I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals - C.182: The Parting of Lovebirds

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The news from the neighboring country’s battlefield reached Jin Yun Valley and was later conveyed to Wuqi Mountain, with at least half a year's delay in between.

Being able to receive this letter meant that at that time, Zhao Siyao's life was not in danger.

The letter detailed Zhao Siyao's experiences after over a year on the Feng Kingdom battlefield.

Zhao Siyao was responsible for logistics defense, and during this time, she experienced a small-scale skirmish, which she narrowly escaped without harm.

The letter downplayed the situation. However, Lan Chang'an understood that in reality, life-and-death battles, casualties, and the harshness of the situation were inevitable.

Nevertheless, being in the late Foundation Establishment stage, her combat ability far surpassed those in the early and middle stages, giving her a slightly higher chance of survival.

The letter also mentioned Zhang Tieshan.

Zhang Tieshan fought on the frontline, repeatedly making significant contributions, gaining some fame, and once even escaping the pursuit of a Fake-Dan cultivator.

As for Lin Lu, who had been trapped on the Feng Kingdom battlefield two years ago, there was still no trace of him.

Zhao Siyao speculated that he was either dead, his body lost, or he had been captured by the enemy, put under a restriction, and forced to work in dangerous places like underground mines, forbidden zones, or danger zones.

"By now, it's been three or four years since the sects of Liang Kingdom went to war. After the initial rapid progress, the advancement has been gentle going forward, and can only be described as profitable."

"In the past three years, there have been no twists and turns, as calm as a dead pond."

Lan Chang'an frowned slightly, feeling a vague sense of unease.

This unease stemmed from his experiences in his past two lives.

Sometimes, apparent calmness did not mean true stability.

The cultivation world of the Feng Kingdom had deep foundations. Facing the Liang Kingdom, a weaker nation taking advantage of the situation, Feng Kingdom had not launched a strong counterattack.

At the end of the letter, Zhao Tan’er expressed her "hateful" sentiment, provocatively suggesting:

"O Uncle Lan, one can be a turtle for a time, but not for a lifetime."

"If I were you, I would courageously follow my master to the frontline battlefield, fighting side by side, living and dying together, leaving no regrets in this life. In this way, you can also win a ray of hope for yourself to achieve Core Formation."

Lan Chang'an chuckled silently and put the letter away.

He replied to Zhao Tan’er, claiming that he was unworthy of Fairy Zhao and had no desire to become a burden on the frontlines.

At least, to outsiders, this seemed like self-awareness.

"Jin Yun Valley's information channels are rather limited, not reaching the true upper echelons." Lan Chang'an pondered.

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A few days later.

He left Wuqi Mountain, flying south for most of the day, arriving at a law enforcement outpost of the Flame Departing Palace.

Song Wenshu was the deputy head of this outpost. The head was a Fake-Dan cultivator who rarely managed specific matters and was generally not present.

Song Wenshu's background was not bad, he held the real power to manage the surrounding area.

In a stone hall within the Flame Departing Palace outpost, Song Wenshu personally received Lan Chang'an.

Lan Chang'an came to visit, bringing a small gift.

This was not his first visit; after the Night Fisherman incident, their relationship had grown closer.

Song Wenshu had no idea that the killer of Senior Brother Zhuo was so close.

The difference in their status and rank in the cultivation world created a natural barrier. Normally, they belonged to different circles and would have difficulty interacting.

The reason they could have a relationship was not just due to Lan Chang'an's skill as a talisman master and his considerable strength.

Being able to converse well and keep up with broader perspectives was also an important reason. Otherwise, differing levels of understanding would quickly reveal one's inferiority.

After chatting for a while, Lan Chang'an steered the conversation toward the battlefield in the neighboring country.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, someone as carefree as you actually cares about the situation on the frontline?" Song Wenshu said with surprise.

"I have two Foundation Establishment friends with whom I've had ties for over a hundred years in Jin Yun Valley, and they are now on the battlefield, with little news..." Lan Chang'an gave the prepared response and sighed.

Flame Departing Palace, being the only Nascent Soul-level force in Liang Kingdom's cultivation world, was definitely the leading force in this war.

One of Song Wenshu's elders was a high-ranking member of Flame Departing Palace, and perhaps he knew some more classified information.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, there's no need to worry. On the frontline, our side has always held the advantage, and our casualties are lower than those of Feng Kingdom." Song Wenshu said confidently.

"Moreover, our Liang Kingdom sects don't insist on occupying enemy territory. The focus is on plundering resources, including scarce strategic resources and cultivation inheritance, and so on."

Upon hearing this, Lan Chang'an understood Liang Kingdom's sects' intentions in this war.

Occupying enemy territory requires guarding and management, which comes at a great cost. Plundering for short-term benefits to enhance the nation's heritage was the main goal. Only when conditions allowed, they would occupy some of the spiritual vein resources.

"Could I be overthinking this?"

Lan Chang'an understood that if the goal of the war was solely plundering, it would typically not last more than ten years.

...

While the two were conversing, a cold voice came from outside, faintly penetrating the barrier.

"Song Wenshu! Do you dare to come out and talk?"

"A Foundation Establishment great realm cultivator of Flame Departing Palace, are you afraid of the challenge of Jiang, a mere loose cultivator?"

