Free Web NovelChapter 1516: Chapter 169: Now Coming from the East_2
Fang You opened his eyes and looked at the dome.
"He’s old." The Grand Marshal of the Xu Country’s army said.
The king, who was unable to achieve the Golden Frame and Jade Marrow, was indeed aging at a visibly rapid pace.
The power of time is most ruthless.
Thereafter, the tent was silent.
...
...
The largest temple dedicated to spirits in Xiang Country is called "Wanhe," meaning "Harmony in All Things."
The giant elephant residing here is referred to as the sacred spirit by the people of Xiang Country.
The giant elephant worshiped at Wanhe Temple is named Songshan and is the leader of all the giant elephants in Xiang Country’s territory.
Massive in size, it possesses strength close to cultivators of the Truth-Seeking Realm, gentle by nature, and never voluntarily harms humans.
The people of Xiang Country built temples to worship it, in exchange for Songshan’s protection.
For thousands of years, they have bizarrely coexisted this way.
Wanhe Temple is also regarded as the national temple of Xiang Country, a place extremely sacred in the hearts of Xiang Country’s people.
At this moment, within the temple, a man dressed in a Two Yi military uniform stands at the railing, looking out at the giant elephant Songshan, which resembles a small mountain.
Such is the admiration for the elephant.
His feet are firmly on the ground, yet he seems to be in the clouds.
His face is unobscured, yet his features are entirely unclear.
Only his Two Yi military uniform sways in view, a tangible sense of majesty flows.
At this moment, Songshan is bowing its head to eat a large tree, moving slowly, radiating a serene feeling of happiness.
But suddenly, the entire massive body kneels down!
The elephant’s trunk touches the ground, unmoving.
The tree is still in its mouth, but it dares not continue eating, nor dares to spit it out.
This terrifying giant beast, which holds sacred status among people of Xiang Country, makes not the slightest gesture of resistance.
The man in the Two Yi military uniform simply furrowed his brow and said, "Why have you come?"
A calm yet overwhelmingly majestic voice then descended—
"This giant elephant is admired by the people of Jing Country, but not by those of Qi Country?"
Yu Que, commander of the Dou E Army of Jinguo, slightly tilted his head and saw a man with a short beard and his hair styled up, already standing by the railing alongside him.
This man seemed middle-aged, with a peaceful demeanor and an expansive aura.
Gazing into the distance, he was naturally deep as an abyss, vast as the sea.
"Why are you everywhere?" Yu Que asked unceremoniously, "Is there no one else in Qi Country?"
"Wind blows, rain falls, children play; idle is idle." Jiang Mengxiong said casually.
"Uninvited, he is a thief." Yu Que remarked.
Jiang Mengxiong responded with a faint smile, "One who conquers the mountain gate is a royal army. One who guards a poor stronghold is a mountain bandit. Does the royal army need an invitation from mountain thieves for raids?"
Yu Que coldly replied, "Since ancient times, royal armies have always originated from the Central."
Jiang Mengxiong said, "Now it comes from the east."
Yu Que looked at him sharply, "You think, after descending Jianfeng Mountain, all places are open to you?"
Jiang Mengxiong spread his hands casually, "Feel free to try."
Yu Que’s expression was difficult for ordinary people to discern, but under Jiang Mengxiong’s gaze, nothing was overlooked.
This was a very young face, thin lips, high nose, sharp eyebrows, with time only flowing in the eyes, leaving no trace elsewhere.
"You, you." Yu Que shook his head, withdrew his aggressive demeanor, and set his gaze back on the giant elephant, "After so many years, still no change."
"Actually, there is a change," Jiang Mengxiong said.
"Oh?" Yu Que asked.
"I’m stronger now." Jiang Mengxiong said blandly.
If Wen Lianmu were here, he would surely understand where Wang Yiwu learned his insufferable tone.
Yu Que paused for a moment, then laughed. He nodded at the sacred giant elephant of Xiang Country, which lay prostrate on the ground, "You may be stronger, but you shouldn’t intimidate small animals. Look what you’ve done to it?"
The terrifying giant beast with nearly Truth-Seeking strength, in Yu Que’s mouth, is merely a "small animal."
"When a child of less than twenty years was chased by your Jinguo people to the heavens and the earth, I didn’t see your kindness." Jiang Mengxiong also looked at the giant elephant named Songshan, though his words were not kind, "Oh, does a beast especially evoke your empathy?"
With his glance, the elephant-like body instantly cracked, and a torrent of blood surged!
