Chapter 1256: Wine Drunkard

Jiang Fan was surprised. "You're entrusting this to me?"

Before him were six Venerables, two of whom had even reached the Second Heavenly Calamity realm!

The Ginkgo Tree smiled, then turned to the six Demonic Venerables. "Do any of you object?"

Venerable Wuyu was also astonished. Such vital control, and the Ginkgo Tree was actually handing it over to Jiang Fan, a junior. Of course, he was happy to accept this decision. Compared to being controlled by a powerful thousand-year-old tree, Jiang Fan, a junior, would certainly be easier to deal with.

"I have no objection," Venerable Wuyu said calmly.

Venerable Hongchen's eyes lit up, and she chuckled. "I have even less of an objection."

"Being subjugated by anyone is still subjugation, but being subjugated by the young master is a boon for me."

Jiang Fan almost spluttered. Couldn't this woman be a bit more reserved? Everything she said was about "subjugation." She might as well change her name to Venerable Seeking-Subjugation!

The other three Venerables all agreed. The one lying on the ground remained silent. As everyone knew, an adult's silence implied consent. Thus, it passed unanimously.

The Ginkgo Tree was satisfied with their reaction. With its manipulation, it released the six Demonic Venerables. At the same time, a path leading directly outside opened.

"Now, disperse."

"Remember to keep this a secret, and also ensure your disciples don't act recklessly in this vicinity."

"Otherwise, you will bear the consequences."

They felt as if they had been granted a great pardon. Five Venerables carried the unconscious Venerable and immediately flew away.

Once they confirmed the Venerables had left the forbidden area, the Ginkgo Tree sighed helplessly. "A bunch of fools, sold out and they don't even realize it."

Jiang Fan was slightly startled. "Brother Tree, what do you mean?"

The Ginkgo Tree replied, "The Grand Libationer of Dahangzhou came to me to complain."

"The ancient giants are about to descend, yet the six Demonic Sects completely disregard the Astronomical Bureau's commands and deployments."

"Even worse, two of the major Demonic Sects are still fighting each other."

Jiang Fan froze for a moment. No wonder the Ginkgo Tree, having not left this place for a millennium, wasn't at all surprised by the impending arrival of the ancient giants. So, the Grand Libationer had visited it. Connecting this with the Grand Libationer tricking them into coming here and then slipping away, it all made sense.

He gave a wry smile. "So, you had already conspired to use strong-arm tactics to control the masters of the six Demonic Sects?"

"Even if I hadn't pleaded for them, you wouldn't have killed them, right?"

After all that, he had worried for nothing.

The Ginkgo Tree said, "More or less."

"My threat to kill them for secrecy was merely to force them into submission."

"However, what differs from the plan is that control was originally supposed to be given to the Grand Libationer of Dahangzhou."

"Now, it's been handed to you."

Jiang Fan paused, then asked, "Is that alright?"

"Won't the Grand Libationer of Dahangzhou come looking for trouble with me?"

If someone were to gain control of the four Transformation Gods and one Bodhisattva of Taicangzhou, even if the Grand Libationer wasn't worried, Jiang Fan would be fuming. Because what if they took control of the four Transformation Gods and one Bodhisattva and left Taicangzhou? Would they even need to resist the ancient giants then? They might as well just give up and surrender.

The Ginkgo Tree said, "If she has an issue, she can come find me."

"Besides, she's just a drunkard; you don't need to fear her."

A drunkard? The Grand Libationer?

Jiang Fan was completely bewildered. "Brother Tree, do you have some misunderstanding about the Grand Libationer of Dahangzhou?" In his view, the head of a governmental body capable of governing an entire province must be someone of supreme strength, intellect, and cunning. Just like the Grand Libationer of Dahangzhou. She had always been mysterious and awe-inspiring. The sudden revelation of a "drunkard" Grand Libationer shattered his initial impression of her.

The Ginkgo Tree scoffed, "Isn't it *you* who has a misunderstanding about the Grand Libationer?"

"My master once said that among the Grand Libationers of the Nine Provinces of Central Earth, only the one from your Taicangzhou seems somewhat normal."

"The rest of them have serious flaws."

"For example, this Grand Libationer from Dahangzhou is addicted to alcohol, a complete drunkard."

"She once delayed many important matters due to her heavy drinking."

Jiang Fan was stunned for a long time. "How did a drunkard become a Grand Libationer?"

The Ginkgo Tree replied, "Who knows?"

"Central Earth is inherently mysterious. Even my master had many unresolved questions."

As it mentioned its master, the Ginkgo Tree's voice softened. It gently lifted the ancient body, meticulously wrapped in its roots, and cradled it before itself. From its massive eyes, milky white sap flowed. This must have been its tears.

"I accompanied my master for a thousand years, watching her go from anticipation to disappointment, watching her black hair turn white, and watching her engrave their names again and again."

"A millennium later, I awaited the conclusion for her."

"But it was not the outcome she desired."

A wave of sorrow welled up in Jiang Fan's heart, and he said:

"Senior Lu Jiulin perished in an uninhabited corner of Taicangzhou."

"Before his death, he still remembered their agreement, leaving behind a beast hide and instructing his inheritor to inform Venerable Wutong not to wait for him any longer."

"Alas, I arrived too late."

"Leaving Venerable Wutong to wait her entire life."

The Ginkgo Tree wept, its voice choked. "Even in death, their hearts yearned for each other."

"Master did not wait for the wrong person."

Jiang Fan's sorrow deepened. Even supreme beings like the Human Supremes harbored regrets, let alone ordinary people. Every farewell could be a permanent one, etching regrets deeply onto the wheels of life. With every turn, it would ache with the bumps. Until one reached life's end.

Jiang Fan couldn't help but reflect on his own life. If there was any profound regret, it was Ling Shu's death. Fortunately, she had returned. If he had to say there was anything else he regretted, a gentle figure in colorful robes, standing in the wind with a smile, appeared in his mind. The woman who had treated him with kindness, yet he had not reciprocated. When no one else cared about him, she was like a ray of light, illuminating the young boy's window. But before he could repay her, she had returned to the Spirit Beast Sect. It would be difficult for them to meet again in the future. Time and space would mercilessly sever their bond.

Jiang Fan suddenly thought, would there be a day when Gong Caiyi would be like Venerable Wutong? White-haired and youth faded. Sitting alone on the peak of Spirit Beast Sect, gazing in the direction of Taicangzhou, reminiscing about him as a young boy, and then peacefully passing away with a smile?

At this thought, a sharp pang twisted in his heart. He then looked at Venerable Wutong before him, who was left with only regrets. He gritted his teeth and said:

"Venerable Wutong's fate must not be repeated."

"If Gong Caiyi is unwilling to come see me, then I will go see her!"

The Ginkgo Tree seemed to sense something. It wiped the milky white tears from its eyes with a root and said:

"Your state of mind seems to have changed."

Jiang Fan nodded lightly. "I've had a minor epiphany."

He shook his head, temporarily suppressing the impulse to see Gong Caiyi, and asked, "What are your plans now?" Venerable Wutong had received news of Lu Jiulin. The Ginkgo Tree's self-appointed mission had ended.

"Me..." The Ginkgo Tree smiled and said, "What I heard my master talk about most was their agreement."

"I truly want to know what kind of paradise they yearned for."

"I want to go see it."

Jiang Fan wanted to object. In this world, where could such a paradise exist? A place where one has companionship, even in purgatory, is a place of peace. Without each other, a paradise is merely a new prison.

However, the Ginkgo Tree's next words rendered Jiang Fan silent.