Chapter 297: Chapter 20 The Upright Gentleman
Moonlight, like flowing water, cascaded onto the path, with a thin white mist fluttering and suddenly parting as if pushed open by an unseen hand.
Jiang Li walked through the thin mist at a steady pace along the lakeside path, the noise from Iron Pillar Temple was gradually fading away, and with it, the clarity of his whereabouts.
"In their eyes, I must appear disturbed in my Mental State, possibly even injured, and currently seeking a place to cultivate in quiet," Jiang Li strolled along, talking to his master on the phone.
To disappear this very night was already part of Jiang Li’s plan. Even without the unexpected appearance of Bu Yusheng, he would have found an opportunity to feign a vulnerability, to craft himself a scenario of apparent defeat.
It was only by doing so that he was able to occupy the Fourth Prince’s full attention and, consequently, to succeed in his plan.
"Superior in strength yet resorting to such tricks, truly cunning," the voice of Tianxuan leisurely arose.
"I have no choice, given my Sect offers no support," Jiang Li lamented, "I have to rely on my own methods."
"Shall I leave, then?" Tianxuan asked.
As these words were spoken, the light on the jade hairpin that held his hair began to dim, indicating Tianxuan was about to break the connection.
"Having Master is better than any support," Jiang Li declared emphatically.
"Master’s willingness to safeguard this disciple’s welfare leaves me deeply grateful; with a master like you, it is a blessing for three lifetimes."
Under Tianxuan’s constant gaze, it was difficult for Jiang Li to find himself in trouble. Moreover, if the Sect really did come to support him, it would actually be to Jiang Li’s disadvantage. In that case, he would not be able to act so freely.
"Smooth talker," Tianxuan commented flatly.
Yet despite those words, the light on the hairpin had stabilized.
After walking a bit further, the mist cleared, and moonlight bathed the path ahead, illuminating an approaching figure in a frosty white glow.
The man, dressed in white, had perfect features and dignified bearing, clearly not an ordinary person. He seemed to be walking out from the woods, and even though True Qi surrounded him, a bit of dampness lingered.
As Jiang Li spotted the man, the man likewise noticed Jiang Li.
"Brother Zhong, where are you coming from?" Jiang Li asked with a smile.
This person was none other than Zhong Shenxiu, whom he had met in Yong Province.
Zhong Shenxiu’s handsome face revealed a slight smile as he familiarly replied to Jiang Li, "Just from around Iron Pillar Temple."
"Come to enjoy the show?"
"To enjoy the show."
Jiang Li laughed and said, "Brother Zhong, you’ve arrived a bit late. During the day, you could have sparred with me, educated me a thing or two. Too many onlookers in the evening, not quite refined."
"I, Zhong, have no interest in sparring; just here for the spectacle," Zhong Shenxiu chuckled, then counter-inquired, "But where is Young Master Jiang headed?"
Continuing down this road and traveling another dozen miles would bring one near to the Imperial College. There were numerous attractions along the way, but Jiang Li didn’t appear to be going sightseeing.
"Right this way."
Jiang Li pointed down to his feet, "Especially to express my gratitude to Brother Zhong."
"Such a minor matter, is really not worth mentioning," Zhong Shenxiu shook his head.
Sharing a knowing smile, Jiang Li then said, "Please."
"Please."
With a nod of acknowledgment, Zhong Shenxiu tread upon the moonlight and continued on his way.
"This man truly is a gentleman," observed Tianxuan, watching this exchange.
News of Jiang Li challenging Yuan Zhen had spread throughout the Divine Capital, and as a leading figure of the present generation at the Divine Capital Imperial College, Zhong Shenxiu certainly would not be ignorant of it. Yet he had not come to Iron Pillar Temple to visit.
This was because Zhong Shenxiu did not wish to disrupt Jiang Li’s preparations.
His presence at Iron Pillar Temple tonight was not for a night raid, but as he said, simply to enjoy the show. Besides, he had casually aided Jiang Li in dispelling some bothersome folks. Should Jiang Li have actually faltered under Bu Yusheng’s attack, there might have been an opportunity to see the Observation Blade in action.
Even though the two were not close, Zhong Shenxiu had gone to such lengths. Perhaps it was for the sake of a worthy opponent, perhaps for something else, but no matter what, Jiang Li owed him thanks.
Indeed, as Tianxuan had said, the man was a gentleman.
"But the more of a gentleman he is, the more fearsome he becomes," Jiang Li murmured.
Zhong Shenxiu, in such harmony with the Confucian Dao Fruit, might well be as strong as those who bore the Uniqueness Dao Fruit, despite not having it himself.
At the very least, were Ji Chengye still alive and he managed to bring the Marquis Guan Dao Fruit to Perfection in the future, he would certainly be no match for Zhong Shenxiu.
In Jiang Li’s opinion, Zhong Shenxiu’s achievements would surely not fall short of Zhang Daoyi, who had cultivated the Nine Heavens Demon Suppressing True Technique.
Having parted with Zhong Shenxiu, Jiang Li then intended to take a detour and leave Dragon Abyss Lake.
"Master, among the princes within the court, which one is the most likely to succeed to the throne?" Jiang Li inquired.
"You’re planning to seek him out?" Tianxuan asked in return.
"Yes, I must give the Fourth Prince some trouble to keep him well-behaved."
Jiang Li looked back at the Iron Pillar Temple and said softly, "At least, until after killing Yuan Zhen..."
After killing Yuan Zhen, it would be the Fourth Prince’s turn.
If Lawless Freedom didn’t do what madmen are supposed to do, how could he live up to his name?
