Chapter 2619: 8: A Small Boat on the Azure Sea, Waves upon Waves

The head chef of the Wu’an Marquis Mansion was brought over by Yan Xian Brother when he came to attend a banquet—at first he brought his own wine, then his own furniture, and later even his own chef. This also proved the growing affection between him and Yan Xian Brother. Marquis Wu’an Jiang would never hurt a friend’s kind gesture, and after tasting that meal, he immediately decided to keep the chef. Indeed, the chef’s skills were extraordinary, and after joining the mansion, Zhongxuan Sheng also visited more frequently.

Due to Zhang Linchuan replacing Lei Zhanqian, Zhongxuan Sheng made quite a stir in Deer Frost County. The results were excellent, not to mention that the fine wine from the Bowang Marquis Mansion and Wu’an Marquis Mansion was being consumed in greater quantities, filling the wine cellars.

The desire of the palate may be trivial, but truly, indulgence brings great joy.

Jiang Wang, Xiang Qian, Bai Yuxia, and Chu Yao were all eating and drinking heartily, laughing constantly.

Chu Yao was not allowed to drink wine; after eating his fill, he was sent to practice his calligraphy.

The remaining three continued to drink slowly, savoring each sip.

With their mouths greasy and their eyes somewhat glazed, Xiang Qian wiped his mouth with a napkin, finished the wine in his cup in one gulp, burped contentedly, and then stood up.

"I’m leaving!"

He said decisively, with the brisk sharpness of a sword sheathed.

Jiang Wang did not stand up, only raising his eyes to look at him.

As it was a gathering of friends, he made no effort to control himself and was now slightly tipsy.

He chuckled softly, "I thought you would stay to help me, just like in Green Sheep Town back then... Why?"

Xiang Qian’s face was barely visible behind his disheveled hair, his eyelids drooped with fatigue, "My courage is spent."

Before Jiang Wang could say anything, he turned away, laughing heartily, swaggering as he headed out, "I’ll wander the world a bit and gather some courage before coming back!"

Bai Yuxia didn’t understand why Xiang Qian was doing this, but he respected Xiang Qian’s choice.

He also had to respect Jiang Wang’s silent consent.

So he merely got up and said, "I’ll see you off."

And Jiang Wang sat alone in his seat, holding a cup of wine, slowly drinking it all.

Linzi, of course, was a good place.

It’s the center of power in the Eastern Region and one of the world’s most famous grand cities.

Here, dragons and tigers contend, and worldly splendors abound.

It can fulfill all desires and embrace all ambitions.

It is certainly worthy of heroes from around the world vying for its favor.

But for Xiang Qian, this capital of the Hegemony Country bore deeper significance.

It was on November 16th, 392nd year of the Dao Calendar, that Xiang Qian, the sole inheritor of the Myriad Sword Dao in the world, for the first time in his life, set foot in Linzi.

...

...

The heavier the reputation, the harder it is to be free as before.

In the past, when Jiang Wang crossed counties and visited mansions, how many recognized him? He could swagger through with ease.

Now, if he wanted to quietly sneak into Yun Country to see An’an, it was a hundred times more difficult than before.

Just like this time, he went out to sea with the intention of thanking Zhu Bijing in person, but he had to consider the political implications of his status as Marquis Wu’an.

He could only travel light and behave sneakily like a thief.

But even coming so discreetly, he was unable to meet Zhu Bijing in person.

Bai Yuxia delivered Jiang Wang’s handwritten letter requesting a meeting, the letter was received, but Zhu Bijing herself did not appear, claiming to be in a critical stage of cultivation.

"Her people conveyed a message, saying she was at a crucial point in her cultivation and could not receive guests," reported Bai Yuxia, who had completely adapted to his role as a retainer.

Jiang Wang himself could not conveniently show up on Crescent Island.

An open appearance would make people nervous, sneaking around would make them wary.

Thus, he had to stay at sea, letting Bai Yuxia deliver a letter to arrange a meeting.

The last time he visited the Near Sea Archipelago, Zhu Bijing also said it was not yet time to meet.

But it was only this time that Jiang Wang finally realized that Zhu Bijing seemed to be intentionally avoiding him... During the pursuit of Li Daorong, why wasn’t cultivation a priority?

He didn’t know what Zhu Bijing was thinking. After coming out of the Heavenly Abode Secret Land, Zhu Bijing was no longer the easy-to-read little girl she once was. Her two times of wholehearted assistance still proved their initial friendship.

Zhu Bijing must have her reasons.

Jiang Wang could only accept it.

There’s no way he could block her door?

Otherwise, Diao Hai Building might think he was ready for another duel on End of the World Platform.

Marquis Wu’an blocking the door and Jiang Qingyang blocking the door are entirely different concepts. If misjudged, Diao Hai Building and Jueming Island might end up fighting...

Speaking of which, since he was out to sea again, he really ought to spar with Chen Zhitao from Diao Hai Building, the one who said, "If only we were born fifteen years earlier."

But out of respect for Zhu Bijing, he refrained from stirring up trouble.

Currently, Chen Zhitao... would not be his match.

Even looking across the entire Diao Hai Building, below the four Elder Jinhais, he was confident he could sweep through.

"Then let’s go," he said to Bai Yuxia.

"Where to next?" Bai Yuxia asked.

At the time, the small boat floated on the Azure Sea, as wave followed wave.

Jiang Wang, wearing a hood and standing alone on the bow, responded in a flat voice, "The gate of all demons."

...

...

A transcendent cultivator, having enjoyed transcendent resources in the world, naturally should also shoulder transcendent responsibilities.

Of course, not every cultivator has this awareness.

It wasn’t until the rise of national systems that some transcendent responsibilities became a consensus rather than merely driven by personal moral imperatives.

Many people believed that their achievements in cultivation were all through their own effort, without receiving any help, so they felt no obligation to give back to the world.