Chapter 2501: Chapter 105: Storms of Life Break Old Branches
Jiang Wang didn’t know why Zhongxuan Sheng was so certain that Lin Youxie was still in Deer Frost County.
Could it be that all other possibilities were eliminated, leaving that as the only truth?
But he completely trusted Zhongxuan Sheng’s judgment.
So he simply said softly, "But over in Deer Frost County, the Patrol Inspection Bureau has already screened it once... If there were clues, they wouldn’t have missed them."
As long as this matter doesn’t involve the Queen, Zheng Shangming’s ability and attitude can be trusted.
If Lin Youxie truly never left Deer Frost County, how could there be no news from the Green Badge side?
"Zheng Shangming, like you, cannot view things from outside on this matter," Zhongxuan Sheng said. "Because of the Wang Yiwu affair, he has a new understanding of power, later giving up his military post to return to the Green Badge, wanting to take up his father’s position, serving as a Beiyar Commander. From whom does the Beiyar Commander’s power originate?"
"If he wants to be a Beiyar Commander like his father, then he must show absolute loyalty to the Son of Heaven like his father."
"When Lin Youxie disappeared, the first person you thought of was the Queen, and he did too. Because you both know the truth of the Lin Kuang incident back then, and you both know why Lin Youxie would have a fear disorder. You share the same understanding of the Current Empress, actually feeling the same oppression and fear. It’s just that one moves forward, the other steps back."
"But your understanding is incorrect."
Zhongxuan Sheng’s voice was very calm: "Just like how you were initially trapped in a state of anger, blood boiling, thinking about justice and righteousness, and almost fell into Bao Zhongqing’s trap. Starting in fear, how could Zheng Shangming possibly find the truth? Anger can blind your eyes, and fear can dull his senses."
He did not say much more about Zheng Shangming, instead said, "Lin Youxie’s disappearance, I now lean more toward it being an accident. Deer Frost County is considered Lei Family’s territory, perhaps we need to enlist their help... Are you still in touch with Lei Zhanqian?"
The conflict between Jiang Wang and Lei Zhanqian started in the Seven Stars Secret Realm. That time, he used the Star Power absorbed from the Burning Fire Bone Lotus to eliminate Lei Zhanqian in the round of life and death on the Floating Land. At Seven Stars Valley, they almost fought again, but Tian Anping, appearing with Karma Shackles, quelled it.
The two subsequent encounters, one at the Invincible Martial Arts Field, and one at the Master’s Ceremony, both left Lei Zhanqian utterly humiliated.
However, later on, Jiang Wuqi, before his death, left a will to reconcile them. Actually, there was no longer any conflict between Jiang Wang and Lei Zhanqian.
After Jiang Wuqi’s death, Long Life Palace shut its doors, and Lei Zhanqian was almost entirely defeated. The once proud and ambitious genius, who always claimed that the universe was his, later became disheartened, drowning his sorrows in alcohol daily.
Out of respect for Jiang Wuqi, Jiang Wang had long let go of past grievances, even considering comforting him.
Zhongxuan Sheng was aware of these matters, hence the question.
Jiang Wang shook his head: "Because of the Eleventh Prince’s relationships, I had thought of visiting, but it never happened. A tight schedule is one reason, another is not knowing what to say..."
Shisi suddenly remembered something at that moment: "By the way, on the day in Deer Frost County, I encountered Lei Zhanqian."
Zhongxuan Sheng furrowed his brow and asked, "Why didn’t you mention this before?"
"I forgot... and we just met, didn’t even exchange words." Shisi said somewhat bewilderedly, "At the time, I was worried he’d fight me, but he just glanced at me and walked off."
Zhongxuan Sheng and Jiang Wang exchanged glances.
"Could it be related to the Lei Family?" Jiang Wang asked.
"Within Deer Frost County, anyone nearby could be involved. But why would the Lei Family target Lin Youxie?" Zhongxuan Sheng said, "Please help me think of a reason now."
Jiang Wang pondered for a while, then shook his head: "I cannot think of any."
Zhongxuan Sheng mused, "Neither can I. In terms of emotions, reason, and benefits, there’s truly no such reason."
Lin Kuang died investigating the Concubine Lei case, and the Lin Family only has gratitude, not enmity toward the Lei Family. And Lei Zhanqian and Lin Youxie were nearly entirely unconnected individuals.
However, when Jiang Wuqi was alive, he generously gave opportunities to Lin Youxie—he was not only willing to give opportunities to successors of the Green Badge Aristocracy, but also to declining families like the Phoenix Immortal of Clan Zhang. Because he was such a person, it provided Equality Country the opportunity for Zhang Song’s Mourning Shrine. Also because he was such a person, after his death, people mourned him for a long time.
Whether starting from the Lei Family itself or from Jiang Wuqi, the Lei Family and Lin Youxie were friends, not foes.
"But why was Lei Zhanqian there at that time?" Jiang Wang wondered, "Though it’s Deer Frost County’s territory, that dense forest is rarely visited, and Lei Zhanqian isn’t someone who wanders around without purpose."
"Why not go ask directly?" Zhongxuan Sheng didn’t rush to make a judgment, only said, "He might know something."
...
Lin Youxie’s disappearance was clearly not as simple as Zhongxuan Sheng said. He called it simple, more to curb Jiang Wang’s impulsiveness, calm his anger, so he wouldn’t rashly confront that black wall.
After unraveling the mystery, it seemed every clue was still useless.
If Zhongxuan Sheng’s judgment was correct and Lin Youxie truly hadn’t left Deer Frost County, then where is she, and in what condition? Must the entire Deer Frost County be turned upside down?
