Jiang Yunhai was indeed in the midst of a pursuit. The one who was pursuing him was the Divine Martial Kingdom’s Royal Military.
When Shui Qianrou asked someone to pass the message to Zhangsun Wuji, he had to comply. Otherwise, this crazy lass would go make a huge commotion in the royal capital. He quickly thought of an idea and instigated the Third Prince, Xia Tian, to come to Spirit Beast City.
The current Emperor of the Divine Martial Kingdom had many princes, but the crown prince had already been decided a long time ago. The First Prince wasn’t just talented, intelligent, and shrewd; his methods of doing things were all of optimal ways. When he was to ascend to the throne, the Divine Martial Kingdom would definitely be brought to new heights in his hand. The other princes knew that they would never have the opportunity to ascend the throne, and most of them didn’t conceal their true nature. Take the Third Prince, Xia Tian, for example. He was famed for many years as the playboy prince who had defiled countless females.
Zhangsun Wuji spoke of a single statement to Xia Tian, and he was moved: Shui Qianrou’s mother was the no.1 martial expert of the continent. If Xia Tian was to take over Shui Qianrou, he might have the chance at the throne. Most of the clans that were on the crown prince’s side might also shift their sides.
Xia Tian knew that Shui Qianrou wouldn’t prefer a man of his nature, but he would never know unless he tried, right? When born in the Emperor’s clan, who wouldn’t be tempted by that throne?
As such, Xia Tian groveled along with Zhangsun Wuji and came to the Spirit Beast City. Once he knew that Shui Qianrou was trying to deal with Jiang Yi, he slapped on his chest and guaranteed that he would play Jiang Yi to death.
The thing was… he might be a prince and could call on the wind and the rain in the Divine Martial Kingdom—even Jiang Bieli would have to bow to him, but he didn’t have the qualification to enter the Mt. Spirit Beast College. If he dared to forcefully barge in, the old coarse fellow, Zhuge Qingyun, would definitely beat him up and make his buttocks bloom like a flower.
Before Zhangsun Wuji arrived, he had already done some homework. He proposed a plan for Xia Tian to take down Jiang Yunhai and Jiang Xiaonu. Doing so would make Jiang Yi obediently come out of the Mt. Spirit Beast College by himself.
Zhangsun Wuji didn’t dare to offend Jiang Bieli, but Xia Tian—who was a lawless prince—naturally didn’t have any fear. He immediately sent his men to surround a small concealed town where Jiang Yunhai was currently hiding at.
Fortunately, Qian Wanguan had his men keep a close watch on Xia Tian and Zhangsun Wuji. Once the two of them made the move, the Qian Clan promptly sent their men to respond and had successfully brought Jiang Xiaonu into Mt. Spirit Beast College. Jiang Xiaonu was absolutely safe within the college. Without the Jiang Xiaonu who would put a burden on Jiang Yunhai, it made it convenient for Jiang Yunhai to escape.
“Zhangsun Wuji, Xia Tian, Shui Qianrou!”
After listening to Qian Wanguan’s explanation, the sinister expression on Jiang Yi’s face intensified. His hands were clenched tightly, with his green veins protruding. He didn’t rush down the mountain with rage; neither was he discouraged from facing such a formidable foe. Instead, it motivated his inner fighting spirit and had an increasing desire to grow stronger.
Grow stronger, grow stronger!
Only by constantly growing stronger could he truly protect the ones that he wanted to protect and be truly unfettered. If he didn’t have strength, he would always be oppressed in this life. Without strength, he could only witness Jiang Yunhai being pursued and Jiang Xiaonu resting on the bed forever.
Jiang Yi stood in the hall for a very long time. His face finally regained tranquility like a pool of stagnant water. It was so calm that Qian Wanguan felt frightened—just like a volcano was about to erupt.
Jiang Yi silently walked into the other room and began to refine elixirs. After refining 1000 Heaven Dragon Elixirs, he walked out of the room and sprinted towards the southern courtyard to enter a cultivation room and begin his frenzied cultivation.
For the rest of the following days, Jiang Yi had acted like this every day. He would only sleep for about four to six hours a day and spent the rest of the time refining elixirs or cultivating. He would have this tranquil expression, and apart from asking about Jiang Yunhai’s news, he would seldom even speak.
Two weeks later, there was finally some news!
Jiang Yunhai had successfully survived the pursuit of the Royal Military. He escaped into the Forest of Sin, which was on the common boundary of the Divine Martial Kingdom and the Saint Spirit Kingdom in the west. The Royal Military didn’t continue their pursuit, but they managed to sever one of Jiang Yunhai’s arm.
