Free Web NovelChapter 1183: Chapter 383 Ming Yue Shines
Cao Jie glanced at Jiang Wang: "Just this?"
Jiang Wang nodded earnestly: "Just this. Of course, this is just my personal impulse, if the country has other plans..."
"It’s fine." Cao Jie cut him off, saying in a light tone: "I’ll take care of it."
To be honest, before he spoke out, Jiang Wang didn’t expect it to be so easy.
He only got to know Cao Jie during this period, familiar enough, and Cao Jie’s attitude towards him was quite gentle, but not particularly close.
He thought that he would at least meet with some refusal, such as him not having a big-picture mindset or something.
The reason he pondered over and over but still broached the subject was because... If he missed this chance, he didn’t know when he could take care of Lin Zhengren.
The terror of Lin Zhengren has been fully proven during the past few days at the arena.
Compared to rivals like Wang Yiwu, who solely pursue the pinnacle of strength and believe the fist’s might makes it right, Jiang Wang was more wary of enemies like Lin Zhengren who would resort to any extreme. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
To get Cao Jie’s agreement, to face Lin Zhengren in the first round of the main competition, he had prepared several sets of arguments.
But he didn’t have the chance to utter them.
Cao Jie agreed very simply, even without asking why.
Jiang Wang just bowed his head and thanked: "Thank you, Great General."
"Just one thing." Cao Jie said with a light smile: "It’s your chosen opponent, if you lose, you can’t blame me for enforcing military law."
Jiang Wang solemnly responded: "I will bear no grudges!"
Cao Jie lifted his chin: "Go back and practice."
So Jiang Wang left, heading to his room.
While Cao Jie, watching his back, felt this young man was sometimes too serious.
But as someone who has been there, he understood very well what kind of youthful prodigy would shed arrogance and become so solemn.
After all, who in this vast world isn’t suffering?
Aside from a soft sigh, he added nothing more.
...
...
In a small courtyard belonging to Zhuang Country.
Du Ruhui and Lin Zhengren were still sitting opposite each other at a stone table.
Lin Zhengren sat straight, hands on his knees, and carefully asked: "State Minister, about Sheng Country..."
Du Ruhui glanced at him, saying softly: "The Yellow River Gathering is a grand event for all under heaven, no country would be so petty to rashly engage in war over the victories and defeats there. Rest assured! If there’s any trouble, you’re fighting for the country, and the state will back you up."
Lin Zhengren bowed in respect: "Zhengren has been careless, troubling the State Minister."
"You winning against the prodigy of Sheng Country was beyond my expectations, how could I demand more from you?" Du Ruhui patted him on the shoulder: "Zhengren, there’s no need for so much psychological burden amongst your own people."
As the minister of a nation, naturally, he must carry a dignified demeanor. It was rare for him to be so kind to Lin Zhengren.
Now, it was because Lin Zhengren was worth it.
Making it into the main competition of the Yellow River Gathering, was already the best result Zhuang Country had achieved so far.
No one could deny Lin Zhengren was talented.
For those who could contribute to Zhuang Country, Du Ruhui didn’t mind being a bit more intimate.
Lin Zhengren nodded solemnly, not hiding his admiration: "Zhengren understands."
Du Ruhui looked at him, his words carrying weight: "Now is the best time for Zhuang Country, but it can be better, and it should be better. I really hope you can grow together with the country."
Lin Zhengren said: "I dare not claim to grow with the country. Zhengren’s ancestors have lived on Zhuang land for generations; I only wish to contribute to the development of my motherland."
Du Ruhui nodded approvingly: "The state will not let those loyal to the king and patriotic suffer."
He encouraged him with a few more words, and then, seemingly casually asked: "That water ghost of yours is well raised. Is it called Xiao Li?"
"It’s my younger brother’s name." Lin Zhengren, daring to call out the name on the arena, clearly didn’t intend to avoid this issue, and slowly said: "My entire Lin Clan was harmed by evildoers, annihilated overnight, this enmity I will never forget!"
Du Ruhui looked pitying: "This was a failure of Wangjiang City’s City Lord and the Procuratorate, for which they were already held accountable. Afterwards, I also gave strict orders for the Procuratorate to investigate."
He then switched topics: "Do you know who your enemy is, the one who wiped out your clan?"
Lin Zhengren’s face was stricken, almost grinding his teeth, forcing words out from between them: "I only hate my incompetence; I don’t even know who the enemy is! I only know he wore a mountain ghost mask, merciless and strong, about my height."
Of course, he could not know that person was Jiang Wang, for if he knew Jiang Wang’s identity, he could easily deduce the murderer behind the Dong Ah case through the Decayed Wood Decision, and from that, infer the truth behind the destruction of Maple Forest City Region, which would be a logical progression.
But the problem was... before Zhu Weiwo decided to betray his country, he and Zhu Weiwo were together in Xin’an City!
With Du Ruhui’s wisdom, it was not difficult to guess the secret of Zhu Weiwo’s treason.
So indeed, Lin Zhengren did not know who his enemy was.
Even before the Yellow River Gathering, Emperor Zhuang had already given him information about the prodigies of Various Countries. Even though he already knew that Qi Country’s prodigy Jiang Wang originated from Zhuang Country.
His secret dictated he absolutely couldn’t connect these two identities of Jiang Wang.
Du Ruhui observed him for a while, and then said darkly: "That person isn’t just committing evil; he bears great hatred for our Zhuang Country. The man first demanded Dao Technique Decayed Wood Decision in Wangjiang City Taoist Institute, then went to the Lin Family Land to slaughter your entire clan, and not long after that, he took the opportunity of Zhuang Yong conflict and our troops being out, sneaking into Xin’an City using the Decayed Wood Decision’s suppression over Wood tactics to assassinate Vice Minister Dong Ah!"
