Chapter 1439: Xin Yi

If we could secure Ling Mountain as our backing, perhaps the struggle against Between Between Between Beijia would have hope, perhaps a chance of victory. However, Zhong Shengguang sought out He Lingchuan to talk, indicating his trust in He Lingchuan and also wanting to hear the opinion of General Huying. Thus, He Lingchuan spoke plainly: "Between Between Between Beijia treats the Heavenly Demons as servants serving their master. What Ling Mountain desires is such loyal and obedient servants, not an independent nation with its own will."

Under Zhong Shengguang's leadership, would Panlongcheng honestly obey Ling Mountain's words? They want them to go east, but they dare not go west? He Lingchuan could not imagine that scene.

"In the ancient and medieval periods, what attitude did immortals hold toward humanity? I think Ling Mountain is indeed extending a helping hand to Panlongcheng now, but this will not be unconditional."

He said word by word: "Unless you wish to submit to Ling Mountain as a vassal, then you must prevent Ling Mountain from secretly annexing Panlongcheng!"

Cooperation, of course, still requires cooperation. In this world, where is there a pure and spotless person? Where is there a pure and flawless, righteous and bright force? All cooperation is built upon repeated weighing and trade-offs.

This is what is meant by seeking common ground while reserving differences, each taking what they need.

But the iron law of the world is that to gain something inevitably means to lose something.

The key lies in what Panlongcheng must give up, and how great a cost Zhong Shengguang is willing to bear.

Zhong Shengguang gazed out the window, standing still for a long time, then finally nodded.

He Lingchuan also walked to the window, looking at the new green sprouting from the corner of the wall. He knew this topic had ended here, and Zhong Shengguang should have his own plans.

Although difficult, Panlongcheng must still strive to carve out room for maneuver for itself.

Speaking of which, He Lingchuan recalled that Ling Mountain had finally achieved its goal in reality and established its own terrestrial nation—Mu State.

Right after Panlongcheng's downfall.

He coughed lightly: "May I ask, Lord Zhong, how is the Red General faring?"

Before he set out from Panlongcheng for the Jinjin Plains, the Red General and Lady Lady Lady Mitian had encountered some "minor issues": the Red General's strength was rapidly growing, planting a hidden danger that Lady Lady Lady Mitian's divine descent might occur earlier.

Zhong Shengguang exhaled a breath: "Do you still remember the oil lamp I had you bring back from the Jinjin Plains?"

He Lingchuan nodded, with an ominous premonition.

"There was a slight problem during the trial. This path had no prior successful precedent; we had to rely entirely on our own exploration, and we had to conduct it under Lady Lady Lady Mitian's very eyes." Zhong Shengguang's face was expressionless, but He Lingchuan felt this matter also troubled him greatly, "So I inquired with Ling Mountain about the oil lamp affair, hoping they had an expert who had studied this treasure."

After all, Ling Mountain is a gathering place of immortals, and few places have knowledge reserves richer than theirs.

He Lingchuan listened, stunned—could it be that Xin Yi was…? Indeed, Zhong Shengguang continued: "Not long after, Mr. Lu returned, and Ling Mountain reassigned Mr. Xin to come here, outwardly stating only that they had replaced a signal officer."

"Is Mr. Xin here to study the oil lamp?"

"He has some insights on the oil lamp and also wishes to study it further. As an exchange, I told him the true function of the Black Jia mark."

He Lingchuan suddenly understood.

He had been wondering: Zhong Shengguang is deep and scheming, not a gossip, so how could he leak secrets to outsiders?

Now it makes sense—Xin Yi has studied the oil lamp.

But he immediately recalled the Ling Mountain mission he received in reality: to guard Mu State and seek the whereabouts of the stolen oil lamp! Moreover, Mu State, every thirty-odd years, takes the oil lamp from Bai Mao Mountain, its purpose unknown.

Combined with what Zhong Shengguang said now, could Mu State's acquisition of the oil lamp have originated from Xin Yi's journey to Panlongcheng?

"This path is full of hardship, but I will surely accomplish it." Zhong Shengguang said slowly, "I have always believed that things depend on human effort."

Otherwise, he would be a sinner in this world!

The two discussed some more strategy and tactics, then General Nankē came to find Zhong Shengguang, and He Lingchuan took his leave accordingly.

At this time, Panlongcheng's lanterns were first lit. He Lingchuan walked down the street, seeing seven- or eight-year-old children carrying clay jars to buy soy sauce, and spice merchants haggling with customers.

Everywhere was the smoke and fire of human life.

This ordinary daily life here is precisely what Zhong Shengguang, the Red General, and he himself vow to protect.

……

Until the night deepened, the clamor on the street subsided into stillness.

Xin Yi looked out the window, but saw only moonlight like water, pouring down upon the roofs of ordinary homes.

Having just finished annotating a book, he put down his writing brush, stretched lazily, and walked to the window.

The inn attendant just happened to come from the back courtyard, greeting him:

"Mr. Xin, is there anything you need?"

"No, you should also rest early." Xin Yi returned the smile, gently closed the window, and casually set up a barrier.

In the guest room there was a small stove; Xin Yi boiled water to brew a cup of hot tea, then took out an unripe wuhuanzi fruit and tossed it into the inkstone on the desk, casually pouring a few sips of hot tea over it, then slowly sipped his own tea.

As the hot water touched it, the green fruit suddenly split open, taking root and sprouting in the celadon inkstone, growing stems and leaves, and indeed grew into a shape resembling ginseng, the main trunk thick and plump, with a cluster of air roots below, and a few small green leaves on top.

