Chapter 1131: Surprise

Jiang Wang and Chong Xuan Zun emerged side by side from the World Platform, the towering Six Harmonies Pillar casting long shadows behind them.

Qiao Lin and the soldiers of the Tian Fu army followed silently, a silent but steadfast support for the two.

Their departure was in a different direction than Ji Zhao Nan’s.

As they walked, they conversed on matters of cultivation, finding a surprising ease in their exchange.

For five days on the Pointing Generals Platform, they had barely exchanged a word. Yet, since arriving at the Guan He Platform, they found themselves chatting occasionally.

It wasn’t that their relationship had blossomed into great friendship.

As Cao Ji had said, on the battlefield, they were comrades-in-arms.

Here, at the Guan He Platform, they stood united, representing the Great Qi against the heavenly prides of other nations. But once they returned to Lin Zi, the rivalries would resume, and the calculations would continue.

Jiang Wang, having fought in the Maze Realm, and Chong Xuan Zun, hailing from a lineage of renowned generals, both understood this unspoken rule.

One, clad in flowing white, the other in a green robe with sword.

One, with a demeanor like a breeze over blossoming flowers, the other, calm and composed.

Both were top-tier heavenly prides, their bearing naturally distinct. Even amidst the gathering of talents at the Guan He Platform, they were figures that drew the eye.

Their walk and conversation frequently caused passersby to turn their heads.

"Ji Zhao Nan's spear, utterly unavoidable. One must..."

Chong Xuan Zun's words trailed off as he stopped.

A familiar figure stood before them.

Clad in the ink-green uniform of the Chun Si army, his frame was exceptionally tall, his face long, his nose high, his eyes deep-set.

Traces of travel still clung to him, the scent of battlefield killing yet to dissipate.

He simply stood amidst the flow of people.

Like a flagpole firmly planted.

When his gaze fell upon them, the inherent pride that seemed to look down on everything was momentarily veiled.

Then, he froze.

Equally stunned were Chong Xuan Zun and Jiang Wang.

"How are they together?"

"This is too sudden?"

"I should have watched a few more matches..."

Such were likely the thoughts swirling in their minds.

A moment of silence solidified the air.

Chong Xuan Zun and Wang Yi Wu spoke almost simultaneously.

"Didn't you say you weren't coming?"

"My master forbade it. I snuck out."

Then, just as quickly, they fell silent again.

"Well then." Jiang Wang awkwardly touched his nose and said to Chong Xuan Zun, "I'll head back first."

Wang Yi Wu glanced at him faintly. "Rest assured, I am not here to seek trouble with you this time. As soldiers, the nation's overall situation is paramount."

These words were undoubtedly meant as a temporary truce, yet somehow, they grated on the ear.

This Wang fellow is truly something.

Anyone who didn't know might think I was defeated last time and am now terrified of you!

Do I fear you? Are you trying to take an inch?

Jiang Wang's arrival at the Guan He Platform was spurred by his ambition for the world's first.

His youthful spirit burned bright, at an unprecedented height. He would yield to no one he encountered.

The initial awkwardness vanished. He pressed his hand to his sword hilt, his eyebrows raised, his aura overbearing. "The greatest fear is making excuses for oneself. Truth be told, if General Wang wishes for trouble, it is no issue. I doubt it would affect the national situation."

Wang Yi Wu's arrival, with the opening line telling the already-decided first inner court heavenly pride to rest assured, was already supremely arrogant.

But Jiang Wang's reply was even more so. It implied that dealing with Wang Yi Wu would require so little effort that it wouldn't possibly affect anything.

Wang Yi Wu's gaze deepened.

He had come on his own, still in the ink-green uniform of the Chun Si army.

The battle at Sword Front Mountain had once again made his name known throughout the land.

Having endured the crucible of war, he clearly possessed the "soldier master" aura.

This time, his entire gaze was focused on Jiang Wang.

He stood alone, yet it was as if ten thousand armies were arrayed, horses ready, bows drawn and waiting.

And Jiang Wang met his gaze without yielding, like an unsheathed sharp sword, its edge fully revealed.

Let you bring ten thousand armies, what do I fear? If people come, I kill people; if horses come, I kill horses!

The two confronted each other fiercely, as if a single disagreement would lead to another duel right here.

Only the soldiers of the Tian Fu army trailing behind exchanged bewildered glances.

