Free Web NovelChapter 1307: Chapter 4: On Meeting, A Smile is Due
The window that shields the Inner Mansion Realm from the evening breeze, the first in the world, probably cannot understand why it received so many lingering gazes this night.
Countless confluences, visible and hidden, unknown.
Xian Nankui, with his jujube-red face, stood at the extreme height.
Bathed in moonlight, he appeared as if a statue of a god.
Should any mortal witness it, they would likely worship him as a deity.
The Yellow River Gathering had just ended, and the delegations from various countries had not yet fully dispersed. As the Overlord Country nearest to the Guanhe Platform and taking on the role of the host, Jingguo naturally has the duty to maintain order.
To prevent occurrences too painful to witness.
If there were to be any serious incidents causing death or injury among the spectator delegations near the Guanhe Platform, it would be a slap in the face for Jingguo.
All the structures on the Guanhe Platform had already disappeared.
Fertility Country then became the place with the most people staying after the Yellow River Gathering.
As the commander of the Divine Strategy Army of the Jing Bajia, Xian Nankui being stationed in Fengcheng was without a doubt a significant and deterrent representation.
As for the will of Fertility Country itself...
At least overtly, the Imperial Dynasty of Fertility Country welcomed the People of Jing Nation’s help in maintaining order.
An occasion with delegations from various countries gathering was indeed not something a small Fertility Country could control.
At this moment, Xian Nankui stood at this extreme height, surveilling the entire city. With the prestige of a True Man and the rank of an army commander personally handling the matter, no one could accuse Jingguo of negligence.
Without any trace or warning, a voice sounded at his ear: "It seems there are quite a few who pay attention to this number one Kui of the Inner Mansion."
Xian Nankui, in his surveillance of the city, also inevitably gave Jiang Wang a couple of extra glances.
After all, the champion of the Yellow River Gathering garnered the most attention. And another champion had already left on the day of victory; one would wish to look but have nowhere to turn.
At this moment, Xian Nankui did not move his lips, his face remained expressionless, but his voice too reached out towards the hidden shadows in return: "It is easy to fall in low places and to get lost at peaks. A peerless talent who doesn’t forget to conduct his evening prayers even on his most glorious day—no one can limit his future."
"It seems you rate him highly." The voice from the shadows paused, then asked, "In your view, how does he compare to Tai Yu?"
Xian Nankui smiled and did not speak.
Indeed, there was no need for comparison.
The top of the Inner Mansion is undeniably a peerless talent of this world, but in the face of the youngest True Man of the Age in history, there is really no room for comparison.
As for "getting lost" or "falling," Li Yi is unlikely to ever face such moments.
"That’s true." The voice from the shadows said, before changing the subject: "The traces of that matter have been completely erased, at last, we can have some days of peace."
Xian Nankui, overlooking the city, the nation beneath him, replied: "But Jingguo does not have another Tai Yu. If we cannot eradicate this hidden threat and keep relying on covering it up, sooner or later, it’ll become uncovered."
"We can only take it one step at a time; even Your Majesty’s thoughts are unclear..." The voice from the shadows said, "Speaking of which, letting Tai Yu stand out in the open now, making him the target of many too soon, really isn’t worth it."
"The youngest True Man of the Age, of course, can attract all eyes. To have him step forward was a necessary action, and there’s no question of worthiness. But how many more times can we take such reluctant steps?" Xian Nankui said discontentedly, "Mirror World Platform must take responsibility for this."
Mirror World Platform, Jingguo’s highest intelligence organization, claims to "illuminate all directions, and reflect upon the current world." Such a significant problem that emerged is naturally regarded as Mirror World Platform’s dereliction of duty.
"They cannot shirk the responsibilities they should bear. But who could have expected that the Inner Mansion Realm’s talent, who had passed countless screenings and finally represented the nation in battle, would turn out to be..."
The voice from the shadows stopped, then continued, "So much so that the other two also could not shake off suspicion, and we had no choice but to immediately recall Tai Yu to stabilize the situation."
