Chapter 580: Seal of Mountains and Rivers

"Things? What things?"

Jiang Feng heard it, slightly frowned, and couldn't help but ask curiously.

His gaze swept back and forth between Zang Zijian and Yun Shuai, his eyes full of doubt.

Zang Zijian didn't answer immediately; instead, he walked to the window, turned his back to Jiang Feng, and remained silent for a moment.

Outside the window, the night was deep, the moonlight hidden by clouds, and only a few palace lanterns flickered weakly in the distance.

His silhouette stretched long in the candlelight, looking somewhat lonely.

"This matter involves the nation's foundation."

Zang Zijian's voice was deep, as if squeezed from his chest, each word heavy.

"Junior brother, if you know, I'm afraid the situation will become even more complicated. I don't want you to get into danger; after all, you are Xuan Yuan's most valued disciple. If something happens to you, I won't be able to explain to my respected teacher!"

Upon hearing that, Jiang Feng rolled his eyes.

He knows this senior brother too well; outwardly solemn, but his insides are full of twists.

"Enough, senior brother... in front of me, just put away your scheming."

Jiang Feng's voice carried a hint of teasing and impatience.

He leaned against the chair back, arms crossed over his chest, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

"If you really didn't want me to know, I couldn't have come here tonight. Since you already brought me here, it shows you not only want me to know this, but also plan... to make me take the blame, right?"

At those words, Zang Zijian's expression stiffened slightly.

The corner of his mouth twitched, a flash of awkwardness in his eyes, but he quickly regained composure.

Then he deliberately pretended to be aggrieved, furrowing his brows, pursing his lips, looking displeased.

"Junior brother, so that's how you think of me, senior brother? I'm truly disappointed."

His voice carried a hint of melancholy, as if accusing an immature child.

He also deliberately sighed and shook his head.

Jiang Feng, however, wore a face that said "keep acting", unmoving.

Having known Zang Zijian for so many years, he was well aware of this senior brother's routine.

Back then on Kunlun Mountain, Zang Zijian was like this; every time he wanted to trap him, he would first put on a benevolent smile.

In a sense, compared to the old man, he's also a hundred percent good person!

Seeing he couldn't fool Jiang Feng, Zang Zijian resumed seriousness.

The aggrieved and melancholy look on his face vanished instantly, replaced by absolute calm.

He walked to the opposite side of Jiang Feng, sat on a chair, hands on his knees, spine perfectly upright.

"Indeed, now in Kyoto you may see calm seas, but beneath, various forces are vying, hidden currents swirling."

His voice was pressed low, as if fearing someone might hear; he glanced out the window to confirm no one was eavesdropping.

"Yun Shuai was assassinated, Duan Grand Tutor's old illness flared up, the Three Great Prince Mansions act frequently, and those around the Emperor each harbor thoughts. On the surface it looks like scattered sand, but in reality each event is manipulated, interlinked, with meticulous planning."

Jiang Feng glanced at Zang Zijian, his eyes somewhat questioning his character.

"Senior brother... you aren't a villain, are you?"

His tone carried a hint of jest, but also some seriousness.

His gaze swept over Zang Zijian's face, trying to read something from his expression.

Zang Zijian was at a loss, angrily glared at Jiang Feng.

"Your senior brother is a pure, upright person! Otherwise how could Yun Lao possibly support me?"

He pointed at Yun Shuai seated in a wheelchair; Yun Shuai gave a slight nod, as if consenting.

Yun Shuai's gaze was calm, showing no emotion, but his hand clenched the wheelchair's armrest tightly.

"With Yun Lao's military forces in hand, theoretically I'm ten-to-nine certain. However..."

Zang Zijian paused, his eyes growing heavy, brows knit.

"My Si Tianjian, supposedly also not clean. Within Si Tianjian's Zi Yi Antan, it's said a traitor emerged. I suspect Duan Zhang, but I have no evidence."

At those words, Jiang Feng let out a snort.

"Your disciple truly isn't a good sort."

He dealt with Duan Zhang back in Jiangnan; that person was treacherous, cunning, deep‑minded, certainly not a good person.

