Chapter 105: Choices and Sacrifices

Originally, Jiang Yuan had planned to return directly to Chaoge and take Yang Jian to the Heavenly Realm to petition the Heavenly Emperor for their release. However, upon realizing he had already arrived at Tianyuan, it seemed somewhat improper not to pay a visit to the Grand Tutor.

The main reason was the events about to unfold.

Jiang Yuan felt it was indeed necessary to meet with the Grand Tutor.

It was best to give the Grand Tutor a heads-up; otherwise, if he were guarding the border and suddenly found the family’s crystal stolen, that would be quite embarrassing.

With this in mind, Jiang Yuan ultimately decided to explain the situation to the Grand Tutor.

At the Great Shang border army camp, Jiang Yuan suddenly appeared. The first to notice him was the Grand Tutor’s subordinate, E’Lai.

At first glance, E’Lai was taken aback, thinking it was a trick of his eyes. Only when Jiang Yuan greeted him did he realize it really was the King.

“General E’Lai, I hope you’ve been well,” Jiang Yuan greeted with a smile.

E’Lai hurriedly saluted. “Your servant E’Lai pays respects, Your Majesty. May I ask what brings Your Majesty to the border again?”

“I have matters to discuss with the Grand Tutor,” Jiang Yuan replied calmly.

“Your Majesty came alone?” E’Lai was puzzled. Last time, Zhang Kui had been by the King’s side. If the King came alone, what if something went wrong?

“I am only here to see the Grand Tutor. I won’t go elsewhere or face danger. Besides, my strength now is not to be underestimated,” Jiang Yuan explained with a smile.

E’Lai was momentarily stunned. He wasn’t quite sure of the King’s current power—after all, it was beyond his understanding. But he found it absurd that the King, ruler of Shang, would be without any entourage.

“Your Majesty must not act so recklessly in the future,” E’Lai advised.

“Where is the Grand Tutor?” Jiang Yuan smiled and did not elaborate further.

E’Lai pointed toward a tent in the camp. “The Grand Tutor is inside.”

Jiang Yuan nodded and proceeded toward the indicated tent.

Wen Zhong had already sensed the arrival of a formidable figure in the camp. Upon stepping outside, he was surprised to see Jiang Yuan.

He displayed the same stunned expression as E’Lai had, and asked with suspicion, “Your Majesty, why have you come again?”

Wen Zhong still harbored some resentment over Jiang Yuan’s previous abrupt departure.

“I came all the way from Chaoge for some important matters to discuss with the Grand Tutor,” Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

He seemed to want to divert Wen Zhong’s attention, suddenly recalling his own earlier disappearance. Given the Grand Tutor’s vindictive nature, this must have been a grievance he held onto.

“What matters?” Wen Zhong’s face grew serious.

Given Jiang Yuan’s tone, it was unlikely a trivial issue that would compel him to make such a special trip.

“What could it be?” Wen Zhong wondered.

“A few days ago, I went to Xiqi,” Jiang Yuan began slowly.

“And then?” the Grand Tutor asked, somewhat dissatisfied. This habit of speaking half-truths was not good.

“Well? I personally beheaded Boyikao,” Jiang Yuan said calmly.

Wen Zhong was shocked beyond belief, staring at Jiang Yuan incredulously. “You killed Boyikao, the most beloved son of Ji Chang?”

“Is there a problem with that?” Jiang Yuan retorted.

“Why kill him? Your Majesty knows that Western Bo Hou is currently the most powerful vassal of Great Shang. If you offend him and force him into rebellion, it would benefit no one. It might even harm the fate of Great Shang, which would not be good for Your Majesty,” Wen Zhong said with a hint of blame.

The King’s action was rash.

As a Great Dao Golden Immortal, Wen Zhong could clearly see the precarious situation of Shang. Though not on the brink of collapse, the kingdom was hardly impregnable. If Xiqi stirred trouble, it could very well lead to disintegration.

“Boyikao dared to demand that I kneel to him,” Jiang Yuan said coldly.

Wen Zhong’s aura instantly hardened. Anyone familiar with the Grand Tutor would know this meant he was furious.

Not a mild anger, but one filled with murderous intent.

Boyikao’s arrogance was certainly taught by Ji Chang, daring to make the King of Shang kneel! Such gall from Xiqi!

Ji Chang had indeed educated his son well.

“I only brought a handful of men to Xiqi, so I could not afford to be too brutal,” Jiang Yuan said indifferently.

He meant that with so few men, he couldn’t act recklessly in Xiqi.

“I will lead troops to disrupt that Xiqi nest myself! I want to see just how capable this so-called Western Bo Hou really is!” Wen Zhong was enraged.

Ji Chang was simply too much.

“No need to trouble the Grand Tutor. Soon enough, Xiqi might be knocking on my doorstep,” Jiang Yuan said casually.

“Are you saying Ji Chang intends to rebel?” the Grand Tutor asked with doubt.

Jiang Yuan nodded calmly. “That is why I came specifically to see the Grand Tutor.”

“If nothing unexpected happens, Xiqi will mobilize troops within one to three months at the latest.”

The Grand Tutor believed Jiang Yuan’s words and his face darkened with fury. “How dare that Ji Chang!”

“If it were only Ji Chang, he wouldn’t act so rashly so soon. But now it’s different.”

“As far as I know, some disciples from Kunlun Mountain have already descended the mountain with Jiang Ziya,” Jiang Yuan’s eyes darkened.

“Do you mean they have gone down to support Xiqi?” Wen Zhong questioned uncertainly.

Jiang Yuan nodded blankly. “Before I came, I appointed a National Preceptor who also descended from Kunlun Mountain to join me. He was the one who informed me.”

“Those disciples of the Chan Sect, Your Majesty should not trust them lightly,” Wen Zhong warned, worried.

Who knew if Shen Gongbao was a double agent?

“Grand Tutor, rest assured. When it comes to discerning people, I am well aware,” Jiang Yuan waved his hand, signaling no need for concern.

“Your Majesty, what instructions do you have on this visit?” Wen Zhong asked curiously.

Jiang Yuan couldn’t exactly admit he was here to cling to the support of the Divine Farmer.

So he found a casual reason: “I thought these matters were important for the Grand Tutor to know, so that we can be ready to return to the capital if needed.”

“At critical moments, we may even abandon Tianyuan’s defense.”

Now that Jiang Yuan knew there were powerful figures like the Divine Farmer beneath Tianyuan, he had little to fear.

His main concern was how to hold onto Great Shang.

As for the righteousness of the human race, that could wait. After all, he had always intended to be a tyrant.

What did a few deaths matter? Perhaps the Xuanyuan Sword wouldn’t be pleased—this action might seem selfish.

But the Xuanyuan Sword was unusually affectionate toward him. He wasn’t sure why—surely not simply because he was handsome.