Loyal Heart Roaming the Skies

In the following period of time, Jiang Wang went to the City Guard's residence almost every day to spar with Zhao Lang, and sometimes he also acted as a sparring partner for other cultivators in the City Guard.

In this high-intensity and high-frequency combat training, his mastery of Dao techniques became more proficient, and he gradually adapted to Zhao Lang's complex and ever-changing combat system.

Until Bai Lian came to find him again.

It was still nighttime, and Bai Lian did not directly enter his bedroom.

Perhaps knowing her significance in Jiang An'an's heart, she left her dangerous self in the courtyard.

"The second matter?" Jiang Wang asked directly after leaving a message for An'an.

Bai Lian remained silent and floated away.

Since returning from Yu Heng Peak, Jiang Wang had been contemplating the distance between him and Bai Lian, and considering how he should face her.

There was no doubt that Bai Lian, or the organization behind her, was not friendly towards Zhuang Ting.

By supporting Yu Heng Peak, Jiang Wang had essentially taken the opposite side of Zhuang Ting. However, his feelings towards Zhuang Ting were complicated.

Having grown up in this country and received education from a young age, he had full trust in Zhuang Ting and had a deep admiration for the ruler.

So he was once conflicted. Although he had been convinced by Ye Qingyu's letter and believed that his choice was not wrong, he did not feel the need to go against Zhuang Ting.

He especially did not understand why Bai Lian had to bring him along for the incident at Yu Heng Peak when she could have completed it independently.

He sensed that there was some hidden secret that he was not aware of, which made him cautious and vigilant.

He intended to keep his distance from Bai Lian.

But he did not expect that he didn't have to maintain it himself, as Bai Lian became cold and distant without saying much.

He had many words of estrangement stuck in his throat, but since he had made a prior agreement with her, he could only follow along for now.

The two of them left through the West Gate and headed towards the Green Willow River.

When they arrived at the Green Willow River, Bai Lian did not board a boat but walked along the riverbank.

When they could already hear the sound of the surging river, Bai Lian finally spoke.

"The reason why the incident happened in Xiaolin Town was largely because the Clear River Water Mansion was restraining the City Guard. Wei Yan and Zhao Lang had to go to the City Dao Institute to call for reinforcements, wasting precious time."

Bai Lian turned her head and looked at Jiang Wang's expression. "So, do you think the Clear River Water Mansion is hateful?"

"Hateful," Jiang Wang said.

This was not something that required hesitation. Anyone who had participated in the Xiaolin Town operation held a grudge against the Clear River Water Mansion. It was similar to how they despised the Swallowing Heart Demon.

Bai Lian's eyes filled with coldness. "Go and kill a few water tribe members to vent your anger."

"Restraining the City Guard is the responsibility of the Water Mansion Lord. What does it have to do with ordinary water tribe members?" Jiang Wang shook his head. "I won't do something that unjustly blames the innocent."

Even the great Chu prodigy, Left Guanglie, refused to attack a group of beggars from an enemy country before his death.

Although Jiang Wang's strength was far inferior, he also did not want to become a violent person.

"Everyone will be affected by the actions of others. Are ordinary water tribe members not deserving of hatred?"

"The water tribe and the human tribe have had a pact for thousands of years, where we are equal and help each other. Just like how each of us wants to kill the Swallowing Heart Demon, but no one would think of killing the people of Xiongwen's hometown."

"How do you know that no one has thought of it?" Bai Lian sneered. "The entire town of Xiongwen's hometown was exterminated. Do you think what you see is the truth of the world?"

Jiang Wang fell silent for a moment. "The person who exterminated the entire town of Xiongwen's hometown was just another Xiongwen."

"Do you think there are more Jiang Wangs in this world? Perhaps there are more Xiongwens," Bai Lian said.

Moonlight spilled onto the water's surface as the two continued on their way. The branch of the Green Willow River finally merged into the Clear River.

"Speaking of which, the equality and mutual assistance between the water tribe and the human tribe." Bai Lian smiled, seemingly finding it unbelievable. "Are there still people who believe in the ancient covenant?"

