Imperial Tutor (Part 1)

Cai Tanggu's face twitched. Tong Ji's calm demeanor was undoubtedly a tremendous humiliation to him.

"The Marquis Manor is already in such a state, so just guard your young master properly. He does not understand, but do you not know either? So long as Fish Abyss Academy is willing, your Marquis Manor will cease to exist. Even if you defeat me, what then? Are you willing to see the Marquis Manor destroyed in a single day?"

Tong Ji said blandly, "What becomes of the Marquis Manor has nothing to do with you. Since you know the origins of Xunyang Marquis Mansion, you should understand that without a reason capable of stopping the mouths of the world, let alone Fish Abyss Academy, even His Majesty cannot protect you."

Cai Tanggu was struck speechless.

Though His Majesty did not favor the descendants of the royal families of those nations, he did indeed have to grant them sufficient honor on the surface.

So long as provocations or bullying did not go too far, His Majesty would surely turn a blind eye.

But if he slaughtered the entire Marquis Manor over some inexplicable matter, he would absolutely be the first to die.

Just as when he had informed the Sacrificial Wine of what happened at Hun City Marquis Manor and wanted to return for revenge, the Sacrificial Wine had said nothing.

But revenge had its limits. That did not mean he could do whatever he pleased.

In truth, he had never intended to uproot the Marquis Manor entirely. He had merely wanted to take revenge on Jiang Wang without restraint. Who could have expected that he would lose again?

If he continued seeking revenge, he would very likely touch the bottom line.

Tong Ji looked at him and said, "Though I do not know why, Young Master seems unwilling to let you die. You should count yourself fortunate. Otherwise, this sword would not be pressed to your head—it would have pierced straight through it."

Cai Tanggu's expression turned very strange.

What exactly was Jiang Wang playing at?

He glanced sideways and saw that Jiang Wang's battle with Dong Chongyang had already become like a brawl between martial artists—fist against fist, saber against saber. At that moment, they kicked at each other and collided fiercely. With a muffled bang, both swiftly pulled back.

Cai Tanggu felt that he might have underestimated Jiang Wang.

Dong Chongyang had cultivated martial arts first, then begun cultivating Qi. By the time he completed Hundred Days Foundation Establishment, he had already entered the Martial Third Realm.

Though after formally embarking on the path of cultivation, he had focused all his attention on cultivation, his martial realm had also risen to the Fourth Realm over the years.

Given his aptitude, had he not cultivated martial arts, he likely would have broken through to the Cave Nether Realm long ago.

He might not have been the foremost person beneath the Bathing Snow Realm, but he would certainly have ranked among the top five. Yet he had been unable to do anything to Jiang Wang for so long. It was truly inconceivable.

He was deeply worried that something unexpected would happen here.

Jiang Wang took a slight breath. The Long Night Saber had become very heavy, because he had expended too much stamina.

Yet that only made him more excited.

Had he not waited for Cai Tanggu to come seeking revenge precisely because he had anticipated this?

So long as his enemy was not powerful enough to kill him in an instant, the more troublesome they were, the better.

The power of the Divine Kingdom would also grow stronger and stronger as he was depleted.

Night Roaming God's voice rang out. "You only have the time it takes to drink a cup of tea left."

Jiang Wang smiled. "That is still plenty of time."

Night Roaming God said, "The person opposite you has expended far less than you. A battle of attrition benefits him. Do not be too optimistic either. You are borrowing power now, so you cannot fully wield the Divine Kingdom's power in the first place. If you cannot gain the upper hand within half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, then you are basically certain to lose."

After a brief pause, Night Roaming God added, "There is something I must remind you of. Because great Monsters are causing havoc, the true experts have not come to Hun City. Or perhaps because the phenomenon known as Immortals Descend has not been all that rare over the past several centuries, those great figures may not necessarily come in person."

"But if any of them suddenly takes an interest and appears in Hun City, and you happen to provoke them, killing you would be easier than turning over a hand. Even if you want the Divine Kingdom to grow stronger, you must choose suitable targets. Otherwise, you will only be seeking your own death."

Jiang Wang nodded. "Of course I know. The helper Cai Tanggu found is already the limit. If he were any stronger, I would have a hard time dealing with him. Rather than drive matters to the bitter end, it is better to leave some room."

He looked toward the Marquis Manor. Rong Yulu had already approached the woodshed, while Xiaoyu was also heading in that direction. "Can I speak directly to Xiaoyu?"

Night Roaming God said, "I can help."

As soon as he finished speaking, a thread flew out from the Divine Kingdom and shot straight into the Marquis Manor.

Following Night Roaming God's instructions, Jiang Wang tried to trace that thread and said inwardly, "Xiaoyu, do not make trouble. Just let the one surnamed Rong rescue them."

Xiaoyu, who had just arrived near the woodshed, froze. "Young Master? Where are you?"

Jiang Wang's voice immediately reached her. "Go back and sleep obediently. No matter what sounds you hear, do not come out."

Xiaoyu looked around blankly, but she still obediently turned and left.

As she had been concentrating on comprehending the martial knowledge Luo Xianshan had taught her, she had been so engrossed that she heard nothing of what happened around her. She had no idea what was going on in the Marquis Manor. If she had not grown tired and emerged from that state of comprehension, she likely would not even have noticed Rong Yulu's presence.

Jiang Wang shifted his attention back to Dong Chongyang and smiled. "I was distracted just now. Why did you not sneak attack me?"

Dong Chongyang remained silent.

Jiang Wang continued, "This is the final saber strike. You may as well bring out all your strength now. Otherwise, you will not get another chance."

