Chapter 297: Contradictions Exposed, Changes Have Arisen (56k, seeking subscriptions)

As soon as he walked into the City Lord's office, Du En saw the spiritual projection of Meng Changqing.

With his hands tucked in and a dark expression, seeing that the person had arrived, he immediately spoke with displeasure: "Who said I would understand!"

He was very dissatisfied with Du En's actions this time!

It was too risky; if he had guessed wrong, wouldn't innocent people have died miserably on the spot?

How would it have been cleaned up then? How would it have... anyway, there were a pile of problems to consider, making his current tone irritable and his mood unpleasant!

Du En, however, was as usual, only calmly replying: "I said it myself."

"..."

Meng Changqing fell into silence.

No, couldn't you at least admit a mistake and make some basic promise, so that there would be a way to step down?

After all, this time it was a lucky hit, pulling out a sinister nail and avoiding endless future harm!

If one really discussed it, Du En had merit and had acted decisively!

He had a massive headache over this, having fully understood the trouble of having a subordinate with too much subjective initiative and who kept their true colors too much.

But right now, it concerned his own principles, so there was no room for retreat!

Therefore, since Du En did not intend to admit his mistake, he continued to keep a straight face and said coldly: "I have always hated unscrupulous methods the most, because that is never the righteous path and does not help to clarify the universe!"

Others can choose to sacrifice themselves, but you cannot make the decision for others to sacrifice.

He was not a pedantic or soft-hearted person, just one whose bottom-line principles remained unmoved.

"They did not sacrifice in the end; I am the one who sacrificed, sacrificed the trust and importance placed in me."

Du En said calmly, as if refuting or talking back, yet also just stating the current reality.

Regardless of how the process went, it was already like this now.

The result was set; no one had sacrificed.

"... What exactly are you thinking?"

"I just couldn't ignore that possibility. Since I thought of it, I had to do it. As for the corresponding consequences, naturally, I must bear them myself."

Du En said it with such matter-of-factness that Meng Changqing was left speechless for a moment.

He wanted to say there were other ways to solve it, for example, reporting to him, arranging supervision, and ultimately still being able to catch that Fudong villain.

But he realized that if he really said that, Du En would definitely have a retort, and indeed, one had to consider the various accidents brought about by the prolonged time of a slow-and-steady approach.

In short, he was suddenly speechless!

He had clearly come in a rage to hold someone accountable, but upon meeting the person, he discovered that his full-blown emotions could not be vented at all!

It just so happened that this matter involved their respective styles of conduct, a conflict of philosophy; with neither side wanting to yield, it was hard to have any reconciliation!

"You weren't wrong this time, so you have a point, tsk!"

The very sullen True Monarch Chang Mengzhun said this, then simply cut off the contact, and while he was at it, to show his dissatisfaction, he really revoked Du En's permission to cut off the connection autonomously.

Then he looked up again and saw that in this ordinary small courtyard in the mountains, sitting opposite him was a guy who also appeared matter-of-fact.

True Monarch Zhuding.

"... I have to admit now, what you said before was really not wrong; he is indeed somewhat similar to you."

Hearing the depressed and unhappy words, True Monarch Zhuding only chuckled and replied blandly: "You don't need to be harsh, you should be even happier, because unlike you, he is sometimes truly too benevolent and soft, overly sticking to principles, only to be targeted and used for nothing."

"Tsk!"

Meng Changqing clicked his tongue in annoyance.

He who hesitates is lost.

He naturally knew this principle.

Therefore, to avoid encountering any dilemma of choice, whenever he really took action, he would consider these things beforehand so as not to let the situation lead to that state.

It was just that this required extra energy, making his actions relatively inefficient, or rather, low-frequency.

Moreover, encountering sudden, uncertain situations made it easy to be targeted and used.

But now, there was Du En...

"Hmph! Let's not talk about him for now!"

Meng Changqing decided to give it the cold shoulder for a while and wait until he finished his travels to discuss it in detail.

It was mainly about combing through the details of the cause and effect, then organizing his language and attitude, as well as the core of the matter, to filter and judge whether to accept this influence from others.

Principles certainly could not change, but since the facts proved Du En was not wrong, and being blindly stubborn would have bad consequences, this meant that it was he who needed to make adjustments and changes, rather than forcing Du En, who had made no factual error this time, to change.

Only when one is in the right can one be bold; only by standing in an invincible position can one face and change others!

So, if there is a similar situation next time, he must keep a closer eye on it, intervene more accurately and in advance, and then, holding the facts he derived, confidently and persuasively guide Du En to change!

I change, you change, everything moves forward, everything moves toward the good!

