"I will secretly report to the authorities."

Jiang Wang smiled, "You have already become the person your mentor hoped you would be. Maintain the courage of anger, don’t forget the feelings of compassion, do good deeds within your capability... this is what your mentor expects of you."

"Don’t you want me to become like you, winning the Yellow River and being the best in the world?"

Jiang Wang shook his head.

"Don’t you want me to be ennobled and become a prime minister like you?"

Jiang Wang shook his head.

Chu Yao blinked, "A few days ago, I read in a book about ’sacrificing oneself for righteousness.’ The book said it is an act of a saint. Why do you only teach me to do what I can?"

Jiang Wang said earnestly, "Sacrificing oneself for righteousness is indeed great, and I admire such people. However, I will not demand you to become such a person, nor anyone else. That kind of great spirit should come from inner enlightenment, not other people’s discipline."

Chu Yao added, "I heard them say that when you blocked the Saint Water that time, it was sacrificing oneself for righteousness, and you did a great thing."

"Whether it was great or not is debatable. At that time, I didn’t actually think much about it, and if I had to do it again, I might not dare to do it. A mentor who is alive carries the concerns of many people; it cannot be lightly trifled with. What I want to tell you is that if you have the highest moral standards in your heart, they should only be used to demand yourself. A senior once told me, ’To demand others by your own standards is already harsh; to demand the world by your standards, then you’re evil without knowing it, you are a demon among demons.’ I often reflect on myself and share these words with you."

Jiang Wang did not have a strong purpose in teaching students. He only tried his best to take care of Chu Mi’s family.

He never considered himself absolutely right, nor was he sure if he could become a good mentor.

He never intended to sculpt Chu Yao using himself as a model. Outside of cultivation, he usually only told Chu Yao what not to do and seldom what he must do.

He didn’t think of himself as a person who thoroughly understood worldly matters and life principles; he was only twenty-one years old. Only his own skills had been validated by countless battles. He could teach his craft, but he could not convey the Tao. So when it came to discussing life with Chu Yao, he handled it cautiously.

Yet with the unfolding dialogues with Chu Yao, he clearly felt the four Star Towers on the distant Star Vault became clearer and more vivid.

The Big Dipper Star Domain carried the flow of Jiang Wang’s starlight.

In his dialogues with Chu Yao, the Starlight Holy Tower transmitted his Tao to the universe.

Teaching the Tao is also cultivating the Tao.

The process of transmitting the Tao is also the organization of the past Tao Path.

In teaching Chu Yao, wasn’t he also examining himself?

...

The unobstructed southward journey came to an abrupt halt at Jin’an Fu.

Due to well-known reasons, Jin’an Fu now falls under the jurisdiction of Liang Country.

The one guarding this place is a first-rank Duke of Liang Country, the old General Huang Deyu.

Back when Kang Shao raised the flag to restore the nation, he was Kang Shao’s most powerful supporter, achieving great success in the restoration and achieving esteem equal to the nation.

Of course, in a small country like Liang, the weight of a Duke cannot compare to that in Summer Country.

Although Huang Deyu was ennobled as a Duke, his cultivation stopped at God Arrives, unable to break through to a higher realm.

A nation’s power can aid a cultivator in breaking through realms, but it doesn’t necessarily enable a breakthrough. Even the best system requires exceptional talent to sustain it. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

That’s why Qi Country has conquered the Eastern Region, yet still seeks to recruit widely from the Four Seas.

Speaking of which, Jiang Wang’s only previous encounter with Huang Deyu was likely due to Huang Deyu’s legitimate grandson, Huang Su, also participating in the Yellow River Gathering in the 3919th Year of the Dao Calendar.

"Marquis." At this time, the Tieqi Leader returned, leading a horse, and reported in front of the bullock cart, "The people of Liang Country are saying our army is not allowed to pass. You can only go to Sword Pavilion by yourself... Do you think we should force our way through?"

The carriage driver lifted the curtain.

Seeing the Cavalry General itching for action outside, Jiang Wang said with some amusement, "Why do we need to force our way through? Am I leading you to war?"

Jiang Wang’s so-called old troops were initially the first to follow him in rebelling against Summer. Hence, in this South Border, their sense of belonging to Qi Country was the strongest.

The Cavalry General scratched the back of his neck, awkwardly saying, "It’s mainly because these small Liang people are so ignorant. Are two hundred soldiers really considered an army to be so wary of?"

"Alright." Jiang Wang waved his hand, "Go and station yourselves at Mingkong Cold Mountain; I’ll head to the Sword Pavilion alone."

"Marquis, how can you not have a few attendants with you?" the Cavalry General said urgently, "I’ll go and negotiate with them again; I don’t believe they dare!"

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since this place is now Liang’s land, there’s no harm in following their rules..." Jiang Wang looked at him calmly, "Go back."

Feeling disgrace for the treatment Jiang Wang received and filled with anger, he dared not disobey Jiang Wang’s orders. He had no choice but to turn his horse in frustration, raised his arm, and led the team away towards Mingkong Cold Mountain.

"You go back too," Jiang Wang said pleasantly, patting the carriage driver.

The carriage driver, a capable man, was surprised and said, "They wouldn’t even stop a carriage driver, right?"

Jiang Wang smiled gently, "They said not to bring troops, so we won’t."

The carriage driver had no choice but to release the reins and leapt onto the back of a Tieqi’s horse, heading back.

Only then did Jiang Wang ask, "Chu Yao, can you drive the carriage?"

Chu Yao shouted loudly, "Of course! Bai Niu is very clever, I don’t even have to drive!"