Chapter 1079: Chapter 312: The Self-Disciplining Ascetic (Bonus for 4500 votes last month!)

Rather than saying Zheng Shi was inquiring, it would be more accurate to say he was offering his condolences.

The closeness of the Beiyar Commander was self-evident without words.

Of course, this was also related to the fact that Jiang Wang was indeed innocent.

To this day, his birth and most of his experiences presented before others were no secrets to the higher-ups of Qi Country.

His attainment of the title of Green Sheep Town Man was the first step of Qi Country accepting him.

To contribute to Qi was to be a person of Qi.

By later being added to the Yellow River Gathering list, it represented not only his recognition as a person of Qi but also that he could sometimes represent the people of Qi.

As the favored son of the nation, he was qualified and deserved special treatment.

This was also why Jiang Wuyou and Zhongxuan Sheng could easily come to see him at the Beiyar.

During his time at the Imperial City Inspection Mansion, it was enough for the Green-ranked agents to repeatedly verify his whereabouts.

After the ritual of the "Master’s Courtesy," he had been in closed-door cultivation at Xia Shan Villa the whole time and had never left. Every word he said within the Imperial City Inspection Mansion could be verified. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Although "Zhang Song" spoke a lot to him when they were alone and seemed to acknowledge him greatly, he was truly uninvolved and truly able to withstand investigation.

He was not only free of guilt, but fighting against Zhang Song could even be considered meritorious.

Of course...

If someone wanted to target him, having personally witnessed "Cui Zhu Assassinating the Lord" and "Zhang Song Weeping at the Temple," with both instances where he was an eyewitness, especially the latter where he had spent a period alone with Zhang Song... it would be quite easy to fabricate something.

During the investigation phase, there are plenty of ways to plant evidence that Jiang Wang couldn’t refute.

This was why Jiang Wang had to be so careful and guarded in his conduct.

It was precisely because Jiang Wuyou and Zhongxuan Sheng recognized the severity of the issue that they had hurried over, to prevent some people from getting a chance to mess things up.

For someone like Jiang Wang who was already known in Qi Country and was bound to have a high position in the future -- an excellent right-hand man -- would his competitors, if given a chance, want to erase him?

Like Zhongxuan Zun, who had forcefully returned to the family and found out his properties were in disarray, with Wang Yiwu sent to the death row camp... might he want to do something?

These possibilities couldn’t be confirmed, but neither could they be left unguarded against.

Jiang Wang’s trip to the Imperial City Inspection Mansion today could either be a trivial matter or a serious one; he could rest easy or die without a grave -- if no one were backing him.

But looking back, throughout the incident, that Vice Inspector with the surname Yang had consistently shown goodwill.

Even Beiyar Commander Zheng Shi came in person to reassure him.

Even Ma Xiong could only be described as handling matters officially, showing no sign of making things difficult.

This was the sign that wings had grown.

In Qi Country, ordinary waves could no longer topple the current Jiang Wang.

However, as he left the Inspection Mansion, he happened to encounter Zheng Shangming -- naturally, it wasn’t a real coincidence.

Although earlier, Beiyar Commander Zheng Shi had only casually asked a few questions and said nothing else, this goodwill, of course, would be included in the relationship between Jiang Wang and Zheng Shangming.

To avoid suspicion, Zheng Shangming only casually greeted him, and Jiang Wang responded calmly.

To completely ignore each other would be too fake, especially since they had just had a drink together not long before.

As they passed by one another, Zheng Shangming’s transmitted message rang in Jiang Wang’s ears.

"The fake Zhang Song was discovered by arrest officer Lin Youxie. The man only helped to push when Cui Zhu was listed for the Yellow River Gathering, but with this single push, he was caught by Officer Lin, who found direct evidence that he was not Zhang Song himself. Old Wu kept this matter private to protect her. So he let Ma Xiong go to apprehend her..."

Zheng Shangming walked steadily past.

