In Soron’s plan, Ashi Liren was not supposed to die.
Because he truly had not expected that the Demon Suppression Bureau of the Dragon God Temple would be so vast in scale. So vast that it aimed to kill both Ashi Liren and Soron to silence them.
Now, Soron’s life had been preserved by Ji Xiuning.
He did not know at this time that the reason Ji Xiuning preserved his life was because of her friendship with Zhiyan.
However, Yanping could not preserve Ashi Liren’s life.
If Ashi Liren truly died like this, then Soron’s plan would have been a complete failure. Even if he had successfully eliminated Ashiluo, this Hell Knight who used death to pledge loyalty to him.
If Ashi Liren truly died like this, Soron would never forgive himself.
But her pupils were indeed dispersing bit by bit, and her vitality was indeed draining away bit by bit.
And her husband Yanping’s hands were trembling at first, but later became completely still. His eyes were initially full of tears, but now they were as calm as an ancient well.
Soron felt it, deeply felt it.
All the people of the Dragon God Temple possessed a certain trait, a trait of heartlessness and wooden indifference.
Perhaps having acted as spokespersons for the gods for too long, they were filled with contempt and coldness toward humanity.
And right at this moment!
A tall figure descended upon the Ashi Liren residence like a shooting star, swift and fierce. Yet, it was also completely silent.
Before this person even landed, an boundless, endless powerful aura had already enveloped the entire ground.
“Release Ashi Liren. Do not force me to massacre!”
This person’s voice was very calm, yet it resounded in the heart of every person present.
Then, in the next second.
“Bang…” The garrote in Yanping’s hands instantly turned to dust and smoke.
The restraints on Soron’s body also disappeared without a trace.
Yanping and the red cloaked Huoya’s expressions changed greatly. A Dragon God Temple priest shouted sternly, “Who dares to obstruct the Dragon God Temple’s affairs?”
A man draped in a golden robe and wearing a golden crown slowly stepped in.
Instantly…
All of Soron’s gaze concentrated upon him, not moving away for even a second.
In this world, there was finally a man more handsome than himself.
Although he had already entered middle age, his face was still like jade carved by a master craftsman.
His degree of handsomeness was no less than Soron’s, yet at the same time it was filled with absolute masculinity.
He was incomparably handsome, yet it made people completely unable to focus on his appearance.
Because what was even more captivating was his temperament.
Standing there, he was like a mountain.
And once he moved, he was like a tsunami.
When fierce, he was like a sword.
When gentle, he was like a spring breeze.
He did not draw his sword, nor did he make a move. He simply walked toward Ashi Liren like this.
And at this time, over a dozen priests, great martial arts cultivators, and over a dozen adjudicators had completely surrounded Ashi Liren and Soron.
These several dozen were all super powerhouses of the Dragon God Temple, a luxurious lineup that the entire Furious Wave Kingdom did not possess. No matter which apex powerhouse of the Furious Wave Kingdom faced this formation, they would only be reduced to dust.
However…
This person simply walked slowly forward.
Wherever he passed, the priests, great martial arts cultivators, and adjudicators blocking his path were like slow motion scenes after an explosion in a film.
One person after another slowly flew out.
As if weightless, they simply floated away.
There was no resistance whatsoever. It was as if the surface of his body possessed an incomparably powerful energy field.
Wherever he passed, he was invincible.
“Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh…”
By the time he walked before Ashi Liren, all the Dragon God Temple priests, great martial arts cultivators, and adjudicators were floating in the air.
His gaze was full of tender love. He reached out to stroke Ashi Liren’s face and said, “Liren, I have come late.”
Ashi Liren’s pupils, which had nearly dispersed, gradually focused and gradually regained their vitality. Then she suddenly embraced this person and wept, “Master, my younger brother is dead!”
The identity of the person who came could of course only be one.
The thousand year king of the Eastern Departure Kingdom, the number one powerhouse of the human nations, the number one martial arts apex of several centuries, the number one king of human strength, the resister of the Dragon God Temple, King Jiang Shang of Eastern Departure!
It was this person’s existence that made the Dragon God Temple possess virtually no true power across several thousand li of territory in the Eastern Departure Kingdom.
Several days prior, Soron had dispatched wave after wave of messengers to the Eastern Departure Kingdom to request aid.
And at this time, the Eastern Departure King’s son was holding a grand wedding, which had taken place roughly a few hours ago.
In other words, as a father, the Eastern Departure King had not attended his son’s wedding in order to come save Ashi Liren.
At this time, Soron’s gaze of admiration was still fixed upon Jiang Shang.
He admired not only his supreme martial dao, but also his noble sentiments, using his own strength to resist the infiltration of the Dragon God Temple and protect his subjects from enslavement.
Seeing Soron’s gaze, the Eastern Departure King Jiang Shang smiled and nodded, saying, “Thank you for sending people to notify me.”