Calculating these thoughts, Meng Changqing looked at the other end of the stone table.

The tea placed in front of him had long since gone cold; the person had their hands hanging at their sides, silent and reticent, like an unchanging sculpture.

Meeting the gaze from this side, the person spoke in a flat tone: "Junior Brother Changqing, I have already looked at this Daoist technique; there is no problem. Also, this was entrusted by Senior Sister Huiqing; she made changes to several parts, and I have also looked at them; there is no problem."

As he said this, two jade slips, one old and one new, appeared out of thin air in front of Meng Changqing.

The old one was naturally the one obtained from Venerable Nancang, and the new one was the one re-recorded by True Monarch Huiqing after her changes.

He nodded, took them, and looked, his face twitching.

"Huiqing really wants me to perish together with the resentment-evil as soon as possible!"

The changes were all about how to perish together, increasing the intensity and stability of the mutual destruction by a full thirty percent; one could see how focused and painstaking True Monarch Huiqing had been during this time!

True Monarch Silence did not answer.

Seeing this, Meng Changqing couldn't help but speak: "Senior Brother Buyi, are you really going to stand on her side until death?"

"Junior Brother Changqing, it was you who brought it up back then, saying that the three of us were weak and should form an alliance to resist Senior Brother Zhuding and the others, who had too strong a first-mover advantage."

"But this time, it was Huiqing who broke the alliance first and made a move against my side!"

"The alliance is as it is; it cannot be broken, and there is still room for maneuver. This gift from Senior Sister Huiqing is an apology."

"Her apology gift is hoping that I perish together with the Grudge-Evil sooner?!"

"Correct. This is Junior Brother's ambition; Senior Sister is merely fulfilling your ambition, so it is an apology gift."

Hiss!

Looking at this new person who was impervious to reason, Meng Changqing felt an incomparable headache for a moment.

Why are all the people around me like this?

Ah!

He couldn't help but roar in his heart for a moment.

"Haha, Changqing, stop daydreaming. Having a Dao heart that is firm and unwavering is not your exclusive domain."

"Shut up!"

"Don't say that. We are at least half-allied now. Since your three-party coalition is clearly unreliable, why don't we just form a full alliance and sweep those two out of the game first?"

"And then it will be my turn, right?"

"Hehe."

True Monarch Zhuding laughed and sipped his tea gently.

This kind of thing didn't even need to be said; it was a matter of course.

"Get out, get out, all of you get out!"

Meng Changqing chased them away very impatiently.

As soon as the words fell, True Monarch Buyi had already disappeared.

True Monarch Zhuding didn't pace away slowly until he had finished the tea in his cup.

The courtyard became empty. Meng Changqing was dazed for a moment, then sighed long and rubbed his brows.

"In any case, this time I have pacified the Yunyi side, and I also took the opportunity to recruit Ying Dongqing of Changle. Next, let's see what kind of response the Southern Hub City will give."

"And the situation Zhuding brought back... hmm, it's a bit urgent, but it can be considered to still have some time capacity..."

Quickly organizing his mood and going through all the current matters to ensure there were no omissions, Meng Changqing then began to ponder the Dao techniques recorded within, comparing the new and old jade slips.

The flowers bloom on two branches, each telling its own story.

Having ended this contact, Du En felt no waves or agitation; he turned and left calmly.

When he walked out of the City Lord's office, Ying Dongqing happened to walk over.

The timing was extremely precise; one look and it was clear that she had sensed him when he stepped over the threshold, so she had directly teleported over.

"The situation... how is it?"

Because she was looking carefully and truly couldn't see any emotional fluctuations, Ying Dongqing deliberated, and with a pause, uttered these four words to inquire.

Clearly, she also knew where the bottom line of Meng Changqing, who had "interrogated" her before, lay, which was why she spoke this way now.

"Not very good."

Du En's answer was concise and comprehensive, only three words.

This... was not unexpected.

So, does this mean I have a chance to move up?

The ambitious and scheming City Lord Ying immediately couldn't help but think this, but then, she suppressed this thought of hers.

After all, she was actually quite aware of her own positioning within the faction, which was merely a side branch and a marginal affiliate.

Moreover, rather than exerting effort and completely going against her nature to cater to the principles of benevolence and rule-abiding on Meng Changqing's side, wouldn't Du En—who had more room for maneuver and was quite unscrupulous when necessary—be a better option to align with?

Don't look at Du En's previous actions, which might have accidentally killed the innocent; in the eyes of these Nascent Soul cultivators, this was actually a situation easier to accept.

Because if they were placed in the same position, they would definitely not say a word and would rather kill the wrong person than let one go!

Anyway, it was just a batch of Golden Core cultivators.

