Chapter 126 - Humanity's Scorching Heat

Back then, Dong Ah publicly accused the Great General, Huangfu Duanming, on the court floor, angrily denouncing him for monopolizing military power.He even used a very serious term, “harboring ulterior motives.”

The outcome was that Huangfu Duanming remained as immovable as a mountain, while Dong Ah was exiled to Maple Forest City, thus stepping down from the center of Zhuang Country’s power.

This was still the result of Prime Minister Du Ruhui’s protection.

Unless Huangfu Duanming fell from power, Dong Ah probably couldn’t return to Xin’an City for the rest of his life.

There weren’t many who could truly understand what Dong Ah felt.

It wasn’t until the dust had settled on the entire matter that he turned around, looking at the most dazzling person among this year’s newcomers: “Did you seek me out today for a reason?”

Jiang Wang had already made up his mind, but at the last moment, he hesitated again.

After all, this was no small matter but one concerning his life and fortune.

He hesitated and said, “Disciple doesn’t know if he should speak…”

Dong Ah turned and walked away: “Then wait until you’ve made up your mind to speak.”

Jiang Wang: “…”

By the time they returned to the courtyard, Jiang Wang was still following behind.

Dong Ah didn’t pay him any heed and went straight to the quiet room to sit cross-legged on the meditation mat.

It seemed that if Jiang Wang didn’t speak up, he would start his cultivation.

“Master Dong!”

Jiang Wang made up his mind and suddenly knelt to the ground, unwilling to raise his head for a long time.

This was the first time he had shown such great respect to Dong Ah, and as such, it made clear his sincerity and determination.

But Dong Ah simply said in a flat tone, “Stand up and speak.”

Still with that undemonstrative demeanor, as if nothing could move him.

Nor could any person or thing change him.

Jiang Wang lifted his head and knelt before Dong Ah, facing him.

His eyes were slightly red: “Master Dong, before I report, I hope you can promise me you will look after my sister Jiang Anan in the future.

Apart from her, I have nothing else to worry about.”

Dong Ah frowned and said, “Discuss your final affairs when you’re about to die.”

Jiang Wang’s emotions, which had been building all night, were interrupted just like that.

He silently gathered himself.

It took a while before he continued, “I suspect that Bone Tao is brewing a new conspiracy.

Ever since they sacrificed Xiaolin Town and were slaughtered by the City Lord at the Three Cities Discourse, everyone thought they had left Zhuang Country.

But in fact, they never left the Maple Forest City Region, and their lair was right near the City Guard Army’s station at Mount Niutou!

They have already moved away, and I’m not sure where to.

Also, Fang Helling has joined Bone Tao and is working for them.

I suspect there are many more people involved with them or under their control.

They have something called the ‘Seed of the Bone,’ which is very rare, but can perfectly control a person.”

Dong Ah waited quietly for him to finish before asking, “How do you know this?”

Jiang Wang paused for a moment and said, “While I was carrying out an investigation, I found something wrong with Fang Helling.

Last night, actually, the Procuratorate’s undercover agent tracking Fang Helling wasn’t the only one—so was I.

We followed him to Mount Niutou and encountered an ambush.

The Procuratorate’s agent was killed…

but they said I was the reincarnation of a Bone Tao child, destined to be the future Holy Master of Bone Tao.

They thought I was one of them.”

In the end, he chose to be truthful.

This decision was undoubtedly very hard.

But he had decided so nonetheless.

It was but the trust a student had in his mentor.

It was but the choice a young man made, between his personal safety and the safety of the entire city—a simple decision.

He didn’t know what he would face.

He even prepared himself for the possibility that Dong Ah would extinguish kinship in the name of justice, as the respected head of the institution had always been upright and incorruptible, intolerant of the slightest impurity.

“What do you think?” Dong Ah asked instead.

“Ah?”

“About them saying you’re a child of Bone Tao.

What do you think?”

Jiang Wang hung his head in despair and said, “It seems I really am…”

“What I’m asking is…” Dong Ah repeated: “What do you think?”

