Chapter 422: Jisi and Bynes

"You're saying that too?" Zhao Xing was a little surprised. "Xinghuo said the same thing."

"In that case, is it possible that you—no, that the people of Da Zhou truly misunderstood?" Jing Yan asked.

"I'll ask again." Zhao Xing nodded.

His main body closed its eyes, and his clone in an external galaxy immediately contacted Ji Che using the Starfire Mirror.

A buzzing sound.

Ji Che's holographic image appeared.

"Elder Brother, what can I do for you?"

Zhao Xing paused, then asked, "Che, you mentioned encountering enemies in the Annihilation Star Corridor earlier... How exactly did you confirm they were from the Carlos family?"

Ji Che frowned, "Elder Brother, what are you talking about? I've never heard of the Carlos family."

"We were ambushed by the Rainbow Moon Dynasty..."

Zhao Xing's heart sank.

It had only been a few days, yet Ji Che didn't remember?

Realizing the situation instantly, Zhao Xing took a deep breath. "Hmm, perhaps I was in a daze during my cultivation and misremembered..."

After composing himself, Zhao Xing looked at Ji Che and said, "Che, have all Da Zhou's personnel withdraw from the Annihilation Star Corridor. We'll abandon that territory and develop elsewhere."

Ji Che sighed, "For now, that's all we can do."

Zhao Xing thought for a moment. "How is Ji Si doing?"

"He's still in a coma."

Zhao Xing's expression suddenly turned serious. "Go all out to save the injured, and ensure no one else gets hurt. If anyone dares to take advantage of this to bully Da Zhou, I will make them regret ever coming into this world."

Ji Che nodded. "Elder Brother, rest assured. We've already hired the most skilled doctors. With the money you left and Da Zhou's national treasury, there's no issue covering Ji Si's treatment."

The communication closed, and Zhao Xing's main body opened its eyes.

Jing Yan, who was waiting nearby, immediately asked, "How was it?"

Zhao Xing replied, "It was indeed a misunderstanding. My apologies, Brother Jing, for troubling you. Everything is sorted on my end now."

Jing Yan shook his head. "Between brothers like us, there's no need for such formalities. Since everything's settled, let's take the opportunity to catch up."

Jing Yan then pulled Zhao Xing into a drinking contest, and the two quickly became drunk.

After Jing Yan collapsed, Zhao Xing suddenly opened his eyes and flew to the edge of the balcony.

The sun set over Seaweed City to the east, and night descended.

"How quickly he forgot. Ji Che said that just a few days ago, and now he's forgotten his original words."

"Is this an attempt to cover something up, or is someone being framed?"

"Whose interests did Da Zhou truly touch?"

Given the original circumstances, Zhao Xing would have considered the Carlos family's involvement normal. Even if Da Zhou had genuinely offended them, it wouldn't have been a major issue.

Jing Yan was right; Da Zhou only had a maximum of three Dao Domain cultivators, so it would be difficult for them to offend any significant figures.

At most, they'd suffer a temporary setback, retreat for now, and let Da Zhou leave that contentious area.

Given their connection to the Primal World, it was unlikely anyone would continue to bother Da Zhou.

But now, the situation suddenly became complicated.

"The first possibility is that the Carlos family is indeed behind the Rainbow Moon Dynasty. Upon discovering that I, a disciple of the Gullo River, am backing Da Zhou, they stopped the massacre. Instead, they sent people outside the pass to alter history and warp the memories of Emperor Wu and others."

"Large families are accustomed to using such methods."

Killing is too much trouble; they wouldn't resort to it unless absolutely necessary. Simply making people forget the relevant events suffices.

In contrast, the Rainbow Moon Dynasty's methods were much cruder; they opted for direct killing and territorial seizure, ambushing Da Zhou's forces outside the pass.

"Killing outside Jiachen Pass, altering survivors' memories inside the pass—two groups, two distinct methods," Zhao Xing mused. "This is the formidable nature of an elder-tier family. There's no need for me to seek mediation; the Carlos family has already provided the ultimate solution: 'This ends here.'"

"I also immediately instructed Ji Che to withdraw and leave; I'm sure the Carlos family will be aware of this."

"This matter can only be endured; there's no way to confront the Carlos family. Even if Da Zhou incurred a loss, they must temporarily bear it. Some interests are simply beyond the reach of ordinary individuals."

Zhao Xing clearly understood that the situation was different now compared to his time in the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom.

In the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom, the strongest cultivators were in the Reincarnation Realm, and the Ancient Dongyan Clan was no exception.

