Chapter 2651: Tiptoe on the Blade

"I truly didn't think that you would actually dare to come see me."

His voice was like particles of spring frost, as if it had also fallen upon this eternally unchanging snow.

Fu Huan showed a surprised expression for the first time. He stood with his back to the high cliff, the bright moon, and the howling heavenly wind, holding everything in his hands behind his back.

Several days prior, Jiang An'an had come to this mountain peak under the name "Ye Xiao Yun."

She had shouted a few times from this spot, "Begging for an audience!" and "Greetings, Fu Zhen Jun!" Receiving no response, she had excitedly admired the scenery for a while, stored some polar frozen snow said to be very useful, and then left contentedly.

"Just thinking about Fu Zhen Jun, someone like that, who knows how busy he must be. It's impossible for him to stand here every day, not like a doorman. The snow here is too heavy, like ice. I've seen very light snow, like clouds," she had finally summarized.

This was undoubtedly a kind of probe.

But the Mei Yue girl, who had always called her very pleasant during their time together, had only smiled. "I actually don't like snow."

To be able to leave footprints on the snow here was undoubtedly considered conquering the eternal Sacred Winter.

For the novice Jiang Xiao Xia, the novel and more dangerous journey through the polar Tian Que had come to an end. Of course, she had encountered some strange snow monsters and also seen some adventurers and opportunity-seeking cultivators, but they were all chance encounters in the martial world, just brushing past.

And she had also reluctantly parted ways with the newly acquainted Mei Yue girl, agreeing to meet again if fate allowed.

Xie Ai had trod on the snow as if it were a boat, silently seeing them off.

To be honest, the moment he decided to halt the plan, Fu Huan had already wiped the name Mei Yue from his mind. Perhaps he had also fleetingly thought about various possible endings for Mei Yue. But he had indeed not thought of this one... that this woman would actually return to the Eternal Sacred Winter and walk before him again.

This feeling was very novel, just like the thousands of years of unchanging wind and snow tracks in the Eternal Sacred Winter being disturbed by an insignificant gust of wind.

To say how much change there was, it wasn't that significant. But it was indeed different from his expectation.

"Xie Ai is very powerful, but not cunning enough, and even less malicious." Mei Yue stood in the cold night's white snow, like a drifting, uncertain ghost, but her voice was very substantial. "She is unable to stop a bad woman like me."

Fu Huan had asked her how she dared to ascend the mountain, yet she had answered how she had ascended the mountain.

So ascending the mountain was of course not a momentary impulse and courage.

But a calculated move, prepared early, like walking barefoot on a knife's edge.

The knife's edge was a gorge, and at the two ends of the long gorge were Luo Sha Ming Yue Jing and Hong Jun Yan.

Exactly what kind of exquisite dance was required to be so audacious, to perform this song at night?

Fu Huan quietly examined this woman, silent for a moment.

Mei Yue treaded forward on the snow, actually possessing an elegance like a frost-covered crabapple blossom at night. "My meaning is, if your gaze has already left Jing Country, then in the matter of dismembering Yong Country, perhaps I can better execute your will."

*Crack, crack, crack—*

The eternally standing snow mountain seemed to echo the sound of ice cracking from tens of thousands of years ago.

True danger descended at this time!

Frost qi spread in all directions, fixing the wind, fixing the clouds, fixing the snow. It was as if even the curved moon at the edge of the sky was frozen.

"Meng Ling Xiao already said you are a smart woman, but he obviously underestimated your smartness." Fu Huan slowly opened his mouth. "Besides being smart, you are also very dangerous."

Li Country plotted against Jing, and Jing Country also plotted against Li. This was something everyone understood tacitly.

Condemnation based on morality only existed when one still had a breath. If even the tomb was overturned, then only condemnation remained.

Condemnation could not kill people, unless the losing side were all Yin Guan.

