In Donghua Pavilion, a long silence stretched on.

Emperor Qi withdrew his finger and smiled. "What grand extravagance you dream of, Jiang Qingyang!"

Beneath the tassels, there seemed a shadow upon his face, the passing cloud over this great Empire. "Even I cannot claim that all goes as I wish, that this life is wholly as my heart desires."

Jiang Wang said, "In my view, to have things go as one wishes is the highest privilege. Your Majesty stands supreme, ruling the East Country, the Holy Heart is the Heaven’s Heart itself—how could anything be contrary to your will?"

"He who enjoys the highest privilege must shoulder the highest responsibility," Emperor Qi said. "The higher a man stands, the farther he sees, the more he must think. It is not as simple as wanting thus and achieving thus, indulging every whim. To do so is the mark of a benighted ruler; to act wantonly and lawlessly, the brand of a tyrant. When one is worshiped by all the people under heaven, how could one not weigh all the people under heaven?"

Jiang Wang lowered his gaze and said, "This minister, mouse-eyed and short of sight!"

Emperor Qi said faintly, "Do you perhaps think that, having suffered enough in the Monster Realm, I will now refrain from pressing you hard?"

Jiang Wang said, "This minister does not understand. I only know that Your Majesty intends to reward your petty servant."

The Son of Heaven let out a breath that was half a laugh, and twice gave a cold chuckle before saying, "The Method of Truth-Seeking can only be sought by oneself. Yet to draw inferences from one thing to another is not impossible. You, Jiang Qingyang, have rendered great merit to the Human Race—the True Men’s insights stored in the imperial vault, you may freely peruse them!"

"As for your demand for a True Man who is invincible—how could there be an invincible method in this world? There are only invincible men! Even if the treasury of Great Qi Country held ten thousand wonderful methods, it would still depend on whether you yourself are fit material."

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and said, "This minister should be."

Han Ling stood utterly motionless, his gaze as if fixed, as though pondering the mysteries of the Universe.

The Son of Heaven was silent for a while before saying, "I do have a suggestion."

Jiang Wang said, "This minister listens with washed ears."

"A great man should learn to stand against ten thousand foes! Without understanding war, one cannot dominate the realm. The War God’s Divine Might shaking the eight directions relied not on his fists alone," Emperor Qi said. "Xiu Yuan is likely somewhat at odds with you now. Go to JueMing Island. I will have Qi Xiao teach you."

Originally, when Jiang Wang bore the duty of God Arrives and went to The gate of all demons to temper himself, the Son of Heaven intended to have Xiu Yuan lead him in further trials, to teach him the art of war. Whatever else, he is a Marquis of military merit—if he knows only how to charge and brawl, it is not quite fitting.

But after this grand, earth-shaking tour through the Demon clan’s Territory, the study of warfare has come to nothing. Now, whenever he steps onto a battlefield in the Monster Realm, he is bound to become the Demon clan’s primary target for elimination. No stratagem of war will avail him.

In the end, the Son of Heaven is unwilling to squander this fine, uncut jade, and still hopes to carve and polish him.

Jiang Wang had no room to refuse, so he cupped his hands and said, "This minister is willing to go."

After a while, seeing that the Son of Heaven had no more to say, he showed his good sense and offered another bow. "This petty servant takes his leave."

"Wait." Emperor Qi said offhandedly, "Who is on duty at the Political Affairs Hall?"

Only then did Han Ling seem to come alive. "It is Imperial Court Adviser Ye Henshui."

The Son of Heaven waved his hand. "Drag him off to recite the classics. Follow the old rules."

Jiang Wang opened his mouth to speak, but after thinking it over, said nothing in the end, and obediently followed Han Ling away.

Once Jiang Wang had departed, a figure came in from the side chamber and sat facing the Son of Heaven.

Kind brows and gentle eyes, mild and amiable—this was none other than the current State Minister, Jiang Rumo.

The Son of Heaven picked up a scroll beside him, but did not open it immediately. Instead he said, "Not an easy matter. Judging from that physique of his, vastly different from half a year ago, one wonders how many times he hovered between life and death in the Monster Realm."

"The experiences of Marquis Wu’an this time are enough to be emblazoned upon the pages of history. No one could find fault," Jiang Rumo said slowly, his voice low and even. "Yet judging from his conduct today... has Marquis Wu’an become somewhat arrogant and undisciplined?"

"His heart is knotted," Emperor Qi said. "At times even I wish to overturn heaven and earth, caring nothing if the mountains and rivers hang upside down. How much more so for a hot-blooded youth, a man newly come of age... When the State Minister was young, did you never have a moment when you wished to cast all restraint aside?"

At this point, the Son of Heaven laughed at himself. "I forget—our State Minister is one without a temper. He did not have one even in his youth."

Jiang Rumo, who has ever borne insults with dry cheeks, only said, "Your Majesty’s expectations for Marquis Wu’an are exceedingly high."

Emperor Qi said mildly, "I would accomplish a work unmatched in all ages—how could I lack a hero unmatched in all ages?"

Jiang Rumo sighed. "You look forward to the next War God. Yet Marquis Wu’an is still young; one cannot know whether he can comprehend Your Majesty’s painstaking care."

"That depends on whether he can see far enough ahead," Emperor Qi said calmly. "If one day he becomes another Jiang Mengxiong, then trampling the Heavenly Capital beneath his horse-hooves would be within his grasp, and drawing his sword upon Xin’an would be no difficulty."

Jiang Rumo’s kindly face clouded with concern. "The fear is that he may not be."

Emperor Qi gave a short laugh, opened the scroll in his hand, and began to read closely, saying as he did so, "How could the affairs of the world all accord with my will?"

...

...

This Marquis Wu’an of Daqi, who is not particularly acting in accord with the Son of Heaven’s wishes, has in recent days felt an unprecedented warmth in Linzi.

It is not merely that visitors arrive without ceasing, that his gates are thronged like a marketplace.

Nor merely that poetry gatherings follow one upon another, that banquets are held without pause.

All the Four Great Houses, the Eight Great Towers, are open to the Human Race hero free of charge, declaring, "Let all the pleasures of Linzi be bent to win the favor of Wu An."

Warm Jade Pavilion, under the name of Yangxin Palace, even spent money to invite Lord Jiang to perform. Jiang Wuji let it be known that "If we can gain the added luster of Jiang Wuan’s presence, we shall pave the floor with Prime Stone."

Jiang Wuyou said, "If you have that much money, come pave Hua Ying Palace."

Those famed scholars and unruly literati vied to compose verses in praise of the hero.

Those maidens in their boudoirs threw flowers at the Marquis Mansion every day.

The tale of the hero who wandered in the Demon clan’s Territory, whose heart remained with the Human Race and who returned alone, was sung on every storyteller’s lips...

Yet just at this time, Jiang Wang set out south alone.

His journey to JueMing Island to cultivate under Commander Qi Xiao was already settled. Before that, he had some time to settle remaining matters. And the Son of Heaven, mindful that he had only just returned from the Monster Realm, thoughtfully granted him a holiday.

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