Chapter 2320: The Most Important Gain

“Wei’an City’s troubles this time are significant, though few know that the golden core of an Abyssal Devourer is causing mischief beneath Feilai Peak.” He Lingchuan paused. “National Master Frost Leaf was at least right about one thing: the matters involved here are intricate.”

The Blood Demon chuckled, “Why would one Abyssal Devourer need two brain cores?”

As a half-demon Abyssal Devourer and Beijia’s most powerful National Master, it was highly suspicious that he would secretly infiltrate Cangyan to steal a golden core.

“The golden core isn’t very useful in our hands; at most, it’s just a magical artifact. But in an Abyssal Devourer’s possession, perhaps…” He Lingchuan’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly said, “Once we confirm Frost Leaf’s true identity, we’ll discover a severe mismatch between his background and his current power.”

“The Ghost Mother of Jindun is merely a lower-tier deity among the Lingxu collective, mostly obeying more powerful Heavenly Demons with little autonomy. Yet, as her child in the human realm, Frost Leaf has risen to the position of National Master in Beijia, even overthrowing Qingyang. He’s one of the most powerful and influential figures in Lingxu City, feared even by the Demon Emperor.”

He Lingchuan said seriously, “Frankly, to reach such a position from his background, Frost Leaf is far more than just exceptionally intelligent. The Beijia court is a thousand times more dangerous and complex than Yaoguo. In recent years, the conflict between the Demon Emperor and the Heavenly Gods has intensified. Frost Leaf, caught between these two, still navigates with ease, managing both public and private affairs without issue. I truly admire him. It’s important to remember that Frost Leaf could almost certainly not earn the Demon Emperor’s trust.”

Only those who have personally experienced it understand how terrifying it is to navigate the turbulent undercurrents of Lingxu City.

“What’s the use? Frost Leaf can only show off his power among humans. How dare he bare his fangs before the Heavenly Gods?” The Blood Demon cackled. “The life of the Jindun Ghost Spawn is bound to his mother. No matter how powerful Frost Leaf is, if the Ghost Mother of Jindun dies, he too will die with regret.”

“A humble mother and a noble son—that must be Frost Leaf’s greatest vulnerability.”

The Blood Demon agreed, “Heh heh, who wouldn’t be pained by that?”

“To strive for half a lifetime, reaching the pinnacle of power in the human realm, only to have one’s life tied to another’s hands—that feeling must be utterly terrible.” He Lingchuan mused, “A straw rope cannot hold a lion. If I were Frost Leaf, I wouldn’t be content to bow to fate. I have a premonition that whatever Frost Leaf does with the golden core, the Heavenly Demons will certainly not like it.”

“If the Heavenly Demons don’t like it, then I’ll be happy.” He smiled faintly. “So, there’s no harm in giving him that golden core. Then, let’s just wait and see.”

The Blood Demon grunted twice:

“Not only did Frost Leaf get the golden core, but he also caused so much trouble for Wei’an City. He also used the opportunity to observe Cangyan’s adaptability, allowing him to comprehensively assess Cangyan’s overall strength. It’s truly killing three birds with one stone, and he came back with a full harvest! We, on the other hand, only exchanged for information about the ‘Sun Gate Path.’ It feels truly not worth it.”

“To be so distressed by others gaining more benefits, you truly live up to your name as the Blood Demon.” He Lingchuan laughed, “This fellow has lived for thousands of years, how can he still be so childish? Actually, Frost Leaf would have found a way to reveal the news about the Hidden God Monarch and the ‘Sun Gate Path’ to me, regardless of whether I agreed to exchange the golden core or not. So, this information cannot be considered an exchange.”

“So we got no benefits at all?” the Blood Demon grumbled. “How did he know you’d come in person?”

“He didn’t know. But since the opportunity presented itself, he told me all the information he thought I should know.” Someone like Frost Leaf is a pure opportunist.

The Blood Demon was displeased: “Then we lost out.”

Frost Leaf gained an advantage.

“Why do you always dwell on others’ gains and losses?” He said it can easily cause psychological imbalance. “People should just manage their own affairs and learn to keep their own accounts straight.”

The Blood Demon said grumpily, “As for my own accounts, isn’t this a net loss?”

“Profits and losses are calculated differently. In Frost Leaf’s view, the trouble I caused him when I wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace years ago was much greater than what he caused me. This time, as a form of retaliation, he might even think he got off easy.” He Lingchuan laughed, “But for me, the biggest gain this time, besides the information about the ‘Sun Gate Path,’ is Frost Leaf himself.”

“Frost Leaf himself?”

“Talking with Frost Leaf not only allowed me to further understand his style of action but also to discover his stance,” He Lingchuan slowly explained. “To understand someone, you must not only know what they said but also comprehend why they said it. Frost Leaf’s betrayal of the Heavenly Palace itself severely exposed his position. The type of secrets he, as National Master and a ‘Divine Son,’ could obtain from the Heavenly Palace reveals his standing within Lingxu City and among the Heavenly Gods, as well as his distance from the Heavenly Palace and the Demon Emperor!”

“Furthermore, Frost Leaf’s personal appearance this time was not only for the golden core but also to speak with me face-to-face and establish communication. In other words, he first tested Cangyan’s responsiveness, which also served as a way to vent his frustration from past events, and then he showed an intention to cooperate with me,” He Lingchuan slowly continued. “Do you know that even if there are no tangible results, merely establishing an ‘intention’ can still be the most crucial outcome in major national negotiations? Regardless of future cooperation, this kind of communication is extremely important, much like the exchanges between me and Naraku-ten.”

He could cover over ten zhang in a single stride, regardless of the terrain’s elevation.

He descended the steep Feilai Peak with effortless grace, taking just over a dozen light steps on his tiptoes.

Over two *kè* later, after he reached flat ground, the small mountain that the Cangyan people previously couldn’t dismantle, no matter how hard they dug, began to visibly subside.

A dull rumble echoed for over ten *li*, and the ground nearby also trembled incessantly.

Such a massive disturbance, of course, couldn’t be hidden from those nearby. Garrison soldiers, monsters, and idlers all gathered from every direction, amazed and wondering what exactly had happened.

In any case, “Feilai Peak is collapsing, it’s collapsing!”

Everyone cheered excitedly, “The Luo River is about to flow again!”

Garrison Commander Weng Xing rushed over. He was startled to spot He Lingchuan in the crowd and was about to salute, but saw He Lingchuan wave his hand and subtly shake his head.

He quickly straightened up and walked over to the Great Emperor.

“The Ice River’s waters are about to flow in. Take your people and secure the banks along the route; don’t let the floodwaters sweep people away.”

“Understood,” Weng Xing acknowledged and left.

About three *kè* later, the center of Feilai Peak caved in. Accompanied by the cheers of the spectators, the waters of the Ice River flowed back into the Luo River’s channel.

A deep pool had already formed in front of Feilai Peak. This sudden event was akin to opening a sluice gate for flood discharge. Within just half a *kè*, the river water filled the Luo River’s channel and began to overflow onto the banks.

However, a faint blue light rose along the riverbank, the glow resembling a colossal eel. The floodwaters struck this blue light as if hitting an invisible barrier, forcing them back into the riverbed and sending them rushing downstream.

The downstream riverbed was severely lacking water, so this pool of clear water, once released, would quickly spread out and dissipate.

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