Free Web NovelChapter 1616: Chapter 11: Pitiful and Alone Like the Hairpin Phoenix (Part 2)
Thus, the sound of the strings moved, and the shadows on the screen swayed.
Outside was sorrow, inside was joy.
...
...
Jiang Wuqi’s funeral lasted for three days.
To Jiang Wang, these three days were no different; they were merely days for closed-door cultivation. ƒrēewebnovel.com
For Zhongxuan Sheng now... there wasn’t much difference either.
This plump fellow had no intention of returning to Xia Shan Villa; he was determined to stay at Jiang Wang’s residence. Every day, he would wake up early, visit Marquis of Boxiang’s Mansion to greet the old Marquis, and cultivate relationships. After accompanying him for morning tea, he’d stroll back, close the door, and train with Fourteen in punches and blades... practicing everything.
He gloriously declared, "Using Jiang Wang as a mirror, can cure the disease of laziness."
Zhongxuan Chuliang once passed by and was pulled by Zhongxuan Sheng to give cultivation advice. In the process of casually overwhelming Zhongxuan Sheng, he casually asked why the plump nephew wasn’t staying at the Marquis Mansion, to which Zhongxuan Sheng responded like that.
Jiang Wang wanted to say, "Then why don’t you train with me together!"
Of course, he found Zhongxuan Sheng annoying, but he eagerly absorbed Zhongxuan Chuliang’s guidance.
All mundane matters are like floating dust; cultivation must come first.
Compared to combat techniques, Jiang Wang’s current focus was more on Dao Techniques, mainly on "Dragon and Tiger."
The Eight Winds come from eight directions.
The eight winds are: the east is called Ming Shu Wind, southeast is Qingming Wind, south is Jing Wind, southwest is Cool Wind, west is Changhe Wind, northwest is Buzhou Wind, north is Guangmo Wind, northeast is Rong Wind.
Among these Eight Winds, Jiang Wang had already faced the Divine Skill of Jing Wind and had seen the imitation of Ming Shu Wind’s blowing dragon tornado. The first in killing power, Buzhou Wind, was the divine skill he controlled deeply.
With Buzhou Wind as the root, supplemented by various Eight Winds Dao Techniques collected with Zhongxuan Sheng’s help, he completed the simulation of the Eight Winds in a very short time.
The step of "drawing the Eight Winds as the tiger," was done effortlessly.
He was stuck only at Dragon and Tiger’s "dragon," not understanding how to use Sky-reaching Sea. This key issue was resolved once Xiu Yuan personally guided him.
After the God Descending Realm, the four seas connected, and Enshrine Spirit Hall directly governed the Four Towers and Five Mansions, suppressing the four seas within a person.
Jiang Wang had not yet reached God Descends and could not complete the governance of the four seas within a person. But under the guidance of Xiu Yuan, he could utilize his formidable Divine Soul Strength to advance and build influence over Sky-reaching Sea.
Finally, on this day, he initially completed this Dao Technique inherited from Old Yang.
Such a close friendship, Jiang Wang must share the good news with his close friend at the first opportunity, and see if he can find a chance to try a move.
Arriving at Zhongxuan Sheng’s yard, the plump fellow was drinking porridge.
With chubby hands holding a small white jade bowl, he was slurping.
As soon as he finished one bowl, Fourteen handed him another. The surface of the porridge was bright and smooth, indeed fragrant and appealing.
It must be said, ever since Zhongxuan Sheng moved into Jiang Mansion, he was very welcomed by the staff.
Previously, Housekeeper Xie also wanted to match the living standards of other third-grade officials, but alas, Master Jiang was incredibly frugal, making it difficult to accomplish these goals with the limited household budget.
After Zhongxuan Sheng prepared for a long stay, the living standards of Jiang Mansion rose visibly.
Housekeeper Xie did not know of Marquis Jiang’s struggles; Marquis Jiang was not stingy, just accustomed to living on tomorrow’s means, hence he couldn’t produce money.
He actually worried a lot about Jiang Mansion’s living conditions, considering inviting Yan Xian Brother for a stay sometime. Hosting a friend at home demonstrates sincerity. If Yan Xian Brother was dissatisfied with the living conditions and wanted adjustments, he would painfully agree, giving his friend plenty of freedom.
Unfortunately, the pains of this plan, Xie Ping did not know...
"What’s eating?" Jiang Wang asked, knowing full well.
Zhongxuan Sheng did not lift his head: "Serve yourself."
Jiang Wang almost let out a disdainful snort, but after sniffing the aroma, he suppressed it.
Better to have porridge before discussing Dao Techniques.
He walked over to the high-priced tiger-patterned sand pot from the Ding Building, served the porridge, casually saying, "Speaking of porridge cooking, I have some experience. I once discussed it with the Crown Prince..."
"That’s right," Zhongxuan Sheng suddenly interrupted, "There’s news for you to know. My cousin has already taken the top spot on the October Sea Hero Chart sub-list."