Dong Chongyang frowned. "I was actually thinking about something just now. You seem to have no foundation in cultivation and have not studied martial arts, yet your physique is extraordinarily powerful. Qi had also been a powerful nation back then, so it would be normal for it to possess some little-known divine abilities. Still, I am very curious—how exactly did you come to possess this power?"

Jiang Wang did not understand. What was this Qi he was talking about? Which country was that?

Night Roaming God said, "Before Sui Tan, the world was filled with many nations. Qi could be considered one of the most powerful dynasties. By then, I had already fallen into becoming a Monster, but I personally witnessed Qi use the strength of its entire nation to beat the Monsters back step by step. Qi's contributions to the victory in the Mo Zhang Campaign were beyond measure."

"But regrettably, in that battle, Qi's people suffered devastation and its land was laid waste. In the end, it vanished."

Jiang Wang frowned. He had indeed heard of the so-called Mo Zhang Campaign, because it was recorded in historical books and all sorts of classics.

It had been the second war between human cultivators and Monsters. Because the leading Monster had been named "Mo Zhang," it came to be known as the Mo Zhang Campaign.

"But what does that have to do with me?"

Night Roaming God said, "Does the Marquis Manor have a Black Flame Army under its command?"

Jiang Wang nodded and replied inwardly, "Yes."

Night Roaming God said, "The Black Flame Army was Qi's strongest military force. I imagine no army in the present age would dare share its name."

Jiang Wang was shocked. "The Black Flame Army belonged to Qi?!"

Night Roaming God said, "Either they are remnants of Qi's Black Flame Army who were incorporated by the Marquis Manor, or the Marquis Manor itself has an enormous connection to Qi. Perhaps you are even a descendant of Qi's royal family."

Jiang Wang fiercely shook his head. It was hard for him to believe that imperial blood still flowed through him.

If he truly were a descendant of Qi's royal family, how could he have ended up in such miserable straits?

Though he really was rich, that was not how the logic worked.

He had never even seen any record of Qi in the classics.

Looking at Dong Chongyang opposite him, Jiang Wang understood. "He suspects that I cultivated some divine ability left behind by Qi?"

Night Roaming God said, "If greed has arisen in him, then this matter will be difficult to settle peacefully. After all, it fits the logic. Once he has decided it is true, no matter how you explain yourself, he will think you are lying."

Jiang Wang smiled. "Then I will not explain. He can guess whatever he likes."

Night Roaming God gave a light cough. "You truly do not have much time left."

Jiang Wang's expression turned grave. He directly swung his saber. Scorching currents spread through all of Qixia Street, the hanging lanterns instantly ignited, and the ground became searing hot. Yet at the same time, an incomparably frigid aura burst from the Long Night Saber and lunged straight at Dong Chongyang's face.

Dong Chongyang, who had been waiting for Jiang Wang's answer, had not expected this youngster to launch a sneak attack as well.

At once, every muscle in his body tensed. His loose clothing was stretched taut, the stone slabs beneath his feet cracked apart, and he slowly exhaled a breath of true Qi. White vapor steamed through his clothes. Yellow Court Qi was poured into the saber in his hand in an instant, and as he raised it, even the stars in the night sky seemed to flicker.

At the moment the Long Night Saber struck, Dong Chongyang also unleashed a saber strike that had gathered all the strength in his body.

The two sabers collided once more on Qixia Street.

This time, they were each other's final saber strike.

The strike that would soon decide victory and defeat.

Xie Wuxing's figure hung high in the air as he watched the scene intently.

"Jiang Wang's power is weaker than when he fought me."

Though it was not obvious, Xie Wuxing truly had that feeling.

The Man surnamed Xiao, also standing suspended in the air, said blandly, "He is already an arrow at the end of its flight."

Jiang Wang's face grew increasingly pale, and the hand gripping his saber trembled. He released every last bit of his remaining strength, while the Divine Kingdom flickered in and out of view within his mind.

Night Roaming God, attached to the stone statue, seemed to sense something. He flew directly out and circled within the Divine Kingdom.

A great mountain rose from the ground.

A small stream flowed gurgling along.

The empty Divine Kingdom, after the stone statue appeared, gained mountains and water. Gradually, flowers and grass began to grow as well.

Immediately after, a vast and surging aura erupted!

Jiang Wang, who had been growing listless, suddenly perked up.

The icy aura on the Long Night Saber surged severalfold.

With Jiang Wang's shout, it swept through everything like dead wood and rotten weeds, quickly swallowing Dong Chongyang's power.

Dong Chongyang's face flushed red. He released as much Yellow Court Qi as he could, but it was all to no avail. It was like throwing a pebble into the vast sea: it raised only the faintest, nearly imperceptible ripple before vanishing without a trace.

Xie Wuxing said in surprise, "How did his power suddenly become so much stronger again?!"

The Man surnamed Xiao raised his brow.

On the battlefield, Dong Chongyang hunched over. The saber in his hand had already been frozen by the cold. He slightly raised his eyes and saw Jiang Wang standing before him. "You were hiding your strength?"

Jiang Wang exhaled and said calmly, "You may think so."

Dong Chongyang said in a low voice, "This cannot be concealed. If people learn that someone like you is in Hun City, and then trace the source of your cultivation, the trouble will be endless."

Jiang Wang waved a hand. "Why can you not believe that I am simply extraordinarily gifted?"

Dong Chongyang remained silent.

At that moment, Rong Yulu emerged from the Marquis Manor's main gate with Su Lingyi and Du Yanruo.

Seeing the scene before him, Su Lingyi was utterly bewildered.

Du Yanruo looked around. When she inadvertently raised her head and met Xie Wuxing's gaze, her expression changed slightly.