Free Web NovelChapter 880: Chapter 132: Harsh
Jiang Wuyou and Qi Xiao communicated telepathically for a while, stepped down from the main seat and walked straight to Jiang Wang. She handed him something that looked like a finger, silvery-white and hollow in the middle, just big enough for the index finger to fit in.
She did not say what it was, but as soon as Jiang Wang held it in his hand, he knew. It was called "Finger Cart."
What was precious was not the object itself, but the records it contained.
Slipping it on the index finger and infusing a bit of thought, a highly intricate three-dimensional map appeared within it!
Most parts of it were darkened, but the illuminated areas alone revealed an abundance of information.
This was the result of Jueming Island’s exploration in the Lost World over the years, its preciousness was beyond words.
And for Jiang Wang right now, it was probably the most needed item. Because to a large extent, the object could prevent him from getting lost in the Lost World due to the lack of the Starlight Holy Tower’s sensor.
Jiang Wuyou simply said, "I took a huge risk to give this to you. You must destroy it before you die. Do you understand?"
These words weren’t pleasant, but they were significant.
Before today, she had no personal relationship with Jiang Wang, only transactions. But this exchange, until now, had always been Jiang Wuyou’s contributions, showing enough sincerity.
"I will definitely do it," Jiang Wang said.
Jiang Wuyou said no more and walked back on her own.
At this moment, Xu Xiangqian approached, his large sleeves fluttering, hands empty.
Zi Shu was about to stand up on the viewing platform, but Zhao Wuyan held him down.
"No need to go," she transmitted her voice, "First, it’s not worth it. Second, he won’t accept your gift because the relationship hasn’t reached that point, going there would just add awkwardness."
Zi Shu tried to stand up twice but failed, and he pouted instead.
Xu Xiangqian walked up to Jiang Wang, unlike others, he offered nothing but said, "I always ’drink today if there’s wine today,’ I own nothing valuable, nor have extra money. I only have a folding fan given by my master, which I cannot part with..."
Speaking of having nothing valuable and no spare money, he showed no embarrassment and continued, "So, I’ll gift you a poem instead!"
Without caring whether Jiang Wang wanted it, he immediately recited, "Slow down, slow down as you go, beyond the Ends of the Earth there’s more to behold. With high waves at sea, I hope you’ll soon be home safe."
Jiang Wang laughed and said, "Good poem!"
Xu Xiangqian’s spirit lifted, his eyebrows danced with delight, "Brother Jiang always has such keen insight!"
"Of course," Jiang Wang said, "The phrase ’drink today if there’s wine today’ truly is excellent!"
Xu Xiangqian glared at him for a while, but in the end, just patted his shoulder and turned to leave.
He, too, was about to travel to the Lost World.
At Jiang Wang’s side, friends continuously came to see him off, offering various precious gifts, hoping for his safe return.
Granny Bizhu stood there alone.
Huai Island was originally her domain, a place she had managed for many years, yet not a single person came to see her off.
Indeed, she had conspired against her comrades and even used her own foster son as a pawn; this cold-blooded and cruel aspect of hers was frightening.
For someone like her, no matter how well others treated her, could they be closer than Zhu Bijing was to her? When she held power, people might want to be close to her, but in facing this life-or-death journey, no one wanted to invest any further in her.
Both emotions and resources have costs, and in her case, no gains seemed possible.
Jiang Wang’s situation was more perilous, but all his friends present were willing to help him because everyone knew that how they treated Jiang Wang would be reciprocated equally or even more by him in return.
Prosperity gathers support, decay leads to abandonment, bluntly put, that’s all it is.
Wei Xun quietly observed this scene, not interfering with how these people equipped Jiang Wang for his journey.
Only after everyone had finished their farewells, he said to Jiang Wang, "Before you complete your atonement, Zhu Bijing remains guilty. She will wait for you on the End of the World Platform as a Criminal; you can take her away whenever you return."
"But you better manage your time well," he added. "Because she may not last that long."
It seemed he enjoyed manipulating Jiang Wang rather than caring about the lofty status of a True Monarch.
After so many people had "armed" Jiang Wang to increase his chances of surviving, he immediately set a time restriction.
The cultivation of Zhu Bijing, who had lost all her power, was being sustained solely by the Dao Qi from Chongguang Zhenren.
"I really don’t know how much longer I can hold on..."
It meant that Jiang Wang not only had to cleanse his sins in the Lost World, but also had to do it as quickly as possible, taking the initiative to strike actively, which inevitably meant taking more risks...
This is too harsh!
Yet, Jiang Wang still could not refuse.
As he himself had said, he could only be thankful that Wei Xun gave him the opportunity, without any right to complain.
"I understand," Jiang Wang nodded and said.
The youth possessed a calmness that belied his age.
But this calmness did not seem to satisfy Wei Xun.
He wanted to see something other than this.
This True Monarch, who did not seem to care much about status, looked at Jiang Wang and then at Granny Bizhu. "Before sending you off to the Lost World, is there really nothing you want to say to each other?"
Wei Xun seemed intent on seeing some drama, determined to witness some complications.
Granny Bizhu seemed to have made her peace during the process of people continually giving gifts and farewells to Jiang Wang; she had not spoken a word, nor had she made any out-of-line remarks.
Her expression was unexpectedly gentle.
She even bowed, folding her hands in salute: "Jiang You, no matter the grievances of the past, once we are in the Lost World, we are comrades in arms. Let’s look out for each other."
Jiang Wang did not even give her a glance, silent without uttering a word.
There was no more need for pretense or evasion.
Everyone was clear, and they themselves knew all too well. Only one of them, or perhaps none, might walk out of the Lost World alive.
Granny Bizhu could still continue to perform, maintaining her so-called "dignity" before entering the Lost World.
But Jiang Wang was no longer willing to cooperate.
The matter had become a life-or-death struggle.
He had bent his back too many times today, and he did not want to bow any longer.
Undisturbed by Jiang Wang’s disregard, Granny Bizhu straightened up and said to Wei Xun, "Tower Master, before we go to the Lost World, I would like to speak a few words with Biqiong."
Wei Xun nodded slightly, indicating his agreement. frёewebηovel.cѳm
She then turned and walked toward Zhu Biqiong, who was merely looking at Jiang Wang.
The foolish girl’s mouth moved continuously, kept saying "don’t go," but no sound came out.
Even now, she had not fully grasped the complex issues behind her.
All she knew was that Jiang Wang was about to risk his life for her again. She didn’t want that.
Granny Bizhu squatted down, leaning close to her ear.
Zhu Biqiong abruptly jerked back, like avoiding a venomous snake. Yet she could not move far, restrained by the Black Armor Warrior.
Granny Bizhu tugged at the corner of her mouth, as if in a bitter smile, but still whispered in her ear, "Do you know why I chose to cripple your cultivation first?"
"I wanted to use that as your punishment, to keep your life safe. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible."
"Good. I couldn’t achieve what I aimed for, but Jiang Wang almost did. You’ve made a good friend... I’m sorry."
The last sorry was said so softly and lightly that it was almost just a movement of her lips, as if no sound had been made.
Having said these things, she finally stood up straight again.
Yet Zhu Biqiong’s gaze towards her was still filled with fear. She had obviously not taken in a single word.
"Alas."
Granny Bizhu let out a long sigh and said, "I am ready to leave now, esteemed Tower Master."
