Chapter 995: Chapter 241: One Tear as One Round Moon
Lv Zongxiao didn’t concern himself with Zhu Bijing, which was an attitude in itself.
"The operation rules of Heavenly Abode Secret Land, Brother Lv, you’re aware of them. Whatever happens in the secret realm is forgotten after leaving. Of course, I’m not trying to shirk my responsibility."
Jiang Wang carefully chose his words and slowly said, "My friend met with some unknown fate in the Heavenly Abode Secret Land. Fortunately, by some miracle, she was revived from the dead. You gave her that opportunity, and for that, I am endlessly grateful. However, her movements in and out of the Heavenly Abode Secret Land during the adjustment period must have caused great harm to the land. So..."
He held a glass flask with his left hand and presented a dragon-head cane with his right hand to Lv Zongxiao, "These two items, one is called the ’Evening Cloud Flask,’ which has the power to store water and nurture beasts, the other is called ’Thoughtful Staff,’ which can control beasts. Both are treasures useful to Outer Tower Cultivators. Brother Lv, please choose one to take as a preliminary apology from me, as a gesture. After the Heavenly Abode Secret Land officially opens, when we have ascertained the actual damages incurred to the secret realm, I will provide additional compensation."
If it was directly revealed that the entire Heavenly Abode Secret Land had already dissolved, the reactions from Heavenly Mansion City and even Qi Country could be fully anticipated.
The loss of a secret realm, Zhu Bijing who caused the accident, Jiang Wang who sent Zhu Bijing into the Heavenly Abode Secret Land, and even those friends who helped Jiang Wang open the path, including Lv Zongxiao who facilitated their entry, all must bear the responsibility—perhaps this was why there was still a shadow left? Did Zhu Bijing deliberately leave behind a shadowy illusion to avoid such troubles?
In the past, Zhu Bijing wouldn’t have thought of these things.
But considering Jiang Wang didn’t know that the Heavenly Abode Secret Land had vanished, or the details of the secret realm, the compensation he offered was already quite substantial.
In the situation where losses couldn’t be accurately determined, directly offering a magic artifact used by the Outer Tower Cultivators as preliminary compensation, what more could be asked? Moreover, if other losses emerged later, Jiang Wang had promised to address them. Jiang Qingyang was trustworthy; his promises were reliable.
This generosity left no room for criticism.
And for Jiang Wang himself, the Heavenly Abode Secret Land opened once every twelve years. The last opening was just last year, and by the next official opening, it will be the year 3930 in the Dao Calendar.
Jiang Wang believed that by then, he would be able to fully assume such responsibilities. When the time came to compensate, he would do so and provide explanations. He would ensure not to let "Brother Lv" suffer any losses.
Lv Zongxiao was clearly surprised as well. After hearing the introduction of the two magic artifacts, he asked with interest, "Are these tokens of your affection, Younger Brother Jiang?"
Jiang Wang didn’t understand why he would ask such a thing, but still explained, "Uh. Not at all, I obtained these on the battlefield."
"Evening Cloud, Thoughtful Road. Gazing at the weather in the evens, watching the clouds at dusk, whether walking or sitting, I think of you," Lv Zongxiao recited softly and sighed, "The original owner of these artifacts must have been a passionate lover."
Despite his rugged appearance, Lv Zongxiao displayed unexpected literacy and thoughtfulness.
"Is that so?" Jiang Wang smiled, "It’s not important. Brother Lv, if you find them to your liking, you can take both items."
Indeed, it wasn’t important.
Regardless of what kind of person Granny Bizhu had been, what passionate history or the stories she had been through.
The moment she discarded Zhu Bijing to face death, all that became unimportant.
The Evening Cloud Flask and the Thoughtful Staff didn’t offer much benefit to Jiang Wang’s current combat system. Offering them to resolve the trouble was not something he regretted doing. Of course, powerful weapons like the Five-Color Fish wouldn’t be given away along with Evening Cloud Flask; he would find another container for them.
"Brother Jiang truly is a generous and righteous man," Lv Zongxiao said as he patted Jiang Wang’s shoulder. "But I am not a man ungrateful or miserly, how could I take your artifacts? Put them away!"
"How can I do that? If Brother Lv doesn’t accept them, I’d feel uneasy."
"Why not?" Lv Zongxiao’s face turned stern, looking quite serious, "Your friend simply pre-arranged her departure using Divine Skills. Such cases in the history of Heavenly Abode Secret Land, if not a thousand times, then at least eight hundred. What does one more or one less matter? Making you compensate is too much!"
Lv Zongxiao saw Zhu Bijing as only having pre-arranged her Divine Skills, yet to obtain them?
That means, he saw Zhu Bijing at Ascending Dragon Realm. But the Zhu Bijing Jiang Wang saw was at the Inner Mansion Realm!
The Cultivation levels of the Zhu Bijing they had seen were not the same.
Lv Zongxiao, a cultivator hopeful of attaining "God Arrives," surely wouldn’t misjudge. So, is this one of the abilities of "Mirage and Flowing Waters"?
Just how mystical is this legendary Divine Skill?
Jiang Wang didn’t dwell too much on this issue. The more Lv Zongxiao refused compensation, the more embarrassed he felt.
"Brother Lv, the conditions you mentioned apply under normal opening circumstances of the Heavenly Abode Secret Land. Our situation this time is different, resting period or not, opening the secret realm was an exception for you. I must make some gesture of appreciation!"
"I opened the Heavenly Abode Secret Land ahead of time, but not without conditions. You’ve already paid what was due." Lv Zongxiao waved his hand, very resolutely, "Enough, don’t say anymore. You calling me ’brother’ is gesture enough! That’s sufficient! If we go on quibbling, it will only hurt our feelings, dear Brother Jiang!"
With those words, Jiang Wang truly had no more room to argue.
Lv Zongxiao’s intention to form a friendship was so clear that any further resistance would seem tactless.
He thought for a moment, retracted Cloud Twilight Goblet and Wandering Staff, and said, "Brother Lv, let’s do as you say and set this aside for now. When the Heavenly Abode Secret Land opens next time and the losses are assessed, we’ll settle the compensation then."
He had already made up his mind to find a way to compensate by the year 3930 in the Dao Calendar. He firmly believed that by then, he would be qualified to assist Lv Zongxiao!
Lv Zongxiao was also very satisfied with Jiang Wang’s attitude. A genius with principles and sincerity is an even more valuable investment.
The logic was simple—who doesn’t know that Tian Anping is a top genius, but how many would dare to collaborate with him?
When he goes mad, even killing noble sons like Liu Shentong, killing a few partners wouldn’t be surprising at all.
"Let’s go with what Brother Jiang suggested!" Lv Zongxiao laughed heartily and clapped Jiang Wang’s shoulder vigorously.
...
...
A lonely dragonbone ship sailed on the ocean.
Inside the cabin sat a young woman clad in a blue robe.
She sat silently, voiceless for a long time.
In the silence,
A tear fell from the corner of her eye.
It landed in front of her, then unexpectedly spread out.
Like a tear turning into a moon,
A droplet forming a water mirror.
The mirror reflected a clear face, but it was not the silent Zhu Bijing.
She resembled Zhu Bijing somewhat, but her features were gentler, softer, yet her eyes held an additional trace of ferocity. This complex and indescribable aura was not like Zhu Bijing’s naive cheerfulness.
If Hu Shaomeng were still alive to see this, he would be utterly shocked.
Because she was... Zhu Suyao!