Jiang Wang’s expression remained unchanged as he followed Jiang Wuyou out.

Yet in his heart, a chill ran deep.

What "Zhang Song" had said, "Reveal even a single hair, and one’s ancestors for eighteen generations can be traced," it was meant for this moment.

Lin Youxie had kept a close watch on Zhang Song, refusing to give up even after he joined the Long Life Palace. At most, the approach had become more indirect—Lin Youxie even sought out Jiang Wang because of this.

Unexpectedly, without any noise, they pressured Zhang Song into jumping out.

This "Zhang Song," or rather, the power behind him, did not hesitate to exterminate the Phoenix Immortal of Clan Zhang to carefully concoct the "Zhang Song" persona. Their schemes were surely profound—if the Phoenix Immortal of Clan Zhang were to resurface later on, establishing a prestigious clan with ulterior motives was not impossible.

Their value was certainly not confined to the matter of the "mourning shrine."

But with his identity exposed, given the position Zhang Song had climbed to at this moment, the "mourning shrine" was the biggest thing he could accomplish, and also the most damaging to Qi Jun’s prestige.

Reviewing the matter from this angle, one could not help but be moved by the resolve, incisiveness, and clarity of target that Zhang Song showed in the face of unexpected events.

The power behind Zhang Song was truly alarming. A Cui Zhu here, a Zhang Song there, seemingly unrelated, yet they were all promising young men with many possibilities in Qi Country, but they went to their deaths decisively, united in purpose. One cannot help but wonder—how many more such individuals are there? Who among those around us could it be? Just how immense is the lurking power beneath the surface?

And Lin Youxie, who forced Zhang Song to reveal himself earlier than planned, was truly admirable. Her cultivation was not strong, her combat power was not formidable, and sometimes her obsession was frown-inducing, but her investigative abilities... they were indeed worthy of Lin Kuang’s daughter, Wu Lie’s disciple.

Fortunately, he had already reconciled with Lin Youxie back then. She had promised not to pursue the investigation into him any further; otherwise, with her relentless pursuit of Zhang Song, the matter of "Hell Has No Door" would have been exposed sooner or later.

Zhongxuan Sheng and Shisi walked on the other side.

Without looking, Zhongxuan Sheng knew that Zheng Shangming must have said something to Jiang Wang.

However, with his worldliness, he would not reveal the slightest, and after exchanging a few casual words, he boarded the large palanquin.

Shisi, of course, shadowed him.

Just as Jiang Wang was about to follow, Jiang Wuyou’s voice rang out, "Jiang Qingyang, ride in my palanquin."

She had a decisively carefree air about her, and without needing anyone to attend to her, lifted the palanquin curtain herself and sat inside.

Since the Hua Ying Palace Master herself did not mind, Jiang Wang saw no need for propriety, bowing slightly as he entered the palanquin.

It’s worth mentioning that compared to Zhongxuan Sheng’s specially made large palanquin, whether in size or comfort, the Hua Ying Palace’s was far inferior.

One could only say that Jiang Wuyou was not one to indulge in luxury.

Those who practice self-denial and asceticism must have a long-term vision.

The two sat facing each other inside the palanquin.

Jiang Wang opened his mouth and said, "Palace Master Your Highness..."

Jiang Wuyou raised her hand, "Let’s talk later."

Thus, silence reigned within the palanquin.

Since Jiang Wuyou had no intention of speaking now, Jiang Wang sat upright with dignity, closed his eyes, and cultivated.

The Hua Ying Palace Master glanced at the young man sitting opposite, swiftly entering a state of cultivation, and couldn’t help but smile. She too closed her eyes and entered into cultivation.

In a certain sense, they were the same kind of people.

The Beiyaduwei was situated in a bustling area, with the town of Linzi having already awakened outside the palanquin.

The clamor reached the palanquin, yet it remained unheard within.

Four palanquin bearers carried the palanquin with steady steps, plunging into the midst of the crowd.