Li Country's preparations for advancing east could not be said to be insufficient. Originally, the plan was to use the small to lure the large, utilizing the development of Three Points Fragrance Tower in Jing Country to first create small-scale conflicts... Jealousy and rivalry were good, contention for interests was also fine. The intensity was to be controlled at the level of the Frost Union Bishop Liu Yan Zhao.

Then, the contradictions would be intensified step by step until a meeting between the two emperors was triggered—

Jing Country had already made full preparations for the war against Shen Xiao and would not easily change its national policy. Li Country would also show an unwillingness to contend but would have to display consideration for toughness.

Then, to stabilize the situation as quickly as possible, a highest-level exchange between them was absolutely necessary.

In this kind of scene involving a meeting of two emperors, both sides would make full safety preparations.

And as the strongest in the world, the Jing Emperor's biggest safety preparation was forever himself.

Forces hidden within Jing Country who wished to split the land would strike at the key moment, sealing Ji Du City with the help of Three Points Fragrance Tower and cutting off the support of national momentum.

Facing the Jing Country Emperor Tang Xian Qi, who had just experienced the demon-slaying war and the clash of the Seven Hates, once stripped of national momentum, Hong Jun Yan was confident in revealing his hand and taking him down one-on-one.

Putting aside national momentum, he was confident in facing any emperor in the world!

The entire plan looked quite simple, but true schemers knew that the more complex a plan, the harder it was to realize.

And in this seemingly simple plan, to ensure the realization of the key steps, Li Country's investment could not be said to be small.

Especially the step of "cutting off national momentum support," without sufficiently meticulous preparation, don't even think about it.

Precisely because two people executing the early plan had a chance encounter with Jiang An'an in the teahouse, Fu Huan had immediately called off the plan!

This was respect for Jiang Wang, and even more so, respect for Jing Country.

With a national system prosperous to this extent, and countries killing each other for four thousand years, those who always treated others as fools had long been swept into the dust of history.

In this matter of a snake swallowing an elephant conspiracy, as long as there was the slightest possibility of being alerted, Li Country could not take the risk.

But Li Country still had to advance.

"Mighty pass locks the moon, sorrowing the golden crow," Hong Jun Yan had written this poem that year, describing a majestic scene and expressing regret!

Li Country should be the rising sun across the sky, how could it always curl up as a caged bird?

Advancing east was not possible, so only southward was left. Jing Country was temporarily not to be touched, Yong Country was the target.

But merely dealing with Yong Country did not require Three Points Fragrance Tower.

Mei Yue being able to think of Li Country's next target was nothing remarkable. But combining this woman's behavior before and after, she was clearly influencing Li Country's target, using actual actions to affect Li Country's strategy!

This was simply... seeking death.

But because this seeking death was too thorough, Fu Huan instead did not immediately crush her.

Because he immediately thought that Mei Yue was originally going to die, it was just that it wasn't necessarily through his hand...

"Even if I am dangerous, pressing me to death is still just a matter of your finger." In the suddenly sharp cold wind, Mei Yue stood still quietly. "Then such a me, to you, is still considered dangerous?"

"Admirable gallantry!" Fu Huan's tone seemed to hold a touch of appreciation.

Mei Yue only said, "When encountering on a narrow road, some people are full of gall, some people have no way to go. They are not equally strong, yet they can show similar bravery."

"Each has their expertise, and hearts are different. You might be able to do better than Xie Ai. But I haven't seen the reason why I must use you..." Fu Huan smiled. "Furthermore, should I also cultivate Xie Zhen Ren? As you said, she is not cunning enough, not malicious enough."

"Fu Zhen Jun, I know you do not regard Yong Country as an opponent. Not because its ruler is not wise, its ministers not loyal, or its generals not brave, but due to strength." Mei Yue spoke gracefully. "And Yong Country's biggest reliance is nothing but the Mo family. The Mo family is also cooperating with you now. It's like a pig that has already been skinned clean, waiting for you to settle for second best and enjoy."

