There was a road up Book Mountain: a narrow path of blue stone.
Jiang Wang did not descend directly upon the mountaintop, just as he had not descended directly upon the palace city of Song Kingdom.
Alone, with one sword, he climbed the steps.
Within the sea of intent, flowers bloomed in emerald flames.
Intelligence came from afar—
"All the lifespan merit within the True Yang Cauldrons has been taken away... Rakshasa Bright Moon Pure has indeed suffered severe injuries and is currently repairing herself. Given her cautious ways, she probably will not appear before you this time. You will not be able to bait her out."
The waves curled faintly. The flying droplets, too, were immortal consciousness, and represented the master of this Sea of Hidden Intent as it replied, "Is the intelligence reliable?"
A cold, secluded voice sounded within the jade flames, swaying with the waves. "Absolutely reliable. This king plans far ahead and lays schemes across the world. I had infiltrated the enemy long before that fat man did."
After a pause, it added, "The people I arranged were all talented and virtuous."
"Oh, right. I also added a little seasoning to that lifespan merit for her. Should life and death be decided, it may prove useful... But do not expect too much. After all, she is quite sinister too."
The immortal consciousness fell silent for a moment. Though he was on the road of determining the Dao, True Lord Jiang could not help but be at a loss for words. "That word 'too' is rather unnecessary."
"Why not?" the voice in the flames said. "Open righteousness is the excuse of losers; grand declarations are the tears of the pitiable—only clever people can be called sinister, and only the powerful can be called vicious. Am I weak?"