Black Marsh

For Guo Jing Huang Rong, whose relationship was held together by love, Huazheng was always a ticking time bomb.

For Ji Boying, who was optimistic about Guo Jing becoming emperor, the help of Huang Yaoshi and Huang Rong was one of Guo Jing's most important core competencies and was absolutely indispensable.

Otherwise, regardless of whether Guo Jing had the ability to conquer the world, he certainly didn't have the ability to govern it well.

It's not that he can't be an emperor; there have been emperors who were underage babies. Guo Jing could certainly be one too, but it would be very difficult for him to be a good emperor. Given his honest and simple nature, he would only be fooled by the ministers.

Perhaps we can hope that some conscientious and principled ministers will emerge, who will complement a benevolent ruler like Guo Jing.

Such plots are not uncommon in the story.

Ji Boying ultimately decided to be more realistic and refused to gamble.

Today is a perfect opportunity to prematurely ignite the crisis in their relationship.

To prepare for future tragedies and to select a good emperor for the country, Ji Boying went to great lengths, planning three steps ahead for every one he took.

When Ji Boying faced the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen, who were weaker than him, and the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, who had little influence, he frankly revealed his plan.

Furthermore, by using his special status, he forced the Quanzhen Sect to join his cause.

However, he had to coax and deceive Hong Qigong.

Until their parting, Ji Boying only said that he would appoint Guo Jing as a general, but never mentioned that Guo Jing would sit on the throne in the future.

They could only wait for Hong Qigong to gather the Beggar Gang's Clan's forces and arrive at the Quanzhen Sect.

They also obtained the Wumu's Testament and defeated Huang Yaoshi.

Huang Yaoshi can achieve a balance with Hong Qigong without worrying that Hong Qigong will suddenly quit.

After some time, my skills will improve slightly. The stronger I become, the more confident I will be, and the more assertive I can be.

"Brother Jing".

Huang Rong's delicate little hand tightly grasped Guo Jing's big hand.

Her beautiful eyes were filled with worry as she looked at Guo Jing with captivating charm.

"Rong'er".

Guo Jing was worried about whether Huang Rong had heard about Huazheng's situation, and he was also unsure whether he should speak up and tell her the truth.

Given his personality, he shouldn't have done something so secretive, but he had indeed fallen in love with Huang Rong and was so anxious about losing her.

Huang Rong knew his feelings and naturally didn't want to put him in a difficult position.

"Brother Jing, shall we run?"

Ji Boying, who was a hundred paces away, couldn't help but turn pale.

"Run? Run for what?"

"Brother Jing, it's not that you don't want to be emperor, it's that you're afraid of this matter, right? Let's run away, let's not get involved. I don't want to see you suffer."

"Rong'er..."

Guo Jing gripped Huang Rong's small hand even tighter, deeply moved.

But if he were to run away at this moment, he would no longer be Guo Jing; Ji Boying's words had indeed kidnapped Guo Jing.

"Rong'er, I am indeed scared, and I really don't want to get involved in this. But I can't run away..."

Guo Jing let Huang Rong's hand fall naturally, their fingers intertwined. The two stood side by side, gazing at the beautiful landscape, lost in thought.

"I am a descendant of loyal and virtuous people. My mother and my master have always taught me loyalty and righteousness. I naturally have no feelings for the emperor of Lin'an City, but I cannot betray the bloodline in my veins, nor can I betray the people of the world."

"I never imagined I would be in such a dilemma, but now Brother Ji has brought it to my attention. According to the Great Khan's military strategy, it seems that a southward march is just around the corner."

"I've seen the Mongols fight, and I know the Great Khan's personality. Maybe I can advise them once or twice, but I can't do it every time. Just like Brother Ji said, the Great Khan unified Mongols, and his personality has become more and more assertive. People always change."

"I don't want to see people die in this war. Even if I don't do what Brother Ji said, I will definitely join the army on the front lines and do my part."

Huang Rong acted with utmost gentleness.

This little vixen was most susceptible to Guo Jing.

Its tenderness surpasses even the Yuan River before my eyes.

"Brother Jing, I'll go with you. Wherever you go, I'll go. Let's join the army together on the front lines."

Guo Jing nodded solemnly.

They turned around and their eyes met.

He spoke with a slightly deeper tone.

"But things are different now. Now that I'm heading south, I've met many people in the martial arts world, including notorious bandits like Peng Lianhu, chivalrous heroes like Daoist Priest Wang, and the leader of the number one gang in the world, my master."

"There are some things I can't quite put my finger on, but I always feel that they are different. Brother Ji is different from the rest of them. I don't know why, but I always feel that none of them can change the world, but Brother Ji definitely has that ability."

"If I don't take on this responsibility, Brother Ji will surely find someone else willing to take it on. But if it's someone else, as Brother Ji said, I really don't trust them."

"I am of Central Plains descent but grew up in Mongols. I have deep feelings for both families. I know that bloodshed is inevitable in the future, but I only hope that fewer people will die."

Guo Jing was willing to take on such a heavy burden.

Huang Rong would never agree to such troublesome matters, but when Guo Jing made this decision, even the quick-witted and proactive Huang Rong found it difficult to change Guo Jing's mind at such a crucial moment.

When faced with matters of great importance, it was Guo Jing, who always obeyed Huang Rong, who was the one who truly made the decision.

This is also one of the important reasons why Ji Boying felt at ease with their combination.

Ji Boying eavesdropped from afar.

He seemed magnanimous, letting Guo Jing think Guo Jing Huang Rong discuss things, but in reality, he was unwilling to let the matter slip out of his control.

Finally, he heard that steady promise with satisfaction.

"Rong'er, I must shoulder this burden, I must take on this responsibility!"

Guo Jing was such a person.

Ultimately, under Ji Boying's guidance, he took on this responsibility that didn't actually belong to him.

They were just waiting for the two of them to return to the inn from the riverbank.

Ji Boying could see clearly that Guo Jing was now full of energy, with a strong and resolute physique, and was no longer confused.

This finally put Guo Jing's mind at ease.

Ji Boying's plan is more than halfway complete.

After resting briefly at the inn, they continued their search along the river.

After walking for another day, we still hadn't found Monkey Claw Mountain, but instead wandered into a deep forest.

The forest is located at a bend in the river.

The river here is steep and the water is rapid. Every time it flows through the flood-prone areas, floodwaters rush out of the riverbed at the bends and overflow into the deep forests.

Furthermore, because the area is inherently humid and the deep forests are dark, the accumulated water cannot evaporate quickly, and over time, a swamp has formed here.

Ji Boying and his two companions then arrived at the edge of this Black Marsh.