Her beautiful eyes flowed with an indescribable luster, walking on the edge of life and death, like a flower blooming on a dangerous cliff. "But who the Mo family supports more, you don't seem to think this is a problem?"

Fu Huan's eyebrows slightly raised. "Willing to hear details."

Mei Yue, feeling the cool night color, calmly said, "Li Country is indeed a more powerful partner and can bring more considerable benefits, but the Mo family is not purely businessmen now—I am not discussing their essence, but rather their surging thoughts at present, which determine their style of action. Unfortunately, Yong Country is closer to the Mo family's current thoughts, closer to the Mo family's ideal appearance."

"After denying Qian Mo, they even have moral demands. Many people don't know how to save the Mo family, but are thinking about perhaps being a morally upright person... thereby saving themselves."

"Lv Mao Guan's control over the Mo family is far less than the previous giant Qian Jin Hua. This has nothing to do with their personal abilities, but is related to their styles of action. Truly important matters involving the direction of the Mo family are now all decided through the 'Shang Tong' meeting."

"There are eleven attendees at the Mo family's internal 'Shang Tong' meeting. How many votes do you think Li Country can get?"

"Seven votes? Or six votes? With Li Country's efforts in recent years, it should have at least five votes, right? You certainly think so."

Mei Yue gently shook her head. "No, not even one vote. Even Luan Gong, who cooperates most deeply with Li Country, will vote for Yong Country. They do business with Li Country, but operate ideals with Yong Country."

"The Mo family is now wealthy only in money, poor only in ideals."

"There's no need to doubt Three Points Fragrance Tower's intelligence capabilities."

"You also have time to verify."

She bowed slightly in courtesy. "This piece of intelligence is free, just to show sincerity. I hope you can forgive this little woman's impoliteness."

Fu Huan did not doubt the accuracy of this intelligence. Mei Yue had walked before him tonight not just to seek death. This was a very vital woman, a flower that could bloom in rock crevices, able to grasp all possibilities of survival.

He could see that kind of tenacity, hence he only smiled. "It seems that in the entire Mo family, the only person I was wary of died, which indeed made me feel contempt for the Mo family. People who belittle the world also belittle themselves. Mei Yue girl is helping me check and fill the gaps."

"You want to know why?" Mei Yue asked.

Fu Huan laughed. "No harm in saying and seeing."

"Because in the eyes of these 'Mo Xian', Li Country represents the past, and Yong Country represents the future." Mei Yue was like an outsider reader, flipping through the entire history of the Mo family, speaking cold judgments. "Perhaps Yue Xiao Xu, perhaps Rao Xian Sun... or perhaps 'Mo'! In the roots of the giant city flows blood focused on the future. They are never stingy about sacrificing the present to win the future."

Why did she understand the Mo family so well?

She described the distance between hearts as if peeling open human skin.

This woman...

Fu Huan smiled slightly. "In the era of various saints, wise ones who did not derive Dao could not be called such. Now, some true persons can also be called 'Xian'. Each family is progressing, only the Mo family talks about revering antiquity and turning back to history."

He also did not argue about what was past or future, or what future the Mo family understood. Did the snow plain understand Li Country? After enduring the long night, Li Country was precisely born for the future.

He just smiled. "Then, how does Mei Yue girl plan to charge for this intelligence? I'm very much looking forward to it now."

Mei Yue changed to a serious expression. "The Mo family's derive Dao level puppet has already been created... Rao Xian Sun pushed the 'Enlighten God Plan' that year, and it might succeed soon."

Fu Huan finally could not remain composed!

The matter involved a derive Dao level puppet, which was absolutely the highest secret of the giant city!

How did Three Points Fragrance Tower know?

Were there people from Three Points Fragrance Tower in the Mo family's most core 'Shang Tong meeting'? This was too inconceivable.