Soron hurriedly rose and bowed deeply.
And right at this moment, the three great giants of the Dragon God Temple who had originally departed returned.
…
“More than a decade has passed since our parting. Your Majesty’s voice and appearance have never ceased to replay in my mind. To see Your Majesty again today, still as heroic and peerless as before, truly makes Geli’s heart surrender.” The Furious Wave Kingdom Dragon God Temple High Priest Geli performed a half bow.
The Eastern Departure King’s face was expressionless, giving not the slightest bit of face.
Grand Adjudicator Luo Ge stepped forward and performed a half bow, saying, “Your Majesty King Jiang Shang’s jade finger graces us with your presence. We failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive us, please forgive us.”
The Eastern Departure King still did not even raise his eyes.
Actually, in terms of status, these people were only half a rank below him. He completely did not need to act this way.
The reason he was so cold and rude was because of these people’s past deeds and character.
Finally, the Dragon God Temple Holy Maiden, Princess of the Yan Empire Ji Xiuning, stepped forward to salute, saying, “Xiuning pays respects to Your Majesty King Jiang Shang.”
The Eastern Departure King Jiang Shang revealed a smile and said, “Xiuning, hello.”
Of the three giants, he only gave Ji Xiuning a smiling face.
Facing such cold treatment, High Priest Geli and Grand Adjudicator Luo Ge’s expressions did not change in the slightest.
They truly had not expected that the Eastern Departure King Jiang Shang would come. His son was getting married these past few days.
Therefore, Ashi Liren had not even called Jiang Xue to come help.
In their imagination, the Eastern Departure King Jiang Shang might perhaps plead for his disciple Ashi Liren. But he did not, and showed no intention of speaking at all.
Grand Adjudicator Luo Ge said, “Your Majesty King Jiang Shang, the Ashi family is guilty of three major crimes: opposing Dragon God power, opposing Dragon God faith, and opposing humanity. The evidence is conclusive. According to the law, they should be executed.”
The Eastern Departure King said, “Is this to be a clan extermination?”
The one who committed these three major crimes was Ashiluo. Ashi Liren was completely innocent.
And the reason the Dragon God Temple wanted to kill Ashi Liren was to silence her.
The High Priest and Grand Adjudicator fell silent.
Since Jiang Shang had come, there was no way this Ashi Liren could be killed.
Setting aside Jiang Shang’s invincible martial arts, just based on his identity as the Eastern Departure King, they truly could not come into genuine conflict.
After all, royal authority and divine authority were the two great pillars of the human nations.
And the Eastern Departure King represented the second greatest royal authority of the human kingdoms.
Once the Dragon God Temple and the Eastern Departure King went to war, it would represent the complete tearing apart of royal authority and divine authority.
Moreover, the Eastern Departure Kingdom was the only land the Dragon God Temple had not infiltrated, requiring the efforts of generation after generation.
In short, no one present could bear the consequences of going to war with the Eastern Departure King. Not even that Sky Priest stationed in Zhidu could bear it.
According to the plan, they would silently kill Ashi Liren, creating an established fact.
By that time, even if the Eastern Departure King was furious he would be powerless. He could not possibly initiate war with the Dragon God Temple.
But now, the Dragon God Temple also could not initiate war with the Eastern Departure King.
Ji Xiuning stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Ashi Liren is innocent. We shall depart now.”
Regarding Ashi Liren’s innocence, Ji Xiuning saw it clearly and also wished to save her.
But she deeply knew that she could only save one of Ashi Liren and Soron, otherwise she would fall out with Geli and Luo Ge.
Although she was destined to become a Sky Priest, that was decades away.
For the current Furious Wave Kingdom Dragon God Temple, she was still merely an outsider who needed to fully respect the supreme authority of Geli and Luo Ge.
Therefore, she could only speak to save Soron alone.
But now that the Eastern Departure King had come in person, it was perfect for her to step forward and pardon Ashi Liren’s crime.
“That is good. I hope the Dragon God Temple will not harass my disciple excessively in the future.” Jiang Shang said.
Ji Xiuning said, “This operation has already ended.”
Jiang Shang gazed at Xiuning’s transcendent and peerlessly beautiful face and said, “Xiuning, I know your character is noble and pure, but there are some things you cannot change. Rather than wasting time on futile endeavours, it is better to withdraw.”
Ji Xiuning’s beautiful eyes trembled, and she saluted once more, saying, “Thank you, Uncle Jiang Shang.”
Jiang Shang’s words stopped at this point, and he said no more.
At this time, under the protection of her master Jiang Shang’s powerful aura, Ashi Liren’s mind gradually calmed down, and she asked, “What will happen to my father?”
Ji Xiuning said, “Ashi Mo had improper dealings with the Hell Knight Ashiluo, conducting transactions of evil power, so we will conduct an arrest. But rest assured, it will be a secret arrest.”
“Can I see him once?” Ashi Liren asked.
