Free Web NovelChapter 994: Chapter 240: A Robe
"Return to Diao Hai Building?"
This answer was not what Jiang Wang had expected.
In his view, no matter where Zhu Bijing decided to go next, whether to stay in Green Sheep Town, remain in Heavenly Mansion City, or even wander to the ends of the earth, she should not choose to go back to Diao Hai Building.
To return to the place that deeply wounded her.
Jiang Wang was somewhat anxious, "Is there anything left there that you still long for?"
Zhu Bijing, with her eyes downcast, said softly, "My master is dead, Ji Shaoqing too, no one will target me anymore. I grew up there; I really... don’t know where else to go."
She indeed hoped to be persuaded to stay, but not for reasons like these.
It should not be "for your own good," "considering your well-being," but rather—"I want you to stay."
Sadly, Jiang Wang did not understand that now.
Or rather, a young heart, with no more room, failed to comprehend.
"I killed Ji Shaoqing, and those former sect mates of yours will not treat you well," Jiang Wang advised earnestly, "Moreover, you have been expelled from the sect."
"No one has a reason to hate me, because I have never harmed anyone," Zhu Bijing responded calmly, "and you have already cleared my name for me. Since I am innocent, Diao Hai Building should not expel me. Even if Yuqing and the others are reluctant, they can’t, by principle."
Jiang Wang glanced at Zhu Bijing with some surprise.
He had not expected Zhu Bijing to say such things.
These words were somewhat counterintuitive, but objectively speaking, the situation could indeed be viewed this way. Most of the time, Diao Hai Building would respect its own rules, and Zhu Bijing, a girl who has not harmed anyone, with her tragic circumstances, naturally could dissolve much of the animosity against her.
The question was... how could Zhu Bijing push aside the emotional fog and see these things so clearly?
Was this still the naive girl who foolishly took out her pearl and offered to trade for secret techniques when they first met? Or the girl who was deceived by Hu Shaomeng?
There was also a reason why he didn’t let Zhu Bijing stay in Qingyang Town from the start.
At the End of the World Platform, he wanted her to stay in Green Sheep Town in the future because her cultivation had been completely ruined by then, and she could live a peaceful, ordinary life there.
Now, he didn’t know what Zhu Bijing had experienced in the Heavenly Abode Secret Land to reappear with Inner Mansion cultivation.
Sending her back to Green Sheep Town, under what pretext?
He could not possibly order Zhu Bijing around like he did with Fan Qingqing, and Zhu Bijing, having turned misfortune into a blessing by achieving Inner Mansion status at such a young age, certainly has her own future ahead. Staying in Green Sheep Town would only bury her potential.
What he actually considered was whether he could find a way for Zhu Bijing to join Qingpai in Qi Country, have an official position, and strive for her own goals in the future, with a bright future ahead.
Of course, that depended on whether Zhu Bijing herself was willing.
But now, Zhu Bijing wanted to return to Diao Hai Building...
And Jiang Wang found himself unable to find a reason to convince her.
After some thought, Jiang Wang said, "In principle, I respect any decision you make, but I still hope you can think it over carefully. Although you grew up in Diao Hai Building, you don’t know it that well... in fact, if you are willing, there could be a better future for you in Qi Country. I have some friends here..."
Zhu Bijing interrupted Jiang Wang for the first time, "I’ve already imposed too much on you, how can I trouble you further?"
"What trouble are you talking about? We are good friends, aren’t we?" Jiang Wang was somewhat inexplicably annoyed.
"Yes, we are good friends. Good friends help each other, not drag each other down." At this moment, the emotion in Zhu Bijing’s eyes had dissipated, and she was the calmer of the two. With a light laugh, she said, "I’ve decided to go back to Diao Hai Building. I’m too foolish; I can only stay in familiar places, or I’ll easily get lost. I wasn’t diligent enough before, but I will work harder from now on. Just wish me well!"
Her attitude was so firm, her will so resolute.
The girl was different from before. Jiang Wang realized this very clearly.
But his eyes, his ears, his Spirit Perception, all told him that she indeed was Zhu Bijing.
Having been through life and death, some changes were only natural.
"Alright then..." Jiang Wang was not one to forcibly influence the free will of his friends, and could only compromise, "If you’re sure that’s the best choice for you, then go ahead and do that."
Zhu Bijing said, "Those choices in life... not everyone can choose the best one. But we should try not to have regrets."
Jiang Wang didn’t understand; he felt a vague, faint melancholy, but more than that, there was joy.
The joy of a narrow escape from disaster.
He took a few steps forward and looked at the clear reflection of the full moon on the lake. "No matter what, I’m very grateful for this place."
Zhu Bijing watched his retreating figure, her gaze becoming immeasurably tender for a moment as she said softly, "I’ll tell you a secret, tell your friends to stop coming to the Heavenly Abode Secret Land."
When Jiang Wang turned back to her, her gaze had already regained its calmness.
"What’s wrong? Do you know of any changes there?" Jiang Wang asked.
"I don’t quite remember what happened there, but I have a vague sense..." Zhu Bijing said, "There’s nothing there anymore, just a bubble image. Getting involved now won’t yield any more benefits."
This was not a secret that should have been revealed.
But she told him, because of her complete trust in Jiang Wang.
Jiang Wang was stunned.
Of course, he realized what her words implied.
The Heavenly Abode Secret Land had disappeared!
Considering the legends of the Heavenly Abode Secret Land...
The Heavenly Abode Secret Land was not a naturally occurring secret realm born from the heavens and the earth.
It was a complete Divine Power Seed, the signature Divine Skill of the Elder of Tianfu—The Illusory Reflection of Flowers in the Water!
How it had been able to separate, to exist independently, to appear there, to persist...
And now, why it had vanished.
Had it contributed to Zhu Bijing’s achievements?
Did Zhu Bijing now possess the Illusory Reflection of Flowers in the Water?
Was the Divine Skill of the Illusory Reflection of Flowers in the Water now under Zhu Bijing’s control, leaving behind only a bubble image?
Lv Zongxiao would surely go mad! frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
If the people of Qi Country knew of this, they would not let Zhu Bijing leave so easily either.
With this thought, Jiang Wang immediately said, "If you’re set on returning to Diao Hai Building, then go back as soon as possible. With the Seize Sea Alliance newly established, not many people will be paying attention to you. Return to the sect quickly."
Zhu Bijing glanced at him, her look light, fleeting, as if it left no trace and was not profound.
Then she turned and walked away, saying simply, "Alright."
She started walking out.
Jiang Wang pondered silently for a few moments, then quickly moved ahead, stepping into the corridor before her and calling out to Lv Zongxiao from a distance, "Big brother Lv, I’ve figured out what’s going on!"
Lv Zongxiao smiled, "Oh?"
Before he could ask Zhu Bijing, who was passing by, Jiang Wang already had his arm around Lv Zongxiao’s shoulder, drawing him aside with great familiarity, "Big brother Lv, here’s the thing..."
Zhu Bijing quietly walked past them, still draped in the cyan robe that belonged to Jiang Wang.
It was just a very ordinary robe; Jiang Wang had several of the same style in his Storage Box.
Jiang Wang didn’t care at all.
Zhu Bijing certainly remembered, but she didn’t want to return it.
