Chapter 582

Hearing Jiang Feng's anger, Zang Zijian also said with a bitter smile all over his face.

"Junior Brother, if it weren't unavoidable, we wouldn't have made such a decision. If it weren't for you this time, Yun Lao might have already fallen."

His voice was full of helplessness, and his eyes showed a hint of fatigue.

Candlelight flickered on his face, tracing the fine lines at the corners of his eyes, making him look several years older than usual. His shoulders slumped slightly, as if he had been bearing some burden all along.

"The traitor inside the Heavenly Observation Bureau hasn't been caught yet, Emperor, you've seen it too. These past days, I suspect many have been slandering him to you. Today we've even torn our faces apart; if the Emperor doesn't stand with us, then… the Emperor might forcibly issue an edict demanding I hand over the Mountain River Seal."

Zang Zijian's voice grew lower and heavier, as if squeezed from deep within his throat.

"So the Mountain River Seal can't stay in Kyoto anymore. Originally I planned to send it to Liao Dong. The Northern King of Liao Dong commands three hundred thousand iron troops and is also a Half-step Martial Ancestor Strongman; he has an inseparable bond with Yun Lao and is trustworthy."

He paused, took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling violently.

"But the road to Liao Dong is far, and I also fear something might go wrong along the way. One would have to pass through several provinces, each place with different factions; if word leaked, the consequences would be unimaginable. Those people would do anything for the Mountain River Seal—ambushes, poisonings, assassinations, their methods endless."

Zang Zijian looked at Jiang Feng, his eyes becoming eager, as if gazing at the last lifeline.

"I didn't expect you to come. If I'm not mistaken, with your strength you should have reached Half-step Martial Ancestor, right? If the Mountain River Seal were in your hands, no one would likely be able to take it."

Jiang Feng couldn't help but complain.

"If you want to give me the Mountain River Seal, just say it straight! Is our brotherly feeling fake? Why put the Mountain River Seal with Miss Yun? She's Yun Lao's most beloved granddaughter; if something happens, how can you face the Yun family?"

His eyes fixed on Zang Zijian, as if interrogating a criminal.

As soon as he said that, Yun Mengrou timidly raised her hand.

"Jiang Feng… I voluntarily offered to take charge of the Mountain River Seal."

Her voice was soft, but each word was clear.

Her gaze was firm, without a hint of retreat.

"After all, this thing is dangerous; originally it was grandfather's business, and for me, his granddaughter, to take it over is only natural. I can't watch grandfather, at his age, still risking himself on the edge of danger."

Upon hearing that, Zang Zijian showed a face full of disdain, spreading his hands as if he too was in a difficult spot.

"You see… I certainly don't want Mengrou to risk danger, but Mengrou volunteered; how would I know if you, kid, are willing to take this on? And I can't decide for you."

Jiang Feng asked with a face full of exasperation.

"What if I refuse? Then you'd have this silly girl carry the Mountain River Seal back to Jiangnan?"

Zang Zijian nodded as if it were obvious.

"Right. Besides, Mengrou is willing too, and she originally planned to go to Jiangnan to relax. As long as you don't speak and I don't speak, no one will know the Mountain River Seal is with her. Under the lamp it's dark; the most dangerous place is the safest."

Jiang Feng cursed loudly.

"Senior Brother, I find you seriously lacking in virtue! You're gambling with someone else's daughter's life! If something happens, how will you answer to Yun Lao?"

Zang Zijian gave a hehe laugh, didn't rebut, just rubbed his hands, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.

Jiang Feng sighed, rubbed his temples, and waved his hand.

"Forget it, forget it, I'll take responsibility for this. The Mountain River Seal, right? I'll handle it!"

His voice was full of helplessness, but his tone was firm.

Upon hearing that, Zang Zijian immediately said with a grin.

"I knew you weren't that ruthless, Junior Brother! Rest assured, this time only we four know about this; it absolutely won't leak."

"Later you and Mengrou will go to the hospital, then openly head to the airport from there. I and Yun Lao will continue to help you put on the act, without slipping up. I've already arranged transport at the hospital; a dedicated car will pick you up, and no one will notice you."

Jiang Feng casually took the Mountain River Seal, too lazy to complain, and spoke directly.

"You'd better be reliable… don't pull any more tricks. I don't want to clean up after you."

Zang Zijian said with a grin.

"Alright, after we finish the business, Senior Brother will treat you to a good meal, and also let Yun Lao and Mengrou have a nice chat. In an hour you'll leave Kyoto; the timing is perfect."

Jiang Feng said nothing, just gave a slight nod to Yun Lao and Yun Mengrou as a farewell.

Yun Lao nodded, his eyes full of gratitude, his voice hoarse.