Jiang Wang suddenly looked up: “Of course I don’t want it!

I absolutely cannot do things like slaughtering civilians, harming the innocent, desecrating the dead, or obliterating humanity!

I’d rather die than join Bone Tao!”

His emotions were very agitated.

But Dong Ah simply nodded, “Fine.

You can go back now.”

Jiang Wang was stunned.

Just let me go like this?

Let me return?

Am I not a disciple of Bone Tao?

Am I not the future saintly master of Bone Tao?

The leader of those evil heretics!

Just let me leave so easily?

“Is there anything else?” Dong Ah asked impatiently.

Jiang Wang tentatively said, “About the matters of Bone Tao…”

“I will handle it.”

“Then should the disciple…

go to the City Lord’s mansion to report this matter to City Lord Wei?”

“As for Wei Quchibi, I will communicate with him personally.”

“Do you not have any orders for me?”

“Practice diligently and take good care of your sister,” Dong Ah was still sparing with his words.

“Aside from that?”

“…Bother me less.”

“Ah okay,” Jiang Wang, feeling dizzy, stood up and walked out.

After taking two steps, he couldn’t help but turn back and ask, “Master Dong, aren’t you really going to arrange something for me to do?”

Dong Ah sighed.

In a rare move, he spoke a few more words, “Do you really want me to tell you how utterly powerless you are against a force like Bone Tao and how useless you are?”

“…I understand.”

Jiang Wang strode out the door.

Behind him, Dong Ah’s voice rang out again, “By the way, if they reveal any information to you, the future saintly master, tell me immediately.”

The winter sunlight outside the house seemed exceptionally dazzling.

Jiang Wang’s nose felt sour.

“Understood!” he said.

On the high cliff, the mountain wind tousled the long hair.

“When will the disciple awaken?” the Bone Messenger asked Bai Lian from behind.

Bai Lian turned around.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The lotus-patterned mask covered her face, only her eyes meeting those of the Bone Messenger.

“Wearing the mask for too long, perhaps you’ve forgotten who you are.”

The Bone Messenger reached out and lifted the lotus-patterned mask, revealing the face that belonged to Miao Yu.

“And what about you?” asked Miao Yu, “Do you still remember who you are?”

“Me?” The Bone Messenger moved to her side, both standing on the high cliff, though facing opposite directions.

“I’ve forgotten,” he said.

Miao Yu didn’t seem to care about his reply, turning to ask, “Did Lu Yan seek you out?”

The Bone Messenger looked down from the high cliff, “Every person in Bone Tao is half true, half false.

Every word they speak is cautious.

Everyone is testing and targeting each other, yet must proceed for a common goal.

Until the final moment, no one knows who is sincere and who is not.

He expresses a desire to kill Ouyang Lie, but I have to dare to believe him.”

“You’re the same, I also have to dare to trust you,” Miao Yu said.

“Of course, you should trust me, because at least until now, our objectives are still the same.

We are both seeking the awakening of the disciple.”

“Everyone in Bone Tao is waiting for the disciple to awaken.

But no one cares who the disciple is.”

“What about you?

Do you care?”

“I once thought I wouldn’t care, because no matter who is reborn, the disciple is still that disciple.

But now…” Miao Yu gently touched her chest, “I seem a bit confused.”

“That’s dangerous.”

“Yes…”

“Then let go of what you want to do.

According to the divine mandate, as long as the plan proceeds to that step, the disciple will naturally awaken.

Whether you do it or not, whether you choose or not, it makes no difference,” the Bone Messenger said.

“I always hope it can be more perfect,” Miao Yu smiled vaguely, “I never expected that the supreme god would issue another divine mandate.

He has already returned from the River of Oblivion, and we still try to speculate the will of heaven, how ridiculous.”

“The plan is about to begin,” the Bone Messenger faced the distance, his arms wide open as if embracing everything in sight, “Do you want to say something to them?”

“May the supreme god bring them fairness,” said Miao Yu.

In the distance, there was a towering mountain peak, as if it had arrived from beyond the skies.