So, it was actually the style of Meng Changqing's own sect that always seemed out of place, making them, who were already accustomed to the ecology of the immortal sects, feel involuntary resistance, as well as panic and unease.

After all, that side might really be able to change this kind of ecology. When that time came, where would they, who had already adapted, go? Would they be liquidated and purged?

Don't look at that person who seemed benevolent and easy-going; when it truly came time to kill, he would likely kill more ruthlessly than any other True Monarch!

Because people like them were not worth pitying in the first place.

As for now, there seemed to be signs of change...

Ying Dongqing's thoughts raced, and she was about to speak to comfort him and reveal some subtle changes in her own attitude.

Then, before her words could be uttered, she was interrupted by a third party.

"Hahaha, Traveler Du, the rewards from the Hub City have been decided!"

Yang Xin, the leader of the Southern Hub City team this time, walked over quickly, looking quite like he was coming to claim credit.

Because they could conclude the rewards so quickly—it could be called 'turning around and it's done'—the efficiency was fast and proactive, so it certainly couldn't be without his tipping off and vigorous promotion.

The intention to align that was revealed from this was naturally undisguised.

Because he, or rather they, were more anxious than anyone!

"This has troubled Team Leader Yang."

Du En had always been aware of the oddities regarding the Southern Hub City side. Seeing that the long-expected answer was about to be revealed, he ignored Ying Dongqing, who was slightly annoyed on the side, and responded as such.

"No trouble, no trouble, it is just my duty!"

Yang Xin did not dare to take credit, saluted, and said humbly: "It is all thanks to Traveler Du for daring to take responsibility and daring to act. Otherwise, if that traitor Fudong had laid low and exploded later, none of us who handled it would have been spared. Everyone would have had to go to the front-line convict camp, just like taking a jog into the eighteenth level of hell!"

Speaking of this matter, the Nascent Souls of the Southern Hub City and the upper echelons of Changle City all had lingering fears, and all felt lucky.

If Du En were truly completely consistent with Meng Changqing, who knew how things would develop in the future.

And once the incident broke out, no one would be able to run!

Therefore, having a more acceptable style of conduct as a starting foundation, and now harboring a heart of gratitude, naturally, these people were even more respectful toward Du En, just now vying to speak first, actively and diligently requesting merit on his behalf.

Thus, there was the reward as it stands now.

"Bestowed two Azure Pure Lotus flowers, recorded one Grade Ding Superior merit, granted one Grade Five cave dwelling in Pivot City, awarded one hundred supreme-grade spirit stones, and additionally two hundred and eighty items of twenty types of Grade Three supreme-grade spiritual objects."

"..."

Whether this reward was generous or not, it was certainly generous; Du En actually knew of the Azure Pure Lotus, the strange object ranked first, having seen it on the exchange list, where one flower required one Grade Bing Inferior merit.

So, could one exchange it back for one flower?

Obviously not, otherwise this merit exchange system would have been exploited long ago.

The others were quite conventional; only that Pivot City cave dwelling, ranked third, looked like the third most valuable at a glance, but in fact, no matter how one looked at it, it was not.

Thus, Du En spoke bluntly: "Are you coming to poach people so soon?"

"Haha, Traveling Inspector Du is joking; we are all one family to begin with, why say such things?"

Yang Xin chuckled, but seeing Du En's calm gaze, he unknowingly became solemn, revealing the key to the various subtle points before: "Actually, the reason is very simple; when Counselor Chang Meng breaks through to become a True Monarch of the Added Name, that will be the day when they command and actually control the main body of this sect in the South!"

So, compared to other places in the Immortal Sect, the Southern Pivot City is actually the most anxious!

Once Meng Changqing merges their Dao body, formally breaks through, changes their title to True Monarch, shifts positions, and takes charge of the South, it will be inevitable to carry out a great purge here, getting rid of all the sand mixed in by other True Monarchs and those guys who cannot be seen by their own eyes that hate evil, and replacing them with new people!

And when that time comes, the first to bear the brunt will be Pivot City; conversely, the problems in those small and medium-sized cities are not considered too great, which is why the Southern Pivot City previously had a subtle, stingy, and passive attitude toward Du En's side.

And the reason for their drastic change in attitude this time is naturally because of the changes revealed by Meng Changqing, namely the recruitment of Ying Dongqing from Langle City, silently releasing a signal, as if finally willing to open a gap.

Then there is Du En; his situation seems to be worth pondering carefully?

Or rather, after learning about the developments here, the group of upper-level figures in the Southern Pivot City immediately deliberated carefully, and then discovered that the changes on Meng Changqing's side seemed to have started from the Southern End?

