Screech!
Xiao Lan let out a long cry and vanished. Jiang Yi landed on the VIP platform with an arm around Meng Hongchen, while Tang Ya returned to the Tang Sect.
Besides Xu Tianran, quite a few familiar faces were on the VIP platform. Jing Hongchen and Ju Zi were among them.
Ju Zi drew the most attention. Dressed in palace robes, she carried an air of authority she had lacked a few years ago.
Her looks had hardly changed, though her skin was perhaps a little fairer. But her new status lent her a dazzling charm.
"Your Majesty. Forgive my late arrival."
Holding Meng Hongchen's hand, Jiang Yi stepped forward and nodded to Xu Tianran, who stood surrounded by courtiers.
They were close. At this distance, killing Xu Tianran would be effortless. Even Long Xiaoyao could not stop him.
But there was no need.
If Xu Tianran died, another "Xu Tianran" would take his place. The roots of war had never lain with one man.
Unless Jiang Yi was willing to defy the world, become a living prison, force the Sun Moon Imperial Family into submission, and gradually resolve the Sun Moon Empire's internal tensions through reform.
There was nothing in that for him. It would take ten years, perhaps decades, and the empire's people might still hate him.
Jiang Yi did not consider himself a saint. He would not hurt himself to help others. Better to let events take their course and the war break out.
Keeping Xu Tianran alive preserved Jiang Yi's knowledge of what lay ahead, making it easier to gain enough from the war.
"No matter! You're not late. Your timing is perfect, Pavilion Master Jiang!"
Xu Tianran waved with a smile, then glanced at Ju Zi to signal her.
His smile was warm. Though