"Fortunately, it was discovered in advance, or the consequences would be unimaginable."
"Isn’t that the truth? To think that after so many years, they are still..."
"Phoenixes may rise from the ashes, a decaying tree may sprout anew," Xian Nankui sighed, "Even the destruction of material things is difficult to completely purify, let alone those things rooted in the heart."
"To me, it’s all..." That voice in the shadows started but abruptly ceased, as if touching upon some unspeakable matter, it fell silent.
Xian Nankui stood alone at a high place, surveying the surroundings, silent and still.
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At the break of dawn, Jiang Wang left for Shepherd Manor.
The name "Shepherd Manor," though not sounding particularly auspicious at first listen, didn’t concern the people of Shepherd Kingdom, devout worshippers of the God of Cangtu. For them, death was a passage to God Kingdom; even if it were called "Graveyard," it would merely represent another home.
This structure in Fengcheng was initially just a large estate, and gradually came to be called as such. The people of Shepherd Kingdom did not mind, and others cared even less.
Zhao Rucheng, now of a delicate status, was not suited to appear at the victory feast, so Jiang Wang had to go alone to meet him. They had arranged this meeting when the competition was won.
It seemed that Helian Yuyun had long given his orders; the doorman, upon seeing Jiang Wang, led the way without any unnecessary words.
Facing a few inquisitive gazes and after several turns, he entered the interior of Shepherd Manor.
The taste of the small courtyard where Zhao Rucheng resided alone was quite sophisticated, which also gave a glimpse of his current importance in Shepherd Kingdom. freёweɓnovel.com
Passing through the cobbled path, he saw such a figure standing before the courtyard gate, like a jade tree welcoming the breeze.
Seeing him from afar put a smile on his face.
Jiang Wang couldn’t help but smile in response.
Neither spoke, just approaching each other with smiles.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Zhao Rucheng then deliberately looked him up and down, clicking his tongue repeatedly: "The whole city is celebrating for you, your name is everywhere. The number one warrior of the Inner Mansion, quite impressive indeed!"
Jiang Wang replied with a smiling eye: "When you picked the champion title, you were also quite illustrious!"
Zhao Rucheng was greatly embarrassed, quickly turned sideways to lead the way, and coughed: "It’s been a long time since we met, let’s have a light drink or two!"
Jiang Wang simply said: "We shall drink!"
The two of them, one in front of the other, entered the courtyard.
Casual and natural, just as before.
In the courtyard, there was a stone table with two stone stools.
Five dishes were placed on the table, with a crane kettle and two jade cups.
No one was there to serve.
Both sat down casually, Zhao Rucheng naturally rolled up his sleeves to pour the wine, saying as he poured: "Brother, it’s not me, your younger brother, trying to sow discord. Remember the principle of keeping the wise close and the foolish at bay..."
He curled his lips: "In the past, you were so innocent, your mouth wasn’t as sharp as it is now."
Still as petty as ever, not willing to take even a small verbal loss.
Jiang Wang watched him with a smile: "So in Shepherd Kingdom not beating you in a debate is called ’innocent,’ and speaking frankly is called ’sharp.’ Exotic customs indeed have broadened this brother’s horizons!"
Zhao Rucheng was briefly at a loss, shaking his head in a strange way as he sighed: "They say Qi Country has many scholars, now I truly understand!"
The School of Names excelled in rhetorical skills, indeed few could match them in quick-witted debating.
"You still love to talk so much," Jiang Wang said gently, emphasizing the word "talk": "Later on, I’ll introduce you to two friends."
"Sure!" Zhao Rucheng agreed cheerfully.
But somehow, as the laughter went on, the smile faded away.
"Big Brother," he lowered his head, looking at the wine in his cup, he softly asked, "How have you been these past two years?"
But Jiang Wang was still smiling: "Just walking forward."
His smile was radiant: "Keep walking, keep walking, and just like that, I came through."
