Chapter 200: Standing Firm at the Abyss

Chapter 200: Not Retreating from the Abyss

Wang Xie's sudden visit caused the atmosphere in the room to become eerily tense.

He Cangjia was the first to react, rising with a sneer and muttering that this young man had just acquired a new body and couldn't grow too much yet, so he needed to keep an eye on him.

Zou Sijiu clearly didn't want much contact with this chief of the Jingyiwei, so he found an excuse about the divination indicating it was inauspicious to travel today and quickly followed He Cangjia out.

Only Ma Wangye, after being awakened by a nightmare, seemed to have fallen back into a drunken stupor, curled up in the corner without moving.

But upon closer inspection, a faint red glow could be seen pulsing beneath his hood.

Wang Xie naturally noticed Ma Wangye's trickery but said nothing, instead walking straight to the couch beside Li Jun.

Clang.

The embroidered spring blade at his waist was thrown onto the table, and Wang Xie grabbed the half-finished bottle of grape wine, tilting his head back to drink it down.

In just a few gulps, half the bottle was consumed.

Wang Xie seemed unsatisfied, and casually picked up another bottle of high-concentration Jiangxiang Ming wine, taking a large swig.

Thud.

He slammed the wine bottle on the table, turned his head, and with slightly reddened eyes looked at Li Jun.

"When the great hawks rebel and harm the innocent, should they be killed?"

"The Confucian teachings have brought chaos to the court, defying the law—should they be killed?"

"But why, when you kill those who should be killed, do countless people step forward to tell you these people shouldn't have been killed?"

A mixture of indignation and strong wine spewed from Wang Xie's mouth.

"Li Jun, can you tell me the answer?"

"The court is too high, too far from me. I'm just a warrior struggling to survive, I can't give you an answer."

Li Jun lifted his own wine cup and gently clinked it against the bottle in front of Wang Xie.

"Besides, don't you already have the answer?"

Wang Xie couldn't help but show a bitter smile.

Indeed, he didn't need Li Jun to give him the answer, for the root of everything was laid bare before him.

The world is bustling with people seeking profit, and the world is in turmoil as all pursue their gains.

Even in the early Ming period a thousand years ago, it wasn't so bad, let alone today when imperial power is controlled by the Sequence Group, and the Sequencers monopolize the upper class.

The Sequence's promotion requires massive accumulation of resources, destined to make everything yield to interests.

Wang Xie's eyes were filled with bewilderment, "I don't understand—if one day the Great Ming truly collapses, will their current power and status be maintained?"

"Their roots have already spread into every corner of the empire, lurking in thousands of households. In such a situation, do you think they would care who the current emperor is?"

"Changing dynasties, changing eras—the Sequence remains the Sequence, the Group remains the Group. They won't change."

Li Jun's tone was calm, showing no emotion.

"Moreover, there's the driving force of the Sequence genes yearning for evolution behind them."

He stared at Wang Xie's stunned eyes, "Surely you don't insist on reviving the Jingyiwei purely to eliminate corrupt officials and uphold the court's governance, without any intention of using this to advance your own Sequence rank?"

"I—"

Perhaps due to the wine rising up, or because his secret had been seen through, Wang Xie's face suddenly flushed red.

He wanted to argue but stopped mid-sentence.

After several attempts, he finally slumped onto the couch like a deflated balloon, muttering, "The path to Sequence promotion has two routes: one is to save the collapsing nation, the other is to compete for supremacy in times of chaos."

Wang Xie gave a wry smile, "You're right. My initial intention in joining the Jingyiwei revival was to advance my Sequence rank faster. Though the paths differ, in essence, I'm no different from those hawks."

At that moment, a deep, rough voice spoke up, "When it comes to being human, you can only judge by deeds, not intentions. If you judge by intentions, they're all birds that deserve heavenly punishment and earthly destruction."

Wang Xie's expression suddenly tightened, and instinctively looked in the direction of the voice.

But he saw Ma Wangye sprawled among a pile of wine bottles, his previous voice now replaced by a lewd, greasy tone.

"Stop staring at me, what's the big idea? Haven't you seen people in love? Go do what you need to do."

The hood was pulled back down, and that oily, greasy voice spoke again.

"Hey, listen to you, Xiao Qin—when did we stop being in a relationship? Moving too fast? I think it's just right! Don't worry, I'm serious. I'll definitely take responsibility for you."

Wang Xie's eyes went wide, muttering, "Has this 'Ming Gui' always been this flirtatious?"

"Is this flirtatious? Do you have the guts?"

"No."

"Have you ever been in a relationship?"

"The Jingyiwei doesn't allow it."

"So you haven't?"

"I'm an honest person."

"Since that's the case, isn't this the model for our generation?"

Wang Xie suddenly shivered all over, looking at Ma Wangye with admiration and clasping his hands in a respectful bow.

The two locked eyes and laughed, clinking their cups together.

The previously heavy atmosphere was washed away by their laughter, and Wang Xie's irritation dissipated.

"Sometimes I envy you warriors—your ranks are simple and brutal, help if right, kill if wrong, everything from the heart. How free and unrestrained."

Listening to Wang Xie's envious words, Li Jun shook his head and said indifferently, "Where is there freedom? It's just survival."

"Indeed, I almost forgot your current situation is surrounded on all sides."

Wang Xie laughed, "But looking at your stance, it seems you're not planning to leave?"

A cold glint flashed in Li Jun's eyes, and he smiled slightly, "They forced me to come to Chongqing Prefecture before, and now they want to force me to leave. Is there such a good thing in this world? Even if I must leave, I should at least collect some travel expenses, right?"

"Actually, there's no need to be so life-or-death. Let me show you a clear path?"

Li Jun naturally knew what Wang Xie meant by a clear path—joining the Jingyiwei of Chongqing Prefecture.

Wang Xie pointed to the ceiling, "We have someone above. As long as you don the official robes of the Jingyiwei, I guarantee those people won't dare touch you easily."

Li Jun smiled without smiling, "The one you speak of above should be the Golden Tower, right?"

This time, it was Wang Xie's turn to be shocked, "How did you know that?"

"You're part of the Jingyiwei revival—whose kingdom is it that you're reviving?"

Wang Xie's expression grew solemn, "Since you've guessed, I'll speak plainly. Except for the Qingcheng Group, places like the Luohan Temple and Qixiao Daoist Temple are at best small companies. Calling themselves groups is just putting on airs."

"But this time, it's the great Zhao, Shaolin, and Dragon Tiger Mountain—those are genuine Buddhist and Taoist conglomerates! You, a lone warrior of the seventh rank, opposing them is like a mantis trying to stop a cart; only the Imperial Guards can shield you."

"If it truly comes to that, I hope your Chongqing Imperial Guards won't renege on their word."

Gazing at Wang Xie's worried expression, Li Jun filled the wine cup before him and then downed the remaining half-bottle of pungent, spicy rice wine.

"However, before that, I do want to test it—whether I become their merit, or they become my nourishment!"

A thick wine breath spewed from his nostrils, his eyes blazing with a terrifying light.

[Consumed 50 mastery points, Chu Wu Dun Shadow (Seven-Rank Body Method) upgraded to Seven-Rank Mid-Level 0/100]

[Consumed 138 mastery points, Fen Jin Cuo Gu Hand (Seven-Rank Martial Art) upgraded to Seven-Rank Mid-Level 38/100]

[Remaining mastery points: 0]