Chapter 2168: Self-Proof

Actually, Ling Mountain also intended to quickly settle relations with Cangyan and with He Xiaobian himself. But Wang Xingyi's most urgent task this time is to resolve more concrete problems; being vague will never achieve the goal.

He hesitated slightly, then said: "This time, as an envoy, I come representing the Emperor of Mou State."

He Lingchuan then sat with him in a pavilion at a corner of the garden, and immediately attendants served wine and fruit.

It was hot, but the wine cups and fruit had small beads of water on them, clearly just taken from the ice cellar.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, neither side rushed into the main topic, only chatting about the rebellion under the Emperor's Malt Juice on Yangshan Islands years ago. Wang Xingyi sighed:

"The Emperor has a broad mind; back then, Wanqi Feng's uncle and nephew plotted to seize your islands, yet you instead absorbed them into the demon realm. When I arrived, I saw several with Bailong hairstyles. Oh, I heard that Cangyan obtained the Afu Hai region from Ya State, which was originally the Bailong people's homeland?"

"Correct, the Bailong people have submitted to me and serve me; I previously promised them that one day I would let them return to their homeland."

"The Emperor is sincere."

"A person without integrity cannot stand; a state without integrity cannot prosper." He Lingchuan said meaningfully, "Mou State and Cangyan act according to the principles of 'integrity' and 'reason'."

Wang Xingyi nodded, of course understanding his implication.

Good fellow, he laid out his cards right from the start.

He Lingchuan then asked about Fang Chanran: "Mr. Fang, any news? He left here several years ago."

Wang Xingyi shook his head: "After returning from Shanjin, he came to me to resign, saying he had gained insight and wished to wander the four directions; I could not dissuade him. Since then, he has vanished without trace."

Cultivators come and go like duckweed gathering and scattering; some never meet again in a lifetime.

He Lingchuan felt a little regretful.

Where has Fang Chanran gone? Actually, he himself is not clear.

For safety's sake, Fang Chanran rarely sends news; half a year may pass without a single message, and he only mentions trivial matters, never directly saying where he is.

He Lingchuan can only infer from his descriptions of scenery that he has visited the western and southern territories of Shen State.

But Fang Chanran has achieved remarkable results, for He Lingchuan learned from various deities that countless Dragon-Punishing Pillars have mysteriously appeared in the mortal realm!

The hard-won order of the demon realm was suddenly shattered again,

previously, Miao Zhantian's true form descended to the lower realm, causing the gods of Lingxu to lose eight hundred Dragon-Punishing Pillars; although they have searched extensively these years, they could not recover so many. Now, suddenly, Dragon-Punishing Pillars have erupted again in the mortal realm—how could the gods of Lingxu let it pass?

These two years, the Emperor's Malt Juice has continued to erupt without cease, no longer due to Miao Zhantian's fall.

Fang Chanran, an ordinary cultivator, by making himself an arrow, has stirred the winds and clouds of both realms, indirectly altering the fate of billions of beings.

After touching on some common topics, the ice broken, Wang Xingyi then said:

"The Emperor also knows why I have come this time. My state is greatly shocked by the death of the Lu clan head, Lu Zhensheng, and by the changes in Bailie and Dao Feng Port!"

He explained the reason for the Mou State army's pressure at the border; the point is, he still referred to Lu Zhensheng as "Lu clan head."

This shows that Mou State does not recognize the Nine Abysses Great Emperor as the new lord of Bailie.

Because of non-recognition, in Mou State's view, Cangyan's actions—whether taking Bailie or seeking to traverse Dao Feng Port—are invasions, are forcible seizures!

Therefore, the Mou army has justification to dispatch troops to expel Cangyan's forces from Bailie and Qing State.

To avoid such conflict, unless the Nine Abysses Great Emperor can gain Mou State's trust.

This process is indeed worth discussing.

"Everything ultimately comes down to reason and principle." He Lingchuan was not surprised, given Mou State's temperament, easy recognition would be strange, "Has Colonel Huang already reported the circumstances?"

The Lu family incident, Mou State's Colonel Huang and eleven others were full eyewitnesses; returning, they will certainly report everything in detail, omitting no detail.

He Lingchuan need not describe the process again; only needs to state his identity.

"Colonel Huang's exposition was very detailed." Wang Xingyi nodded, "All key points are on the Lu family's treasure. How can one see that you inherited this treasure rather than forcibly seized it?"

He Lingchuan gave a faint smile.

Truly deserving of the State Preceptor, truly deserving of Ling Mountain's transmitted talent; opening his mouth, he attempts to lure him into the dilemma of self-proof.

Were you not just self-compliant with the way of reason and principle, Nine Abysses Great Emperor? Now is the time for you to reason and present evidence!

If the Nine Abysses Great Emperor and Cangyan wish to maintain their person-state image, they must produce indisputable evidence!

Wang Xingyi continued: "Frankly, the Lu family's statements and support are biased; my state cannot accept them."

That is to say, even if He Lingchuan calls forth the Lu family elders as witnesses, it is useless, due to "bias."

Who knows for what reason these Lu family people acknowledge He Lingchuan as their new clan head? Perhaps they were threatened,

or perhaps because they desire a stronger backing.

Of course, more importantly, Mou State does not care about them, nor about their statements.

Wang Xingyi's attitude is also very clear:

The Nine Abysses Great Emperor must give Mou State a convincing reason; otherwise, this great war is unavoidable.

Colonel Huang also did not understand, what exactly is the Lu family's ancestral heirloom treasure?

Guang 'only said it is a ferocious treasure.'

He Lingchuan laughed: "Over these many years, has Mou State never proactively sought to understand the Lu family's heirloom treasure?"

"Ling Mountain demon realm, within my state there are many ancient cultivation clans, older than my state. We respect these clans, will not deliberately inspect their family treasures."

If a family has treasure, it is their affair; if Mou State and Ling Mountain act as if probing everywhere, full of greed, which clan would dare remain here long?

"That's right." He Lingchuan flipped his wrist, and a golden wheel appeared in his palm.

It hovered in midair, its whole body flashing with pale gold light, its shape a golden snake endlessly swallowing its own tail, yet never finishing, thus causing the entire golden wheel to rotate slowly.

Wang Xingyi stared at it, his expression slightly changed.

As Ling Mountain's arbiter of law, his cultivation and eyesight are extraordinary. At this moment, the golden wheel gives him a contradictory feeling.

On one hand, he can see every detail of the golden snake swallowing its ring, even the serrations on its scale edges, yet he cannot truly feel its existence; it seems like an illusion, like a reflection in water.

Yet on the other hand, he genuinely senses the immense danger it contains; this is certainly not something any living being can easily touch!

So does it truly exist, or not?

He Lingchuan then pushed it forward, openly saying: "Please, State Preceptor Wang, appraise it, but think twice before reaching out. Touching it kills the living; it has already killed many."

If Wang Xingyi were careless and died here, it would be an extremely serious diplomatic incident. He Lingchuan certainly does not wish for such trouble.