"Divine Doctor Jiang, take care. A great debt needs no thanks; if you ever need anything from this old man, just speak up."

Jiang Feng didn't say more, just smiled, and then the two fellow disciples left the door.

The door of the main hall closed behind them, cutting off the inside light.

The two passed through the courtyard and walked out of the gate of the courtyard house.

A night breeze blew in, bringing a hint of chill, making Jiang Feng's shirt cuffs flap loudly.

After the two left, only Yun Lao and his granddaughter Yun Mengrou remained in the main hall.

Yun Lao sat in his wheelchair, looking at his granddaughter, silent for a moment.

Then he gave a bitter smile, his voice hoarse, as if a thousand words were stuck in his throat.

"Girl, you've suffered. It's grandfather's inadequacy that has implicated you."

His eye sockets were slightly red, his hand trembled slightly, and veins bulged on the rough back of his hand.

Yun Mengrou's eye sockets were reddened, yet she shook her head with a smile.

"Grandfather, I'm willing. Being able to help you makes Mengrou happy. From childhood onward, you've protected me; now it's my turn to protect you."

She crouched down, grasped grandfather's hand, tears swirling in her eye sockets but she held them back.

"You've labored for the empire your whole life; I can't watch you risk danger again. Just rest and heal, don't think about anything."

Yun Lao reached out to rub her head, sighed, and old tears streamed down.

"Good child, grandfather is sorry for dragging you into this."

Yun Mengrou shook her head, said nothing, and simply rested her head on grandfather's knee, just like when she was little.

Grandparent and grandchild just stayed like that, silent, neither speaking.

Meanwhile, Jiang Feng and Zang Zijian had just walked out of the courtyard house.

The alley was very narrow, with high walls on both sides, and only a slit of sky above.

Night wind blew in from the alley entrance, carrying a hint of chill, making the dry grass on the wall rustle.

Zang Zijian walked ahead, strides fast, pulling Jiang Feng along to grab a good meal.

"Junior Brother, I know there's an old-established shop in Kyoto that makes exceptionally good roast duck—crispy skin, tender meat. You definitely haven't tried it. Tonight I, your senior brother, am treating you; let's get drunk and not go home! We brothers haven't seen each other in a long time; let's catch up properly tonight."

His voice was loud, echoing in the alley; he sounded in good spirits, yet his laughter betrayed a hint of strain.

Jiang Feng, however, suddenly stopped, standing motionless in place.

Zang Zijian took a few steps, noticed there were no footsteps behind him, stopped, and turned to look at Jiang Feng.

"What's wrong? Come on, if we're late they'll close. That place only serves twenty tables a day—go late and it's gone."

Jiang Feng looked at him, his face calm but his eyes earnest, as if trying to see through him.

He spoke, his voice not loud.

"Senior Brother, tell me the truth. You…… is something wrong?"

As soon as he said that, the air in the alley seemed to freeze.

The smile on Zang Zijian's face stiffened for a moment, then slowly faded.

He stood there, gazing at Jiang Feng, silent for a long time.

His eyes flickered, his lips moved as if to speak, but he held back.

Then he sighed, turned around, and faced away from Jiang Feng.

"Junior Brother, you're still as perceptive as ever."

His voice was low and soft, as if he were talking to himself, or sighing.

"Nothing can be hidden from you."

Jiang Feng didn't speak, just quietly watched him, waiting for him to continue.

Zang Zijian fell silent for a moment, then spoke.

His voice carried a hint of fatigue, a hint of helplessness, and a hint of reluctance.

"I really…… can't hold on much longer."

Jiang Feng's brows furrowed.

"Someone's out to get you? Who?"

Zang Zijian gave a bitter laugh and shook his head.

"I don't know. But those who can keep me from finding them are no more than three in the whole empire—either someone close to the Emperor, a top figure of the Four Great Gate Clans, or…"

He paused, his eyes growing deeper.

"Or, they come from overseas."

Jiang Feng's pupils contracted slightly.

Zang Zijian continued.

"Over the past six months, I've periodically felt someone secretly probing me—not surveillance or tailing, but a higher-level phenomenon. I first thought it was an illusion, but later realized it wasn't."

His voice dropped even lower.

"My cultivation is regressing. From the peak of half-step Martial Ancestor, it's been dropping steadily. I can barely maintain half-step Martial Ancestor now, but if this continues, I'll fall to the Heavenly Human Realm within three months."

Jiang Feng's complexion changed.

"How is that possible? Fifteen years ago you were already a half-step Martial Ancestor!"

Zang Zijian shook his head.

"No, it's not that. I've examined my body and found nothing abnormal, yet my cultivation is draining away—as if an invisible hand is slowly sapping my strength."

The next moment, Jiang Feng shot out his hand like lightning and placed it on Zang Zijian's pulse!