First, harboring that old City Lord Yang Feng, then the matter of Langle City, it actually seemed somewhat gradual, and even in the middle, one could insert the previous rectification matter.

Because Meng Changqing also had actual participation in that instance, and their performance was not quite consistent with the past, being able to cooperate with True Monarch Zhu Ding.

In short, since there is a change at the top, then the Southern Pivot City, as the direct subordinate, will naturally also have corresponding actions.

"So that's how it is; then, I will accept it calmly."

Du En understood the situation, and as expected, said this, and when Yang Xin was about to say something else, he changed the subject: "However, I have just offended the resolution here, and I don't know how things will develop next."

"Traveling Inspector Du, please set your heart at ease; there won't be any problems. Counselor Chang Meng values you very much!"

Yang Xin's expression changed slightly, which was not unexpected; at this moment, there were words within words.

If there were no surprises, that strange object, the Azure Pure Lotus, was likely a type that could improve cultivation.

As for this "valuing," if one point is slightly raised, then just increase the weight and quality on another point.

It was just thinking of Meng Changqing a bit too simply, or perhaps, could this also be considered a part of probing?

Du En thought, and asked directly: "Team Leader Yang, speak plainly if you have something to say; don't hide it, or I will only have misunderstandings."

"Uh..."

Yang Xin was caught off guard, looking at the person opposite who was like still water, unable to grasp their specific thoughts at all, so he had to bite the bullet and speak clearly: "It's just, how should I put it, that Azure Pure Lotus is a cultivation treasure; it is said that one flower alone can save a hundred years of bitter cultivation, and it is the kind without any hidden dangers!"

He pondered in his heart, could the point be here?

After all, under the current development of the situation, the thing that is most concerned should be whether there are any hidden dangers, right?

Yang Xin carefully glanced at Du En's complexion, but did not see any useful information; this side seemed completely indifferent to whether there were hidden dangers.

And thinking about it carefully, when they just said they had offended Meng Changqing, they were also too calm and indifferent, as if they were not worried at all; was that actually not the case?

Anyway, the more he thought, the bigger his head got!

Even Ying Dongqing on the side couldn't help but let her imagination run wild, also because she had too many thoughts and concerns.

"A hundred years of bitter cultivation?"

Du En didn't care about their considerations at that moment at all, just seized this point, which was the most practical now, and continued to press for an answer.

Because the claim of saving a hundred years of bitter cultivation was, to be honest, a bit vague.

Moreover, regarding the actual performance on his side, it was actually hard to say.

After all, one knows one's own affairs best...

"Haha, this saving of a hundred years of bitter cultivation, when specific to an individual, will naturally appear with different differences due to different situations."

"For Traveling Inspector Du, I am not a genius like you, so I naturally dare not speak rashly, but this basic description is aimed at top-tier elites, so I boldly speculate that it should also be able to reduce fifty years of hard work for you."

Yang Xin answered cautiously.

"So that's it; in that case, it is indeed a rare treasure."

Du En affirmed it genuinely and directly.

"That is naturally a treasure without a doubt. I'm not afraid of Traveling Inspector Du laughing at me, but we originally thought about 'picking peaches,' just aiming to exchange for the lotus with Grade Bing Inferior merit; it's only because City Lord Ying's cultivation here is complete, and it's difficult to rise further without breaking through the realm, that she doesn't need such a strange object."

Yang Xin saw that the situation didn't seem to have turned bad, so he immediately deliberately appeared very envious, flattering indirectly in this way, and even included Ying Dongqing at the end; completely beginning to relax, he unconsciously exposed his true nature, and thus went on to be sarcastic.

Her expression immediately turned cold and hard, and toward this guy who was squeezing her out, she retorted directly: "Team Leader Yang seems to be fawning a bit too deliberately; talking about 'picking peaches' to exchange for the lotus, are the twenty-something people each splitting a petal? Also, who said I am difficult to improve further?"

Saying this, she looked at Du En again, her tone becoming gentle: "With the help of this strange object, I think the Traveling Inspector will be able to make another breakthrough in a few days; this concubine congratulates you in advance!"

These two people, one hadn't even drawn a single stroke of the character 'eight' yet, and the other had just turned around and changed teams; in their carelessness, they had already begun to surround, pay attention to, and compete for favor, unfolding a secret struggle.

What a waste of time.

Du En couldn't help but think this, standing still like a piece of wood, without the slightest expression, his face even departing from calmness to a state of frozen stillness.

It was obvious to anyone with eyes that he had no interest at all and only felt annoyed.

Thus, the two of them immediately stopped, each gave a secret snort, and sullenly shut their mouths, not daring to continue such matters.

(End of chapter)