Chapter 799: Midnight Martial Contest: Testing the Edge (54)

"But she quickly caught on and muttered to herself, 'I understand. I've heard that the foxfolk of Yaoqing share a particularly close bloodline with the Bu Li people, and some foxfolk descendants can, like the Bu Li, fall uncontrollably into a madness called Moon Madness. The Marshal thinks this matter has a non‑human aspect, indistinguishable from the Bu Li, so…'"

"Jing Yuan nodded and said, 'You're right. To the Bu Li, Moon Madness is a gift that unleashes power; but for the foxfolk it is a madness in the bloodline that cannot be avoided. The physicians of Yaoqing have, generation after generation, tried to solve this puzzle, yet never grasped the method.'"

"'Why can the Bu Li control Moon Madness? Can the foxfolk break this curse?... People always ask such questions.' Jing Yuan lowered his eyes, sighed lightly, 'Each asker's intention is sincere. Yet every road leading to disaster in the world is paved with goodwill.'"

——

Fuli Lian, the one who perished.

"So, is Feixiao's ailment referring to…"

"'Hmm, Moon Madness.' Fuli Lian nodded, covering her face with a magic tome, 'If we truly follow Bai Lu's suggestion to "eat a bit more of the good stuff," then General Feixiao won't last long—what a pity.'"

"'Lady Fuli Lian, this "Moon Madness" sounds a bit like the Demon Yin Body,' Filien whispered from beside, 'Do Celestial Vessel people also lose their reason when in the Demon Yin Body state?'"

"'Hmm, but the problem is that such 'madness' falling on a powerful person is troublesome; the strongest ally could become the strongest enemy in an instant. Filien, what do you think would happen if Feixiao fell into Moon Madness during the martial ceremony?'"

"'Hey, hey! Fuli Lian, there's no such coincidence!' Xiu Ta Er Ke hurriedly interrupted her dangerously reckless thought, 'Feixiao is already strong enough; after unleashing Moon Madness his power would increase, and if he went mad during the ceremony, wouldn't that mean he could even dare to strike Jing Yuan and General Huai Yan?'"

"'…Not that cowardly.' Fuli Lian showed one eye, 'She is a Great Victory General; I guess… in terms of strength ranking, the Seven‑Day General is at least top three. Once Moon Madness is unleashed, perhaps only the Marshal can restrain her. Even Huai Yan and Jing Yuan together might not easily subdue her.'"

——

"'For Yaoqing's foxfolk, "Howling Thunder" is not only the Bu Li's war banner but also a monster, their object of study. It has become a lethal toxin that corrupts hearts without its own awareness,' Jing Yuan said."

"Ling Sha mused, 'So the Marshal imprisoned Howling Thunder in Luofu. That is indeed not an honor, but… a warning.'"

"'Because, driven by a selfish thought for a so‑called benevolent act, a tragedy occurred on Luofu that was enough to warn future generations.'"

"'The Moon‑Drinking Chaos.' Ling Sha understood the meaning behind Jing Yuan's words."

"'……'"

Dan Heng, who was suddenly reminded of past events, also let out a silent sigh.

"'The Marshal's handing of Howling Thunder to Luofu temporarily quelled the malicious thoughts of Yaoqing's foxfolk and also warned the Luofu Celestial Vessel that had endured the turmoil.'"

"Jing Yuan looked at Ling Sha seriously: 'That is the weighing, a step that had to be taken. The Celestial Vessel Alliance is not a one‑person rule of the Celestial Vessel people. The foxfolk, Chi Ming, and the Celestial Vessel people must form a three‑race alliance for a future.'"

"'Ling Sha, I'm taught. You once weighed my master in the same way, exiling her to Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel, while watching the Pharmacist's Secret Transmission revive from ashes within?' Ling Sha's tone turned sharp—though spoken gently, every word was as keen as a blade."

"In response, Jing Yuan did not evade, stating plainly, 'You say I'm reluctant to carve flesh from Dan Ding Si to cure poison, yet I want to send the rescuing physician to Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel… Did the master tell you that she, out of her own self‑serving benevolence, used the convenience of a visit to perform a medical art on Dan Heng, who had just newly emerged, that allowed him to recall knowledge from a previous life?'"

"Dan Heng and Ling Sha's faces changed instantly, speaking in unison, 'What are you saying?'"

"'She believed that if the Dragon Lord regained his former divine mind, he could resume the Chi Ming clan's duty of guarding the sacred tree, suppress restless forces, and settle all internal disputes back on track. But as I just said: many benevolent deeds are merely the start of disaster. Since then, the Six Imperial Council decided that Dan Ding Si would no longer have the position of Director of the Dan Ding, until you arrived today.'"

——

Aotu World.

"'Poor Dan Heng…'"

"In the rest area of the Aotu Tournament, Jing Yuan, in an utterly plain tone, unleashed such a Celestial Vessel thunder, and Lei De's face, which normally wore a nonchalant smile, was unusually restrained."

"'If he didn't have the memory of Dan Feng from his previous life, perhaps he could have served two fewer years in the Prison of Silent Captivity? For a newly reincarnated Chi Ming person, that would be a disaster without cause, wouldn't it?'"

"'Not necessarily.' Montazuma closed the file in his hand, saying coldly, 'Without memories of a past life, Dan Heng is now just an ordinary Chi Ming on the Celestial Vessel. Lacking exceptional skill, he won't board the train or make companions.'"

"Lei De tilted his head and thought, 'But… he could have chosen a more relaxed life, right? If he completely forgets the past and is born as a completely new being, perhaps he could live more easily on the Celestial Vessel.'"

"'Calm?' Jiade Luosi, sitting nearby, suddenly spoke, his golden eyes sweeping fiercely at Lei De, '…Stop saying such boring words, Lei De.'"

"'Uh, Lord Jiade Luosi…'"

"'What "disaster without cause"… Hmph, there is no such thing in this world; only weak trash use that term as an excuse. True masters naturally transcend the arrangement of fate.'"

"Lei De opened his mouth, wanting to argue something, but finally swallowed it back politely. He knew the boss too well— in Jiade Luosi's dictionary there is no 'if,' no 'could have,' only 'is' and 'is not,' 'strong' and 'weak.'"

"'Truly worthy of Lord Jiade Luosi, not only a strong one… but also a model of a king.' Montazuma observed Jiade Luosi's every move closely, wishing he could imprint each gesture and expression into his mind for his future self to study and appreciate."

——

"'In that case, I must thank the General for protecting the teacher with an exile decree.'"

"Jing Yuan turned back with a smile, 'On the contrary, I should be the one thanking you.'"

"'Thank me?'"

"'What I do and seek is merely the four characters "question‑free conscience." Yet can one truly be blameless over the endless lifespan of the Immortal Race? Miss Ling Sha was entangled in the master's judgment, forced to flee abroad, knowing nothing of the reasons.'"

"Jing Yuan looked at her seriously: 'Now the situation of Dan Ding Si is tangled and complex; the Alliance sent you to take on this arduous task, saving me worry. Shouldn't I thank you?'"

"His words were airtight, causing Ling Sha to silently admire, '…Truly worthy of the Divine Strategy General, leaving not a single phrase for accusation.'"

"'As previously stated, the Alliance sent me here to handle official matters properly, not to make me pick a side.'"

"'Miss Ling Sha, which side you wish to stand on is irrelevant; after all, you and I both stand on the Alliance's side, right?' Jing Yuan looked ahead, 'Let's keep moving.'"