"Why wouldn't they believe? Since ancient times, the human tribe has lived on land and the water tribe has lived in water, and we have always coexisted peacefully."

"Since ancient times? What do you know about history?"

Tonight, Bai Lian's every word seemed to carry a sting, full of derogation.

Jiang Wang became annoyed. "If you know something about history that I don't, then please speak directly."

"Tsk tsk tsk. If you don't want to kill the water tribe, then don't. Why are you so angry?"

"I'm not angry."

Bai Lian took a step closer to Jiang Wang, but he silently moved away.

Bai Lian laughed. "Whether you kill or not, it's your own decision. I never forced you, so what are you afraid of?"

"Are you afraid..."

She ghostly stepped in front of Jiang Wang, lightly tapping his chest with her finger, and softly said, "Are you afraid of your inner self?"

Jiang Wang frowned. "Stop beating around the bush. I owe you three things, so just tell me what you want me to do."

"Do you do whatever I tell you to do?"

Jiang Wang was taken aback, then said, "I won't harm the innocent, whether they are from the human tribe or the water tribe."

"So be it," Bai Lian turned and continued walking. "There's no need to say what I want you to do now. You can observe and make a decision later. After all, I won't force you, will I?"

Even though she was wearing a black robe and it was nighttime, her graceful figure could not be completely concealed. In occasional movements, she brought about a scenery that touched people's hearts.

"We're here." Bai Lian grabbed Jiang Wang's hand and pulled him into the bushes on the riverbank, squatting down.

She set up a formation plate and activated her Dao Yuan, then smiled. "This time, I've truly set up a concealment formation."

Jiang Wang knew she was teasing him about the incident at Yu Heng Peak, but he remained silent and focused on the surface of the Clear River.

He was curious about what he would see next, but also had a sense of unease that he couldn't explain.

What would he see?

...

Time slowly passed, and the seemingly everlasting tranquility was shattered.

The Clear River bank was open, with waves drifting and splashing into the distance, casting a silver light.

A figure emerged from the water and walked towards the shore. They were dressed in black clothes and had a black cloth covering their face. On their shoulder, they carried a large black cloth bag that blended with the night.

The cloth bag vaguely outlined a human figure. But considering the current time and place, Jiang Wang believed that there should be a water tribe member inside the bag.

The human tribe and the water tribe were similar in appearance. This was the reason why the two tribes had recognized each other for countless years.

The only difference was the unique features on the water tribe's body, such as fish scales, whiskers, and turtle shells. Each water tribe member had more or less of these features, which were the manifestations of their innate talents and would never disappear.

The figure came closer and closer, to the point where Jiang Wang could see them clearly. He could confirm that this was a human tribe member.

A human tribe member, sneaking around in the Clear River in the middle of the night, secretly carrying a water tribe member in a bag. What did they intend to do? What did this mean?

"Why is he doing this?" Jiang Wang felt his voice trembling slightly, unsure where his unease came from.

"Water tribe members also have their innate talents manifested. And they are much stronger and purer than demonic beasts," Bai Lian whispered in his ear.

Her voice was pleasant to the ear, but her words were cruel. "In other words, the extracted innate talents from water tribe members can create a better and more perfect Opening Meridian Pill."

Jiang Wang's grip on his sword tightened.

The coexistence of the human tribe and the water tribe was deeply rooted in their hearts and had been a consensus on this land for countless years.

When Chu established its country, it relied on the fierce battle with the Clear River Water Mansion.

The founder of Chu, Zhuang Chengqian, made an eternal covenant with the Clear River Water Mansion, and the wording of the covenant was still recited in classrooms today! There were often instances of human tribe members being saved by water tribe members when they accidentally fell into the water, and during festivals, human tribe members would often scatter fruits and gifts along the rivers.

The human tribe and the water tribe were so similar and close. One lived on land, the other in water, and there was no competition for living space.

In his eyes, extracting the innate talents of water tribe members was no different from extracting the innate talents of human tribe members.

And can the extracted innate talents from human tribe members be used to refine Opening Meridian Pills?

Regardless of whether it was possible or not, just thinking about it felt unforgivable!