Songshan, though fully conscious, dared not resist, suffering in silence.
Just then, a hand was extended, blocking Jiang Mengxiong’s view.
In Yu Que’s clean palm, a faint roar sounded. There are howling winds, rolling furious seas, and thunderous movements, all gradually silencing.
"This matter has nothing to do with me." Yu Que said with a smile, "Vent your anger on me... Doesn’t seem quite right?"
While speaking with Jiang Mengxiong, he transmitted a thought towards the giant elephant Songshan.
Supported, the giant elephant hastily rose, shaking and staggering away. Though its gait had a ground-shaking momentum, each step fell silently, for fear of provoking the displeasure of the powerful behind.
Jiang Mengxiong did not stop it but looked at Yu Que and said, "Nothing to do with you? Provoking the dignity of Daqi, does it not even require a nod from someone of your level... Your Jinguo is truly impressive."
Yu Que withdrew his hand and said lightheartedly, "A thousand-year-old tree inevitably has decaying branches. A vast domain is bound to have corrupt soil. Jinguo is an ancient country, no doubt about it, and indeed, in some respects, it is somewhat sluggish."
"It doesn’t matter. Misconceptions always require time and external forces to be corrected." Jiang Mengxiong said calmly, "My Daqi doesn’t mind providing a bit of help."
"Then you’ll need to work harder," Yu Que laughed, "Isn’t the current level insufficient?"
"Very simple!" Jiang Mengxiong said cheerfully, "If you say it’s not enough, my Daqi will up the stakes. Keep adding, keep adding, until you say it’s enough."
"Do you have that many chips?" Yu Que turned to look at him.
Jiang Mengxiong, with a smile, said, "Why not try?"
He had casually said this twice already, each time with such composure and confidence. Utter self-assurance had penetrated his bones, no need for flamboyance, yet visible everywhere.
Two True Monarchs faced each other like one sea crashing against another.
The power to destroy heaven and earth lay hidden within the Silent Sea.
This expansive temple, the Wanhe Temple dedicated to the sacred spirit, its survival or destruction, perhaps hinging on a single thought.
To the two True Monarchs, it was merely a brief gaze.
But to the entire Xiang Country, it might signify a shift in destiny.
"What do you want?" Yu Que finally asked.
"Qi Country doesn’t ask for much, only the word ’justice,’" Jiang Mengxiong replied, "First, let Mirror World Platform publicly apologize to our Daqi Tianjiao, restore their reputation, and compensate for their losses. Secondly, since the Ancient Demon Slaying Alliance cannot justly use it on Jade Capital Mountain, my Daqi Star Observation Tower is willing to offer it. On the grand principle of the Human Race, my Qi Country has never been behind."
"These two conditions, each more unrealistic than the last," Yu Que said in a cool tone, "You know it’s impossible."
Jiang Mengxiong replied, "I enjoy turning the impossible into possible."
Yu Que thought of ridiculing a few words but had to admit Jiang Mengxiong was indeed such a person.
Eventually, he said, "Then I’ll wait and watch."
"Oh, forgot to remind you," Jiang Mengxiong said, "These two conditions are only valid now." freeweɓnøvel.com
"It’s good to have confidence." Yu Que curled his lips, "Then let’s see the outcome of the Star Moon Plain battle."
"I’ll accompany you here watching for the next few days," Jiang Mengxiong said calmly.
"That’s not necessary," Yu Que said, "If you have things to do, you can leave and be busy elsewhere. Also, rest assured, I won’t take to the field bullying children."
Jiang Mengxiong only replied, "If I leave, how can your stance be shown?"
Yu Que avoided the subject but suddenly asked, "Is Zhao Xuenyang alive or dead?"
Jiang Mengxiong shook his head, "I don’t know."
"Ha-ha." Yu Que laughed, "You don’t even dare to give a conclusion?"
Jiang Mengxiong looked at him oddly, "What dare to give? Jiang Wang was unconscious and woke up, Zhao Xuenyang was gone. You expect him, a mere child of the Inner Mansion Realm, to give you an answer?"
He paused for a moment and then asked, "This is rather strange, could it be an internal problem within your Jinguo?"
"Whether this answer convinces Jing Tian Fu, I don’t know." Yu Que completely ignored Jiang Mengxiong’s probing, shook his head lightly, and still spoke relaxedly, "I’ll just assume I’ve been convinced."
Jiang Mengxiong only smiled lightly——
"There’s only this one answer. Whoever’s unsatisfied, let them come to me."
