Chapter 2315

He wanted to profit from it, and this "profit" meant the brain cores of his own kind.

"Maybe he just wants to collect them?" Shuangye shrugged, speaking lightly, "For example, I like collecting rare items, preferably one-of-a-kind in this world."

The brain core of a necrophage—there probably isn't a second one in this world besides his own.

He Lingchuan naturally knew he wasn't telling the truth, merely tilting his head to size him up: "Just for a single collectible, you'd sneak into Cangyan and stir up trouble right under my nose?"

"To each their own—greens and radishes, everyone has their preference. For the sake of personal satisfaction, what's a little risk?" Shuangye shrugged, "Besides, you once stormed Mount Xushan and caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace, all for a spider's molt? Because of that, you've given me quite a bit of trouble."

Who is Shuangye? After He Lingchuan caused that earth-shattering disaster, upon reflection, he realized he had unknowingly become part of this brat's scheme.

As a result, being briefly bound to He Lingchuan, he had no choice but to clean up some loose ends for him—such as erasing many traces of He Lingchuan in Fugu and Baoshu, so that Qingyang and the other forces in Between Between Between Beijia couldn't track him down.

Of course, Qingyang still found out later and gave him a hard dressing-down before the emperor and the heavenly gods. Although by then he already held great power, and Qingyang, far away across ten thousand li, couldn't shake his foundation, it still genuinely caused him considerable trouble.

Speaking of which, aren't all these thanks to He Lingchuan?

A gentleman's revenge—fifteen years is not too late, so he has taken action.

Previously, it was He Lingchuan sneaking into Lingxu City to cause chaos; now it's Shuangye sneaking into He Lingchuan's city to cause chaos.

One repays another in kind—fair and square.

Isn't this just karma? Shuangye felt at ease with himself.

"Speaking of past events." He Lingchuan laughed, "If it weren't for me, Qingyang would still be peacefully serving as the master of the Qing Palace, and you couldn't overthrow her."

"So, I let you enjoy several peaceful years in the Yangshan Islands." Shuangye, the National Preceptor, shook his head, "In the end, it was misplaced affection."

If he had known that He Lingchuan would one day become the Emperor of Jiuxiao, unifying the entire Flash Gold Plains, would his initial decision to spare the Yangshan Islands have been right or wrong?

"You're quite kind-hearted." He Lingchuan couldn't even be bothered to expose him. The truth is, after Qingyang fell from power due to the immortality pill incident, Shuangye became the biggest beneficiary. While He Lingchuan was busy building the Yangshan Islands, Shuangye was also busy consolidating power in the Between Between Between Beijia court, seizing the vacuum left by Qingyang.

One could say both were swamped with affairs—Shuangye hardly had time to personally come and clean up after him.

Yet this also reflects how highly Shuangye, the National Preceptor, values this golden core before him—so much that he wouldn't hesitate to risk himself alone for it.

Alone? Hmm...

Shuangye spoke solemnly: "Besides, the Qingyang National Preceptor formed factions for private gain, corrupted court discipline, repeatedly harmed the interests of the heavenly gods, his influence kept expanding, more and more officials were implicated, and the evidence against him kept piling up—only waiting for a spark to ignite. Even without the He Xiong of those years, he had already accumulated irreversible corruption and would inevitably self-destruct! Of course, with you, this formidable man, striking a decisive blow, he never saw it coming. Otherwise, who knows—he might still have enjoyed a period of glory."

Qingyang brought his own downfall—whether or not He Lingchuan existed, the outcome was already sealed, sooner or later—so Shuangye had reason not to feel indebted.

He Lingchuan also understood: the "others" Shuangye referred to in his words were none other than himself—he had been secretly gathering evidence against Qingyang, accumulating it over time, just waiting for an opportunity.

Until He Lingchuan appeared, the opportunity arrived.

Otherwise, he could have continued waiting.

What's there to rush about? He has plenty of time.

"Is that so?" He Lingchuan poured a cup of wine for each of them, "On the contrary, I think the Qingyang National Preceptor is a peerless talent, devoted body and soul to supporting the new emperor. Observing the situation in Between Between Between Beijia, her forming factions for profit was a short-sighted move, yet also one born of necessity. And after Qingyang lost power, the Demon Emperor, mindful of old affection, despite pressure from the entire court, still secured a place for her to retire in peace—this too shows sentiment and righteousness."

Who can't speak sarcastically? Look at how harmoniously the Qingyang Demon Emperor and his ministers get along, then look at yourself—harboring hidden malice, outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant— isn't the difference vast?

"Qingyang possesses great talent; her death is indeed regrettable." Shuangye also let out a sigh, "She probably never understood, even to her dying day, why she kept falling into your hands—truly lamentable."

Why say "again"? Because He Lingchuan defeated her twice—once before, once after.

Qingyang was peacefully serving as the master of the Qing Palace in Lingxu City, when He Lingchuan forcibly dragged her down from her throne!

Qingyang was peacefully serving as the Grand Regent of Yaoguo, and again it was He Lingchuan who defeated her in court and on the battlefield, thereby overthrowing and destroying her!

The He family first ruined her, then killed her, and now wants to mourn her hypocritically here, speaking sweet words for her?

Hehe, saying "crocodile tears" once isn't excessive, is it?

He Lingchuan lazily shifted his posture.

Why would someone as steady as Qingyang also be provoked by Shuangye? He Lingchuan finally felt it firsthand today.

This Shuangye—truly, outwardly charming and amiable, inwardly deeply sinister and vicious; he is constantly scheming against others, while others cannot fathom his stance, nor do they know what he truly intends to do.

His direction and goals are known only to himself.

Born evil, with a strong and extremely resolute mind— aren't such people the most terrifying?

He has served as the National Preceptor of Qiu Gong for over a hundred years. He Lingchuan originally thought he was suppressed by Qingyang, but after today's conversation, he realized Shuangye never rushed to overthrow Qingyang, but has always kept a close watch on her.

Even if Qingyang National Preceptor knew that behind her always lurked an evil spirit like a shadow, constantly gathering evidence against her, not knowing when it would strike— that feeling wouldn't be pleasant either.

This is a struggle that has lasted over a hundred years. Shuangye, whom Qingyang regarded as a formidable rival, rose from nothing by his own efforts.

"At this moment, you should be visiting Aiguo and four or five other places, yet you've crossed thousands of miles, appearing alone and suddenly in Cangyan. Hmm—" He Lingchuan sized him up, "Shuangye National Preceptor, does the Demon Emperor know you've skipped duty?"

The two characters "alone" were emphasized.

What status does Shuangye hold— does Between Between Between Beijia lack people who can stir up trouble? He Lingchuan doesn't believe the Demon Emperor would directly send him to Cangyan to cause mischief. So, this trip is most likely his private, undisclosed errand.

Shuangye spoke with cultured courtesy:

"Jiuxiao has gone to great trouble for me; our emperor knows all."

Having exchanged blows to this point, it's time to get down to business. He Lingchuan, enjoying the home-field advantage, isn't in a hurry, so he wants Shuangye to speak first.

Since the Jiuxiao Great Emperor has appeared here, Shuangye finds it hard to take the golden core as originally planned, so he can only say: "The Jiuxiao Great Emperor holding this golden core is of no use; better to trade with me—mutual benefit."

He Lingchuan lifted his eyelid:

"You want it—what do you intend to use it for?"