The Crimson Star Empire was different. It was a superpower where emperors were common, Reincarnation Realm cultivators were insignificant, and Divine Realm cultivators held sway. His previous methods of rallying support wouldn't be effective here.

Even with Elder Qing's favor, he couldn't possibly intervene in imperial affairs; at most, he could save Zhao Xing's life.

Moreover, it wasn't yet a life-threatening situation.

"There's also another possibility," Zhao Xing's mind raced. "The Carlos family might genuinely not be involved. Someone could have impersonated their name, aiming to stir up trouble within the empire."

The reason for this thought stemmed from the ancient god resurrection event in the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom.

"So many Reincarnation Realm cultivators have reincarnated into the empire, bringing both advantages and disadvantages," Zhao Xing mused. "Such a sudden influx will inevitably impact the empire's existing power dynamics."

Resources and territory are limited; if some take more, others must take less.

Over twenty thousand Reincarnation Realm cultivators reincarnated, each a paragon of exceptional intellect, astonishing perseverance, and remarkable talent.

How could such formidable figures be content to simply serve the empire? They would likely harbor other ambitions. Even the Primal World, in absorbing them, had to subject them to a trial of conscience.

What about those who failed the trial of conscience, or didn't even participate in the Primal Assembly?

"The empire undoubtedly understands the pros and cons, yet still chose to accept them. This is precisely because the empire is already exploring the Moon Mist Desolate Region. If westward expansion succeeds, providing more 'cake' to go around, then the needs of all parties can be met. Accepting over 20,000 Reincarnation Realm cultivators would definitely be more beneficial than detrimental."

"Returning to Da Zhou's predicament, both possibilities exist, and there might even be other reasons I'm unaware of," Zhao Xing sighed.

Biense, a survivor of the Ancient Sangqing Kingdom; Xi Hebo, a demonic scholar; and Lord Fu Wei, the Saint Minister of Agriculture—none of these three were ordinary individuals. For a moment, he couldn't fully unravel the reason behind this strange incident.

"Among these three, I have some idea of what the demonic scholar Xi Hebo and Biense, the Ancient Sangqing Kingdom survivor, intend to do later. However, I know absolutely nothing about Lord Fu Wei. My strength is still too weak."

If he were also in the Reincarnation Realm, he would be fully qualified to investigate. As it stood, he didn't even dare to.

The empire's political landscape was far more complex than that of the Ancient Kingdom Alliance in the Desolate Region.

"I can only wait for Ji Si to wake up and ask him. I hope he's alright."

Outside Jiachen Pass, in the Annihilation Star Corridor, lay a man-made grey planetary realm.

Biense, the stellar historian, sat cross-legged on an open book whose pages emanated a green aura, with countless alien characters twisting like worms.

Above Biense's head rested a closed black gilded book, and a black-gold aura enveloped his entire body, giving the historian an eerie appearance.

At one moment, Biense opened his eyes. His pupils reflected an inverse image of a world, containing a bustling city with busy streets. Inside an inconspicuous small restaurant, Ji Ru, transformed into Biense's illusory self, sat opposite him.

"Ji Si, your inherited realm is quite interesting," Biense said with a faint smile. "How about you let me explore it? Once I'm done, I'll release you. What do you say?"

Ji Si's face remained impassive. "Biense, if I allow you to invade my inherited realm, I'll become your servant. Do you truly believe I'd agree to that?"

Biense calmly replied, "What's wrong with following a powerful individual, Ji Si? You've seen it yourself. I merely dispatched a Chronicle avatar and obliterated the thirty-six star cities that your loyal dynasty had conquered."

"Your power is still insignificant before me."

"Is that so?" Ji Si remained unfazed. "If you were truly capable, why are you sitting here now?"

Biense said, "That's because I appreciate your talent. You cultivate both fate and history, not only able to withstand my Chronicle avatar but also breaking through to the Dao Domain realm during combat."

"If you follow me, it would be better than staying in that weak dynasty, where you would only waste your talent."

Biense stood up and walked step by step to the entrance of the tavern.

Ji Si's expression changed, and his entire body glowed, but it still didn't affect Biense's progress.

Biense lifted his foot, stood at the doorway, and turned to ask, "You know things you shouldn't. I cannot let you go. Now, I'll ask you one last time: Will you follow me?"

Ji Si still shook his head. "Biense, I advise you not to look."

"A pity," Biense murmured, disregarding Ji Si's warning. He merely shook his head regretfully, then stepped out the door.

He began to infiltrate Ji Si's inherited realm. Ji Si had only recently broken through to the Dao Domain realm, while Biense was in the Reincarnation Realm. Even a Chronicle avatar was still beyond Ji Si's ability to resist.