Of course, the main reason why so many of the Royal Military wasn’t able to capture Jiang Yunhai was that Xia Tian wanted him alive. Otherwise, even if there were ten Jiang Yunhai, they would all be dead.
Jiang Yunhai, who was originally lame, was left with only a single arm. With his grievous injuries and the multitude of formidable demonic beasts in the Forest of Sin, he was most probably dead after entering the forest.
The reason why Qian Wanguan was surprised as well as why Jiang Yi was sneering constantly—such a large incident wouldn’t have bypassed Jiang Bieli, but the Jiang Clan didn’t make any move. With Jiang Bieli’s status in the Divine Martial Kingdom, if he was to make a statement, Xia Tian would naturally stop sending any more men for the pursuit.
When Jiang Yi received this news, his expression was even more tranquil as he cultivated with even more madness. Qian Wanguan was extremely worried, but—apart from silently watching Jiang Yi torture himself—he couldn’t do anything.
…
A month later, the college put out an announcement that the Kingdom War was about to start in four months. Mt. Spirit Beast College was preparing to participate and asked for the cadets to eagerly register. Under the suggestion from Principal Qi, Su Ruoxue came to look for Jiang Yi again.
“The Kingdom War’s reward has been declared. The first place will get the saint-tier Fire Dragon Sword. The royalty will bestow the status of a viscount as well. There are guesses that the Divine Martial Kingdom will also provide the status as a general. Jiang Yi, you better consider it. I personally will not give any opinion.”
Su Ruoxue gave her statement in a very official manner before going silent and drinking her tea. When Jiang Yi heard the word ‘saint-tier,’ he grew curious and asked with some doubts, “What is a Kingdom War?”
When Su Ruoxue was getting ready to explain, Qian Wanguan spoke out in an indifferent tone, “Boss. You cannot participate in this Kingdom War. Once you do, Zhangsun Wuji, Xia Tian, and Shui Qianrou will definitely participate, too. When that time comes, three different forces will surround and kill you. You will certainly die.”
“En?”
Su Ruoxue didn’t visit Jiang Yi during this period of time and seemed to be avoiding him. When she heard Qian Wanguan’s statement, she asked with some alarm, “What do you mean? Isn’t Xia Tian a prince of the Divine Martial Kingdom? How did Jiang Yi offend him?”
Qian Wanguan didn’t explain much and only spoke dully, “Mentor Su, do you not know that Shui Qianrou is still residing in the Martial Arts Hall of Spirit Beast City? She has been waiting for Boss to exit from the college.”
“Is there such a thing? I have been in seclusion and don’t have any idea.”
Something flashed across Su Ruoxue’s gorgeous eyes, and she soon spoke with resolution, “Then Jiang Yi, you cannot participate in this Kingdom War. You shall go nowhere and stay in the college until you are at the Soul Travel Realm. Bring your Massacre Intent up to the fifth stage before you go out. I will help you inform Principal Qi.”
“En!”
Qian Wanguan nodded and said, “Boss. You are about to break through to the ninth stage of the Cast Tripod Realm. With such an amazing cultivation speed, you should stay and cultivate for another five to eight years. Once you graduate, you can continue to stay here as a mentor. Once you are at the Soul Travel Realm and can utilize the fifth stage of the Massacre Intent, you will be invincible in the Soul Travel Realm. As long as you don’t offend some Vajra Realm martial expert, you can venture anywhere in this world!”
“Oh!”
Jiang Yi originally didn’t have any interest in the Kingdom War and didn’t ask any more questions. He silently walked into his room to begin refining some elixirs.
Just as he was about to enter, he suddenly recalled something and came out to instruct Qian Wanguan: “Wanguan, give Mentor Su 1000 Heaven Dragon Elixirs. That’s right… give Zhan Wushuang and Zhan Lin’er 1000 elixirs, too. They will be able to cultivate faster with them.”
Finishing his statement, Jiang Yi closed his door and concentrated on refining elixirs. Su Ruoxue had this puzzled look and asked, “What is a Heaven Dragon Elixir? The college supplies us with elixirs every month. I don’t need it; you guys save it for cultivation.”
“Boss will always be Boss. Such generosity. A single gift is worth five million purple gold!”
