roccoschili Chapter 974 - 974 220 Solely to Me
Chapter 974 - 974 220 Solely to Me
974: Chapter 220 Solely to Me 974: Chapter 220 Solely to Me Upon returning to Eternal Winter Island, Zhongxuan Xin’s enthusiasm had become almost sycophantic.Even the busy Zhongxuan Minghe personally showed up to receive Jiang Wang and his group.
Although he only exchanged a few pleasantries before leaving, it still showed the importance he attached to their visit.
These considerations involved both Jiang Wuyou and Jiang Wang.
Jiang Wang dominated Ji Shaoqing on the End of the World Platform, with tens of thousands watching the fight.
There’s no way to completely conceal such news.
Being the first in maritime merit was a record set in the Lost World.
Defeating Ji Shaoqing, who possessed the Heavenly Gate Power, demonstrated prowess in the Near Sea Archipelago.
Strong in external conflicts and capable in internal ones, some even believed he had become the number one in the Near Sea’s Inner Mansion.
Diao Hai Building made no attempt to censor the news, but stressed the fairness of the duel and that the dispute was over differing paths, unrelated to other matters.
Additionally, the exchange between Chen Zhitao and Jiang Wang was widely known.
Jiang Wang, though powerful enough to overshadow his peers from Diao Hai Building, was considered to have been lucky—the right man in the absence of heroes.
Comparatively, he still fell short of Chen Zhitao’s stature.
Furthermore, the magnanimity of Diao Hai Building’s prime disciple, Chen Zhitao, won over many hearts.
Of course, the ancient swords of Chen Du and the army-covering gauntlets were subtly removed from the narrative.
Including Gu Huaixin, who rarely featured in the rumors.
The entire duel was framed as just between Jiang Wang and Ji Shaoqing.
Undoubtedly, this propaganda strategy significantly lessened the negative impact of the battle on Diao Hai Building.
It was incomparably more effective than forcefully suppressing the news.
Whose handiwork it was precisely led to a dispute between Zhongxuan Sheng and Jiang Wuyou.
Jiang Wuyou thought it was Chen Zhitao’s doing, while Zhongxuan Sheng felt it was very much in the style of Gu Huaixin.
After his conflict with Ji Shaoqing, he had thoroughly researched Gu Huaixin and believed he understood him somewhat—and those who knew, understood why he did the research at that time.
Naturally, this argument ultimately led nowhere.
It was no longer important.
Upon reaching Eternal Winter Island, the group went straight for drinks with high spirits, all except Xu Xiangqian, who kept to himself at the ferry port.
After several hours of waiting for the late arrivals, Zhao Wuyan and Zi Shu, he finally joined the banquet with a broad smile.
On their first day on Eternal Winter Island, the group of friends drank deeply throughout the night, holding back Path Origin and freeing their minds, seeking nothing but intoxication.
Jiang Wang’s struggles on the End of the World Platform, his ventures into the Lost World, his return to avenge Zhu Bijing…
his friends had been on tenterhooks throughout his journey.
They all needed to let loose.
Except for Xu Xiangqian.
Oddly, he had given up drinking and refused all persuasions.
But seeing him in front of Zhao Wuyan, acting all obsequious, it was clear he had already let loose enough…
there was indeed no need for him to adjust his mood.
As for Jiang Wang himself…
no matter how much divine might he had demonstrated on the End of the World Platform, Zhu Bijing had still left.
In the midst of toasting and merrymaking, some thoughts are too deep to share.
After the feast and the dispersal of the fine wine, everyone left the scene.
Even though Jiang Wang’s mind was preoccupied and he couldn’t get drunk, he ended up grabbing Zhongxuan Sheng in a booze-fueled haze.
He had originally planned to have a proper talk with Zhongxuan Sheng after leaving the Lost World, but it had been delayed until now when he finally had time.
Shisi, ever inseparable, stood not far from Zhongxuan Sheng like a statue.
Now that they were alone, Jiang Wang pondered his words before saying directly, “I want to talk to you about your father.”
Since Jiang Wang’s victory on the End of the World Platform, the smile that had always graced Zhongxuan Sheng’s face vanished.
“Oh,” he shifted his body as if he was not quite comfortable, then looked up and asked, “The place where he fell, was it in the Lost World?”
It was just like Zhongxuan Sheng.