It could even be said that he adopted this alias and created this persona specifically for the purpose of murder. The original plan was to kill members of the Southern Heavenly Department, but now the plan had shifted to assassinating a prince.
"That would naturally be the Second Prince."
When Jiang Li heard the answer, his figure flashed and disappeared into the thin mist.
"Vanishing without form."
Having already moved far away, Zhong Shenxiu sensed Jiang Li’s abrupt disappearance and stopped in his tracks, "Jiang Li of the Dinghu Sect, his mastery of Yi Dao is truly astonishing."
Tonight, he hadn’t made a move, and even his Qi mechanism was completely concealed, with not a trace leaking out, but Jiang Li managed to detect his presence and met with him as if he had foreknowledge.
Jiang Li arrived at the edge of the woods just as he was leaving.
Such proficiency in Yi Dao was considered top-ranking among his peers as seen by Zhong Shenxiu, even surpassing Dinghu Sect’s leading disciple.
"He will be a worthy opponent..."
He stepped forward again and vanished into the night.
...
...
The next day, August 24th, in the year of 1995, in the Renxu month, on the Ji Hai day, the Cold Dew signaled the penultimate solar term of autumn. According to the solar term, the Cold Dew meant that chill should form frost in the early mornings. However, in Divine Capital, they had not even experienced White Dew, so naturally, there would be no Cold Dew either.
People on the streets of the outer city, all dressed in light clothing, enjoyed the pleasant weather of spring, which made the streets busier than usual this time of year.
The Second Prince gently pushed open the carriage window and, seeing the bustling crowd outside, couldn’t help remarking, "Truly a grand sight."
The streets of the outer city were especially lively, with people brushing past each other, a scene that showcased the prosperity of a golden era. Especially notable was the attire of Divine Capital’s citizens—though some dressed simply, none were in tattered clothes, and there were no beggars to be seen, reflecting the affluence of Divine Capital.
"Actually, this is because Lord Shen, who oversees the outer city, has a kind heart and cannot bear to see beggars, so those in tattered clothing are forbidden to enter the city."
A crisp yet bizarre voice suddenly rose from outside the carriage window, and a wisp of gray-white mist followed the gap opened by the window inside, forming a vague human shape in front of the Second Prince.
The rhythm of the smoothly gliding carriage underwent a brief change, as a sharp and concentrated Qi mechanism, like a sword, pointed at the human shape through the carriage door, as if it could potentially strike at any moment.
However, the Second Prince showed no sign of tension; instead, he casually looked toward the ambiguous figure, replying, "If that’s the case, then we’ll need to look into it thoroughly. I am also quite kind-hearted and cannot stand anyone who mistreats the populace."
His composed demeanor exuded a sense of majestic tranquility despite impending disaster; one had to admit that the Second Prince truly had the demeanor of a king.
"Aren’t you afraid of assassination, Second Prince?" the vague figure tilted its head, seemingly puzzled.
"You couldn’t even kill the fourth, how could you kill me?"
The Second Prince laughed heartily, full of confidence.
This prince, appearing to be in his forties with a light beard and bearing a resemblance to the Fourth Prince, did not have the latter’s leisure and ease but carried the authority and momentum of long-held power.
He had reason for his confidence. As a young man, he had ventured through the Nine Provinces incognito, an act of courting death for a prince, yet he managed to survive until now and subsequently gained a wealth of experience. He rose up the ranks and had already achieved fifth-rank ten years ago.
Among the princes present, he was the most likely to advance to fourth-rank.
Once he advanced to fourth-rank, he would have the foundation to inherit the Emperor Dao Fruit. Even if the Dao Fruit wasn’t perfected, he could still contain the Emperor Dao Fruit after the Emperor’s death.
Therefore, he was the prince most likely to succeed the Emperor’s throne.
’But even so, isn’t this a little too confident?’ thought a butterfly trying to roll its eyes from outside the simple carriage.
Jiang Li had intended only to summon a representative of the Second Prince, but to his surprise, the prince himself had come, revealing his self-confidence to Jiang Li.
Indeed, only someone who could perform acts as daring as his past incognito adventures could possess such confidence.
"Speak up, what do you know that makes you think the fourth could threaten me?" Prince Ji Chengji leaned slightly forward, exuding majesty as if he were a dragon coiled and a tiger crouched.
"I’ve taken the time to meet with you, I hope you won’t disappoint me."
"That’s what I should be saying," said the vague figure with a light laugh, "I hope the Second Prince won’t disappoint me."
He made a gesture as if sitting cross-legged and said calmly, "First, let’s talk about the current Dao Fruit of the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince, Ji Chengyuan, has received the Three Corpses God Dao Fruit. You should be familiar with this Dao Fruit, right?"
"The Three Corpses God Dao Fruit from the Jiang Family of Yun County?" A serious expression crossed the Second Prince’s face.
The Three Corpses God Dao Fruit could stir up evil thoughts in people’s hearts, a potent tool in the power struggles of the court. But what truly made him serious was the investigation into the destruction of the Jiang Family in Yun County by the Southern Heavenly Department after the incident, given it happened within the confines of Divine Capital.
The Fourth Prince, who outwardly expressed disinterest in power and had hidden himself away for many years, being able to arrange for the elimination of the Jiang Family in Yun County was no small feat. And the outcome determined by the Southern Heavenly Department indicating Devil Cultivators were involved only sparked skepticism.
This suggested that someone within the Southern Heavenly Department might be working for the Fourth Prince.
"What’s crucial is how many people the Fourth Prince has developed through the Three Corpses God Dao Fruit," Jiang Li spoke slowly.