Qian Wanguan raised a thumbs-up and spoke to Su Ruoxue with disdain, “Mentor Su, you should trash those earth-tier inferior grade elixirs that the College is providing you. Boss has been refining Heaven Dragon Elixirs that are of heaven-tier. The cultivation speed is a few folds faster than yours…”
“Heaven-tier elixir? Jiang Yi… refined it?” Su Ruoxue blinked her eyes a few times and had this angry expression. She thought that the two of them were teasing her.
Qian Wanguan took out a jade bottle and poured out an elixir and handed over to her. When Su Ruoxue took a detailed look, her expression turned pale. Her charming face that looked like a bright moon had this exaggerated expression. The emotional surge made both her soft mounds to shake flirtatiously, causing Qian Wanguan to have a nosebleed.
…
“Disgraceful! A bunch of rubbish who can’t even capture a lame person. What use is there for you to be here?”
In a luxurious room of the Spirit Beast City’s Martial Arts Hall, a dashing young master—who was wearing an official’s robe—furiously smashed a cup. He was incessantly cursing a middle-aged man who wore battle armor.
In the room, there was another man who wore a splendid robe and had an extraordinary bearing. His pair of eyes had this treacherous look above his aquiline nose. He took a sip of tea and suddenly spoke, “Third Highness, don’t blame General Long. Jiang Yunhai once served alongside the old Liege Lord’s campaigns for many years. He was also the Inner Court Chief Supervisor of the Liege Lord’s Residence for many years, too. He even served Yi Piaopiao afterward. How could he have no tricks up his sleeve? What’s more, he must be captured alive, and it was naturally much more difficult. There is no meaning to continue saying about this now. Let General Long go back for some rest.”
The official-robed male waved his hand. That general, who was wearing a battle armor, immediately felt the relief from a burden and bowed with appreciation towards the treacherous young master before dismissing himself. The official-robed male then looked at the treacherous young master with an imperative expression and asked, “Wuji, what should we do now? We didn’t capture Jiang Yunhai, and Jiang Yi is cowering in the college like a tortoise. How are we going to kill him? I have already slapped on my chest in front of Young Lady Shui. I must help her kill Jiang Yi.”
“Don’t worry, Third Highness!”
Zhangsun Wuji smiled and looked at the Third Prince Xia Tian. He lowered his head and sipped on the tea before speaking indistinctly, “I have a plan that will definitely make Jiang Yi walk out of the college by himself. Of course, I need you and also need Young Lady Shui to cooperate!”
Xia Tian’s eyes lit up and replied, “I have no problems cooperating. But would Young Lady Shui? And what is the plan?”
“Young Lady Shui will definitely cooperate!”
Zhangsun Wuji smiled with confidence. “I will keep my plan a secret first. You will get to know it after some time. Once this plan succeeds, Your Highness will have plenty of opportunities to interact with Young Lady Shui, too. You have to first be intimate with someone before getting any benefits. Feelings will slowly be accumulated after spending more time. Wuji shall congratulate Your Highness beforehand on the taking of Young Lady Shui!”
“Awesome!”
Xia Tian nodded with a satisfied expression and patted on Zhangsun Wuji’s shoulder, “If I have the chance to truly ascend to that position, you shall be the Chief of my Privy Council.”
Why Xia Tian had been fanatically wooing Shui Qianrou wasn’t merely because of her mother—it was also because Zhangsun Wuji ensured him. As long as he won Shui Qianrou over, the Zhangsun Clan would immediately shift to his side and assist him in the ascension. With the support from Zhangsun Clan, even a pig would have the chance to sit on that throne.
He had guessed that Zhangsun Wuji was using him to deal with Jiang Yi, but he didn’t mind at all. No matter how formidable Jiang Bieli was—in his views, Jiang Bieli was just an official with authority and was the slave of their Xia Clan!
After Xia Tian went out to look for Shui Qianrou and ingratiate himself, Zhangsun Wuji let out an indistinct sneer by himself. His eyes were filled with hatred that was engraved into his heart.
Jiang Yiliu was still under house arrest, and his mother didn’t even have the opportunity to see him and would occasionally come back home to lament. The plan to deal with Jiang Yi was his plan, but it had failed utterly.
Because of this, many of the elders in the Zhangsun Clan began to doubt his capability, causing his Young Clan Head’s position to be in danger. There weren’t just one or two prodigies in the direct descendants of the Zhangsun Clan. He had to urgently deal Jiang Yi with the death card to prove his ability.
“Die!”
As he muttered, he suddenly slammed his hand onto the table by the side. The firm rosewood table was smashed into pieces while his malicious eyes flickered for a few times. He murmured to himself, “Jiang Yi. In the Kingdom War four months later, I will let you die without a burial site!”