To be able to probe such intelligence, the strength of Three Points Fragrance Tower needed to be re-examined.

And to be able to trade such intelligence, Mei Yue's position in Three Points Fragrance Tower also needed to be re-weighed.

After these, only then was the shock of the "Enlighten God Plan" brought to him.

The mark of the "Enlighten God Plan" success was the mass production of derive Dao level puppets!

If the Mo family could do this, it would be the absolute first of the prominent schools, not just the prominent schools! They could sweep across various worlds, and how could it only change the war between Li and Yong?

Could it just change like this?

His heart sea surged, the shocking waves suddenly stopping in an instant.

Fu Huan was shocked but not chaotic. Looking at Mei Yue, he still did not lose confidence. "This derive Dao level puppet is refined with Qian Jin Hua as the core, right? This is considered a huge breakthrough for the 'Enlighten God Plan', but the distance to success is still as far as an ordinary person to transcendence."

He instantly thought everything through. The current derive Dao level puppet, even if successful, was just deriving Dao for the sake of deriving Dao. It was exchanging a terrifyingly powerful derive Dao expert for an existence that must be weaker at the derive Dao level. At least in the short term, there was no qualitative enhancement to the Mo family's strength.

Mei Yue's eyes were full of admiration. "Fu Zhen Jun's eyes are sharp as a torch!"

"If my eyes were truly sharp, I wouldn't have almost missed Mei Yue girl's extraordinary nature!" Fu Huan slightly raised his head and asked with a smile, "Does Mei Yue girl plan to charge for this intelligence, representing Three Points Fragrance Tower, or representing yourself?"

Mei Yue smiled faintly. "If I represented Three Points Fragrance Tower, I should have already gone to Jing Country by now. Perhaps to die under the Killing God Spear, or to be saved by the Yellow Faced Buddha."

This was truly a cruel joke.

Very suitable for this icy and snowy scene.

"Please sit." Fu Huan extended his hand to invite her, finally acknowledging that this mere true person had the qualification to talk with him.

A table was placed horizontally at the edge of the cliff, but there was no wine tonight.

The bright moon illuminated the snow, the boundless loneliness. The woman sitting before him, however, seemed very distant.

"The last time someone sat in your position was Jiang Wang." Fu Huan said with interest.

"Oh." Mei Yue's expression did not change. "That is this little woman's honor."

"I still thought you were very familiar with them!" Fu Huan gazed at her.

"If he was willing, that would truly be better." Mei Yue smiled charmingly. "The path of the martial world is dangerous, and I am already tired of drifting."

"Let's discuss matters one by one." Fu Huan gave up probing. Whatever relationship these men and women had, it ultimately had nothing to do with Li Country. He said, "Since I have already listened to this intelligence, I should give remuneration. Tell me! How do you plan to charge?"

"Fu Zhen Jun truly values faith and righteousness, keeps his promises, and has guarded the snow mountain for three thousand years. It is only with you that I dare to speak of the intelligence first and then ask for a reward." Mei Yue slightly flattered him, then said, "For this intelligence, I don't want money. I want to exchange intelligence for intelligence."

"What do you want to know?" Fu Huan asked.

Mei Yue lifted her eyes and looked at Fu Huan with unusual seriousness. "Nalan Long Zhi once appeared in the snow plain and stole something from Ning Dao Ru, and you once saw the master of Steal Heaven Mansion... I want to know intelligence related to Steal Heaven Mansion."

Fu Huan was silent for a moment, then said, "This day was always going to come, I always thought so."

Mei Yue just looked at him.

Fu Huan said, "Zuo Qiu Wu of Diligent Book Academy showed a possibility to this world."

"Why Yu Zhou became the first among the various saints to die that year, perhaps not because he was weak, but because he was strong and special."

"And tracing back to now, the most formidable novelist in the world is certainly not Zuo Qiu Wu."

"He should be called... Pu Shun An."

"The master of Steal Heaven Mansion."