Jiang Feng recalled Duan Zhang's cold, sinister eyes, feeling a wave of disgust.

Zang Zijian said lightly.

"He went to Jiangnan and confronted you; I know that. But after he returned, he was extremely respectful to me, showing no slip. He performed the proper bows, gave the proper reports; I couldn't find any flaw."

He paused, his gaze deepening, like two bottomless ancient wells.

"However, I suspect it's not about that matter, but because of the Duan Family and Duan Grand Tutor behind him. Over the years, Duan Grand Tutor has been close to the three Kings of Guanzhong. The Three Kings' power expands infinitely, and Duan Grand Tutor's shadow is behind it, subtly stirring the waters."

"Our Emperor, however, places absolute trust in those three uncles, granting the Three Kings command over four hundred thousand troops. That's a full four hundred thousand soldiers. If the Three Kings move, the entire empire will be thrown into turmoil, blood flowing like rivers."

He inhaled deeply, his chest heaving violently, and continued.

"Even the Dongfang family and Linghu family, the two top aristocratic houses, seem to be taking sides. The Dongfang family leans toward the Three Kings, the Linghu family's attitude is ambiguous"

"Their attitude is ambiguous, offending no one. In short, the sky over Kyoto is about to become a chaotic mess, and no one knows what will happen next."

Jiang Feng listened, his expression calm, but a hint of gravity flashed in his eyes.

He hadn't expected the situation in Kyoto to be so complicated.

On the surface, songs and dances flourish, but behind the scenes it's a board ready to explode at any moment.

Various factions take turns stepping onto the stage, each with their own thoughts and schemes.

Jiang Feng said calmly, interrupting Zang Zijian's words.

Jiang Feng spoke lightly, cutting off Zang Zijian.

Zang Zijian looked at him and was silent for a moment.

His gaze lingered on Jiang Feng's face for a long time, as if making an important decision.

Then he stood up and walked to Yun Shuai's side.

Yun Shuai lifted his head, looked at him, and gave a slight nod.

His hand reached out from under the blanket and handed a simple little cloth pouch to Zang Zijian.

Zang Zijian took the pouch, held it in his hand, and walked back in front of Jiang Feng.

He opened the pouch; Inside lay a simple Nan Tian Ju Shi's Seal, entirely jet‑black, engraved with intricate patterns, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

The bottom of the Nan Tian Ju Shi's Seal bore four small characters, the script primitive, the strokes as sharp as knives.

"This is the Mountain River Seal."

Zang Zijian's voice was low, but each word was heavy, like a hammer striking Jiang Feng's heart.

"At the founding of Da Xia, the Taizu Emperor once called upon a group of Hai Wai strongmen to lend aid. Those strongmen had cultivation that reached the heavens, each equal to ten thousand, and they earned Da Xia's greatest merits. Without them, there would be no Da Xia today."

His gaze fell on the Nan Tian Ju Shi's Seal, his eyes full of reverence, as if looking at a Divine relic.

"After Da Xia was established, the Taizu Emperor granted the Hai Wai lands to those strongmen, allowing them to reside there for generations and enjoy everlasting wealth. From then on, those strongmen sealed the passage to the mundane world, no longer concerning themselves with Central Plains affairs, and only cultivated in Hai Wai."

Zang Zijian paused, took a deep breath, and continued.

"But as a reward, they gave the Da Xia Emperor a Mountain River Seal. Whoever holds the Mountain River Seal may summon those Hai Wai strongmen for assistance once. One time, enough to turn the heavens and earth."

Jiang Feng's Pupils contracted slightly.

One time, enough to turn the heavens and earth.

He understood the weight of that sentence better than anyone.

The strength of those Hai Wai strongmen was probably far beyond his imagination.

"All these years, the Mountain River Seal has remained in the hand of a Martial Ancestor Strongman who is Fengong of the Imperial Family. That Martial Ancestor's cultivation reaches the heavens, he guards the Imperial Palace, and no one dares to offend. With him present, no one dares to scheme against the Mountain River Seal."

Zang Zijian's voice grew even deeper, as if squeezed out from the depths of his throat.

"And half a year ago, that Martial Ancestor fell..."