do you know why Hell No Door is so cruel, the missions are very dangerous, and I, as the leader, am still heartless and will abandon them at any time—yet it is still growing bigger?"

He answered himself: "Because I never draw empty promises. What should be given will definitely be given. I let them risk their lives, and I give them the price for risking their lives."

"Also because in all dangerous missions, I always stand in the most dangerous place and bear the most dangerous part."

"I can survive and become stronger step by step. They only feel that they also have hope."

The leader of Hell No Door sat there, and he smiled in the bright room, actually possessing a bit of pure goodness, which even the gloomy altar below could not obscure: "If it were done like you, Hell No Door would not exist."

"Does it matter whether Hell No Door exists or not?" Chu Jiang Wang still couldn't understand: "Your existence is enough. Later there can be Hell One Door, Hell Two Door, Hell Three Door."

Yin Guan didn't speak for a moment.

He sat there, looked around the room, and smiled: "These years of wandering everywhere, living in inns for a long time, sometimes I'm in a daze, and it actually feels like home."

Thanks to the book friend "Many Joys Long Auspicious" for becoming the alliance leader of this book!

This is for the 815th alliance leader of Red Heart Patrolling Heaven!

Thanks to the book friend "Spring Wind Full Sleeves" for becoming the alliance leader of this book!

This is for the 816th alliance leader of Red Heart Patrolling Heaven!