With just a hint from Jiang Wang, he nearly guessed the entire matter.
“The Lost World is a very dangerous place, with rules different from the ones in our world.
Staying in the wild for too long carries the risk of alienation.
Countless strong individuals from the Sea Clan and the Human Race battle each other there, killing the opposing force’s warriors while vying for mystical crystals to construct territory that aligns with the rules of their own world.
That place is divided into many areas by the chaotic, broken rules.
Some areas favor the Sea Clan, others the Human Race.
No one can guarantee their safety.
Whether it’s someone with frightening killing power or highly sophisticated escape skills, they could fall in battle at any moment.”
Jiang Wang looked at Zhongxuan Sheng, wanting to convey as much as possible about the brutality of the Lost World, to highlight the greatness of Zhongxuan Futu.
He slowly continued, “But in that extremely cruel battlefield, I discovered a peaceful place.
That area is not much different from our world, free from the risks of alienation, and there are no Sea Clan members because they are suppressed by the rules, just as they are in our world.
People call that place—Floating Map Pure Land.”
“It sounds very grand,” Zhongxuan Sheng said, his eyes betraying no emotion.
Jiang Wang knew his feelings must be complex, but he also ultimately pretended not to know things he couldn’t possibly know.
So he continued, “Your father…
he killed two Sea Clan Zhen Kings and then dissipated his Dao Body to create the Floating Map Pure Land.
Before he died, he left these words—’The death of the Floating Map is not for the Zhong Xuan family alone, nor for the nation of Daqi, but for the human race of the whole world.
Buddhas are merciful, wishing all beings to be ferried across.
This place shall be shared by the human race forever and never exclusive to one.'”
“Sounds like something he would say,” Zhongxuan Sheng remarked.
“I think…” Jiang Wang said, “he was a great man.”
“Yes, he was great,” Zhongxuan Sheng lifted his eyelids slightly: “As a human race powerhouse, he was great.
As a friend of the deposed Crown Prince, he was great.”
The chubby man grinned, “Even for the Zhong Xuan surname, he has preserved the family with his death, without debt or regret.”
Jiang Wang noticed the flesh on his face was trembling ever so slightly, a flood of emotions being desperately but unsuccessfully suppressed.
“Only towards me…”
His voice finally lost its calm, “He was selfish.”
If Zhongxuan Futu had not died, with the strength to kill two Sea Clan Zhen Kings, the position of Family Head of the Zhong Xuan Family would undoubtedly have been his alone.
Then, as his son, Zhongxuan Sheng would have lacked nothing and needed to struggle for nothing.
He would easily inherit the title of Marquis of Bowang.
Zhongxuan Zun, no matter how much he surpassed his peers, would only have to start another branch of the family.
In that case, perhaps the feelings between the cousins wouldn’t be as they were now.
Zhongxuan Sheng wouldn’t have had such a childhood…
Could Zhongxuan Futu have chosen not to die then?
As a True Man of the Age and a famous general who personally trained a murderer, how could he have no choice?
He could have chosen to lead an army to Xiazhou, or to ignore Jiang Wuliang completely…
Even later, when Emperor Qi was furious, as long as he clarified his position and separated himself in time, he might have been able to leave unharmed.
But in the end, he chose to face death.
Zhongxuan Sheng was right—Zhongxuan Futu did not fail others, friends, family, nation, or the human race.
The only one he failed was him.
Even the last words he left before his death didn’t mention Zhongxuan Sheng at all.
When he went out to sea alone, resolutely facing death, did he ever think of his still young son and the kind of life that awaited him?
He achieved both loyalty and righteousness, but what about his son?
The time that should have been spent carefree with falcons and dogs was shattered into mere bubbles because of his departure.
The son of a great True Man and the direct lineage of the Zhong Xuan Family, yet from a very young age, he had learned to read people’s faces.
Jiang Wang said nothing more.
The little chubby boy who would lie on the ground after being tripped, waiting for others to tire of their mockery before getting up, had grown into the Zhongxuan Sheng of today, through countless days and nights.
Who was qualified to forgive on his behalf?
Shisi remained silent, silently placing his hand on Zhongxuan Sheng’s shoulder.
Zhongxuan Sheng seemed to draw strength from that hand as well.
He then pressed down on the armrest and stood up to say, “Let’s leave it at that.
You must be tired too, rest early.”