Chapter 1811 - 160: Second Under Heaven, Clash with Yellow Heaven Taoist

Xisha County.

In the valley.

With Jiang Ning’s words falling, the valley suddenly became silent.

The light mist in the mountains lingered even under the afternoon sun.

The Yellow Heaven Taoist stood atop a stone platform, his earth-colored Daoist robe lightly swaying in the breeze.

His gaze calmly settled on Jiang Ning, and then his figure gently rose into the air, moving without wind, slowly landing a meter away from Jiang Ning.

At the same time.

The others in the valley also stood up.

Then retreated several steps outward.

They discerned the Sect Hierarch’s attitude.

Taking the initiative to descend from the high platform, this was granting equal respect to the abruptly arriving King Luoshui.

This already indicated that, in the Sect Hierarch’s eyes, this exceedingly young King Luoshui was regarded as an equal existence.

Not just equal in status, but also in strength and respect.

At this moment, Jiang Ning glanced at the Yellow Heaven Taoist in front of him, and then his gaze swept around.

He could feel that array patterns were spread across the valley below.

Numerous earth veins converged towards this valley.

"Your Highness personally comes today, is it for seeking justice?" the Yellow Heaven Taoist spoke.

Jiang Ning shook his head: "Seeking justice? I’m not Ji Minghao, what position do I have to seek justice from you! I’m just curious."

"What is Your Highness curious about?" the Yellow Heaven Taoist asked.

"Curious about the Sect Hierarch’s thoughts," Jiang Ning began, then continued, "The Sect Hierarch has come this far, with fame and fortune within grasp, yet to overthrow the Great Xia Dynasty is slightly lacking! The Sect Hierarch’s life and death now both hinge on that one’s whim. And what the Sect Hierarch is currently pursuing brings calamity upon countless impoverished people due to warfare."

"Your Highness is correct about one aspect," the Yellow Sky Sect Leader nodded lightly, then continued: "If that one chooses to act against me, indeed, I am unlikely to escape life and death. But in this valley, the cost to kill me is something that one might not be able to bear!"

Saying this, the Yellow Heaven Taoist revealed a hint of self-confidence.

He then looked at Jiang Ning and continued.

"Since Your Highness has come from afar, it’s not impossible to discuss why Your Highness comes with Your Highness."

"Then I am all ears!" Jiang Ning said.

His gaze withdrew from around.

When he descended into the valley, he sensed the array patterns spread throughout its surroundings.

He also understood why, when his Primordial Spirit patrolled last time, the Yellow Heaven Taoist was in the valley.

Seeing the Yellow Heaven Taoist again this time, still within the valley.

Because in this valley, within the large array, the Yellow Heaven Taoist had such confidence.

Facing the late Martial Saint’s confidence.

In fact, this also sufficiently explained the Yellow Heaven Taoist’s actual fear towards the Martial Saint.

"Your Highness just mentioned, my actions will bring calamity to countless people, but can Your Highness see the likes in Xisha County? Lords Zhenyue and Fuhai just witnessed it, does the Five Mountains Prefecture have such a sight?"

"The righteous army of Yellow Heaven Sect, all hold faith and obey my teachings."

"Precisely because of this, wherever the righteous army passed within the Five Mountains Prefecture, they committed no harm, and the surrounding cities surrendered at the news."

Upon hearing this.

Jiang Ning shook his head.

He lived two lives, witnessing much history.

Dynastic changes, historical cycles.

In the previous life, only one army truly achieved the demands spoken by Yellow Heaven Taoist.

An army that created a new world, saving a nation, a people from dire straits and hardship.

He did not believe the Yellow Heaven Taoist could create this miracle.

Because he did not see such a demeanor on the Yellow Heaven Taoist.

"Does the Sect Hierarch know, within the heart everyone has a fierce tiger, and the tiger is trapped in the cage? War, slaughter, blades, break the cage in the heart, release the tiger."

Jiang Ning spoke slowly and continued, "The Sect Hierarch now restrains his army because this army has yet to see blood, yet to kill fierily in battle! Once fiercely eyed, what empty words of the Sect Hierarch can restrain an army that broke the cage in their hearts and unleashed their evil thoughts?"

Upon hearing this.

The Yellow Heaven Taoist pondered briefly and then nodded.

"What Your Highness said indeed has some truth, but I want to ask Your Highness one thing, what is the current state of Great Xia in the world?"

Upon hearing that, Jiang Ning did not answer immediately.

He looked at the present Yellow Heaven Taoist, already knowing what this second in the world strong figure was asking, and also understanding what response the Yellow Heaven Taoist truly wanted to receive.

He pondered for a moment and said:

"Great Xia has stood for over eight hundred years, suppressing the world with the power of the Martial Saint. Though not complete peace in all lands, it’s generally orderly. The people, despite minor ailments, still survive. The officialdom, albeit corrupt, remains somewhat clear. Traveling along the way, I’ve seen much darkness, but overall, Great Xia has not reached the point of people unable to make a living, starvation widespread."

"In recent years, what’s truly pushing people to destitution, causing widespread hunger, is due to certain pushers."

Saying this, Jiang Ning looked at the Yellow Heaven Taoist, the implication very evident.

Seeing this, the Yellow Heaven Taoist’s face remained calm, with no ripples.

Jiang Ning continued, "Currently, Great Xia is just that. It’s not to be toppled and rebuilt. A disease deeply rooted, but still treatable. If war ignites, that’s indeed the true irreparable devastation. People unable to make a living, famine widespread, families shattered, even nine out of ten homes empty."

Saying these words, historical memories from his previous life surfaced in Jiang Ning’s mind.

Five thousand years of history, such events were not mere alarmism, but occurrences again and again.

Upon hearing that, the Yellow Heaven Taoist calmly shook his head.

"You are now positioned as a Prince, from the standings of the Prince, from the standpoint of the prince’s position."