Chapter 1865 - 682: Surprise (Part 3)

"Hundreds of years ago, it already turned to ashes, yet you people still indulge in wishful thinking about Da Xuan..."

Di Wu Jing sneered coldly:

"Back then, the Da Xuan Dynasty wielded unparalleled power, Emperor Xuan trampled upon the Jianghu, and throughout the martial world, cries of despair echoed everywhere.

"All for his own immortality!

"Truly laughable...

"Just for this illusory desire, he oppressed the beings of the Tianxia martial jianghu, making them pay a terrible price. For what?

"A sovereign should use his abilities to protect the country’s mountains and rivers.

"Yet he cared only for himself, ignoring the entire world.

"What can we do against such a Da Xuan?"

"Nice words you utter..."

Jiang Lan also sneered coldly:

"But you also said, Da Xuan was ruined by you opportunistic villains, leading to its disintegration.

"Your Jinglong Association’s aims have been fulfilled.

"Henceforth, you could retire in peace and enjoy happiness.

"Yet why do you still stir up storms in the Jianghu?

"Ambition is just ambition, speak it out openly, juniors like us won’t mock you... Why must you adorn it with a layer of delicate, lavish gold varnish?"

"Because we cannot abandon the Tianxia people."

Di Wu Jing heard Jiang Lan’s words, surprisingly remained unoffended, and simply said solemnly:

"The fall of Da Xuan was too sudden, not what our Jinglong Association wished for.

"Everything happened too fast... even the elders of our Jinglong Association could not have foreseen.

"Moreover, although we sought to overthrow Da Xuan, we never intended to plunge the world into chaos.

"Dynastic change, power transition, no matter how transformative, should not lead to such fragmentation.

"Now that Da Xuan’s fall involved our Jinglong Association’s efforts.

"The Jianghu is dispersed, and the people suffer, our Jinglong Association bears part of the sin.

"Change this situation, restore sovereign power.

"To prevent the people from living in constant fear, return the world to peace.

"It’s our undeniable duty!"

"... How does this concern you?"

Jiang Lan shook his head:

"It’s the responsibility of Da Xuan’s orthodox line to toil for this, we need not trouble your Jinglong Association!

"However, since Jinglong Association harbors such aspirations.

"Why not join our Imperial Dao and devise great plans together?

"When we find the remaining heir of the Da Xuan Imperial Family and establish a new emperor, the unified world could also realize your Jinglong Association’s wishes?"

"Hmm?"

Di Wu Jing upon hearing this, laughed:

"Do you truly believe there’s still an heir of Da Xuan in this world?"

"..."

Jiang Lan was stunned: "What do you mean?"

"The Taoist Master spun this tale for so many years, perhaps even he believes it by now?"

Di Wu Jing sneered coldly:

"In Emperor Xuan’s later years, he was muddled, exhibiting signs of self-destruction.

"Before the palace upheaval, he already wiped out his offspring, his bloodline, thoroughly.

"In this world, where would there be any remaining heir of Da Xuan?

"No... perhaps I should say, when the Taoist Master decides who the heir is, that person is the heir.

"The ancestral bloodline is beyond tracing.

"Nowadays, the Taoist Master can claim the emperor’s mandate over the vassals.

"Perhaps, after this succeeds, the ’Emperor’ might accidentally perish, leaving a decree before dying.

"Proclaiming the Taoist Master’s toil and merit.

"The lonely ruler lacks virtue, cannot fulfill the heavenly command.

"It is fitting to invite the Taoist Master to assume the throne, support the state, stabilize the people’s hearts, preserving Da Xuan for eternity."

"You... you’re spouting nonsense!!"

Jiang Lan shouted angrily.

Di Wu Jing simply chuckled and said:

"Let me ask you, after so many years, within the Imperial Dao, have you heard of this Imperial Family heir?"

"How could I not??"

Jiang Lan retorted angrily:

"Alliance Hierarch Su Mo is surely the remaining heir of the Da Xuan Dynasty Imperial Family.

"Although he might not be of Emperor Xuan’s bloodline, he must be of Imperial Relatives!

"Otherwise, why would your Jinglong Association dispatch ’Poison Dragon’ to hunt down the Su family’s ancestor?"

"Regarding past affairs, I am unaware, but are you sure what you know is indeed true? The so-called imperial heir of that surnamed Su youngster is probably also something told to you by your family’s Taoist Master. He decides who is who, empty claims, is there any solid proof?"

Di Wu Jing laughed as he said:

"Jiang Lan, you are too young and inexperienced.

"The intrigues of the Jianghu, you have yet to fully comprehend.

"Forget it, I know persuading you today won’t be easy.

"But rest assured, since you are a guest of mine, I would not kill you for now.

"As long as you don’t take your own life, remain here deep in the clouds and live well for a while longer.

"With time, we shall comprehend the truth."

He reached here and suddenly slapped his forehead:

"I was so engrossed in chatting with you, I forgot about the person earlier...

"He looks familiar, but I’m too old to recall where we’ve met.

"I should ask him... Standing in the rain that night, secretly observing, he exhibits quite the skill.

"He might add fresh blood to our Jinglong Association."

Speaking, he arrived before the coffin.

He reached out a hand and pushed.

But the coffin didn’t move.

Di Wu Jing was puzzled:

"What’s happening?"

Jiang Lan, still shaken by Di Wu Jing’s words, couldn’t help but mock:

"Weak and frail with age, it’s quite usual."

As the words fell, Di Wu Jing cast a cold glance back at him.

Jiang Lan’s heart was then struck with alarm...

Realizing this person is not one for idle boasting.

If he continued to speak rashly, survival might be short-lived.

He immediately frowned:

"Shouldn’t you try harder?

"Perhaps it’s stuck due to disrepair?"

Di Wu Jing nodded slightly, gathered strength in his palms, and pushed with both hands.

Still it did not budge.

"This... impossible!!"

Di Wu Jing, seeing this, felt a rising frustration but simply flipped both palms, intending not to merely push the lid but to ’strike’ it open.

Unexpectedly, the lid that couldn’t budge now flew off at the wave of his hand.

With a crash, it soared.

He instinctively looked up but heard the rush of wind, suddenly lowered his gaze; before seeing anyone, he glimpsed a flash of purple and white, and two palms were already pressing against his chest.

"You..."

Di Wu Jing barely uttered a word before his body flew backward with a swoosh.

Blood sprayed from his mouth, as if it cost nothing.

...

...