Biense took only five breaths to reach the core of Ji Si's inherited realm: a Time Chamber filled with numerous secrets.

These Time Chambers recorded hidden histories.

Just as Biense was about to breach the largest Time Chamber and seize control of Ji Si's core, suddenly—

A buzz.

Within one of the Time Chambers, a scene suddenly appeared.

In the scene, a young man in white robes sat on the main seat of a floating platform, seemingly hosting guests.

Besides the two men and one woman next to the youth, there were nine other figures present as guests.

As Biense gazed at it, a golden ripple erupted from the scene.

It shot out like a burst of flame, instantly incinerating Biense's Chronicle avatar to ashes.

This terrifying power then traveled through the avatar, striking Biense's main body directly.

"What?"

Biense's main body was greatly alarmed, and the gilded black book hovering above his head swiftly opened.

An ethereal creature, with a dragon's head and a bird's body, emerged from the black book and shielded Biense.

A crackling sound.

Biense watched helplessly as all 500,240 feathers on the 'Heavenly Winged Divine Bird' fell off.

Ultimately, it couldn't withstand the force and struck Biense's own body.

"How is this possible? What was that... My five hundred thousand years of arduous cultivation couldn't even block it..." Biense roared in disbelief.

A quarter of an hour later.

"Hm?"

Biense awoke from his daze.

He saw that the black book above his head had turned to ashes and fallen, and the green book beneath him was also badly damaged.

"W-what is going on?" Biense exclaimed in shock. "Wasn't I invading Ji Si's inherited realm? Why... My goodness, what just happened?"

At the same time, inside Jiachen Pass, Ji Si murmured as he awoke.

"Fool, I told you not to look..."

"What? Who are you talking to?"

Ji Si opened his eyes and immediately saw Zhao Xing's face.

"Grand Minister of Agriculture!"

"It's me. I sent a clone to Jiachen Fourteenth Pass to see you," Zhao Xing said.

"How long was I unconscious?"

"Not long, three months."

"Oh." Ji Si seemed to awaken from a dream, still not fully recovering from the lingering effects.

Zhao Xing waited for a long time before Ji Si finally spoke again.

"Grand Minister of Agriculture, I'm alright. I..."

"Lord Ji, please listen to me first," Zhao Xing interrupted. "I already know that the ambush you suffered in the Annihilation Star Corridor was carried out by the Rainbow Moon Dynasty."

"Grand Minister of Agriculture, behind this, there's also..."

Ji Si was about to elaborate, but Zhao Xing interrupted him again. "You've just recovered; don't overthink it. This was simply a normal border conflict outside the pass. Da Zhou lost, forfeited territory, and suffered casualties. Understood?"

"In the future, we can grow stronger and seek revenge against the Rainbow Moon Dynasty. But for now, you don't need to worry about anything."

Ji Si looked at the card in Zhao Xing's hand, then immediately nodded and accepted it. "Yes, I understand."

He understood the message conveyed by the Tianning card Zhao Xing had given him: another instance of memory alteration, just like last time!

Only this time, Ji Si wasn't flustered, because at least Zhao Xing knew.

"Alright, you've just recovered from your injuries and broken through to the Dao Domain realm. You still need to consolidate your foundation, so I won't disturb you."

"Remember, if you encounter anything strange in the future, tell me first," Zhao Xing said.

"Okay," Ji Si nodded.

After seeing Ji Si, Zhao Xing felt a strong sense of crisis.

As one of the few who managed to retain memories from the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom incident, and only the second person from Da Zhou to do so, Ji Si's unique condition was known only to Zhao Xing. He didn't believe Ji Si was mistaken.

In other words, Da Zhou's heavy losses this time must somehow be related to the Carlos family.

But for now, he could only pretend ignorance.

"I'm only in the Origin Realm right now. If I encounter anything major, I'll have to resort to risky maneuvers. I can't openly contend for things; if I face conflict, I can only tolerate it."

"Ultimately, it's because my own strength is too weak."

"I must accelerate my progress to the Coral rank and cultivate more goodwill with influential figures. Otherwise, should I encounter similar situations again, I'll remain powerless."

Reason told Zhao Xing that now was not the time for revenge.

He comforted Ji Si for a bit, then left the room.

However, as his clone toured the recovery area of Jiachen Fourteenth Pass and saw the severely injured Da Zhou officials, especially Xia Jing in the medical pod, reduced to a mutilated body, Zhao Xing couldn't suppress a surge of fierce anger, clenching his fists.

"Whether it's the Carlos family or someone else, I've noted this debt."

"When I rebuild my cultivation and return, I will visit them one by one to settle accounts, sooner or later."