By all logic, they should side with Wang Yi Wu, who was their army's pride and a direct disciple of the Great Qi's military god. Yet, the Tian Fu army soldiers, with Qiao Lin at their head, had found their time with Jiang Wang to be quite pleasant.

Most importantly, their current duty was to protect Jiang Wang.

Soldiers are bound to their duty, but if Jiang Wang and Wang Yi Wu... fought, would it be considered an attack?

Jiang Wang was swept up in the heat of the moment; should they not intervene?

Thus, for a moment, they were caught between advancing and retreating.

It was the white-clad Chong Xuan Zun, however, who casually stepped forward, easily cutting through the clashing momentum between the two.

He shook his head helplessly. "I say, why don't the two of you wait until you're back in Lin Zi to settle things? This is the Guan He Platform, after all. All the nations of the world are watching!"

Behind them, the Six Harmonies Pillar still pierced the cloud-capped peaks.

In the distance, the long river’s waves still surged and rolled.

On the Guan He Platform, people in the attire of various nations still came and went.

Those Tian Fu army soldiers still exchanged bewildered glances.

Wang Yi Wu tilted his chin slightly, finally being the first to withdraw his gaze, his face expressionless.

Had it not been for his unchanged arrogance, Jiang Wang wouldn't have paid him any mind. Now, unwilling to become a spectacle for other nations, he removed his right hand from his sword hilt.

"Let's go," Chong Xuan Zun sighed. "Back to Qi Street first."

Although these two were at drawn swords, there was no other way. There was only one path, only one foothold at Qi Street. Deliberately walking one behind the other would only be more awkward, and who would walk ahead, and who behind? One wrong word and they might fight again... so they could only return together.

Chong Xuan Zun silently walked between them.

With Jiang Wang present, Chong Xuan Zun found it awkward to speak to Wang Yi Wu alone. Forcibly including Jiang Wang in their conversation was even more uncomfortable.

In short, it was deeply awkward.

The three walked in silence, their steps quickening—in this, they were surprisingly tacit.

With their increased pace, Qi Street was quickly reached.

Within the ranks of the Tian Fu army soldiers, Qiao Lin also let out a sigh of relief. He had almost used the army's warning device to summon General Cao just now.

Turning a corner, the tall archway of Qi Street came into view.

A Tian Fu army soldier stood in front. Seeing them, he immediately turned and went inside, perhaps informing Cao Ji who was waiting for news.

Jiang Wang, Chong Xuan Zun, and Wang Yi Wu walked forward a few steps, half-awkwardly, half-relieved, a sense of relief flooding their hearts.

Suddenly, gongs and drums erupted, firecrackers popped continuously, and fireworks painted the sky.

Amidst the sudden cacophony, a large group of people surged out, their faces alight with smiles.

There was Xu Xiang Qian, Zhao Wu Yan, Zi Shu, Li Long Chuan, Yan Fu, Wen Ting Lan.

Armored Fourteen stood steady, carrying a bronze gong.

The remarkably wide Chong Xuan Sheng held a gong hammer tied with red silk, hitting it with gleeful abandon.

"Dang dang dang dang dang!!!"

He spread his chubby hands, turned around, and a wide smile creased his fleshy face into several folds. "Surprise!"

The smile froze.

The words "Jiang Qing Yang" that were about to spill from his lips were swallowed.

Appearing before him.

From left to right, were Wang Yi Wu in the ink-green uniform of the Chun Si army, the white-clad Chong Xuan Zun, and finally, the green-robed, sword-carrying Jiang Qing Yang.

Wang Yi Wu's face was expressionless, Chong Xuan Zun's eyebrows twitched, and Jiang Qing Yang covered his face with one hand.

What kind of utterly rigid scene is this!

For a moment, the gongs fell silent, the drums stopped, and the smiling, welcoming faces were mute.

The uninformed Zi Shu, who had been clapping his hands, also slowly ceased...

The congratulatory words, "Qing Yang, Qing Yang, you are the strongest! Jiang Wang, Jiang Wang, first in sight!" crafted by the great talent Xu, had finally… not made it past "sight"...

Only the already ignited fireworks and firecrackers continued to explode in bundles.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Splendor danced in the sky, as if providing enthusiastic commentary for this awkward scene.

Genius in one second: m.173kxs