Normally this would of course not be allowed, but since the Eastern Departure King Jiang Shang had even spared Ashi Liren’s life, this small favour was even less significant.
…
Seeing Ashi Mo once more, much white hair had already appeared on his head.
Wrinkles had also begun to appear on his smooth forehead.
His gaze remained fixed upon Yanping, that fake Zuoqiu, with utter hatred.
This person had deceived him for nearly a decade, making him truly believe he was going to achieve immortality.
Who would have known he was actually a venomous snake planted by the Dragon God Temple beside him?
But seeing his daughter Ashi Liren again, he was completely ashamed to face her, unable to speak a single word for a long time.
“I, I left something for you behind the plaque in the great hall of the city lord’s mansion.” Ashi Mo said.
Ashi Liren’s beautiful eyes trembled, and she said, “Alright. Take care of yourself.”
Then, the father daughter meeting ended.
Ashi Mo was taken away by the Dragon God Temple adjudicators. If there were no accidents, he would never come out again in this lifetime.
The red cloaked Huoya came to Ashi Liren’s side, handed over a box, and said, “This is what Ashiluo asked me to give you. If his plan failed and he could not possess you, then I was to give you this pill.”
Then, she directly placed the box in Ashi Liren’s palm.
Of course, this pill had already been inspected countless times by the Dragon God Temple. It was the antidote to the poison Ashiluo had previously administered to Liren.
After taking this medicine, Ashi Liren’s martial arts would be completely restored.
Of course, her Dragon Yin Severed Meridians remained incurable.
…
“Liren, this is after all the territory of the Furious Wave Kingdom. It is not convenient for me to stay long, so I shall depart now.” Jiang Shang said.
Ashi Liren threw herself into his embrace, unwilling to let go for a long time.
Perhaps in Ashi Liren’s heart, her master Jiang Shang was her true father.
Only after embracing Jiang Shang for a full quarter hour did Ashi Liren release him, saying, “I am sorry, Master, for making you unable to attend your disciple’s wedding.”
Jiang Shang gazed at Liren with tender love. He had originally hoped this disciple would become his daughter in law, but unfortunately the two did not have this fate.
And his foolish son had dragged on until now to get married, simply because he could not bear to part with this jade like, ice like Liren before his eyes.
“Silly child…” Jiang Shang gently patted her head.
Then, his gaze turned toward Soron and he said, “You are doing an incomparably difficult thing, but I hope you can succeed.”
Soron bowed deeply and said, “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”
Then, Jiang Shang departed.
When coming, it had been extremely urgent, so he rode a griffin.
But when returning, it concerned the air rights of several nations, so even as the ruler of a nation, he merely rode a horse back to the Eastern Departure Kingdom.
Soron and Ashi Liren gazed at Jiang Shang’s departing figure, their hearts completely captivated.
He had never admired and revered a person like this before.
This Eastern Departure King seemed to completely subdue your heart in the instant he appeared, without needing to say a single word, without even needing to look at you.
…
Returning to the Liren residence.
At this time, dawn had already broken. But the children had not yet been brought back, and the entire Liren residence was still empty.
Soron and Ashi Liren sat facing each other in silence.
Since the events began, the two had not truly spoken a single word to each other.
“Count Soron, you truly are incomparably clever in strategy.” Ashi Liren said, “You saw through Yanping’s identity long ago, using the Dragon God Temple to eliminate my father Ashi Mo and my younger brother Ashiluo. Can this be called reducing them to dust with a flick of your fingers?”
Without saying a word, Soron immediately prostrated himself on the ground, motionless and speechless.
Ashi Liren said, “Please leave. As for Yuan Ba and Qinqin’s betrothal, it is also hereby cancelled.”
Soron still remained motionless.
He had not revealed Yanping’s identity, using the Dragon God Temple to eliminate Ashiluo. Though not honourable, it was not unforgivable.
But…
Everyone had misjudged Ashiluo.
His death became shock, glory, and loyalty.
Therefore, Soron became unforgivable.
It could be said that Soron had played a role in fanning the flames of Ashiluo’s death.
Soron had not only used the Dragon God Temple, but also deceived Ashi Liren.
“Leave now, or I will kill you…” Ashi Liren said coldly, suddenly drawing her sharp sword.
At this time, her heart held boundless hatred, boundless fury.
Hatred toward the Dragon God Temple, hatred toward the Demon Continent.
Toward Soron, though it was merely displaced anger, it was also incomparably intense.
Without another word, she placed her sharp sword directly across Soron’s neck, saying, “Go. Disappear from my sight immediately. Even a single second of you before my eyes makes me feel nauseated!”
As she spoke!
Suddenly, darkness fell before Liren’s eyes.
Boundless icy cold assaulted her entire body, the backlash of the Dragon Yin Severed Meridians.
Then, she directly collapsed in a faint, unconscious and unresponsive.