Then the trunk underwent changes: within a dozen breaths, it had indentations and protrusions, finally settling into shape, and indeed it somewhat resembled a human face.

Very blurry, like an abstract painting.

During this period, Xin Yi did not sit idly waiting; instead, he casually took out a packet of spiced water chestnuts, peeled and ate them while feeling quite content.

After a few more breaths, the face on the wuhuanzi tree suddenly moved, and an aged voice sounded:

"Again using wuhuanzi fruit?"

"Hmph." Xin Yi showed no surprise, crackling open a water chestnut with a snap, "Saving a little is still saving. You also know, long-distance communication consumes the most energy."

"How was the journey to Panlongcheng? You also went there for over a month."

"Zhong Shengguang can truly be called an outstanding talent; he has few subordinates, but each can stand alone."

"Panlongcheng is, after all, a small place." The wuhuanzi sprite said, "Lady Lady Lady Mitian and the Red General?"

"Lady Lady Lady Mitian never showed his face; I only saw the Red General twice, and indeed he differs from an ordinary divine descent vessel."

"How so?"

"Possessing strength surpassing her age and cultivation. She must be able to use Lady Lady Lady Mitian's divine power!"

"At the time of divine descent……"

"Not divine descent, but usual times!" Xin Yi was certain, "If Lady Lady Lady Mitian descended, I would certainly know. But she remains a mortal vessel, yet her body surges with Lady Lady Lady Mitian's divine power!"

"In this present world, no mortal can bear the power of a heavenly god." The wuhuanzi sprite said, "Either Lady Lady Lady Mitian has altered her body, or the Red General has a way to temporarily accommodate Lady Lady Lady Mitian's divine power so it does not destroy the body."

It paused again, then said: "If Lady Lady Lady Mitian finds a way to release more divine power into the human world, that would truly be bad news for us."

"I will continue observing the Red General and Lady Lady Lady Mitian." Xin Yi sipped hot tea, "This tea is not bad…… As for the Black Jia mark, Zhong Shengguang has already told me it is a naturally grown totem. Within its influence, not only is the weather harmonious and the grains abundant, but even spiritual energy and nightmare energy are not drawn away."

"Even spiritual energy cannot?" The wuhuanzi sprite pressed, "Are you certain?"

"I set up a small Spirit-Gathering Array nearby, and indeed I couldn't gather any spiritual energy." Xin Yi shifted to a more comfortable sitting posture, "If the Black Flood Dragon's mark could spread across the world, it would be a heavy blow to the Heavenly Demon."

"What good news is that?" Wu Huanzi Xiaoren was dissatisfied, letting out a hum, "But this mark's characteristic is actually in line with the Divine Sovereign's lineage; neither of them pays much attention to us, only caring for the humble masses. From this perspective, it must be an embodiment of the Divine Sovereign's will."

Xin Yi snorted with a laugh: "Humble? This world has long been humanity's world. You've been holed up in your cave for too long; it's time you came out and saw for yourself."

Wu Huanzi Xiaoren said lightly: "If it weren't for them, the Heavenly Demon's absorption of nightmare energy wouldn't be so smooth. Hmm, have you found the cause? Why did Panlongcheng obtain the Black Flood Dragon's mark?"

"Currently, there are no leads." Xin Yi shook his head, "The Divine Sovereign acts in ways that are always inscrutable."

"In your opinion, can Panlongcheng be used by us?"

"Faced with the threat of Between Between Between Beijia, Panlongcheng's desire to rely on Ling Mountain is very urgent. I see that Zhong Shengguang and Lady Lady Lady Mitian's relationship is also not necessarily harmonious; winning him over should not be difficult, as long as we provide appropriate assistance." Xin Yi said up to this point, then paused, "However, his young subordinate has been wary of me; today he even came to ask me a question—where does the spiritual energy infused by immortals into blessed lands come from?"

Wu Huanzi Xiaoren fell silent for a while: "This is not a good question... Is it his own inquiry, or did Zhong Shengguang instruct him to ask?"

"I think this should be his own doubt." Xin Yi said, "If Zhong Shengguang notices this, he should directly consult Lady Lady Lady Mitian. Lady Lady Lady Mitian will give him an answer; he doesn't need to ask me."

"Indeed, wherever you go, there are always a few troublemakers." Wu Huanzi Xiaoren asked him, "Regarding this person, do you want to...?"

"No need." Xin Yi said firmly, "In the upcoming great battle, he will be a main force commander; without him, fighting on Panlongcheng's eastern front would be difficult. Moreover, even if Zhong Shengguang knew, what then?"

"He has already become an enemy of Between Between Between Beijia, and Lady Lady Lady Mitian is unreliable; besides relying on Ling Mountain, does Panlongcheng have a second way out?" He peeled another water chestnut, chewing it with a crisp sound, "Humans are best at compromise; these people in power will weigh the pros and cons clearly."

"You just need to be confident." Wu Huanzi Xiaoren added, "We just received news that the strongest state on the Flash Gold Plains, Yao State, has had its ruler lead the people to convert to the Lingxu Gods."

Xin Yi paused his chewing of the water chestnut for two seconds: "They weren't originally followers of the Sharili Heaven?"

"This shows the divine realm's struggle is intense." Wu Huanzi Xiaoren said, "Taking advantage of the peak of Emperor Liujiang and the gradual recovery of spiritual energy, we hope to turn the tide in one stroke."

It said to Xin Yi: "Ling Mountain needs strong human power capable of resisting Between Between Between Beijia; please be sure to complete this task."

After saying this, Wu Huanzi Xiaoren stiffened, and many bubbles rose all over his body.

Xin Yi knew that the one he was talking to had already left.

(End of Chapter)