Speaking of it, this Diao Hai Building is really pitiful.
Before the Yellow River Gathering, Ji Zhaonan specially went to Lost World for training. He set a new record on the Sea Hero Chart main list when returning, clearly to suppress Diao Hai Building, and he did...
That record was only broken the next month by Chen Zhitao.
This time, Zhongxuan Zun went out to sea and easily claimed the sub-list top spot.
The Sea Hero Chart, used by Seize Sea Alliance to unite Near Sea Archipelago hearts, has become a tool for Qi Country geniuses to make a name. Those Qi Country geniuses must leave for Diao Hai Building’s young talents to fight for ranking on the list.
While the spirit against the Sea Clan gathered, whose spirit leads is worth pondering.
For the newly-formed Seize Sea Alliance, it’s undoubtedly a blow.
Culinary skills are ultimately trivial. Since Zhongxuan Sheng brings up overseas matters, Marquis Jiang sat down and casually responded, "With Zhongxuan Zun’s capabilities, not taking the top would be odd... what, is he returning to Linzi?"
Zhongxuan Sheng gently shook his head: "He abandoned the Star Moon Plain Battlefield to go out once; how could it be just for that? Achieving the sub-list top is only at par with your past performance. Though his Sea Hero score is much higher, when you set this record, you were merely Inner Mansion level."
"What else could he do? Suppress Diao Hai Building Outer Cultivators? Meaningless, he’s already proven himself among the world’s strongest Outer Cultivators at Guanhe Platform... Sea Clan?" Jiang Wang stopped holding the jade spoon: "Would he want to challenge a Sea Clan Marquis?"
"Who knows?" Zhongxuan Sheng said, "I only know, with his pride, going out once, if it can’t overshadow your past, he certainly wouldn’t want to come back."
Jiang Wang said calmly, "His talent is there, no amount of pride would be excessive."
Zhongxuan Sheng chuckled: "In the past, you were Inner Mansion, he was Outer Building, unrelated. Now you’ve established a Star Tower, both contesting for who is truly Qi Country’s first genius... the argument is heated! You don’t belittle him, but actually praise him?"
"I’m not praising him," Jiang Wang calmly replied, "I’m merely stating facts."
Zhongxuan Sheng couldn’t help but scold him playfully: "I detest your pedantic ways; can’t you just criticize him a bit to comfort me?"
Jiang Wang leisurely said, "Comforting is essentially deceptive. You’re too clever to easily be fooled."
"Which book does that come from?" Zhongxuan Sheng asked.
Jiang Wang froze.
He unconsciously quoted from a book Jiang Wuqi gave him.
Emperor Wu of Qi had spoken this line while courting Ming Country’s Empress!
"Um, I’ve read too many books recently, forgot," he lowered his head and drank the porridge.
Zhongxuan Sheng did not mind; enjoying Fourteen’s porridge refills, he casually asked, "By the way, what did the Eleventh Highness send you? You never mentioned it."
Jiang Wang slurped half a bowl of porridge and muttered, "A calligraphy piece."
Zhongxuan Sheng glanced at him: "Why would you be anxious over just a calligraphy piece."
"Why would I be anxious?" Jiang Wang raised his head, bewildered: "I’m not?"
Zhongxuan Sheng suspiciously eyed him but considering Jiang Wuqi’s character, perhaps there was something better left unsaid, pressing further seemed inappropriate. He changed the topic: "Haha, did not know you two have such good relations."
Just as they were chatting idly, the housekeeper approached the courtyard door: "Master, Patrol Inspection Bureau’s Zheng Shangming Young Master Zheng is visiting, accompanied by Deputy Inspector Lin Youxie Lord Lin."
Jiang Wang laid down the porridge bowl and stood up: "Did they mention why?"
The housekeeper shook his head: "They didn’t."
As Jiang Wang headed out to greet them, he instructed, "In future, when Young Master Zheng visits, no need to announce, just invite him in directly."
Thinking a bit, he added, "For Deputy Inspector Lin, announcements are still needed; best to clarify the purpose before announcing."
Upon exiting the courtyard, he saw Zheng Shangming and Lin Youxie standing nearby. freewebnøvel.com
Especially Lin Youxie, whose gaze was profound, far-reaching...
"Haha." Zheng Shangming, perhaps to ease the awkwardness, dryly laughed, "Brother Jiang, this estate is really nice!"
"Brother Zheng, you flatter..." Jiang Wang also exchanged pleasantries: "Lord Lin, please, over here! Quickly, someone serve tea, bring my good tea, these are esteemed guests."
Housekeeper Xie proficiently headed back to Zhongxuan Sheng’s courtyard... Did Master Jiang even have good tea?
"No need." Lin Youxie interrupted expressionlessly, officially stating, "We visit today for a case, requesting Arrest Officer Jiang’s assistance."
Jiang Wang suddenly felt an ominous premonition: "What case?"
"Feng Gu is dead."
Lin Youxie calmly uttered those four words.