Lan Chang'an found that the voice sounded somewhat familiar.

"Senior Brother Song, Jiang Yechen is here again."

A law enforcement cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage quickly walked in, asking Song Wenshu how to handle the situation.

"Let him be."

Song Wenshu's face showed a hint of discomfort as he waved his hand.

"Apologies for the disturbance, Fellow Daoist Lan."

Song Wenshu said apologetically, setting up an additional layer of soundproofing.

"Jiang Yechen? Does Fellow Daoist Song have a grudge against him?" Lan Chang'an asked in surprise.

Jiang Yechen came from one of the seven great families, the Jiang Family, but was expelled.

This person had extraordinary talent and was also an alchemist who had once competed for the position of peak master at Wuqi Mountain.

He was in a relationship with Shen Bixin, the daughter of the Tengxing Merchant Association.

"It's just a small misunderstanding."

Song Wenshu smiled bitterly and explained:

"Miss Shen and I hit it off at first sight, and with the blessings of both families, we were engaged. However, that Fellow Daoist Jiang believes I have stolen his beloved by underhanded means."

Upon hearing this, Lan Chang'an was taken aback.

Years ago, he had heard that Shen Bixin's family opposed her being with Jiang Yechen.

Jiang Yechen and Shen Bixin had deep feelings for each other. At that time, Jiang Yechen had risked his life to protect Shen Bixin and sent her to Wuqi Mountain for treatment.

Unexpectedly, years later, Shen Bixin ended up engaged to Song Wenshu.

"If Fellow Daoist Song walks the walk and marries her openly, there's no need to worry about this matter."

Lan Chang'an didn't know the full details and couldn't judge who was right or wrong.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, if you know Fellow Daoist Jiang, please try to persuade him. For the sake of my fiancée, I've refrained from confronting him." Song Wenshu's tone turned slightly serious as he spoke.

"Certainly." Lan Chang'an responded perfunctorily.

That Jiang Yechen was not a simple person, and Lan Chang'an had no intention of getting involved in this matter.

...

Half an hour later.

Lan Chang'an left the Flame Departing Palace outpost.

After flying for several hundred li, he heard the sound of something breaking through the air. A late-stage Foundation Establishment light flashed quickly and intercepted his path.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, what is this about?"

Lan Chang'an asked in confusion, looking at the handsome, sharp-featured man in a purple robe before him.

"Lan Chang'an, I once thought you were a reclusive loose cultivator who kept yourself pure. I didn't expect you to be in the company of a despicable person like Song Wenshu." Jiang Yechen's eyes gleamed with cold light as he berated Lan Chang'an.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, watch your words! My relationship with Fellow Daoist Song is purely normal; I don't understand what you're insinuating."

Lan Chang'an's expression darkened as he said in a deep voice.

Jiang Yechen released a powerful spiritual pressure, his face icy, as he stared intently at Lan Chang'an, seemingly trying to detect any flaws.

If Lan Chang'an showed any sign of guilt, Jiang Yechen seemed ready to act.

"Song Wenshu used despicable means to separate me from Bixin, eventually leveraging his Flame Departing Palace background to secure an engagement with her..."

Jiang Yechen's eyes reddened, and his icy voice was filled with anger.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, do you have any solid evidence for what you're saying?"

Lan Chang'an noticed that Jiang Yechen's emotions were unstable.

After all, the woman he had loved for decades was now someone else's fiancée. It was impossible for any normal man to remain indifferent.

It was only because Song Wenshu had a strong background and considerable strength that Jiang Yechen hadn't already killed him. After all, Jiang Yechen was rumored to have killed his adoptive mother and crippled his biological father's cultivation.

"Though I have no solid evidence, I can tell from various clues that Song Wenshu has ill intentions. More importantly, I'm certain he doesn't truly love Bixin." Jiang Yechen said with conviction.

"Hmm, Fellow Daoist Jiang may have a point." Lan Chang'an outwardly agreed.

Jiang Yechen's plight might be sympathetic, but it was still his side of the story, much of it based on subjective assumptions.

From past rumors, this person's temperament was prone to extremes.

"I have other matters to attend to..."

Lan Chang'an had no interest in getting entangled and rose to leave.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, please wait. I have a favor to ask."

Jiang Yechen reached out to stop Lan Chang'an.

Whoosh! Boom!

The powerful mana of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator stirred up a vortex of flying sand and wind, blocked by Lan Chang'an's protective barrier.

Jiang Yechen's deep magic power was no less than Song Wenshu's.

Lan Chang'an frowned, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, what do you need?"

Had it not been for their past acquaintance, Jiang Yechen's rash and rude behavior could have been seen as the acts of a rogue cultivator, justifying a "self-defense" response.

"I hope Fellow Daoist Lan and Fairy Shi can mediate and arrange for Bixin to meet me, so we can clear up any misunderstandings..." Jiang Yechen bowed and pleaded.

Lan Chang'an inwardly scoffed: Shen Bixin doesn't even want to see you, what’s there to clarify?

"What if I refuse?" Lan Chang'an asked calmly.

Jiang Yechen straightened up, his deep, starry eyes sizing up Lan Chang'an with confidence as he said:

"Fellow Daoist Lan will agree!"

(End of chapter)